Chapter 154: The bet

The guards of the Eastern Palace responded in unison, following Dongfang Qi to the back garden.

The third young master of the Li family shouted loudly: "The Li family has not committed any crime, no one can violate it without the Emperor's edict! Someone!"

The servants of the Li family responded to the call, blocking the entrance to their own back garden, with a posture of not giving an inch.

In this way, the two forces were deadlocked.

One is the Crown Prince who is high above, the other is the top aristocratic family, with swords drawn and bows bent.

Li Xiu said: "Your Highness, do you really want to make it impossible to end? Whether it is your deputy general or Prince Chaolan, our Duke's mansion has no reason to detain them. Maybe the person you are looking for is in her own mansion."

But Dongfang Qi stubbornly said: "She is in the Duke's mansion."

Li Xiu hummed: "Empty words, and you want to search the entire mansion? It seems that the Crown Prince really doesn't take our aristocratic families in his eyes!"

And Dongfang Yan was still fanning the flames on the side: "Crown Prince, do you really want to suppress with power? I heard you just said that if you can't find anyone, you are willing to write a self-criticism edict. If you rush into the Duke's mansion today, how do you plan to end it? Resign from the position of Crown Prince?"

Dongfang Qi looked coldly at the crowd around him and said: "Today, if I cannot find Prince Chaolan in the Duke's mansion, this palace will not only write a self-criticism edict, but also resign from the position of Crown Prince!"

As soon as this was said, everyone's face changed.

Duke Cui hurriedly said: "The matter is of great importance, the Crown Prince must not be childish!"

Dongfang Yan asked back: "The monarch has no jokes, can this word of the Crown Prince be true?"

"Naturally true, everyone here can be a witness." Dongfang Qi paused, then looked at Li Xiu and the many Li family descendants behind him, "But if Prince Chaolan is found, what should the Li family do?"

Li Rui was about to speak, Li Xiu hurriedly gave a look, and said to Dongfang Qi: "What does the Crown Prince want the Li family to do?"

He smiled: "Making such a big pile of battle today, could it be a play performed by Prince Chaolan and the Crown Prince? One hides, one finds, and then turns our Li family upside down? Our Li family, what hatred and resentment do we have with the Crown Prince?"

He is quite smart, pushing everything to the Crown Prince, so no matter whether the person is found or not, the Li family can stand in the posture of an innocent person.

Dongfang Qi nodded, seemingly speechless by his words.

"Prince Chaolan is really in our Li family, whether she is hiding deliberately or missing by accident, it is considered that our Li family did not receive her well. Our Li family is willing to apologize to Prince Chaolan."

Saying these words, Li Xiu was also afraid that Dongfang Qi would react and not be willing to take the bait, so he softened his words.

Others don't know, but he is very sure that Prince Chaolan must have broken into the secret room and discovered the location of the fox demon, and was trapped in the space array he set up.

The so-called space array is a technique he learned from an ancient isolated book. He set up underground spaces under his secret room and the back garden, and any person or object entering the space can be exchanged according to his will.

Therefore, no matter which place the Crown Prince wants to dig, he can transfer it at will.

Although he doesn't know how the Crown Prince found the two locations of the secret room and the back garden.

But even if the Crown Prince really digs three feet into the ground in the back garden, he can guarantee that he won't find anyone.

The corners of Dongfang Qi's lips held a trace of imperceptible smile: "Just apologizing is not sincere enough. Why not, Li Second Master, apologize with death."

"What did you say?" Li Xiu's face changed greatly.

Although he has the certainty of victory, the Crown Prince actually used his life as a bet, which is too much! He Li Xiu is an illegitimate son, but his eldest brother is the Li Duke!

When outside, maybe his status is not noble enough. But in the Li family, who doesn't treat him as a legitimate line!

And at this moment, in the Crown Prince's mouth, it is as if he is the same as those lowly commoners, who can be gambled and sacrificed at any time.

"Why, don't you dare?"

Dongfang Qi, who was anxious to find someone before, suddenly had a slow posture at this moment.

Could it be that Dongfang Qi also realized that the words just now were reckless? Regret it? Deliberately scaring Li Xiu, wanting to gamble his life?

Dongfang Yan didn't want to miss this great opportunity, and hurriedly gave Li Xiu a look to ask if he was sure.

Li Xiu naturally has certainty, his most proud thing in his life is his space technique, especially after absorbing the fox demon's demon pill, his attainments have improved, and his control over space is even better.

After a little hesitation, he nodded and agreed: "Good! Everyone here can be a witness! My Li family and the Crown Prince have made a gentleman's bet! If the Crown Prince finds Prince Chaolan in the back garden, it will be considered that our Li family did not receive her well, and I, Li Xiu, am willing to pay with my life! Conversely, if the Crown Prince does not find anyone, he will voluntarily write a self-criticism edict and resign from the position of Crown Prince! A gentleman's word is hard to chase!"

Duke Zhao immediately said: "Good, we are witnesses. A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand gold, I hope the Crown Prince will not go back on his word."

Dongfang Qi said: "I won't."

Dongfang Yan saw Dongfang Qi agree happily, and couldn't help but doubt.

Why is he so sure? Is it the confidence given by Lin Qingyue?

Li Second Master is proficient in mystic arts, and Dongfang Yan also knows some. Since he is willing to bet with his life, he must have complete certainty.

After thinking slightly, Dongfang Yan opened his mouth and said: "Since the bet is made, it must be rigorous. In order not to disturb the young ladies of the Duke's mansion, the scope of finding people should be set in the back garden. Of course, it is impossible to search indefinitely, why not set half an hour as the standard? Too long, I am afraid Qingyue will be anxious."

Limited time, specified scope, even if the Crown Prince wants to play tricks or change places temporarily, he can't.

Li Xiu couldn't help but praise: Prince of Jin thinks comprehensively. Dongfang Qi, this reckless man, is stupid and impulsive, how can he be worthy of the position of heir?

Dongfang Qi frowned, seemingly weighing.

Duke Cui still recognized Dongfang Qi's character, and didn't want him to fall into a trap so recklessly, so he came to persuade:

"Your Highness, the position of heir concerns the foundation of the country, not a child's play, how can you gamble with others? If you feel that Prince Chaolan might be trapped in the Li Duke's mansion, why not return to the palace to ask for an edict before searching. In this way, you can also have a teacher."

But Dongfang Qi knew that once he left, Lin Qingyue would become very passive. The Donglin Prefecture matter made the Li Duke hold a grudge, and he would definitely not let her go easily.

Duke Cui asked him to return to the palace to ask for an edict, which would take a lot of time, and he could not guarantee whether there would be any accidents in the middle.

And his father would not allow him to search the Duke's mansion

Because this would be of no benefit in turning against the aristocratic families; it would offend an entire social class.