The Emperor then looked up again at Mu Feng, who was standing in the middle of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The boy was dressed in black, his hair neatly combed back. He was tall and stood there with an air of neither arrogance nor servility, like a sturdy bamboo in a bamboo forest, exuding a vibrant life force.

"Oh, so it's just that Qing and Burma don't invade each other? Then why should I send a large army to aid you? After all, even when your father was on the throne, Qing and Burma didn't invade each other, only occasionally had some minor skirmishes." The emperor calmly sipped his tea, his right hand still tapping the table, and even his eyes were on the boy.

The sound of the emperor banging on the table seemed to be striking the hardest part of the boy's heart, as if trying to force him to back down.

After all, the conflicts between China and Myanmar are far from minor; there are always casualties.

Mu Feng also knew that the Qing emperor wanted him to show a proper attitude and to offer real and tangible benefits, rather than just a verbal promise.

Mu Feng stood there for a moment, pondering. Finally, he gritted his teeth, hardened his resolve, and looked at the Emperor with a determined gaze. Then, in a calm voice, he said, "Very well, if you can grant me the throne, I guarantee that there will be no war between the Qing and Burma, and our trade can even be reopened. Burma will also send us gifts every time we pay homage to the Qing." Mu Feng cupped his hands and bowed.

The Emperor smiled with satisfaction, then raised his hand slightly towards the void. "If that's how the Prince sees it, then I must wish you success in taking the throne. Here's what we'll do: in ten days you will set off, and I will have our soldiers follow behind you to launch an attack during the Spring Festival."

The Emperor felt his arrangements were perfect, as this would allow him to hold his niece and son's wedding after the Spring Festival, a celebration for the whole country.

"Alright, then I won't disturb you and Princess Yong'an any longer." After receiving the Emperor's signal, Mu Feng turned and left.

"An'an, how much of what he says do you think I can believe?" After seeing the man walk out, the Emperor immediately stopped smiling.

“He’s desperate now. I think Uncle can consider it, but we can’t trust him completely. We need to have a backup plan.” An Ke whispered a few words in the Emperor’s ear, and the Emperor laughed heartily.

"You really have learned your father's spirit perfectly." The Emperor laughed heartily and patted An Ke on the shoulder, but An Ke smiled faintly and remained silent.

*

After a long day of work, Fu Erkang was about to go back to his room to rest when he heard the gatekeeper say that a young man had come the day before, saying that his friend had asked him to meet at the Huibinlou restaurant.

Huibinlou? Could it be Liu Qing and Liu Hong?

Fu Erkang seemed to be deep in thought, but then he scoffed. These people were only able to talk to him because Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi were on good terms with them. Otherwise, he would never associate with people like them.

Although Liu Qing did possess some martial arts skills, they were far inferior to those of the imperial guards.

"I understand, you can go now." Fu Erkang waved his hand, a look of exhaustion on his face, and unconsciously rubbed his temples. He thought he would rest for a while before going to Huibinlou to take a look.

I went back to my room, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep almost immediately. When I opened my eyes again, it was already dark.

Fu Erkang then hurriedly rode a fast horse to Huibinlou. It was a busy time with many guests, and Liu Qing and Liu Hong were so busy they were almost running out of time.

Liu Hong glanced up and saw Fu Erkang arrive, but then turned her eyes away as if she hadn't noticed him at all, and continued serving the dishes to the guests.

When Liu Qing arrived at the front hall, she noticed Fu Erkang's presence; after all, his presence alone among the full seats was rather conspicuous. But then she thought, now wasn't the time to make a scene.

Liu Qing put on her usual charming demeanor again, smiling broadly as she approached Fu Erkang, patted him on the shoulder, and asked, "Erkang, what brings you to Huibinlou?" Then, feigning ignorance, she looked behind him and asked, "Where are Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei? Didn't they come?"

Fu Erkang was already somewhat annoyed. They had invited him, but instead, they had left him standing there. What was the meaning of this? Seeing Liu Qing approaching him, still as humble as ever, Fu Erkang finally felt that his pride had been respected.

But the next second, Liu Qing's words felt like a slap in the face, not painful, but extremely insulting: "No, Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei are currently studying etiquette in the palace and don't have time to leave. Didn't you tell the guards at my residence to ask me to come to Huibinlou? What's the matter?"

Liu Qing was completely bewildered. She didn't want to get involved in these matters, so why would she wade into those troubled waters and go to his residence to find him? Turning to look at Liu Hong behind her, Liu Hong also shook her head, unaware of the matter.

Fu Erkang felt as if he had been made a fool of, his fists clenched tightly, and his face flushed red.

Seeing Fu Erkang's appearance, Liu Qing quickly pulled him aside, afraid of frightening the guests who were dining.

"Erkang, didn't you ask your gatekeeper what that person looked like?" Liu Qing kindly reminded him, out of consideration for their past brotherhood.

Fu Erkang then realized he was truly bewildered. Without even asking, he rushed straight to Huibinlou. But how could he reveal this matter? Wouldn't doing so damage his lifelong reputation?

He tried to save face by saying, "No, he just said that a boy came here, said a few words, and before he could react, the boy was gone."

Liu Qing's mind raced. He was thinking a step further than Fu Erkang. Could it be that someone had already noticed them and was trying to find out about their connection?

It seems they need to move to another place, and that needs to be done quickly.

Just then, Xiao Jian seemed to hear the commotion below, and somewhat listlessly leaned against the railing, where he saw Liu Qing and Fu Erkang talking below.

The moment Xiao Jian saw Fu Erkang, his eyes lit up. Hard work pays off, and he finally arrived at Huibinlou.

Xiao Jian walked down quickly, then smiled and strode towards Fu Erkang, "Erkang, you've finally arrived."

If Fu Erkang still didn't understand what was going on, then he really was the biggest idiot in the world. "Did you go to my residence and tell the guards to ask me to come to Huibinlou?" Fu Erkang's eyes narrowed, as if he was trying to figure out Xiao Jian's intentions.

Fu Erkang cannot deny that Xiao Jian is indeed talented, but he is like an unsheathed sword; although sharp, he may also hurt himself or others.

"It was indeed me who came to your residence to find you, but some things cannot be explained in a few words here. Please come up." After seeing the wariness in Fu Erkang's eyes, Xiao Jian naturally knew what he was thinking.

He secretly mocked him, thinking this person would be a brainless idiot like Meng Dan. After all, he had easily sown discord between Meng Dan and the emperor with just a few words. He hadn't expected this person to be so quick-witted today.

Although Xiao Jian was secretly upset about this, he didn't show it on his face and still politely invited Fu Erkang to the private room upstairs.

Liu Hong stealthily walked over to Liu Qing's side and whispered in her brother's ear, "Brother, when did those two get together?"

Liu Qing, who had been observing their backs, was startled by Liu Hong's sudden appearance. She patted her chest nervously and said, "Liu Hong, next time you walk, make some noise, or you might easily scare your brother to death."

Liu Hong secretly rubbed her nose. "Alright, alright, I know. Look at you, so timid. But brother, how could those two get together?" Liu Hong always felt that there couldn't be anything good going on between them.

Liu Qing nodded in agreement, but then said out of the blue, "It seems we'll have to move our plans out of the capital sooner."

Liu Hong didn't say anything, but looked at the endless stream of guests and then looked at their Huibinlou, which had been decorated brick by brick, with a pained expression.

It's really hard to leave. I poured my heart and soul into building this reception hall from the very beginning, and now it's finally decorated quite nicely, and the guests are very satisfied. Some of them are even regular guests. I really hate to leave this place.

However, for the sake of a peaceful future, everything now can be given up.

Fu Erkang was pulled into the private room by Xiao Jian. He didn't understand what Xiao Jian wanted to say. Then he saw Xiao Jian knock on the door of the next room, and Meng Dan followed him over.

When Fu Erkang saw Meng Dan, his mind went blank for a moment, and then he asked in shock, "Why haven't you left the capital yet?"

Fu Erkang felt that seeing Meng Dan at this moment was a particularly bad thing, as if a thunderbolt had struck him out of nowhere. If the Emperor knew, he would probably think that he was colluding with Meng Dan, and his tone became somewhat harsh without him realizing it.

Meng Dan naturally understood Fu Erkang's implied meaning, and was about to say something when Xiao Jian silenced him with a glance. Meng Dan could only reluctantly shut his mouth and swallow the words he was about to utter.

"He's still somewhat unwilling to give up. He still wants to rescue Hanxiang from the palace and even dream of wandering the world with her." Xiao Jian poured Fu Erkang a cup of tea first, then pushed the teacup in front of Fu Erkang before sitting down himself, speaking calmly and generously.

"You think you can break into the palace? Don't blame me for being pessimistic. There are many skilled guards in the palace. The two of you alone cannot break into the palace and rescue Hanxiang." Fu Erkang said coldly. He didn't want to be used as a pawn again.

Xiao Jian narrowed his eyes dangerously. This matter is not up to you. The moment you stepped onto my ship, it was destined that you would be on the same boat as me, like melons on the same vine.

“I think you can understand Meng Dan’s feelings, Er Kang. After all, you’ve heard that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon you and Ziwei.” Xiao Jian effortlessly stung Fu Er Kang’s heart, glancing at his expression as he spoke.

Sure enough, Fu Erkang's hands gripped the corner of the table tightly, his right hand clenched into a fist and trembling uncontrollably.

Xiao Jian used the teacup to hide his smiling lips. Angry? That's good, that's how you'll willingly let him use you.

"Erkang, has your emperor reinstated you to your position as a royal bodyguard? It's been so long, with your talent you should have been promoted long ago. Now that you've married Ziwei, you're practically a prince consort. Congratulations!" Xiao Jian, under the guise of congratulations, once again stabbed Fu Erkang in the heart.

Fu Erkang barely managed to suppress his anger and refrain from smashing the cup and leaving immediately. However, judging from his restrained expression, he was extremely agitated.

Xiao Jian felt it was time to add fuel to the fire, "During my visit to your residence, I also learned that the imposing General Fu is your younger brother. I heard that he will soon be marrying Princess Yong'an. Congratulations! I've heard that Princess Yong'an is very favored."

Fu Erkang knew he was being provoked, and he knew he shouldn't get angry over these things, but he just couldn't help feeling jealous and resentful.

"Tell me why you came to see me. There's no need to stir up trouble here." After holding back for a long time, Fu Erkang finally managed to utter these words stiffly.

Xiao Jian's eyes flickered, and he naturally understood that Fu Erkang had realized what was happening. But what could he do now that he had realized it? Fu Erkang was already on his side. If Fu Erkang didn't help him, Xiao Jian wouldn't mind fighting to the death.

"I didn't mean to say anything, I just didn't want to see lovers separated by fate. I wanted to help Meng Dan and Han Xiang get together, and I also wanted to share in your happiness." Xiao Jian seemed to have said nothing, but it was as if he had said everything.

Fu Erkang already understood, but Meng Dan was still completely bewildered, utterly clueless about the riddles the two of them were playing. He even felt as if he had lost all understanding of the Qing Dynasty's written language once again.

"Okay, I understand. I'll sneak you into the team later." A hint of hesitation flashed in Fu Erkang's eyes, but it was ultimately replaced by determination.

He was still thinking that if he let Hanxiang escape and then caught her himself, he could still get back to his original position. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

Xiao Jian naturally didn't miss the determined look in Fu Er Kang's eyes, but he had no idea what Fu Er Kang was thinking.

Forget it, whatever he thinks has nothing to do with him. As long as he agrees, things will be easier. He can then plant a few more White Lotus Cult members in the team and try to kill the dog emperor on the night of their wedding.

Although the two people beside him had different thoughts and ulterior motives, they were on the same side at this moment, and even offered each other tea as a gesture of respect. Only Meng Dan stood to the side, unable to even get a word in edgewise.