In the afternoon, Xiao Ling found a way to return to the palace.

Because the little witch Fu Xi brought news from the palace, Mu Ci finally returned to Beijing and entered the palace to meet the emperor.

It was easy for Xiao Ling to guess that something must have happened on the army's way back to Beijing.

Because Mu Ci entered the palace directly with the Tianwei people, she did not know the news that a large number of troops had entered Guanzhong.

Xiao Ling had a very strong premonition in his heart.

The Chu thief did something bad behind my back!

"Mu Ci, why haven't I heard any news about the border troops entering the pass? What happened on the road?"

Faced with the emperor's questions, Mu Ci first knelt on the ground and apologized.

"Your Majesty, Lieutenant General Xu and I led over 6,000 Zhenbei troops into the pass, but we encountered some problems entering Menghu Pass. Chu Yan conveyed the imperial decree from inside the pass, forbidding the Zhenbei troops from entering."

"Imperial edict?" Xiao Ling frowned. "I wouldn't be so foolish as to pass the edict to Chu Yan. Has he already dared to forge the imperial edict?"

"I thought so too," Mu Ci replied respectfully, "but I was unsure of the situation in the capital at the time, so I did not argue with Chu Yan without authorization. Instead, I returned to the capital alone to find out the truth."

"Well, you handled it without any problem."

Xiao Ling thought about it and thought that if the border troops were stationed outside Menghu Pass, he should be able to let the troops enter with just one order.

Even if the Chu family really wanted to use this opportunity to break off relations, at worst the army could just take a detour and enter the country.

The delay will only be seven days at most.

But... the Chu thief took such a big risk to forge the imperial edict just to delay the time for the Zhenbei Army to support Taining. What was his intention?

Xiao Ling knew very well that the Chu bandits were still very close to him and had no time to rebel.

Moreover, the Chu thief had mentioned that he would not start a rebellion until at least next year.

That's why Xiao Ling decided to endure it for the time being and not pursue these issues.

Seeing Mu Ci still kneeling on the ground, she waved her hands.

"Mu Ci, please stand up first."

But obviously Mu Ci didn't think this matter was trivial. She still felt that she had not done this simple thing well.

After all, she had received a reminder from His Majesty before the Zhenbei Army marched south.

"I beg Your Majesty to punish me for my incompetence!"

"No need. I know in my heart that the Chu family is powerful, and sometimes it is difficult to deal with them."

Xiao Ling appeared to be calm, but it was obvious that Mu Ci had a different mentality.

Seeing that she had no intention of getting up, Xiao Ling finally couldn't sit still anymore.

She wanted to stand up and support Mu Ci, but as soon as she stood up, her feet felt weak.

The aftermath of this morning's tossing and turning is still there...

Xiao Ling felt a little embarrassed by the fatigue shown by his body, but he still managed to walk over.

She was only five steps away from Mu Ci who was kneeling in the hall, but she managed to walk a hundred meters away.

Chu thief... I really, really want to strangle you to death now.

After another ridiculous day, she was so tired that she didn't even plan to return to the palace.

But since it concerns the border troops, there is nothing I can do and I have to handle it myself.

The emperor's limping movement in front of him made Mu Ci stunned.

Her face was full of surprise.

Your Majesty, the way you walk slowly seems a little strange.

"Your Majesty, you...?"

"Ahem, it's…it's nothing," Xiao Ling said, her pretty face slightly red as she defended herself, "I just accidentally sprained my ankle yesterday."

ah?

Sprained ankle?

Mu Ci was half-believing and half-doubting. He looked down at His Majesty's dragon robe, then looked up again to see His Majesty's hand supporting his waist.

This look really doesn't look like a sprained ankle...

It's more like...it's like...

Well, Mu Ci couldn’t seem to think of a direction to go in for the time being.

But she couldn't kneel on the ground anymore. After all, His Majesty was injured and had to support herself personally. She really couldn't dwell on this matter anymore.

She stood up and bowed slightly, "...I was too cautious and frightened Your Majesty."

"Ah? No, it's not you." Xiao Ling waved his hands quickly.

It's obviously the shameless bastard Chu Zei, he really deserves to die!

Xiao Ling thought resentfully in his heart that he resented Chu Yi more than anyone else.

Fortunately, she now looks like a man, and Mu Ci probably wouldn't associate this with something like that. Otherwise, she would have lost face today.

Um?

Hearing this, Mu Ci's face looked strange. His Majesty seemed to be in a very abnormal condition?

Although His Majesty in front of me looks normal, there is an indescribable weirdness about him.

But Mu Ci didn't dare to think too much now.

"Mu Ci, bring my decree back to Menghu Pass and bring more men with you. If Chu Yan dares to stop you, escort him directly to the capital. Is that a problem?"

Xiao Ling ordered.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I understand. This time, I will not allow the Chu family to act so recklessly!"

Soon, Xiao Ling returned to his desk, wrote the decree, and handed it to Mu Ci.

Mu Ci did not dare to delay and went to do the work with the order.

After seeing Commander Mu leave, Yu Zhu stepped forward and supported the Empress as she walked towards the bedroom.

On the way, she couldn't help but express her concern for His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, how did you get so injured? I always feel that Lord Chu doesn't look like a good person who can be trusted. He simply doesn't know how to cherish Your Majesty..."

When Xiao Ling heard this, her cheeks turned slightly hot and she instantly recalled an unpleasant scene.

"Don't talk nonsense. Actually, he is fine. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so sincere to him. I... am just too weak."

Yuzhu raised her eyes and glanced at His Majesty's expression, a look of surprise on her face.

After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Then...do I need to prepare medicine for Your Majesty?"

Xiao Ling: “…”

"Do you think I'm someone you need?"

Yuzhu nodded decisively, "Yes."

Xiao Ling: “…”

…

After leaving the Purple Palace, Mu Ci recalled what happened when he met His Majesty, and suddenly slapped his forehead.

She seemed to have remembered something.

Mu Ci is not married, and perhaps he didn't realize some of the inconveniences just from what happened just now.

However, as the commander of the Tianwei, she has seen countless people, and even though she has no experience, she is still very sensitive to this matter.

Your Majesty...his performance...

It really makes me have a very ridiculous idea.

Although he had some ideas in his mind, Mu Ci had no other thoughts at the moment, so he took his men out of the capital.

When she returned to Menghu Pass, Chu Yan did not express anything extra.

Because he learned that Mu Ci had just arrived, he immediately took his personal guards and set off back to Beijing.