When this news reached the capital, the entire court was shocked. Their country was devastated and in imminent danger, and the emperor had been seriously ill for many days. He feared he wouldn't last many more years, perhaps passing away next year or even the year after! And the candidate was still uncertain. Last year, the crown prince had gone south to provide disaster relief, hoping to build a reputation to prepare for his future succession. Unexpectedly, he escaped and returned, bringing disgrace to the royal family.

The emperor's second prince is uneducated and almost lives in a brothel, while the third prince is kind but still young, only six years old.

Meng Shi watched the constant quarrels in the court without saying anything to stop them, nor did he suggest that they stop quarreling. The person on the stage, seeing that the court was as bustling as a vegetable market, directly threw the graphite on the inkstone down.

There was a loud bang, and the adults in the court finally shut up and became as silent as quails.

"How long do you intend to continue arguing, ministers? Why not, after the court session, you can argue at the main gate? Let the people see the ministers' demeanor."

Seeing that they were silent, Emperor Ming Xiao snorted coldly and said, "Then, in your opinion, how should the border be settled now?"

The ministers looked at each other in silence. At this time, a man stepped out of the crowd and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that General Tong's status should be reinstated and he should be allowed to lead the troops to fight against the barbarians."

As soon as this was said, someone objected, "Master Chen, have you forgotten the tragedy at Ancang Mountain? Now you want the Tong family to lead the troops!"

After hearing this, Master Chen chuckled and said, "I don't know who An Cangshan is responsible for, but I understand that Tong Anguo was still serving his country until the moment of his death."

Someone in the court said, "Master Chen, you've gone off topic! What we need to solve now is the problem of Dongsai City."

He stepped forward and said, "This old minister suggests that we send 20,000 more troops to Dongsai City! This will make up for the shortage of troops. If the barbarians attack again and Dongsai City can't withstand it, we might lose two cities in a row!"

"That's easy for you to say. Where are we going to get 20,000 troops from? And how are we going to get the food and fodder?"

"Taxes haven't been collected yet this year, have they? Then we can just increase taxes this year to make up for the grain shortage." Lord Meng shook his head after hearing this. This was simply robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Last year we were suppressing the rioting refugees, and now we have to increase taxes. How are the people living here going to survive?

Emperor Ming Xiao looked at his subordinates, who were all talking at the same time, and said, "Let Tong Hong lead the troops to fight against the barbarians in the border area, and send another 10,000 troops to support the border."

Since the emperor has spoken, his subordinates can only echo: "Your Majesty is wise!" Throughout the whole process, the regent did not say a word and did not reveal anything!

When he left the court, he looked at the prince and said, "Prince, there are many puddles in the south, but you were able to avoid them. I admire you."

The prince curled his lips and said, "I stepped on a pit and got soaked. I can't compare to my uncle who is so powerful in the capital."

The Regent said nonchalantly, "How could I be so influential? The influential ones are up there!" After the Crown Prince returned to the East Palace, he swept the teacup off the table and said angrily, "If it weren't for my father, why would I have to endure his ridicule?"

The maids standing in the hall trembled with fear, all worried that they would be implicated. Thinking of his father's previous advice to endure it, he was now treated coldly by officials every time he went to court. He had made some achievements in the south, but his father had asked him not to be so high-profile. This was why he spread another version of the story in order to deceive their eyes and make Uncle Wang mistakenly think that he was a coward.

When Sikongze thought about Pei Guanyu's recent close relationship with Miss Ji, his eyes darkened. Logically, he should be happy, but he had a strange feeling in his heart, as if the two of them would snatch away the life that originally belonged to him.

He waved and asked, "How's things going at Prince Pei's mansion?" Mei Qi, a young eunuch who stepped forward, replied, "Young Miss Ji came to treat Prince Pei. The two chatted in the pavilion for about two quarters of an hour."

This Miss Ji has been quite active lately! She previously connected with the Nan Palace, and now she's connected with the Pei Palace. There's even a rumor going around in the capital that Miss Ji and Prince Pei are a perfect match. Sikong Ze raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh, why are there rumors that Miss Ji and him are a couple again?"

Mei Qi replied respectfully, "Master, this is because Miss Ji was harassed by Princess Yunhua while on a boat during the Lantern Festival. After the argument, Miss Ji accidentally fell into the water. Prince Pei happened to be rafting at the time, so the rumor of a hero saving a beautiful woman began to spread."

Si Kongze supported his chin with his hand and said calmly, "Guan Yu is not a warm-hearted person. He must have saved her because Miss Ji said something. But considering that he hasn't been out these days, I will reluctantly go and see him!"

He stood up and patted the non-existent dust on his robe, then stood up and walked towards the study with Meiqi. No one knew that there was a secret passage leading to the outside of the East Palace. This secret passage led directly to Prince Pei's Mansion. He had asked people to dig it before.

After entering the study, Meiqi turned the vase, then turned it back twice and a wall of books on the bookshelf slowly moved away. After Sikongze stepped in, Meiqi followed closely, and then the wall of books moved back to its original position.

The candlelight in the secret passageway glowed faintly. This secret passageway was large enough to accommodate a small carriage. Sikongze sat in it, and Meiqi followed and sat in a small corner. Sikongze then told the coachman to set off. After about a quarter of an hour, the carriage reached a place where it could not enter. Sikongze then stood up and walked inside.

After entering the stone chamber, I heard a clear and pleasant voice coming from outside, "Prince Pei, how about we make a deal? You go to the Ji family to propose to me, and I will detoxify you. Don't worry, after three years, we can get married and then you can pursue the woman you like."

Prince Pei leaned back on the couch and said, "Oh! I ordered you to be killed, it was just an order. Why do you have to threaten me?" The other one continued, "Prince Pei, I dare say you won't survive the poison for more than three years. But if I can cure you, I will definitely ensure that you will have a smooth life for the next twenty years."

"You only need to spend three years to protect me, and you can survive." Pei Guanyu was silent. He was thinking. No one had ever threatened him before! However, thinking of her current situation in the Ji family, he couldn't help but say: "You already have the Nanwang Mansion as a backer, why are you looking for me?"

Ji Huaixin said, "Who would think they have too many backers? Isn't having one more backer also an extra life-saving bumper?"