Chapter 284 Black Spider

In the courtyard of Qiyunju, it seemed as if there was a holy light like that of a Bodhisattva shining, and all the storms and clouds gradually subsided.

At the same time, in the East Palace of the Imperial Palace, the dim candlelight flickered, making the human figures look like ghosts.

Nan Lijun covered the sleeping Yan Shijiu with the quilt, tucked his back, gently kissed the corner of his lips, then put on his clothes and went to the study in the middle hall.

In the study, all the palace servants had left, and only Zhiluo was waiting.

Zhi Luo presented a secret report, Nan Lijun glanced at it and his expression suddenly changed.

"Uncle Yan Chuo is seriously ill and in a coma. Several restless princes have rebelled. The Crown Prince is asking us for troops to support him."

The situation really happened as Huo Gannian had previously speculated.

She had just written a secret letter asking Yan Chuo to investigate the princes and asked Zhi Luo to send it out, when Dongyan was in civil strife.

To this end, he also wanted to borrow the last 80,000 Beijing troops from the Kingdom of Nan.

Could it be that everything is really as Huo Gannian said, that the civil unrest in Dongyan was intentional in order to transfer the troops away from Beijing, and then Xiyan would directly attack the imperial city?

Is it Yan Shijiu who is behind all this...?

Nan Lijun looked towards the direction where Yan Shijiu was sleeping in the bedroom. She really couldn't doubt this man.

He lingered on her heart, bringing her joy and happiness that she had never experienced in her life.

He did not seek wealth or power, and he never even asked her for an official position.

He had said it himself that he wanted nothing but her.

Nan Lijun held his slightly aching forehead and said, "Tell me, between Yan Shijiu and Huo Gannian, who should I trust?"

Zhi Luo rolled up his sleeves lightly and stepped forward to help Nan Lijun gently massage the solar plexus. His voice was slow and seemed to carry a soothing magic:

"You previously asked me to investigate Master Yan's family background, and I have already done so. There is nothing suspicious about it. Why do you still not trust Master Yan?"

"It's not that I don't believe him, it's just..." Nan Lijun couldn't say it.

But Huo Gannian said it so confidently and seriously that it was impossible not to take it to heart.

But if she believed Huo Gannian, it would be tantamount to admitting that Huo Gannian was much smarter than her, Nan Lijun.

Nan Lijun frowned, "I failed to kill Ni Kun, and the control of the Beijing Army is still not in my hands. I don't know whether what Huo Gannian said is true or not... It's hard to tell the loyalty and treachery of all the civil and military officials in the court. It really gives me a headache..."

Zhi Luo curled his lips slightly, "Your Highness is tired, may I help you remove your hairpin and comb your hair?"

Nan Lijun nodded, and Zhiluo gently took off all the pearl hairpins on her head and untied Nan Lijun's favorite jasmine flower hairpin.

Until the long hair fell like ink, no longer having any weight or restraint.

Zhi Luo inserted his fingers, which were like water onions, into Nan Lijun's hair and began to massage it gently.

"I have a plan, but I don't know whether I should tell you or not." Zhi Luo said softly.

Nan Lijun leaned back in his chair, squinting his eyes comfortably, his voice becoming lazy:

"You are the head of the women officials and a talented military advisor. You are a hundred times better than your predecessor, but you can speak freely."

Zhi Luo smiled and spoke softly:

"I have a plan that can solve all of Your Highness's current troubles. It can kill Ni Kun, distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and test the sincerity of everyone in the court—including Master Yan. Your Highness, are you willing to give it a try?"

Nan Lijun opened his eyes suddenly, obviously very interested.

Zhi Luo slowly approached Nan Lijun's ear, her red lips slightly opening and closing, and her voice was as pleasant as the gurgling of water, pouring into Nan Lijun's ears.

There was no one else in the hall, and even if there was, no one could hear what the two said.

All one could see was Nan Lijun's eyes growing brighter and brighter, emitting an unprecedented strange light.

The candlelight cast their shadows on the window frame. The intricate and sharp pearl hairpin on Zhiluo's head surrounded Nanlijun's head, looking like a black spider with bared fangs and claws.

After a full hour, Zhi Luo finally took his leave.

Nan Lijun's heart was already surging with emotion after hearing Zhiluo's words, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

She kept pacing back and forth in the hall, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that this plan was brilliant!

She hadn't misjudged Zhi Luo! His wisdom and strategy were indeed a hundred times greater than Song Lan's, and he was always polite and courteous to Yan Shijiu, never overstepping the bounds!

Nan Lijun was so excited that he couldn't sleep, so he walked into the bedroom and woke Yan Shijiu up.

Yan Shijiu looked sleepy and asked, "What's wrong, A'li?"

Nan Lijun remembered what Zhiluo had said, and he resisted the urge to say a word to Yan Shijiu. He just hugged Yan Shijiu and said happily:

"Yan Nineteen! I'm so happy! I'm going to do something even more amazing than my father!"

Yan Shijiu drowsily hugged Nan Lijun back and said perfunctorily with sleepiness:

"Very good. The disciple surpasses the master. Now it is just a matter of time. In a few years, your achievements will surely surpass those of the late emperor."

Nan Lijun excitedly hugged Yan Shijiu's neck, "Do you really think so?"

"Of course!" Yan Shijiu said firmly, "You are even better at judging people and appointing them to positions than the previous emperor. You can accurately identify loyal and virtuous people and make important contributions. You are naturally keen on identifying treacherous and cunning people. Your intuition is always accurate. This is a natural gift for being an emperor."

Nan Lijun's smile became more and more brilliant, and he said with a smile:

"Are you trying to coax me? You're so slick, I can't trust you!"

Yan Shijiu smiled with his neat white teeth, his eyes gentle and doting:

"Don't believe me? I'm so panicked. I have to work harder!"

Nan Lijun covered his mouth to hide his laughter: "What do you want to do?"

Yan Shijiu hugged Nan Lijun's waist tightly, his tone was tinged with charm, and he said with a wicked smile:

"I want you."

Nan Lijun's porcelain-white face flushed, making her look even more charming and attractive.

"You've only been injured for a few days, and you haven't been honest for a single day. You asked for it the day before yesterday, you asked for it yesterday, and you asked for it at noon today. Why do you ask for it again now? You really should be made a eunuch with a knife!"

He smiled without saying anything, only looking at her with his eyes like a hook, and kissed her snow-white skin lightly, moistening her soft skin bit by bit...