As soon as the imperial physician left, the prince's "generous gift" arrived.
A gorgeously decorated carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and a woman with a slim figure and stunning beauty got out.
She was dressed in simple palace clothes, holding a guqin, and her eyes were bright and shining. She was the chess piece carefully cultivated by the prince - Liu Ruyan.
"I, your servant Liu Ruyan, have come here to serve Master Zhao on the orders of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Her voice was like a yellow oriole singing from a valley, melodious and sweet, and as she bowed down, she was full of charm.
"His Highness heard that you were unwell, so he ordered me to bring you the palace's secret brew of 'Xue Ding Han Cui' fragrant tea, which is said to be calming and soothing, and to play the zither for you to ease your worries."
Liu Ruyan's appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Her beauty carries an air of ethereal purity, yet conceals a captivating allure.
Tang Yanhai, Wu Shangzhi and others looked alert, while Yin Yao felt an inexplicable sense of bitterness and uneasiness in her heart.
Zhao Muyun leaned back on the couch and looked at Liu Ruyan calmly:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Miss Liu Ruyan's qin skills are undoubtedly extraordinary, but I am currently suffering from poison and am burning with internal pain. I am afraid I will not be able to enjoy the elegant music."
"Please go back, young lady. I would like to thank His Highness for his kindness."
A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes, as if she had not expected Zhao Muyun to reject the prince's kindness so bluntly.
But she quickly recovered as usual, and she was about to cry, looking pitiful:
"Sir... do you find me uncouth? Your Highness has issued a strict order. If I cannot serve you, I am afraid I will not be able to return the favor..."
"I said, no need."
Zhao Muyun's voice turned colder, carrying an unquestionable pressure. "I will explain to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Send him out!"
Tang Yanhai immediately stepped forward, made a "please" gesture, and his eyes were cold.
Seeing this, Liu Ruyan knew that it was useless to insist, so she could only look at Zhao Muyun resentfully, holding the zither, and left, looking back every few steps.
The box of "Snow Top Green" she brought was thrown out the door by Tang Yanhai without hesitation.
After sending the prince's men away, Zhao Muyun immediately summoned Tang Yanhai to contact Fan Bingbing, the night lieutenant.
"Keep an eye on Liu Ruyan and find out all her details and connections!"
"Also, you need to keep an eye on Sun Yuanpan in the palace! Any medicine he prescribes should be tested by a trusted doctor before use!"
The water in the capital is too muddy, so he has to proceed with caution.
......
In the evening, a secret letter from the Prince of Jin's Mansion was delivered to Zhao Muyun through the secret channel of Yebushou, and was signed by the Crown Prince Yinji.
The content of the letter was extremely brief, but every word was of great significance:
"Master, please accept my respect: Ji Ming is deeply moved by the matter of Sister Yao! The capital is a dangerous place. Wei Qian and the Crown Prince both want to eliminate me!"
"Shuozhou is in urgent need of help. It is my brother's foundation and my father is also worried!"
"Father's intention is: if you are willing to join hands with the Jin Palace, the Jin Palace can provide you with all the money and food! The power of the Jin Palace in the court can also mediate on your behalf!"
"I hope you will think twice! I bow my head."
At the end of the letter, there was also a secret contact address and time.
Zhao Muyun looked at the letter, his eyes as deep as a cold pond.
Prince Jin Yinxi finally couldn't help but extend an olive branch!
Using the Shuozhou crisis as a bargaining chip, Yin Yao as a bond, and the common fight against the prince as bait, they want to drag him into the water and tie the Shuozhou army to the chariot of Prince Jin's Mansion!
Is it a timely help?
Or is it inviting a wolf into the house?
The ambitions of Prince Jin and his son are no less than that of the Crown Prince!
A cold arc appeared at the corner of Zhao Muyun's mouth.
If Prince Jin wants to use him, why can't he use the power of Prince Jin's Mansion?
......
Three days later, Emperor Yongchang summoned him.
Zhao Muyun suppressed the poison and stepped into the Golden Palace, which symbolized the highest power center of the empire.
Inside the hall, all civil and military officials stood in silence, and the atmosphere was as solemn as the dead silence before a storm.
The gazes that pierced through him were like substance, some scrutinizing, some wary, some gloating, and some showing undisguised hostility and sneers like those of Gu Dingming and Cui Kaiji.
Crown Prince Yinzhao stood at the first seat at the foot of the imperial steps, his expression calm and no clues could be seen.
The officials of Prince Jin's faction had their eyes flickering with anticipation.
"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Muyun, the Commandant of the Suppression of the Enemy and the Defense Commissioner of Shuozhou, pay my respects to His Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Zhao Muyun's voice rang out in the hall, steady and powerful, without any trace of weakness from his severe injuries.
He knelt on one knee with a clean and neat movement.
"Zhao Qing, please stand up."
Emperor Yongchang spoke calmly from his throne, his gaze fixed on Zhao Muyun as if admiring a rare treasure. "You must have had a hard journey. I heard you were attacked and injured. Are you feeling better now?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I have driven back those few rogues. Their wounds are minor, but I dare not let personal interests get in the way of public service and betray your grace."
Zhao Muyun stood up, straightened his body, and looked at the emperor calmly.
"As long as there's nothing wrong."
Emperor Yongchang nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming cold, "Then, Lord Zhao, do you acknowledge your guilt?"
boom!
You could hear a pin drop in the hall!
Everyone held their breath! The emperor finally took action!
Zhao Muyun's expression remained unchanged. He bowed and said, "I am ignorant and don't know what crime Your Majesty is referring to. Please explain clearly."
"snort!"
Emperor Yongchang snorted coldly, his eyes flashing like lightning. "The Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel are jointly impeaching you! You've overstepped your authority and privately granted official positions! You've maintained your own troops and raised a private army! What's more, we suspect you of scheming against us!"
"What do you have to say about this?"
The emperor's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting down hard!
Gu Dingming, Lu Bingjun and others showed smug expressions on their faces, and looked at Zhao Muyun as if they were looking at a dead person.
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