"Half a month later, the palace examination will be over and the Chinese New Year will come a few days later. Father plans to have the students celebrate the New Year together in the capital."

Rong Yan looked at Ruyi and said, "By that time, you will already be the seal holder in front of the emperor. You will know everything that is reported to the emperor."

Ruyi's heart surged when she heard this, but she was also a little nervous, "Will the emperor tell me about what happened in the court?"

"Yes, he not only knows how to speak, but he also wants to hear your opinions."

Rong Yan was nervous for her, "You are following your father this time, it is different from going to Guangwenguan. You must be extremely careful in what you say and do."

"Father is a man who disdains conspiracy and will not scheme against others."

"But he is well versed in human nature. If you offend him, he will invisibly make you fall into your own character weaknesses and dig your own grave."

Ruyi was deeply touched by this.

"I'll try to be careful."

After the meal, the two of them didn't talk about what happened in the court anymore.

Rong Yan simply sent people out and kept an eye on what was happening outside.

Ruyi talked to him for a while, and then offered to take Rong Yan's pulse.

"Brother, let me feel your pulse."

She squatted beside Rong Yan, her eyes were particularly sincere, "Maybe, I can cure your leg?"

“…”

Rong Yan was caught off guard and almost bit his tongue.

"this--"

He wanted to refuse, but he had no suitable reason.

But if I agree, won’t I be exposed?

Finally, he sighed and said, "Forget it, I'll just give you a chance to feel your pulse."

He thought that with Ruyi's intelligence, she should be able to see the crux of the problem.

Ruyi thought he was weird.

He didn't seem to be too worried about his leg disease, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to get treatment.

However, as soon as she placed her fingers on his wrist, she knew why!

"This is the pulse caused by the Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles. You——"

Ruyi raised her head and looked at Rong Yan in surprise.

"You still have silver needles on you?"

For those who do not know how to use the Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles, this pulse condition indicates arthritis, which means the lower half of the body is disabled.

But Ruyi had just learned the Thirteen Ghost Needles from an old beggar.

In other words, to see whether Rong Yan has a leg disease, we have to remove the Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles to know the truth.

Rong Yan raised his hand and tapped her forehead, "I can't hide anything from you."

"I'm pretending to have this paralysis."

“…”

Ruyi was stunned, and stood up and said, "Ruyi knows what to do and what to say."

Then just keep it a secret.

But it probably can't be kept secret for much longer.

Because the old beggar's identity could not be hidden for much longer, and people outside were already saying that he was the Southern Emperor.

Rong Yan also said that he was the disciple of the Southern Emperor.

So, Nan Huang, as the number one divine doctor, couldn't cure his apprentice's leg...

Even if it really cannot be cured, some people will still doubt it.

For this kind of thing, the truth is not important, just suspicion is enough——

Once others suspect that Rong Yan's leg disease is fake, they will know that he is a strong contender for the throne and will definitely target him first.

Ruyi took a deep breath and felt her heart become even heavier.

Rong Yan comforted her and said, "Don't worry too much. I will go to the south to fight soon."

"Once I'm out, other people won't be able to see me, so naturally they won't be so suspicious."

Ruyi nodded and asked, "Is this battle unavoidable?"

Rong Yan shook his head. "Every family has its own problems. The Emperor of Nanchu likes the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince of Nanchu's behavior over the years is commendable, but he has a grudge against the Fourth Prince of Nanchu."

"And the fourth prince's mother is the princess of Southern Yan."

“…”

When Ruyi heard this, she understood.

"That is to say, once the crown prince ascends the throne, the fourth prince will die without a burial place."

"In order to survive, he must strengthen his own power. Even if he cannot kill the prince and take his place, he must be strong enough to fight against him."

Ruyi raised her head and looked at Rong Yan, "So, he wants to use my Northern Qi as a sacrifice to make the Southern Chu army surrender with military merits?"

"So, this battle will happen whether we like it or not."

Rong Yan pressed his brows and said, "I have sent a message to the south to change the defense."

Ruyi suddenly realized.

"No wonder you allowed the Third Prince to give the defense map to Nan Chu."

In everything we do, we should look three steps ahead before taking one step.

Even before things happen, preparations are made in advance.

Ruyi pondered the emperor and Rong Yan's methods and gained some insights.

Rong Yan glanced at her and said, "The defense map that the Third Prince gave to Nan Chu also contained a letter."

"That letter is what's going to kill him."

Then he changed the subject, "However, this matter is not easy for us. As I just said, the fourth prince's mother is the princess of Nanyan."

"That is to say, once the war in the south begins, we will have to face attacks from two countries at the same time."

He looked at Ruyi and said, "As much as I want to stay and be with you, I have to go."

Because in Northern Qi, there was no one else who could deal with such a situation.

Ruyi could understand, "There is a long way to go. I wish Your Highness all the best."

Rong Yan smiled, "Yeah."

…

At this moment, Eunuch Yuan brought Shen Luo into the palace.

It was the first time that Shen Luo went to the palace to see the emperor alone. He felt cold all over and a sense of genuine fear spread throughout his body.

"The Shen family is really interesting."

Eunuch Yuan glanced at him without a smile on his face, "I heard that you changed your surname to Su?"

Shen Luo's face turned pale. "My dear father-in-law, the surname Shen is... dirty."

"It's dirty."

Eunuch Yuan sneered, "But I'm afraid you don't deserve the surname Su."

"Princess Zhaoyang is your sister, your mother fought hard for her daughter, but you treated her like that. Why do you use your mother's surname?"

“…”

Shen Luo was speechless.

Due to the death of the crown prince, the palace was in mourning.

Shen Luo had already heard the news of the prince's death, and thinking of the things that the Shen family had done, when he arrived at the door of the imperial study, his legs began to tremble with fear.

Eunuch Yuan pushed the door open and led him in, bowing to the emperor: "Your Majesty, the third son of the Shen family is here."

As soon as he moved aside, Shen Luo saw the emperor sitting on the dragon throne.

His legs went limp, Shen Luo knelt down, not daring to look him in the eye, and tremblingly said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

Then, tears welled up in his eyes unconsciously, and his voice became completely hoarse.

"My father and brother committed a heinous crime. I am here to apologize and to return the lost defense map from the Shen family!"

As he spoke, he presented the defense map with both hands.

The emperor's gaze fell quietly on his face, and a kind of unprecedented depth enveloped him, "The Shen family is guilty of heinous crimes, but considering that the Third Master Shen will make amends..."

"The matter of Hantan will not be pursued for now."

This was decided a few days ago. He just said it casually without any thought, "Take him down."

He even didn't want to look at Shen Luo again.

"Mr. Shen San, please."

Eunuch Yuan looked at Shen Luo with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

I won't pursue it for now, it's just that the time is not right yet.

Once the palace examination is over and the tax and silver case is revealed, it will be time to settle accounts with the Shen family!