While Rong Zhen and the others were ambushed, Jian Yu surpassed them and approached Yanjing. However, he neither went to meet up with Chen Jiang and the others nor went into the city to find Luo Xian. Instead, he hid his identity and found a random inn in the outer city to stay in.

At this time, in the lobby of the inn, several people who looked like scholars were chatting together.

One of them said, "I wonder if the new emperor will hold an imperial examination after he ascends the throne. You two brothers should not rush back home. It is better to stay in Yanjing and study hard."

"Brother Li, we all understand what you mean. It's just that the situation is unclear now. If... I'm afraid we will be involved in trouble."

The other two knew what he was about to say. Emperor Yongning died, the second and fourth princes died and one was injured. The King of Wei, who was accused of treason in his early years, actually took control of the entire Yanjing without knowing it. Let's not talk about whether the King of Wei can really ascend the throne. Even if he ascended the throne, it would be somewhat unreasonable for him to ascend the throne under such circumstances. Will these four generals obey? Will His Royal Highness the King of Chu obey? If the position of the King of Wei is not stable, the status of his batch of students in the special examination will be extremely embarrassing. In this situation, it is no wonder that the two hesitated.

Jian Yu did not listen any more. He drank the tea, put a few copper plates on the table, and walked out with his head down.

Now that the King of Wei controls Yanjing, Jian Yu naturally dare not fly over the eaves and walls. He was careful all the way, but when he arrived at the gate of Zhao Mansion, he did not look for Luo Xian and Chen Jiang, but came to Zhao Xueqian instead.

The servant of the Zhao family led him in. When Jian Yu entered Zhao Xueqian's study, he was wiping a dagger. He was not surprised to see Jian Yu. He turned the dagger in his hand nonchalantly and said, "Lord Jian, long time no see." Jian

Yu said coldly, "Whose side are you on?"

Zhao Xueqian laughed, "Lord Jian, where did you get that from?"

"The King of Wei has always been a meticulous person, and he has been planning this for many years. How could he let the leader of the Black Armor Guard escape with the imperial edict and the imperial seal?" Jian Yu shook his head. "After thinking about it, I think it could only be you who interfered, but why didn't you arouse the King of Wei's suspicion?"

Zhao Xueqian put down the dagger and said with a smile, "You are worthy of being Lord Jian. Yes, I did play a role in it, but don't worry, I have always stood by you."

"Then I'd like to hear your explanation."

"I have been sorting out the case files of the Dali Temple for some time, but I accidentally found an interesting case file." Zhao Xueqian paused and said, "Twenty years ago, when the Dali Temple was trying the case of Prince Wei's treason, one of Prince Wei's followers was named Yu Ke. He was Prince Wei's uncle and Madam Hongye's biological brother. However, despite his status, he was only sentenced to a painless exile. Compared with those who had their properties confiscated and their families exterminated at will, I don't know how lucky he was."

Jian Yu slowly frowned.

"That's not all." Zhao Xueqian continued, "I became interested in this man, so I looked for his exile records. Lord Jian, why don't you guess where he is now?" Without waiting for Jian Yu to answer, he gave the answer, "This man's place of exile was actually Wanzhou. Although this place is far from Yanjing, it is also a prosperous place. How could a traitor like him enjoy such treatment?"

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Zhao Xueqian handed the dagger to Jian Yu and said with a smile, "Lord Jian, do you know the origin of this dagger?"

Jian Yu took the dagger and examined it carefully. The dagger was unremarkable, with nothing else except a mark engraved on the handle. Jian Yu did not put down the dagger, but turned it over and tapped the handle with his fingers. The sound confirmed his guess. He turned the handle of the dagger to the left and right. With a click, the handle of the dagger popped out and there was a small hollow groove inside. Zhao Xueqian said

, "So Lord Jian has seen this thing?" "

This belongs to the King of Wei. How do you have it?"

Zhao Xueqian laughed, "This does not belong to the King of Wei, but to the Yu family."

"Yu family?"

"The Yu family has always produced skilled craftsmen, and Yu Ke is the most outstanding among them. When Madam Hongye was in great favor, Yu Ke presented a golden palace to her. Although the palace was small, it was extremely exquisite. There were palace maids walking around in it, and dancers dancing gracefully, but it did not require human power to operate. It was amazing at the time, but later Yu Ke gradually faded out of everyone's sight." Zhao Xueqian said, "The one in my hand This dagger was made by Yu Ke himself."

Jian Yu did not move at all, but asked, "How did you know all this?"

At this moment, the sound of wheels rolling came from behind the screen. An old man was sitting on a wheelchair. The old man's hair and beard were all white, and his skin was as dry and old as tree bark. Two long lines of nasolabial folds hung on his cheeks, making him look extremely serious. He did not move his hands, but the wheelchair seemed to obey his will and rolled by itself. Without asking any more questions, Jian Yu could be sure that this person was Yu Ke. Apart from him, there was probably no one in the world who could make such an exquisite wheelchair.

If you want to talk about it, Jian Yu should call Yu Ke "Uncle", but there was no warmth at all when the two met. Zhao Xueqian bowed and said, "You two can chat slowly. I will take my leave first."

After Zhao Xueqian left the room for a long time, Jian Yu said, "Did you make the human skin mask on Zhao Xueqian's face?"

Yu Ke snorted coldly, "Is this the first question you asked me?"

"How long have you sent people to follow me?"

Yu Ke seemed to pause before speaking again, "It's not important. What's important is, what do you want?"

Jian Yu fell silent.

Yu Ke continued, "You can naturally get what you want by cooperating with me."

Jian Yu raised his head and said coldly, "Is this why you betrayed the King of Wei?"

"He and I were just getting what we needed. If it weren't for me, even if he got the Fire Thunderbolt from the Jiang family, it would only be one tenth of its power." Yu Ke's face darkened, "He is not qualified to make me betray him!" Jian

Yu said expressionlessly, "If that were the case, you wouldn't have come to me through Zhao Xueqian. The reason why King Wei launched a coup so quickly may be partly because he is jealous of you, and the reason you came to me, I guess you had no choice. You must have only a few people left to cover your escape."

Yu Ke's face was stiff. His current situation was stated so bluntly by Jian Yu that he almost couldn't keep up the serious expression on his face.

Jian Yu ignored the look of anger on Yu Ke's face and said, "Then, you are in such a situation now, why should I cooperate with you? What good will it bring to me?" He paused and said, "Don't forget my identity. I am the legitimate son of the King of Wei. His success is the best outcome for me, isn't it?"

Yu Ke seemed to have heard a joke, "If you really think so, why didn't you go to him after returning to Yanjing for so long, and why didn't you go to find your two subordinates, but instead went to find this kid? Because you don't trust the King of Wei at all, and you don't want to recognize him. You and he are not on the same side at all."

Jian Yu narrowed his eyes slightly: "What do you want me to do?"

Yu Ke said: "I want you to send troops to rescue the King of Chu."

Jian Yu was stunned. He never thought that Yu Ke would make such a request. He frowned and asked: "Why?"

"This has nothing to do with you." Yu Ke said, "You just need to make sure the King of Chu is alive, and I will naturally give you what you want."

Jian Yu shook his head: "No."

Yu Ke raised his eyebrows and said angrily: "What else do you want?" Jian Yu

curled his lips: "Do you know what I want?"

Yu Ke curled his lips: "It's nothing more than power or status. I can give you the drawings of Huo Pili and muskets. With these, what else do you want?"

Jian Yu shook his head: "No, I want more than that."

Yu Ke suddenly widened his eyes: "You..."

When Jian Yu left the study, he saw Zhao Xueqian sitting in the pavilion beside the pond, scattering fish food in his hand. Seeing him come out, Zhao Xueqian threw the fish food casually, attracting the fish to grab it.

Zhao Xueqian walked towards Jian Yu and said, "We're done talking." Jian Yu

nodded.

Zhao Xueqian suddenly laughed and said, "Ask whatever you want to ask."

Jian Yu was silent for a while before saying, "Both Luo Xian and Chen Jiang would persuade me to recognize the King of Wei, but you didn't. Why?"

Zhao Xueqian was stunned for a moment and laughed, "Maybe it's because I understand you." Without waiting for Jian Yu to respond, he asked, "What about you? I put you in jail, why did you save me later?"

Jian Yu was puzzled by this question. After a long silence, he slowly said, "Maybe it's because I understand you."

Zhao Xueqian burst into laughter, and even tears flowed from the corners of his eyes. After a long time, he took two steps back and bowed to Jian Yu, "I am honored to meet you, my lord."

Jian Yu waited for him to finish his greetings before saying, "Do you know that you will die if you do this?"

Zhao Xueqian chuckled, "If you hadn't saved me, what difference would there be between me being alive and being dead?"

"I've already repaid you for saving my life."

"I know." Zhao Xueqian said nonchalantly, "Now I want to repay you for your kindness."

After hearing what Zhao Xueqian said, Jian Yu fell silent again. Although he saved Zhao Xueqian at the beginning, he was always on guard against him. In his heart, Zhao Xueqian was a person who would do anything to climb up. So although Jian Yu cooperated with him, he never really believed in him. The relationship between the two was more like mutual exploitation. He never thought that such a villain would actually repay this favor with his life.

Before leaving, Jian Yu left a last sentence: "If you die, I will clear your name."