Rong Zhen's expression was very serious, and he relaxed a little when he saw Lu Zheng hurrying over, which made the British Duke Lu Qing speechless.

"The bodies of the two jailers who delivered the food have been found." Rong Zhen simply explained it and pulled him out, "We'll tell you the details in the car."

The two got on the carriage. The carriage of the King of Chu was very large, and there was incense burning.

Lu Zheng certainly didn't believe that the King of Chu came for this case. Not to mention that this case was not under his jurisdiction, even if it was under his jurisdiction, he could just send someone over, why did he let the prince run errands in person? The British Duke should have seen it, but he didn't say it.

Sure enough, as soon as he got on the carriage, Rong Zhen told the truth: "The emperor wants to see you."

Lu Zheng was a little confused by this thunder: "Emperor... Emperor... Emperor..."

Rong Zhen tapped his forehead with a bit of amusement: "Why are you so excited?"

Lu Zheng touched his red forehead. He used to be a commoner, but after traveling through time, not only did he become a second-generation official for nothing, but now he was going to meet with the country's top leader. It felt like a dream.

"Put away your silly look." Rong Zhen mercilessly punctured Lu Zheng's fantasy.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but retort: ​​"What do you mean by silly? This is awe!"

Rong Zhen said coldly: "Why didn't you want to be in awe when you glared at me?"

Lu Zheng shrank his neck: "That's different..." Rong

Zhen was too lazy to bother with him about these issues, and told him the things to pay attention to when entering the palace. He found that Lu Zheng was still a little absent-minded, and couldn't help but sighed: "Forget it, you should just follow me obediently."

"Oh." Lu Zheng came back to his senses and asked blankly, "What did you say just now?"

"..."

After a while, Lu Zheng asked: "Uncle Nineteen, why does His Majesty suddenly want to see me?"

"I don't know."

"Uncle Nineteen, how long will it take to get to the Imperial City?"

"Calculate it yourself."

Lu Zheng didn't know why Rong Zhen suddenly became cold. He sighed at his fickle temper and tried his best to flatter him. It was hard to impress Rong Zhen. Lu Zheng wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and thought that he would soon kneel down and call him daddy. It must be so difficult to coax his girlfriend!

Rong Zhen didn't know what Lu Zheng was thinking. He said lightly: "The emperor summoned you probably because of the murder of Princess Dai'er. You should answer truthfully whatever he asks. If you don't know how to answer, just shut up and I will answer for you."

Lu Zheng felt a little nervous belatedly. This was not a simulation game. He was about to meet the top figure in this era of imperial power. He held the power of life and death in the entire country.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the imperial city. Although Rong Zhen had the privilege of riding on horseback on the palace road, which was granted by Emperor Yongning, he still kept to his duty. He was criticized for being rude and unreasonable, but he never crossed the line on such small matters.

The eunuch who led the way led the two of them to walk slowly on the palace road. Rong Zhen glanced at Lu Zheng from the side. A faint blush appeared on the young man's fair face. His eyebrows were a little light, but it made his eyes look like a cold spring, clear and calm.

Rong Zhen came back to his senses. He didn't know why he was so absorbed in looking at Lu Zheng's profile, just like he didn't know why he took the initiative to take him to the emperor's audience when his brother mentioned this young man. He still remembered the playful smile on his brother's face.

Rong Zhen felt a little regretful. This was a rare emotion for him. He admitted that he had some unexplained feelings for this young man, but he didn't know that this feeling would affect him to such an extent without him realizing it. This was an unprecedented experience for Rong Zhen.

Just as Rong Zhen was thinking about these things, they arrived at the Qinzheng Palace very quickly. The eunuch who led the way took them to the side hall and went in to report.

Emperor Yongning was about 40 or 50 years old, and looked very energetic. His eyes were smiling, and he had a short beard on his chin. He was not very handsome, but the dignity of being in a high position for a long time added a lot of color to him.

"Your Majesty,

I pay my respects to you." "

I, Lu Zheng, pay my respects to you, Your Majesty." Rong Zhen was a prince, so he did not need to kneel, but Lu Zheng could only kneel down and pay his respects.

Emperor Yongning called him up, and gave Rong Zhen a seat, and then said, "Last year, I heard that a young talent had emerged in the Duke of Ying's mansion. Seeing him today, it is true that a hero emerges from a young age."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am ashamed to accept it." Lu Zheng knelt down and saluted again.

"All right, don't be restrained." Emperor Yongning glanced at Rong Zhen, "I heard that my nineteenth brother also looks at you differently. Since you call him Nineteenth Uncle, you can call me Fourth Uncle."

Lu Zheng was a little puzzled. Although Emperor Yongning was approachable, he couldn't be so ignorant of the seriousness of the situation. He could only look at Rong Zhen for help.

Rong Zhen smiled softly, "Royal brother, don't make fun of the young man. This kid is reckless. If he really calls him out, won't people say he is frivolous?"

Emperor Yongning laughed and let it go.

Lu Zheng felt a cold sweat on his back. He finally realized what it meant to be with the emperor like being with a tiger. Walking in this palace not only requires caution, but also a strong heart, otherwise every question will be a death sentence!

Next, Emperor Yongning asked Lu Zheng about some of the cases. These were all personal experiences of Lu Zheng, and he answered them well. It was lunchtime soon. Lu Zheng wanted to go back quickly, but Emperor Yongning was in high spirits and actually asked them to stay for dinner.

If any noble son had been appreciated by the emperor, he would have been so grateful that he would have knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor" three times. Although Lu Zheng performed the ceremony in a proper manner, he did not show too much excitement, which made Emperor Yongning, who was secretly observing him, praise him for being neither humble nor arrogant.

Emperor Yongning disliked extravagance, so even when he invited people to dinner, he would only serve eight dishes and one soup, and the three of them would eat at separate tables. The meal was naturally very exquisite. Under normal circumstances, Lu Zheng would definitely savor it carefully, but in this environment, he felt it was tasteless. Fortunately, Rong Zhen beside him gave him a great sense of security, otherwise he would not be able to eat at all.

After dinner, Emperor Yongning asked the palace maid to wipe his hands while he said to Rong Zhen, "I'm afraid that Su Yida'er's death can't be kept secret for long. By then, I'm afraid that war will break out again in the Northern Frontier. I don't know what kind of person the new leader of the Jie people is? After all, we are at fault in this matter. If we can negotiate for peace, it's not a bad idea."

Rong Zhen said, "I have dealt with Su Yi Wuya before. His mother's family is humble. He is the best at forbearing. When he finds the right opportunity, he will kill with one strike. This matter was planned by someone with ulterior motives. I don't think Wuya will miss this opportunity."

"What are the chances of the Northern Frontier Army winning?"

Rong Zhen was silent for a while, then said, "If I'm not here, 60% to 70%. If I'm here, 80% to 90."

He said it so calmly, but he was not bragging. It was all the strength he had gained from so many years of fighting. Emperor Yongning nodded and said, "I'm afraid Wuya thinks so too." He ordered the eunuch beside him, "Go and bring those memorials over."

Emperor Yongning smiled and asked the eunuch to hand the memorials to Rong Zhen: "Take a look, it accuses you of colluding with foreign officials, raising troops for your own benefit, and even says that you plundered Jiangnan on a large scale, and even used the case of the three-department joint trial as a bargaining chip to exchange benefits."

Rong Zhen read the memorials without even frowning. He knelt down and said, "My royal brother is wise. I am innocent!" However,

Emperor Yongning did not ask him to stand up immediately, but said calmly, "It's good that you know how to cry out for injustice. I know you are loyal. You have been in the army for many years and you act without scruples. I can tolerate you, but if someone has ulterior motives, it will always be seen as having ulterior motives. You'd better be careful."

Rong Zhen frowned, knowing that Emperor Yongning was not talking about the Duke of Ying's Mansion, but about him and Lu Che.

"Of course." Emperor Yongning changed the subject, "I still trust you. If you really colluded with foreign officials, I am afraid that I will not even see a single memorial impeaching you. Therefore, the more memorials impeaching you, the more I trust you. Don't be timid because of this. Otherwise, if you really learn from those Prince Zhao, I will be disappointed."

"Your humble servant obeys your command."

Emperor Yongning said to Lu Zheng, "The Duke of Ying is very good at teaching children. Your two brothers are very good. I also hope that you can become a pillar of the country like your two brothers."

"I obey your command and will not disappoint Your Majesty."

"Okay, let's all leave."

"Yes."

The two of them saluted again before leaving the Qinzheng Hall led by the eunuch.

After they all left, Emperor Yongning said calmly, "Xuan Yi."

A man in black armor walked out slowly and knelt on one knee below: "Your Majesty."

"My brother is really good at both civil and martial arts, and knows how to advance and retreat properly." Emperor Yongning sighed, "I'm afraid no one else could do better than him."

Xuan Yi said nothing.

Emperor Yongning did not need his answer, but continued to talk to himself: "He has been doted on by my father since he was a child. If not... who would be sitting on the throne now!"

Xuan Yi whispered: "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words."

Emperor Yongning sneered: "I did not listen to you and killed him back then. Are you also laughing at me in your heart for being soft-hearted and nurturing a tiger to harm myself?" "

I dare not."

"I will not kill him." Emperor Yongning murmured, "Of course I will not kill him... I have waited for so many years, and finally waited..."

Xuan Yi realized that something was wrong, and hurriedly raised his head, and found that Emperor Yongning was leaning on the throne, his face was pale and his breathing was weak. He did not panic, but stood up decisively, poured a pill from the porcelain bottle at his waist, and stuffed it into Emperor Yongning's mouth.

Emperor Yongning woke up quickly, a little dazed, but soon regained consciousness: "I fainted again?"

Xuan Yi nodded: "Your recent attacks have become shorter, should we let the imperial physician..."

Emperor Yongning shook his hands: "Forget it, what can the imperial physician do?" He asked again, "Xuan Wu and the others haven't come back yet, right?"

Xuan Yi nodded: "The last time I received a message from them, they said it would take another month or two."

"It doesn't matter." Emperor Yongning said, "Let them be cautious and don't reveal any clues."

Xuan Yi said: "I will definitely tell them, Your Majesty should have a good rest first." "

No need." Emperor Yongning let out a long sigh, "I don't have much time left..."