It turns out that this mysterious man was colluding with a high-ranking official in the imperial court, plotting to orchestrate a series of chaotic events among the people in order to achieve his ulterior political ambitions.
They intended to use sorcery to control people's hearts, causing them to fight among themselves, thereby weakening the foundation of the court's rule, so that when the time was right, they could launch a coup and seize the throne.
"This conspiracy is truly vicious, and we must thwart it as soon as possible!" Ye Yu was the first to speak out indignantly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiao was dumbfounded. How could it be that another important official had caused trouble?
Last time it was the Minister of Personnel, the Director of Studies of the Imperial Academy, and the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Who will be the important minister this time?
Chen Xiao looked at Ye Yu and Chao Yuan, seemingly pondering who should return to the capital to report this matter to Xu Qian.
Ye Yu was the first to notice Chen Xiao's gaze, and quickly pretended that his injuries had worsened. His resentment dissipated instantly, and he was now extremely weak.
Chen Xiao: ......
Unaware of the situation, Ning Yuyuan genuinely believed that Ye Yu's injuries were serious, so she rushed forward to check on him and then went to prepare medicine for him.
Seeing Ye Yu's actions, Chao Yuan's lips twitched slightly. He wanted to imitate him, but since he was not injured, he had to give up and instead "showed weakness" with his eyes.
Chen Xiao was used to seeing Chao Yuan expressionless, so seeing the stiff smile on her face and the "pitiful" look in her eyes now felt quite strange.
Chen Xiao: ......
I know they wanted to stay and protect him, but was this really necessary?
After a long time, Chen Xiao finally decided to have Xi Xi go and inform Xu Qian.
Xi Xi doesn't need to travel, and having her deliver messages is both quick and reliable, making her the best choice.
Such free assistance should be made good use of.
When everyone was in danger a few days ago, Xi Xi didn't say a word. Now it's time for her to run errands!
Xi Xi had no choice but to go find Xu Qian with a bitter expression, leaving behind the words, "Don't go south!"
Chen Xiao was full of doubts. Everyone was going back to the Prefect's Mansion, which was in the north. Why would it face south?
She pondered for a long time, and although she did not understand what Xixi meant, she remembered it firmly.
At this moment, Ning Yuyuan had already prepared the medicine and brought it over. She went straight to Ye Yu, intending to feed him herself.
Seeing that Chen Xiao had given up on the idea of letting him return to the capital, Ye Yu had already regained his usual cold and stern expression. However, upon seeing Ning Yuyuan's actions, a rare hint of unease appeared on his face.
He quickly waved his hand and said, "Miss Ning, there's no need for that. I can manage on my own."
Ning Yu insisted on feeding him, pressing Ye Yu into a chair and saying, "Young Master Ye, please don't be so polite. You were injured because of me, and it is I who have implicated you all."
Although Ye Yu's injuries were not serious, Ning Yuyuan was quite strong and could not break free at this moment. Seeing that his "colleagues and superiors" were watching from the side, he finally gave up struggling.
He lowered his head, avoiding Ning Yuyuan's gaze, and said, "Miss Ning, please don't say such things. I misunderstood you first, and I should apologize to you. Protecting you this time is only natural."
Ning Yu stopped speaking and quietly fed Ye Yu the medicine.
The other three women watched with great interest.
After administering the medicine, Ning Yuyuan was about to leave when Yin Yuyao suddenly called out to her, "Yuyuan, please wait."
Ning Yuyuan immediately turned around, looked at Yin Yuyao, and blurted out, "What does Your Majesty want with me?"
Your Majesty!!! ???
Ye Yu and Chao Yuan both showed expressions of shock.
Is this "Empress" what they're thinking?
Could it be that His Majesty and Miss Yin...?
Seeing their expressions, Chen Xiao almost vomited blood. Fortunately, he remembered his own identity and forcibly suppressed this inappropriate behavior. He pretended to be indifferent and smiled as he gazed at Ning Yuyuan.
Ning Yuyuan knew that her address had caused a misunderstanding, but before she could explain, Yin Yuyao's voice reached everyone's ears: "Would you like to come with us to the Prefect's Mansion?"
Is this an invitation for Ning Yu to leave this dilapidated temple and travel with the others? Chen Xiao was slightly surprised.
This was the first time Yin Yuyao had ever tried to persuade someone to stay.
It seems that Yin Yuyao's condition has improved a lot.
Ning Yuyuan was slightly taken aback. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "I will follow you and do my best. I also hope to learn more about the past between my grandmother and the Empress during the journey."
Ning Yuyuan, who hated Ye Chao and the royal family, would actually agree? Ye Yu and Chao Yuan were quite surprised.
Moreover, the moment the word "grandmother" was uttered, the two immediately realized that Yin Yuyao's identity was far from ordinary.
The two then returned to their calm demeanor.
Chen Xiao was not surprised by Ning Yuyuan's response. After spending the past few days together, it was clear that Ning Yuyuan valued Yin Yuyao, and her attitude towards him had also softened considerably. She was no longer outwardly respectful but inwardly distant as she had been in the previous days, but was now as gentle as ever.
Since Ning Yu has already agreed to travel with me, she will definitely tell me the reason when we spend time together in the future; it's just a matter of time.
So, after everyone had packed up and taken the important clues with them, they left the temple and embarked on their journey back to the prefect's mansion.
Throughout the journey, the group traveled tirelessly, day and night.
*
The capital city, the Prime Minister's residence.
Having received the task assigned by her host, Xi Xi sat firmly on the sofa without moving an inch, and had already transmitted the information to Xu Qian.
At that moment, Xu Qian was discussing important matters with Xu Ruyu when a bustling voice suddenly rang in his mind, startling him.
Once he came to his senses, he quickly raised his hand, signaling Xu Ruyu to step back for the time being.
Xu Ruyu saw it differently: her father choked on his tea and was now awkwardly trying to get him to leave.
Seeing this, Xu Ruyu gracefully rose to take her leave, not forgetting to add, "Father is becoming more and more unreliable."
Xu Qian was already feeling unwell from coughing, and upon hearing this, his face turned red with anger, and his cough became even more severe.
Seeing Xu Ruyu leave, Xi Xi appeared and took another seat. She first took a good look at Xu Qian's embarrassing situation, and then raised her hand and waved it gently, and Xu Qian immediately stopped coughing.
Normally, Xi Xi would tease Xu Qian for a while before getting down to business, but this time, due to time constraints, she didn't have time for that.
Seeing that Xu Qian was out of danger, he told him everything that had happened in Xunyang.
Xu Qian was completely focused, repeatedly pondering and digesting the message Xi Xi had sent him. He had just figured out the main points and key details and was about to speak with Xi Xi to discuss countermeasures.
But Xi Xi's previously calm expression suddenly changed, her eyes instantly filled with terror and anxiety, and she shouted, "Something bad has happened!"
Before the words had even faded, Xi Xi's figure vanished from Xu Qian's sight like a wisp of smoke, leaving no trace except for the slight ripples in the air that proved she had been there.
Xu Qian stood there, stunned and bewildered. His gaze remained fixed on the spot where Xi Xi had disappeared, trying to find some clues in that empty space.
However, all around was quiet, except for the sound of his own breathing.
He was filled with doubt, wondering what kind of sudden situation could have made the usually composed Xi Xi so panicked.
But at this moment, he could only stand here alone, bearing the unease and torment brought by this unknown, and feeling deep concern for the development of Xunyang.
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