After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

At a glance, one could tell that the eunuch delivering the imperial decree was Wang Daban, the emperor's closest confidant. Wang Daban was slightly plump, with a round face and a blessed appearance.

Accompanying Wang Daban was a group of Imperial Guards on horseback.

The leader of the Imperial Guards wore a red flying fish robe and appeared to be a woman. She was agile and had sharp eyes, so she was naturally Qin Yuanyao, a fifth-rank Imperial Guard commander.

Qin Yuanyao leaped off her horse, drew her waist knife, and took a few quick steps. Clang! With a single stroke, she deflected the spear that was held against Ning Nan's neck.

Cui Xianghai narrowed his eyes.

The female commander coldly raised a token: "By order of the Left Commander of the Five Cities Garrison, the Capital Garrison shall withdraw its troops."

The commander of the Beijing garrison, who had brought three or four men to maintain order, glanced at the token, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and ordered the soldiers holding Ningnan at bay to withdraw their troops. However, he still stood behind Cui Xianghai, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites. He had been ordered by the Ministry of Rites to take command of the Northern Dynasty's delegation upon its arrival in the capital, and was still within the scope of their mission.

Cui Xianghai frowned and said, "Commander Qin, may I ask what this means?"

He knew that Grand Tutor Gu was the Emperor's tutor and was deeply trusted by His Majesty and Prince Xin.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's personal army, and this fire bandit, as a staff member, followed Grand Tutor Gu in breaking through Black Tiger Mountain, so he naturally had to deal with intelligence agencies like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Could it be that this is why the two had a relationship, allowing Qin Yuanyao to protect him so fiercely?

Qin Yuanyao remained expressionless and silent.

after awhile.

Wang Daban, who had ridden his horse over, dismounted, panting heavily.

Cui Xianghai stepped forward to greet the eunuch.

The stench of blood still lingered in the air.

Sweat beaded on Wang Daban's forehead, indicating he had rushed there on horseback. As he took deep breaths, he inevitably inhaled a lot of the foul stench.

Wang Daban frowned slightly, but when he turned to Ning Nan, his expression immediately softened, and he smiled and said, "Greetings, Young Master Ning." Ning Nan returned the greeting with a smile, "Greetings, Wang Daban."

Cui Xianghai was stunned for a moment.

Young Master Ning?

What's going on? Why would a high-ranking eunuch call him "Young Master Ning"?

Princess Zhu Jiamu of Tang, who had been gritting her teeth and intending to defy the imperial decree to save Mr. Ning, also stared blankly at this moment.

She knew in her heart that Mr. Ning's actions this time were far too ruthless. He had killed the commander with a single shot and even dared to fire on the so-called Four Young Masters of the Northern Dynasty. His Majesty and the court would find it very difficult to show him mercy. She considered herself to have been quite willful, but Mr. Ning, who was clearly just an advisor, a talented man... well... seemingly also an extremely shrewd businessman, was so terrifying when he picked up a gun! Zhu Jiamu's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Even now, she still feels as if a figure is standing in front of her, raising a gun, and without uttering a single word, blasting away the wolves and tigers charging towards her! Such a decisive person is naturally very powerful and strong, and one could even say that such a person is somewhat terrifying, like the cold wind blowing through the mountains in the dead of winter.

But if this terrifyingly cold wind was meant to save her, then it wasn't a winter wind, but a spring breeze. Therefore, even if His Majesty and Prince Xin wanted to punish Mr. Ning, she would stubbornly insist on protecting him!

But to everyone's surprise, one of the two people who came to announce His Majesty's decree immediately ordered the spear that was aimed at Mr. Ning to be withdrawn; the other palace eunuch even addressed him as Young Master Ning!

"This servant greets Princess Tang." Wang Daban smiled and bowed to Zhu Jiamu again.

Zhu Jiamu nodded: "Greetings, Wang Daban."

Wang Daban chuckled and repeatedly said, "No, no, I dare not." He bowed while carefully adjusting his breathing.

After calming down, Wang Daban cleared his throat and read out His Majesty's decree.

In the imperial decree, His Majesty reprimanded Mu Lang, the captain who had offended Princess Tang, saying he deserved to die. He then comforted Princess Tang and rewarded her with some gifts. Next, His Majesty severely reprimanded Ning Nan, saying that he had acted rashly, and that in order to protect Princess Tang, he had actually taken out a firearm in the street, frightening the princess. Although he had rendered meritorious service, he was also guilty.

Cui Xianghai, listening to Wang Daban read the imperial edict, couldn't help but frown deeply. Why does His Majesty only mention Mu Lang and not the Four Princes of the Northern Dynasty?

His Majesty's decree was elegantly worded, but the tone was harsh, and he reprimanded Ning Nan at length.

Finally, the punishment was given.

"By imperial decree, Ning Nan shall be confined to his residence for three days and shall not be allowed to leave. He shall be placed under strict guard by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Ning Nan's pupils contracted.

Huh? Three days of confinement?

This punishment was unexpected. He thought he would have to spend a few days in jail and then wait for his uncle to come and bail him out.

I never expected His Majesty to be so lenient? He only confined me for three days and the matter was resolved?

He couldn't help but scratch his head; it seemed this young emperor still had quite a bit of backbone.

At this moment, Qin Yuanyao kicked him, and only then did he react. Lacking manners, he simply smiled and accepted the imperial decree handed to him by Wang Daban, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Wang Daban."

"Oh dear," Wang Daban quickly bowed her head and smiled, "Young Master Ning is too kind to this humble servant."

Cui Xianghai stared in disbelief, then stood up and cried out, "Wang Daban, Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Such a lenient punishment? How can this convince the people? What if the Northern Dynasty comes to hold us accountable?

At this moment, Wang Daban turned around with a smile and said, "Doctor Cui, His Majesty has another imperial edict for you."

Cui Xianghai pursed his lips, then cupped his hands and said, "Listen to the imperial decree."

"Issue Cui Xianghai of the Ministry of Rites to go to the Northern Dynasty's embassy and reprimand Hong Jiao, demanding to know why he dared to offend the noblewoman of the Tang King of Great Liang! If he does not apologize to the noblewoman of the Tang King within one day, Hong Jiao will be expelled from Great Liang immediately!"

Cui Xianghai looked up in astonishment.

……

……

"What? You see she's a princess, beautiful as a fairy, of noble status, and incredibly wealthy, and you just want to show off? You're risking your life to run out and save someone?"

Qin Yuanyao stood to the side with her arms crossed, watching the maid Chunyu apply medicine to Ning Nan, while sneering sarcastically:

"Mr. Ning, are you trying to become the son-in-law of the Tang Emperor?"

Ning Nan was shirtless, with a knife wound on his back. Fortunately, the cut was shallow, and his back was now covered in more sweat than blood.

He curled his lip, ignoring the sarcastic dark-skinned woman. To be honest, he didn't really have any solutions.

My initial thought was simply to grab some muskets and force the Northern Koreans to retreat. Even if they didn't retreat, I could play a game of "I bet you dare to fire," engaging in a back-and-forth struggle, waiting for the high-ranking officials to arrive.

But to my surprise, Princess Tang was so fierce. As soon as I left, she immediately got Zheng Ming to do it to her, and blood was drawn instantly. There was nothing I could do about it.

Originally, a stalemate could be resolved quickly, saving face for both sides, but once a fight breaks out, it's hard to stop.

If Zheng Ming and his men lose or die, Princess Tang might be forced to kneel by her hair. Given the ruthlessness and viciousness of that Northern Dynasty prince, he might do something even worse. Anyway, at worst, they'll just apologize. Or maybe they could just take Princess Tang as a concubine?

If Zheng Ming and his companions were exceptionally skilled in martial arts, they would have won even with fewer men. But now that the Northern Dynasty prince has lost face, he'll inevitably try to get revenge, perhaps by harassing noble ladies in the capital. What if he targets Cui Cui? What if he targets Aunt Bei Zhi? I can't be with them all the time. There's really no way around it.

Especially since he was clearly holding a gun, yet that so-called Fourth Young Master wasn't afraid at all! He's incredibly impressive.

Then he shot that so-called commander in the head, but the Fourth Young Master was still not afraid! There was nothing he could do then.

What do you do when you encounter someone who's not afraid of death? You can only let him die for real. Princess Tang had no better ideas than to let Zheng Ming cut him down. She also had no better options; facing such a madman, there was really no good way except to kill him.

Qin Yuanyao said, "You are not allowed to leave the house for the next three days." She glanced at the other person and added casually, "You are not even allowed to see Princess Tang."

Ning Nan frowned: "Could you make an exception? I really do need to see her... Hmm," he thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Never mind, never mind, I'll write a letter, you can give it to her for me."

Qin Yuanyao narrowed her eyes.

"Of course." She nodded nonchalantly. "I can certainly pass it to her for you."

At this moment, a servant came to report.

They said there was a man wearing a melon-shaped hat outside the door requesting an audience.

"A melon-shaped hat? A Northern Dynasty person?"

Ning Nan waved his hand and said, "I won't see you."

The servant hesitated for a moment, then handed over the man in the melon-shaped hat, bowing his head and saying, "Master, that man... that man claims to be the son of some Mr. Han."