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

Li Wei's face was very fair with many pimples, but his features were regular. Even though he was middle-aged, you could tell that he was quite good-looking when he was young.

The Governor-General of Jiangnan laughed and said, "Bai Xuan, don't be angry, don't be angry."

"Some things can only be said face-to-face, not written down. Without seeing Bai Xuan in person, Li Wei can't bring himself to say some of his heartfelt thoughts..."

Li Wei pointed upwards with his right index finger. Ning Nan looked up and saw nothing.

Li Wei asked, "Bai Xuan, do you know who built this Crane Garden, and who lived there before?"

"I am all ears," Ning Nan said with a smile, naturally not touching a single bite of the food and wine on the table.

The words on the paper spoken by this Lord Li were very firm.

But he came almost alone, with only the cook and maids preparing the feast.

Xu Xiyin and Qian Sijin are now standing guard outside the door with their men, keeping a close watch on what's happening inside.

Ning Nan also wanted to see how Lord Li, who had come alone to the meeting, planned to keep him there without disobeying Emperor Yongzheng's decree to "send the delegation north quickly."

Li Wei said, "This place was previously occupied by the previous Governor-General of Jiangnan, Lord Cai Ting."

"Lord Cai is a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) from two different examinations, which is far more prestigious than Li's. He was even selected for the annual examination and recommended by Lord Nian, which propelled him to a meteoric rise in his career."

"He not only served as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, but also as the chief examiner of the provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture, and was deeply trusted by the Emperor."

"Five years ago, he was already the Vice Minister of Rites. Later, the Emperor sent him to Huaiyou, appointed him Governor-General of Jiangnan and Minister of War, and granted him the title of Second-Class Duke. He was at the pinnacle of his career. He was on par with his benefactor, Lord Nian, and even fell out with him."

Li Wei raised his head, looked around the main hall, and said:

"This Crane Garden, with its distinct Jiangnan flavor, was built by Lord Cai, who even placed it next to the Governor-General's Office."

This Crane Garden is indeed beautifully arranged with its rockeries and water features, lush flowers and trees, and exquisite layout. The Elegant Gathering Pavilion that the other party arranged for him is even more secluded and tranquil, with no flaws to be found... Hmm... it seems Lord Cai has embezzled quite a bit. Ning Nan thought to himself.

"Lord Cai's official career in your court is very successful, which I greatly admire," he replied indifferently.

"Does Bai Xuan know where Cai Ting is now?" Li Wei sighed.

Ning Nan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Li Wei laughed and said, "I was imprisoned half a year ago, and just three months later the Emperor beheaded me."

…………

Yajilou (Elegant Gathering Building)

After hearing that Li Wei had also come to Heyuan, Zhen Susu became restless and uneasy.

After a long while, she pursed her lips, her eyes suddenly sharpening.

Remembering the vow he made last night, he wondered if he should just take a gamble tonight.

After thinking for a while, she gradually made up her mind.

At this moment, she was wearing the clothes of Xu Daogu, looking exactly like a little Daoist nun.

Unable to lift it with her left hand, she slowly tied a scarf around her face with her right, revealing only her bright eyes.

He picked up the longsword and held it in his hand.

He pushed open the door and went out.

The moonlight outside was hazy, while inside the courtyard, the moonlight poured down like water.

There is an octagonal gate on both the north and south sides, with several lanterns hanging on it.

When she reached the octagonal gate, she was ruthlessly stopped by the Imperial Guards.

"Vice Envoy Ning instructed that you, young lady, are not allowed to go out. No one is permitted to enter or leave without permission except for Vice Envoy Ning, Lord Qian, and Daoist Xu!"

Zhen Susu raised an eyebrow. She wanted to go out by acting cute, but when she thought of the ruthless man's methods and true identity last night, she couldn't help but shut her mouth.

Finally, she stamped her foot, peeked out from the octagonal gate on the south side, and saw that the gathering place was guarded on all four sides, so it was completely sealed off. She could only retreat dejectedly.

"I'm so afraid of dying!" the woman muttered.

She was both dissatisfied and somewhat impressed by how well this man guarded the house.

Especially after Xu Daogu arranged for her to sneak in, the other party promptly rectified these people, making it impossible for them to sneak out or for anyone else to come in now.

But the thought that she was under such protection made her feel a little relieved.

The courtyard was completely silent; spring had not yet arrived, and there wasn't even a single insect chirping.

The woman stood in the moonlight for a while, sword in hand.

He then planned to go back to his room.

At this time.

"Sizzle."

A faint yet abrupt sound, like a stool being dragged on the ground, rang out in the quiet courtyard.

A cool breeze blew from behind, and Zhen Susu felt a slight chill on the back of her neck.

She turned around somewhat mechanically and looked towards the east wing under the night sky.

"Isn't there nobody here?"

The woman's heart skipped a beat.

With a long stride, he slowly walked towards the east wing, which was shrouded in darkness and should have been empty.

…………

Li Wei is extremely talkative.

Seemingly afraid that Ning Nan might worry that he had drugged or poisoned her, he simply drank the wine in Ning Nan's glass as well.

While talking, he tasted almost every dish.

"Cai Ting did not die unjustly. The emperor listed thirty-seven major crimes against him, and his execution was justified and based on evidence."

"The crimes of corruption alone are listed in sixteen categories, one of which is the embezzlement of 750,000 taels of military supplies in Huaiyou. Of these, at least 100,000 taels were used on this Crane Garden."

"And what about the crimes of corruption, arbitrariness, arrogance, usurpation, deception... The Emperor listed thirty-seven major crimes against him."

"However, the Emperor was merciful. He only confiscated his property and beheaded him, while the others were only exiled and not executed."

Ning Nan was somewhat confused, wondering why Li Wei, who was also the Governor-General of Jiangnan and a high-ranking official, was saying these things to him.

Is serving a ruler like serving a tiger?

After a pause, Li Wei revealed a set of gleaming white teeth, looked at him with a smile, and after a while, said in a low voice:

"Bai Xuan," he chuckled, "do you know," "if the Emperor were to behead me in the future, how many crimes would Li Wei be charged with?"

The candlelight flickered in the main hall.

Ning Nan's heart skipped a beat. After staring at the other person for a while, he chuckled and said:

"Lord Li is joking. With Lord Li's standing in the Emperor's eyes, I'm afraid you won't live to see the day you lose your head."

Li Wei remained noncommittal, only giving Ning Nan a deep look before setting down his wine glass.

"I don't know how many charges there are, but one of them must be..."

Li Wei smiled.

"Li failed in his duties... When the Southern Kingdom's delegation went north, he did not leave Ning Baixuan in Huai'an..."

…………

Stepping into the night.

Following behind Ning Nan were Qian and Xu, who slowly walked back to the Yaji Building along the covered walkway.

This was far beyond his expectations.

After the adopted daughter Li Xinlian's tactic failed, the other party actually came to the door.

At the end of the banquet, the other party directly revealed that he had received a secret order from the emperor to keep him in Huai'an.

However, it cannot be returned to the Southern Dynasty, otherwise the Northern Dynasty would lose face.

Bai Xuan, your feigning illness today is a brilliant move. If Bai Xuan is willing to continue feigning illness and stay in Huai'an, then his mission will be accomplished.

He also assured him that during his stay in Huai'an he would feel right at home and would even give him a sum of money to build another Crane Garden.

When the Southern Dynasty delegation returned south, he would bring himself back to Nanjing as well.

In this way, the face of both dynasties was preserved.

Beijing will no longer make things difficult for the delegation... Hmm, the terms are quite generous.

Before leaving, Li Wei said with a smile:

"In any case, your delegation will not depart until noon tomorrow, so Brother Ning may take the time to think it over carefully. Whether my head is on my shoulders or whether the ice on the delegation's journey melts or not, both depend on Brother Ning's decision tomorrow."

He then changed his form of address from "Bai Xuan" to "Brother Ning".

Ning Nan returned to Yajilou.

As was customary, Qian Sijin inquired with the Embroidered Uniform Guard whether anyone had entered the room before going to the east wing with Ning Nan.

With a creak, Qian Sijin pushed open the door and entered.

With a click, the flint and steel were used to ignite the candles and sandalwood incense inside, casting a dim, yellowish glow over the room.

"This subordinate takes his leave," Qian Sijin said, bowing his head.

Ning Nan hummed in agreement.

Bang! Qian Sijin slammed the door shut and left.

I didn't sleep well last night, and today I've been preoccupied with some mundane matters, so I'm already very tired.

Now, with Li Wei threatening him again, things are getting a bit complicated.

Ning Nan frowned, his mind preoccupied with the strange memorial and the need to set off as soon as possible the next day.

Li Wei was open and honest; he could be open and honest as well. He said that he would not cause any trouble for the Emperor of your dynasty during his trip to Beijing, and that the Prince Yi's Mansion would definitely accept his apology.

At worst... Ning Nan took off his clothes, lay down on the bed, covered himself with the quilt, and thought wearily... At worst, it will just be delayed for a few days. If the delegation doesn't head north for a long time, it will be Li Wei who is anxious.

Or perhaps… Ning Nan put his hands behind his head… gently closed his eyes, and thought of some way to threaten this Governor-General of Jiangnan…

…………

The next morning.

Bang bang bang, bang bang bang.

While it was still barely dawn, a large contingent of armored soldiers stormed into the Crane Garden without warning.

Zhang Yaozuo was greatly surprised.

Without time to report, hundreds of armored soldiers, familiar with the place, rushed straight to Yaji Tower and surrounded it completely.

Governor-General Li Wei of Jiangnan, his face ashen, led a group of government officials to the outside of the Yaji Tower.

When Jia Shi'an arrived with his delegation of officials, they were greatly shocked by the change in attitude of the Governor-General of Jiangnan, who had been all smiles yesterday.

Jia Shi'an lifted his crimson robe and angrily rebuked, "May I ask, Lord Li, what is your intention in acting in this way? Is Lord Li trying to show off his power? Or do you dare to defy the world and slaughter my Great Liang delegation?!"

Jia Shi'an remained fearless, with Zhang Yaozuo and Tong Shun protecting him on either side.

Li Wei stood silently in front of the octagonal gate.

One of the advisors stepped forward and explained the situation to everyone.

Last night at midnight, the Grand Prince Consort of your dynasty seduced Governor Li's daughter into elopeing, hiding Miss Li in the Elegant Gathering Pavilion, where they spent time together in one room...

A single word was uttered.

Everyone present was greatly surprised.

Jia Shi'an's face also stiffened.

"Well," several junior officials in the delegation immediately widened their eyes, exchanged bewildered glances, and whispered among themselves, "They've come to catch us in adultery..."