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

It is not surprising that the Northern Dynasty broke its promise; there had been rumors of a peace treaty with the Rakshasa beforehand.

Not only did they make peace, but they also planned to attack Jiangnan together, with one country taking a land route and the other a water route!

This is truly terrifying!

They thought that was the truth, but what surprised the old spy Lu Zhong even more was yet to come.

That was the reaction of that kid surnamed Ning when he received the news.

Upon receiving Xu Cheng's message, this apprentice and son-in-law, whom he had never met before, made a decisive decision and devised a plan to flee overnight. He maneuvered among various important figures in the Northern Dynasty, deceived their sight, tricked them into opening the city gates, and successfully hid the delegation.

The mission must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands, especially Prince Jing and the mission's seal.

The wisdom and courage displayed in such actions left even this veteran spy speechless.

Not only that, the enemy even killed more than two hundred of their elite cavalry, killed Yue Le, and especially killed A Lin, a rising star whom he had heard of.

This left Lu Zhong even more at a loss for words.

After Qian Sijin and his group brought him to this place, something unexpected happened that surprised them all.

This very Taoist nun has actually come looking for us...

When the maid named Zhen Susu saw the Taoist nun, she was overjoyed and screamed. Then she jumped up and hugged the Taoist nun. The Taoist nun smiled and reached out to pat the head of the woman who was clearly twenty years old.

…………

Xu Xiyin ultimately did not reveal the location of the Southern Kingdom's envoy.

Lu Zhong didn't resort to violence.

For now, it's better for the delegation members to be in the hands of the Heavenly Principle Sect than in the hands of the Northern Dynasty.

His task was clear.

That is to rescue the Grand Prince Consort from the Prince Duan's mansion.

"Miaofeng Mountain..."

Lu Chong read the place name aloud.

The other party demanded that the Northern Dynasty send the Grand Prince Consort to Miaofeng Mountain, located seventy or eighty li northwest of the capital, within five days.

The old spy sat in the side room, pondering some matters while asking Qian Sijin many questions. After getting a general understanding of the situation, dawn had already broken in the east.

Despite not having slept all night, he was full of energy. He reached out and adjusted his melon-shaped hat before going out.

…………

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Yongzheng frowned and waved his hand.

Mu Shu bowed and handed the paper, which had already been stamped, to Prince Duan, who was standing below him.

Hongchang carefully read the contents and looked up, saying:

"Your Majesty, I have not received any news. This letter must be from someone within the Heavenly Principle Sect acting on their own."

Yongzheng said, "Can't you manage the Heavenly Principle Sect?"

Hongchang shook his head, his expression calm:

"I have done my utmost these past few years. Apart from a few individuals, their rebellious intentions are very strong. I have done everything I can to be benevolent and righteous."

"Father, with your great virtue, considering that they are also subjects of the Great Qing, only misled by traitors, you have allowed me to venture into the tiger's den to reform the wolves."

"Even if Buddha cut off his own flesh to feed an eagle, the eagle is still an eagle. Father's intentions are good, but they still do as they please. Peace is imminent, and it is time to take swift and decisive action. Your subject dares not show the slightest bit of womanly compassion."

Yongzheng propped his head up with his hand. Mu Shu had previously speculated that it was the Heavenly Principle Sect traitors who were interfering and assisting Ning Baixuan. Now, it was just that speculation had become reality.

Hearing his son's words, the emperor calmly said:

"Let's proceed with the Fragrant Hills Gathering as originally planned."

"Yes."

"Have you decided on the location?"

Fragrant Hills is very close to the capital, and a 3,000-strong elite battalion is stationed there.

Even if you gave the Heavenly Principles Sect a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare to actually hold a conference for their new leader there. They would just mention the name so that members of the sect could gather in Beijing.

The exact location will be determined in the final few days. All the altar masters and incense masters will be notified.

Hongchang bowed and said, "Han Qing has not yet sent a message."

talking.

He said firmly:

"However, Father, please rest assured, the Imperial Guards of the Plain Yellow, Bordered Yellow, and Plain White Banners, totaling 10,000 men, along with 10,000 Green Standard Army soldiers, are ready. Once the White Lotus Rebellion rebels have gathered, I will personally lead the army to wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

Prince Duan's words were resolute and cold.

Yongzheng glanced at his son below him and said indifferently:

"Where is Han Qing? Didn't he want Ning Baixuan to be the sect leader? Now that Ning Baixuan is dead, will he still come?"

Hongchang frowned slightly:

"This time, Han Qing has summoned all the leaders and incense masters of the Heavenly Principle Sect to gather in the capital, all for the purpose of supporting Ning Baixuan to the position of sect leader... Given that Ning Baixuan is already dead... Han Qing will likely still show up to replace him with a new sect leader... This is also what the people of the Heavenly Principle Sect want."

Emperor Yongzheng sat on the dragon throne, gave Hongchang a deep look, and after a while, he calmly said:

"Who do you think is the traitor who asked me for Ning Baixuan?"

Hongchang nodded without hesitation: "Xu Xiyin."

"Currently, the only altar master my people have been unable to contact is Xu Xiyin. She was with Ning Baixuan on their journey north. She disappeared on the night the Southern Dynasty delegation went missing. This matter must be inextricably linked to her!"

"King Jing, the Southern Dynasty delegation, and the Southern Dynasty delegation's seal should all be in Xu Xiyin's hands!"

Five days...

This timing must have been carefully planned by the thieves.

The original plan was for the two countries to reach an agreement around mid-March.

The alliance will be formed at the end of March and head south. In early April, the three major camps will withdraw north and the two armies north of the river will leave the city. When they arrive in Huai'an, the timing will be just right.

pity……

They were all destroyed by some thief.

The emperor on the dragon throne narrowed his eyes and pondered for a while.

…………

Prince Duan's Mansion.

Inside the main room of the prince and his wife.

The wife, sitting in her wheelchair, remained silent.

Not long ago, Hongchang, who had just returned from the palace, sat next to his wife.

a long time.

Hongchang glanced at his wife and said calmly:

"It's been so many days."

He took his wife's hand, which was holding a handkerchief, and placed it in his palm.

Do you really think he's your brother?

Tang Caifeng said, "If he says so, then I will take it as so."

Both of them used the word "he" in their sentences, but the "he" that Hongchang was referring to was Ning Baixuan.

However, the "he" the other person was referring to was Han Qing.

Hongchang said:

"I also hope your brother is alive."

Tang Caifeng said, "He was already alive."

Hongchang neither confirmed nor denied it.

Inside the room, the two fell silent once again.

After a while, Prince Duan, who had recently been granted the title of prince, calmly said:

"Time is almost up."

Tang Caifeng looked at her husband with her big, dark eyes:

"When the time comes, don't hold back."

half an hour.

Hongchang hummed in agreement.

……

……

When the blinding light shone through the window, Ning Nan was already sitting at her desk.

He casually picked up a book and took a look.

But I was distracted and couldn't concentrate, so I put it down again.

Boom, boom.

Hearing the familiar knocking sound, Ning Nan knew that it was that older sister who had come.

Click, the door opens.

Although they had spent nearly ten days together.

Ning Nan still never called the other woman "sister," but the other woman never seemed to mind.