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

She eats three meals a day, except when guests come, as the wife of a prince, she is responsible for entertaining them.

At other times, the other party would come in person to dine with him.

After breakfast, Xixue, his maid, wiped his hands and face as usual.

Ning Nan smiled and thanked her. With the Princess Consort by his side, the little maid said earnestly, "Young Master, you flatter me."

Tang Caifeng looked at him with a smile:

"It's good that you're healthy."

Women rarely talk much; they often just nag about taking good care of their health.

She would also take him for a walk in the yard.

Of course, this only applies to the courtyard.

While he strolled around the courtyard, dozens of eyes were often watching him.

So no matter how much you wander around, it's not very interesting.

I'd rather stay in my room and read.

this day.

Zhen Susu came as always... of course, she came with the princess.

Princess Gege would often come to his place, chatting casually for a bit, sometimes telling him interesting stories about the capital, sometimes bringing him some pastries, but she was never very enthusiastic.

His face was a little pale, and he seemed to be forcing a smile. He didn't stay long.

He was usually given time to chat with Susu on paper and explain some things.

After they finished explaining, Gege got up and left.

Su Su wrote a sentence last time: "Consort Nian is ill, and her condition is getting worse."

Ning Nan then understood the reason. He had heard that Consort Nian was unwell, but seeing her like this, he figured her health must be quite poor.

Su Su wrote: "The Seventeenth Princess comes to your place every day, then searches the streets for novelties for Consort Nian, and brings them back to the palace to please her, taking care of her until late at night. She is very tired."

Burbuza didn't seem to care that they were whispering to each other, nor did he seem to be spying on them.

But he still sneered, "Since you'll never be able to leave the capital anyway, why don't you just marry this maid?"

Zhen Susu deliberately blushed and became coy, saying, "Oh? Isn't that inappropriate?"

Seeing the wretched state of this woman who was a few years older than her, Burbuza couldn't help but swear in her heart that she wouldn't come to relax tomorrow!

When she went north, she felt that this woman named Susu was like a vixen.

The more she looked at it, the more it resembled her, but when she thought that the woman who would really give her a headache wasn't her, Burbuza couldn't help but feel happy.

But the rare joy in her heart only lasted a few breaths before the thought of her ailing mother caused her smile to fade and she to fall silent.

My mother was already born with a weak constitution, and she gave birth to many children. As a result, apart from her and Fu Hui, all her other brothers and sisters died one after another. Last year, the last brother my mother gave birth to was stillborn. My mother's health collapsed, and she cried uncontrollably.

I sat for a while.

Seeing that the two were not saying anything, Burbuza stood up:

"Susu, return to the palace."

Su Su knelt down and bowed, saying, "Yes, Master."

The two left.

Ning Nan's gaze gradually turned serious as he looked at the white paper filled with small regular script left by Zhen Susu.

"Miaofeng Mountain...Xu Xiyin..."

Xu Xiyin plans to exchange the delegation for him?

After scanning the white paper again, Ning Nan slowly tore it into pieces.

Things happened rather suddenly, but at least we know Xu Xiyin is alright.

He finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Within five days..."

Ning Nan narrowed his eyes; that was before March 13th.

It takes one or two days to travel from Beijing to Miaofeng Mountain.

In other words, by March 12th at the latest, the Northern Dynasty should begin the process of taking him to Miaofeng Mountain to exchange for the delegation.

He threw the torn paper into the stove, and it burst into flames, filling the room with the smell of burning.

Staring at the bright red flames in the stove.

Ning Nan pondered for a moment.

He wrote it down for Zhen Susu, asking her to ask Master Xu what the complete plan was.

How many people live on Miaofeng Mountain?

How can we ensure a safe evacuation?

Can you guarantee Prince Jing's safety?

As for the delegation… Ning Nan thought for a moment… If we really had to change them, the seal could be replaced, but the people couldn’t. Especially Prince Jing, he absolutely couldn’t be replaced.

Master Xu should understand this principle as well.

The Northern Dynasty will certainly take all necessary measures to ensure that they will not let the delegation leave and will also try to bring the delegation back.

Ning Nan let out a soft breath.

I thought I should still talk to Master Xu.

Let's see what we should do then.

The light of daylight gradually crept up outside.

The sound of a wheelchair could be heard outside the door.

His older sister brought him lunch again.

For lunch, we had sliced ​​roast suckling pig, along with several vegetarian dishes to cut through the richness; the aroma was irresistible.

After eating a few vegetarian dishes, Tang Caifeng smiled and asked Xixue to fetch a pot of wine, as she wanted to have a drink with her younger brother.

Xixue skipped and hopped away.

Ning Nan was somewhat surprised; this was the first time he had seen this woman want to drink.

Tang Caifeng glanced at him and smiled, "Little brother, do you like the Seventeenth Princess?"

"Huh?" Ning Nan was taken aback.

"If you like, I can arrange a marriage for you. Hmm, I'll arrange a marriage for Ning Jiexiao. You can stay in the capital as a prince consort."

Tang Caifeng narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze carrying a deeper meaning as she said:

"If you also like that empress of the Southern Dynasty, this is easy to arrange. The Southern Dynasty is about to be destroyed, so you can marry her then..."

Ning Nan put down his chopsticks and interrupted:

"I am already husband and wife with the Empress of the Southern Dynasty. Our marriage was arranged by our parents and a matchmaker. There is no question of me marrying someone else."

Tang Caifeng looked at him carefully and smiled:

"Still want to go back south?"

"Yes."

"Even if you could go back, you would still be doomed."

Ning Nan said, "That's not necessarily true."

"It's not just our dynasty and the Rakshasa," she said calmly. "The fate of the Great Liang Dynasty has run its course; it's destined to perish."

Not just the Northern Dynasties and the Rakshasa?

Ning Nan frowned slightly, looking at the serious expression on the woman's face beside him. His heart sank, and he slowly shook his head, saying:

"Princess Consort Duan is joking. Our Great Liang is strong and well-equipped, and the Empress is working diligently to govern. Whether it is your dynasty or other villains, it is probably not so easy for Great Liang to be destroyed."

The words were quite impolite.

Tang Caifeng said with some regret, "When Father found you, he was a little too late."

Ning Nan looked puzzled, but the other party did not continue speaking.

Her expression was calm, but her eyes seemed to hold a hint of pleading and pity. After a moment, she composed herself and smiled brightly:

"Little brother, let's eat... the food's getting cold..."

……

……

On March 9th, Zhen Susu, who was supposed to come and tell Xu Xiyin the whole plan, did not come.

The courtyard was deserted and quiet.

He had originally asked Zhen Susu to deliver a letter to Mu Shu, but seeing that Master Xu had made a move, he put his plan aside. Now, thinking about it, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. After all, being in prison, the only person he could use was Zhen Susu... This was only because he owed the princess a huge favor.

March 10th.

Ning Nan spent a long time deducing on paper, but still couldn't figure out the possibility that the Northern Dynasty wouldn't exchange him for Prince Jing.

Even if the Northern Dynasty doesn't compromise, they should at least force me to go.

Send someone to impersonate you?

Ning Nan frowned.

Xu Xiyin wouldn't be that stupid, and the Northern Dynasty shouldn't think Xu Xiyin is that stupid either.

Zhen Susu still hadn't come by nightfall.

He didn't come on March 11th.

On March 12th, theoretically the last day to go to Miaofeng Mountain, Zhen Susu did not come, nor was he escorted away.

March 13th.

This day.

The weather was gloomy, with not a ray of sunshine in the sky.