The Emperor's uncle loves me! My paranoid wife, don't run away

The hall was quiet, and Helan Duoduo's sudden proposal shocked Shen Runing.

She looked up at Helan Duoduo, a trace of deep thought flashing in her eyes. Why did she help herself?

"Helan Duoduo..." Shen Runing whispered in his heart, but his face remained expressionless, he just looked at her a few more times.

Helan Duoduo was as low-key as ever, with a calm expression, as if he was unaware of the waves he had caused.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, staring coldly at Taoist Xuanyi. After a moment, he nodded slightly, his words filled with unquestionable majesty.

"In that case, I will order Wei Lin from Tianji Temple to come. How can we allow false statements to confuse the fate of our country? Taoist Xuanyi, you don't mind competing with me, right?"

Xuan Yi's heart sank suddenly, but he forced himself to remain calm, and the whisk was almost tightened in his hands.

All eyes were on him. He couldn't retreat. Cold sweat was already breaking out on his face. He couldn't help but look to the side and his eyes fell on Luo Ranran.

Luo Ranran maintained a dignified expression, but her heart was slightly uneasy because of Xuan Yi's gaze.

Now that she was in public, she couldn't show her emotions too much. She could only smile, slowly raise her eyes, and look at Xuan Yi.

Her fingers rested lightly on the teacup and shook slightly, as if signaling him to calm down.

Xuan Yi felt a little relieved after receiving this subtle hint, but soon fell into deep panic again. To compete with a real disciple of Tianji Temple would be tantamount to humiliating himself.

Inside the hall, people were already discussing the matter, with all attention focused on the upcoming "duel".

"Master Xuanyi, today our mission is to verify the secrets of heaven. If you say anything untrue, it may affect the fate of our country. Do you have anything else to say?" Shen Runing's tone was gentle, but sharp as a blade.

Xuan Yi felt a chill in his heart, and could only whisper: "I will obey the will of heaven."

The atmosphere in the hall was tense as everyone was waiting for the coming storm.

The eunuchs retreated tremblingly and passed on the order to find Wei Lin, leaving behind a solemn atmosphere.

During this brief interval, everyone had a complex expression on their face, as if all their thoughts were subtly colliding.

The emperor's gaze turned to Ji Yun, who was standing on the side with his head lowered.

His eyes were cold, with a hint of majesty and a sense of urgency. The emperor smiled slightly, and although the smile was faint, it made him look even colder.

"Ji Yun is both talented and beautiful, and has a good character. She is an excellent candidate. I intend to take her as my concubine. I think you all have no objection, right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent again, and everyone's eyes turned to Ji Yun.

Ji Yun's face was as pale as paper. She pursed her lips and tried her best to hide her trembling fingers, but her heart was like a surging sea. The sadness and powerlessness almost made her breathless.

"Your Majesty is wise. The matter of selecting a concubine is indeed a matter of great importance to the country's destiny." A court official stood up and agreed, with a flattering light in his eyes, as if he did not see the pain that was gradually gathering in Ji Yun's eyes.

Shen Runing gritted his teeth, secretly clenched his palms, took a deep breath, took a step forward, and seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

"Does Lady Fangyi have anything to say?" The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly.

Shen Runing's face became solemn, and she bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am just sighing that Ji Yun is both talented and beautiful, and she is indeed worthy of your Majesty's love. However, Ji Yun is the granddaughter of the Wu family. I wonder if your Majesty wants to..."

Shen Runing didn't finish his words, but left them a little behind.

Everyone was shocked. These words were both a test and contained a hidden edge.

The emperor's face darkened slightly, but he smiled after a moment: "As the granddaughter of the Wu family, you should be loyal to the country. If the Wu family has any doubts, I will personally comfort them."

Although the words were gentle, the emperor's iron-fisted determination was unmistakable. Shen Runing's heart sank. Every word she said was like walking on the edge of a knife, but she was still powerless to stop the emperor's will.

Ji Yun tried hard to hold back her tears. At this moment, she was like a bird in a cage, firmly bound by the imperial power, with no way to escape.

Shen Li, come back quickly and save me...

In this tense atmosphere, Xuan Yi's fingers trembled slightly, as if he foresaw the dangers and storms of the future.

Shen Runing was lowering her head slightly when Chun Zhi whispered quietly to her ear: "Miss, Liu Qing said..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and then he looked up at Xuan Yi and Luo Ranran in the hall.

Xuan Yi seemed calm on the surface, but in fact the cold sweat on his forehead had not yet dried, and his eyes were wandering, and it was clear that he was in confusion.

In that case, let me give you a push today.

Shen Runing spoke slowly, with a somewhat contemptuous tone: "Is this Master Xuanyi's first time entering the palace?"

"of course."

Shen Runing nodded and was about to speak when she was interrupted by Concubine Jing.

"Master, I have been having palpitations and dreams lately, and I always feel uneasy at night. I want to go to Tianji Temple to burn some incense and ring the bell."

"So, given my position, how many times should I strike the bell?"

Willing to answer seriously.

"Your Highness, as a noble concubine, is below the Empress, so you can be ranked eighth..."

He suddenly realized that his words were inappropriate and his voice suddenly stopped. Everyone's face changed suddenly. The emperor frowned slightly and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"Oh, the word 'Royal Concubine' is written on my face?"

Luo Ranran on the side tried her best to remain calm, but the worry in her eyes could not be completely concealed.

Taoist Xuanyi's face turned pale instantly, he knew he had let the cat out of the bag.

"I, I spoke out of turn..." His voice was as weak as a mosquito or fly. His body swayed and he could no longer support himself. He collapsed on the ground, cold sweat streaming down his temples.

His eyes swept towards Luo Ranran in panic, as if he was grabbing at the last straw, his eyes filled with fear and pleading.

Luo Ranran picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip gently, as if the tense situation in the hall had nothing to do with her. She wished Xuan Yi would be killed on the spot immediately to avoid implicating herself.

"Master Xuanyi looks like he's not feeling well?" Shen Runing watched coldly, his voice tinged with teasing.

Luo Ranran's fingers trembled slightly, and the teacup gently touched the tray, making a crisp sound. She raised her eyes to meet Shen Runing's gaze, but her eyes were calm, as if to indicate that she had nothing to do with Xuan Yi.

"Master, it is obviously not appropriate to discuss matters of heaven today. Go back and have a good rest." Luo Ranran said.

Shen Runing's eyes were like knives, sweeping across the people in the hall, and sneered: "That won't work, Wei Lin hasn't come yet."

Just as the situation became tense, a loud sound of breaking through the air suddenly came from outside the palace. Then, a figure fell from the sky and knelt heavily at the entrance of the palace, splashing a cloud of dust.

"Yang Run!" Luo Ranran's heart trembled violently, and she could hardly believe her eyes.