This villain has become a ghost

"It's okay, it's just the poison taking effect."

Nangong Mingzhu smiled faintly at Yue Liuyun, his pale lips stained red with blood, giving him a fragile and enchanting beauty.

He nonchalantly wiped the blood from his lips and palms with his handkerchief.

Yue Liuyun retreated to his original position, feeling a mixture of anxiety and worry. His eyes suddenly turned red, but he took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm.

If Jingtan fails, can he still find a way to break the deadlock in this world?

Yue Liuyun asked, "Have you found the miracle doctor we sent people to look for some time ago?"

There was no "miracle doctor" in the previous life.

But she just didn't believe it. After searching the entire Daying, she still couldn't find a reliable doctor?

Afterwards, after much inquiry by Nangong Wanqing, Song Zhiyi and others, they discovered that there was indeed a story about a miracle doctor circulating in the Qicheng area, but the area was remote and the story was very niche, so no one could be sure whether this person actually existed.

But what if there is?

Nangong Mingzhu shook his head and said calmly, "...There is no news yet."

Yue Liuyun's heart sank.

Outside the window, the sky was low, leaden clouds pressing down on the ancient glazed tiles. A cold wind howled through the palace corridors, bringing bursts of biting cold, and the yellow leaves on the branches shivered in the wind.

Not long after, Shi Xing came in hunched over and announced, "Your Majesty, Lord Wei requests an audience."

"Announce him to come in."

"Yes."

Wei Yanzhi came in in a dignified manner.

He is very young, with a handsome face and simple clothes. He has the temperament of a minister who is dedicated to serving the people. As to whether he has a black heart, it is not a matter of comment.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."

"No gift."

Wei Yanzhi said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I just received news that according to the progress, the peace delegation will arrive in the Eastern Capital in two days."

Nangong Mingzhu got straight to the point, looking at him with a half-smile, and said, "Hasn't the Prime Minister always been... dissatisfied with my desire for peace talks?"

Wei Yanzhi said, "I dare not."

"Don't dare? Don't dare. You submitted three memorials asking me to withdraw my name, and in the court, you tried your best to dissuade me from agreeing to peace talks."

Nangong Mingzhu put down the memorial in his hand and spoke slowly.

Wei Yanzhi said calmly, "Forgive me for being frank, but I really don't want to negotiate peace at this time."

"After all... it was Daying that won the battle. General Song, Marquis Wu'an, and the generals of the four eastern, western, and northern garrisons are all talented and strategic commanders. Why not seize the opportunity to pursue the victory and wipe out the entire Chiyu in one fell swoop, leaving them no time to hide their strength?"

"What the Prime Minister said makes sense," Nangong Mingzhu said, "but haven't you forgotten, my dear minister, that the Marquis of Wu'an's victory over Chiyu was already incredibly difficult. Just the issue of food and fodder alone consumed so much of his energy and attention?"

"We also need to keep a low profile."

"The front lines are exhausted, the treasury is empty, domestic disasters continue, and harvests are declining. If we continue fighting, the only ones who will suffer are the people."

Wei Yanzhi reacted very quickly and said immediately, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. It is me who is superficial and inconsiderate."

...as if he had really been persuaded.

But this is too fast. Can't you hold on for a few more rounds?

Nangong Mingzhu stared at him with an ambiguous look in his eyes.

Wei Yanzhi had a smile on his face, looking upright, bright and open.

After a long while, Nangong Mingzhu suddenly sighed, looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, and said:

"I remember back then, when I had just ascended the throne, my dear minister, though of humble origins, stood out in the imperial examinations, and your political insights were exceptional. I was extremely pleased with you and, overjoyed, appointed you the fourth-rank Shangshu Zuo Cheng..."

Wei Yanzhi: “?”

What kind of thing is this?

Or is it that this stubborn, cunning emperor has started to play the emotional card?

Wei Yanzhi said, "Your Majesty's kindness in recognizing and supporting me will be unforgettable to me forever."

Nangong Mingzhu continued, "...Over the years, I have gradually secured this position, and you, my dear minister, have also made remarkable achievements, becoming the prime minister of this dynasty. You are truly second only to the emperor and above everyone else."

Wei Yanzhi said: "It is all thanks to your Majesty's cultivation. I am deeply grateful."

Nangong Mingzhu sighed deeply once more, covering his tears, and said sincerely, "But my health is failing... If nothing unexpected happens, I probably won't be able to hold on for much longer."

Wei Yanzhi was stunned for half a second.

Without trying to hide it, he actually just... said it out loud?

Immediately, Wei Yanzhi squeezed out two crocodile tears, his eyes reddened, and he knelt down, shocked and said: "Your Majesty, how could this happen... If something happened to you, what would happen to the entire Daying..."

Yue Liuyun: “…”

Six, the acting is really realistic.

Nangong Mingzhu coughed weakly a few times and said, "Prime Minister... I personally promoted you. In this entire court, you are the one I trust the most."

Wei Yanzhi shook his head, knelt more respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health! I am unworthy of this honor."

Nangong Mingzhu insisted on speaking his lines: "I don't have much time left. This matter... I have only told you, Prime Minister. You must not tell anyone else who has ulterior motives!"

"After I die, I hope you will do your best to support Prince Xuan's ascension to the throne. I have already drafted the imperial edict and hidden it behind the plaque in Qinghe Palace. When the time comes, everything will be handed over to you, my dear..."

Wei Yanzhi seemed to have received a huge blow, and he kept asking: "Your Majesty, what exactly is going on? Why did you suddenly become so seriously ill..."

Nangong Mingzhu smiled bitterly and said, "Let's not talk about this matter anymore... I am not a hypocritical person. I just hope... you can obey my order just now."

Wei Yanzhi stared at him intently, then prostrated himself and kowtowed, saying in a deep voice, "Your Majesty... obeys your command!"

Nangong Mingzhu nodded with satisfaction and said, "My dear minister, please rise quickly. In two days, the envoys will arrive in the Eastern Capital. I absolutely cannot let those Chiyu people discover anything, so... do you understand what I mean?"

After Wei Yanzhi stood up, his eyes still red with professionalism, he said seriously: "Your humble servant understands! Your humble servant will definitely cooperate with Your Majesty!"

Then he asked, "As for the venue for the banquet... I think the palace built by the late emperor on Mount Qiongshan is the most suitable place for a grand banquet. The late emperor often hosted banquets here to entertain foreign envoys. Your Majesty... what do you think?"

Nangong Mingzhu seemed very tired. He rubbed his temple with one hand and said weakly, "...I'll leave it to the Prime Minister."

"Wei Chen understands!"

Wei Yanzhi bowed, gave some words of care and concern, and finally left.

After he left Yixin Palace, a dark light suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he walked forward thoughtfully.

Inside the Yixin Palace, Yue Liuyun stared at his back and sighed, "Tsk, they're all good actors. Tell me... did he believe it or not?"

Nangong Mingzhu smiled and said, "It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. He will make a move sooner or later anyway. It's better to let him do it."

"It's easier to defend openly than secretly."