The prince is very cruel

After hearing this, Guan Ning shortened the time again in his mind. He had previously estimated it to be two years, but judging from what Sima Yuan said, the court could hardly last even a year due to internal and external troubles.

For the old emperor, taking back the military power of Guangdong and Guangxi was just a temporary solution. There were too many problems that could not be solved by the army at all.

Of course, he doesn't care about this. He only cares about his family and the truth of the unjust case.

After staying for one night, Guan Ning left Zizhou and rushed back to the capital at full speed.

The difference from before is that there are several pregnant women at home, and he is more eager to go home than ever before. He doesn't want to miss every day and wants to be with his family.

So, it only took him more than ten days to reach the capital.

On October 11th, the autumn wind grows stronger.

The north was starting to get a little chilly, and Guan Ning wanted to go home directly, but when he thought about it, he felt it would be unreasonable if he didn't go and give instructions to the old emperor.

In addition to the matter of the third prince, he also had to go and find out the truth.

So as soon as he returned to the capital, he went straight to the palace.

The news was reported layer by layer until it reached the old emperor. A cabinet meeting in the imperial study ended early, and Eunuch Lu came out in person to lead the people.

"Announce, Guan Ning, come to the audience!" The eunuch's voice was sharp, piercing the sky and scaring away many flying birds.

Guan Ning walked forward quickly and saw some palace maids cleaning the two sides of the imperial study in fear. There were even bloodstains on the wooden boards. He couldn't help but shudder.

Considering what Sima Yuan said, I guess the old emperor is in a state of panic now.

Soon, they arrived at the front hall of the Imperial Study.

The rising sandalwood exudes a sense of tranquility, and the golden dragons circling the pillars give people a sense of dignity. No matter how you look at it, it should be a sense of peace and prosperity, but at this moment it gives people a sense of oppression. Even the windows are closed and no light comes in.

"Your Majesty, long live the emperor!" Guan Ning knelt down and sniffed lightly, smelling a strong scent of medicinal herbs.

"Are you back?" The old emperor's voice was hoarse. He was helped to sit up by several palace maids. He looked old and frail, and exuded a deathly aura.

Guan Ning was shocked. Is the illness so serious?

"Your Majesty, I'm back."

"The plan for this trip has changed. I originally planned to go to Guangdong and Guangxi, but after receiving a tip-off, I made a temporary trip to Xingyang." He simply said it himself to avoid the old emperor asking, as that would make the matter different.

He felt that he could not hide his appearance in Xingyang from the old emperor.

Sure enough, a glimmer of light flashed in the old emperor's eyes, as if he was waiting for a reasonable explanation.

"Oh?"

"What happened to Xingyang?"

Guan Ning bowed and said, "Your Majesty, my informant has tracked down one of Zhao Tai's former subordinates. To escape prosecution, he disguised himself and fled from Jingzhou to Yangzhou, and finally to Xingyang."

"I went to great lengths to chase him down, and with the help of our local friends at the Phoenix Leaf Chamber of Commerce, I was able to capture him!"

"And I recovered another mold!"

He was talking nonsense and speaking in a serious manner. The doubt in the old emperor's eyes disappeared instantly, and instead a sharp light shot out. He leaned forward and looked at him intently.

"Where's the stuff?"

Guan Ning took out a mold from his arms like a magic trick. This was the mold he brought with him when he left the capital.

"Your Majesty, this is the mold for the cheek rest!"

He offered it with both hands.

Green Eunuch quickly took it away and handed it over.

The old emperor stroked the chin rest and finally grabbed it tightly. His withered hands seemed to have endless strength, and his terminally ill body burst into new life.

"very good!"

"Guan Ning, I didn't trust you wrongly."

"Including this mold, there's only one left. Do you have any clues?"

Guan Ning frowned. "Your Majesty, I heard that this final mold is in the hands of someone else. Zhao Tai knew the terrifying power of the Zhuge Crossbow and its potential to bring devastating damage on the battlefield, so he gave the confidential mold to different people for safekeeping."