The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Originally, the emperor of Southern Chu gave this task to Duan Yongping in the hope that he could bring benefits and advantages to Southern Chu.

But what he didn't expect was that Duan Yongping, this ambitious guy, came to Yunli and brought such a big disaster to him and Nan Chu before he could make any achievements.

"This guy can't withstand the torture of the Ministry of Punishment. If he is beaten to death, it will be difficult for us to report back. It is better to bring him into the palace."

"Leave it to the old ancestor and let her find a way to deal with him."

"Looking at how cowardly he is, he will probably confess everything he knows soon."

Pei Jian looked back at Duan Yongping who had fainted, and couldn't help shaking his head. It was also a problem that the opponent was too weak.

"Okay, you can take the person away."

Quan Zheng also looked at Duan Yongping who had fainted. He had now completely lost interest in interrogating this guy.

Pei Jian glanced at Quan Zheng, hesitated for a moment, and then expressed his thoughts.

"I'll go to the palace later and ask the old ancestor if we can conduct a thorough search of all the businesses and shops in Shangjing."

"Especially those businesses from foreign countries, they should be the focus of the search."

"These people are too rampant now. If we don't get rid of them soon, I'm afraid something like today will happen again in the future."

"Yeah." Quan Zheng nodded. If these hidden dangers are not eliminated, it will indeed be a big trouble.

These people are now so rampant that they dare to assassinate the queen in the street in Yunli's Shangjing City. I really don't know what crazy actions they can do if they are not stopped.

When Quan Zheng learned that the assassins had targeted Shen Tianjiao, he was shocked and filled with uncontrollable anger.

So when he dealt with those assassins, he was indeed ruthless. Those people are now alive, which is actually no different from being dead.

Quan Zheng had originally planned to let Duan Yongping, the mastermind, enjoy special care in the Ministry of Punishment.

But Duan Yongping is such a coward that even punishment is useless, which makes people feel dizzy.

If it weren't for the old ancestor in the palace waiting, Quan Zheng wouldn't care whether Duan Yongping had fainted or not. He would definitely let Duan Yongping know how powerful the Ministry of Punishment was.

"Just go ahead and ask. If that old ancestor agrees, our Ministry of Punishment will certainly give its full support."

Pei Jian was waiting for Quan Zheng to say this. If he wanted to search all the businesses and shops in Shangjing City, that would obviously not be enough.

Now that Quan Zheng has spoken and is willing to help him with all his strength, Pei Jian has nothing to worry about.

"Okay, I'll send this old guy to the palace now."

Pei Jian was not a person who would procrastinate. He left as soon as he said he would. He took Duan Yongping, who was still in a coma, into the palace.

Ruan Yuhu in the palace has not rested yet. She is still waiting for news from the Ministry of Punishment.

"Master, Pei Jian is here with his men."

Ju Ruo came in from outside with a cold look on her face.

Ruan Yuhu was slightly stunned. She really didn't expect that Quan Zheng's task could be completed so quickly.

"Let him in."

Ruan Yuhu tidied up his appearance, perked up, sat down, and waited for Pei Jian to come in.

Although Ruan Yuhu has become less sleepy and sometimes stays awake all night since she got older, this does not mean that she does not need to have a good rest.

She has been busy these past two days and has no time to rest. Her body can no longer take it.

If Ruan Yuhu hadn't been worried about Shen Tianjiao, afraid that he wouldn't be able to catch the mastermind behind her assassination, and afraid that those people would harm Shen Tianjiao again because the assassination failed, he would have collapsed by now.

Soon Pei Jian came in carrying Duan Yongping. Ruan Yuhu couldn't help but frown when he saw Pei Jian coming in with someone in his hand.

"Grandfather." Pei Jian dropped Duan Yongping from his hand and saluted Ruan Yuhu. He then turned around and pointed at Duan Yongping, who had been thrown to the ground, and said, "The one on the ground is Duan Yongping, the King Xuan of Southern Chu."

"He is the one sent by Nanchu this time to join forces with Li Zhaohui to overthrow my Yunli."

"He was also the one who ordered the assassination of the Empress."

"It's just that this guy is a coward. Before Commander Tsuen could even get through the trial, he was so frightened that he fainted."

"I thought you were still waiting for news, so I had no choice but to bring the still unconscious Duan Yongping to you."

After listening to Pei Jian's words, Ruan Yuhu glanced at Duan Yongping lying on the ground and said, "It seems that Nanchu is also declining day by day."

"After causing such a big commotion, they actually sent a loser to do this."

"Grandfather, this man is the son of the Emperor of Southern Chu. How should we deal with him?"

Although Duan Yongping is the prince of Nanchu, people like him are of little use to Pei Jian. A worthless person is of no use to Pei Jian.

However, Duan Yongping is the prince of Nanchu, and he cannot deal with it privately without instructions.

"Humph!" Ruan Yuhu snorted coldly and said disdainfully: "What can the prince of Nanchu do? He is just a prisoner now."

"He dared to bring people to poison my Yunli, colluding with Li Zhaohui and attempting to overthrow my Yunli's national foundation. Now even if I cut him into pieces, Nanchu wouldn't dare to fart."

"What's more, he was so audacious that he even dared to assassinate the regent queen in the streets of my Shangjing City, Yunli."

"Even if you send him back to Nanchu now, I'm afraid the king of Nanchu won't dare to recognize him and will wish he disappeared immediately."

It would be better for Duan Yongping to be dead now. He is alive to tell the world that Nanchu has colluded with the rebel Li Zhaohui, interfered in Yunli's internal affairs, and wants to destroy Yunli's stability.

Then the fact that Nan Chu was trying to overthrow Yun Li's conspiracy became an undeniable fact.

In this way, Yun Li can use this reason at any time to declare war on Nan Chu without any reason or excuse.

With Nan Chu's current strength, he would definitely suffer a great loss if he fought against Yun Li.

So if they killed Duan Yongping now, the Nanchu royal family would not only not jump out to make trouble, but would even come to thank Yun Li.

But Ruan Yuhu never thought of letting Nan Chu go so easily. She wanted to keep Duan Yongping as he would be of great use to her.

Shen Tianjiao has always wanted to declare war on the six countries. While expanding Yunli's territory, she also wanted to strengthen Yunli's national strength and make Yunli an unshakable powerful country.

Then this waste in front of us is the best breakthrough point.

With this waste around, there's no need to find any more reasons. We can just tell the world that not only did Nanchu send a prince to endanger Yunli's stability, but he also ordered the assassination of Yunli's regent queen, Shen Tianjiao.

If Yunli sent troops to attack Nanchu at this time, it would be to avenge Nanchu for disturbing Yunli's stability, and secondly, to avenge Nanchu for ordering the assassination of Yunli's regent queen.

These two reasons are absolutely reasonable and no one can find any fault with them.

After she has used up this useless Duan Yongping, she will send him to Duan Qingning. As for how Duan Qingning will deal with Duan Yongping, that is her business.

"Go and imprison this man. Make sure he's alive. He's still very useful. He can't die just yet."

"Yes, I understand."

Pei Jian glanced at Duan Yongping lying on the ground, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "Today, Nan Chu dared to open a business in my Yunli territory, using it as a secret base to hide and cause chaos in my Yunli."

"What about other countries? They are also eyeing us, Yunli, covetously. So I would like to ask the old ancestor if it is possible to search all the businesses and shops in Shangjing City."

"This will not only eliminate hidden dangers, but also ensure the stability of Shangjing."

Ruan Yuhu looked up at Pei Jian, shook his head, and said, "This matter must be done, but not now. Now is not the right time."

"Wait a few more days. Go back and tell Quan Zheng that Shangjing is about to face a major war. You and he must work together to ensure Shangjing's safety."

"Keep an eye on the people of Shangjing. No matter what happens in the palace, it must not be spread outside, and the normal order of Shangjing must not be disrupted."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Pei Jian's heart was shocked. He understood that the Queen was going to take action against Li Chaohui. He had waited for this moment for too long, and it suddenly became real, which made him a little unable to adapt.

"I understand. Please rest assured, Her Majesty the Queen and the old ancestor, no matter what happens in the palace, no news will be leaked outside until the matter is resolved."

"The people of Shangjing City will continue to live and do business as usual until the situation is completely resolved."

"Okay, with your words, the Queen and I can rest assured."

What Ruan Yuhu wanted was Pei Jian's guarantee. Their showdown with Li Chaohui was about to begin. If the news got out of the palace before the matter was resolved, then the capital would be in chaos immediately.

At a time like this, the most feared thing is chaos.

Because once there is chaos in Shangjing, many unexpected things will happen. By then, they will be overwhelmed and it will be difficult to stabilize the situation in Shangjing in a short period of time.

If Shangjing is unstable, Yunli will have trouble finding peace.

Ruan Yuhu still recognized Pei Jian's abilities. Although Pei Jian sometimes used harsh and extreme methods in doing things, it was undeniable that his toughness and extremism were still very effective in dealing with certain things.

As for Quan Zheng, there is naturally no need to mention him. He was originally a subordinate of the Marquis of Zhenbei. Not only is he loyal, but he also has outstanding abilities.

During the short period of time that he was in charge of the Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Punishment underwent a complete transformation.

Ruan Yuhu was still very relieved to leave such an important task of stabilizing the situation in Shangjing to the two of them.

A lot of unusual things happened tonight, which completely eliminated Ruan Yuhu's sleepiness.

After letting Pei Jian leave, Ruan Yuhu became more energetic.

Ruan Yuhu, who couldn't sleep, put on a fox fur cloak, walked into the yard and stared at the sky, where the dim moon appeared and disappeared from time to time.

This is what she often does whenever she encounters a problem or has something on her mind.

"Master, it's cold and windy at night. You should stay inside."

As Ju Ruo spoke, she handed a hand warmer to Ruan Yuhu.

"Nothing, I'm dressed warmly, I won't catch a cold."

Holding the hand warmer, Ruan Yuhu suddenly felt warm all over.

This warm and happy feeling made Ruan Yuhu's seemingly frozen thoughts and mind begin to thaw and become active again.

Ju Ruo glanced at Ruan Yuhu and said nothing more. She just stayed by her side silently.

This is a tacit understanding between the two of them that has been established for decades.

In the past, whenever Ruan Yuhu encountered a problem, or had something on her mind and started to daydream, Ju Ruo would stay by her side and accompany her silently.

Until Ruan Yuhu thought of a solution to the problem and figured out what was in his mind.

"Jiuruo, do you think our Yunli can also have a female emperor like the previous dynasty?"

Although Ruan Yuhu had made up her mind to let Shen Tianjiao ascend the throne as emperor, she still felt hesitant from time to time.

It is not easy to be an emperor. When the late emperor was still alive, she was just assisting in handling some court affairs and harem affairs, and she already found it extremely difficult.

What’s more, you have to be a king who takes care of every aspect of your life.

Being an emperor is not easy, and being an empress is even harder.

This world, after all, is still dominated by men.

In this era, men can do whatever they want and be free, but women have to suffer all kinds of difficulties and be bound by various rules and cannot be free.

If a woman wants to be like a man, she will inevitably bring herself a lot of criticism and embarrassment.

Shen Tianjiao is now only the queen regent, and there are still people supporting her behind the scenes, but she is always troubled by the court officials in the court and given all kinds of problems.

If one day, Shen Tianjiao really becomes the real ruler of Yunli as she wishes, how great will the pressure she will have to bear?

There is also the issue of the Marquis of Zhenbei. Since its establishment, the Marquis of Zhenbei's Mansion has been committed to loyalty to the imperial power. They do not take sides but only support the emperor.

If the Marquis of Zhenbei suddenly knew that his daughter was going to replace those incompetent descendants of the Li family and become the emperor of Yunli, and to control the affairs of Yunli, I wonder if he could accept it.

After all, once people's ideas are formed, it is difficult to change them.

Although there were three empresses in the previous dynasty, they also paid a huge price for it.

Ruan Yuhu knew that Shen Tianjiao was very powerful and had strong psychological endurance, but being an empress was not as easy as playing house.

Besides, she hasn't discussed this matter with Shen Tianjiao yet, and doesn't know what Shen Tianjiao thinks about the Queen.

However, Ruan Yuhu could also guess that if she discussed this issue with Shen Tianjiao, Shen Tianjiao would definitely not agree to be the queen.