The empress disliked my achievements for overshadowing her own, so she turned her attention to the N

Qin Qingmin finished speaking.

Chen Nan quickly replied, "May I ask, Qin Academy, how can we seize more benefits from them?"

Upon seeing that the person asking the question was Chen Nan, Qin Qingmin's face lit up with joy, and he replied arrogantly, "The Prince of Zhennan doesn't understand this, does he?"

"As the academy just said, Liu Bangua is a martial artist."

"As long as we work together and point out the mistakes of Western Shu, they will naturally be willing to compensate us sincerely."

"Is that so? Then may I ask how Qin Academy knew about the other party's envoys?" Chen Nan didn't give the other party any time to think and continued to speak directly.

However, Qin Qingmin was not that foolish.

Hearing Chen Nan's question, he showed no intention of explaining.

Just as the person was about to retreat to their original position.

The Empress Dowager, seated on the dragon throne, spoke: "Qin Academy, the Prince of Zhennan is asking you a question, why don't you answer?"

Instantly, Qin Qingmin's forehead broke out in a cold sweat.

He has just realized that he said the wrong thing.

Before the envoy from Western Shu even arrived, he had already described the other party's personnel configuration.

Now, even if he said he didn't know, no one would believe him.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk respectfully to the center of the main hall.

The Empress Dowager replied, "I only heard it from others. As for whether the person who came was Liu Bangua, I have no way of knowing."

The Empress Dowager's expression turned cold.

"You heard it from someone else? Who told you that?"

"Is there anyone in Northern Wei who knows more than I do?"

"Even I only just found out about the other side's personnel. It seems Qin Academy knew about it a long time ago?"

At this moment, the Empress Dowager of Northern Wei had a frosty expression on her face, as if she would explode in anger at any moment.

Qin Qingmin's forehead was covered in even more cold sweat.

He didn't know how to explain it.

He couldn't very well tell the other party directly that he had contacted Liu Banggua privately and that the other party was coming to his death, could he?

If he were to say that out loud, Qin Qingmin wouldn't even have time to die before he, Liu Ban, would be unable to leave Fengtian Hall alive.

Chen Nan added, "Does Qin Academy know something inside? Why not share it and give everyone a suggestion?"

In the main hall, both civil and military officials stared at Qin Qingmin.

The Empress Dowager on the dragon throne even slightly raised her forearm.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's actions, the guards on both sides placed their right hands on the hilts of their swords, ready at any moment.

Looking at Qin Qingmin again, his hands were trembling as he clenched his fists, letting the sweat on his forehead drip onto the hall.

The pupils in his eyes kept moving.

He was thinking, trying to come up with a plausible excuse.

Suddenly, Qin Qingmin raised his head, his eyes resolute: "Empress Dowager, I will tell you the truth."

"That Liu Ban Gua did indeed send someone to communicate with me."

"However, he did it in order to reduce some of the silver tribute paid by Western Shu."

"That's why I was sent to discuss this with you."

"I intend to report this matter to the Empress Dowager separately after the court session."

"The Empress Dowager has sharp eyes; she discovered it before I could even bring it up."

His words were very artful, not only confirming Liu Banggua's purpose in going on a mission to the Northern Wei Dynasty.

He also took the opportunity to praise the Empress Dowager of Northern Wei.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager smiled upon hearing this explanation.

The forearm, which had been slightly raised, naturally drooped down.

The guards on either side removed their right hands from the hilts of their swords.

They remained standing, awaiting the next order.

Qin Qingmin changed the subject, pointing at Chen Nan and questioning, "Prince Zhennan, this academy has already stated its position."

"The purpose of the mission from Western Shu was to negotiate peace, so what is the purpose of the Prince of Zhennan's persistent questioning?"

"Wouldn't it be better for Western Shu to negotiate peace? Why do the two countries have to keep getting bogged down in war?"

"And then did the Great Qian or the Eastern Qin dynasty gain benefits from it, thus pleasing the Prince of Zhennan?"

Chen Nan was stunned. He hadn't expected that after going around in circles for so long, he would end up getting himself into trouble.

Although he was unclear about Liu Banggua's purpose in going on this mission, he knew it was definitely not what Qin Qingmin had said.

But at present, there is no better solution.

He had no choice but to compromise, saying, "Since the Qin Academy has spoken, I am naturally willing for the two countries to cease hostilities."

On the surface, the two finally reached an agreement.

At this moment, Changsun Du, the Right Chancellor, stepped forward and pretended to mediate: "Since both the Prince of Zhennan and the Qin Academy believe that the Western Shu has come to negotiate, I suggest that the Prince of Zhennan and the Qin Academy welcome the envoy together."

After pondering for a long time, the Empress Dowager nodded solemnly: "Very well, then let's do as Prime Minister Changsun says."

"Retreat!"

As the words "Dismiss the court" were spoken, the court officials slowly withdrew from the main hall.

After the officials came out, they realized that the court meeting had lasted all morning.

Because Chen Nan still needed to investigate the forced land requisition, he didn't linger and left directly.

As he left, Qin Qingmin kept her eyes fixed on his departing figure.

Only after Chen Nan disappeared from sight did they turn their gaze away.

He smiled and extended an invitation: "Thank you for helping me out earlier, Prime Minister. I'll treat you to a chat at your residence."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Du, who was planning to go home, couldn't lift his feet at all.

He chuckled awkwardly, "Alright...alright, since that's the case, then I'll accept it without further ado."

In the crowd, Li Shen smiled and exclaimed, "It really has to be Qin Academy! They actually managed to invite Prime Minister Changsun to be their guest."

The others echoed him respectfully.

It's a pity that Changsun Du could hear such flattery.

He's probably so angry he'd kick everyone to death. Is this what he wants to do?

If he hadn't been threatened by Qin Qingmin, would a prime minister like him need to be mindful of the dean's feelings?

Chen Nan pushed open the door to the Prince of Zhennan's mansion and entered.

As soon as I entered, I saw Wu Xu practicing his boxing alone in the courtyard.

He asked, "Wu Xu, where is Mo Bai?"

Wu Xu turned around and saw that Chen Nan had returned. He immediately stopped and replied, "Your Highness, Mo Bai went to the Prefectural Magistrate to investigate."

He knew that he was just a martial artist, so only by working hard to improve his martial arts skills could he provide greater assistance to Chen Nan.

Mo Bai, on the other hand, is quick-witted and doesn't need such a high level of martial arts.

"Come with me to the prefectural governor."

Chen Nan gave the order.

He turned and walked towards the outside of the Prince's Mansion.

Wu Xu hurriedly followed.

When the two came outside, they found Hongming with his head down, pacing alone at the door.

Chen Nan was taken aback and called out, "What are you doing here?"

Hongming recognized the voice immediately and a smile appeared on his lips.

He quickly returned to normal, looked up and said, "I was just passing by and came to take a look."

"Stop looking, what's there to see in this dilapidated prince's mansion? I'm used to living here. Come with me to the Prefect of Weidu." With that, Chen Nan stepped forward, took Hongming's little hand, and hurried away.

Hongming never expected Chen Nan to be so reckless.

They've already started doing it before I even agreed?

But Chen Nan's hands were really warm.

Hongming could easily break free with a little effort, but he let the other person hold him like that.

Although Wu Zixu was foolish, he was not brain-dead.

Knowing that Chen Nan needed some space, I deliberately followed him from a distance.

Chen Nan had absolutely no sense of romance; he held hands and walked quickly.