Chapter 406 The Emperor's 'Last Will'

Imperial City.

Health Palace.

The cold wind was still raging, but the air seemed to be getting heavier.

In the courtyard of the palace.

"Father still doesn't want to see me?"

Li Ci Ning, dressed in a white brocade robe, was still kneeling in the courtyard. His figure was getting thinner and thinner, as if he would fall down at any time.

"Your Majesty is in a critical moment of retreat, and no one will come... Your Highness, you should go back first."

Chen Zhao's hunched figure appeared beside him, sighed and spoke, and comforted him.

"Your Highness, you have been kneeling here for a day and a night. Your Highness just had a serious illness not long ago and has not recovered yet. Your health is important. If something goes wrong, I can't bear it..."

In the courtyard, Li Ci Ning slowly raised his head and looked at the hall in front of him. After a moment, he turned his head and looked at Chen Zhao.

There was no expression on his face, but his eyes were extremely tenacious.

He stared at Chen Zhao quietly for a long time, and finally spoke slowly. The voice almost came out of his throat, very low: "Father, is he really in seclusion?"

"Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"Do you know what I am talking about!"

Li Ci Ning stared at him.

"Why did father completely ignore the government during this seclusion? Why did father not send any news for such a long time? Even though the court is in danger now, the northern grassland tribes are stationed and eyeing it covetously, and our Daning Dynasty is crumbling, there is still no news from father..."

"General Manager Chen, is father really still in seclusion?"

Li Ci Ning's voice was low and hoarse, but it seemed as if it was shrouded in a shadow, and he asked coldly.

Chen Zhao's expression changed slightly after hearing these words: "Your Majesty is practicing the way of longevity, so he should not hear anything outside the window..."

"Before His Majesty went into seclusion, he had already ordered Your Highness to supervise the country, which shows his trust in Your Highness..."

"Could it be that Your Highness is doubting this old slave?"

Li Ci Ning stared coldly at Chen Zhao in front of him, without saying a word.

Chen Zhao stood quietly aside, his figure still hunched, his waist bent, his old face without any emotion, his eye sockets sunken.

Li Ci Ning retracted his gaze and looked at the inner hall in front of him, his expression slightly condensed.

Then, he slowly stood up from the ground.

"I want to see my father!"

Hearing this, Chen Zhao spoke again: "Your Majesty is in seclusion..."

"I want to see my father!"

Li Ci Ning repeated coldly, interrupting him.

"Why, you want to stop me?"

"I dare not!"

Chen Zhao lowered his eyes, but then said: "I am following the order of His Majesty to strictly prohibit anyone from approaching and disturbing His Majesty's meditation... Your Highness, please don't make it difficult for me!"

"I want to see my father!"

Li Ci Ning's voice was still cold, and he repeated it again.

This time, his tone was full of determination and indifference.

The next second, he walked towards the inner hall.

"Your Highness!"

Chen Zhao, dressed in a black robe and hunched, stood in front of Li Ci Ning.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

At the same time, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

Several figures flew in from outside the courtyard, accompanied by the sound of swords being unsheathed, and the cold light was sharp. Seeing this, the original guards in the hall also drew their swords.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the inner hall was tense.

Confrontation!

Seeing this scene, Chen Zhao's eyes were deep and his voice became more hoarse: "Your Highness, why do you make things so difficult for me?"

"Today, no one can stop me from seeing my father!"

Li Ci Ning put his hands behind his back and stared at Chen Zhao with cold eyes.

"Chen Zhao, do you want to attack me and rebel?!"

Behind him, there were countless guards with murderous auras. At the same time, outside the inner hall, there were several powerful auras surging.

There have been masters waiting for a long time!

Chen Zhao's reaction made Li Ci Ning more determined that his father might be in trouble.

Today, he must see his father!

No one can stop it!

The atmosphere became more and more tense, as if the next second, they would face each other with swords.

Just when they were about to go to an inevitable conflict, a low voice suddenly came from the inner hall.

"Ning'er, come in."

As soon as this voice came out, Li Ci Ning raised his eyes suddenly.

"Father?!"

A trace of excitement emerged in his eyes, and he looked up at the inner hall.

Father, finally responded? !

At the same time, the guards around him, who were originally on the verge of a fight, knelt down one after another.

"Your Majesty!"

Chen Zhao, who was standing in front of Li Ci Ning, heard this voice, his face unchanged, and slowly stepped aside.

"Your Highness, please!"

Li Ci Ning suppressed his excitement, tidied his clothes, stepped into the inner hall.

There were several Buddha statues in the inner hall, and tributes were placed in front of the Buddha statues. Apart from that, the surroundings were empty.

There was a secret door behind the Buddha statue.

Li Ci Ning walked into the secret door, followed the dim light, passed through a long stone wall corridor, and finally came to a secret room in the innermost room.

Standing at the door, Li Ci Ning became more and more excited.

Finally, he stretched out his hand tremblingly and slowly pushed open the secret door.

Behind the secret door, there is a secret room!

The secret room was surrounded by stone walls, which were extremely simple and formed a sharp contrast with the luxuriousness of the prosperous imperial city.

The niches around the stone walls were lit with lights, and the entire stone wall seemed airtight, giving people an extremely depressing feeling.

Right in front of them, there were also several unnamed Buddha statues, with sandalwood burning in front of them, and smoke curling up.

On the cushion in front of the Buddha statue, a slightly vicissitudes of life figure sat there with his back to the door!

"Father?!"

When he saw this figure, even though he hadn't seen it for a long time, Li Ci Ning still recognized it at a glance.

He looked excited and knelt down on the ground with a plop.

"Son, I pay my respects to Father!"

"Ning'er!"

An old and low voice came, as if there was an indescribable weakness.

Li Ci Ning slowly raised his head, and the emperor on the futon in front of him had turned around and looked at him. But when Li Ci Ning's eyes fell on his father's face, his eyes immediately became horrified.

"Father, you... what's wrong with you?!!"

At this moment, Li Ci Ning was extremely shocked.

In front of him appeared an old man who looked like he was about to die.

His hair was gray, his skin was dry and old, and his body became thin and hunched. There was not much life breath in his body, just like an old man who would die at any time.

This scene made Li Ci Ning unbelievable!

His father is only in his early fifties now. Although he is not young, he is definitely not old. The last time I saw my father, he was obviously in good condition. But it has only been more than half a year. Why did my father become like this? !

"What happened to you?"

Li Ci Ning's voice trembled: "Father, you, you... what happened to you?!"

"Who made you like this?!"

On the futon, the current emperor of the Daning Dynasty, the emperor who laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Daning Dynasty. But now he looks like an old man who is about to be buried, and there is no trace of his former style.

He looked at the prince who was kneeling in front of him, and there seemed to be something flashing in his eyes.

"I am afraid that I don't have much time left."

The voice of the Emperor Ning was hoarse and low, as if he had reached the point of exhaustion, very old. It was completely different from the sound of the strong internal force that penetrated the secret room and reached the Yangxin Palace just now.

Li Ci Ning was shocked when he heard this: "Father, what's going on? Why did you suddenly become like this?"

"Don't worry!"

Emperor Ning waved his hand, signaling him not to worry.

"I should have died a long time ago. It's a miracle that I can live to this day!"

Emperor Ning narrowed his eyes and said in a hoarse and low voice: "I was seriously injured when I led the expedition to the southern border..."

Hearing this, Li Ci Ning raised his head in astonishment.

He did hear about this. The palace historical records recorded that more than ten years ago, the father had led the expedition to the southern border countries.

The father was in his prime that year, and his body and ambition were the most fierce!

Some people said that the father was worried that the then general Lin Hengzhong of the southern expedition had too much power and prestige, so he led the expedition to give him a warning.

Some people also said that the father wanted to expand the territory himself and wanted to be on par with Taizu to become an emperor of all ages who could kill enemies on horseback and govern the country on foot.

There are many different opinions about the purpose, but the palace records show that not long after the emperor led the army to fight, he returned to the court. After that, he stayed in the palace and never mentioned the matter again.

No one noticed anything unusual at the time, but they just felt a little strange about his majesty's behavior!

Now, after hearing his father's words, Li Qining finally realized something... His father was injured in the expedition and left with serious sequelae? !

"I was in my prime at the time. Although the injury was serious, it was not a big deal. But, I still underestimated the insidiousness of those tribes in southern Xinjiang..."

Emperor Ning's voice was unusually low.

More than a decade ago, Emperor Ning was both civil and military, proficient in both civil and military strategies. Although his martial arts were not unparalleled in the world, he was definitely a top master.

Ordinary injuries were not a big deal for him.

But the problem is...

"Although my injury seems to have healed, I was poisoned without knowing it..."

"Poisoned?!"

Li Ci Ning couldn't help but ask: "Didn't the imperial physician see it?"

"That's not an ordinary poison, but a very rare poison in the world!"

"Poison?!"

"This kind of poison is too hidden, and ordinary people can't detect it at all... Although I felt unwell at the time, I didn't take it seriously."

Emperor Ning's eyes were deep, and a trace of regret appeared in his eyes.

"When I was young, my internal strength was strong, and this poison didn't cause any harm to me... But as I got older, my health began to gradually deteriorate. This poison in my body gradually eroded my life... Until a few years ago, I finally realized that something was wrong..."

Li Ci Ning also suddenly remembered that his father suddenly announced that he would retreat and practice a few years ago, claiming to the outside world that he was practicing the art of longevity.

At that time, officials in the court were all admonishing, and even some officials scolded his father for being incompetent in his later years. But the emperor still went his own way... So at that time, the emperor realized that something was wrong with his body, and the seclusion was just a cover?

"Over the years, I have been sending secret agents to secretly look for an antidote. I also sent people to southern Xinjiang to find the assassin who assassinated me, but to no avail..."

"My body has finally begun to collapse. Although I am still alive, I am aging faster..."

When he said this, Emperor Ning's tone trembled a little.

As if he was afraid of something.

When facing life and death, even the emperor of the dynasty who is high above will inevitably feel fear.

"I should have died more than half a year ago... But Chen Zhao found a life-extending recipe from the people, which allowed me to hold on until now..."

"But I don't know how long I can hold on now..."

Speaking of this, Emperor Ning seemed to have lost his breath, and the whole person looked more and more depressed.

As if he would die at any time!

At this time, Li Ci Ning finally understood why his father had to retreat... It was not for immortality, nor was it because his father became a tyrant, but... for life!

His father had come to this point today in order to survive.

The so-called retreat was a last resort!

Li Ci Ning felt extremely heavy, and this truth still made him feel uncomfortable: "Father, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Why haven't you heard from me in the past six months?"

"I thought you..."

He didn't continue.

Before meeting his father today, he had already had countless speculations in his mind. Even in the court, there were many speculations and doubts among the people.

The most common speculation was that his father might have... died!

In Li Ci Ning's heart, his suspicion of Chen Zhao was even greater. He even suspected that his father's seclusion was just a cover. The real situation was that Chen Zhao controlled his father and tried to use the emperor to control the princes and disrupt the government.

"I can't show up again!"

Emperor Ning looked at Li Ci Ning in front of him. This was the prince he supported and the heir to the throne he chose.

But now he is still too young to support such a huge dynasty.

Even more...

Ning'er's personality is not suitable for being a crown prince!

"I must not appear in the court in this state now, and I must not let anyone find out."

"Otherwise, the world will be in chaos!"

Emperor Ning's voice gradually became serious. Even at this time, he still had a powerful aura.

Once his appearance in his twilight years was spread, it would inevitably cause panic in the world.

The death of the emperor meant that the dynasty would change, and there would definitely be chaos.

At this time, Ning'er, who was still young and did not have enough prestige in the court, how could he suppress the civil and military officials in the court? !

How could he suppress the two powerful kings of different surnames in the north and south? !

So, he couldn't die!

He couldn't let anyone know that he was going to die!

And seclusion was his best choice.

Emperor Ning had been an emperor for decades, fighting in the south and the north. He not only created the prosperous situation of the Great Ning Dynasty, but also fulfilled the long-cherished wish of the previous emperors that failed to unify the dynasty...

In terms of achievements, he was comparable to Taizu!

In terms of prestige, Emperor Ning almost reached the peak in the court and among the people!

As long as he was alive, the court would not be in chaos, and the world would not be in chaos!

But once he died, the current peace scene that barely maintained a balance would be broken in an instant!

Therefore, seclusion was also a deterrent.

Let those who were ready to move dare not act rashly.

At this time, Li Ci Ning also instantly understood his father's good intentions, and he felt an indescribable choking emotion in his heart.

"Father..."

Li Ci Ning's voice trembled slightly, and he wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Emperor Ning.

Emperor Ning's voice suddenly became a little lonely: "In the future, the Great Ning Dynasty will be handed over to you. I hope you will not disappoint me, nor our ancestors..."

Li Qining's eyes were red, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Father, don't worry, I will not disappoint you and our ancestors!"

"What a pity..."

Emperor Ning seemed to think of something, and a trace of worry appeared in his deep eyes: "I have left you two difficult problems. I'm afraid you need to find a solution yourself!"

"Your son will definitely find a way to solve it!"

Emperor Ning nodded, looking relieved. But after a while, he sighed again: "It's also my fault that I was too confident and too eager to succeed!"

Emperor Ning was full of vigor and wanted to fulfill the long-cherished wish of unification that several generations had not been able to complete.

He succeeded!

He destroyed more than a dozen large and small countries in southern Xinjiang and finally unified the dynasty.

But at the same time, it also left hidden dangers.

In this war of unification, a man named Lin Hengzhong emerged. This man was both a man of civil and military strategy, and he was an excellent general. Emperor Ning used Lin Hengzhong, and Lin Hengzhong did not disappoint him. In just a few years, he brought out an elite division, which was unstoppable and trampled the southern border countries, and then the current unified situation was achieved.

But at the same time, as Lin Hengzhong destroyed the southern border countries and made great military achievements, he had a very high prestige among the people and the army! There were even rumors in the army that Lin Hengzhong was entrenched in the south and established himself as a king!

With such great military achievements, no reward other than being crowned a king was enough to match this man's military achievements.

And Emperor Ning had to make an exception and crown him a king again.

A hundred years after the establishment of the dynasty, there was another king of a different surname!

For Emperor Ning at that time, he was in high spirits and immersed in the dream of fame of the greatest emperor in the history. He also had a very high prestige among the people and the army, and he was not worried about not being able to suppress Lin Hengzhong.

And he also has plenty of time to weaken Lin Hengzhong and regain control of him.

But before Emperor Ning's plan could be fully implemented, this sudden physical change disrupted all his arrangements.

So much so that it has come to this point.

He is still alive, so he doesn't have to worry too much about Lin Hengzhong's rebellion, but what about after his death?

Can Ning'er calm Lin Hengzhong?

Will the Lin family, which has hundreds of thousands of troops and occupies the southern territory of the dynasty, repeat the drama of the dynasty's division in the next generation, or the next generation?

Li Ci Ning understood his father's worries. He gritted his teeth secretly and looked firm: "Father, don't worry, I will never allow anyone to split the dynasty!"

Emperor Ning nodded with a look of relief.

"However, I have not been completely unprepared over the years. When the time comes, I will give these to you, and I will be able to help you a lot at the critical moment... But the rest depends on you..."

At this moment, Li Ci Ning felt sad.

He could hear that his father was explaining his last words and affairs.

The old father in front of him had lost half of his former majestic and majestic momentum. His father's words, like a heavy responsibility, weighed heavily on his shoulders.

He was carrying the hope of the entire dynasty!

He couldn't relax no matter what.

"Father..."

Li Ci Ning looked up at Emperor Ning, his eyes full of sadness. But at the same time, there were still many doubts and confusions.

Waiting for his father's answer.

Emperor Ning seemed to see what he was thinking and said, "Ask whatever you want to ask."

Li Ci Ning hesitated and asked, "Third brother..."

"You want to ask why I left Yuan'er in the capital and became an obstacle for you?"

Li Ci Ning lowered his eyes: "Father wants to train his son?"

"You guessed half right!"

Emperor Ning slowly said: "In fact, Yuan'er is more suitable to be the emperor than you!"

Li Ci Ning did not speak, quietly waiting for his father's answer.

"In terms of ability, in terms of power, in terms of governing the country... Yuan'er is not as good as you. In these aspects, you are indeed much better than him. But Yuan'er is much better than you in one aspect!"

Emperor Ning looked at him: "Yuan'er is more ruthless, more decisive, and more cold-blooded than you..."

"These are what you lack... And now, my Great Ning Dynasty just needs a ruthless and iron-blooded king to shock those villains..."

"Yuan'er is undoubtedly more suitable than you!"

Li Ci Ning was silent.

He instinctively wanted to refute something, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say a word.

He suddenly realized that maybe what his father said was right?

"If I am healthy, and I clear all obstacles and leave you a peaceful country, you can indeed become a king who maintains the prosperity of the dynasty. But you are too soft-hearted, which is precisely the fatal flaw of an emperor..."

"You can't control the court officials now, nor can you control the Lin and Xu families in the north and south..."

"Although Yuan'er is not as good as you in everything, his character and methods are just right for this position."

Li Ci Ning was silent for a long time: "But my third brother is ruthless and too cruel. I am worried that he will..."

"He can't become a tyrant!"

Emperor Ning said, "Now the kings of the north and south are eyeing you covetously, and the factions in the court are complicated. Whether you or Yuan'er sits on this position, you will face pressure from all sides... How can he have the opportunity to be a cruel emperor?"

Li Ci Ning was silent. This is something he has not thought about in detail.

But when he heard his father's words at this time, he didn't know why he felt a little... recognition in his heart?

If it is a peaceful era, a ruthless crown prince, without the restraint of power, may indeed become a cruel and merciless tyrant.

However, the Daning Dynasty is now facing internal and external troubles, and there are many factions in the court. Even if the third brother really sits on that position as he wishes, how much power does he have to make him a tyrant without restraint?

Thinking of this, Li Ci Ning was silent!

After a while, he spoke up: "So, father has always wanted the third brother to be the crown prince?"

Emperor Ning looked at Li Ci Ning in front of him quietly, and said in a deep voice: "Yuan'er, he lost to you after all. This is his fate, and he can't blame others!"

Li Ci Ning was silent for a long time, and said: "If father wants, I can let the third brother go, and I am willing to let..."

"Stupid!"

Emperor Ning suddenly became furious and interrupted him with a cold scolding.

Li Ci Ning's body trembled slightly: "Father..."

"Do you know why I don't think highly of you? It's because you are so indecisive, too soft-hearted, and a waste!"

Emperor Ning stared at him coldly, "Do you know what would happen if it was Yuan Er who appeared here today instead of you?!"

Li Ci Ning lowered his head and dared not speak, like a child who had done something wrong.

"Yuan'er will definitely kill you without hesitation. He will never give you any chance to live, and he will not be stupid enough to say the stupidest thing like giving up the throne!"

"Winners win, losers lose. If you win, you win. Yuan'er can't beat you. That's his own fate! Giving away what you have won is the stupidest thing in the world!"

"You must not be soft-hearted when you are in the imperial family!"

Emperor Ning stared at him coldly: "You are the future emperor and the future hope of my Great Ning Dynasty. You must be a cold-blooded and decisive emperor..."

"If you are like this, how can I be assured of handing over the Great Ning Kingdom to you?!"

Facing the sudden rage of Emperor Ning, Li Ci Ning kept his head down, as if he had done something wrong, and couldn't say a word.

He knew that his father was right to scold him!

He was indeed too soft-hearted and was not suitable to be an emperor at all.

"Father, I know I was wrong."

Emperor Ning was heartbroken. After taking a deep breath for a long time, he gradually calmed down.

His time is running out, and now he has no chance to re-select a successor. Li Ci Ning in front of him is his only choice.

"You must remember that you must never be soft-hearted towards your enemy, even if it is your brother. When he chooses to go against you, he is your enemy!"

"To deal with the enemy, you must use the most ruthless and decisive means to deal with him!"

"Understand?!"

"My son, I obey."

Emperor Ning closed his eyes and slowly opened them again, his tone softened a lot.

"This time, you did a good job."

"Yuan'er's rebellion is also an opportunity. Take advantage of this major reshuffle of the court to eradicate all the foreign parties in the court and the officials who do not obey your orders..."

Emperor Ning stared at him: "This is the best opportunity for you to establish the prestige of the court. You must not be soft-hearted. Kill when you should, let go when you should, use both grace and power. Whether you can clear the court depends on this opportunity!" "

"yes."

"However, don't go too far to avoid backlash. There are also various factions of aristocratic families in the capital. You have to balance these family forces, which can provide you with great help..."

"And Prime Minister Zhao... He will be your biggest help in the court. Prime Minister Zhao has assisted me for many years and is loyal to the dynasty. With him here, you don't have to worry too much about chaos in the court..."

Having said this, Emperor Ning paused for a moment, his eyes gradually became serious. He stared at Li Cunning and said: "Remember, your biggest opponents will always be the Lin family and the Xu family... The Lin family in the south controls Daning. The dynasty has a large territory in the south, and the Xu family is located in the north, and is also responsible for guarding the country..."

"They are the sharp weapons of the dynasty, but if one day they rebel, they will immediately become the dynasty's biggest threat..."

"My son, I will definitely remember my father's teachings."

Li Cunning lowered his head and spoke respectfully.

Emperor Ning's eyes gradually became cloudy, as if he had exhausted all his strength. He looked deeply: "If I remember correctly, the Lin family...that boy is in the capital, right?"

Li Cunning nodded: "Prince Lin has been in the capital for two months, and I have seen him twice!"

"How is this boy?"

"Great wisdom is like foolishness, but it is deeply hidden."

A sneer seemed to appear on Emperor Ning's old face: "How can Lin Hengzhong's son be an ordinary person? You used to hide your shame in Linzhou, do you really think I can't see it?"

Li Cunning said nothing.

"Where's the Xu family?"

Emperor Ning asked again.

Li Cunning said: "Years ago, I heard that Prince Xu and the princess also came to the capital. The purpose of these two people is unknown for the time being..."

Emperor Ning narrowed his eyes and said expressionlessly: "They probably followed Xu Hong's order to come to the capital to test whether I am still alive."

Li Cunning was shocked: "Father, Prince Xu...really have any objections?"

Emperor Ning's face was expressionless: "You must be on guard!"

"Be careful, they don't have any fuel-efficient lights!"

"yes."

Emperor Ning seemed to be thinking of something again: "Where's Piaomiao?"

Li Cunning said: "Piao Miao is accompanying the queen in the palace."

"Let her come and see me."

"yes."

Li Cunning spoke respectfully.

Just as he was about to get up, he seemed to think of something: "Father..."

"Um?"

"Third brother, how should we deal with him?"

Emperor Ning looked at him indifferently: "What do you think?"

Li Cunning lowered his head and said nothing.

"You are now the crown prince of the country, and your decision is my will. Yuan'er led troops into the palace with the intention of rebelling. How should I deal with it? Do you still want to ask me?"

Facing Emperor Ning's cold gaze, Li Cunning remained silent for a long time, and finally took a deep breath.

"My son, I understand!"

Li Cunning slowly stood up from the ground, and when he was about to turn around, he suddenly stopped.

"Father, there is one more thing!"

"The third brother has a secret relationship with Mi Tiansi, and also colludes with Mr. Chen, who is close to my father..."

Having said this, Li Cunning did not speak again, but looked at his father.

Emperor Ning nodded calmly: "It's my instruction."

"My son, I understand!"

Li Cunning nodded, "My son, please retire!"

…

Li Cunning exited the secret room and came to the Health Palace.

Outside the palace, the soldiers of the imperial army were fully armed and waiting for a long time.

"Your Highness!"

Seeing Li Cunning appear, the commander of the Forbidden Army quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Li Cunning waved his hand: "Go to Jingning Palace!"

After saying that, Li Cunning turned around and glanced at Chen Zhao, who was standing there quietly under the eaves. The rickety figure looked a little groveling.

Li Cunning took a deep look and walked away.

Inside Jingning Palace.

The decoration is in ancient style and the pavilions and corridors are exquisite. The courtyard is filled with blooming flowers.

It was still winter, but there was a bit of spring in the palace.

This is the palace where the current empress lives. The empress likes to be quiet. Except for some maids, the palace seems a bit deserted on weekdays.

In the inner courtyard, under the eaves, a woman wearing a brocade skirt was sitting under the eaves, tearing flowers in her hands out of boredom.

The beautiful flowers were destroyed all over the place, but the woman's eyes became more and more bored.

"It's so boring!"

After a while, the woman sighed softly.

"I really want to go out for a walk, but I don't know what the situation is like outside... I'm almost going crazy holding it in here..."

The good-looking woman sighed and glanced not far away.

A girl with a cold temperament was standing upright under the eaves, like a sculpture.

Obviously the two of them have almost the same appearance, but their temperaments are completely different. One is slightly warm and charming, the other is cold and cold.

The same appearance and different temperament perfectly show the contrast between the two people.

"Aren't you tired of keeping a straight face every day and imitating the princess?"

Jinxiu couldn't help but say: "Don't you find it boring?"

Under the eaves, the cold girl said nothing and was too lazy to pay attention to her.

"Don't you think you are drawing a tiger-like dog? You can't imitate the temperament of a princess. Don't you think it's funny if you are neither fish nor fowl?"

"..."

"Don't you think your behavior is really childish?"

"..."

"Hey, am I talking to you? Is this the way you treat your own sister?"

The cold girl who had been unresponsive finally looked back at her and said with a straight face: "I am my sister."

A cold tone.

It's not like sisters talking, more like enemies with a grudge.

"You are my sister!"

"I'm my sister!"

"Where do you have the courage to say that you are my sister? How can you compare to me?"

Jinxiu rolled her pretty eyes: "Are you as tall as me? Are you as mature as me? Are you in better shape than me? Are your... breasts as big as mine?"

The cold girl listened to Jinxiu's chatter and remained silent.

After a moment, he glanced at the plumpness wrapped under Jinxiu's skirt, then lowered his head and glanced at himself...

More and more silent.

"You are shameless...who wants to compare with you?"

"You don't care what I compete with, can you compete with me? If you can't compete with me, just be my sister!"

"..."

Just as the two were arguing about the boring topic of who was the sister, footsteps suddenly came from outside the palace.

Immediately afterwards.

"His Royal Highness is here!"

Your Royal Highness is here?

Jinxiu and An Ning stopped at the same time and looked back. Not far away from the palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, dressed in white robes and brocade clothes, walked towards him with dusty steps.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince."

Jinxiu and An Ning stood up and saluted.

"Where's Jinxiu, An Ning, and Miaomiao?"

Li Cunning asked.

"The princess is accompanying the queen in the backyard." Jinxiu answered.

Li Cunning nodded and went directly to the backyard.

Jinxiu and An Ning stood there, Jinxiu looked at the back of His Highness the Crown Prince, thoughtfully: "His Highness's complexion seems to be getting worse again?"

"There won't be any accidents, right?"

Jinxiu murmured to herself, as a maid beside the princess, Jinxiu also knew some inside information.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's health has not recovered, and his condition is somewhat serious.

"I heard that the princess plans to go to Prince Lin's Mansion in Linzhou and enter the Ruyi Tower to find medicine for His Royal Highness to heal his injuries. Do you know?"

Jinxiu suddenly turned to look at An Ning.

An Ning said nothing, but she had obviously heard about it.

"When the time comes, will you go with the princess?"

An Ning's eyes were stunned. She rarely left the palace and had not considered this issue.

While she was thinking, Jinxiu on the side interrupted her.

"Don't think about it, I won't take you with me."

Jinxiu smiled and said: "You are stupid and stupid. You don't know how to take care of the princess. You are just a drag. Taking you will only drag the princess down..."

"Just stay in the palace obediently and watch me and the princess go out to sleep and fly together, hehe..."

When An Ning heard this, her eyes widened slightly and she stared at her coldly, seeming a little angry but not knowing how to vent her anger.

final.

"snort!"

There was only a heavy cold snort.

"..."

Jingning Palace, back garden.

Li Miaomiao was admiring flowers and chatting with the Queen in the courtyard.

It was said to be small talk, but in fact no one spoke.

Li Piaomiao has always been taciturn and not good at words. The Queen seemed to be in a bad mood and didn't speak much.

Until Li Cunning's appearance broke the silence.

"Mother, Piaomiao!"

Li Cunning approached.

The eyes of the two people in the courtyard fell on him.

Li Miaomiao remained unchanged, but the Queen's expression changed.

"Cining..."

The Queen's voice trembled slightly, and her face was even more sad. She looked at him with complicated eyes and her eyes were red.

"Mother."

Li Cunning stepped forward and spoke respectfully.

After the Empress took a deep breath, she asked cautiously: "Where is your third brother?"

Li Cunning knew what the queen was worried about and shook her head: "The third brother is fine."

Hearing this, the Queen Empress breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Then, what are you going to do with him?"

Such a big thing happened in the palace. Even if she was in the harem, how could she not hear about it?

What's more, this is related to the feud between her two sons. No matter what the outcome is, she doesn't want to see it.

Li Cunning was silent for a moment.

The Queen's eyes immediately turned red again: "He is your biological brother..."

Li Cunning was still silent.

"Mother, I know, but..."

"Third brother, after all, he wants to rebel this time..."

Li Cunning did not continue, but the Queen understood something and her delicate body trembled.

"Just, can't you let your brother go?"

Li Cunning was still silent.

After a while.

"I'll try my best."

Hearing this, the queen opened her mouth and stopped asking any more questions.

She also knew that Ci Ning had indeed tried her best.

Yuan'er has committed such a heinous crime this time and cannot escape death, but...

This result was obviously not what she wanted.

Thinking of this, the Queen's tears kept flowing down, and she was heartbroken.

"Mom, don't be too sad..."

Li Cunning sighed, comforted his mother for a while, and sent someone to send her back to her room to rest.

In the back garden, only Li Cunning and Li Miaomiao were left.

"Pianmiao, how is your health?"

Li Cunning asked with concern.

"It's no big deal."

Li Piaomiao shook his head, his expression neither cold nor indifferent.

"That's good."

Li Cunning breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that although Pian Miao still had a weak look between her brows, she seemed to be fine.

Then, he got down to business!

"Father, he is still alive."

"But, the situation is very bad..."

Li Miaomiao was stunned after hearing the news.

"What's going on?"

Li Cunning said in a serious tone: "Father, I'm afraid he doesn't have long left..."

Hearing this, Li Miaomiao finally raised his eyes, his body slightly condensed.

"Father, he...has been poisoned!"

Li Cunning said in a deep voice and briefly explained his father's current situation to Li Pianmiao.

"My father is in very poor health now and can no longer show up. I can only secretly frighten those who covet the government and the public... My father's time is running out. We must make preparations as soon as possible..."

Li Piaomiao listened quietly, with no reaction on her face.

"Right!"

Li Cunning looked at her: "Father, I want to see you!"

"Meet me?"

Li Miaomiao was startled for a moment, but there was not much surprise on her face.

She quickly recovered and nodded.

"good."

…

Health Hall.

Li Miaomiao, dressed in white, walked through the deep stone wall passage and came to the secret room.

Open the door and walk in.

On the futon, Emperor Ning was still sitting quietly.

"Father."

Li Piaomiao walked in.

Emperor Ning in Putian slowly raised his head and looked at his most beloved daughter in front of him with a dazed look.

And Li Miaomiao quickly saw clearly the current state of his father.

Although she already knew the situation from the prince's mouth, when she saw it with her own eyes, she was still stunned for a while.

Father, is the situation so serious? !

"Father's poison...is there nothing we can do about it?"

Li Piaomiao frowned.

"The poison has penetrated into the bone marrow and there is no cure!"

Emperor Ning said in a hoarse voice: "There is no need to waste your efforts. I don't have much time left."

Li Piaomiao was silent. At this time, she didn't know what to say. She is not good at expressing emotions, and she does not have deep feelings about life, separation, and death.

"Pianmiao, do you know why your father wants to see you?" Emperor Ning also knew his daughter's temperament and spoke slowly.

"Piaomiao I don't know." Li Piaomiao said.

"You are my most beloved daughter. You have always been excellent and have never let me down..."

"Now I don't have much time left to live. When I die, the peaceful situation of our Daning Dynasty will directly collapse..."

"The century-old legacy left by our ancestors must not be ruined here..."

"Your imperial brother has an indecisive personality. I don't trust him. When necessary, you must handle some decisions for him. You must not be soft-hearted..."

Li Piaomiao's expression remained unchanged: "Piaomiao understands."

"Also, I hope you can do something for me..."

Emperor Ning spoke again.

"What's the matter?"

Emperor Ning said in a deep voice: "Pianmiao, I have always placed high hopes on you..."

"Whether I let you practice martial arts from a young age, send you to pass on swordsmanship, or study books on literary, military, military, and country-governing strategies, it's all for preparation..."

"I know you don't like it, but I don't have a better choice... You were born in the royal family. This is your luck and your misfortune. Do you understand?"

Li Piaomiao's eyes were neither happy nor sad, and she looked calmly at Emperor Ning in front of her: "Piaomiao knows."

Emperor Ning looked at Li Mianmiao in front of him and was filled with emotions.

For him, perhaps, the Li Miaomiao in front of him is the most satisfactory 'successor' in his heart!

She is as intelligent and talented as Ning'er, but also has a more cold-blooded mood than Yuan'er. She will not be swayed by any emotions, but can become a decisive and decisive emperor!

The only pity is...she is a girl!

It would be great if she was a boy...

Emperor Ning sighed in his heart, looking at his daughter who was always shrouded in coldness, and said: "I have trained you since childhood, and even married you to Prince Lin, all for this day..."

"Lin Hengzhong has a large army and is entrenched in the south of the dynasty. He is watching with eager eyes. After my death, your imperial brother will definitely not be able to suppress him. Even if he does not resist, the Lin family will completely lose control and become a cancer of the dynasty... "

"No one can guarantee that this 'cancer' will one day threaten our country, Daning!"

Li Miaomiao seemed to realize something. She raised her head and looked into Emperor Ning's eyes: "What do you mean, father?"

Emperor Ning's expression was very weak, as if he were dying, with little life left in him. The voice was hoarse, as if it was difficult to spit out the sound from the throat.

"I originally wanted to delay it a little longer until the time is right. Now it seems that I am running out of time and it is too late..."

"Only you can do this...and only you can do it!"

Emperor Ning stared into Li Miaomiao's eyes and said word by word:

"Piaomiao..."

"I want you to marry Prince Lin!"

"Are you willing?!"

"..."

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