Dress up as a sickly person to capture the villain princess!

Sleeping on the same bed.

Xia Zhiyuan was still holding the red amulet that the prince had just given him. The amulet was neatly embroidered with the name of the temple.

The amulet fell on the bedding.

The candlelight outside the curtain flickered.

Moving closer, Xia Zhiyuan lay on Zhao Changlin's shoulder and gently brushed aside his highness's long, dark hair with his fingers.

"Your Highness, Zhiyuan still has a doubt in his heart and wants to talk to you about it."

"I wonder if Your Highness can... listen to Zhiyuan's advice."

Hearing, Xia Zhiyuan whispered softly.

Zhao Changlin turned his head and thought...it was late at night and Zhiyuan only talked to him about this matter. It must be an important event that only the two of them knew about.

"What can't you tell me?"

"Please tell me in detail..."

Looking into her eyes, Zhao Changlin stretched out his fingers and tidied up the inky hair on Xia Zhiyuan's face.

Seeing that His Highness was so calm, Xia Zhiyuan simply whispered directly into His Highness's ear.

"Your Highness, I suspect... there are spies... in the military camp."

"Otherwise...it is impossible for the other party to know the location of the Grand Canal so well."

"We even know how to guard against the garrisons in the temporary camp."

Her worries were not without reason. The other side did not take the initiative to attack today. Instead, when they failed to seduce the garrison, they evacuated at the speed of light.

This is not something that ordinary horse bandits would do on a daily basis.

They are used to killing people, and they can draw their swords very skillfully. However, you need to make them think carefully about the consequences of killing.

It must be impossible.

The bandits would not let go of the opportunity even if it meant destroying themselves and others, as the duck was already in their mouths, and let others take advantage.

The fact that they were able to evacuate so quickly could only mean that this group of people... were no longer just a local bandit threat.

"What Zhiyuan said makes sense... Then, who is the person that Zhiyuan suspects?"

Zhao Changlin also lowered his voice.

She waited patiently for Xia Zhiyuan's answer, neither arrogant nor impatient.

"One of the guards' generals, but... I can't be sure yet."

"Those old men have been very quiet these days, but when they saw you, Your Highness, they turned into quails."

"We don't dare to get together like we usually do, drink a little wine, and play with guns and sticks."

Xia Zhiyuan had observed carefully before. Logically speaking, these 5,000 elite soldiers did not need so many guards and generals. Some of them were sent by the government office in Longcheng.

On the surface, it was to protect the imperial officials, but in reality, Xia Zhiyuan felt that this group of lazy old men came just to monitor him.

However, she did not say it explicitly.

After all, Longcheng is not under the emperor's feet. If I take office right away and offend all the local tyrants in Longcheng at once, then... building the canal will become even more difficult.

"You should be punished for dereliction of duty."

"But... the punishment cannot be too severe."

Zhao Changlin naturally knew Xia Zhiyuan's concerns. The only person in the entire Daliang Dynasty who could be impartial and just was probably the Minister of the Dali Temple.

Killing someone means paying with your life, and owing money means paying with your money. This is the law of the court.

However, this is not the case for officials.

"Your Highness means... to be punished together?"

Xia Zhiyuan understood Zhao Changlin's method instantly. She grabbed Zhao Changlin's arm with her fingertips a little harder and moved closer.

Her red lips were almost touching Zhao Changlin's cheek, and the two of them were sticking together again without realizing it.

"Well... this is the only way to make them panic and not know what they did wrong or where they were exposed."

"If you are a person with no guilt in your heart, you will definitely think that you have failed in your duty this time, which has made me angry and hurt you."

"Just like Zhiyuan said, the sharp sword hanging over your head is the most frightening when it is about to fall, isn't it?"

With a smile, Zhao Changlin continued to stroke Xia Zhiyuan's slightly frizzy hair.

"It is indeed a good plan. Your Highness is indeed very smart."

Xia Zhiyuan flattered him at the same time. She rested her chin on Zhao Changlin's neck and shoulder, feeling the warmth of His Highness' body.

The two of them snuggled together and had a good night's sleep.

……

The next day, it was just dawn.

A group of garrison officers were awakened by the eunuchs accompanying His Majesty.

The eunuch was holding a cup of tea in his hand and sitting on a chair, looking at the military officers who were smiling ingratiatingly.

"We were not aware of your visit, and it was our fault. We failed to welcome you from afar. We hope you will understand."

The one with more seniority came out first, clasped his hands together, bowed, and was very humble.

You can avoid it on the first day, but you can’t avoid it on the fifteenth day.

Everyone knew that, Your Majesty, this was going to be a "retreat of accounts" with them. As for what account they were settling, it was naturally the guilt of Lord Zhi Yuan, who was seriously injured, in danger, and on the verge of death.

"You all know what's going on, so I won't say much, but... everyone, although His Majesty is merciful, you can't escape the death penalty, and you can't escape the punishment of life and death."

The eunuch stood up and saw that several military officers in the room also put on official uniforms and walked out with their heads lowered.

They stayed in Longcheng all year round, so they had never seen the eunuchs in the palace.

Naturally, I feel novel.

However, even though I was a little curious, I didn't dare to say it openly.

"According to the order of His Majesty, you gentlemen have caused the injury of an official of the imperial court, and have committed the crime of failing to provide adequate protection. Fortunately, Lord Zhiyuan is blessed with a good fortune and is safe."

"Therefore, generals, you will be suspended from duty for three months, your salary will be suspended for three months, and you will reflect on your mistakes for three months."

The eunuch's spy's voice was particularly loud in the entire courtyard. The military officers' hearts were in their throats. When they heard that he would only be suspended for three months, they all knelt down.

The scarlet robe fell to the bluestone ground.

The rough big hands rested on the lotus pattern.

The sound of vicissitudes is uniform.

"Thank you Lord for your grace."

"The humble minister accepts the order."

However, there are naturally some who are happy and some who are sad.

They were happy that they had kept their official positions and no longer had to worry all day long, fearing that the emperor would kill them all in a fit of rage.

Those who are worried are naturally those who have their own ulterior motives.

The man's knees trembled and hit the stone slabs. He felt a little confused. Logically speaking, the current emperor would not tolerate any sand in his eyes.

What's more, this time it's your Highness's sweetheart and the one who sleeps beside her. Now that she's been injured so badly, can your Highness really treat her with gentleness?

He also worked in the imperial city in his early years. Because he made a mistake and lost fifty war horses, he was demoted to Longcheng and served as a minor garrison official.

If it weren't for the bad luck of his ancestors, he would have been squeezed out by the local tyrants in Longcheng long ago.

They didn't know how long they knelt. Only when the eunuchs around His Majesty had completely left did they dare to stand up and rub their old waists.

"Ouch...it hurts so much."

"Come on, everyone. Today, we have to go home and face the wall. Otherwise... if His Majesty sees us, we will be in big trouble."