Under the escort of the Yu Lin Army, the Goryeo Sezi from Huangji Gate passed through the left side of the imperial palace.

Having come from afar, the Sezi couldn’t help but examine the forbidden palace, looking captivated.

The Honglu Temple official by his side reminded him, saying, “Sezi, please do not look around.”

The Goryeo Sezi sighed, “Such a magnificent imperial palace, how can one not endure to examine it? I originally thought the Gyeongbok Palace in Hanseong was already a rare and grand place under heaven, but only after seeing this Da Ning Imperial Palace do I know what ‘imperial power bestowed by heaven’ and ‘heavenly family majesty’ truly mean.”

The Honglu Temple official’s eyebrows raised and eyes smiled upon hearing him say this, no longer managing him much, “That is natural.”

After circling Huangji Hall and Zhongji Hall, the group waited outside Jianji Hall for the decree, waiting for Emperor Ning to ascend the throne.

Chen Ji and Wu Sheng surveyed their surroundings, pondering where Wu Yun, who had entered the forbidden palace last night and then disappeared, could be hiding now. Had he encountered some danger and was hiding and hibernating without moving?

Just at this moment, another team of armored soldiers approached from the east. The helmets of the opposing party were adorned with red pheasant tails, and they held firearms, marching with powerful strides. When this team passed by the Yu Lin Army, they merely glanced sideways before turning their gaze back.

Qi Jianzhe whispered in admiration and envy, “Shenji Camp!”

Chen Ji turned his head to look, examining the firearms held by the Shenji Camp. These firearms were composed of a simple front chamber, powder chamber, firing pan cover, and buttstock, far from resembling the “firearms” of later generations, looking more like a large, oddly shaped copper flute.

He mused that this type of firearm was ultimately not as good as the bird gun’s range and accuracy, with extremely low stability when riding and shooting, and it was not convenient… but in a defensive position,

Blocking cavalry charges was already effective enough. A round of massed military fire could even make it impossible for high-ranking officials in the Seeking Dao Realm to completely evade.

However, to develop bird guns, it’s better not to directly skip bird guns and consider flintlocks. Who first created the flintlock in China? It seems it was a craftsman surnamed Bi at the end of the Ming Dynasty, who named it the self-igniting firearm…

From firearms to matchlock bird guns, and then to flintlocks, Chen Ji’s thoughts drifted unknowingly.

It wasn’t until a booming sound of firearms rang out that he came back to his senses, just in time to see the armored soldiers of the Shenji Camp standing in two rows in front of the Jianji Hall door, firing their guns as a salute.

Immediately, smoke filled the air, and the smell of gunpowder permeated their nostrils.

Chen Ji looked at the Goryeo Sezi again, but saw that the other party was actually fascinated by the firearms.

The Honglu Temple official tugged at the Sezi, reminding him, “Sezi, you should face the emperor. Remember my instructions to you: perform the three kowtows and nine bows without getting them wrong, and absolutely refrain from losing decorum before the emperor.”

The Goryeo Sezi smoothed his red silk robe and said, “I know.”

The next moment, Wu Xiu strode out of Jianji Hall and announced loudly, “Proclaim, Goryeo Sezi Li Yan, granted audience!”

The Yu Lin Army escorted the Goryeo Sezi up to the high platform. Jianji Hall had red walls and golden tiles, with five open doors and a width of nine bays.

Before the imperial screen, on the gold-lacquered imperial throne, the emperor’s eyes were lowered.

The Sezi lifted the hem of his robe, stepped over the threshold, and then prostrated himself on the ground, performing the three kowtows and nine bows, “Your minister, Li Yan, prostrates himself and begs for the emperor’s grace!”

However, just as he was calling out in this high voice, Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, suddenly startled, his pupils contracting sharply.

He saw at the highest point of the magnificent Jianji Hall, Emperor Ning, wearing a black crown robe, sitting on the gold-lacquered treasure seat, his expression unreadable. Slightly behind him on the east side,

There was a phoenix seat, where the empress, wearing a phoenix crown and red robe, smiled gently.

But what was strange was that at such a solemn occasion, the empress actually still held a small, sleek black cat in her arms!

The black cat wore a fitting cloud brocade garment around its belly, and a small pure gold longevity lock hung around its neck, looking extremely wealthy and noble.

Wu Yun?

Wu Yun!

Chen Ji’s mouth slightly opened. If he wasn’t too familiar with Wu Yun, he would have almost failed to recognize the other party in this current wealthy and noble appearance.

He tried to construct the cause and effect in his mind, but he couldn’t understand how Wu Yun could appear in the empress’s arms. Many doubts were like fishbones in his throat.

This is why you weren’t at home?

In the middle of Jianji Hall, Wu Yun meowed, “Don’t keep staring at me. I’m afraid Empress Niangniang will misunderstand.”

Chen Ji: “……”

Qi Jianzhe, with his head lowered to one side, spoke through clenched teeth, “You don’t want to live. Quickly lower your head and turn your body to face outside the hall!”

Chen Ji immediately withdrew his gaze and, along with the other Yu Lin Army soldiers, guarded the hall door, a mix of emotions in his heart.

At this moment, the Goryeo Sezi knelt and prostrated himself before the imperial table, “This humble minister from overseas is today able to behold His Majesty the Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty. I respectfully wish His Majesty the Emperor that his virtue combines with heaven and earth, and his benevolence parallels the sun and moon.”

Emperor Ning on the imperial seat did not care for the other party’s flattery, merely asking casually, “Goryeo is the foremost vassal state; there is no need for these polite words. You have come from afar, for what matter?”

The Goryeo Sezi did not even lift his head, saying with his body prostrated, “This humble minister has come for two reasons. Firstly, my country has suffered famine for successive years and has again been plundered by the Jing Dynasty. It is difficult to prepare tribute horses. I beg for a reduction in the regular tribute by half.”

“Granted.”

The Goryeo Sezi rose and kowtowed again, “Secondly, I beg Your Majesty to grant us the *Sishu Jijie*, *Wujing Jijie*, and *Nongsang Yaozhi*.”

“Granted.”

The Goryeo Sezi kowtowed again, “Thirdly, the Jing Dynasty has arbitrarily initiated border provocations for three consecutive years, causing the collapse of eight of my country’s provinces… I prostrate myself and beg for the swift dispatch of heavenly troops to rescue the living beings and preserve our endangered sacrifices.”

As soon as his words fell, a minister in a red robe immediately stepped forward and said loudly, “Your Majesty, this cannot be done. Our dynasty’s navy needs to travel several tens of days by sea to reach Goryeo. By the time they arrive, it will already be a time of fierce winds and high waves, truly unsuitable for distant ocean warfare.”

The Goryeo Sezi hurriedly said, “Our small country is suffering from the bullying of the Jing Dynasty. Those thieves Yuan Xiang and Lu Jin always have ambitions to annex my Goryeo. If there are no heavenly troops to aid us, I fear our country will not be restored!”

Emperor Ning sat high on his position, “Let’s discuss this further.”

The Goryeo Sezi’s face fell.

A Rites Department official, holding a jade tablet, said lightly, “Does the Sezi have any other matters to report?”

The Goryeo Sezi suppressed his emotions and said in a low voice, “This humble minister earnestly begs, if there are no heavenly troops to aid us, may Your Majesty consider this humble minister’s utmost sincerity and grant five hundred firearms and thirty cannons to save our small country from danger.”

Jianji Hall suddenly fell silent, and the gazes of all the court ministers turned towards the Goryeo Sezi.

A moment later, Elder Hu of the Cabinet lightly coughed, and a blue-robed official, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward, “Your Majesty, this cannot be done. If firearms are granted to Goryeo, how do we know they will not fall into the hands of the Jing Dynasty thieves? Furthermore, firearms are a double-edged sword. If not used properly, they harm both oneself and others. The Shenji Camp still needs many years of training. These firearms,

Even if given to them, they won’t know how to use them.”

Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, had been listening all along. He only sighed. Throughout the court meeting, Emperor Ning basically didn’t need to speak; all matters were responded to by others on his behalf.

Jianji Hall fell silent again.

At this moment, Wu Yun suddenly meowed, “Be careful. I heard Empress Niangniang say that this Goryeo Sezi’s petition has already been sent into the palace. The last request in his petition is for a marriage alliance. Empress Niangniang also said that his request for firearms is just an opening, and his purpose may be solely to make the emperor agree to the marriage alliance request.”

Chen Ji’s heart tightened. Emperor Ning fundamentally had no daughter.

More importantly, in the quiet Jianji Hall, Wu Yun’s meow was truly abrupt. Even the Goryeo Sezi and the court ministers were startled and raised their heads.

Everyone looked at the empress, but she merely calmly stroked Wu Yun’s head as usual, saying nothing.

Emperor Ning turned his head slightly, actually smiling and asking, “Where did this fox slave come from? It’s as black as a lump of ink.”

The court ministers exchanged glances. When the Goryeo Sezi was about to mention the matter of firearms again, the empress said with a warm laugh, “It’s just a small wild cat that somehow ran into the palace. Your concubine found it likable, so I took it upon myself to keep it in Kunning Palace.”

Emperor Ning laughed heartily, “What is its name?”

The empress replied, “It doesn’t have one yet. Why don’t Your Majesty give it one?”

Emperor Ning thought for a moment, “I think it looks like a tiger with its head held high. How about calling it Shan Zhu?”

“Shan Zhu? Indeed, a good name,” the empress said curiously, “But Your Majesty’s own Shuang Mei is still sealed as ‘Zhongxiao Guangming Hongji Zhensheng Zhenjun’. Why does your concubine’s fox slave only get a name?”

Emperor Ning laughed and said, “How about sealing it as ‘Bu Shu Da Jiangjun’ and granting it a set of armor and a seal?”

The empress pretended to be angry and said, “What does Your Majesty grant it armor and a seal for? It won’t even use them. It’s a waste.”

Emperor Ning laughed and looked at the Goryeo Sezi, “Since it won’t use them, then they will not be granted.”

The Goryeo Sezi froze in place.

Before he could speak, Emperor Ning had already instructed, “Grant the Sezi five chapters of crown robes, a jade belt, and a gold seal; two hundred bolts of silk, two hundred bolts of cloud brocade, two thousand taels of silver, two hundred pieces of porcelain, and twenty sets of armor.”

The Goryeo Sezi was still in a daze. The Honglu Temple official beside him reminded him, “Thank His Grace!”

The Sezi immediately came back to his senses and could only prostrate himself, “Thank Your Majesty for your saintly grace.”

Wu Xiu looked at the Honglu Temple official, who immediately understood and stepped forward, shouting loudly, “Matter reported complete!”

Only then did Wu Xiu loudly announce, “No further matters, court adjourned!”

The court ministers kowtowed and filed out, not giving the Goryeo Sezi another opportunity to speak.

Chen Ji, outside the hall, couldn’t help but crane his neck to look as Emperor Ning and the empress went towards the back of the hall together, with Wu Yun also being carried away.

Before disappearing, the noble-looking Wu Yun meowed, “Don’t worry about me. I will find a way to find the county magistrate!”

Chen Ji: “……”

Inside the back hall, Emperor Ning glanced sideways at Wu Yun in the empress’s arms, “This fox slave is quite clever and affectionate. My previous Shuang Mei didn’t allow people to hold it… Why not raise it in Renshou Palace?”

The empress looked at him and said, “Since Your Majesty has spoken, your concubine will naturally obey the decree.”

Emperor Ning reached out to hug Wu Yun, but Wu Yun suddenly climbed onto the empress’s shoulder and tightly hugged her neck.

The empress’s eyes and tone immediately softened.

Holding Wu Yun in her arms, she said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, look, it cannot leave your concubine. Whenever you want to play with it, just come to Kunning Palace yourself.”

The Goryeo Sezi was full of anticipation when he entered the hall, but his eyes were full of weariness when he left.

The Yu Lin Army escorted him outside the Noon Gate, where Bai Long, who had been waiting there for a long time, instructed, “The matter of requesting aid still needs to be discussed with the cabinet elders. Sezi, please return to the guest hall and wait for news.”

The Sezi sighed heavily, “That is the only way.”

Bai Long waved his hand, and the Goryeo envoys brought two sedan chairs. Both the Sezi and the substitute got into the sedan chairs, making it impossible to distinguish from the outside which sedan the Sezi was in.

Bai Long looked at Li Xuan, “I trouble Commander Li to divide the men into two groups to escort the Sezi back to the guest hall.”

Li Xuan cupped his fist, “Yes.”

The two teams left Chengtian Gate and headed towards the east and west Chang’an Streets respectively.

Vehicles flowed uninterrupted on Chang’an Street. The Yu Lin Army cleared the way, and the common people consciously avoided to the shelters under the gray tile eaves, waiting for the ceremonial guard to pass.

Chen Ji followed in the team. Qi Jianzhe whispered, “Did you see Empress Niangniang’s fox slave? It looks like the one you brought back to Guyuan earlier.”

Chen Ji said casually, “Yes, it’s a bit similar.”

At this moment, Li Xuan, while vigilantly surveying the surroundings, said to Chen Ji, “The move by the Eunuch Supervisor to whip and punish Chen Wenren and then hand him over to the Ministry of War is truly vicious. Yesterday, the Chen family, Qi family, and Xu family just joined hands to cause trouble for the Hu family. Today, someone from the Chen family has fallen into the hands of the Hu family.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “Will he be dismissed?”

Li Xuan thought for a moment, “It’s hard to say. It depends on how much the Chen family is willing to pay. The cabinet elders never act based on emotion. As long as there are enough interests, they can forget yesterday’s grudges today. Chen Wenren is after all the legitimate second son of the second house, and the main house has no heir. I presume they will act to save him.”

Chen Ji hummed in agreement.

Li Xuan suddenly said, “It would be better if the Chen family doesn’t save him. After the Yu Lin Army is under my command, everyone will be more relaxed. Don’t worry, I will discuss matters with you.”

Chen Ji smiled, “Lord Li, I am just a small flag officer.”

Li Xuan shook his head, “There’s no need for all this false modesty. If it weren’t for you that day, I would have already died in Guyuan. All the brothers who came back from Guyuan know your abilities. Just look at my brother-in-law; someone who doesn’t know might think you are his sister’s husband.”

Qi Jianzhe chuckled, “Sister’s husband, I’m learning something today.”

As they spoke, the two branches of the ceremonial guard arrived at the guest hall and the sedan chairs were set down. Li Xuan said in a low voice, “Sezi, please get out of the sedan.”

The Goryeo envoys went to lift the sedan curtain. The person on the right got out, but the person on the left remained motionless, as if sleeping in the sedan.

Li Xuan frowned and walked two steps forward, reaching out to pat the person in the sedan, “Are you awake?”

As his words fell, the person in the sedan tilted over and fell out of the sedan.

Li Xuan’s face changed, and he suddenly lifted the veil covering the person’s face. Under the veil, he saw that the person’s face was black and blue, and they were already dead!

Chen Ji said, “It’s not the Sezi, it’s the substitute.”

Li Xuan raised his head and looked towards the other side. The Goryeo Sezi took off his veil and said in shock, “My Lords of Ning Dynasty, what is the matter? Why did he die in the sedan?”

More than thirty Yu Lin Army soldiers subconsciously looked at Chen Ji, but Chen Ji also frowned and remained silent.

Throughout the journey, absolutely no one had approached the sedan chair.

Absolutely not.

Li Xuan asked in a low voice, “What should we do? We escorted the person, and they were killed under our eyes. Perhaps we cannot escape responsibility!”

Qi Jianzhe cursed, “Damn it, how can we be saddled with this burden as soon as we return to the capital… Could this be done by Poison Minister to frame my Qi family?”

Chen Ji said in a low voice, “First, send the Sezi into the guest hall, guard the front door and back courtyard. Do not allow anyone to touch the corpse. Immediately seal East Jiang Rice Lane. The murderer is perhaps among the Goryeo envoys and the Yu Lin Army. Until the murderer is found, no one is allowed to leave!”

Li Xuan drew his sword from its sheath, “Yu Lin Army, listen to orders: Seal East Jiang Rice Lane. Not one person is allowed to slip away! Violators will be executed without mercy!”