In a chaotic world, border soldiers begin their journey by enlisting in the army and getting married

Nan Tu Rou spoke these words with great certainty.

It's clear that they've already made up their minds.

"Then what are these civil officials doing all this for? They've compromised the imperial examination system in exchange for a Qing princess being sent to marry a prince, specifically the second prince."

"If the Second Prince had no foothold in the court, no one would have arranged these things for him."

Chen clearly did not agree with Nan Tu Rou's words, and even felt that there must be other connections involved.

They just weren't aware of this relationship.

"I don't know the specifics, but I've never heard of any relationship between them. This isn't the first time the prime minister and these people have been arranged by the princes. Wasn't the fourth prince also arranged by the prime minister?"

Nan Tu Rou shrugged as she spoke, admitting that she didn't know much about the intricate relationships within the royal family, nor was she particularly interested in learning more.

After all, she had been focused on the army and fighting on the battlefield, so she hadn't paid attention to these things.

"Where did the Second Prince go if he's not in the capital?"

Chen Shan also knew that Nan Tu Rou didn't know much about these matters, so he didn't delve into it further. He would find out later when he checked the accounts with Nan Tu Wang.

If all else fails, try to get into the palace and ask Empress Huangfu Zhaoxue.

Chen Shan didn't believe that the Empress could turn a deaf ear to these matters.

After all, these things are directly related to and threaten the imperial power.

If he can't care about this, then Chen Shan has nothing to say.

"Well..." Nan Tu Rou pondered for a while before saying, "I heard from my father that she went to some kind of academy."

"Among the seven kingdoms, there are some relatively special places. My father told me that those places were established at almost the same time as the seven kingdoms, and therefore had a great influence."

"My father didn't say anything specific, and I didn't ask."

"The Second Prince must have gone to that kind of place."

After Nan Tu Rou finished speaking, Chen Shan became even more curious. It seemed he needed to have the Black Ice Guard thoroughly investigate the Seven Kingdoms, rather than focusing solely on the royal family.

"This is really troublesome. There's nothing much going on at the Governor's Mansion right now. Why don't we go to the Prince's Mansion first? I was just about to ask the Prince about the situation."

As Chen Shan spoke, the more he talked to Nan Tu Rou, the more strange he felt there was something odd about the matter.

The things Nan Tu Rou mentioned, in particular, piqued Chen Shan's interest.

He also wanted to know what secrets these seven kingdoms were hiding.

Chen Shan had just finished speaking when, unexpectedly, the guards from the Governor's Mansion rushed over.

"Princess, Left Commander, the Eunuch has arrived."

Immediately after these words were spoken, the imperial eunuch who delivered the decree followed.

"By His Majesty's decree, summon Left Commander-in-Chief Chen Shan to the palace."

With just one sentence, Chen Shannan and Tu Rou were both stunned.

Clearly, at this critical juncture, the emperor's sudden summons was probably not a good thing.

At this time, the Qing envoy and the princess should have arrived at the palace. As the emperor, Huangfu Zhaoxue should be receiving and discussing matters. How come she has time to see me?

"Eunuch Wang, did the Emperor summon me?"

Nan Tu Rou asked from the side, this sounded like something important, and she naturally wanted to go and see.

Most importantly, Chen Shan went there, and she was also curious whether she would get involved with Chen Shan.

After all, she had witnessed Chen Shan's talent for causing trouble.

Especially after hearing her father talk about Chen Shan's attitude towards the emperor, Nan Tu Rou still feels terrified when she thinks about it now.

"Princess, His Majesty has already given instructions that you may come and go freely without needing to report."

As Eunuch Wang spoke, Nan Tu Rou, without any hesitation, immediately stood up and looked at Chen Shan.

"Let's go, what are you waiting for? His Majesty must have something to discuss with you."

Seeing Nan Tu Rou urging him on, Chen Shan also got up and headed towards the palace.

This was Chen Shan's second time entering the palace.

However, this time is clearly different.

Along the way, Chen Shan encountered many officials, who had obviously just finished their court sessions.

Many of these officials would greet Chen Shan when they met him.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that it was because Princess Nan Tu Rou was present.

at this time.

The Imperial Study.

As the two approached, they immediately spotted the Southern Slaughter King and the Third Prince, Huangfu Song.

"Huh? My little sister's here too."

Huangfu Zhaoxue was surprised to see Nan Tu Rou follow, since Nan Tu Rou had never shown any interest in discussing matters in the past.

I didn't expect her to come over on her own initiative.

"I just came to check on things. Your Majesty, you can continue your conversation. I might fall asleep in a bit."

Nan Tu Rou seemed quite at ease. A eunuch brought her a chair, and Nan Tu Rou sat down gracefully.

Chen Shan glanced at them and immediately became displeased.

Empress Huangfu Zhaoxue sat down, Prince Nan Tu sat down, the Third Prince Huangfu Song also sat down, and even Nan Tu Rou, who came in with them, sat down, leaving only himself standing.

Is this appropriate? No, this is not appropriate.

Chen Shan was clearly very dissatisfied with this situation.

"Hey, are you trying to discriminate?"

"Hey, old man, get me a chair too."

Chen Shan looked displeased and quickly called to the eunuchs who were preparing to leave.

Hearing Chen Shan's words, the eunuch was dumbfounded. This was the first time he had ever seen a subject dare to do such a thing.

Even a prime minister would have to consider the public image and wouldn't do something so rude.

"Let it be as he says."

Huangfu Zhaoxue glanced at Chen Shan before speaking.

Upon hearing the emperor speak, the eunuchs dared not be negligent.

"You really don't take any loss at all."

Seeing Chen Shan's actions, the Southern King was quite helpless.

However, Chen Shan remained quite frank: "This isn't about not suffering a loss."

"It's not like I'm begging you, it's you coming to me. How can you ask for a favor without having the right attitude?"

Chen Shan was as bold as ever. Nan Tu Rou was about to say something to remind him when Huangfu Zhaoxue stopped her.

"Let's get down to business first."

"Chen Shan, the reason I summoned you here today is to discuss the matter of the Prime Minister's birthday banquet with you."

As soon as Huangfu Zhaoxue said this, Chen Shan frowned.

Without responding to the Empress, Chen Shan looked directly at the Prince beside him.

"Your Highness, you're not going to ask this too, are you?"

"You and the prime minister are sworn enemies; do you really need to ask me about this?"

Chen Shan was puzzled. If you can target them, then target them. What's there to hesitate about?

"Things are not as simple as you think. The Prime Minister's birthday banquet may seem like a small personal matter, but... several envoys from Xia's vassal states, and even envoys from Qing, will be attending."

"Therefore, some civil officials suggested that the imperial reception be held in the prime minister's residence, saying it would be a double celebration."

After the Southern King finished speaking, Chen Shan was somewhat surprised; this civil official was indeed getting bolder and bolder.

Isn't this just the guest overshadowing the host?

In principle, such exchanges between envoys and tribute missions from foreign countries should be handled by the emperor, or at the very least by the Ministry of Rites.

Now that they've made a scene at the Prime Minister's residence, are they planning to turn it into a second imperial court?