"So we have to be careful, don't be used as a tool."
Ke Nan looked at the scenery of the imperial capital outside the window and sneered, "After all, the imperial capital is still so stinky, and the imperial court is still so filthy. Everything can be related to politics in the end … Hmph, the reason why Master retired was because he didn't want to continue staying in this big dye vat."
Ke Bowen thought for a moment and then realized, "You're talking about … Empress?"
The legal loli said indifferently, "Her motive is the strongest. If I'm not wrong, that General Tensei must have sent people to patrol around. In the battle of the Great Barren Mountain, her role was not glorious. Now that the Commander Of War has returned to settle the score, she must be the first to be involved. No matter what, she won't sit by and watch Jia Ying form a good relationship with Wu Hou."
Ke Bowen frowned. "Could it be that she's going to interfere?"
"Of course not. With His Highness' ability to do as he pleases, how could he make it so obvious?"
Ke Nan said, "She only needs to find us, then appear and invite us, and then spread the news of our secret meeting. This is enough to arouse the ill feelings of the Commander Of War towards me … Hmph …"
Ke Bowen said, "People's hearts are sinister."
Ke Nan said indifferently, "As a person in the imperial court, they have no choice. The Empress Concubine made a fatal mistake two years ago. Now, she can only repeat the same mistake and can't turn back. She has already been dragged into this."
Ke Bowen said softly, "But you are now stepping into the vortex of your own accord … The battle of the Great Barren Mountain is no small matter. The Commander Of War has returned to the court, and it will inevitably cause a great storm. You are now by his side, on the boat, and there is no turning back … I … I really don't know if this is right or wrong."
"Actually, I don't know either, but …"
Ke Nan looked back at her elder brother and said calmly, "But I know that if I continue to be like this and give up all hope and attempts, then when I look back on the past fifty years later and find that my past is blank, I won't grow up, I won't mature, I won't age, and I won't have a life. Time will stop, and time will freeze. I'll be guarding the body of a child that won't grow up or age until I turn into dust. At that time, I'll definitely regret it. I'll regret that I didn't have a complete life, that I didn't live freely …"
She closed her eyes and a smile appeared on her lips. "Regardless of whether the Commander at that time was at the peak of his power and controlled the court, or if he died in defeat and turned to dust, I think I will regret it. I regret that I didn't try to find him back then, regret that I didn't ask him for help …"
At this point, Ke Nan's expression became sorrowful again. She said softly, "There isn't much time left. The shrinking of the body means that the meridians and Sea of Qi will shrink, which means that the cultivation base and internal energy will weaken. The weakening of internal energy will cause the meridians to lose their nourishment, and the bones will slowly solidify. If this drags on, I won't have the chance to grow up in this life … There isn't much time left …"
A trace of pain flashed through Ke Bowen's eyes. They were siblings. Taking care of his sister was the responsibility of an elder brother. His sister's pain, as an elder brother, he could also feel it.
He said in a low voice, "Then do it. I will always be with you."
"It's the opposite."
Ke Nan turned her head and looked out the window, not looking at her elder brother's face. "If Commander Of War can heal my injuries, then I will betray the sect and cut off all ties with the Ke family."
Ke Bowen's heart trembled.
"The kindness of rebirth must be repaid with one's life. No matter if Jia Ying wants to rebel or conspire against the court, I will accompany her to the end. I am willing to bet my life for this. Because compared to not aging for a lifetime, I want to live a more brilliant life. I want to leave traces of my perfect self in this world and live a more exciting life."
She faced the eternally burning sun in the sky and murmured with a complicated expression, "After all, a life that doesn't age is so boring …"
Ke Bowen said in a low voice, "Little sister …"
"But I can't implicate you. You, the family, and the master."
Ke Nan smiled and said, "These years, everyone has been running around and working for me. But who told me to be a willful brat … If everything goes well, this will be the last time I will be willful …"
Ke Bowen was speechless for a moment.
"Alright, don't act like that. It's too ugly. Alas, in the past two years, you've given up your future and fame to run around for me. You've been with a woman like me every day. You've become so sentimental."
Ke Nan stretched out her soft and delicate hand and patted Ke Bowen's shoulder. She said in an old-fashioned manner, "Look at your eyes. It's like I'm going to the execution ground. I'm only talking about the worst-case scenario. On the other hand, if Commander Of War succeeds, I will be the hero …"
She twisted her body and put on a flowery pose. She even threw a coquettish glance. But when a delicate little girl did this, not only did it not look coquettish, it looked very cute.
Ke Nan deliberately said in a coquettish voice, "Moreover, your younger sister is a beauty that can captivate even birds and beasts. Now that my body is so young, my charm is already so amazing. When my internal injuries are healed and my body grows up again, how beautiful will I be? If the War Marshal falls in love with me at first sight and kneels down before this lady's pomegranate skirt, then our Ke Family will prosper. At that time, I can even give you, the eldest brother, a great future …"
Because her acting was so stiff, even Ke Bowen, who was worried sick at heart, laughed.
After the eldest brother of the Ke family finished laughing, he shook his head and sighed, "Do you know what I'm worried about now?
You've placed all your hopes on the Commander Of War that you've never met. If he doesn't treat you, your emotional state will fluctuate greatly, and who knows what you'll do. You've also said that the undercurrents in the imperial capital are turbulent. Whether it's in the open or in the dark, who knows how many people are eyeing you covetously. If you're in an agitated mood, once you're taken advantage of by a villain, you may unknowingly become a gun in the hands of others … "
Ke Nan laughed. The little girl shook her slender fingers and smiled confidently, "In the past, out of curiosity, I've collected information about that Commander Of War. I've also asked Junior Bao, who had been in contact with him before. That Marshal Jia is said to be a pervert who doesn't have the guts to do anything. I only need to cry a few times and use a few tricks to please him. How could he bear to reject me?"
The righteous brother's face became serious, "Little sister, this is not something a good girl should say. You have to have self-respect."
Ke Nan waved her hand impatiently, "I know, I know, I know, I know, I was just joking."
Seeing that her brother was still scrutinizing and doubtful, the little loli shook her head helplessly. "Jia Ying is a good person. This is what Junior Bao said. Back then, when I asked about General Zhan, although my Junior Bao was full of complaints and complained that Jia Ying was full of fallacies and misguided people all day long, every time he complained, he would subconsciously add words like 'although his thinking is rebellious and deviant, he's actually not a bad person' and so on.
If my Junior Bao was reluctant to say that she's not a bad person, then she must be a good person. "
Hearing that, Ke Bowen was slightly relieved, but he still said, "Things are different now."
Ke Nan reached out her hand and tapped his nose lightly, "then let me ask you, was the imperial capital bathed in blood?"
"… No."
"Was Jin Ling city massacred?"
"… No."
"Were the bodies of the Black Armored Army piled up next to the sword mark outside the Bai family's castle?"
"… No."
"Did Mingzhou and Songzhou raise the flag of rebellion?"
"… No."
Ke Nan tilted her head, and her watery eyes narrowed into crescents, "then is Commander Of War a bad person now?"
Ke Bowen was silent for a moment, and then he nodded, "I understand."
"So, what are we afraid of?" Ke Nan waved her hand, "Let's go and see Commander Of War!"
"But …" Ke Bowen was a little embarrassed, "But where is he?"
After they saw the sword mark in Xichuan of Qinzhou and realized that there was hope in it, they immediately set off for the imperial capital. They traveled day and night without rest, and except for eating, drinking, and going to the toilet, they spent all their time on the road. Naturally, they did not have the time to gather information or gather information. Therefore, even though they arrived at the imperial capital as fast as they could, they were still clueless about Sun Lang's situation.
Ke Nan smiled confidently, "Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. Commander Of War disappeared for two years, and then he suddenly appeared in Jin Ling city with a thunderous boom, announcing his return to the world. This kind of person is usually quiet, but when he makes a move in Jin Ling city, his next move must be as fierce and violent as a thunderbolt. In other words, he must have caused a big commotion in the imperial capital …"
Ke Bowen suddenly understood, "Then let's find a restaurant in the market to gather information."
"No need to be so troublesome."
Ke Nan had been looking out of the window, and now she had found her target. She leaned out of the window, waved her hand, and said with a smile, "Brother, I see that you are strolling along the street with a calm look, and your eyes are not impatient. You are not waiting for someone, right? Where are you going?
I have just entered the imperial capital and am not familiar with the place. I would like to ask you a few questions, and I would like to give you a ride as a reward. "
The person on the other side seemed to be stunned for a moment, and then he laughed, "A ride … Okay."
Ke Bowen whispered, "What are you doing now?"
"If we go to the market to gather information, it will be too noisy and easy to be discovered. This young man's eyes are calm and his steps are steady. It seems that his martial arts are not weak, but his expression is very relaxed and leisurely. He is looking left and right as he walks, and the material of his clothes is also very luxurious. At first glance, I can tell that he is a young master of an extraordinary family. He is the only one on the whole street who looks out of place and is very conspicuous."
"That is why I noticed him at first glance. This kind of noble young master is the most well-informed. If there is any movement in the upper class of the imperial capital, he must have heard about it. If you want to gather information, you will most likely find the right person."
"What if it is useless?"
"If it is useless, I will go find Junior Brother Di."
"Not Bao Xiren?"
"No, he is too impulsive. He will definitely ruin things." Ke Nan stretched out her leg and kicked Ke Bowen, "Open the door."
For the past two years, Ke Nan had been the one to make decisions about traveling to the north and looking for medicine. Ke Bowen was only responsible for physical work. After a long time, it had become a conditioned reflex. Hearing this, the elder brother of the Ke family subconsciously stood up to open the door. Then, he helplessly glared at his little sister … This girl was really spoiled by him.
Ke Nan was already sitting upright and still, showing a well-behaved smile.
Ke Bowen got out of the car and opened the door. A young man in luxurious clothes walked towards them. Indeed, as his little sister had said, this young man looked very good.
His martial arts foundation was not bad, and his appearance was also very good. His eyes were calm and he had a smile on his face. The most important thing was his temperament. The other party seemed to have a kind of confident temperament, which made his movements look natural and unrestrained, not restrained or arrogant. There was a sense of indifference.
He smiled, "No matter how far it is, will you send me there?"
Ke Bowen also smiled, "No matter who we are, will you be willing to get on the car?"
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
Then, the elder brother of the Ke family realized that he was disguised as an old housekeeper and not the young master of the Ke family. He hurriedly stretched out his hand and said, "Please."
The young man just looked at him with a smile, nodded and said, "Thank you."
The two of them got on the car one after another. Ke Nan cupped her hands and said, "Greetings, brother. Please forgive me for my rudeness."
The young man smiled and nodded. There was no judgment or contempt in his eyes. He also cupped his hands in return. This kind of behavior made Ke Nan feel very comfortable.
In the past two years, she had been running around everywhere. She did not know how many curious, surprised, contemptuous, and even greedy and rude gazes she had faced. Only the young man in front of her was calm and polite.
"Little brother's surname is Mao. I am the fifth in the family. If brother doesn't mind, you can call me Wulang." Ke Nan casually made up a name. "May I ask what brother's surname is?"
The man maintained a decent smile, revealing his shining teeth. "Surname Li, Li Shimin."
"Li?" Ke Nan muttered, "May I ask …"
Li was the royal surname.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said with a smile, "No, no, I can't afford to be associated with you."
Seeing the other party deny it, Ke Nan very wisely did not pursue this question. She wanted to find out more information. If she got to the bottom of this question, it would easily arouse the other party's displeasure and vigilance.
Therefore, she said, "Then I will call brother Li … Brother Li, us master and servant are here to visit relatives in the capital. We have just arrived in the capital. The prosperity of the capital has blinded our eyes. We admire the scenery of the capital and admire the education of the people. On a whim, we invite brother to the carriage for a chat. If it is abrupt, please forgive us … May I know where brother wants to go?"
Li Shimin smiled and said, "Pingtian Square."
Ke Bowen knocked on the carriage door and told the coachman the itinerary. The coachman had a map of the capital in his hand. He raised his whip, the horse neighed, and slowly moved forward. Inside the carriage, Ke Nan took out fruits and snacks from a secret compartment and brewed tea. The two of them sat opposite each other. The famous detective began to inquire about information.
Ke Nan was one of the four famous detectives in the past. Although she had resigned several years ago, her professional skills and accomplishments had not deteriorated. In terms of interrogation techniques and conversation skills, she was naturally very proficient. She deliberately avoided sensitive topics and talked about astronomy, geography, local conditions, and customs with this Li Shimin. The two of them sat and chatted. Unexpectedly, they chatted very well. As the conversation went deeper, Ke Nan secretly admired this Li Shimin in her heart. This Li Shimin was very knowledgeable. No matter what topic he was talking about, he could give you a clear and logical explanation.
"Speaking of Empress, brother, you don't know!"
This Li Shimin slapped his thigh, his saliva flying everywhere. "Just today, His Majesty almost granted Empress Tensei a marriage!
Who is the prince consort? You definitely won't be able to guess! "