The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Chapter 297 The deal is concluded

"Girl, don't forget that you are no longer just Yun Li's queen."

"You are still the king of Yunli. Do you need to look at the faces of the court officials to decide what to do?"

"Jiaojiao, you must remember that no matter what time it is, you have the capital to look down on others."

"You must make those court officials truly realize that you are the king of Yunli and the one who truly holds power in Yunli today."

"You don't have to consider everything carefully, and you don't have to consider their masters in everything."

"As a ruler, you just need to teach them how to obey."

"Do you get me?"

Having experienced a dynasty, assisted the previous emperor, handled government affairs, and witnessed the changing situation in the court, Nguyen Ngoc Hu understands best what attitude a ruler should adopt towards the court officials.

"Yeah, I understand." Shen Tianjiao still has a lot to learn on the road to becoming a qualified ruler.

Ruan Yuhu looked at Shen Tianjiao and smiled. She knew that Shen Tianjiao understood what she had just said, but it would be difficult to ask Shen Tianjiao to carry it out.

People’s concepts cannot be changed in a short period of time, but it doesn’t matter. There is a long time to come and with more experience, you will eventually learn what you need to learn.

"Don't worry about Jishi, I'm here." Ruan Yuhu put a lot of thought into Jishi's appointment as the chief academic officer of the Imperial College.

Today he was just asked to give up his position for a few days, and it would be returned to his family later. Why would he refuse?

"Then I'll have to trouble you, aunt." Ruan Yuhu had said so much, it would be bad if Shen Tianjiao refused again.

Moreover, with Shen Tingzhi's ability, he is definitely qualified for the position of Chief Academician of the Imperial College.

If you just keep refusing just to avoid suspicion, it would be unfair to Shen Tingzhi.

When promoting talented people, do not avoid relationships; ability should come before avoiding suspicion.

"Okay, let's go see Duan Qingning. You can go and get busy too." Ruan Yuhu waved his hand, turned around and left to see Duan Qingning.

Shen Tianjiao also left to take care of her own business.

When Ruan Yuhu arrived, Duan Qingning had not yet woken up. She had spent too much energy treating Chaoyun and it would take time for her to recover.

However, Chao Yun did wake up. Although she didn't look very energetic, people could clearly feel that she had some vitality.

Seeing Chaoyun, Ruan Yuhu ordered: "Chunchao, have someone prepare a quiet place for Chaoyun to recuperate."

"Yes." Chunchao didn't ask any more questions. She knew that Ruan Yuhu and Duan Qingning must have something to say.

Chunchao received the order and without delay ordered someone to take Chaoyun out.

Ruan Yuhu and Duan Qingning were the only two people left in the room. Ruan Yuhu looked at Duan Qingning, who was already in a state of extreme turmoil.

She was filled with emotion and couldn't help but recall the scene when she first met Duan Qingning.

At that time, they were both very young and in the prime of their lives.

Because of her special status, Ruan Yuhu usually stayed in Qinzheng Garden where the late emperor lived when she had nothing to do, and rarely went out.

She had known for a long time that Duan Qingning was sent to the palace, but the two met a year after Duan Qingning entered the palace.

It was a winter afternoon. Because some things happened at that time, she was in a bad mood, so she went to the plum garden, which was a rare occasion.

While she was sitting in the plum garden admiring the flowers, she saw a beautiful woman coming from afar.

Although Ruan Yuhu herself is a stunningly beautiful woman, she has to admit that Duan Qingning is even more beautiful than her.

In addition to his good looks, Duan Qingning also has a pair of natural brow bones. Even a woman like her would be attracted to him, let alone a man?

When they met for the first time, they didn't communicate at all due to their respective situations.

Later, the two met several times intermittently, but they never spoke.

Later, due to some things that happened, she almost died. It was Duan Qingning, who had no connection with her, who sent her life-saving medicine and saved her life.

Then I heard the news that Duan Qingning suddenly went crazy and disappeared.

Ruan Yuhu was sad for a long time because of this. She even asked people to inquire about Duan Qingning's news, but in the end nothing came of it.

The mumbling sound of the person on the bed startled Ruan Yuhu and woke her up from her past memories.

Duan Qingning woke up, but the first thing she did when she woke up was to touch her side with her hand. When she didn't touch Chaoyun and only felt empty space, Duan Qingning became anxious.

Looking at Duan Qingning's anxious look, Ruan Yuhu keenly sensed that something was wrong.

This was the first time Duan Qingning met Chao Yun today, but her reaction was a little too unusual, as if she had lost someone important.

"You're looking for Chao Yun. She's not here now. She went to another room to rest. But she's fine."

Ruan Yuhu spoke. She had been observing Duan Qingning.

When Duan Qingning heard that Chao Yun had gone somewhere else to rest and nothing happened, she was obviously relieved.

But soon Duan Qingning became alert again. She was sure that the voice that just spoke to her was one she had never heard before.

And how did this person know she was looking for Chao Yun? Who was she and what was her purpose?

Seeing Duan Qingning's face change to alert, Ruan Yuhu said, "Don't be afraid, I am Ruan Yuhu."

When Duan Qingning heard the other party say that he was Ruan Yuhu, he calmed down.

How could Duan Qingning possibly forget Ruan Yuhu? Although he had never had any contact with this woman, he had saved her life and she had also helped him a lot.

Seeing Duan Qingning clearly relieved and slowly regaining his composure, Ruan Yuhu spoke, "Don't worry, you are safe now."

Duan Qingning didn't say anything, but the expression on her face told Ruan Yuhu that she believed what Ruan Yuhu said.

"I came here to make a deal with you."

Originally, Ruan Yuhu just wanted to ask Duan Qingning for some medicine to prolong Li Chaohui's life and then leave, but now she doesn't think so.

Ruan Yuhu's womanly sensitivity allowed her to notice that something was wrong with Duan Qingning's attitude towards Chao Yun. Perhaps she could use this incident to gain greater benefits for Shen Tianjiao.

"Come and make a deal?" Duan Qingning frowned. Her deal with Shen Tianjiao had not yet ended, and here came another person who wanted to make a deal with her.

She had no idea how popular she was. What was so special about her that Shen Tianjiao and Ruan Yuhu wanted to make a deal with her?

"I'm just a piece of trash now. I'm not qualified, let alone the capital, to do business with anyone."

Although Duan Qingning was no longer nervous, her vigilance did not disappear at this moment.

Ruan Yuhu smiled and said, "Who said you don't have the qualifications and capital?"

"Your witchcraft is your capital. Don't worry, I won't let you do anything embarrassing."

"I now live in the Empress's Yuxiu Palace. The Empress made a deal with you: if you can cure Chaoyun, she will help you fulfill a wish."

"The deal I want to make with you is, if you help me destroy Nan Chu, I will bring all your enemies to you and let you deal with them as you please."

Ruan Yuhu and Duan Qingning have no intersection, but this does not prevent the rumors and gossip about Duan Qingning from reaching Ruan Yuhu's ears.

Ruan Yuhu heard a lot of such stories in those years.

Although those rumors may not be credible, since there are such rumors, it means that these rumors are not completely groundless, and there is always something that can be verified.

For example, Duan Qingning’s mother’s family, the Prince Lin’s Mansion in Nanchu, was indeed wiped out overnight.

Only Duan Qingning was left, and after the fall of Prince Lin's Mansion, Duan Qingning was immediately sent to Yunli to marry.

The story behind this cannot withstand in-depth investigation. Even a fool would not believe that the Nanchu royal family has never done anything immoral.

Therefore, Ruan Yuhu guessed that Duan Qingning's enemies were definitely not just the late emperor and Qian Wanhe.

Even the entire royal family of Nanchu might have a grudge against her.

Ruan Yuhu's words made Duan Qingning stunned on the spot. Nanchu had blocked all the news about her family's extermination, and she had never revealed it to anyone else. How did Ruan Yuhu know about it?

Looking at the expression on Duan Qingning's face, Ruan Yuhu knew that his guess was right. The tragedy of the Lin Palace that year was indeed full of hidden secrets.

It was unlike the news coming from Nanchu, which said that it was done by an old enemy.

Moreover, after this incident happened, the royal family of Nanchu did not conduct a thorough investigation, so the tragedy of the Lin Wang Mansion was actually done by the royal family of Nanchu themselves.

"Well, do you agree with my proposal?"

Ruan Yuhu did not give Duan Qingning any extra time to think. They were all smart people and there was no need to say much.

Duan Qingning hesitated for only a moment before she nodded and agreed, "Okay, I promise you."

I originally thought that I would be trapped here like a beast for the rest of my life, with no way to avenge my relatives and seek justice for them.

But now that Ruan Yuhu is willing to help her, why not?

Anyway, she has nothing now, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

"Okay, then from now on, this deal is done."

Ruan Yuhu looked up at Duan Qingning and asked directly, "Now that we are in a cooperative relationship, I hope we can be honest with each other."

"I want to know what the relationship between you and Chao Yun is?"

Duan Qingning's body trembled involuntarily. She never expected Ruan Yuhu to ask her such a question.

She was sure that Chaoyun was her daughter, so how did Ruan Yuhu know that the relationship between her and Chaoyun was unusual?

This woman, Ruan Yuhu, is indeed as terrifying as the rumors say.

Duan Qingning was feeling extremely uneasy at this moment. She would rather die than let her daughter be involved in these extremely dangerous things that could cost her life at any time.

She can die, but her daughter must live well.

Ruan Yuhu has been observing Duan Qingning's expression. This time, Ruan Yuhu is even more certain that the relationship between Duan Qingning and Chao Yun is definitely not simple.

"Don't worry, neither I nor the Queen will use Chaoyun to threaten you."

"Chao Yun used to be a servant of the Queen. She was ordered to poison the Queen, but the Queen, out of consideration for their past friendship, did not kill her."

"What's more, she has saved the life of the Marquis of Zhenbei and is the savior of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion."

"And I won't use her to embarrass you. After all, if you hadn't sent me the medicine, I would have died from that hemorrhage."

"The reason I want to know your relationship with Chao Yun is simply to better protect her."

"This child has suffered so much at such a young age. As long as she can escape this disaster, I only hope that she can live a peaceful and worry-free life for the rest of her life."

Duan Qingning lowered her head, hesitating whether she should tell Ruan Yuhu the truth. After a moment, she looked up and made a decision. She told Ruan Yuhu all her experiences truthfully.

After all, even if she didn't say these things, as long as Ruan Yuhu sent someone to investigate, they would be able to find out.

Rather than being passive at that time, it is better to take the initiative now, so that at least there will be room for maneuver with Ruan Yuhu.

"If you still need to think about it, I can give you some time. Right now, I have something more important that I would like to ask for your help."

Ruan Yuhu didn't want to push Duan Qingning into a corner. There was plenty of time anyway, and she would tell him sooner or later.

The most important person right now is Li Chaohui. It would be the most terrifying thing if Li Chaohui's life could not be saved.

"What's the matter? Tell me." Duan Qingning put away his uneasiness when he heard Ruan Yuhu say that he needed his help with something.

"Do you have any medicine that can extend someone's life?" Ruan Yuhu did not tell Duan Qingning whose life she was going to extend. There was no such trust between the two of them yet.

"Yes, there are, but the medicinal properties of that kind are extremely strong. While it can prolong a person's life, it can also be a deadly poison."

Duan Qingning did not hide her strength from Ruan Yuhu. She was currently in a very complicated relationship with Ruan Yuhu, with both trust and fear.

"Whether she lives or not is not important. What's important is how long she can live after taking this medicine."

Ruan Yuhu doesn't care whether Li Chaohui will die or not. She only cares about whether Li Chaohui can live longer to leave Shen Tianjiao enough time to make plans.

"That depends on the person's current condition. If she's already terminally ill, those medicines can only keep her alive for one to two months at most."

Duan Qingning's medical skills are beyond the reach of ordinary people. She can make poisons to harm people, and she can also use the poison in her hands to save people.

"One to two months is enough." Ruan Yuhu breathed a sigh of relief. It would not take more than two months to deal with Li Chaohui.

One month is enough.