The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 226: Yunzhou Wang Xiaotuo Again

Chen Zigui took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said coldly: "Master Jin, the court can choose not to target you, but you must agree to one condition of mine."

"I need you to tell me everything you know without reservation, including the appearance and characteristics of those people, as well as the specific details of the transaction." Chen Zigui said firmly, "As long as you are willing to cooperate, I can guarantee your safety."

Jin Bancheng pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and agreed to Chen Zigui's request. He knew he had no choice.

In the following time, Jin Bancheng told Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao everything he knew.

Based on the clues provided by Jin Bancheng, Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao conducted careful analysis and finally deduced that the Liaodan people who traded with the Zhenxi Army were most likely Yunzhou Wang Xiaotuo.

"Xiao Tuo..." Sister Cen Xiao softly repeated the name, a tall, imposing, handsome man emerging in her mind. She had briefly crossed paths with Xiao Tuo before, but she had never imagined that she would hear his name again in such a context.

"It seems that the opponent we are facing this time is not simple." Chen Zigui's tone revealed a hint of heaviness.

"Senior Brother, what should we do now?" Cen Jiexiao looked up at Chen Zigui, her eyes full of worry.

"Now that we have some clues, it's time to report to the emperor." Chen Zigui said after a moment of contemplation, "This matter is of great importance. We must pass this news back as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous."

Cen Jiexiao nodded in agreement.

Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao dared not delay. They leaped onto their horses, whipped their whips, and galloped away, wishing they could grow wings and fly back to the imperial palace. By the time they reached the palace, it was already dark, the gates were locked, and the sound of night drums echoed through the still night sky. Chen Zigui dared not delay. He stepped forward and knocked on the gate, loudly announcing, "Your Majesty, I, Chen Zigui, have an important matter to present to you. Please open the gates at once!"

The palace gates slowly opened. Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao dismounted, handed their horses to the guards, and hurried through the palace gates. They passed through the numerous gates and headed straight for the imperial study. Along the way, the dim palace lanterns and swaying shadows of the trees accentuated the stillness of the night.

Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao arrived outside the imperial study and sent a eunuch inside to report. A moment later, the eunuch came out and said, "The emperor summons Master Chen and Master Cen to see him."

The two men walked into the imperial study and saw Chai Zhen sitting upright at his desk, reviewing memorials with a furrowed brow, obviously still worried and preoccupied with other state affairs.

"Your Majesty, I, Chen Zigui (Cen Jiexiao), pay my respects to you." Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao saluted in unison.

"My dear ministers, please stand up." Chai Zhen put down the memorial in his hand, rubbed his eyebrows, and signaled them to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao stood up. Chen Zigui said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"

Seeing his hurried expression, Chai Zhen was startled and asked, "My dear, you came into the palace so late at night, but what did you find out?"

"Your Majesty, Dean Cen and I found a key witness in Wanjin Pavilion. This person has close private dealings with the Zhenxi Army. I suspect this matter is related to the Liaodan Kingdom." Chen Zigui said with a bow.

"Liaodan Kingdom?" Chai Zhen frowned, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. "What do they want to do?"

"According to my investigation, the person who secretly negotiated with the Zhenxi Army was most likely Xiao Tuo, the King of Yunzhou of the Liaodan Kingdom," Chen Zigui said in a deep voice. "This man is extremely ambitious and has always coveted the territory of our Great Zhou. This time, he secretly colluded with the Zhenxi Army. I'm afraid he has ulterior motives."

"Xiao Tuo..." Chai Zhen pondered for a moment and snorted coldly, "Why is it him... He's so brave!"

"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Please make a decision as soon as possible." Chen Zigui said in a deep voice.

"My dear minister, you are absolutely right." Chai Zhen's face was gloomy, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. "I will never allow anyone to threaten the Great Zhou!"

He stood up suddenly, paced back and forth a few steps, and ordered in a deep voice: "Pass on my order, secretly investigate Yunzhou Wang Xiaotuo, and do not alert the enemy. In addition, strengthen the monitoring of the Zhenxi Army, and report any unusual movements immediately!"

"I obey your order!" Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao responded in unison.

Inside the imperial study, flickering candlelight illuminated the once spacious and bright space, casting a flickering shadow. The atmosphere felt like frozen ice, weighing heavily on everyone's heart. Chai Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, his tall, upright figure appearing somewhat forlorn in the flickering candlelight. His deep gaze gazed out the window at the night, a lingering sadness etched between his brows, his eyes filled with unwavering worry and exhaustion.

"Sister Xiao!" Silence stretched for a long time in the imperial study. Chai Zhen finally couldn't help but break the suffocating stillness. His low voice was filled with a hint of fatigue, confusion, and inquiry. "Tell me, what exactly does Xiao Tuo want to do?"

Cen Jiexiao was startled and quickly lowered her head to hide the panic that flashed across her eyes. She said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am a stupid person and I don't know why!"

"Alas..." Chai Zhen sighed deeply, his tone full of helplessness and fatigue, as if he had aged a lot in an instant, "This world is still not peaceful after all." He seemed to be talking to himself, and seemed to be confiding his inner uneasiness to Cen Jiexiao.

He turned, his deep gaze resting on Cen Jiexiao. A complex mix of emotions flashed through his eyes: admiration, regret, and an indescribable depth. "This time, thanks to you and Chen Aiqing for spotting the incident in time, otherwise the consequences would have been disastrous." His tone was filled with genuine gratitude. If it weren't for Cen Jiexiao and Chen Zigui's timely discovery, perhaps the Great Zhou would have been plunged into a huge crisis.

"This is what a minister should do." Cen Jiexiao lowered her head and spoke calmly, not showing the slightest bit of pride because of the emperor's praise.

Chai Zhen looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitant. He knew in his heart that Cen Jiexiao was no ordinary person. She possessed wisdom and courage far beyond the ordinary, and she was calm and composed, with a meticulous mind. If she were a man, she would definitely be a great help to him, making great achievements in the court. Unfortunately...

Thinking of this, Chai Zhen felt annoyed again. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Why did God let such a talented person be a woman? If she were a man, he would definitely ignore everyone's objections, keep her by his side, and entrust her with important tasks.

He waved his hand, signaling Cen Jiexiao and Chen Zigui to leave. "I'm a little tired, you can go down first."

"I'll take my leave." Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao bowed and took their leave.

After leaving the imperial study, Chen Zigui looked at Cen Jiexiao, wanting to say something but stopping himself.