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Li Ru'an is now a high-profile rising star in the inner court - as the steward and eunuch of the imperial study, he has the opportunity to meet the saint almost every day, and the occasional few words may affect the decision of the Deqing Emperor - can be described as significant.

And Wu Xinquan, as the eunuch of the palm seal of the celebrant eunuch, is certainly the leader of the inner court and has high power, but he does not have many opportunities to accompany the holy driver, and in recent years, he has gradually lost his favor because of repeated unfavorable affairs, and choosing to get closer to Li Ruan is also the proper meaning of the question.

Therefore, Li Ruan initially thought that today's banquet was just an ordinary means for Wu Xinquan to improve the relationship between the two sides, and he was not surprised.

However, when Li Ruan arrived at the top floor of Hexin Tower, he found that Wu Xinquan, as the host of the banquet, was carefully sitting in the second seat at this time, and his demeanor was full of humility, respect, and caution.

And the person sitting at the head of the banquet - it is Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince who is about to become the new crown prince!

For a while, Li Ru'an was shocked in his heart, not only nervous and vigilant, but also secretly excited.

Li Ru'an knows very well - the seemingly gentle and elegant Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian in front of him actually has a diametrically opposite temperament, and he is by no means a simple character.

And the reason why Li Ruan was able to see through Zhu Hejian's nature was naturally because of Zhao Junchen's reminder.

Since Li Ru'an returned to the capital with the great military exploits of Shaanxi and Gansu, he has immediately become the hottest figure in the inner court, and has been closely watched by all sides, Zhao Junchen is worried that someone will notice the clues between the two of them, and he has deliberately reduced the contact between the two sides during this time.

In Zhao Junchen's vision, Li Ruan has become a crucial chess piece, which should be left at a more critical moment and play a more critical role.

Even a few days ago, Emperor Deqing hid in the imperial study and no one saw him, and for a while, people from all walks of life in the government and the opposition were panicked, and Zhao Junchen did not think about using this chess piece in advance.

In fact, in the past month, Zhao Junchen and Li Ru'an have only secretly contacted once, just to remind Li Ru'an to be vigilant against the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian - saying that this person "has a very deep city, extremely murderous intentions, and leaves no room for others and himself".

Li Ruan knows very well what a terrible person Zhao Junchen is, and Zhu Hejian will be so jealous of Zhao Junchen, so he is obviously a terrible person of the same degree.

Especially during this period of time, after Li Ruan gradually learned about the current situation of the upper echelons of the inner court, he became more and more aware of why Zhao Junchen was so jealous of Zhu Hejian.

In short, without anyone noticing, the attitude of the high-level officials of the inner court towards Zhu Hejian has already reached a tacit understanding and formed two distinct factions!

One faction is led by Liu Qing of the inner study, Wu Xinquan, the celebrant and others, who have completely thrown themselves into Zhu Hejian and become Zhu Hejian's loyal dogs and horses, and have done their best to support Zhu Hejian's ascension; The other faction was led by Xu Sheng, the imperial horse supervisor, Kong Zhen and Wu Xinyan of the East and West No. 2 Factory, and others, although these people did not clearly state their position, but they also acquiesced in Zhu Hejian's gradual infiltration and control of the inner court, and occasionally secretly helped.

Today, silently, the major yamen of the inner court, which was originally forbidden in the hands of Emperor Deqing, have become Zhu Hejian's back garden.

Just looking at this is enough to prove Zhu Hejian's scheming methods, but in Zhao Junchen's evaluation, Zhu Hejian's terrible thing is not his scheming methods, but his ruthlessness and determination!

Therefore, after Li Ruan saw Zhu Hejian's sudden appearance, he was naturally full of vigilance, for fear that he would be seen by Zhu Hejian or victimized by him.

But at the same time, Li Ruan has been looking forward to this meeting.

Li Ru'an knows very well that with Zhu Hejian's penetration of the inner court, as well as his current status and influence, he will definitely try his best to take himself for his own use, and will never tolerate his own attitude.

In fact, Zhu Hejian was unexpectedly patient if he couldn't bear to meet Li Ruan until today.

At the same time, although Zhao Junchen warned Li Ruan of Zhu Hejian's terrible things, and knew that Zhu Hejian would definitely try to recruit Li Ruan for his own use in the future, he did not object, and obviously also had the idea of pushing the boat along the river, hoping that Li Ruan could spy on Zhu Hejian's intelligence information for him.

And Li Ruan himself is also an ambitious and unwilling to be lonely, of course, he also wants to use Zhu Hejian to fight for more benefits for himself, and even take the opportunity to break free from Zhao Junchen's control.

For Li Ru'an, today's banquet is certainly a good banquet, but it is also an opportunity!

Therefore, after seeing Zhu Hejian's appearance, Li Ruxin was secretly vigilant, but he was also faintly excited.

*

But on the surface, Li Ruan put on a frightened and sincere look, trotted to Zhu Hejian's side, and saluted: "The villain greeted His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, but he never thought that the Seventh Prince would suddenly come, the villain was not only late, but also wearing civilian clothes, his image was casual, and he lost the rules, and asked His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince to surrender!" ”

In front of outsiders, the image of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was still as gentle and elegant as ever, and he immediately got up and raised his hand, stopped Li Ru'an's visit, and said with a smile: "Li Neichen shoulders the heavy responsibility of the imperial study, naturally he can't help himself, and it is normal to be a moment late, we are meeting each other outside the palace, and we are all wearing civilian clothes, so we don't have to abide by those red tapes, let's just be casual!" ”

While speaking, Zhu Hejian had already led Li Ru'an to sit beside him, and his attitude became more and more cordial, and he said: "Actually, today I received the news by chance, saying that Wu Neichen was going to invite Li Neichen to a banquet in Hexin Building to have a drink, thinking that he happened to have nothing to do, so he decided to simply be an uninvited guest and take the opportunity to get closer to Li Neichen!"

I have admired Li Neichen for a long time, whether it is the great military exploits of Shaanxi and Gansu some time ago, or the orderly management of the imperial study these days, it all shows that Li Neichen is the premier talent in the inner court! Therefore, I also have the heart to make friends, and I hope that Li Neichen will not blame me for coming abruptly! ”

No matter how prominent Wu Xinquan and Li Ru'an are in the inner court, they are eunuchs after all, and it stands to reason that they are absolutely not qualified to sit at the same table with Zhu Hejian.

Seeing Zhu Hejian's statement, Li Ruan couldn't help but be a little flattered, even if he knew that all this was just Zhu Hejian's disguise, he couldn't help but feel warm and secretly good in his heart.

Everyone has a "need for dignity", and this is especially sensitive for those high-ranking eunuchs in the inner court who are powerful and powerful, but have incomplete roots. And Zhu Hejian's performance naturally scratched the itch of Wu Xinquan, Li Ruan and others.

Not to mention anything else, just look at Zhu Hejian calling Wu Xinquan and Li Ruan "Wu Neichen" and "Li Neichen", and this respect makes them extremely satisfied.

In fact, during the Ming Dynasty, high-level eunuchs were qualified to call themselves "ministers", and the eunuchs who guarded the towns and towns often regarded themselves as "ministers" when they presented to the emperor on weekdays, and when the emperor was in a good mood, he would also call high-level eunuchs "ministers" and "factory ministers";

But in the Deqing period, because the emperor of the Deqing emperor is too widowed, the imperial authority is too heavy, the repeated cleaning and rectification has already frightened the people in the inner court, and they dare not have any transgression on weekdays, all the high-level eunuchs of the inner court in order to show humility are called "villains", and the Deqing emperor always directly calls them by name, but the title of "minister" is rarely heard.

Looking at this alone, it is only natural that all the high-level eunuchs in the inner court will choose to support Zhu Hejian - compared to Emperor Deqing, who is about to purge and rectify the inner court, or Zhu Heyu, who is naturally hostile to eunuchs interfering in politics, Zhu Hejian is undoubtedly the best future choice for the inner court.

Li Ru'an is now a high-level person in the inner court, but he also understands the thoughts of these great eunuchs more and more.

When his mind was changing, Li Ruan looked grateful on the surface, and said in a trembling voice: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has praised it falsely, how can the villain be so valued by you......

It seems that because of his excitement, Li Ruan directly called Zhu Hejian "His Royal Highness the Prince", which seemed to be a violation of the rules, but in fact it was a hint of attitude, indicating that he had long regarded Zhu Hejian as the only candidate for the next prince.

But Zhu Hejian still looked like he was guarding his duty, but after hearing this, his expression sank slightly, and he frowned: "I also hope that Li Neichen will be cautious, the current prince of the court is still the third brother of my family, and I am just an ordinary prince who has not been canonized!" I don't care how the situation in the temple changes and what kind of gossip there is, but as long as the third brother is still in power for a day, we can't go beyond it! ”

On the other side, Wu Xinquan hurriedly played a round with laughter, and said: "I hope that His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince will not blame Li Ru'an for his gaffe, he just accidentally said the truth!" What's more, Your Majesty's thoughts are no longer a secret, and His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince has always been kind to us poor people...... To say a big disrespectful word, I have been looking forward to this day for a long time! ”

Zhu Hejian sighed, but he no longer insisted, but his expression was full of amazement.

However, in the depths of Zhu Hejian's eyes, a trace of satisfaction flashed.

After Li Ruan and Wu Xinquan glanced at each other, they actually had some tacit understanding, and immediately changed the topic, Li Ruan began to compliment Zhu Hejian's benevolence and reputation in the Manchu Dynasty, Wu Xinquan also echoed the voice, but the skills of patting horses to please are much more natural and clever than Li Ru'an.

In this way, the atmosphere in the banquet became lively again, Zhu Hejian also got off the donkey down the slope, no longer treated each other with a cold face, and still had an easy-going appearance without a prince's frame, talking and laughing, and coming and going with the two.

But gradually, under the deliberate guidance of Wu Xinquan, the topic between the three of them began to turn to Li Ru'an, congratulating Li Ru'an on his promotion to the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, and also taking the opportunity to inquire about the recent movements of the imperial study.

I saw Wu Xinquan say with a smile: "Ru'an has been in charge of the imperial study for only more than ten days, but it has already achieved remarkable results!" The leakage of news that has been repeatedly banned in the imperial study in recent years has been completely eradicated in a short period of time! There were two little eunuchs who showed some signs of leaking news, and they were found out by Ru'an, and for a while, everyone was self-disciplined, and the imperial study was under the control of Ru'an, which can be described as a new atmosphere!

Our family has heard that since this period of time, His Majesty has been in a bad mood because of the lawsuit between the prince and the vassal kings, and no one has been seen in the imperial study, and the ministers of the foreign dynasty are eager to find out the news from the imperial study, who would have thought that the imperial study this time is actually tight-lipped and strictly confidential, and the slightest news has not been leaked, but they are in a hurry! ”

Zhu Hejian also nodded with a smile and said, "I also heard that my father is very satisfied with Li Neichen's performance. ”

Li Ruan hurriedly expressed his humility, but there was a sneer in his heart.

During this period of time, because there was no news leaked in the imperial study, I am afraid that the people who were anxious were not only a few powerful ministers of the foreign court, but Li Ru'an was afraid that the two of them would be more anxious.

Then, just as Li Ru'an expected, Wu Xinquan changed his words, but asked: "Ru'an, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince and our family are all the most trusted people of His Majesty, although the affairs of the imperial study are to hide from those courtiers of the foreign court, but there is no need to hide from His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince and our family......

In recent days, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince and our family have seen His Majesty in a bad mood, but they don't understand what His Majesty is thinking, and they are also anxious, only by understanding His Majesty's thoughts, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince can better fulfill his filial piety for His Majesty, and our family can better be loyal to His Majesty, do you say this is the truth?

Ru'an, you can reveal a little, what has Your Majesty done in the imperial study during this time? What did you say? ”

Zhu Hejian's face was unhappy again, and he reprimanded: "Wu Neichen, as a courtier, how can I spy on my father's movements?" What's more, as the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, Li Neichen must be tight-lipped about what happened in the imperial study, wouldn't you make him embarrassed? ”

Wu Xinquan said with a smile: "Naturally, you have to keep your mouth shut about the foreign ministers, but in my opinion, Ru'an's attitude towards His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince must be different...... Right? ”

While speaking, Wu Xinquan was still staring at Li Ruan with a smile, but his eyes were full of scrutiny and coldness.

On the other side, Zhu Hejian no longer insisted on his position, but just picked up the tea cup and drank tea quietly, but the corner of his eye was also secretly watching Li Ru'an's reaction.

Seeing the singing and harmony of Zhu Hejian and Wu Xinquan, Li Ruan knew that he had to face a choice.

Once the news of the imperial study is leaked to them, it is equivalent to a letter of surrender and being caught by them, as the so-called "open the bow and have no turning back", with the first leak today, there will be countless leaks in the future, and he will completely become Zhu Hejian's eyeliner buried in the imperial study, I am afraid that from now on I will be involuntarily.

Of course, there is a great risk in this, the last eunuch Zhang Xiu, the steward of the imperial study, was the apprentice of Zhang De, the chief eunuch who served Emperor Deqing, but he was still killed by the rod because of the leak.

But the advantage is that Li Ruan can take advantage of this opportunity to gradually become Zhu Hejian's henchman, and between Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen, and Zhu Hejian, the balance in this is extremely difficult to control, but if it is operated properly, it can also strive for the greatest benefit for himself.

What's more, if Zhao Junchen's description of Zhu Hejian is correct, with Zhu Hejian's ruthlessness, once Li Ruan refuses to serve him, I am afraid that he will die on the way back to the palace today.

Therefore, for Li Ruan, there was actually nothing to hesitate from the beginning.

So, Li Ruan just hesitated a little, and honestly told all the things that had happened in the imperial study recently.

After listening to Li Ru'an's speech, Zhu Hejian's face sank slightly.

Perhaps because Li Ruan had already paid his vote to himself, Zhu Hejian's demeanor also quietly changed, not as cordial and easy-going as just now, but obviously more majestic and cold.

"Are you saying that the third brother presented to his father has two letters, one bright and one dark, and the world only knows the letter that impeached the vassal kings on the surface, and the father and emperor had a strange attitude during this period of time because he had read another secret letter?"

As Zhu Hejian's attitude changed, Li Ru'an's attitude became more and more detained, and he nodded: "That's right!" But what is written in the crown prince's second letter, except for His Majesty, no one knows the contents of it......"

Halfway through the conversation, Li Ruan seemed to suddenly think of something, and added: "However, after Your Majesty summoned all the important ministers today, you left Zhao Junchen alone to talk secretly for a long time...... But after this conversation, when I returned to the imperial study to serve His Majesty, I found that His Royal Highness the Prince's secret had changed its position, so ...... In addition to His Majesty, perhaps Zhao Junchen has also seen this secret! ”

Zhu Hejian frowned, and asked directly, "Where is that dense now?" Do you have access to it? ”

Out of intuition, Zhu Hejian thought that the secret of the crown prince Zhu Heyu would definitely become a hidden danger for him in the future, but he couldn't help but want to take a risk.

Li Ru'an hurriedly shook his head and said: "That secret has been locked into the secret box of the imperial study by His Majesty himself, although I also have the opportunity to touch that secret box, but if I don't have the key, I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity to look through that secret box." ”

Zhu Hejian nodded thoughtfully, and then asked, "So...... What if you had a secret box key? ”

After hearing this, Li Ruan was immediately shocked.

In fact, not only Li Ru'an, but even Wu Xinquan on the side had a panicked expression and a pale face.

They didn't expect Zhu Hejian to be so bold!

And Zhu Hejian just continued to stare at Li Ru'an, waiting for Li Ru'an's answer.

In the end, Li Ruan gritted his teeth and nodded gently.

Seeing Li Ru'an's statement, Zhu Hejian suddenly restrained the coldness and majesty in his expression, and once again became gentle and cordial at the beginning, and the smile on his face gave people a feeling of spring breeze, and said with a smile: "Since this is the case, I will leave this matter to you...... Within three days, I'll be able to make a copy of the secret box key and give it to you! ”

Zhu Hejian had long known that Emperor Deqing had a secret box, which was full of extremely important secret notes, and any of these secret notes would shake the government and the opposition if any of them leaked out, and the key to the secret box was carried by Emperor Deqing, and others had no chance to contact it at all.

But it just so happens that Zhang Jiamin, the most favored concubine in the harem, is Zhu Hejian's person, and when Emperor Deqing spends the night with Zhang Jiamin, it is not difficult to secretly get a key model.

Wanting this, Zhu Hejian's eyes flashed with essence, and he added meaningfully: "Li Neichen, although my father is still energetic, he is not young after all, but you and I are close in age, and we will get along for a long, long time, and I am not as hostile to the inner court as the third brother......

According to my consistent thinking, the power of the eunuchs in the inner court is dependent on the emperor, and it can be said that the emperors are loyal arms, and they are more reliable than the ministers of the foreign courts!

As I said earlier, you are the best talent in the inner court, so you ...... As long as Li Neichen guarantees his loyalty, your future will be far more than just the steward and eunuch of the imperial study. ”

On the other side, Wu Xinquan glanced at Zhu Hejian with awe, but quickly restrained his abnormal demeanor, and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, Ru'an, you are from the Imperial Horse Supervisor, and I am the master of ceremonies, our two families have always had many conflicts, but these conflicts are only internal contradictions after all, and now we are all doing things for His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, and there will be many opportunities for cooperation in the future, as long as I am still the head of the inner court, it is indispensable to the benefits of Ru'an." ”

Hearing Zhu Hejian's hint and Wu Xinquan's assurance, Li Ruan gradually regained his calm, and was even a little ready to move.

At the same time, the scales in his heart also quietly leaned towards Zhu Hejian.

Li Ru'an knew very well that as a eunuch in the inner court, his future power and achievements must depend on the support of others.

or like Wei Zhongxian, the great eunuch during the Ming Xizong period, relying on the emperor's trust, he was enough to tilt the power of the government and the opposition and cover the sky with one hand; Or like Feng Bao, the great eunuch during the Longqing period, he became a political ally with Zhang Juzheng, the first assistant of the cabinet, and the two controlled the government and the opposition inside and outside, and were good at government affairs.

Originally, Li Ruan hoped that he could become the next Feng Bao, although he wanted to get rid of Zhao Junchen's control, but he did not intend to betray Zhao Junchen, he still hoped to maintain a cooperative relationship with Zhao Junchen, and also hoped that Zhao Junchen could become the next Zhang Juzheng.

But now it seems that compared with Zhao Junchen, Zhu Hejian seems to be able to give him more benefits.

So, compared to becoming the next Feng Bao, it seems good to be the next Wei Zhongxian?

For Li Ru'an, this is the real choice of fate, and he is quite hesitant.

And just when Li Ru'an was conflicted in his heart, Zhu Hejian and Wu Xinquan also changed the topic again, just like an ordinary banquet, chatting with each other about some anecdotes about the government and the opposition, as if the conversations that happened just now were just insignificant episodes.

Li Ru was relieved that something was going on, but he seemed a little absent-minded, but he just echoed it with a match.

In the eyes of Zhu Hejian and Wu Xinquan, Li Ru'an's performance was just because he was about to steal Emperor Deqing's secrets, so he was a little nervous, but he didn't have any suspicions.

After about a stick of incense, seeing that the sky was dark and the Forbidden City was about to close the palace gate, Li Ru'an and Wu Xinquan had to rush back to the palace as soon as possible.

said that after the banquet was over, Li Ruan and Wu Xinquan went downstairs with Zhu Hejian and left, and then saw a eunuch with a gloomy look who greeted him in time, it was Zhu Hejian's attendant eunuch Jia Lun, who had prepared a sedan chair for Zhu Hejian.

And just when Li Ruan and Wu Xinquan were sending Zhu Hejian off, Zhu Hejian seemed to have thought of something temporarily, suddenly stopped, and asked Li Ruan: "Li Neichen, you went to Shaanxi and Gansu to supervise the army some time ago, and it can be said that you personally participated in Zhao Gechen's great military exploits...... What do you think of this person? Also, you and Zhao Gechen have worked together on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu for many days, have you established some friendships? ”

At this time, Li Ruan was also thinking about Zhao Junchen, and suddenly heard Zhu Hejian's inquiry, and couldn't help but be shocked.

But fortunately, at the beginning of Li Ru'an's tenure as the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, Emperor Deqing also asked him the same question, so Li Ru'an had already prepared the answer, and quickly restrained the panic in his heart, and replied: "According to the villain's opinion, Zhao Gechen's abilities and means are extraordinary, and he has both the ambition to make contributions in his heart, as well as the steady old man who looks at the overall situation, which can be described as a masterpiece of a generation!" During his tenure in charge of the Shaanxi and Gansu military administration, his attitude was also extremely tough, which was completely different from the moderate image he displayed in the center of the capital, and although I was a prisoner at that time, I did not dare to compete with him at all......

During that time, Zhao Gechen also wanted to have a good relationship with me, but as a person in the inner court, it was obviously not suitable for me to have too much contact with the foreign ministers, and Zhao Gechen's style was too strong, so I was dispensable as a court supervisor, and the relationship became more and more estranged, and I didn't have much friendship. ”

These words were Li Ru'an's answer to Emperor Deqing, and Emperor Deqing was also very satisfied after hearing such an answer.

However, Zhu Hejian had a completely different reaction, and said meaningfully: "Now you are no longer the supervisor of Shaanxi and Gansu, but you have become the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, and your status is even more important!" And because of the experience of working together in Shaanxi and Gansu, presumably Zhao Junchen will further win over you in the future...... I think that you don't have to be in a hurry to refuse him this time, it's not bad to take the opportunity to make some friends with him, if you can win Zhao Junchen's trust, it would be even better! ”

Hearing Zhu Hejian's words, Li Ru'an suddenly felt a sudden in his heart.

It turned out that Zhu Hejian and Zhao Junchen both had the same thoughts, and they also wanted to use Li Ruan to spy on each other's intelligence and movements.

However, this situation is conducive to Li Ruan's future success.

From now on, Li Ruan is not only Zhao Junchen's eyeliner ambushed by Emperor Deqing and Zhu Hejian, but also Zhu Hejian's spies hidden by Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen...... If Emperor Deqing is interested in the future, Li Ruan is of course willing to provide Emperor Deqing with the news of Zhao Junchen and Zhu Hejian.

For a while, Li Ruan actually had a feeling that he could stir up the situation in the temple by himself.

So, after Li Ru'an hesitated slightly, he quickly nodded and agreed: "Since it is the order of His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, I naturally have to do my best to follow it, and after establishing a friendship with Zhao Junchen, if there is any movement on Zhao Junchen's side, I will definitely report it to you immediately." ”

Zhu Hejian nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "You can understand this, naturally it is the best, I like smart people." ”

After speaking, Zhu Hejian turned around and left.

After Zhu Hejian left, the eunuch Jia Lun beside him stayed for a while, only to see him take a serious look at Li Ru'an, and then said slowly: "Li Neichen, our family's name is Jia Lun, and he is the attendant eunuch next to His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, His Royal Highness's identity is too sensitive, and it has also attracted the attention of the government and the opposition, so I must avoid suspicion in the future, but I am afraid that I will not be able to contact you frequently!" Therefore, I will be responsible for the contact and communication between the two sides in the future, and I hope to give you more advice! ”

Hearing Jia Lun's words, Li Ruan couldn't help but be stunned, and also looked at Jia Lun seriously.

After noticing Jia Lun's cold gaze, Li Ru'an's eyes shrank slightly, but on the surface, the smile remained unchanged, and said, "Please give me a lot of advice." ”

*

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhu Hejian had already returned to the Seven Princes' Mansion.

Entering the study, Zhu Hejian pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and smiled: "This Li Ru'an...... Very interesting! Jalen, you have to be careful. ”

Jalen's eyes flashed, and he asked rhetorically, "Is this person not credible?" ”

Zhu Hejian shook his head and said, "Maybe it's credible, maybe it's not, but I've never pinned my hopes on these illusory things...... It's just that, in him, I see a completely irrepressible ambition, although he thinks he hides it well...... You have to work extra hard in the future, or I'm afraid you won't be able to hold him down. ”

After a moment of silence, Jalen nodded, "Understood." ”

On the other side, Li Ruan had also returned to his palace residence, constantly recalling the events before and after today's banquet in his mind.

After seeing Jia Lun's appearance, Li Ruxinzhong, who was already gradually leaning towards Zhu Hejian, quietly regained his balance.

Li Ruan originally thought that after he took refuge in Zhu Hejian, he would have a chance to become the second Wei Zhongxian, at least more than the chance of becoming the second Feng Bao after cooperating with Zhao Junchen.

But after seeing Jia Lun, Li Ruan suddenly found that if Zhu Hejian ascended the throne, there would really be a second Wei Zhongxian in the inner court, but I am afraid that Jia Lun, who has been by Zhu Hejian's side since childhood, has a greater chance, and he can only give Jia Lun a hand in the future.

"From this point of view, the proposal of the Seventh Prince is tempting, but you can't make a decision too quickly, you still have to be left and right, and today's matter is still to find a way to inform Zhao Junchen...... If only it weren't for this Jalen......"

While thinking in secret, Li Ruan muttered to himself.

……

……