After the fall of the crown prince, the second prince who was far away in the Northern Night Kingdom was indeed as Shen Zhizhang had speculated before, raising the banner of the Qing monarch's side and preparing to attack justifiably.

Estimating the date, the army led by Liu Bin should have reached the frontier at this time. The war between the two countries became more and more tense, and Shen Zhiyan felt more and more helpless and angry. At this time, he was worried about state affairs, but he didn't want to listen to others' arrangements, and at the same time hated his frailty. In addition, he worked hard for many days, so it didn't take long for the old illness to relapse. This illness was originally no big deal, but he took the opportunity to declare that he was seriously ill, which was a signal to the unknown opponent to refuse to join forces.

After Shen Zhiyan fell ill, Wang was anxious, and invited Duan Lanting to come over to check his pulse. Originally, Shen Zhiyan's physical condition improved greatly under Duan Lanting's conditioning this year, but he never thought that he would encounter this catastrophe again, and the Wang family only hoped that this turmoil would subside as soon as possible and the family would live a stable life.

After learning the news that his brother was sick again, Shen Zhizhang also had trouble sleeping. With the eldest brother on one side and his wife on the other, no matter which side he chooses, it will make him feel uneasy in conscience. It was only then that he began to regret that he could not be on his own, and that he was powerless. He hated that he hadn't grown up earlier, that he could carry the Shen family for his brother, or that he could have the ability to save Jinshu.

The most painful thing in the world is to watch your loved ones feel sorry for themselves, and they can't do anything to help. Thinking of Jinshu who didn't know his safety and the children who had not yet been born, and thinking of his eldest brother who had been arrogant and sick for many years, Shen Zhizhang regretted that his liver and intestines were broken, and he wished that he could ask for his brother's life to go on the expedition and suffer on their behalf.

Shen Zhizhang lay on his back and stared at the bed tent in a daze, and after his brain was empty for a while, his consciousness gradually woke up. There is no effort in grief, and instead of being sad, it is better to think of a solution to the problem.

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A small pot of charcoal in the room was red, Wang's movements were gently turning the charcoal fire, Duan Lanting on the side was bowing his head and brushing the prescription, and when he stopped writing, he said softly to Wang: "Grandpa's illness this time is not particularly serious, Madame doesn't need to be anxious." This year, the poison in his body is almost clear, but he is weaker, and he has relapsed after recent overwork, so it is good to take one or two doses of medicine. After careful maintenance in the future, it is not impossible to heal after another three or two years. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Duan." Wang was grateful, and hurriedly took the prescription and said: "Grandpa's illness can be cured, thanks to Mr. Duan, the concubine really doesn't know how to thank Mr., you don't want a consultation fee, nor a gift...... How do we feel free to go? ”

Duan Lanting smiled slightly, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he said seemingly casually: "Madame, you don't have to be polite, speaking of which, the family smashed the horse master by mistake, thanks to the princess and the horse master who didn't care, so my younger brother successfully participated in the scientific expedition and has today's achievements." At the beginning, it affected the scientific examination of the master of the horse, Duan felt ashamed, and treating the grandfather could be regarded as repaying the favor of the princess and the master of the horse, how could he ask for more......"

Bringing up the old thing on the cusp of not saving the sixth princess made the Wang family bow his head in shame: "Yes...... What Mr. Duan said is that this is thanks to the princess. ”

"Speaking of princesses...... Please also mourn your condolences. Duan Lanting lowered his eyes and continued lightly: "Tomorrow, Duan is just going to Pingyang Mountain outside the city to collect medicine, and I also ask Mrs. to inform the princess's grave, so that Duan will go to worship one or two." ”

"This ......" Hearing him say this, Wang couldn't help but have a sour nose. She said in her heart: Actually, the sixth princess is not dead yet.

Duan Lanting was invited by the sixth princess for Shen Zhiyan. The sixth princess has always been concerned about the matter of Mrs. Shen and the Shen family brothers seeking medical treatment. Their family's old and sick diseases, the Shen family's famous doctor, ginseng soup and medicinal diet have never been broken, and the food is basically given by the six princesses. Especially Shen Zhiyan, the Wang family couldn't count how many famous doctors and precious medicinal materials the six princesses sent to them. Now thanks to the blessing of others, Shen Zhiyan has hope of recovery, but he refuses to save her, how can it make people not feel cold...... Wang couldn't help but reddened his eyes when he thought about it.

"Ma'am?" Seeing her wandering out of the world, Duan Lanting tentatively opened her mouth and called out.

Hearing this, the Wang family hurriedly raised his hand to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes, and cheered up and said: "Just outside the imperial mausoleum under Pingyang Mountain, the sixth princess is ...... Although it is a member of the Shen family. But the emperor took pity on her early, and buried her on a small slope not far west of the imperial mausoleum. ”

"Well, thank you, Madame. That Duan went back first. Duan Lanting said and was about to walk out: "Madame, stay here, you don't have to send it." ”

But he had only taken a few steps before he heard Shen Zhiyan in the inner room trying to raise his voice in a hoarse voice: "Mr. Duan, stay, I have a few questions I want to ask you." ”

Duan Lanting paused, hesitated slightly, and then turned around and walked to the inner room. He opened the curtain and entered, bowed slightly to Shen Zhiyan, who was half-sitting on the bed, and asked suspiciously: "Don't you dare to ask for advice, I don't know what my grandfather wants to ask?" ”

"Mr. Duan." Shen Zhiyan coughed lightly and said, "You also know my condition, I don't know...... Ahem...... I don't know if in my situation, is there any possibility of going with the army to the Northern Night Country? ”

Duan Lanting was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "Grandpa...... You're going on an expedition to the Northern Night Country? ”

"Just tell me, if you go to the northern frontier, is it feasible?" Shen Zhiyan leaned back on the soft pillow, closed his eyes slightly, covered all his helpless emotions and asked, "I know that there is no possibility of going to the battlefield in this life." Just ask if there is any possibility of going out with the army, the northern Xinjiang is cold, and it is a long journey, can it be supported? ”

"This ......" Duan Lanting said with a sad face: "I can't hide it, with your current physical condition, Grandpa, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult to go out with the army." This body has just recuperated, and if you want to heal, it would be nice to be able to recuperate......"

"Meaning, it's not impossible to go on the expedition with the army?" Shen Zhiyan opened his eyes, looked at Duan Lanting with a clear and gentle gaze, and asked a little more firmly in his tone, "Isn't it?" ”

"Yes." Duan Lanting's face was embarrassed, so he could only nod and say, "You are basically no different from ordinary people now, but your body is weaker. If you can not survive the cold and do no strenuous activities, it is not impossible to go out with the army. Just ......"

"Just what?"

"It's just that even if you can return safely after this trip, it will be a little difficult for you to seek healing, grandpa. If the maintenance is not careful, the consequences are even more unpredictable...... Duan Lanting said: "For the sake of the long term, grandpa still don't have such thoughts." ”

"Well, it doesn't matter." Shen Zhiyan slowly showed a relieved smile: "If you say so, I know it in my heart." ”

Hearing him say this, Wang couldn't help but shed tears in his heart, and shouted with pity: "Zhiyan...... Are you really going? ”

"Look, what are you crying about? I'm just asking. Shen Zhiyan smiled lightly, he turned sideways and said to Duan Lanting, "Thank you Mr. Duan so much." ”

"Grandpa is polite." Duan Lanting lowered his eyes, not daring to look directly into Shen Zhiyan's eyes anymore. The conversation with Shen Zhiyan made him feel a warmth welling up in his heart, which seemed to be the spring light in March, dispelling the cold of all winter nights.

Gao Chengyan is right, even if Shen Zhiyan disdains to be in the company of a person like him who calculates and conspires, what he can't let go of is the mighty mountains and rivers after all, and what he can't let go of is love and righteousness. The sixth princess is just a small bargaining chip that pushes Shen Zhiyan to make a choice, and what he really makes a choice is the peace of the people and the country in this big beam.

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After receiving Duan Lanting's letter, Gao Chengyan showed a long-lost smile, and he knew that Shen Zhiyan would make such a choice, it didn't matter whether he really joined forces with him, as long as he could achieve a common goal.

Gao Chengyan gently put down the letter paper in his hand, picked up the pen and began to write a reply.

"What is the letter? Show me? Jin Shu probed the probe and asked in a series of fatal questions, "Do they know the news that I am not dead?" Is the announcement made in the world? What is the reaction of my mother, Shen Zhizhang and the Shen family? Do the people of the capital believe it or not? Did these letters say anything? ”

The Jinshu questioner is unintentional, and Gao Chengyan's obedient person is intentional. Her question immediately alerted Gao Chengyan. He lifted his pen and wrote the letter, and his brain instantly began to think quickly about the key questions.

Something isn't quite right?

The sixth princess is not dead yet, such a big news has been transmitted to the Shen family, it stands to reason that the Shen family should be particularly shocked or have some kind of stress reaction? At the very least, suing the emperor should stir up a thousand waves. But the situation written in Duan Lanting's reply letter, how could their reaction be so calm? The Wang family could still tell Duan Lanting the burial place of the sixth princess? Could it be ......

Could it be that the Shen family already knew that the sixth princess was not dead, and unanimously decided to hide the matter from the outside world?

It wasn't as simple as he thought. Gao Chengyan's brows furrowed, and he gradually fell into deep thought.

It seems that he underestimated the Shen family.