Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled. Her laughter was as clear as a silver bell, but it made Ying Yuan feel cold. "Your Majesty really loves to joke. I am just a humble woman. What secrets can I have?"

Ying Yuan sneered in his heart, humble? The aura emanating from this woman was not humble at all. He decided to test her, "I heard that you are proficient in military tactics, even better than some veteran generals."

The smile on Ruyan's face froze for a moment, then returned to normal, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I only know a little bit."

"Really?" Ying Yuan said in a playful tone, "Then my expedition this time is all thanks to your brilliant plan."

Ruyan lowered her eyelids to hide the emotions in her eyes, "It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."

Ying Yuan was even more certain in his heart that there was definitely something wrong with this woman! But he did not point it out, instead he changed the subject, "My head... is still a little dizzy."

Ruyan immediately asked with concern: "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? Do you want to call the imperial physician?"

Ying Yuan waved his hand, "No, maybe I'm too tired recently."

Ruyan stood up, walked behind Ying Yuan, and gently massaged his temples. "Your Majesty is busy with many things every day. It is really hard. I will massage you, maybe it can relieve some of the pain."

Ruyan's fingertips touched Yingyuan's skin, bringing a tingling sensation. Yingyuan closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment of tranquility. However, his heart was still restless.

He felt Ruyan's breath getting closer and closer, and a faint fragrance penetrated into his nostrils, making him a little distracted.

"Your Majesty..." Ruyan's voice became softer and carried a hint of temptation.

Ying Yuan suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Ruyan's wrist, "What... do you want to do?"

Ruyan's eyes flashed with panic, but then she regained her composure, "Your Majesty, I just want to relieve your headache."

Ying Yuan looked into Ruyan's eyes, his heart full of doubts. Was this woman sincere or fake? He couldn't tell for a moment.

"Your Majesty," Ruyan gently broke free from Ying Yuan's hand, "It's late at night, you should go to bed early."

Ying Yuan didn't say anything, just quietly watched Ruyan leave. He lay in bed, tossing and turning, but couldn't fall asleep. Ruyan's figure lingered in his mind, making him feel confused.

……

The next day, Ying Yuan summoned Prime Minister Li Si.

"Prime Minister," Ying Yuan said straight to the point, "How much do you know about Ruyan?"

Li Si was slightly stunned, then he replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, Miss Ruyan was recommended by me to the palace. She is extremely intelligent, proficient in military tactics, and loyal to Your Majesty."

Ying Yuan sneered, "Loyal? Why do I feel like she has other intentions?"

Li Si's expression changed slightly, "Your Majesty...I dare not speak nonsense."

"Don't dare to speak nonsense?" Ying Yuan said in a cold tone, "I ask you, who is she?"

Li Si hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Your Majesty, Miss Ruyan's true identity...I don't know either."

Ying Yuan stood up suddenly and said angrily, "You don't know? You recommended someone, but you don't even know her identity?"

Li Si was so frightened that he fell to his knees. "Your Majesty, calm down! I just think Miss Ruyan is very talented, so..."

"Outstanding talent?" Ying Yuan interrupted Li Si, "I think she has ulterior motives!" Li Si didn't dare to speak anymore, but just knelt on the ground trembling.

Ying Yuan paced back and forth, feeling very irritated. He suddenly stopped, looked at Li Si, and asked, "Prime Minister, tell me honestly, are you hiding something from me?"

Li Si's face became even paler. He raised his head and looked at Ying Yuan, with a trace of struggle in his eyes.

At this moment, a eunuch rushed in, "Your Majesty! The Huns... the Huns are coming back again!"

Li Si fell to the ground, sweating profusely, and shaking like a sieve. "Your Majesty, calm down! I...I did hide something..."

Ying Yuan narrowed his eyes, a chill emanating from him, "Speak!"

Li Si took a deep breath, as if he was ready to risk everything, "Ruyan... Ruyan is not an ordinary woman, she is... a spy sent by the Xiongnu!"

"What?!" Ying Yuan roared and kicked over the table in front of him. The imperial seal on the table rolled to the ground, making a crisp sound, but it did not reduce Ying Yuan's anger at all. He grabbed Li Si's collar and lifted him up, "How dare you place a Hun spy next to me! What crime should you be punished for!"

Li Si's face turned pale, he knew he was finished. He trembled and said in defense: "Your Majesty...I...I was forced to do this! The Xiongnu Chanyu threatened the lives of my family members, I...I had no choice but to obey!"

"You were forced into a desperate situation?" Ying Yuan sneered and threw Li Si to the ground. "I think you are blinded by greed! Come! Drag this thief out and execute him!"

Two guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Li Si away. Li Si cried and begged for mercy, but Ying Yuan ignored him.

The news of the Xiongnu invasion was like a bolt from the blue, filling Ying Yuan with anxiety and uneasiness. He forced himself to calm down, knowing that now was not the time to pursue responsibility, and the most urgent task was how to resist the Xiongnu invasion.

"Call General Meng Tian!" Ying Yuan ordered in a deep voice.

A moment later, a burly general in armor strode in. He knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I am Meng Tian, ​​here to see you!"

"General Meng Tian," Ying Yuan said in a deep voice, "The Xiongnu have invaded again. I order you to lead an army of 300,000 to set out immediately and drive the Xiongnu out of the border of Daqin!"

"I obey your order!" Meng Tian stood up, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

After Meng Tian left, Ying Yuan sat alone on the dragon throne, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. The Xiongnu invasion and the treacherous ministers in the court made him feel extremely stressed. He rubbed his temples and felt a splitting headache.

"Your Majesty," a gentle voice sounded in his ear.

Ying Yuan looked up and saw Ruyan standing behind him. She was wearing a light gauze dress, with a graceful figure and a charming smile on her face.

"Why are you here?" Ying Yuan asked impatiently.

"Your Majesty," Ruyan walked behind Ying Yuan and gently massaged his temples, "I saw that your Majesty was not in good condition, so I came here to relieve your fatigue."

Ying Yuan closed his eyes and enjoyed Ruyan's massage. Ruyan's fingertips gently danced on his head, bringing a tingling sensation that made him feel extremely relaxed.

"Your Majesty," Ruyan's voice became even softer, "Your Majesty, do not worry too much about the Xiongnu invasion. I know a little about military tactics, and perhaps I can offer you some advice."

Ying Yuan suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Ruyan, his eyes full of doubt, "Do you know the art of war?"

Ruyan smiled slightly, "I have been familiar with military books since I was young. I dare not say that I am proficient in them, but I know a thing or two." (End of this chapter)