On the way back, Ruyan was feeling anxious. She became more alert to Gai Nie and Ying Yuan's temptations, fearing that her plan would be discovered by them inadvertently.

Along the way, she kept thinking about how to survive safely in this undercurrent.

Suddenly, she felt a strange breath.

She stopped, hid aside, and looked around vigilantly.

When she found out it was just the wind, she breathed a sigh of relief and went back to the house.

At the same time, far deep in the palace, the Xiongnu princess's secret room was not peaceful.

An assassin in black sneaks in almost silently.

But just when he was about to succeed, the guards hiding in the dark suddenly appeared and captured him in lightning speed.

The princess walked out of the inner room and looked at the kneeling assassin calmly, "Tell me, who sent you?"

The assassin knew that he could not escape from this trapped situation, so he could only speak after a little hesitation, "The people in the east are trying to split you Xiongnu and stir up civil strife."

His voice was mixed with a hint of despair, causing the guards around him to become more alert.

Back to Ruyan, Gai Nie was quietly observing her actions, twirling his beard as he pondered the information he had just collected.

There was alertness and uneasiness in his eyes: Ruyan might not be as simple as the clues in the grass, but was placed in a chess game by someone.

Gai Nie's mind suddenly changed, and he had a comprehensive plan in mind. He was ready to give Ruyan a certain amount of protection and persuade her to turn to the light when the time was right.

At this time, Ying Yuan was discussing with the Xiongnu advisers to formulate a closer alliance plan in an attempt to lay a solid foundation for future strategic layout.

Although Ying Yuan did not personally participate in the game between Ruyan and Gai Nie, he never relaxed his efforts to figure out the subtle ways between them.

Ruyan paced back and forth in the room, anxiously thinking about her next move.

The shadows of the trees outside the window were swaying in the wind, just like her hesitant mood at the moment.

She stopped and looked out the window, struggling internally over whether she should trust Gai Nie, a man with such advanced swordsmanship.

As she was thinking, a gentle knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Ruyan put away her chaotic thoughts and turned to face Gai Nie who walked into the room.

Gai Nie looked normal, but the gleam in his eyes made Ruyan feel a chill.

"Miss Ruyan, there was a strange sound outside just now. Did you hear any strange noises?"

Gai Nie asked seemingly nonchalantly, scanning the room as he walked, like a cautious hunter.

"There was a certain sound of wind, and I thought it was a wild cat passing through the eaves."

Ruyan answered while observing Gai Nie's expression.

She knew that Gai Nie did not come here for no reason.

Gai Nie nodded slightly and said, "Miss Ruyan seems to be troubled by something? If you have any difficulties, just tell me, I may be able to help."

Ruyan felt nervous when she heard this.

This was obviously a test, and she had to handle it carefully.

"I appreciate Brother Gai Nie's kindness, but it's just some family matters, nothing serious."

Gai Nie smiled slightly, turned around and walked to the table, lightly dipped his fingertips in tea, and casually drew a few strokes on the table, inadvertently revealing some guiding information, like a puzzle that was not obvious but attractive enough.

"Miss Ruyan, don't worry."

He continued calmly, "I've seen a lot of storms along the way. If there's any secret that needs protecting, I can help."

Ruyan was slightly stunned, confused by what Gai Nie meant. Gai Nie asked knowingly, as if he already knew something but didn't say it clearly.

She was hesitant. Whether to keep silent about it or to join Ying Yuan's camp tactfully became her biggest problem at this moment.

At the same time, the Xiongnu princess in the palace watched the assassin's interrogation coldly. She was calm inside, but secretly thinking about her next move.

She sent her trusted confidants to secretly investigate the complex forces in the court. She knew that the assassination was intended to stir up civil unrest.

And she needs to find the enemy's flaws in the undercurrent so that the countermeasures can be effective.

After Ying Yuan finished discussing with his advisors in the cabinet, he frowned slightly. Ying Yuan felt something was wrong, so he decided to meet Gai Nie in person.

The conversation between Ying Yuan and Gai Nie was a move he never took lightly. Perhaps Gai Nie knew more than he did.

When Gai Nie faced Ying Yuan's summons, he had already made up his mind.

He did not intend to release all the information immediately, but to obtain more valuable clues from Ying Yuan's investigation.

At the same time, Ruyan's question was lingering in his mind like an unresolved knot.

In the game of multiple parties, Gai Nie carefully deployed every step he took.

Gai Nie and Ying Yuan's meeting was arranged in a quiet side hall.

The sunlight filtered through the wooden bars of the window panes, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

The two of them sat opposite each other, the water in the teapot still emitting a faint steam.

Ying Yuan sat upright with a majestic aura, while Gai Nie remained relaxed and unhurried.

"Brother Gai Nie, what have you been busy with these days?"

Ying Yuan spoke slowly, his tone calm but tentative.

Gai Nie smiled slightly, picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"It's just some idle things,"

He paused, and glanced at Ying Yuan meaningfully, "I heard that there are constant disturbances in the court. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks about this?"

Ying Yuan's eyebrows twitched slightly, Gai Nie's words obviously contained some kind of hint.

Ying Yuan put down the teacup in his hand and looked directly at Gai Nie. "The court is indeed a little uneasy. The assassination issue is particularly difficult now. I wonder if Brother Gai Nie has learned anything from this?"

Gai Nie pretended to be silent, then said in a nonchalant tone: "I have heard something. It is said to be related to a hidden force. However, this force has always acted in secret. Your Majesty needs to carefully identify the details."

Ying Yuan nodded, weighing the options in his mind.

This conversation seemed like a battle without the smoke of gunpowder. Both sides were cautiously testing each other, but neither was willing to reveal their cards.

Some vague hints in Gai Nie's words made Ying Yuan realize the complexity of the matter.

Ying Yuan decided to change his strategy and start a deeper cooperation with Gai Nie.

At the same time, in another courtyard, Ruyan and Gai Nie were having a quiet conversation.

The autumn breeze blows gently and the leaves rustle.

"Brother Gai Nie, what you said made me think a lot,"

Ruyan spoke hesitantly, seeming a little unconfident.

There was a hint of determination in her eyes, as if she had finally made up her mind. "My family has close ties with some forces in the court. Now the situation has become confusing. I hope you can help me."

Gai Nie stared at her, knowing that this confession was not easy.

He said softly, "Anyway, if you need any help, just let me know. (End of this chapter)