Taiping Inn

On the evening of the third day after Li Xuandu was attacked, the old Khan was finally able to speak. He ordered the kings to return to their palaces, leaving only Shigan Khan to "attend to the illness".

The old Khan's decision was unexpected by the kings, but it was also reasonable.

Among the old Khan's four sons, Mingli Khan had almost broken with the old Khan after saying those words. Yaomuhu Khan had the support of Xiao Yanshi and was the strongest in the royal court. If any of these two people stayed with the old Khan, they would have the opportunity to isolate the old Khan from the outside world, and then the ownership of the Khan's throne and the life and death of the old Khan would be in their hands. And Naiqi Khan was the new Khan that the old Khan wanted. If the old Khan kept him by his side, it would attract the hostility of Mingli Khan and Yaomuhu Khan, which was very disadvantageous for Naiqi Khan, who was alone.

Only Shigan Khan, who was the weakest and cowardly, had almost no hope of inheriting the Khan's throne, let alone threatening the old Khan, became the most suitable candidate. Moreover, only Shigan Khan could make Mingli Khan and Yaomuhu Khan reach a compromise and each give in.

At this moment, the kings were still waiting in the front hall, with different thoughts. Only the kings were allowed to wait here, so the kings' followers and advisers were not around, unable to discuss with others, and could only make random guesses. Although they no longer quarreled, they occasionally looked at each other, and they could see their vigilance and precautions against each other.

At this time, the eunuchs and the four wives left the inner hall and conveyed the old Khan's order to the kings waiting here. For a while, the kings' eyes fell on Shigan Khan.

Shigan Khan's expression was a little stiff, and his brows were furrowed deeper. He subconsciously turned his head and looked at Mingli Khan and Yaomuhu Khan, and his expression became more and more stiff.

In the end, Shigan Khan said nothing, but sighed softly and followed the eunuch to the back hall.

As soon as Shigan Khan left, Yaomuhu Khan sneered and raised his chin to look at Mingli Khan, not hiding his provocation.

Mingli Khan was already old and had already entered the ranks of the elderly. Although he and Yaomuhu Khan were brothers, they were not of the same generation in terms of age. Mingli Khan did not care about Yaomuhu Khan's provocation. After exchanging a glance with Ili Khan, he turned around and left.

Seeing that Mingli Khan did not respond, Yaomuhu Khan also left. As for the Yanshi, they would not go with the kings, and would stay in the old Khan's Golden Tent for a while.

After the kings returned to their respective palaces, in addition to discussing with their own counselors and confidants, they sent people to keep an eye on the movements of the Golden Tent, waiting to get news from Shigan Khan.

But to everyone's surprise, Shigan Khan did not leave the old Khan's golden tent until nightfall. The mood of the kings became solemn. Everyone knew that the old Khan had a very bad attitude towards Shigan Khan, and could even be said to hate him. The old Khan did not like Shigan Khan's cowardice, and felt that he was not like a golden tent man, but a weak Central Plains man. Although the old Khan's attitude towards Shigan Khan has changed in the past few years, it was because the other two sons were too strong, and the old Khan had to use Shigan Khan to balance one or two, but the old Khan would never pass the position of Khan to Shigan Khan. At this time, there was no reason to keep Shigan Khan by his side to serve.

The north wind was howling, the thick clouds covered the moon, and the heavy snow was swaying.

In the posthouse, Li Xuandu, Ning Yi, and Shi Wuyue each sat on a chair, forming a tripod, and in the middle of the three was a charcoal basin, emitting warm warmth. When they reached the Heavenly Man Realm, they were no longer affected by cold or heat, but many habits were still preserved. They would change their clothes according to the seasons, and would not refuse the braziers sent by the posthouse.

Li Xuandu and Ning Yi looked quite solemn, because they had already sensed that something big was going to happen in the royal court. If the old Khan's sudden illness was not a play performed by the old Khan, then it meant that the old Khan could not completely control the situation in the royal court. The royal court was now like a wild horse that was about to lose control and could break free from the reins at any time, because the owner who held the reins was too old.

At this moment, there was a brief noise outside, and then a tall man came into the room. Behind him were a group of armored soldiers of the Qiexue Army and officials of the posthouse. The armor of these soldiers was painted with simple goshawk patterns in gold thread, which meant that they had the duty of guarding the old Khan and were the elite of the Qiexue Army.

The tall man in the lead waved his hand and said, "You guys go out."

The Qiexue soldiers and post station officials all retreated.

The tall man was dressed in full military uniform, with a serious expression. He said in a rigid tone: "Let me introduce myself. My name is Abe Chi, the third captain of the Qiexue Army. I am under the order of Shigan Khan to invite the Central Plains envoy to the Golden Tent to meet the old Khan."

Li Xuandu slowly got up from his chair and asked: "Why is it under the order of Shigan Khan, not the old Khan's order?"

Abe Chi answered in a serious manner: "Because the old Khan is seriously ill, the old Khan appointed Shigan Khan to be responsible for the defense of the Golden Tent and all other matters."

Li Xuandu nodded and asked: "Can I bring an entourage?"

Abe Chi shook his head and said: "According to Shigan Khan's order, the envoy can only meet the old Khan alone."

This answer did not surprise Li Xuandu. He finally asked: "Now?"

Abe Chi nodded and said: "Now!"

Li Xuandu turned around and said to Ning Yi: "You stay here and wait for me. Act according to the situation." Ning Yi nodded slightly and said "Be careful."

Li Xuandu said to Abe Chi: "Please lead the way, captain."

Abechi did not speak, but turned and walked out. Li Xuandu followed Abechi and came to the outside of the post house. There was a team of about 300 people, holding the eagle flag symbolizing the Golden Horde. Then someone brought a horse to Li Xuandu and asked him to get on.

Li Xuandu was not polite, and got on the horse. Then the whole team began to move forward in the direction of the Golden Horde.

Because the dark clouds covered the moon and the north wind was howling, it was difficult to see. Even if the leading cavalry held a torch, it could only illuminate a small area in front of them. It took a full half an hour to travel from the post house to the royal court in such a difficult way. When Li Xuandu arrived at the royal court, it was already the hour of the Ox.

Li Xuandu rode his horse and looked at the Golden Horde getting closer and closer. He squinted his eyes and fell into deep thought. Not long after, Li Xuandu followed Abechi into the Golden Horde. Now the Golden Horde was like half an iron barrel, with a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps, airtight. Even if Abechi, the third captain of the Qiexue Army, personally led people to see the old Khan, he still could not avoid a careful interrogation, which wasted a lot of time. By the time Li Xuandu met Naiqi Khan, more than half an hour had passed.

Shigan Khan met Li Xuandu in the old Khan's study, which was located between the outer hall and the bedroom. It was in this place when Li Xuandu first met the old Khan. At that time, the old Khan was lying on a recliner with a shaman standing beside him. But now there is no shaman, the recliner is empty, and Shigan Khan sits directly on the chair behind the old Khan's desk, revealing a bit of majesty.

Abechi sent Li Xuandu to the door and then retreated, so at this time there were only Shigan Khan and Li Xuandu.

Li Xuandu asked, "Shigan Khan said that the old Khan wanted to see me, so he ordered someone to invite me. May I ask Shigan Khan, where is the old Khan?"

Shigan Khan smiled, and he was more calm than usual, and his brows were relaxed, as if he had become a different person. Could this be the magic of power, which is more effective than any panacea? Shigan Khan said, "The envoy does not need to worry. I believe the envoy has heard that the old Khan has a serious illness. Although the national teacher has helped the old Khan, his life is no longer in danger. However, the old Khan is old after all, and his health is not as good as before, and he still has some minor problems. At this time, the old Khan has just taken the medicine and has fallen asleep. I think the envoy would not have the heart to disturb an old man who is sick, right? So please wait for a moment."

Li Xuandu nodded.

Shigan Khan pointed to the embroidered cushion that had been prepared and said, "Your Excellency, please do not hesitate to sit down. I remember that when you first arrived at the royal court, you came to visit me, but I refused you. So I don't know why you wanted to see me and why you fell to the ground. Can you tell me now?"