The night was deep, and the shopkeeper at the noodle shop lit several oil lamps.

Under the dim light, Bai Long glanced around, "The Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department's Heavenly Branch has been dormant until now, silently operating for over ten years. What do you all think they'll want to do once activated?"

Jiao Tu sat at the neighboring table, resting one hand on her cheek, drawing circles on the tabletop with the other, "Have a couple of drinks to celebrate?"

Bai Long cast a sidelong glance at her.

Yun Yang stood beside Jiao Tu, arms crossed, calmly said, "Prove themselves."

Bai Long nodded, "Lu Jin, this person became famous over ten years ago for assassinating our Dynasty's Minister of Revenue and used it as a stepping stone. Now he has risen to the top as the Vice Minister. The entire Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department sees him as a model. With the Heavenly Branch appearing publicly for the first time after dormancy, perhaps they want to kill a cabinet minister to make a name for themselves."

Jiao Tu tilted her head and said, "Isn't that perfect? The Emperor would love for all the Officials to die; several of their heirs are still unfit to take over. We might as well sit back and let the Military Intelligence Department clean them out."

Just then, a tired, old voice from under the Treasure Monkey mask spoke, "No, that's not what the Emperor wants. The Emperor wants them to die slowly, one by one. It's best to stabilize the Liu Family's Henan Province, then take on the Qi Family. Once Ji State is secured, then move against the Xu Family, rather than have Henan, Ji State, Shan State, Shan Province, Yun Province, and Jiangnan all fall into chaos at once, giving the Jing Dynasty an opportunity… The Emperor, ah, he cares more than anyone about this nation because it's his kingdom."

The voice was old and deep, like a soul wailing from a dried-up well.

Chen Ji frowned at Treasure Monkey. It was his first time hearing this old voice from under Treasure Monkey's mask, but not the first time hearing this voice.

Liao Zhong.

Liao Zhong looked at Chen Ji, smiled tiredly, "Marquis Wu Xiang, safe and sound?"

Chen Ji turned to Bai Long, "So, all those voices under Treasure Monkey's mask belong to executive officers who have seized the path before? This Liao Zhong..."

Liao Zhong slowly said, "Marquis Wu Xiang need not worry about this old man. Winning and losing are everyday affairs in the military; I understood this from the moment I re-entered the Imperial Capital. Winning is winning, losing is losing, willing to gamble with one's life, losing shouldn't lead to blaming fate. This old man only has one wish left, to see the Crown Prince die like me before willingly leaving."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, "Because the Crown Prince betrayed you?"

Liao Zhong laughed heartily, "No, no, no, I taught him personally; how could I not know how sinister he is. But Marquis Wu Xiang, do you remember the old man telling you, which ruler isn't cold-hearted? The current Emperor also severed emotions to sit on that throne. This old man doesn't hate the Crown Prince; he, like me, is a lonely soul."

Chen Ji puzzled, "Then why do you want him dead?"

Liao Zhong thought for a long time, mockingly said, "The Crown Prince is too pitiful; the Emperor molded him with power and suspicion into his own shape. He couldn't make mistakes or show weakness, diligently serving as the Crown Prince for over twenty years, finally living like the Emperor, but the Emperor now feels he's too much like him and is afraid. Although his mother still lives, her love has only been harsh bets and demands… Struggling like this to stay alive, better to leave with the old man, at least there's a companion on the road."

Jiao Tu whispered, "Crazy..."

A sharp voice from beneath the mask murmured, "I don't want to stay in the same body with him..."

"Neither do I."

"I don't either..."

Bai Long interrupted, "Stop the noise."

The original middle-aged voice under the Treasure Monkey mask shouted, "Silence, all."

Treasure Monkey raised his head to look at Chen Ji, "Lord Binghu, don't worry, I can suppress him."

Bai Long tapped his fingers on the table, looked at Chen Ji, "I am assigning Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, and Treasure Monkey to you. They will guard from afar, while you keep watch at Lord Zhang's side. Lord Zhang is your father-in-law, you must be diligent."

Chen Ji replied calmly, "With four Zodiac guards around Lord Zhang, what about the other cabinet ministers and the Ministry?"

"Daring enough to wish us Happy New Year, this person thinks highly of himself; he wouldn't bother assassinating anyone less than a cabinet minister," the female voice under the Treasure Monkey mask speculated, "Official Xu is near death, no need to kill. Official Hu has the most Seeking Dao Realm experts around, and there's the Director Hu Junyan of the Observatory stationed in the Capital; difficult to kill. Official Chen has that enigmatic Chen Xu by his side; also hard to kill. Zhang Zhuo is the least protected, doesn't even have a proper death soldier, easiest to kill."

Chen Ji asked again, "What if the Military Intelligence Department's target is the Emperor?"

Bai Long stood up, "That's what concerns me the most. If the Emperor is attacked on his way to the Mountain and River Altar on the fifteenth of January, we'll all celebrate the New Year's Eve in Lingnan."

Chen Ji watched Bai Long walk into the night, promptly stood up and headed outside. He needed to get back to Zhang Mansion quickly to check if Zhang Xia was at home.

Jiao Tu grabbed his wrist, "Wait, Lord Binghu hasn't told us what we should do."

Yun Yang gripped their wrists and forcibly separated them, "If you're going to talk, just talk. Why all the pulling and tugging?"

Jiao Tu rolled her eyes, pulled her hand back and shook it.

Chen Ji walked out without turning back, "Go home and rest today, come to Zhang Mansion at 5 to 7 AM tomorrow and wait, everything will be discussed tomorrow."

At that moment, Treasure Monkey blocked Chen Ji's path again, the middle-aged voice under the mask said, "Lord Binghu, since Lord Bai Long instructed us to protect Lord Zhang, there's no reason to rest, or if the Military Intelligence Department acts tonight, exile to Lingnan will be the least of our worries."

Chen Ji frowned, "Then you can guard outside Zhang Mansion."

Treasure Monkey added, "Usually, even when Lord Zhang goes out, caution is needed. I should be his coachman for absolute safety."

Chen Ji refuted, "He's a cabinet minister; how could he let an Eunuch Party be his coachman? It doesn't suit his reputation."

Treasure Monkey sneered, "Does Lord Zhang still have a good reputation?"

The two exchanged questions and answers rapidly, but Chen Ji suddenly narrowed his eyes: "Are you stalling for time?"

Treasure Monkey looked confused: "What is the Lord talking about, I don't understand. It's my duty to ask these questions."

Chen Ji stopped entangling with Treasure Monkey, immediately sidestepped out of the noodle shop, and walked quickly down Xuanwu Gate Street, faster and faster until he broke into a run.

In the noodle shop, Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, and Treasure Monkey looked at each other, Jiao Tu loosely held two fingers as if holding a wine cup, gesturing twice in the air: "Have a couple of drinks?"

Treasure Monkey watched as Chen Ji's figure disappeared into the night, sneering: "Our colleagues in the Spy Department aren't close enough to sit down for a drink together. It's good enough I haven't killed you all. I suggest you come with me to guard outside the Zhang Mansion, or I'll twist your heads off."

...

...

On a snowy night, there were no pedestrians.

Chen Ji was running alone on the long street, the snow sludge crushed by carriages during the day had frozen into icy gravel at night, painfully poking the soles of his feet.

When he arrived at the main gate of the Zhang Mansion, the servant at the gate was standing under the mansion's lanterns, rubbing his hands and looking around.

Upon seeing Chen Ji, the servant's eyes lit up: "Son-in-law, you're finally back."

Chen Ji nodded and said nothing, stepping over the threshold and heading straight towards the West Garden.

The servant called out loudly behind him: "Son-in-law, where are you going? Lady is waiting for you in the main hall."

Chen Ji ignored him and continued towards the West Garden. Inside, Xiao Man was squatting idly under the eaves of the West Wing Room, chatting with the little monk. Wu Yun was sleeping soundly on top of Xiao Man's head, its body perfectly supported by her two hair buns.

Seeing Chen Ji enter, Xiao Man immediately stood up with Wu Yun on her head: "Young master, you're finally back..."

Chen Ji strode across the courtyard, lifting the curtain of the main house, and glanced around.

After confirming no one was there, he turned back to Xiao Man: "Where's Axia?"

Xiao Man pulled Wu Yun off her head and held it in her arms, matter-of-factly said: "Sister Axia is in the main hall, she's been waiting a long time for you."

Chen Ji asked again: "When did she come back, just now?"

Xiao Man paused: "No, Sister Axia came back at noon."

Chen Ji was also taken aback: "Came back at noon? Didn't she have plans to play polo with friends?"

Xiao Man nodded: "Sister Axia said the snow was too thick at the Heavenly Master Temple's field to play polo, she met her friends just to show up as promised, but they parted ways quickly. Her friend wanted her to go to a teahouse, but she was thinking about tailoring new clothes in the afternoon, so she didn't go."

Chen Ji bowed his head in silence, after a moment he asked again: "Where's Zhang Zheng?"

Xiao Man thought for a moment: "Sister Axia said he sneaked out last night with Uncle Xu Shu to have fun, only returned through the side door after noon and got scolded by Lady. He should... he should be in the East Garden sleeping soundly now?"

"Got it," Chen Ji then went towards the East Garden to search.

The gate of the East Garden was tightly closed, Chen Ji pushed it, but it was barred from the inside.

He looked around, then simply leapt over gently into the courtyard, striding to the main house and lifting the curtain.

Inside, a charcoal brazier was burning, the warmth mixed with the scent of alcohol, while moonlight filtered through the paper windows, the room dimly lit.

Chen Ji slowly approached the bed, then lifted the quilt, Xu Shu on the bed heard the noise, groggily sat up: "Who the hell are you… watch it, I might just send you to the Life Robbing Platform."

Chen Ji interrupted: "Uncle… where's Zhang Zheng?"

Xu Shu recognized him, lay back down in the bed, annoyed: "The little bastard was chased to the West Wing Room by me, the main house is mine now. Get lost, stop disturbing my sleep."

Chen Ji suddenly asked: "Uncle, where did you go last night?"

Xu Shu impatiently replied: "Naturally the Eight Great Hutongs, do you even need to know this? Scram, scram, scram!"

Chen Ji exited the house, and went to the West Wing Room, lifting the curtain to peer through a gap.

Inside, Zhang Zheng was sleeping soundly under his blanket, Chen Ji didn't disturb him, just quietly waited.

At this moment, Xiao Man came chasing with Wu Yun in her arms, standing outside the door curiously: "Eh, where's Young Master? Wasn't he at the East Garden just now."

Chen Ji thought for a moment, then turned to open the door: "I'm here."

Xiao Man was puzzled: "What did you go to the East Garden in such a hurry for?"

Chen Ji chuckled: "Nothing, I was overthinking it."

Xiao Man, one hand holding Wu Yun, the other tugging at his sleeve, led him towards the main hall: "Don't run around anymore, Lady clearly instructed that a tailor would come to measure for new clothes today, and here you are only now… Come on, Lady is getting angry."