Xiao Moyan fixed his gaze on the bamboo forest in the distance, his expression as cold as the moon: "Bai Xiu, you don't have to go back to Sheng this time."

Bai Xiu was stunned when he heard this: "Palace Master, your strength has not yet fully recovered. It is better for me to go back with you."

"No need, there are more important things for you to do." Xiao Moyan looked back at Bai Xiu, the complex emotions in his eyes made Bai Xiu stunned.

Bai Xiu had never seen a palace master like this before. He seemed to be shrouded in a fog, hesitant and confused.

Palace Master, why do you have such a look in your eyes? Confusion, hesitation, and a hint of sadness, emotions that never appeared in those cold and indifferent pupils.

"What's more important than your safety?" Bai Xiu asked puzzledly.

What made the Palace Master look so distressed? He was eager to know the reason.

Xiao Moyan looked indifferent. He did not answer Bai Xiu's words, but just left.

Bai Xiu looked at Xiao Moyan's back with a serious expression. Then, his figure flashed and turned into a streak of white light across the sky.

At this time, Ji Xingzhi, who had already returned to the palace, had just walked to the gate of Shaohua Palace when Wu Fang came out to greet him.

Wu Fang looked serious, his brows furrowed as he inspected Ji Xingzhi from head to toe. He heaved a sigh of relief when he found no injuries. "Your Highness," he said.

He was originally going to find the emperor, but he met a secret guard on the way and turned back after listening to the secret guard's retelling.

Ji Xingzhi nodded slightly and walked into Shaohua Palace first, whispering as he walked, "Call back everyone in the palace. Have Nian and Zhou You go to Shuizhou to investigate the people around Shui Lianche, and also investigate Shui Lianqing. Zhou Zheng and Tong go to the southwest to find out what King Luo has been busy with lately."

Hearing this, Wu Fang said with some embarrassment, "Your Majesty, I have just received news that they have found the suspected lair of the men in black based on the clues they left behind, and are currently investigating. If we withdraw now, won't all our previous efforts be wasted?"

Ji Xingzhi couldn't help but frown slightly after hearing this, and touched his chin thoughtfully. After a moment's silence, he slowly said, "Leave some people to continue the investigation and make sure not to alert the enemy. The rest of you will all withdraw."

The Xia family members came to her imperial city. Considering that the situation on their side was still unclear, they had to retreat to the imperial capital first.

Although Wu Fang didn't quite agree with Ji Xingzhi's approach, he still nodded and said, "Yes."

"Wait for the people from the inner gate to come back and have them closely monitor the officials in the court. I suspect that someone in the court is colluding with the men in black." Ji Xingzhi said this as he walked into the bedroom.

Wu Fang was startled. After careful consideration, he found some suspicious points. "The emperor has a subordinate like this who has suddenly come to mind. With so many suspicious people in the imperial capital at once, it is impossible for the city guards not to report it. So, Commander Xue, who is responsible for the safety of the imperial city, is the most suspicious."

As soon as Ji Xingzhi and Wu Fang entered the bedroom, Rumei stepped forward, closed the door, and stood guard at the door.

Ji Xingzhi walked to the table and sat down, thinking of the details of Commander Xue that Wu Fang had mentioned.

Xue Huoqin, the adopted son of her treacherous father's father, is her uncle. According to her eldest eunuch, Xue Huoqin was left at the gate of Ji Mansion when she was still a baby, which was the Yongkang Palace at that time. Later, she was adopted as an adopted son by Yongkang Prince, her grandfather, and raised by him. Xue Huoqin's surname is also taken from her grandmother's surname.