Ji Xingzhi was slightly startled, then smiled, reached out and touched Su Fan's head as usual, and said with a smile: "Brother Xue, I believe you will definitely do what you say, but if you have any difficulties in the future, just come to the imperial capital to find Brother Xue, understand?"
Su Fan nodded seriously, knelt on the ground and imitated Liu Shi to kowtow to Ji Xingzhi, saying: "Su Fan bids farewell to Brother Xue."
Ji Xingzhi helped Su Fan stand up and said, "Be careful along the way, and remember not to trust others easily."
"Su Fan will definitely remember this." Su Fan nodded.
Ji Xingzhi nodded slightly, then turned to the two Five States Sect disciples standing beside him and said, "You two will be responsible for protecting them from now on. Once they settle down, it's up to you two to decide whether to leave, stay, or come back."
The two disciples were slightly stunned. Was he going to set them free?
The two disciples looked at each other, then just said "yes", and then protected the Liu family and Su Fan and set out on the road to the future.
Zhou Zheng stood beside Ji Xingzhi, watching the carriage gradually recede. He turned to look at Ji Xingzhi and frowned, saying, "Your Majesty, Wu Fang's injuries haven't healed yet, and matters within the sect haven't been dealt with yet. Just send Xiaotong to the southwest; she's familiar with the situation there. Let me stay with you until the secret guards return."
Normally, even if Wu Fang is not with Ji Xingzhi, there are ten hidden guards secretly protecting Ji Xingzhi's safety. Now, not only is Wu Fang injured, but all the hidden guards have been sent by Ji Xingzhi to help Hua Yihen. There is no one trustworthy to protect Ji Xingzhi.
Judging from the time, the secret guard should be on his way back to Lizhou now.
After hearing this, Ji Xingzhi touched her chin thoughtfully. Zhou Zheng was right. She didn't know if there were any accomplices of that faker in Shaohua Palace. In the eyes of everyone, Lizhou Emperor Ji Xingzhi was a lustful and incompetent ruler who had no martial arts skills. It was inconvenient for her to use force in the palace, so it was good to have Zhou Zheng by her side.
Ji Xingzhi nodded and changed the order to send Zhou Zheng and Xiaotong to the southwest to monitor Luo Ling. He nodded and said, "Okay, let's do as you say."
"yes."
——
After Ji Xingzhi and Zhou Zheng returned to the palace, Ji Xingzhi was about to go see Rumei, who had just been rescued from Shaosi Mansion last night, but he saw Ji Ruhua and her maid Xiaojuan who had been waiting in the main hall of Shaohua Palace.
"Ruhua pays respects to the emperor." When Ji Ruhua saw Ji Xingzhi coming back, she quickly stood up, slightly bent her waist towards Ji Xingzhi, and bowed her head.
Xiaojuan also followed behind and saluted.
Zhou Zheng stood beside Ji Xingzhi and bowed to Ji Ruhua, saying, "Greetings, Princess."
Ji Xingzhi helped Ji Ruhuaxu up and asked with a smile, "Why is my cousin here?"
Ji Ruzhao turned around with a normal expression and picked up a box from the table behind her. She handed it to Ji Xingzhi and said, "Birthday present."
Hearing this, Ji Xingzhi was slightly stunned. A birthday gift? Is today her birthday?! She actually forgot her birthday...
Putting his thoughts aside, Ji Xingzhi took the box from Ji Ruhua's hand and took a look. It was actually a mahogany box with intricate carvings and gold edging. There was a lock on the side, which was locked and could not be opened without a key.
"What is this?" Ji Xingzhi asked in confusion.
Ji Ruhua smiled slightly and said, "Today is the emperor's birthday, so he must be very busy. The key is hidden in the imperial garden. I want to invite the emperor to meet in the garden tomorrow night to see who can find the key first. Whoever finds the key will own the things inside."