On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the capital city was bustling with activity from early morning.

Xu Zhi got up early, ate breakfast, and took a food box full of food to the gate of the Ministry of War by carriage.

Xu Tao returned to her parents' home, and Xu Yao returned to the Yongning Marquis's residence. The two sisters made a promise to Xu Zhi that they would come back to keep her company that evening.

Xu Zhi's carriage remained in the same spot. After waiting for these past few days, Xu Zhi had gone from being anxious to being completely calm. After the carriage was parked, she took out a book, opened it, and slowly began to read.

The Ministry of War was the ministry furthest from the capital city among the six ministries, except for the Ministry of Works. It was located near the north gate of the city. The capital was known as a place where the east was rich and the west was noble, while the south was poor and the north was poor. There were indeed many dilapidated courtyards in this area.

Xu Zhi guarded this place every day, while Hong Gu and Shi Liu accompanied her in the carriage. Jia San and the others secretly protected her from the surrounding area. Although it was the main gate of the Ministry of War, who knew if there were any ill-intentioned people nearby?

Xu Zhi sat quietly in the carriage. Hearing the commotion outside, Hong Gu lifted the curtain and went out. Xu Zhi heard someone outside laughing frivolously and saying, "The moon rises above the willow branches, and lovers meet after dusk. Would you like to come and accompany your wife to see the lanterns at dusk, brother?"

Hong Gu scolded, "Where did this scoundrel come from? Get out of here!"

The man with the tattered skin laughed and joked with his companions, "See? The rumors were true. Even a servant can still be so charming, let alone the young lady in the carriage!"

Hong Gu was so angry that her eyebrows shot up, but before she could lash out, Xu Zhi's calm voice rang out: "Hong Gu, why bother arguing with a few ignorant scoundrels? We're not bothering anyone here, so just do your own thing."

Hong Gu gave a cold laugh to the few rascals who couldn't even stand up straight, then crouched down and got into the carriage.

Outside, several ruffians laughed and shouted unrestrainedly, "Young lady, we brothers have come here especially to celebrate the Lantern Festival with you. Please come out, young lady, so we can meet first. We'll take you to Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant, and then we'll enjoy the lanterns together tonight."

Xu Zhi was near the main gate of the Ministry of War. There were still a few soldiers on duty at the gate. When they saw the few rascals harassing Xu Zhi, they didn't move at all.

Shiliu was furious and wanted to fight, but Xu Zhi grabbed her, shook her head, and said, "Shiliu, it's better to avoid trouble. Let's just let it go."

Shi Liu sneered twice and said, "They are ignorant of their own limitations, and I don't know who instigated them to come here and seek their own death."

Xu Zhi heard a few cries of pain outside. She lifted the curtain above the window next to her and saw that the people who had been standing were now lying on the ground, each holding their legs, probably because they had injured them.

Soldiers came out of the Ministry of War and shouted, "Such a commotion in front of the Ministry of War! Bring them all in!"

The thugs were startled. Ignoring their leg injuries, they got up and limped away.

Xu Zhi frowned, wondering who had sent these people. They just didn't want her to stay here any longer.

As Xu Zhi was pondering this, a captain came out of the Ministry of War, walked straight to Xu Zhi's carriage, and cupped his hands, asking, "Is General Zheng's wife in the carriage?"

Xu Zhi quickly came out, got out of the car, curtsied, and replied, "Indeed, may I ask what brings this general here?"

The captain said, "Today is the Lantern Festival. According to the law, it is permissible to visit those imprisoned in the jail. Madam Zheng can go home first to prepare a few things, and then come over to bring General Zheng some food and cotton clothes."

Xu Zhi quickly replied, "We have brought enough food and clothing. Please lead the way, General. I will go visit my husband right away."

The captain paused for a moment after hearing Xu Zhi's words, then quickly turned around and led the way.

Xu Zhi carried a bundle containing undergarments and cotton-padded clothes, while Hong Gu and Shi Liu each carried a food box. They followed behind the captain, and the group entered the gate of the Ministry of War.

Although she had been waiting at the gate of the Ministry of War for nearly ten days, this was the first time Xu Zhi had ever entered the Ministry of War.

Xu Zhi had once visited the Ministry of Revenue where Xu Rao worked. The Ministry of Revenue was a large courtyard with several rows of buildings with covered corridors. Some of these buildings served as offices, while others were used to store various documents and archives. However, the Ministry of War had a magnificent gate. Inside, a screen wall stood directly opposite the gate. After turning around the gate, one would find a large martial arts training ground.

The captain led Xu Zhi along the corridor on one side of the training ground. A moon gate was opened in the wall of the corridor. Passing through the moon gate, there was a narrow passage. The passage was quite long, with towering blue stone brick walls on both sides.

It was very quiet all around. As people walked through the alley, they could only hear the echo of their footsteps. Xu Zhi's heart began to race.

At the very end of the alley, there were two closed doors. The captain stood in front of the doors, knocked a few times, and someone came to open them.

Upon seeing the captain, she saluted and stood by the door without saying a word. After the captain led Xu Zhi inside and closed the door, she remained silently standing by the door.

Inside the door was a courtyard. Xu Zhi looked around and saw a courtyard with three rooms and two side rooms. There were corridors on both sides. The captain led her up the corridor. Between the east side room and the main room, there was still a moon gate.

Passing through the moon gate, there was a rather large courtyard. The gate was tightly closed, and from the outside, one could see that the houses inside all had flat roofs, and lookout posts were set up around the perimeter. Each lookout post was guarded by soldiers. Xu Zhi knew that this was the Ministry of War's prison.

The prison was heavily guarded. Even the captain had to show his token to enter, and a special person checked it at the door. After the check was passed, everything Xu Zhi brought in was inspected one by one. The food items were tested with silver needles one by one before the captain was allowed to bring Xu Zhi and her party inside.

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