Just as Xie Changshi was about to offer some advice, Gu Yuzhi chuckled and said, "I've eaten those awful rice cakes before. With hot soup and rice, what can't I overcome?"

He scratched his head and said, "I think it tastes pretty good."

Gu Yuzhi spoke cheerfully, and the two soon arrived at the backyard of the yamen. Guard Zhang, Jiang Kangming, and others were standing outside the dining room, talking about something with solemn expressions. When they saw Gu Yuzhi and Chief Secretary Xie, they hurriedly came to greet them.

"Your Highness, thank you, Chief Secretary."

Gu Yuzhi waved his hand and said, "Sit down quickly."

The guards only brought in the food once everyone had arrived.

Several simple round wooden tables were set up in the backyard, but there weren't many chairs. The soldiers stood around the tables, eating in a rather ravenous manner.

After everyone had finished eating, Guard Zhang continued, "Your Highness, Chief Secretary Xie, Gu Yufan's two advisors and their families have all been arrested. During the search, a large amount of stolen goods were also found in their residences."

Gu Yuzhi blinked and turned to look at Chief Secretary Xie, only to see Chief Secretary Xie with an expression that said, "I knew it."

Chief Secretary Xie slowly put down the teacup he was rinsing his mouth with: "Not only the residences of these two advisors, but also the residences of Gu Yufan's other advisors, especially the Ling residence headed by Chief Secretary Ling, as well as the residences of Gu Yufan's several concubines, and the residences of the prefect, garrison commander, and others, all need to be thoroughly investigated."

At this point, Xie Changshi looked at Gu Yuzhi and sighed softly: "Your Highness, I only glanced at the account books and other documents found in Gu Yufan's secret room, but the names of the people I mentioned and the things they embezzled are all in Gu Yufan's account books."

These advisors were Gu Yufan's confidants, and in Jiangnan, many people fawned over them.

These people, who have been aiding and abetting evil for so many years, must not be people with a conscience. In addition, since their masters are the same kind of people, they naturally accept any gifts that come their way.

As soon as Chief Secretary Xie finished speaking, Jiang Kangming also sighed softly, his brows furrowed, and a hint of melancholy appeared on his usually wooden expression: "The people of the families that Chief Secretary Xie mentioned have already been brought under control by our people."

These people seemed to know that the King Wen's men had entered Jiangzhou without a trace, so they did not organize their servants to resist at all.

Jiang Kangming continued, "Especially the people in Chief Secretary Ling's family, they were exceptionally cooperative. They not only proactively revealed the location of the secret room, but also handed over all the evidence that Chief Secretary Ling had kept over the years."

Gu Yuzhi blinked and turned to look at Chief Secretary Xie: "Chief Secretary Ling should be the person Gu Yufan trusts the most, and must have the most evidence against Gu Yufan."

He puffed out his cheeks: "But why?"

Although Prince Qi said that Chief Secretary Ling's death might be related to Gu Yufan, did the Ling family listen to Gu Yufan's advisors and believe that Chief Secretary Ling's death was related to Prince Qi, and even plot a murder?

How come the Ling family handed over Gu Yufan's entire scheme so quickly?

Chief Secretary Xie stroked his beard: "I think someone must have privately leaked information to the Ling family that Chief Secretary Ling was kicked to death by Gu Yufan."

Gu Yuzhi jumped to his feet, his face full of disbelief: "Kicked to death?"

As he spoke, he swung his leg and said, "Gu Yufan isn't someone with martial arts skills like Guard Qi or Mr. Huo. How could he possibly kick someone to death with one kick?"

His face turned pale suddenly. Could it be that Gu Yufan had kicked him a lot?

If that's the case, isn't that what Teacher Shu was talking about—abuse?

Gu Yuzhi clenched her small hands tightly, her eyes filled with resentment: "No matter what, Chief Secretary Ling is his confidant, how could he do this!"

Seeing his reaction, Xie Changshi guessed that he might have thought of something and nodded heavily: "I guess the Ling family also has this suspicion."

Furthermore, with the Emperor's decree on its way and His Highness having fully taken over Jiangzhou, it's not surprising that the Ling family would betray Gu Yufan without hesitation.

Chief Secretary Xie stroked his beard and frowned, saying, "However, Your Highness, as far as I know, Chief Secretary Ling's younger sister has gone on a campaign with Gu Yufan."

Ling Changshi's own sister?

Gu Yuzhi whispered, "Is she also a military officer? Is she good at fighting?"

When the topic of women being skilled in martial arts came up, Gu Yuzhi couldn't help but think of Guard Qi.

Before Xie Changshi and the others could answer, Gu Yuzhi muttered to himself, "Guard Qi was really hoping to marry a girl who knew martial arts. After this Jiangnan matter is over, I'll first sound out Prince Qi. If his family agrees, I'll bring it up with my brother."

Shopkeeper Wen said that the northern desert is barren, and since everyone feels that he is not so favored, it is estimated that no prominent family in the capital would want to marry their daughter to Prince Qi.

However, things would be much easier if it were the emperor who spoke up.

Gu Yuzhi was happily thinking about bringing a wife to Guard Qi when he got back, completely unaware that Chief Secretary Xie's eyes had changed.

That guard Qi is so outspoken; he tells His Highness everything!

What's with marrying a wife who knows martial arts? You won't be afraid of getting beaten up after you marry her!

As Xie Changshi was muttering to himself, he heard Guard Zhang say, "Your Highness, since you've spoken to the Emperor, could you also look for it for me?"

He scratched his head, a hint of foolishness showing on his usually shrewd face: "My background is not as good as Guard Qi's, so Your Majesty can just find me anyone. The most important thing is that they are willing to follow me to the northern desert."

Actually, after arriving in the northern desert, Guard Zhang and his men didn't find it to be particularly barren.

In addition, Xinliang is His Highness's fiefdom. Although Xinliang City is not yet fully built, they have been there and can see that Xinliang City is not bad.

Once Your Highness moves the headquarters of the Wen Clan Trading Company to Xinliang City, and commerce and agriculture develop, Xinliang will surely become the center of the northern desert.

But while they knew this, the young women waiting to be married didn't, which is why Guard Zhang emphasized that the most important thing was that they were willing to stay in the northern desert.

Chief Secretary Xie was already unhappy because Guard Qi had now become Vanguard Qi and stayed in the Northern Desert Army all year round, not coming out to cause trouble. The next moment, Guard Qi walked right into the line of fire.

He glared at him fiercely: "What's the point right now? Is it discussing your marriages?"

Most importantly, they were discussing it with His Highness, who was only eight years old!

They have no shame!

Chief Secretary Xie took a deep breath and turned to look at Gu Yuzhi, his anger subsiding: "Chief Secretary Ling's younger sister is not a military officer, but a concubine in Gu Yufan's household."

Gu Yuzhi looked puzzled: "Since she's a concubine, not a military general, why bring her along on campaign?"

It wasn't that he discriminated against women, but he felt that Gu Yufan's actions were simply inexplicable!

Chief Secretary Xie lowered his eyes for a moment: "I think it might be Chief Secretary Ling's sister who asked for an opportunity herself!"