“You need to leave Kyoto openly and legitimately. The reason must be compelling enough, but it can’t be too abrupt.” Black Owl pursed his lips and shook his head: “Such a reason is hard to find.”

"How about I go back and discuss this with my father to see if he has any good ideas?" Ji Fengming suggested.

Shang Xiye and Ji Fengyao nodded in agreement in unison.

After further discussion, the group decided that they could not relax their surveillance of the Nanli Prince's Mansion. If Wu Zhong died and the Ninth Prince's Mansion suddenly stopped making any moves, it would arouse the suspicion of the person in the palace.

Black Owl then returned to the vicinity of the Southern Prince's Mansion to continue his surveillance.

Ji Fengming returned to the Marquis of Anping's residence first to discuss with Ji Chenhai the matter of creating an opportunity for Shang Xiye to leave the capital.

For the next three days, Hei Xiao and Ji Fengming would go to the Empress Dowager's Cixi Palace almost every night, accompanied by the men in black from the Nanli Prince's Mansion.

Ji Fengming was puzzled:

Is there some important national matter that needs to be discussed so much that we have to meet every night?

Even if it was an old flame, the Empress Dowager was so old, she couldn't withstand the constant torment every night, could she?

The fourth prince is ruined, utterly ruined;

Forget about marrying a bandit, it's impossible for him to even marry a prostitute.

After worrying for several days, the Empress Dowager finally came up with a new idea:

Then, as a second-best option, let the second prince marry that bandit.

Although the Second Prince is very ambitious and has powerful relatives like Wen Jiyan backing him, he is not uncontrollable if he is truly determined to be restrained.

So that morning.

After the Empress Dowager finished her breakfast, she summoned the Second Prince, Shang Nanjue, to Cixi Palace.

Shang Nanjue was eight feet tall with a handsome face. Even excluding the Third Prince Shang Beiyu, he was still considered one of the most outstanding princes in terms of appearance and demeanor.

Having had little contact with the Empress Dowager since childhood, Shang Nanjue's relationship with her was not particularly close, but they never had any conflicts.

After paying his respects to the Empress Dowager in a proper manner, Shang Nanjue sat down below her with neither servility nor arrogance, and asked directly, "I wonder if Your Majesty has summoned your grandson here today for something important?"

"It's important in some ways, and not important in others," the Empress Dowager said, glancing at Shang Nanjue with a few indifferent glances. She was quite satisfied with his appearance and demeanor, and asked, "Is your current concubine your mother's cousin?"

"That's right," Shang Nanjue replied frankly. "If the Empress Dowager wishes to see Wanjing, I will bring her to the palace next time to pay her respects."

The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes and said in an even more indifferent tone, "It seems that you two have a very good relationship."

"Wanjing and her grandson have known each other since childhood. They are compatible in temperament and personality. She is the eldest daughter of the Wen family. As her name suggests, she is gentle, virtuous, and well-educated." Shang Nanjue's words unconsciously revealed his love and protection for Wen Wanjing.

The Empress Dowager was even more displeased upon hearing this, saying, "It is certainly nice to have a lovely person by your side to add fragrance to your life, but as a prince, you should prioritize the country and the world."

The Empress Dowager looked displeased, and Shang Nanjue was also in a very bad mood.

That old hag, she never seems to care about him much normally; yet she calls him over first thing in the morning to interfere in his marital life, she has such a big face!

However, due to his seniority and status, Shang Nanjue had no choice but to patiently and honestly reply, "Grandson, I understand."

"Since you understand, then your position as the principal wife should be filled," the Empress Dowager casually remarked, glancing at Shang Nanjue and awaiting his reaction.

The imperial city is only this big.

The affairs of the Fourth Prince were not exactly common knowledge, but they were not exactly a secret among the palace and high-ranking officials in the court.