Having figured out the key to it, Ji Fengyao glanced at the departing imperial carriage and revealed a playful, flattering smile.

Trying to trip up the Ninth Prince by targeting their Vulture Stronghold? Heh, they've picked the right person.

If the emperor knew how outrageously protective her father and brother were of their own, he definitely wouldn't have granted this marriage, and he definitely wouldn't have even entertained such a thought.

Back at the Prince's Palace.

Madam Xi Ningshang, Madam Mi Jiang'er, and Madam Yu Ying, along with a group of maids and servants, were waiting at the door.

Shang Xiye didn't even glance at them. After greeting Ji Fengyao, he went straight to the Ink Studio to manage military affairs.

Ji Fengyao was also impatient with dealing with these people.

She handed them over to Consort Jin, and then returned to Hui Nuan Pavilion with the maids and servants from her own courtyard.

Upon reaching the courtyard of Hui Nuan Pavilion, Ji Fengyao paused for a moment when she saw the bright red sign that read "Consort Jia and dogs are not allowed to enter." She felt a pang of regret as she thought of Consort Jia, whom she had foolishly killed.

"The person is gone, remove it," Ji Fengyao instructed calmly.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the two maids from the outer courtyard replied.

As soon as the masters returned to the manor, everyone was busy moving things in and out. No one noticed that there was an inconspicuous maid who was almost forgotten, but was secretly burning with the fire of revenge.

Inside the ink studio.

After reading the secret report sent back by Wei Shu, Shang Xiye frowned slightly.

Wei Shu said that a group of mysterious people with extremely high martial arts skills and extremely strange martial arts styles have appeared in the Northwest.

They have already killed several of the Zhao generals who were defending the city, causing unrest among the soldiers in the border city.

Meanwhile, Xidan launched repeated attacks, and the war in the Northwest was unprecedentedly tense. Wei Shu asked Shang Xiye to find out the origins and background of that mysterious group as soon as possible, otherwise there might be a major change in the Northwest.

Shang Xiye ordered Wu Zhong to send people to urgently recall the heads of each route for a night meeting. He had dinner early in the evening at Hui Nuan Pavilion, and after finishing his acupuncture, he returned to Mo Zhai.

The maid who had been lingering near Hui Nuan Pavilion, having confirmed that Shang Xiye was not there tonight, silently grinned and slipped out of the mansion.

late at night.

Ji Fengyao struggled to fall asleep, clutching a thin blanket. In her half-awake state, she seemed to hear a faint sound like the chirping of insects.

In early autumn, the sounds of insects chirping and frogs croaking are still not uncommon.

Ji Fengyao didn't care, and neither did the guards.

A slender, tall figure slipped in from the direction of the secluded woodshed and joined up with the petite, masked maid.

The thin man handed the strange short flute and two packets of powder to the masked maid. His voice was cold and hard, like striking stone: "Those things have been lured into the shadows of the mansion. Sprinkle this powder in the windy spots. Once the guards fall, you can play the flute to lure them into the courtyard. Once they are inside, you must leave immediately. The residual powder in the air will drive them mad. They will not recognize anyone and may accidentally hurt you."

"I know, young master. You should leave first, lest someone discover you." The masked maid's eyes were bright, revealing her affection.

The tall, slender man's gaze fell tenderly on the girl's face, and he reached out to gently pinch her chin.

He gave a soft "hmm," turned around, a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips, and left resolutely.

The masked maid was captivated by the man's gentle gaze for a long time, until his figure completely disappeared into the night. Only then did she clutch the medicine powder and the strange flute, and skillfully sneak back to the vicinity of Hui Nuan Pavilion.

She did as instructed, sprinkling the powder in a drafty spot and continuing to lurk in a secluded, dark corner.