After Shang Xi went out and walked away at night.

Ji Fengyao had three maids fetch water for her to bathe and wash. Only after burying her rosy face in the water did she dare to shyly and silently scold, "You shameless master!"

Wuying and Wuhen were people who often followed Shang Xiye. If they did not accompany him, it would be too conspicuous. Therefore, when he left, he left Wuzhong and Wushang behind and put them under Ji Fengyao's command.

Wu Zhong and Wu Shang silently said, "..."

Since the master was taken by the princess to the Eastern Palace and the Chen family twice, it seems he has no intention of getting off this pirate ship.

If their master doesn't disembark, what else can they, as his subordinates, do but continue standing at the bow and bracing themselves on the waves?

With Wu Zhong's introduction, Ji Fengyao gained a general understanding of the power distribution at Hangu Pass.

If the northwestern border city is the gate protecting the Great Zhao from the thieves from its neighboring northwestern states, then Hangu Pass is the main gate of the Great Zhao in the northwest.

The major powers also attach great importance to controlling the "gateway," and they have quite a few pawns, both overt and covert.

Hearing Wu Zhong report a long list of personnel from various factions, Ji Fengyao was dumbfounded: princes, powerful ministers, almost half of the court had extended their reach to Hangu Pass, making Hangu Pass a huge sieve full of loopholes.

If Emperor Shang Xiche knew that his empire was about to be hollowed out and usurped by these people, would he still dare to be in such a hurry to kill Shang Xiye?

Ji Fengyao waved her hand dismissively and said, "Alright, I'm not a prince, and I don't care whether that incompetent emperor's empire is secure or not. I just want to know, among these people, who should we target so that everyone can benefit while those people suffer the most?"

Wu Zhong didn't think for long before naming four people: "The most powerful among them are Cao Yunheng, who is affiliated with the Crown Prince's faction and the Duke of Chen's mansion; and Ge Hongchang, who is affiliated with the Minister of Works and supports the Second Prince. Although these two do not hold important positions at Hangu Pass, all business dealings between the Crown Prince's people and the Second Prince's people in the Northwest must go through them."

Furthermore, the fur merchant Guddar was actually involved in the illegal salt trade, and the person behind him was most likely the fourth prince.

Tea merchant Liu Jingui was secretly reselling large quantities of rice and grain, and it has been confirmed that the person behind him is the Second Prince.

These people at Hangu Pass were all incredibly wealthy; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they lived like local tyrants.

"Alright, let's deal with these four today." Ji Fengyao then beckoned to the three maids and said, "Xique, Linshuang, and Bailu, you three go find some white cloth and writing materials."

"Alright, Miss!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The three girls all agreed and went.

Before long, they each brought a piece of white silk, and also carried two sets of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.

"Miss, what do you need these things for? To write a protest banner?" Magpie asked, her eyes shining.

“Even more powerful than that,” Ji Fengyao smiled mysteriously and said to Wu Shang and Wu Zhong, “Go and gather all the guards who went out with us tonight.”

"Yes, Your Highness," Wu Shang and Wu Zhong bowed and accepted the order, then turned to gather their men.

Ji Fengyao stood up with a smile, patted the several bolts of white silk, and gestured to the cloth, saying, "Xique is in charge of cutting the cloth to this size. Bailu and Linshuang, you are in charge of roughly sewing them into the shape of armbands. The stitches don't need to be too fine, just enough so they don't come undone overnight."

"Sew on white armbands?"

The three maids were stunned. Was the young lady and the princess trying to anger someone to death?