Inside the carriage, a masked woman in a plain long dress was engrossed in reading a medical manual. Suddenly, someone stepped on the carriage's roof, bringing it to a halt. The woman frowned, cleared her throat, and uttered a cold, clear voice, "Zhou Zheng, what happened outside?" Zhou Zheng glanced at Su Yang and whispered, "A woman jumped from the upper floor, stepped on the carriage's roof, and alerted the secret guards." Ji Xingzhi hadn't employed anyone from the Imperial Guards except Zhou Zheng and Wu Fang. The Imperial Guards were founded by their treacherous father, and while they ostensibly obeyed her orders, they were secretly loyal to him. Even with the infusion of fresh blood, the training and instruction of the new recruits was still carried out by the same veterans. What good was a force disloyal to her? The Secret Guards were a group Ji Xingzhi had specially trained to protect her safety, apart from the Five States Gate. They were absolutely trustworthy, and all the forces, with the exception of Wu Fang and Zhou Zheng, knew her full identity. Of course, this doesn't include the fact that she's a woman. Zhou Zheng, Wu Fang, and Ji Xingzhi have been together for so long, they might have already noticed, but it's all tacitly understood. Ji Xingzhi doesn't care. Sooner or later, she'll openly present herself as a woman. It's absolutely impossible for her to be a man her whole life, to be the Emperor of Lizhou. Thinking of Zhou Zheng's reply, Ji Xingzhi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly. A woman who jumped from a building? The corners of her lips curled up in interest. Ji Xingzhi put down the book in her hand and reached out to lift the car curtain. However, just as the curtain opened a crack, Ji Xingzhi froze. Catching sight of the woman's face through the slit in the curtain, Ji Xingzhi felt a surge of joy, then frowned again. She lowered the curtain and whispered to Zhou Zheng, "Let her go. Business is more important." Zhou Zheng nodded without a second thought. The Emperor was right. Business was more important. "Yes." Zhou Zheng gestured to the guards, extending his hand and waving it twice from the inside out. The dozen or so guards departed as silently as they had arrived. Su Yang couldn't help but smack her in the face. While their internal energy wasn't as strong as hers, their martial arts were quite advanced. Unlike her, who possessed internal energy but could only wield a whip—perfect for brawling and bluffing, but not for serious action. Watching the receding carriage, Su Yang curled his lips. The occupant was actually a woman—remarkably discreet. Shrugging nonchalantly, Su Yang quickly made his escape. It would be no fun if Xu Chang caught him, and escaping would be incredibly difficult. Meanwhile, Ji Xingzhi sat in the carriage, having just read a few pages of a book when a thought suddenly struck her. She turned to Zhou Zheng, "Zhou Zheng, until the people from the Four Provinces leave, you should stay at the Du Family Courtyard." Zhou Zheng was stunned, "Sister, why?" There was nothing to do at the Du Family Courtyard right now. Nian and the others were still on their way back to the imperial capital, and the courtyard was empty besides the teacher and a group of children. When Zhou Zheng asked, Ji Xingzhi didn't hide anything, stating, "The woman just now is named Xue Yang. She's associated with Hua Yihen. If she runs into you in the palace someday, she might become suspicious." Zhou Zheng nodded in agreement. It looked like he'd be spending the next two months at the Du Family Courtyard. Suddenly, Zhou Zheng whispered, "Sister, why don't you send me to the Five Provinces Gate? I hear they're busy expanding, and I could help out." Ji Xingzhi touched her chin, nodding thoughtfully, "Okay."
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