At the beginning of the morning, as dawn was breaking, a layer of gray mist enveloped the silent Duke's mansion.
Under the cover of the captain of the guards, Zhao Feng, Zheng Huiyin, along with Chunying, slipped out through the side gate once again.
Her grandfather and father had already gone to court, and her mother probably wished she could avoid seeing her at this moment.
The night watchwomen were replaced, and going out was actually easier than the night before.
It was still that same small carriage with green curtains. Chunying's brother lay down inside the carriage fully clothed and kept watch all night.
The carriage rumbled along the street toward the gate of the neighborhood.
Just as the carriage came to a stop at the agreed location, a figure as swift as a raccoon silently leaped onto the carriage shaft.
The carriage curtain was suddenly flung open, and Sui Mo unceremoniously squeezed into the already cramped carriage.
Zheng Huiyin's heart tightened as well.
This is the strength of the Azure Phoenix Guard; even the captain of the guards in the Duke's mansion is far inferior.
She tried her best to remain calm, but her slender fingers clenched quietly inside her sleeve.
"Lord Sui Mo."
Sui Mo crossed his arms and nodded in greeting, "His Highness has instructed that the matter should not be delayed. The preliminary examination will begin in two days, and the longer it is delayed, the greater the trouble will be."
“In that case,” Zheng Huiyin took a deep breath, “where should we go now?”
"Jingzhao Prefecture".
Whew… Zheng Huiyin breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
Just as Suimo said, the sky was gradually brightening and there were more and more pedestrians on the road.
Moreover, the destination was the prestigious Jingzhao Prefecture government office, so there shouldn't be any mistake. An agreement had been reached with the Sixth Princess.
As for why it was Jingzhao Prefecture, Zheng Huiyin's mind raced.
Once the preliminary examination registration list leaves the imperial desk, it must pass through the Phoenix Pavilion and be personally stamped by Prime Minister Pei.
Then it was sent to the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, and finally handed over to the Jingzhao Prefecture for posting a public notice.
If you want to cover up the omissions with the least cost and in the least conspicuous way, the best place to do it is undoubtedly the Jingzhao Prefecture in this final step.
The clerk made a mistake when handing over documents, or the scribe carelessly omitted a name when copying a list...
Zheng Huiyin quickly listed several excuses in her mind to shirk responsibility.
The key issue is that it's not difficult to find a minor official in the capital to take the blame, but it's difficult to get His Majesty to acknowledge this "oversight."
Without His Majesty's tacit approval or authorization, how many Prefects of the Capital Prefecture would dare to commit such a deceitful act?
So is this really just a warning to the Duke's mansion? A reprimand?
In any case, as long as she could retain her qualification to participate in the provincial examination, she would have a chance to catch her breath.
With her talent and learning, passing the imperial examination would not be difficult; once she had official rank...
Thinking of her grandfather's ruthlessness, her father's indifference, and her mother's avoidance of suspicion, a surge of anger at being betrayed coiled around her heart like a poisonous vine.
A cold glint flashed in Zheng Huiyin's eyes.
Once she entered officialdom, she was truly free to soar like a bird in the sky, able to gradually erode the Duke's mansion's connections and resources through her official position.
Even more daring, even dangerous, thoughts suddenly surged within him like wildfire:
Is it possible for a woman to inherit the title?
Given His Majesty's boldness and current supportive attitude towards female officials, it is not impossible!
Zheng Huiyin's heart suddenly started pounding wildly, thumping so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
She suddenly remembered the Third Princess's profound words at the literary gathering—"Another way of living."
Yes, another way of living!
Zheng Huiyin might become the first woman to inherit a title since the founding of the Great Gan Dynasty.
As the carriage moved forward, Zheng Huiyin's emotions surged like a turbulent sea.
She quietly clenched her fist, her nails digging into her flesh, causing a slight pain, but it was nothing compared to the burning and thrilling feeling brought by that wild ambition.
Before long, the carriage arrived at Jingzhao Prefecture.
Instead of stopping in front of the government office, they went straight to a quiet back alley.
Sui Mo jumped out of the carriage first, knocked on the door, and a yamen runner in black robes opened the door a crack, clearly having been instructed to wait there.
"Alright, Miss Zheng, come inside with me. The rest of you, wait at the front gate."
Zhao Feng immediately frowned and stepped forward, saying, "I am ordered to protect the young lady's safety and stay by her side at all times."
Sui Mo said calmly, "Do as you please, the money will not be refunded."
A few words, seemingly casual, yet conveying a clear attitude.
Zhao Feng hesitated.
He could roughly guess what the young lady was going to do, and dared not press her any further, fearing that things would go wrong. He watched the young lady and waited for her to make a decision.
Zheng Huiyin remained calm. After all, it was a government office, with many people and eyes watching, so her explanation was understandable.
The fact that this place was the capital city of Jingzhao gave her considerable confidence.
Just then, Chunying, who had been silent the whole way, stepped forward and bowed to Suimo.
"Sister Suimo, please be lenient."
Miss must be worried. May I accompany you inside?
This servant promises not to look or ask any questions without permission, and certainly not to interfere with Your Highness's affairs.
Sui Mo frowned, waved his hand impatiently, and said, "Fine, hurry up!"
After saying that, he stopped looking at them and turned to walk straight into the door.
"Miss!" Zhao Feng called out urgently, "Please tell us the approximate time so we can wait in peace."
Without turning his head, Sui Mo asked, "How much time do you think it will take before noon?"
Before he could finish speaking, he had already disappeared behind the door.
Zheng Huiyin gave Zhao Feng a reassuring look, then quickly followed with Chunying, the back door closing behind the three of them.
Helpless, Zhao Feng had no choice but to drive with Chunying to the vicinity of the main gate to find a place to settle down.
Upon entering the backyard of the Jingzhao Prefecture, the yamen runner leading the way was taciturn and walked very quickly.
After many twists and turns, they were finally led to a small house in a secluded corner.
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