"...Actually, my family is in the Southwest, and it's not an ordinary family..."

Starlight fell, and the night wind rustled through the leaves of the trees. In a room in the backyard of the Princess Manor, four feet were placed in a wooden basin filled with warm water, and a restrained voice rose along with the gentle movements of the toes.

"...My father, in fact, is..."

The two feet in the wooden basin, which were smaller and whiter, curled up. The room was quiet, and there wasn't too much panic.

The girl pursed her lips, her complex gaze assessing him.

"...My real name is actually Ning Ji."

The teeth biting her lip tightened even more, and Ning Ji was worried she would bite through it.

"...I...I originally...thought about it...but...I didn't think you were from the Ning family..."

"Heh, heh."

"...Then they...they...how could they let you out..."

"...Uh, I mentioned it earlier...to seek revenge..."

"..."

"...There's a woman named...Yu Xiao'er..."

"...Mm..."

"...I need to catch her..."

"..."

"...Kill her...then go back..."

The starlight filtering in from the window was hazy. Ning Ji stammered, speaking vaguely. The girl didn't ask any more questions. She gripped the edge of the bed with both hands, lowered her head, and looked at her calves. She was also silent for a while, her gaze filled with understanding peace, and also the complexity of uncertainty. The four feet in the basin were like fish, touching occasionally before separating again.

In the dimly lit room, only illuminated by starlight, a voice sounded after a long time.

"...Xiao Long, Xiao...um, Ning..."

"...Just call me Xiao Long..."

"...Mm, Xiao Long."

"...Mm."

"...Xiao Long, I...what should I do...what do I do..."

"...What?"

"...I...I'm going to the Southwest...Wen Shoubin, he...he told me to..."

"...Oh, that...they already knew..."

"..."

"...When they saved you, they had already investigated..."

"...I see..."

"...My father also knows, my brother and sister-in-law, they all know..."

"...Ah? They..."

"...Of course, they would report it, but that's none of your business. Wen Shoubin is the one doing bad things. You...later my sister-in-law went to see you, didn't you know?"

"...Ah..."

"...After my father knew, he asked my sister-in-law to handle your affairs. Later, my sister-in-law dumped the matter on me. My sister-in-law is called Min Chuyi. Don't worry, she said good things about you..."

"..."

"...My brother doesn't mind either..."

"..."

"...Besides, I don't plan to go back for now..."

...

Slender feet gently stepped on larger feet, then slid away after a moment. The starlight outside the window was like the night blinking.

...

"...Why?"

"...I said, I need to find that bitch with the surname Yu, then I can hold my head high when I go back...but I'll tell you about her later..."

"...Mm."

"...Besides, I finally got out, and I'm not invincible yet. If I go back like this, I'll be laughed to death, and I really won't be able to get out again..."

"...Why laugh at you..."

"...Isn't it obvious? If I don't wash away this reputation of a 'Five-Foot Lecher', I'll be talked about every day when I go back...In the Southwest, you have to be able to beat them to avoid being laughed at..."

"...But...you're from the Ning family, you'll still be laughed at..."

"...Haha, if my brother earned a reputation like that, I'd be the first to laugh in his face...At most, I'd privately inquire about what the truth is..."

"...Uh..."

"...People from the battlefield are different from outsiders. Nothing matters except life and death...Especially special forces and scout teams. If they know you've been humiliated like this, they'll laugh you to death if you don't die. As for my father, he probably wishes I'd suffer this kind of slander. Setbacks that don't kill you in the army always make you stronger...Hmph, it's my carelessness..."

War is the ultimate manifestation of human malice. The young man was also from the battlefield, and he used to be unconcerned about various jokes. That's why he thought Yan Yunzhi was an enemy and casually spread a rumor. Now that he thinks about it, it's a bit laughable. Of course, in his heart, this isn't a big deal. It just gave Hei Niu and others another excuse to laugh at him, and he can't beat them—mainly he can't beat them—that's the problem.

"...Anyway, I've already decided. I'm going to make a name for myself as the number one under heaven, or kill Lin Fatty, and then I'll go back. Hmph, if Hei Niu and the others laugh at me again, I'll punch them all down!"

"...Who is Hei Niu?"

"...Um, she's a bad woman...She's my senior sister who studied under my auntie together. She's despicable, shameless, cunning, and her heart is as black as her skin..."

Slender feet gently swayed in the basin of water, and the warm voice mixed with the starlight, rippling in the dust of the night. Cheng Zhouhai had assigned this courtyard behind the Princess Manor to the two of them and had also arranged their rooms. But after soaking his feet in Qu Longjun's room, Ning Ji didn't go back. They lay on the large bed by the window, chatting about many things. Ning Ji talked to Qu Longjun about his childhood life and past experiences, gradually smoothing out the other's uneasy thoughts. The two figures held hands, and under the cover of the starlight, they chatted drowsily...

Yue Yun, who was arranged in the next room, woke up in the middle of the night, climbed onto the wall to peek, and was stunned. When her sister came, she pointed at the other side and whispered, "They are adulterers and adulteresses! They are adulterers and adulteresses!"

Then she was kicked down by her sister, "They are obviously a young couple...What nonsense are you talking about."

...

Woof woof woof.

The night was already deep, approaching curfew. In the alleys on the south side of the city, the dogs were alerted by the figures returning one after another.

In the middle of the street was a martial arts hall, and the room on the second floor was not lit. Pu Xingui sat by the window, quietly watching the movements in the night. He supported the right side of his face with one hand, twitching occasionally.

The situation in recent days had made him anxious and inflamed, and his mouth was ulcerated. When he was alone, he couldn't help but show his expression.

Several figures successively entered the side door of the martial arts hall. After a while, someone came to knock on the door: "Hero Cao is here."

"Let him in."

Pu Xingui got up, lit the oil lamp, and drank some water. "Hero of the Four Seas" Cao Jinlong came in from the outside.

"Tomorrow, tell someone to kill that dog outside." Cao Jinlong hung up his hat on the side and said.

"The martial arts hall has been open here for more than a year or two, and all kinds of people come and go as usual. That dog is always barking. If we suddenly kill it, it seems to arouse suspicion." Pu Xingui smiled and spread his hands, letting the other party sit down. "How is the situation outside?"

"People are panicking." Cao Jinlong sat down, took a sip of tea, and then looked up at Pu Xingui. "The assassination in the morning was said to have almost killed Tie Tianying, but it's not clear whether it's true or false. The government isn't easy to deal with either. Chen Zhang and his group were caught. Little Blackie probably didn't expect this. In the afternoon, the government took action, moving against several brothers from the Dahe Gang and issuing a warrant for the Yu family in the north of the city. Obviously, someone confessed. Now I don't know how many more people will be implicated."

"That's a good thing." Pu Xingui sneered.

"I'm just afraid that the vine will lead back to us."

"Hmph, we..." Pu Xingui wanted to say that he and Little Blackie weren't on the same path, but he stopped halfway through. Then he waved his hand angrily, "...What is the attitude of the old gentlemen?"

"It's troublesome..." Cao Jinlong lowered his voice, paused slightly, and then said, "Before I came, the old gentlemen met. They...panicked, saying that the arrow is on the string, and it may have to be fired. Before I came, the Yuan family asked me to pass on a message, asking us...to cooperate with Little Blackie as much as possible."

With a bang, Pu Xingui slapped his hand on the table, "What are you saying!" His fingers trembled, shaking with anger: "I said it long ago, I said it long ago, Blackie does things without measure, and he'll drag everyone down sooner or later...Did I say that? Did I say that? Now he's afraid, saying such things? Besides the Yuan family, who else?"

"The other ones...also have this intention..."

Pu Xingui waved his hand, and the room fell silent for a moment.

In Fujian, the ones at the forefront of the rebellion against the court are Chen Shuangran, Pu Xingui, and Cao Jinlong, and behind them are naturally the figures of various large clans. The representatives of these large clans will not casually contact the underlings, and only Chen, Pu, and Cao are qualified to meet with them. Chen Shuangran's actions this time were radical and preemptive, gaining him fame. In the past few days, he had also made the bosses behind him extremely unhappy. Pu Xingui originally wanted to create a differentiated competition with the other party. Seeing the other party making bigger and bigger mistakes, he went to protect the innocent who were affected. But hiding behind naturally also has its price. As the situation gradually expanded, the bosses behind him had no choice and actually began to ask him to cooperate with Chen Shuangran.

Most importantly, in the past few days, Chen Shuangran had been making a lot of noise. When he went to win over some brothers on the road, he found that he couldn't persuade them. Chen Shuangran seemed to have a fiery temper, but at least he did things. You, Young Master Pu, are hiding behind and not making any moves. What's the difference whether we recognize you or not? Why do we have to be tied to you?

"No way!"

After a long silence, Pu Xingui waved his hand heavily.

Cao Jinlong waited and said, "Yan Lao means that at least for now, we can't take down Blackie's stage."

"She's fighting with the government, I wish her the best, what stage is there to take down...I just don't want her to drag everyone down in the end, I'm just watching over everyone." Pu Xingui said these words, frowned, and after a while, said, "Have you heard about what happened tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Huaiyun Ward." Pu Xingui raised his chin.

"Oh, that pair of brothers that you and Blackie both went to recruit..." In the dim light, Cao Jinlong's eyes flickered, looking at Pu Xingui, "They used artillery, everyone in the city could hear it, the old gentlemen also mentioned it...Heard they died?"

Pu Xingui frowned: "The old gentlemen are sure?"

"Not really, but after the artillery, one of them directly went to assassinate at the Princess Manor. This matter is making a lot of noise. The old gentlemen sent people to inquire, and the news they received seems to be that these brothers participated in the assassination of Tie Tianying. Blackie is fine, but they were exposed...I was in a hurry to come over, so I don't have any more news. What have you heard, Young Master Pu?"

"When that young man assassinated Tie Tianying, he also had a falling out with Blackie's side." Pu Xingui's gaze was gloomy, "I guess Blackie made the first move and told the government about them."

"Ah..." Cao Jinlong's eyes turned, "So...Blackie couldn't recruit them, what about you, Young Master Pu?"

Pu Xingui's face became even gloomier, and the corners of his mouth twitched painfully, "These two...were highly skilled in martial arts, but their personalities were unyielding and unwilling to be subordinate to others. It's a pity...I couldn't save them either..."

"...A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind...This is the Jianghu."

After exchanging the information brought from outside, Cao Jinlong put on his hat and went out, taking advantage of the last time he could move around, disappearing into the darkness of the street. The little yellow dog barked a few more times at the street corner.

Pu Xingui covered his inflamed cheeks and thought angrily for a long time. When drinking tea, he almost slammed the teacup on the ground, but when his arm was raised, he held back. He went out of the room, his gaze gloomy as he went downstairs. After walking a few steps, he met Qian Dingzhong and said, "Where is Yu Hezhang? Where is Meng Biao? I saw them come back, why didn't they report the news..."

Qian Dingzhong frowned, then shook his head: "Those who went out to inquire about the news from Huaiyun Ward have mostly returned. We have already looked for everyone we should have looked for. We still don't know whether those two young heroes are alive or dead...The contacts in the government have also been used up. The situation in the yamen is also very tense now. There is no news from the Princess Manor..."

Pu Xingui stood there, the corners of his mouth twitching again.

This was a connection that he had finally managed to establish, and Blackie had no idea about it. In the assassination during the day, the young man was said to have fallen out with both sides at the same time, seriously injuring Tie Tianying and killing Little Blackie's people, which also confirmed his high ability - when he heard this news, the other party had already become the most promising card in his hand.

Who knew that he would be bombarded in the blink of an eye.

Was it that he acted too slowly and failed to protect him from Little Blackie's revenge?

He stood there, silent for a long time.

Qian Dingzhong said, "...Should I call Yu Hezhang and the others up?"

Pu Xingui finally shook his head. He turned around and said, word by word, "Tomorrow morning, as soon as the curfew is lifted, inquire immediately!"

"Yes."

The night watchman struck the hour several times, and under the dark sky, the gates of Fuzhou closed for curfew, and the lights in the city dimmed somewhat. In front of the Princess Manor, the lively scene of people coming and going began to quiet down.

For Zhou Pei, this was also a particularly busy day.

After the chaos in Houguan County was suppressed in the morning, the Ministry of Justice arrested several core members of Chen Shuangran's forces and began interrogating them. In the afternoon, they began arresting people based on the initial intelligence obtained from the interrogation. Zhou Pei went to visit the injured Tie Tianying and then began to receive a steady stream of visitors.

Those who were inquiring about information, or those who had "returned from the wrong path," were now flocking to her side.

Regarding the situation in Fujian, the imperial court chose a strategy of both grace and severity. Among Jun Wu and Zhou Pei, Jun Wu played the role of an authoritative emperor. He had an aggressive attitude, led the reform of respecting the emperor and resisting barbarians, and had bad relations with the conservative ministers. He had also personally led troops to charge and wipe out the first few die-hard aristocratic families. In contrast, Princess Zhou Pei often played the role of a mediator. She maintained the relationship between the conservative and reformist factions, occasionally serving as a peacemaker and mediating. For some families whose children had accidentally participated in the rebellion, as long as they came to her, she would often intercede for them. Even in situations that were not too serious, she would directly pardon them. Over time, her place became a window for bestowing grace and a channel for seeking mercy.

Of course, few people knew that among this pair of siblings, Jun Wu was the one with a peaceful temperament who often treated people with kindness. Zhou Pei was more serious and harsh in her dealings with people. What was now being shown were only the roles they were playing.

From the banquet on June 1st, the emperor took the initiative to divide the many conspirators who had come to the capital this time. The arrest of the core members of Chen Shuangran's forces today proved that the court's continuous weakening and suppression had gained the upper hand. Some forces involved in this matter had regretted it and came to Zhou Pei to clear their relationship with some unnecessary people and explain misunderstandings. Some key figures provided more key clues. Zhou Pei analyzed the truthfulness of everyone's words, made promises to those who were worth winning over and could be pardoned, and tried to guide those who were too deeply involved as much as possible.

Having been in Fujian for nearly three years, the die-hard rebel families had been raided clean, and the remaining large clans had mostly become situations where you were in me and I was in you. Among them, some branches may have been dissatisfied with the court's reforms, and some clansmen had secretly supported the rebels - many of these people had even been gradually forced to stand against the court after Jun Wu's reforms.

Negotiating, showing goodwill, winning over, and dividing these people was actually a sign that the court's control over Fujian was extremely weak. But there was no other way. When Jun Wu chose to reform, this scene was destined to arrive. Everyone, including Zhou Pei, could only try to divide the opposing forces in batches, so that this huge group could never twist into a single rope, waiting for their own strength to be refined and able to complete a positive cycle.

Contacting and dealing with various people with different intentions required great mental effort. Zhou Pei tried to appear relaxed. Of course, the sound of artillery that rang out in the city not long after dinner still surprised the people who had come to the Princess Manor at this time. Soon after, the fighting spread to the Princess Manor, reaching the back of the residence. Only then did people know that an assassination had brazenly come towards the Princess.

The people waiting to be received outside were indignant. Some people privately began to inquire about the situation, while others spoke loudly on the surface, requesting the Princess to quickly take refuge. The two officials who were chatting with Zhou Pei inside also made the same suggestion, but Zhou Pei just smiled: "The bad guys can't sit still, which means we have the upper hand. A few minor things, why panic."

She looked calm and not flustered at all. After that, she also asked Zhao Xiaosong to take iced drinks outside for everyone to drink, and everyone then "understood" that the Princess had been prepared for what was happening and that it was very likely that she had arranged to wipe out these assassins.

Remembering the sound of artillery earlier, everyone admired the Princess's courage to use artillery in the city. They were either surprised or chilled, and several old men said privately: "Don't look at our Princess seeming delicate, she is actually a character who has fought her way out of the battlefield. It's not strange, not strange."

Fujian is located in a remote area and often has banditry, but it has never experienced large-scale battles. Whenever the court's battles with the Jurchens are mentioned, they are extremely bloody fantasies.

Because of the assassination attempt on the Princess Manor, many officials and wives came to visit soon after. Because the negotiations on this day were crucial, they had to be discussed separately in batches. Zhou Pei received them one after another until close to curfew. Her head had already started to ache. After seeing the guests off, she returned to the study, curled up on the soft couch and groaned for a moment. When Zhao Xiaosong came in to sort out the documents, she勉力 tried to return to her normal expression.

"...What's going on in the backyard?"

"It was Lord Cheng and Zuo Wenxuan who led the matter. He didn't say it in detail, and this servant didn't dare to inquire." Zhao Xiaosong said, "I only know that they封锁封锁 several courtyards in the back, and Yinping and the Yue Yun siblings have also been called over. The Secret Investigation Division's Lord Fang has brought people to the outside of the residence and has mixed them with our people here. From what this servant can see, it seems like they are deliberately making a show."

Zhou Pei rubbed her forehead: "Mr. Cheng and Zuo Wenxuan...where are they?"

"They went to the Ministry of Justice an hour ago. Oh, when this servant asked, Lord Cheng said that there was no need to worry about the assassin, he would explain it later. The young master from the Zuo family also said the same. This matter is a bit strange, Your Highness, do you want to call Lord Fang over to ask?"

Zhou Pei shook her head and waved her hand.

The Secret Investigation Division now belongs to the Princess Manor and is managed by Cheng Zhouhai. Fang Jinghao, one of the deputy envoys below, is actually Zhou Pei's subordinate. Members of the Secret Investigation Division have come to mix with the guards of the Princess Manor. This is to monitor each other. The purpose is to block the circulation of unofficial news inside and outside the mansion and to prevent outsiders from spying. This is a process that Zhou Pei is familiar with, but she doesn't know what kind of trap Cheng Zhouhai has dug for the people outside - and he's teaming up with Zuo Wenxuan.

With the participation of the Yue siblings, she thought about it slightly and stopped caring.

"Go ask when you have time. There are still many things at hand. While I'm awake, let's sort things out here first...Call the teachers in."

While speaking, several of the Princess Manor's staff members had arrived outside and were waiting - when Zhou Pei received various people, these staff members were actually listening and recording in the back. They had already taken action on some relatively urgent information, and even the Imperial Guards had already sent out two groups. At this time, the reception had temporarily ended, and more information that needed to be chewed over entered a new round of discussion. After everyone entered, they sat down and began to discuss it one after another.

Zhou Pei gently rubbed her forehead. During the discussion, some people mentioned the events that had taken place in the back of the Princess Manor - this matter was causing a big stir in the city at this time. The gimmick of the shelling had attracted the attention of many people and would become a new topic of conversation tomorrow - Zhou Pei just waved her hand: "A few minor things, no need to care." She knew that Cheng Zhouhai and Zuo Wenxuan had dug a pit and were making a show. She didn't know the specific situation now, but she was just cooperating and pretended to know what was going on.

The meeting lasted through the entire 子时 (11 PM - 1 AM). Everyone in the study drank strong tea, and Zhou Pei drank two bowls of tea mixed with sugar water, but her headache didn't get any better. Outside the city, a messenger horse passed through the star-lit forest at night, heading straight for the dimly lit city gate. Soon after, a basket was lowered from the city gate and pulled the reporting figure onto the city gate. The light of the torches then moved towards the imperial city.

In the imperial city, Jun Wu, who was about to go to sleep, was awakened by the news that was brought, and he began to summon people to the palace to discuss matters. Not long after, Zhou Pei also received a message distributed from the imperial city in the Princess Manor.

-- On June 3rd, the Gongping Party's Xu Zhaonan and Shi Baofeng's army broke into Lin'an. Tie Yan was beheaded, and another massacre began in Lin'an City.

Zhou Pei held the message in her hand for a while, the corners of her eyes twitching, and her forehead started to hurt again.

"Everything is happening at once."