Chen Ji stood in front of the Zhongcui Palace gate, looking up at the Crown Prince on the stone steps, "I hope Your Highness will reconsider. Now the Jing Dynasty's envoy group is left with only Princess Liyang. If something happens to her, it might ruin the grand plan."

Princess Liyang glared at Chen Ji, surprised that even though the Ning Dynasty court had agreed, it was Chen Ji who disagreed.

The Crown Prince looked gently at Chen Ji, as if they held no past grievances, "Marquis of Wuxiang, you are too modest. The Princess is unaware that our dynasty hasn't granted a noble title to an outsider for decades. The reason you were granted a heredity title is not only due to your military achievements but because you have rescued me from dire situations in Guyuan multiple times, saving my life. With you here, I am assured."

Chen Ji ignored Princess Liyang's gaze and the Crown Prince's words, continuing to speak loudly, "Moreover, the capital is a crucial area and cannot allow Jing traitors to wander freely. If they map our capital's terrain, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Princess Liyang muttered, "You're the Jing traitor."

The Crown Prince spoke warmly, "Marquis of Wuxiang, now I represent His Majesty in the talks, and I shall make the decisions without hesitation."

Chen Ji paused for a moment, "I shall follow orders, Your Highness."

As he was about to leave Zhongcui Palace with Princess Liyang, the Crown Prince suddenly called out loudly behind them, "Rest assured, Princess. The Marquis of Wuxiang is one of our top military talents. Previously, with Lord Li Xuan in Guyuan, he took Yuan Zhen's head amidst thousands of troops and will ensure nothing happens to you."

Chen Ji felt a chill in his heart, exchanging a glance with Li Xuan.

The Crown Prince clearly knew that Yuan Zhen was Princess Liyang's uncle, pointing this out at such a moment.

Princess Liyang glanced at the Crown Prince, then at Chen Ji, and smiled, "Understood."

Walking on the palace path of Dongliu Palace, Chen Ji remained silent.

Princess Liyang suddenly laughed, "Mr. Chen, are you worried about me avenging Yuan Zhen?"

Chen Ji gave her a sideways glance.

Princess Liyang recalled, "Yuan Zhen was once my greatest reliance. Of course, I know how and where he died. You tested me outside Chongli Pass. I said I wouldn't avenge Yuan Zhen to survive, and the answer remains the same now. I cannot be held back by revenge from the past; I must keep moving forward."

Chen Ji calmly said, "It's good that the Princess thinks this way."

Princess Liyang smiled, "But you, Mr. Chen, even after saving the Crown Prince, are still resented by him."

Chen Ji showed no expression, "He's under house arrest in Zhongcui Palace because of me, and he won't let it go."

Princess Liyang chuckled, "Mr. Chen still has such abilities. I feel more and more that meeting you outside Chongli Pass was a blessing. Perhaps in the future, although separated by two dynasties, we'll support each other for great achievements."

Chen Ji changed the topic, subtly asking, "Where does the Princess want to visit? Do you want to connect with the people you placed in my dynasty?"

Princess Liyang walked through the shadow of the Imperial Palace Gate's archway, "How could I? Seeing them now would expose them immediately. I heard about the famous Eight Great Hutongs and the Qinhuai River of Jinling in the capital. I can't visit the Qinhuai River now, but since I'm here in the capital, I must see the Eight Great Hutongs and the Imperial Music Bureau."

Chen Ji muttered, "Just for that?"

Princess Liyang confidently said, "What else?"

Chen Ji said solemnly, "Does the Princess not know that acting so recklessly would endanger your life? Military Intelligence Department spies have countless eyes on you, waiting for the right opportunity to take your life. The Crown Prince allowed you to move freely to let Military Intelligence Department kill me."

Princess Liyang gradually stopped smiling, "Mr. Chen, I am surrounded by experts now, eager for them to come and die. This Military Intelligence Department is Lu Jin's foundation, and it must be eliminated. Although I'm afraid of death, I am not lacking the courage to be the bait."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment and then took a deep breath, asking, "Shall we go now?"

Princess Liyang smiled, "It's not possible now; I need to change my outfit first. Otherwise, I'd be a spectacle wherever I go."

...

...

Outside the Covered Building of the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion, the Yulin Army stood guard all around.

Chen Ji crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaning against the door frame with his eyes closed, resting.

He thought carefully, currently, the most likely ones to act against Yuan Cheng and Princess Liyang are Si Caogui and Si Caoding, along with the numerous Military Intelligence Department spies under them.

Nobody knows where the Spy Department hid Yuan Cheng, so their only option is to move against Princess Liyang instead.

Chen Ji aims to capture Si Caoding, but his plan is not for now.

He has to first deal with Si Caogui, the key person who knows his identity. If this person decides to retaliate against him or falls into the hands of the Spy Department and is interrogated by Meng Ji, his identity as a Military Intelligence Department spy would be exposed.

And none of the people around him have the certainty to eliminate Si Caogui.

Chen Ji felt as though he was standing on the edge of a cliff, with the mountain wind biting cold.

In the next moment, he opened his eyes and instructed Duobao, "Go to the Chen Family on Fu You Street and bring Xiao Man to me."

Duobao acknowledged and left. Although Chen Ji holds no official position in the Yulin Army, it seems like the Yulin Army has become his personal force.

In no time, Duobao brought Xiao Man to the Governor's Mansion gate. Chen Ji walked forward and whispered, "Where is the place in the capital where the lamp distributes and receives messages?"

Xiao Man's eyes darted, "Huh? I don't know."

Chen Ji intensified his tone, "It's urgent."

Xiao Man quickly replied, "At Bianyifang."

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, "You go to the lamp and say there's a matter concerning General Qing Wentao's exoneration to discuss, and have them send someone who can make decisions to find me."

Xiao Man turned around and ran off.

At this moment, footsteps sounded behind Chen Ji. He turned back to see Princess Liyang descending the stairs dressed as a man.

She wore a purple robe with a diagonal collar borrowed from Duobao, her hair tied atop her head like a man's, looking much tidier than before.

Princess Liyang said with a smile, "When I was in the Jing Dynasty, day and night I wished I were a man, so that my brother wouldn't have to suffer so much."

Chen Ji casually remarked, "Since Your Highness considers the struggle for the throne to be such suffering, why involve your brother in it?"

Princess Liyang whispered, "As a prince, there's no retreat, Lord Chen. In this world of myriad paths, this one is the only without retreat from birth... But let's not speak of these dispiriting matters. Take me to the Eight Great Hutongs."

Chen Ji led her to a carriage in front of the main gate, accompanied only by twelve plainclothes Yulin Army guards, with Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo riding alongside to protect them.

The carriage swayed as it headed toward the south of the city.

As the carriage moved, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu in the crowd began to follow from a distance, neither hastily nor slowly.

Chen Ji lifted the carriage curtain slightly, vigilantly observing the street for a figure wearing a bamboo hat.

Princess Liyang teased, "Why is Lord Chen so cautious?"

Chen Ji glanced at her sidelong, "You can't be too careful. Your Highness, what do you wish to see in the Eight Great Hutongs? Baishun Alley has mostly top-tier brothels, filled with dignitaries and nobility; Shanzhou Alley has mostly leaders from other locales; Rouge Alley has mostly small, exquisite teahouses; Han Jiatan mostly has young gentlemen, and there's the Hui Opera Theater..."

Princess Liyang brightened, "I want to see things I couldn't see in the Jing Dynasty."

"Understood."

The group arrived at the Eight Great Hutongs without any trouble, likely due to the many experts following them, preventing the Military Intelligence Department from making a move.

As dusk fell, the carriage entered a small alley. Chen Ji got off first, confirmed the safety, and then lifted the curtain, "You can get down now."

Princess Liyang curiously looked around, "Where is this..."

Chen Ji casually replied, "The Eight Great Hutongs, Meihua Ferry Crossing."

Princess Liyang disembarked, gazing at the cold plum and red plum buildings' red walls framed by lamplight, with melodious singing faintly echoing from paper windows. She couldn't help taking a deep breath, longing, "I've never before seen such sights in Shangjing."

Chen Ji cast a glance at her, "No brothels in Shangjing?"

Princess Liyang smiled, "Shangjing is solemn, not as grand and splendid as the Southern Dynasty."

Chen Ji walked to the back door, where the gatekeeper recognized him and whispered, "Landlord."

Princess Liyang was momentarily stunned, then suddenly intrigued, "Who would have thought that a righteous man like Lord Chen secretly owns such establishments? You truly can't judge a book by its cover. I wonder how the girls in your Meihua Ferry Crossing are, whether they excel in singing and dancing? Are there any songstresses who can sing 'The Story of Eastern Tomb'? I was mesmerized by the book 'The Story of Eastern Tomb' in Shangjing but regrettably, our dynasty forbids songstresses from singing Southern Dynasty songs. I've never been able to..."

Chen Ji led her toward Meirui Building and interrupted with a blank face, "I don't know if they excel in singing and dancing, but they are good at other things."

As he spoke, he pushed open the brightly lit door of Meirui Building. Accountant gentlemen inside lifted their heads, pausing their abacus calculations.

The salt market had just closed today, and the accountants were checking the accounts. Typically, no outsiders were allowed.

Princess Liyang hesitated, "Isn't this the Eight Great Hutongs?"

Chen Ji walked among the accountants, "It is, but there's plenty going on in the Eight Great Hutongs. Your Highness didn't say what exactly you wanted to do. You said earlier you wanted to see things you couldn't in the Jing Dynasty... Have you encountered this scene in the Jing Dynasty?"

Princess Liyang gazed at the array of salt tokens hanging on the wall, "No, I haven't."

Chen Ji guided Princess Liyang up to the second floor, where Brother Pao and Er Dao awaited, the table laden with a feast.

Just then, Xiao Man rushed upstairs and signaled to Chen Ji, "Master, the people have arrived."

Chen Ji whispered to Brother Pao, "Use your expertise in toasts from later generations and games on her; I just want her to stay put and stop causing trouble."

Brother Pao nodded, "I thought it was something important; this is no problem."

Chen Ji nodded and followed Xiao Man downstairs to meet the prominent guest, leaving Princess Liyang on the second floor.

Princess Liyang widened her eyes, "Lord Chen, how can you treat me this way?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "You said I'm your greatest support in the Ning Dynasty; therefore, it's better to follow my arrangements."

After Chen Ji left, Er Dao scratched his head, puzzled, looking at Brother Pao, "What's the landlord having us do?"

Brother Pao sighed, "The landlord's using us as male models."

Er Dao: "..."

Chen Ji exited Meirui Building with Xiao Man, walking toward the shadows behind the Covered Building. He saw an old figure standing with its back to him from afar. As the steps drew near, the figure turned around.

Chen Ji frowned, "Who are you?"

The old man, full of wrinkles, smiled, "Weren't you the one who called me here?"

Chen Ji was taken aback; beneath this unfamiliar, aged face was Aunt Ping's voice. Such a masterful disguise technique he had only seen once before with Manager Yuan in Luocheng City.