Chapter 794

In the room, the others' breathing sounds rose and fell evenly.

Zhang Xiuer was like a little mouse that had stolen oil, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

She finally seemed to understand what the Emperor meant.

They had her secretly investigate Chen Wuji, find his weakness, plant agents, and carry out a countermove.

These are the Wise King's orders, not the Emperor's.

The Emperor's orders to her have always been just one.

Establish stable contact with Chen Wuji.

She isn't really a spy; she's basically just a liaison responsible for contact.

She needs to treat the Emperor's orders and the Wise King's orders separately.

"It makes sense now; everything finally makes sense." Zhang Xiuer excitedly clenched her fists.

She no longer needs to agonize over this.

She belongs to the Emperor, she deeply loves that man outside, and doing what the Emperor wants her to do is enough.

As for the Wise King's orders, just set them aside.

Having figured it all out, Zhang Xiuer excitedly rose, lifted her skirt with both hands, tiptoed out of the room, and ran to Chen Wuji's side, saying, "Brother Wuji, does His Majesty the Emperor have any orders for me?"

Her sudden appearance startled Chen Wuji, who blinked and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

It's already midnight.

Zhang Xiuer replied with an embarrassed smile, "I'm having trouble sleeping?"

"You're worried about this?" Chen Wuji pointed to the Emperor's secret letter in front of him.

"Hmm..."

Zhang Xiuer hesitated slightly, her cheeks quietly flushing, and she said in an extremely weak voice, "More or less."

Chen Wuji gave her a strange look, "What's wrong with that?"

Why are you blushing?

"The Emperor told me to tell you that the Purple Palace Office is not a monolith; there are other people planted inside. Have them removed as soon as possible." Chen Wuji said in a low voice, "The Emperor suspects those people were planted by the Wise King, but there's no solid evidence yet. You can investigate in that direction."

"Huh?" Zhang Xiuer's expression instantly turned strange.

Chen Wuji glanced sideways, "Don't be too surprised. Offices like the Purple Palace Office are exactly where other powers love to plant people. Be careful yourself; if you can't handle something, tell me. The Emperor gave me the list, and I think he wouldn't mind if I got involved in your Purple Palace Office affairs."

Actually, Chen Wuji had always wondered how someone with Zhang Xiuer's gentle, delicate nature could possibly head a spy office; her duties were utterly unlike her character.

But she did it, and she did it remarkably well.

On the contrary, Qin Zhanhong's fiery nature made her merely pretend to be an Imperial City Department; only now does she have a bit of substance, and her network hasn't yet fully spread across Nan Jun.

Zhang Xiuer quickly waved her hands, "Brother Wuji, you misunderstood—I'm not surprised."

"What is that?" Chen Wuji asked doubtfully.

"The Purple Palace Office already had the Wise King's people; I used to report to the Wise King sometimes." Zhang Xiuer said, "The Purple Palace Office was established by the Wise King himself. I'm probably one of the few who have had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, and only after his orders did I stop reporting to the Wise King and instead send the secret letters directly to the Emperor."

"But most of the subordinates think the Purple Palace Office is run by the Wise King, and they originally belonged to him. If we were to root out spies… we'd probably have to arrest ninety percent of them."

Chen Wuji remained silent for a long moment.

The Emperor really seems quite pitiful.

Even the Wise King has already directly confronted him, yet he still doubts there.

What on earth does this person usually do?

"I've delivered the message; as for how to report to the Emperor, you arrange it as you see fit." Chen Wuji shook his head helplessly, "I will also mention this to the Emperor; when the time comes, we'll see how he arranges it."

Combining all this information, he now also has a rough understanding of the Emperor's situation.

This guy is roughly a slightly strengthened version of Emperor Xian of Han.

He still retains some power in his hands; he is not a pure puppet, but is infinitely close to being one.

Zhang Xiuer's face fell, she pressed her legs together and cupped her cheeks with both hands, "Brother Wuji, this really is a bit difficult; I think I can only order them to abandon the Wise King's command, and from now on everything will follow the Emperor's edict, then slowly investigate who truly belongs to the Wise King."

Although the vast majority of people in the Purple Star Office acknowledge the Wise King, most clearly know that we are loyal to the Emperor; the Wise King is merely the commander of the Purple Star Office.

Chen Wuji nodded and said, "This plan is feasible, but be sure to watch your own safety."

"Got it, Brother Wuji, I will." Zhang Xiuer smiled sweetly.

After figuring out the internal and external connections, she suddenly felt a sense of boundless openness; facing Chen Wuji, she became forthright all at once, no longer as cautious as before.

Actually, Zhang Xiuer has always known that in this household, she is the most special one.

Here, everyone who speaks to her does so with caution; it's truly superficial talk.

But before, she truly had no other choice.

Even if she clearly knows those things in her heart, there is nothing she can do.

Now at last, the daughter-in-law has become the mother-in-law, and she sees a glimmer of hope.

"Go to sleep early." Chen Wuji said with a light laugh.

Zhang Xiuer lowered her gaze shyly, nodded slightly, "Then Brother Wuji, you should also go to sleep early."

Mm.

……

The next day, the weather was clear, but there were heavy clouds, as if a storm were silently brewing.

The sun had just risen from the east when dozens of riders hurriedly left Xishan Village.

They carried Chen Wuji's orders; the furthest would head for Qiang Land.

The nearest went to Hezhou City.

The Court is brewing a killing move, preparing to suppress him as a traitorous minister; Chen Wuji must respond in time, for example by mobilizing Tang Yu's Bīngmǎ into Qiang Land to come under Yang Pojun's command, accelerating the conquest of Qiang Land, abandoning previous harsh measures, and instead accepting Qiang captives to prepare for a conscript army.

Moreover, order Lu Halberd Unit to establish Daying in Chongyi State at the northwesternmost corner of Nan Jun, organize the surrounding forces, and carve a detailed map of the mountains and rivers.

Among these several troops, Hu Bu Gui's unit is the one that makes Chen Wuji most worried.

Hu Bu Gui has absolute foolish loyalty to the Court.

He even keeps these words constantly on his lips.

Once the Court's great army arrives, even Xu Zengyi would find it hard to predict what Hu Bu Gui might do; to prevent this, Chen Wuji orders Hu Bu Gui to settle Yu Ren within ten days, otherwise, he will lead his troops south to stir up trouble for the Shiva People.

This is Chen Wuji's first time making a military demand with an uncompromisingly firm attitude.

But in the war against the Court, Tang Yu's forces need to be on guard, yet Hu Bu Gui must be transferred far away.

Coincidentally, Chen Wuji has long taken a dislike to the Shiva People; first let Hu Bu Gui stir up a little trouble for them. Heading south from Qiang Land, one can bypass the remaining three commanderies and reach straight to the Shiva People's border.