Ji Youzhi said.
General Dugu chuckled, arms crossed, and said worriedly.
"Just now, I quietly went to investigate again. It seems MoâEr is taking action. I suspect there is some agreement between Xunyang and him. If three days pass and Xunyang doesnât come down the mountain as agreed, MoâEr will forcibly ascend the mountain."
Previously, when General Dugu was investigating, he encountered two patrol soldiers whose conversation revealed some information.
General Dugu could piece together most of it.
"What I fear is that while we are waiting for midnight, MoâEr might not be able to wait and rush up the mountain before midnight."
Upon hearing this, Ji Youzhi also furrowed his brows.
Turning back, he saw the National Master looking worried.
Clearly, he also realized that the situation at the foot of the mountain was not right!
"Divine Hunter Ji, General Dugu, I have some matters I wish to discuss with you two!"
Ji Youzhi and General Dugu knew what he wanted to say, so they followed him.
Meanwhile, at the Ji Mansion
Ji Youyuan finally awoke under the hopeful gaze of everyone.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw everyone staring at him intently!
"Finally awake, husband, how is Suisui doing?
Has she encountered any urgent matter?"
"Elder brother, what did Suisui seek you for?"
"Brother! Is Suisui alright?
When will she return?"
"Brother, where is Suisui? Quickly tell me, I want to find her right away!"
Huo XingâEr, Zhu Xiuxiu, Wang Dongxue, and others couldnât wait to ask Ji Youyuan.
Ji Youyuan rubbed his temples helplessly and said.
"Donât worry, Suisui is fine. They just have a small problem, but itâs nothing major; Suisui can mostly handle it."
Ji Youyuan sat up in bed, quickly bending over to put on his shoes.
"Didnât she say anything to you?"
The old lady of the Ji Family asked with a hint of doubt.
Ji Youyuan paused as he put on his shoes and looked up, "Itâs not Suisui who has a problem, itâs Great Han!"
"Great Han? Whatâs wrong?
Has something happened to His Majesty outside?"
The members of the Ji Family werenât fools; just listening to Ji Youyuanâs words, they could instantly grasp the gist of it.
"Itâs not that something happened to His Majesty, but there is unrest over at Nanjiang. His Majesty and Suisui are currently detained in Yunhang and canât come back for now.
Certain key sites in Great Han must be well-guarded; with His Majesty absent, everything depends on..."
Ji Youyuan didnât say the rest, but everyone understood that currently in the Imperial Court, the only person in the Ji Family capable of handling this matter was Ji Youze.
"Then you should go quickly! If thereâs anything we need to do, just say it. This Great Han was protected by your father with his life back then."
The old lady of the Ji Family hurriedly urged Ji Youyuan.
"Yes! Iâm going to the palace right away!"
Ji Youyuan prepared himself to enter the palace, with Huo XingâEr and Zhu Xiuxiu urgently asking, "Brother! Where is Suisui right now? I plan to find her!"
Ji Youyuan quickly responded, "Donât make any rash moves yet! Wait for me to return from the palace; there will be important matters for you to handle!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiuxiu and Huo XingâEr realized the gravity of the situation, quickly bid farewell to the old lady of the Ji Family, and rushed back to their rooms to pack!
Ji Youyuan entered the palace, and the Empress Dowager immediately summoned him. The Emperor didnât tell the truth in front of the Empress Dowager, only saying that His Majesty and Suisui were delayed in Yunhang County due to disaster relief efforts and asked the Empress Dowager to be patient. His Majesty would return soon.
Finally, the Empress Dowager felt relieved and let him go to see Ji Youze.
After Ji Youyuan left the main gate of the Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Xiaoâs expression became even more solemn.
"Madam! His Majesty is safe and sound, which is the best news. Why are you still so unhappy?"
Nanny Xiao saw the Empress Dowagerâs suddenly solemn face and couldnât help but ask in confusion.
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath and said, "All these years, have you ever seen any of Ji Familyâs other brothers voluntarily enter the palace to meet?"
Nanny Xiao was bewildered by these words and quickly turned to look at Empress Dowager Xiao, "What do you mean, Madam?"
"When the Emperor was in the palace, several decrees summoned Ji Youyuan but couldnât bring him in. Yet now, with His Majesty not in the palace, heâs come in voluntarily!"
"Madam! Indeed, the old General Ji was meritorious and overshadowed the lord in those days, but he has passed away.
Moreover, in recent years, the people of the Ji Family have been honest and straightforward. Except for the seventh young master who is constantly running at the Divine Hunterâs office for investigations, the eighth young master, though a study companion to His Majesty, only took the exams this year.
The Spring Festival next year hasnât even been held, and he hasnât yet taken office. The Ji Family hasnât reached the point where they can control court politics!"
The Imperial Family is most wary of military power falling into other hands, relatives dominating court affairs, and young emperors being manipulated by disloyal ministers... etc.
Nanny Xiao knew a bit about all this.
"What do you know?
Would I not see if the Ji Family harbors disloyal intentions?
All these years, the Ji Family has wished nothing more than to hide their whole family in those deep, secluded mountains.
If it werenât for my sonâs wisdom in issuing a series of Imperial decrees to summon Ji Youyuan to the capital to no avail, and turning to Ji Youzhi and Ji Youze instead, who knows if there would be anyone in this court to listen to the Emperor now!"
The Empress Dowagerâs words, Nanny Xiao could understand; a young emperor with cunning, old ministers eager to control power were waiting in anticipation.
Yet no one expected the astute young emperor to discreetly use two youngsters from the Ji Family to subtly control the court.
"Madam! Since you know this, why worry?
With His Majesty not in the palace, the eldest young master of the Ji Family shouldnât have any private agendas entering the palace, right?"
Nanny Xiao truly didnât know how to comfort the Empress Dowager further, nor could she think of deeper insights.
"He doesnât have personal agendas, but he has intentions to deceive!"
Nanny Xiao was shocked upon hearing this and exclaimed, "Empress Dowager!"