Originally, when the brigade of imperial guards left the palace, they would carry the sedan chair, and they also donned festive attire, serving as the ceremonial escort.

But since the Sixth Prince sent word to the imperial guards last night, telling them not to come, naturally, there would be no sedan chair.

Ji Chengjue stood with hands on his hips,

and said:

"My princess cannot be compromised."

As soon as he finished speaking,

the sound of drums and gongs echoed from the street outside the Prince’s Mansion, causing the guards to quickly become alert.

Soon,

a group of men and women dressed in festive red attire approached, led by a white-haired elder who appeared still robust, leading a white horse adorned with colorful edges.

In the group behind him, there was also a large sedan chair carried by thirty-two people.

Each corner of the sedan chair was inlaid with Eastern Pearls, and the cascading red silk curtains were trimmed with gold edges. Although there were specific requirements and restraints due to ceremonial restrictions, under the current conditions, it presented a stunningly luxurious appearance.

The white-haired elder reached the steps and directly knelt before Ji Chengjue:

"Ning’an Escort Agency’s helmsman, Ning Derong, pays respects to the young master!"

Ning’an Escort Agency, with its main base in Tuman City, is said to be an escort agency but is actually more of a caravan. They operate in the deserts and roads leading west; without sufficient confidence and skills, it’s impossible for them to undertake this trade.

Years ago, following the downfall of the Min Family, Ning’an Escort Agency was suppressed by Beifeng Liu Clan from Beifeng Prefecture, but even so, they managed to firmly grasp half of the market share. After the Marquis of North’s forces flattened Beifeng Liu Clan, the Escort Agency quickly reclaimed the lost market share and grew strong once more.

When Ji Chengjue and Zheng Fan met outside the Earl of North Border’s mansion, at that time, Ji Chengjue already had a force stationed in Beifeng Prefecture discovered by Siniang, originating from Ning’an Escort Agency.

"Uncle Ning, please rise."

Ji Chengjue personally stepped forward to help Ning Derong up.

Ning Derong looked at Ji Chengjue and smiled:

"Today the young master is to be wed, if the master and lady knew in the afterlife, they would surely be elated.

Young master, this sedan chair is modeled after the one the lady sat in when she married into the Royal Mansion."

Back then, Consort Min entered the Royal Mansion in the same sedan chair, while His Majesty was still only a prince.

Ji Chengjue looked at Chen Ziyou and said:

"Trouble Master Chen to oversee, accompany me in welcoming the bride."

With that said,

Ji Chengjue mounted his horse.

Chen Ziyou felt somewhat muddled, but still walked to the forefront of the procession to lead the way.

The sedan chair rose,

the sound of drums roared front and back.

Ji Chengjue could not help but glance towards the direction of the royal palace,

He was very curious,

very curious about his father,

If he saw this scene, this sedan chair,

what would he think?

...

"Ning’an Escort Agency."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Zhonghe replied.

"Haha, Liang Ting once wrote to me, asking if I wanted to eliminate Ning’an Escort Agency along with Beifeng Liu Clan."

"It is Your Majesty’s benevolence."

"No, Liang Ting would not ask such a superfluous question; his inquiry implies he does not want to eliminate them. You must know, when the old master of the Min Family originally established the Escort Agency, he gave four-tenths of shares to the Earl of North Border, aka Liang Ting’s father."

Wei Zhonghe was suddenly shocked; the Spy Bureau had never discovered this matter before.

Of course, blame should not be placed on the Spy Bureau for being ineffective, as the Earl of North Border’s mansion has been a forbidden area for the Spy Bureau. Without the current emperor’s explicit decree, Spy Bureau agents cannot conduct genuine investigations into the Earl’s mansion.

But who could have thought that the old master of the Min Family would partner with the Earl of North Border in business?

"Has my wet nurse’s son not reported for duty today?"

"In response to Your Majesty, Lok Bing has taken leave today."

Now it seems that this leave is clearly for organizing the wedding, for even if temporarily standing in for the bride’s family, many arrangements must be made, and Lok Bing and his wife would become elders of He Clan, being served tea by the Sixth Prince.

"Are you also unaware of why my wet nurse would support Cheng Jue in this matter?"

"Your Majesty, I truly do not know."

"Because Cheng Jue is likable; if he genuinely wants to please someone, it’s hard for them not to like him. Earlier this year, when I visited my wet nurse, she told me that through all these years, on every festival, as long as Cheng Jue was in the capital, he would visit her. If he wasn’t in the capital, gifts would never be missed.

Among my seven sons, only Cheng Jue does so."

"Your Majesty..."

Wei Zhonghe didn’t know how to respond; to claim the Sixth Prince is purely filial? That would be an absurdity. But can one say he is deeply scheming?

Yet,

The next remark from the Yan Emperor scared Wei Zhonghe so much that he immediately knelt down.

The Yan Emperor said:

"Just like the numerous high-ranking eunuchs of our palace, usually, they are paid respect with silver, yet willingly offer money and food to Cheng Jue, feeling delighted in their hearts.

Wei Zhonghe, do you like Cheng Jue?"

"Your Majesty, this servant is loyal to you without any lesser intentions!"

"Rise, it was just a casual remark; you, I trust."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wei Zhonghe slowly rose, with his back soaked in cold sweat.

As today, he confirmed that aside from the Spy Bureau, His Majesty indeed has another secret intelligence agency unknown even to him, Wei Zhonghe.