Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Chapter 261 The Long Night

Prime Minister's Mansion

Zheng Yuxiang sat upright behind the desk in his study, holding a book in his hand, his gaze focused. The candlelight in the study flickered, illuminating his slightly weathered face.

Zheng Luoqi gently pushed open the study door, walked steadily to her father, and bowed: "Father, did you call me?"

Zheng Yuxiang looked up at his daughter, his expression solemn: "Yes, come and sit down."

Zheng Luoqi sat down in the chair opposite Zheng Yuxiang as instructed.

Zheng Yuxiang put down the book in his hand and slowly said, "The matter of water conservancy in Qiangzhou will surely cause trouble again at tomorrow's court meeting. You saw Chen Tongyu's attitude today; he will not give up easily."

Zheng Luoqi nodded slightly, his tone steady: "I understand, Father. What do you wish to do?"

“Chen Tongyu is a cunning man. He will not let go of any opportunity to strike at our forces. He will definitely use this as an excuse to make a fuss at tomorrow’s court meeting,” Zheng Yuxiang said slowly.

Zheng Luoqi nodded in understanding.

"Tomorrow you just need to send someone to keep a close eye on the Emperor. As long as he doesn't act recklessly, no one can stop the water conservancy project in Qiangzhou!"

Zheng Luoqi stood up and bowed: "Father, rest assured, I will make the arrangements immediately."

Zheng Luoqi walked out of the study, through the corridor, and into a courtyard.

Several guards in black were already waiting there. Upon his arrival, they immediately knelt on one knee, clasped their hands in salute, and said, "My lord."

Zheng Luoqi raised her hand, gesturing for them to stand up: "Have you caught the mole on Consort Jiang's side?"

A guard bowed respectfully: "He's been captured, and is already in the dungeon, but..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that Lord He was accidentally injured while catching the mole!"

"Injured?" Zheng Luoqi was a little surprised. He Jinyu's martial arts skills were not low, so the person who could injure him must be a master.

Zheng Luoqi walked quickly towards the dungeon. As soon as she arrived, she saw He Jinyu, who had been waiting for her for a long time.

He Jinyu stood quietly in a corner of the dungeon, his left hand wrapped in a thick white cloth.

Zheng Luoqi stepped forward and carefully examined He Jinyu's injuries. There were some drug residues and bloodstains on the white cloth. These bloodstains mixed with the drugs and emitted a strong medicinal smell.

"My lord!" He Jinyu quickly bowed upon seeing Zheng Luoqi arrive.

"You're injured, why aren't you resting?" Zheng Luoqi waved her hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities, and said in a flat tone.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, sir!" He Jinyu had just finished speaking when he felt a wave of dizziness and his body swayed slightly.

He instinctively braced himself against the wall with his right hand, took a deep breath, and tried to steady himself.

Zheng Luoqi noticed this subtle movement, her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone carried a hint of concern: "It seems you're seriously injured. Go and rest first."

He Jinyu shook his head, his voice weak: "My lord, I am truly unharmed. That mole is exceptionally skilled; I suspect he is not an ordinary assassin, but may be acting under orders. I have already ordered the interrogation to be intensified."

Zheng Luoqi was silent for a moment, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "In that case, you should take better care of yourself. If you fall, who will look after these trivial matters for me?"

He Jinyu bowed his head and replied, "Yes, I understand."

Zheng Luoqi turned around and walked towards the depths of the dungeon, her footsteps echoing in the empty cell.

Zheng Luoqi stopped in front of a cell door. Inside, she could see a thin man huddled up with bruises on his face, clearly having been tortured.

Zheng Luoqi asked coldly, "Did you find out anything?"

He Jinyu followed behind and replied in a low voice, "He hasn't spoken yet, but judging from his moves, he seems to be a martial arts expert. I've already sent someone to investigate his background."

Zheng Luoqi nodded, her gaze still fixed on the man in the cell: "A江湖人士 (jianghu figure)? Interesting. It seems someone doesn't want us to live in peace."

If we can't get him to talk by tonight, let's send him on his way!

"Yes!" He Jinyu replied respectfully.

Zheng Luoqi turned around and strode out of the dungeon. It was already late at night outside. Zheng Luoqi stood in the center of the courtyard, where the flowers and trees around her swayed in the autumn wind and the fallen leaves drifted down with the wind.

He Jinyu followed behind Zheng Luoqi, his left hand wound throbbing slightly, but he did not show any discomfort, simply waiting quietly for Zheng Luoqi's instructions.

Zheng Luoqi suddenly spoke, his voice low and calm: "Go back and take good care of your injuries. I will handle this matter personally."

He Jinyu was slightly taken aback, then nodded respectfully: "Yes, sir."

Zheng Luoqi turned around, her gaze falling on He Jinyu's arm, her brows furrowing slightly: "It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. Don't push yourself. Find a doctor to take a good look at it, so it doesn't become a chronic condition."

He Jinyu lowered his head. "I understand, thank you for your concern, sir."

Zheng Luoqi nodded, then stepped forward and headed straight for the study.

Zheng Luoqi had barely stepped into the study and hadn't even settled in when Bo Yu knocked on the door and whispered, "My lord!"

"Enter!"

When Boyu learned that Zheng Luoqi had just returned from the dungeon, he guessed that Zheng Luoqi must still be awake. He originally planned to report the matter tomorrow, but then he remembered that Zheng Luoqi had said that any unusual behavior from the Empress should be reported immediately.

So when I received the news, I immediately came to report it.

Seeing this, Zheng Luoqi frowned slightly and asked, "Is something wrong in the palace?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress just went to the Emperor's bedchamber, but left shortly afterward."

"After leaving, it seems that the Empress's maid took something with her!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Luoqi couldn't help but think of tomorrow's court assembly and pressed for an answer: "Things? What things? Did you see them clearly?"

Boyu honestly replied, "It looks like a box."

As soon as Boyu finished speaking, Zheng Luoqi frowned. He stood up, walked to the window, and gently tapped the window frame with his fingers, as if he was thinking about something.

"A box? What kind of box? Did you see the size or style?" Zheng Luoqi asked.

"My lord, it was too far away to see its exact appearance. But judging from its shape and size, it was about the size of a palm."

Zheng Luoqi turned around and continued, "What was the Empress's expression like when she left?"

"Her Majesty the Empress remained calm and behaving normally, showing no signs of anything amiss."

Zheng Luoqi nodded, pondered for a moment, and then instructed, "Continue to monitor every move in the Empress's palace."

"Yes, sir. I will make the arrangements immediately," Boyu replied with a bow.

Zheng Luoqi waved his hand, signaling Boyu to leave. After Boyu left, Zheng Luoqi walked slowly to the desk, picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and quickly wrote a few lines. He folded the paper, put it in an envelope, and then gently tapped the table.

A guard in black immediately entered from outside the door and knelt on one knee: "What are your orders, sir?"

Zheng Luoqi handed him the envelope: "Quickly deliver this letter to the Crown Prince of Huainan."

"Yes, sir." The guard took the letter and quickly left the study.

Zheng Luoqi sat back down in her chair, pondering her next move. At that moment, the chirping of insects drifted in from outside the window, and the night breeze rustled through the treetops, bringing a touch of coolness.