Holding Yang Muxi tightly in his arms, Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Not bad. Although you're a bit fierce, you still know how to protect your husband!"

"For those words, I'll forgive you for attacking me... I'm a man, I need to be broad-minded."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi's pretty face fell, and she glared at him askance with her beautiful eyes. "Jiang Chen, can you stop saying such spoilsport things?"

"I was just getting emotional, and now there's no atmosphere at all!"

"Besides, you asked for the beating. If you ever try to touch me again, I'll still hit you!"

Looking at Yang Muxi's raised eyebrows, Jiang Chen curled his lips. "Tsk, you little girl, when I have time, I'll definitely teach you what 'husband's authority' means."

Yang Muxi snorted coldly at this, raising her chin and saying, "Alright, this Dao Master is waiting. Let's see what you can do to me."

Her rebellious appearance made Jiang Chen rub his forehead, but he wasn't angry.

It was just a bit of fun between husband and wife; he had that much tolerance.

Pinching Yang Muxi's pretty face, Jiang Chen glanced out the window, noticing that the sky was gradually darkening. He put away his playful expression.

Seriously, he said, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. It's getting late. Let's finish talking about serious matters first."

"You need to keep an eye on that foreign Gu Master for me. The Imperial City isn't peaceful these days, and most of the dark guards have been sent out by me to other places. We're short on manpower."

"So, I'll have to trouble you to investigate the Gu Master's whereabouts."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi's expression also became serious, and she frowned. "Yes, I'll take this to heart."

"But that Gu Master's whereabouts are very secretive. He's roamed the martial world for so many years, and no one has been able to find his exact location. I only happened to learn about his entry into the capital by chance."

As she spoke, as if thinking of something, a light flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she said urgently, "Jiang Chen, I've heard people say that this foreign Gu Master likes to use young virgins to make medicine!"

"And the more beautiful and skilled they are, the more they attract him! Maybe we can use this to lure him out. I can..."

"Quickly get that thought out of your head!" Jiang Chen interrupted with a dark face.

"Am I supposed to use my own woman as bait? If I did that, would I still be a man?!"

"This foreign Gu Master is troublesome, but I have my own ways to deal with him. You just help me keep an eye on his whereabouts, and don't worry too much."

Having known Yang Muxi for so long, he was too clear about this girl's personality. Knowing that she had the idea of taking a risk herself, he felt a little stifled.

In this girl's eyes, was he, this emperor, so incompetent?

Feeling Jiang Chen's concern, a sweet feeling welled up in Yang Muxi's heart, but she still stubbornly said, "I know, aren't I just worried about you? Why are you so fierce!"

"Also, who's your woman? Watch your words!"

After speaking, she pried open the large hand around her waist, stood up, and asked again, "Are you sure you only need me to keep an eye on his whereabouts? This Gu Master is not easy to deal with!"

"Many experts in the martial world have died at his hands. It's really hard to capture him."

This questioning made Jiang Chen a little unhappy, but he also understood that Yang Muxi was only saying this out of concern, so he could only endure his anger and said, "I am the Son of Heaven. A mere Gu Master is nothing I can't handle."

"Letting you investigate his whereabouts is just because this person is good with poison. I don't want to waste the lives of my subordinates, so I'm preparing to set up a plan in advance. It's not because I'm afraid of him!"

Hearing this, Yang Muxi didn't say anything more. Although this guy didn't seem serious, he was very reliable at critical moments.

She immediately nodded and said, "Okay, then be careful and don't fall for his tricks."

"This Gu Master's poison is very potent, almost incurable. Even if you're the emperor, you may not be able to find a cure."

"So, before capturing him, you must act cautiously!"

Saying this, she pursed her red lips, "Otherwise, the people who care about you... will be very sad."

Her voice was as weak as the fallen leaves fluttering in the autumn wind. Even though Jiang Chen was so close, he almost didn't hear her clearly.

Looking at Yang Muxi's blushing face, his eyes softened. Just as he was about to say something, the figure in his sight disappeared first.

Jumping out of the window.

Only a faint fragrance remained, lingering between his nostrils, making him feel a little lost.

"This girl, she just slipped away before I could even finish talking..." Looking at the open window, Jiang Chen said to himself with a chuckle.

There would be plenty of time in the future. Sooner or later, he would win over Yang Muxi.

To make this woman, who aspired to roam the world, willingly stay by his side!

Tidying up his clothes, Jiang Chen walked down the閣樓.

He said solemnly to Xu Mu, who was guarding outside the door, "Pass on my decree. Have Meng Qi mobilize 50% of the City Garrison's elite troops to search the entire Imperial City."

"Whether it's inns, post houses, or ordinary people's residences, search them all for me! Anyone who is suspicious must be registered and reported!"

"Also, from now on, the entire city is under martial law."

"Anyone entering the city must have their household registration certificate and travel permit checked. Anyone missing either of these will be thrown into the Ministry of Justice's prison for interrogation."

"Yes!" Xu Mu responded in a deep voice.

Jiang Chen's expression and these strict orders made him sense the approaching storm!

Not daring to delay for even a moment, he hurried off to carry them out.

Leaving the small courtyard.

The group sped up and rushed back to the Imperial City.

Jiang Chen sat comfortably in the speeding carriage. He originally wanted to return to the palace directly, but when passing by the market, he remembered Jia Yao, whom he had forcibly dragged to the brothel before!

He immediately changed his mind and turned towards the Jia residence, preparing to pay a visit.

He was still a little curious about this cross-dressing woman, Jia Yao, who had made such a big name for herself among a group of talented men.

In addition, he also felt a little apologetic for forcing the young lady into the brothel last time, so he might as well take this opportunity to compensate her.

At this time, in the back residence of the Jia family.

Jia Yao'er was sitting at her desk, copying Lady Wei's *zanhua* calligraphy. Her straight back, coupled with her quiet profile, displayed an aura of arrogance befitting a noble lady.

This refined temperament, cultivated from poetry and books, combined with that beautiful and captivating face, was so dazzling that people couldn't take their eyes off her.

"Miss, Miss!"

"The gatekeeper said that a talented scholar named Jiang has come to visit, inviting you to go out for a chat."

Jiang?

Jia Yao'er's heart trembled, and her steady wrist shook slightly, adding a dark stroke to the originally smooth and flowing calligraphy.

But at this time, she had no time to care about these small things. She raised her head in panic and said anxiously, "Are you sure that the person who came to visit is named Jiang?!"

Although she had made many friends under the identity of Jia Yao, there was only one who was named Jiang... only that one!

Thinking of what happened in the brothel last time, a deep sense of unease appeared on Jia Yao'er's fair face.

Frowning, she muttered to herself, "Sigh... why is he suddenly looking for me!"

"However, he came to visit so politely, so he shouldn't have discovered that I'm a woman, right? I, I'd better go out and see."

Having made up her mind, Jia Yao'er got up and ran out, so anxious that she even forgot to change her clothes...