Reporting

"Even if I'm entered into the imperial clan register, it would still be improper for a member of the imperial clan to associate rashly with military officers. Since you hold office, you should know your place. How could you speak of pledging allegiance to me?"

"That's enough. You may leave." Su Ziji cast him a sidelong glance and spoke coldly.

Pledging allegiance in a setting like this—did he take me for a fool?

If I showed even the slightest ambiguity and word got back, what would the emperor think of me? That I was reaching for military power before I'd even entered the clan register?

Su Ziji was certain this was a trap.

Even if the man really was a former retainer of the crown prince, he had to be an idiot, the kind who would drag his allies down to their deaths with him.

The mobile corps general wanted to say something else, but Su Ziji had already strode past him. Behind him, Zhang Sui ordered the personal guards to block the man when he tried to follow. His cold glare kept the general from approaching.

"My lord, that man has left." Zhang Sui caught up and said quietly to Su Ziji, "Should we have someone watch him?"

Zhang Sui was no fool, either. He had sensed something wrong immediately.

"No need." Su Ziji shook his head. "He's just bait someone tossed our way. Following him won't turn up any leads."

"But he isn't entirely useless, either." Color slowly returned to Su Ziji's face. He looked at the somewhat bewildered Zhang Sui. "We won't return to our official boat. Let's go to Luo Pei."

They were already on the riverbank, and the two boats were not far apart. After a short walk, they reached the official boat. The soldiers