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"Then we'll become prisoners together?" Zhu Bafu sat upright before the desk and took a deep breath. "Xiaojiu, I don't want to keep being the descendant of a disgraced minister. Once I pass the imperial exams, I'll help His Majesty overturn the case against those accused of forming a faction."

"You're insane! Father helped His Majesty and ended up dragging himself into prison! And now you're following his old path." Zhu Xiaojiu raised his hand and smacked Zhu Bafu on the forehead. Then he sat down, ready to be disciplined by this muddleheaded fool. "Besides, have you completely forgotten that you're a woman? Father was framed, but you entered court disguised as a man. The moment they strip off your clothes, the evidence will be conclusive!"

"They won't discover me."

"Don't think having a flat chest means you won't be found out!" He knew even better than Zhu Bafu how many bandages had already been replaced around his chest!

"If even I forget that I'm a woman, then it'll be fine." He lifted his perpetually lowered eyes and looked straight into Zhu Xiaojiu's. As long as he didn't see himself as a woman, then the difference between him and a man would be nothing more than a slight physical distinction. Long Ang, Longyang, and Nian Youyu could do things for His Majesty, and so could he. Even if he lacked strength, he could devise strategies behind the scenes, come up with underhanded schemes, and become a competent adviser.

Zhu Xiaojiu had never seen his elder sister wear such a solemn expression, just as he had never heard him cry so miserably a few days ago. He scratched his hair in frustration. Was it really necessary to stop being a woman for the sake of one lousy man? He had thought