Jian Guozhi collected the map of the Wei Residence from Xue Yu-Yan's mother and returned to the Palace. He waited for Huo Jin to come to him. Huo Jin, as per his promise, arrived at the waiting room. He bowed before him.
"Sincere apologies if I made the First Prince wait for too long," he said humbly.
"I came here ten minutes ago. Have a seat," Jian Guozhi asserted. Huo Jin stood straight and stepped forward. He sat down on the floor chair.
Jian Guozhi forwarded the map to him. "It's the map of Wei Residence. Also, Xue told me that except for the bodyguard she did not converse with anyone. He was a loyal person to her, so he had not spread anything regarding their conversation to anyone," He informed Huo Jin.
"I understand. Did the Princess not get any more messages like the previous ones?" Huo Jin asked him. Jian Guozhi shook his head and refused.
"It's strange though. Whoever is doing this must have a hidden motive– either he wants money or he wants the downfall of the Princess. These are my general deductions," asserted Huo Jin.
"It's strange that he's breaking the security in the Palace. After so many incidents, the Security had tightened in the Palace," Huo Jin said skeptically.
"Your Highness, I know I am not in a position to give any opinion to you, but still I think that we shall tell the Emperor. As his loyal servant, the Emperor must know about it. Also, the Emperor is not the type of person to punish those for his personal grudges," Huo Jin stated.
"But Xue handed the Palace map to an enemy. So, Brother Sheng might punish her. Also, I don't want to stress him over this," Jian Guozhi replied.
"It's about the security of the royal family, Your Highness. The Generals might find the person quicker than me. What if it is someone from the Palace? His Highness shall once again think," Huo Jin suggested to the First Prince.
Jian Guozhi contemplated for a while. "Fine. Then, I will talk to Brother Sheng regarding this. Whatever it will be, I will deliver the same to you," Jian Guozhi acknowledged the opinion of Huo Jin.
"I will accompany His Highness. Maybe, His Majesty orders me to do what you have told me," Huo Jin said.
Jian Guozhi agreed with him and the two went to the Northern Palace to meet the Emperor. Jian Guozhi asked Eunuch Xing-Fu if he could go inside the office chamber, where Sheng Li was.
"I need to deliver this message to His Majesty, Your Highness. Please wait," Xing-Fu said politely and walked in. Sheng Li, who was looking at the new map of the Han Empire, stopped working.
"Your Majesty, the First Prince, and Huo Jin want to meet you." He kept his gaze low.
"Send them in," Sheng Li said and put down the map. After a few seconds, both Jian Guozhi and Huo Jin came inside. Greeting the Emperor, they both took the seat.
Sheng Li was confused to see them together. It was an unusual sight for him.
"Your Majesty, there is something important that you must know," Jian Guozhi initiated the conversation. Sheng Li peered at him keenly and clasped his fingers together.
"What is it, First Brother?" Sheng Li asked him.
Jian Guozhi was first hesitant to tell, but then waste no more time on Sheng Li, he informed him about Xue Yu-Yan's mistake. He then immediately stood up and brought his hands forward. Joining them and lowering his head, he said, "Your Majesty, I beg you not to punish her. She did this when she was walking on the path of vengeance. I can take the punishment for it if His Majesty wants."
It was odd to Jian Guozhi's personality to take the punishment for someone else. It meant only one thing– he adored Xue Yu-Yan.
"Brother Jian, why don't you sit?" Sheng Li asked him. Jian Guozhi was perplexed to see Sheng Li this calm. He hummed and sat down again.
Sheng Li stood up from the throne and walked down the five stairs. His hands were behind his back. "I know about this. My spy had informed me two days ago. We have caught the person who was blackmailing your wife," Sheng Li asserted.
Huo Jin recalled how he met Sheng Li at the entrance of military barracks the previous day.
Jian Guozhi was stunned to hear that. "Then, why did Brother Sheng not inform me?" He asked and furrowed his brows together.
"I did not consider it important. I am well aware of the clumsiness of Xue. Also, Lili told me to leave it," Sheng Li answered. Jian Guozhi was astonished to hear that. Xue Yu-Yan and he had the fear that the Emperor would punish her.
"I am sad that Brother Jian thought I would punish his wife. It was the chief reason, he did not come to me. Am I right?" Sheng Li inquired from him.
"Forgive me, Brother Sheng. We had a conversation on Xue earlier, so I thought that you would get angry," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
"Huo Jin, give us some privacy," Sheng Li ordered him, who instantly stood up, bowed before him, and left the chamber.
"Brother Jian, I don't like Xue for many reasons. Shall I tell you? Hopefully, you will not be upset," asserted Sheng Li, gazing into his eyes.
"I won't get upset," Jian Guozhi replied. "Brother Sheng can tell me," he urged.
"Leave it, Brother Jian," Sheng Li stated.
Jian Guozhi did not force him to tell.
"Who's the culprit behind all this?" Jian Guozhi questioned him.
"Her servant, Ziyi. She wanted to extort money from your wife. Also, she wanted to get freedom. She was sick of the life of being a servant," he revealed. Jian Guozhi had questioned her but she came clean in front of him. Also, why did he not get suspicious of her when she left the palace that day only after making an excuse.
"The mistake in the past which Xue did is not forgivable, though. Sharing the map of the Han outside is a crime," Sheng Li stated.
"I will accept the punishment in her place," Jian Guozhi said.
"That is up to me, Brother Jian," Sheng Li answered. "Initially, I did not want to punish her, but now I think I should.. She needs to be disciplined," he proclaimed.