Besides lying down, I also know a little about power struggles

Chapter 147 What He Promised Her
In the Prince's Mansion, Fang Tong told Feng Yunxi and Qin Shiyue about his chance encounter with Hong Xiao on the street last night, except for the fact that he turned into a cat to visit the Prince's Mansion.

This was the result of her discussion with Feng Twelve last night. Transforming into a cat was her way of saving her life. Feng Twelve asked her to keep it secret, which she naturally wanted.

After listening to this, Feng Yunxi pondered for a moment and said to Feng Twelve, "A few days ago, I sent people to Linshui County. When they arrived there, they learned that the Furong Courtyard had been sold to someone else."

"Run away?" Feng Twelve raised his eyebrows.

Feng Yunxi nodded.

Feng Twelve had already mentioned to him the origins of Hong Xiao and Qing Luan. After quelling the Rebellion of Prince Ping, Feng Yunxi set out to investigate Furong Courtyard in Linshui County, but when his people arrived, everyone in Furong Courtyard had been replaced by new people.

Feng Yunxi said, "According to the spies' report, when you left Linshui County and headed for Fuyao Mountain, the madam of Furongyuan claimed that she was not doing well in business and sold the brothel to someone else. More than half of the staff in the brothel were dismissed and their whereabouts are unknown."

Feng Twelve and Fang Tong looked at each other.

"Qingluan and Hongxiao left with Wuyueshanren. Qingluan is the leader of this group. Once she left, this group would definitely follow her secretly."

"You mean, they all came to the capital?" Feng Yunxi asked.

"It is very likely," Feng Twelve said, "Qingluan and the others betrayed Bai Niao Pavilion, and their actions are all related to the court. This group of people and their mastermind must have great ambitions."

"Based on the clues Miss Fang gave me, I have a few guesses about the official's identity." Feng Yunxi has been dealing with court officials for many years and is more familiar with them than Feng Twelve. "Above fifth rank, over forty years old, square face, slightly fat. These characteristics are very consistent among the three people."

"Which three people?" Feng Twelve asked.

"Minister of Works Zhuang Tingyuan, Deputy Minister of Dali Temple Liu Xian, and Minister of Rites Ji Xiu."

As soon as Feng Yunxi finished speaking, Fang Tong said, "Your Highness, in my opinion, this person should be Ji Xiu, the Minister of Rites."

As soon as these words came out, the three people present looked at her.

"Why?" Feng Twelve asked first.

Fang Tong smiled and said, "There is one thing I haven't had time to tell you. I saw a lively scene at Tianyi Pavilion this morning."

After saying this, she told the three people exactly how the Minister's wife came to cause trouble.

"According to the information given by the Minister's wife, Ji Xiu asked his servant to buy a gown with flower and bird patterns at Tianyixuan last night in order to attend a banquet at the restaurant. The Hundred Birds and Moon Skirt he ordered is probably a gift for Hongxiao." Fang Tong said, "I heard that dancers in the capital love the Hundred Birds and Moon Skirt the most. Hongxiao is good at dancing, so the skirt Ji Xiu ordered is just what she likes."

"That makes sense," Qin Shiyue said. "Although I'm not familiar with Ji Xiu, I've heard that he loves elegance and often hangs out in red-light districts and taverns, and he loves drinking and having fun with scholars."

"Does Ji Xiu have any outstanding qualities in his position?" Fang Tong asked.

Feng Yunxi said, "Ji Xiu has worked in the Ministry of Rites for many years. Because of his rich experience, he was promoted to the Minister of Rites last year. His ability to handle affairs is not outstanding, but he is proficient in writing. During celebrations and various ceremonies, he is responsible for writing all the prayers, which makes His Majesty very happy."

"Hong Xiao didn't come to him just to ask him to write a prayer." Qin Shiyue said.

"I have a bold guess about this." Fang Tong said.

Feng Yunxi looked at her and said, "Miss Fang, please speak."

"Your Majesty's birthday is coming up soon. The Ministry of Rites is in charge of all the grand ceremonies in the court. Are Hong Xiao and the others planning to cause trouble at the ceremony?"

Feng Yunxi shook her head: "The grand ceremony is heavily guarded, and all the deployments are personally supervised by His Majesty. Ji Xiu is only a minister of the Ministry of Rites, and it is impossible for him to place someone there."

"What other opportunities does he have to get close to His Majesty?" Fang Tong asked again.

Feng Yunxi said: "If Ji Xiu wants to see His Majesty, he can only do so in the Imperial Study Room, except for court meetings. Ji Xiu doesn't know martial arts, so he can't carry out an assassination attempt, and he doesn't have the courage to do so."

Fang Tong recalled carefully and nodded: "Yes, I saw Ji Xiu looked relaxed last night. If Hong Xiao wanted him to murder His Majesty, he would never have the mind to flirt with her." "Maybe he doesn't know the purpose of Hong Xiao and others." Feng Twelve interrupted.

Fang Tong's eyes lit up: "Yes, Hong Xiao approached him, not necessarily to ask him to personally harm His Majesty. Ji Xiu is likely just a stepping stone, and they will use him to use other means."

Feng Twelve hummed lightly and said to Feng Yunxi, "Fang Tong has already persuaded the Minister's wife to thoroughly investigate Ji Xiu's recent whereabouts. You can send someone to keep an eye on the Ji family. I think there will be gains."

Feng Yunxi smiled knowingly: "I have to thank Miss Fang for this matter. With the Minister's wife coming forward in person, we have saved ourselves a lot of trouble."

Fang Tong said modestly: "It was just a coincidence that we met."

"Although it's just a coincidence, it still takes intention." Qin Shiyue said with a smile, "Twelve, Miss Fang has helped us so much, you have to thank her."

Feng Twelve turned his gaze to Feng Yunxi: "The Crown Prince's Mansion can't offer a thank-you gift?"

Feng Yunxi was startled, then laughed: "I was wondering why you brought so many gifts today, it turns out you wanted to get something better in return."

He raised his hand and clapped twice, and the steward guarding outside the door came in.

Feng Yunxi said: "Bring me the gift for Miss Fang."

The chief steward responded and ordered someone to deliver a wooden box.

Feng Yunxi took the wooden box and handed it to Fang Tong personally: "Miss Fang, this is a gift for you. Please accept it."

Fang Tong was slightly surprised. When she and Feng Twelve came here, she had not heard that she would receive any gifts.

When Feng Twelve saw the square wooden box, his expression changed slightly and he nodded gently at her.

Fang Tong received his signal, then smiled and took the wooden box from Feng Yunxi.

"Open it and take a look." Feng Yunxi urged.

Seeing that the person giving the gift was more excited than himself, Fang Tong became even more curious.

She opened the box as she was told, and was stunned when she saw what was inside.

It was a thin booklet. There was nothing special about the booklet itself, but there were two words written on the cover: Household Registration.

Fang Tong reached out his hand and stroked it, then turned to look at Feng Twelve.

Feng Yunxi would not prepare this thing for her for no reason. He must have done this because of Feng Twelve.

Seeing this, Feng Yunxi smiled and said, "This is what Twelve asked me to prepare for Miss Fang. I wonder if Miss Fang is satisfied?"

Fang Tong pursed her lips slightly and straightened her expression: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Feng Yunxi waved her hand: "It's just a small favor. You don't have to thank me. Just thank Twelve."

He glanced at Feng Twelve and joked, "I didn't expect that the first time he asked someone for help, he would ask me for help."

Fang Tong smiled while holding the box, feeling his heart beating wildly, he couldn't tell whether it was because of excitement or something else.

In front of the Crown Prince and his wife, she didn't want to appear too out of control, otherwise she really wanted to give Feng Twelve a tight hug.

He did not break his promise to her.