Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

"No." Lin Feng shook his head. "A direct assault would be too drastic and could easily force them to destroy the evidence, or even turn around and bite us."

He looked at Bai Xiaohe: "Xiaohe, use all your informants to keep a close eye on them. Also, investigate the details of that retired inner guard instructor, which residences he is currently employed by, and who he associates with."

"Yes."

"Chen Heng, keep an eye on Zhou Wenyuan's residence, especially the house of his distant nephew. Don't alert him."

"Understood!" Chen Heng patted his chest.

"Also, is there any news from the North?" Lin Feng asked. This was what he was most concerned about.

"General Lei sent a secret letter this morning." Bai Xiaohe took out a wax-ball-shaped secret letter.

The letter stated that the defeated army from the northern desert had completely withdrawn 300 li from the border and joined up with the main force of the royal court, with no signs of further southward invasion. Lei Bao received a secret report from the border prefecture that traces of what appeared to be former subordinates of the Prince of Lin had been discovered in the border mountains near Longxi, seemingly scouting the terrain.

When Lin Feng returned to the Grand Commander's Mansion after leaving the secret liaison point, it was already afternoon.

As soon as he entered the mansion, the steward came up to him and whispered, "Master, Princess Pingyang has sent a lady-in-waiting who has been waiting for a long time. She says that Her Highness has important business to attend to and requests that you come to the palace."

Lin Feng rubbed his temples. He couldn't refuse the princess's summons any longer. He changed into clean everyday clothes and followed the female official into the palace.

Inside the Lan Yue Pavilion, Princess Pingyang dismissed her attendants, leaving only her trusted maid, Qiu Yue, to stand guard outside the door. She wasn't wearing her palace attire today, but only a simple, elegant moon-white casual dress. Her face showed obvious weariness and worry. Upon seeing Lin Feng enter, she immediately stood up.

"Grand Commander Lin, are you...are you alright?" She looked Lin Feng up and down, and only breathed a slight sigh of relief when she saw that he was indeed unharmed, but the worry in her eyes did not lessen. "What happened last night, I heard, is truly...horrifying! Are you injured? Did the assassin leave any clues?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well." Lin Feng bowed. "Most of the assassins have been killed, and the rest have escaped. The Prefect of the Capital and the Court of Judicial Review are investigating them."

"It's good that you're alright..." Princess Pingyang said softly, gesturing for Lin Feng to sit down. She then sat down opposite him, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "I invited you here today for two reasons. First, I was worried about your safety, and second... there are some things I'd like to remind you of."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Do you know what's been going on in the palace after last night's assassination attempt?" A cold glint flashed in Princess Pingyang's beautiful eyes. "Some people have advised Father that you've been too ruthless in the Northern Frontier, making enemies everywhere. This assassination attempt was your own fault, and you can't blame anyone else. Some even say that you've become arrogant because of your achievements, acting arbitrarily in the Northern Frontier. Your high-profile return to the capital has brought this trouble upon you. It's a warning from Heaven, and they advise Father to... curb your behavior a bit."

Lin Feng sneered inwardly. Sure enough, it was the same old rhetoric; it had spread even throughout the palace. "The innocent are innocent, the guilty are guilty. My heart is as clear as the sun and moon. Your Majesty is wise and will make your judgment."

"Father naturally trusts you; otherwise, he wouldn't have defended you so fiercely in court," Princess Pingyang said.

"But public opinion can be deceiving. You are now in the eye of the storm, and your every move is being watched. Zhou Wenyuan's attack in court today was just the beginning. There are probably more people behind him."

She paused, lowering her voice even further: "I've heard that Zhou Wenyuan has been in close contact with people from my third brother's residence lately. Also, the Consort Liu, who has recently gained favor in the palace, is related to the Zhou family by marriage; her father is the Vice Minister of Revenue..."

Although not explicitly stated, the implication is quite clear: those opposing Lin Feng are likely a deeply entrenched interest group.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness." Lin Feng cupped his hands in thanks, his feelings towards the princess becoming more complex. She was deep within the palace, yet she knew all this and risked her life to tell him; this affection and trust were quite profound.

"What...do you plan to do?" Princess Pingyang looked at Lin Feng with concern in her eyes. "Do you need me...to speak on your behalf to Father Emperor?"

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated." Lin Feng shook his head. "This matter involves many aspects, and Your Highness should not get directly involved. I have my own way of dealing with it. The innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. As long as we find irrefutable evidence, all the rumors will fall apart on their own."

Princess Pingyang gave him a deep look. Seeing his firm gaze and composed expression, she knew he had his own plans, and felt slightly relieved, yet a strange sense of loss welled up within her. He seemed... not to need her protection.

"You...be careful in everything." That was all she said in the end. She took out a delicate little porcelain bottle from her sleeve. "This is a 'Heart-Clearing Pill' made in secret in the palace. It has the effect of calming the mind and removing miasma. Keep it with you just in case."

Lin Feng looked at the porcelain bottle, then at the princess before him, who was of noble birth but now revealed the tenderness of a young girl. He sighed inwardly and accepted the bottle with both hands, saying, "Thank you for the medicine, Your Highness. Please take good care of yourself in the capital."

As we left Lan Yue Pavilion, dusk was approaching. The setting sun bathed the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City in a golden-red hue, magnificent and splendid, yet also imbued with an air of endless solemnity and desolation.

The study in the Grand Governor's Mansion was brightly lit with candles.

"On guard." A gentle knock came from the study door, followed by Bai Xiaohe's voice.

"Enter."

Bai Xiaohe pushed open the door and entered: "We have news from Chen Heng's side. Zhou Mao, Zhou Wenyuan's distant nephew, secretly went to 'Zui Xian Ju' in the western city this afternoon. The second steward of Liu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue (father of Consort Liu), also went. The two left one after the other, not together. According to the shop assistants, Zhou Mao seemed to have given the second steward a small brocade box, but the contents are unknown. The fact that they chose 'Zui Xian Ju,' a place where they had dealings with Liu Mang of the Black Tiger Gang and Wang Huzi, a merchant from the north, at this sensitive time, makes it quite intriguing."

"How's the investigation going with that retired coach who plays inside the defense?"

"This man's surname is Hu, and his given name is Meng. Ten years ago, he was dismissed from the Inner Guard for drinking while on duty and causing a lapse in duty. After that, he served as a guard instructor in the residences of several noble families. Currently, he is registered in two residences at the same time. One is the villa of the late Duke Cheng'en (now managed by his illegitimate son, who has close ties with the Third Prince's residence), and the other is... the residence of the Earl of Yongchang in the south of the city. The eldest daughter of the Earl of Yongchang is the cousin of Consort Liu in the palace."

The web of clues seems to have tightened another link. Hu Meng, a retired internal security coach, has established contact with Consort Liu's family through the Yongchang Earl's residence. Consort Liu's family, in turn, has dealings with the Zhou family. Hu Meng may also be providing military or training support for certain "wet work" (i.e., illegal activities).

Next, Bai Xiaohe reported on some other investigation results.

Finally, a crucial point was discovered: Longsheng Trading Company! This connection almost links the Zhou family (Zhou Mao), the Third Prince (the steward), the Northern Business (the trading company), and the Black Tiger Gang (the transportation link)! That sum of money likely flowed through the "Longsheng Trading Company" as a front, to the Black Tiger Gang or its backers, to pay for "various expenses."

"Well done." Lin Feng nodded approvingly. Bai Xiaohe and Chen Heng were very efficient; they had uncovered so many connections in just one day.