The Foolish Agent

Chapter 61

"You..." Duanmu tried to interrupt, but Leng Jie stopped him by raising her hand.

"Let me finish. You two should know very well how large the Dark Bureau is. Now the Emperor has entrusted it to me. But I want to innovate and don't want to follow the old management model anymore. As a result, it will be quite difficult for me to complete the task alone. But I can't just ask anyone for help. So, after thinking it over, I think you two, brother and sister, are the most suitable candidates. Anyway, you are already part of the Dark Bureau. Consider this a promotion for you. In short, it's settled."

The brother and sister were completely stunned! Everyone knew that the Emperor had always personally managed the Dark Guard. It was already unbelievable that it had been handed over to her now. And she was so easily asking them to share the burden?

Seeing that they were stunned by her words, Leng Jie continued nonchalantly:

"As you all know, everyone in the martial arts world knows that I am the third leader of the Dragon Gate. And your identities are also public knowledge. Therefore, none of us can participate in the affairs of the Dark Division in our true forms. Furthermore, in order to maintain the mystery of the Dark Division, the three of us must contact them under the same identity. I thought about it for a long time before I came up with the idea of using the Silver Fox disguise. It can be male or female, righteous or evil."

After speaking, Leng Jie's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them a few times, and seeing that they still didn't react, she walked to the bedside, sat down, and spread her hands, saying:

"Okay, I've finished explaining. You can ask me any questions now."

After a long silence, Duanmu finally came to his senses. He walked up to Leng Jie, gazing into her eyes, and solemnly asked:

"Why do you trust us so much? Our curse has been lifted. Aren't you afraid we might have ambitions? And if the Emperor finds out about this, how will you explain it?"

"Hehe, you don't need to worry about that. First, since I can help you break the curse, I can certainly cast one too. And the curse I cast will definitely not be any lighter than the previous one. If you don't believe me, we can try. Second, even if I can't cast curses, I will believe that your Duanmu family are upright gentlemen who keep their word. Third, the Emperor won't know that Silver Fox is related to the Dark Guard. And people in the martial arts world also don't know what Silver Fox really is. Didn't I just say that no one except the three of us can know Silver Fox's true identity? Including the Emperor and your father." Leng Jie replied naturally.

"But, sister, do you really want me to wear that fox mask too?" Xingyue was still bothered by the mask.

Leng Jie reiterated her affirmation:

“If you had come yesterday, there might still have been room for negotiation. Now, it’s irreversible. I just met with the three leaders of the Qizhou secret service in this appearance. I’ve lifted their curse, but I didn’t tell them it was permanent. I told them it was only temporarily suppressed. If they have any disloyalty, it will be even more serious.”

Xingyue immediately pouted and blinked her big eyes, glaring unwillingly at the fox mask in Leng Jie's hand.

Seeing Xingyue's adorable expression, Leng Jie suppressed a laugh and said firmly, leaving no room for refusal:

"Once they've sorted out the accounts, the two of you will be responsible for investigating them. Since we're taking over, we need to be thorough and clear about everything. You must have a complete understanding of all the affairs of the secret service."

Duanmu Xingchen was once again awestruck by Leng Jie's imposing aura! No wonder the Emperor entrusted the Dark Guard to her. Based on what she had just said, she certainly had the ability to manage the Dark Guard well. But was she really just a sixteen-year-old girl? Xingchen felt he was learning more and more about her, and she seemed even more mysterious and unpredictable. However, he felt very lucky to have gained her trust. Therefore, he secretly vowed in his heart that he would never betray her trust. He then solemnly agreed:

"Don't worry, we will definitely make sure this silver fox looks good."

“Me too. Although I don’t like that look, no one knows that I, Miss Duanmu, am behind that mask anyway. So, I’ll just pretend to be a fox spirit!” Xingyue replied.

Their willingness to cooperate was far greater than Leng Jie had imagined. All the prepared explanations she'd prepared were wasted; they readily agreed. To be honest, auditing accounts was no easy task for her. Without hiring two free laborers, she could work herself to death and still not finish auditing the Dark Division's accounts!

Suppressing her joy, Leng Jie said seriously:

"Since you've agreed, then it's settled. From now on, all matters concerning the Dark Division will be handled under the name Silver Fox. That's all for this matter. Now, I have something else to tell you. I've already dealt with the person behind the Shangguan father and son."

"Who is it?" the brother and sister asked in surprise. So many of them had stayed in Jianzhou and hadn't found a single clue. But she, who had left, had been found. This couldn't help but astonish them!

"It's the former crown prince..."

Leng Jie recounted how the Crown Prince had tried to coerce and entice Prime Minister Leng into rebellion.

"The Crown Prince is still alive!" Xingchen exclaimed in surprise. "Has his whereabouts been traced?"

Leng Jie shook her head and replied:

"No. His power as the Crown Prince for so many years is certainly not to be underestimated. In addition, he has been secretly preparing for three years. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack for us to catch him before he makes a move. If he hadn't tried to win over Prime Minister Leng this time, we would never have found any clues about him. However, the only thing he didn't take into account was that although Prime Minister Leng has a grudge against the Emperor, he is not a person who covets power and wealth."

“Yes! Prime Minister Leng has always been a good prime minister praised by the people. I heard that his feud with the emperor originated entirely from the late emperor's edict. The emperor misunderstood that he forced his foolish daughter to marry him as empress.” Xingchen pointed out and agreed.

People say gossiping is a woman's nature, and it seems that's true everywhere. Upon hearing "silly," Xingyue immediately asked enthusiastically:

"Sister, since you know the Emperor, you must also know that foolish Empress, right? Is she pretty? Is she really that foolish? Would the Emperor like her?" Before Leng Jie could answer, she continued to mutter to herself, "Everyone says the Emperor dotes on Consort Shui. I don't think the Emperor would like her!"

Leng Jie and Xing Chen exchanged a smile, ignoring Xing Yue's question, and continued discussing the matter of tracking the Crown Prince.

Meanwhile, in the boudoir of the third young lady of the Leng family, an equally interesting drama was unfolding.

Just as night fell, Zi Ying, carrying the Crown Prince's documents and the Emperor's personal letter that Leng Jie desired, arrived at the Longmen branch in Qizhou, travel-worn. She learned, however, that no one had ever seen the Third Master. After some effort, she discovered that two people from headquarters had led a team to protect the Leng residence.

When Zi Ying rushed to the Leng residence, Leng Jie had just left. He found Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu to find out what had happened, and upon learning that Leng Jie had recognized Leng Xiang as her godfather, he was so shocked he almost cried out. He married the foolish older sister and fell in love with the clever younger sister. It seems the Emperor's connection with the Leng family is truly profound!

Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu had no idea where Leng Jie was. In order to deliver the Emperor's letter to her as soon as possible, Ying had no choice but to go into her boudoir to wait for her. Holding the Emperor's handwritten letter in his hand, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for the Emperor.

After crying, Madam Leng went back to her room and slept. When she woke up, it was already evening. She asked about Leng Jie's condition and learned that she hadn't left her room since crying that morning. She was very worried. Moreover, they still didn't know why she was crying so sadly. So, she personally cooked some snacks for Leng Jie, intending to comfort and console the little woman she had finally taken in.

Reaching the door, she found it ajar. The room was dark. Was the girl still grieving? A pang of sadness struck Madam Leng. Without knocking, she pushed open the door, carrying the pastries. She immediately saw a man in purple sitting at the table. Without thinking, Madam Leng threw the pastries like darts, simultaneously shouting sharply:

"Who goes there? How dare you break into my daughter's room at night?"

Purple Shadow swayed, reaching out to catch the plate containing the snacks. She quickly explained:

"Madam, please calm down! I am Xiaojie's friend."

"Hmph! What kind of friend is he, sitting in a young lady's boudoir in the middle of the night without a lamp?"

Madam Leng simply didn't believe it. She snorted coldly, raised her palm to strike at Ying, and simultaneously scanned the room, but couldn't find Xiao Jie anywhere. She then questioned her sharply:

"Tell me quickly, where did you hide my woman?"

Zi Ying never expected that Leng Xiang, such a frail scholar, would have such a troublesome wife. Unable to retaliate, he could only use his exceptional lightness skill to dodge and explain:

"Madam, you misunderstand. I haven't even met Xiaojie yet!"

"Then how did you get in? What urgent matter do you have with my Xiaojie that requires you to wait here in the middle of the night?" Madam Leng stopped her attack and questioned her coldly.

Finally, they stopped, and Zi Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Having traveled for two days and not eaten all day, he was starving. He could have jumped out the window the moment Madam Leng entered. But the aroma of the pastries she was carrying made him rooted to the spot, unable to take a single step. When Madam Leng threw the pastries at him like a hidden weapon, he naturally caught them with great delight.

He eagerly popped a piece of pastry into his mouth, answering as he ate:

“I was let in by Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu. I’m here to deliver a very important letter to Xiao Jie. This letter must be delivered to her personally, so Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu asked me to wait here for their young lady to return.”

At this moment, Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu had already arrived upon hearing the commotion.

Yuan Zheng was about to explain on behalf of the Second Sect Master when Madam Leng angrily shouted at them:

"Yuan Zheng! Yang Pu! How dare you! In the middle of the night, without Miss's permission, you dare to let a strange man into her boudoir! I think your Miss has been too good to you, hasn't she? So good that you've forgotten your place!"

Zi Ying took the opportunity to start dealing with the plate of pastries in her hand.

"Does the young lady treat them well? Why don't they feel that way? Not only are they being treated like servants on the spot, but they're also being scolded." Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu felt wronged in their hearts.

Seeing that the two of them remained silent, Madam Leng became even angrier. Just as she was about to unleash her fury, Prime Minister Leng and Yang Tian, who had arrived upon hearing the commotion, hurriedly asked:

Where is Xiaojie?

"Where's my little sister?"

All eyes turned to Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu.

Leng Xiang then asked, "You two are Leng Jie's personal guards, you wouldn't be unaware of her whereabouts, would you?"

Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu lowered their heads in shame and remained silent.

Having already finished all the snacks, Zi Ying, seeing Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu's disappointed expressions, unusually kindly helped them out of their predicament:

"Don't blame them. Knowing Xiaojie's personality, she won't tell anyone what she doesn't want others to know. Not even the Emperor himself would tell her, let alone the two of them."

"General Zi!" The Prime Minister seemed to only now notice the presence of Zi Ying, and exclaimed in surprise.

Zi Ying bowed politely to Leng Xiang and said:

"Greetings, Prime Minister! Ziying has come uninvited, please forgive my rudeness!" Then she bowed to Madam Leng and said with a smile, "Haha, Ziying should thank Madam for the snacks. They were delicious! No wonder our Xiaojie didn't want to leave the Leng residence."

The cold-faced man awkwardly returned the greeting:

"General Zi, you are too kind. I have failed in my hospitality; I am truly ashamed!"

Madam Leng asked rudely, "Weren't you delivering a letter to Xiao Jie? Where is the letter? I am Xiao Jie's mother, just give me the letter."

"Madam, you mustn't be rude to General Zi," the Prime Minister Leng immediately stopped her. Then, with a forced smile, he said to Zi Ying:

"This woman is ignorant; please forgive her, General Zi!"

Zi Ying replied nonchalantly, "Prime Minister, you're being too polite. Madam's personality is exactly like Xiao Jie's! If you didn't know better, you'd definitely think they were mother and daughter."

Upon hearing this, Madam Leng's hostility towards Zi Ying vanished instantly. She smiled and said, "I like what you say, General. As the saying goes, every guest is a guest, and since you've come from afar, you are naturally a distinguished guest. Please, General, move to the guest room first. When Xiao Jie returns, I'll have him see you."

When Leng Jie settled Duanmu and his sister back at the Leng residence, it was already the next morning. Since she had left through the window, she naturally wouldn't return through the main gate. However, when she entered her room through the window, she was nearly paralyzed with fear by what she saw inside. Every member of the Leng family stared at her, dumbfounded.

"Are you waiting for me to start a meeting?" Leng Jie asked awkwardly, barely managing to stand.

Madam Leng immediately stood up and embraced Leng Jie, asking with concern:

"Xiao Jie, you've been wronged! Tell your mother who that person is! Your mother will definitely get justice for you!"

"Uh!" Leng Jie looked at Madam Leng in astonishment, seeing only pity in her eyes. She glanced at the others, who were also looking at her with pity. Leng Jie asked, bewildered:

"Mother! What are you talking about? Who said I've been wronged?"

Madam Leng stroked Leng Jie's back and asked softly, "Then tell your mother, did you go to see someone last night?"

What does this have to do with her meeting people? Leng Jie nodded, puzzled.

Madam Leng asked again, "Was that person a man?"

How did they know? She was being followed and didn't even realize it? Leng Jie looked at them in astonishment. Then she nodded helplessly again.

A collective gasp filled the room. Then, Leng Jie sensed that their gazes, besides pity, held a hint of heartache. Leng Xiang and Yang Tian's faces were terribly grim.

Leng Jie was about to tell them to stop looking at her like that when Madam Leng suddenly hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face as she choked out:

"Don't worry, Xiaojie, you're my woman. I'll never let you suffer. Tell me who that man is? I'll definitely settle the score with him for you!"

Before Leng Jie could understand the meaning of the painting, with a "smash," Leng Xiang smashed the teacup in his hand to pieces. Yang Tian also stood up abruptly, roaring:

"Third sister! Who is that man! Tell me, and I'll cut him into a thousand pieces!"

Good heavens! Leng Jie seemed to understand a little bit! She chuckled and said, "Mom, Father, Brother! What are you thinking! I did go out to see a man, but not my lover."

"But why were you crying yesterday? You went out last night without telling Yuan Zheng and the others. And you stayed out all night." Madam Leng was still worried.

Just because she cried, they could make so many connections. Leng Jie couldn't help but admire their rich imaginations. Just as Leng Jie was about to explain that it was her job, Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu appeared at the door with Zi Ying.

"Brother Ying! What brings you here?" Leng Jie asked in surprise. "Has the Emperor received my second letter?"

Chapter Ninety-Six: Three Years Later

Time flies, years pass like an arrow, and time flows like water. This is a truth people learn from childhood. But those who truly understand its meaning are those who have weathered many storms, endured trials, and personally experienced the preciousness of time. Leng Jie, at this moment, has a firsthand understanding of racing against time.

In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth year of Jingxuan's reign, and three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the course of three years, Leng Jie tirelessly traversed the entirety of Jinghe. She not only brought all existing secret forces under her wing but also utilized advanced management and technology to expand the secret forces' resources several times over. Consequently, Jinghe's overall national strength increased several times over.

As she wished, Silver Fox was portrayed as a mysterious and enigmatic figure, both righteous and wicked. Now, the mere mention of Silver Fox is enough to make him a household name in the Jinghe Dynasty and throughout the entire continent.

It's said that three years ago, people were terrified of the color blue, but now they're terrified of the color silver. Of course, there's a difference in how people react. The mere mention of Silver Fox makes ordinary people beam with excitement and their reverence is immediately apparent.