Mentioning this matter, Chunxiu quickly pulled Jirong to sit down and told her in detail about the assassination attempt at her home that night and her suspicions. Even with Jirong’s shrewd mind, she listened with astonishment written all over her face. After a long while, she said doubtfully, “Chunxiu… you weren’t dreaming, were you?”

Hearing this, Chunxiu immediately became agitated, “Why is Sister saying the same thing as my brother? I remember everything clearly—it wasn’t a dream! Someone really tried to kill me!”

“But even if this is true, Meixue…” Jirong lowered her head and thought for a while, then shook her head, “It’s impossible for it to be her. She doesn’t know martial arts at all—how could she kill someone!”

“I thought it was impossible at first too, but Sister, tell me—besides Wu Meixue, who else would want to kill me? And those eyes, the more I think about them, the more they resemble hers.”

“That may be so, but Meixue…” Jirong stood up and paced back and forth in the room, feeling that this matter was somewhat inexplicable.

“Sister, do you still remember when we went to her room to look for Shen Yunyi?” After Jirong nodded, she continued, “I clearly remember hitting Wu Meixue’s head during our struggle, but in the blink of an eye, she was fine as if nothing had happened. In my opinion, she not only knows martial arts but also sorcery. We were all deceived by her false facade before. And that Shen Yunyi—without someone secretly helping her, how could she have vanished without a trace?”

With her saying this, Jirong also began to have some doubts and said, “If that’s the case, have you tried to test her afterward?”

Chunxiu sighed, “I had to return to the mansion the next day, and Wu Meixue only returned to the mansion today, so I haven’t had a chance to test her yet.”

Jirong nodded, “Then test her tomorrow. If you can find evidence of her colluding with Shen Yunyi, that would naturally be best. If you can’t find any…” She paused for a moment and frowned, “If she failed once, there will certainly be a second attempt. Your situation will be very dangerous.”

This was also what Chunxiu worried about most. She said anxiously, “Then what should I do? Maybe… I should go to Hedong with Sister.”

“Don’t be anxious yet. Let me think.” By now, the sky outside had darkened, a mass of oppressive blackness that made it hard to breathe. Chunxiu kept glancing at the tightly closed doors and windows, fearing that Meixue might suddenly rush in with a dagger to take her life, just like that night.

After sitting quietly for a long time, Jirong finally spoke, “I remember you have a decent relationship with Sun Shi from Ding Yulan’s room, right?”

Chunxiu didn’t understand why she was asking this, but still answered truthfully, “Not particularly good, but passable.”

Jirong nodded, “Ding Yulan has already been expelled from the mansion by Second Young Master, and I’m departing for Hedong tomorrow. Tell Nanny Yang that it’s too wasteful for you two to each live in a room alone, and ask her to arrange for you to room with Sun Shi. This is a good thing, so Nanny Yang probably won’t object. With you two sharing a room, if Wu Meixue really wants to kill you, she’ll have to think twice.”

Chunxiu agreed repeatedly, “I understand. I’ll go talk to Nanny Yang in a bit.”

Jirong then instructed her on several other things to pay attention to, including temporarily not going home to prevent Meixue from finding an opportunity to strike outside the mansion. After Chunxiu noted everything down, she said with a bitter face, “Sister, what you’ve said are all temporary solutions, not permanent ones. I’ll still have to live in constant fear.”

Jirong looked at her, her voice as clear and cold as the crescent moon just climbing the treetops, “If you want a permanent solution, there’s only one way—find evidence of Meixue colluding with Shen Yunyi. Then you can naturally sleep peacefully!”

After sitting quietly for a while, she sighed again, “Actually, going to Hedong together would also be a good solution—at least it would ensure safety—but that’s not something I can decide.”

Chunxiu’s expression was uncertain for a long time. Finally, she clenched her fists tightly and said through gritted teeth, “I will definitely uproot this thorn completely!”

This night thus passed. Before leaving, Jirong gave Chunxiu an exquisite porcelain bottle, “This contains enough Immortal Jade Maiden Powder for one month. Give it to Second Madam for me and tell her that I’ll arrange for someone to send the Immortal Jade Maiden Powder back on schedule, so she needn’t worry. Also, if you find evidence of Wu Meixue colluding with the assassin, you can also go tell Second Madam.”

“I understand.” After Chunxiu took the porcelain bottle, Jirong took her packed belongings and went to Qingchun Garden to accompany Li Jiancheng to Hedong.

At dawn, Li Jiancheng took a sedan chair to Songtao Residence to bid farewell. His trip to Hedong concerned the future success or failure of the Li family. Li Yuan repeatedly warned him to be careful on this journey. While recruiting as many soldiers as possible, he also had to be careful not to expose his identity. Only trustworthy people could be told, because the Li family hadn’t officially rebelled yet. If anyone learned that Li Jiancheng was privately recruiting soldiers and this reached Yang Guang’s ears, then everything they had done before would be in vain.

Besides this, Li Yuan also mentioned Liu Hongji to him, instructing him to try to find this person and win over him along with the chivalrous warriors around him.

After Li Jiancheng agreed to everything, he bid farewell to Li Yuan and left the mansion with the previously arranged servants and guards. The Li Shimin brothers escorted him repeatedly, until Li Jiancheng finally laughed and said that if they kept escorting him, they’d end up leaving the city together, and only then did they stop.

Li Shimin said with concern, “Elder Brother, you must be careful with your legs and feet. Before they’re fully healed, don’t walk around too much, lest you injure your bones and muscles again.”

Li Xuanba nodded repeatedly, “Right, right, right! And you must change the medicine on schedule. Don’t be careless at all. If you feel uncomfortable, find a physician to look at it on the way—don’t delay. Also, Elder Brother, are you taking enough guards to Hedong? If not, take those few from my courtyard too. I practice with them every day, and their skills are all passable.”

Li Jiancheng smiled, “Would I not be careful with my own leg? As for guards, there are more than enough. Alright, all of you go back. Don’t see me off any further.”

As they agreed, Li Zhiyun stepped forward holding a fine porcelain bottle, “Elder Brother, this is wound medicine that Master gave me when I returned. It’s very effective for external injuries. I heard from Second Brother that the situation in Hedong isn’t very good, and you’re going for so long—who knows what might happen. Please take this medicine with you.”

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and said coolly, “I have Jirong’s Muscle-Mending Powder. Even if I’m truly injured, it will be sufficient. You should keep this medicine for yourself.” Although he had previously saved his life thanks to Li Zhiyun’s medicine, the knot that had long been coiled in his heart couldn’t be undone just by willing it away.

“Oh.” His response disappointed Li Zhiyun, who answered quietly. Just as he was about to step back, Li Shimin had already taken the medicine from his hands and said, “Medicine from Venerable Hui’an surely won’t be much inferior to the Muscle-Mending Powder. Elder Brother, please keep it—it’s good to have it for emergencies.”