They say people who work in archaeology tend to be rather conservative in their thinking.

Ji Yunshu was no exception!

Ever since encountering Jingrong, this conservative young woman had been teased time and again.

After a moment, Jingrong suddenly asked, “Do you want to know what I was thinking when I held you in that raging fire?”

His warm voice flowed around her ear.

It made her shudder unexpectedly!

She didn’t answer!

Jingrong’s hand around her waist tightened even more, his entire face almost buried in the delicate curve of her neck.

He spoke slowly, “At that time, I was thinking—if I couldn’t rescue you, then I would hold you tightly just like this, and together we would burn in that great fire. That way, perhaps after death, we could still meet in the underworld. When that time comes, I would beg the King of Hell to grant me one request: that in my next life, I not be born into an imperial family, and that I definitely meet you again in my next life. I think the King of Hell would surely be moved. Then, together we would cross the Bridge of Helplessness, together drink Granny Meng’s soup, together jump into the Reincarnation Lake. And when the next life comes, we would be born into ordinary families, rising to work at sunrise and resting at sunset!”

These words sounded truly eerie!

But they were clearly words of love!

Ji Yunshu’s heart pounded wildly. The flush on her face gradually spread to the tips of her ears, and her entire body felt unbearably hot.

Jingrong continued, “I know that the most important person in your heart is ultimately your Ji Pei, but I’m willing to wait—wait until you look at me just once.”

“Jingrong…”

“Don’t speak. Just listen quietly.”

Ji Yunshu choked!

Her slender frame was almost swallowed up within Jingrong’s upright figure, engulfed in his embrace.

One large, one small!

Ji Yunshu stopped struggling and let him hold her as he pleased.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when Jingrong had already fallen asleep with his head resting on her shoulder, his even breathing sounding softly in her ear.

That feeling was extremely peaceful.

But Ji Yunshu’s ears still echoed with the words Jingrong had just spoken. Those words stirred her heart into complete chaos.

It wasn’t until deep into the night that she finally drifted off to sleep!

Throughout the entire night, the two of them lay peacefully on the bed in this position.

The next day.

When Ji Yunshu awoke and turned to her side, she met Jingrong’s eyes, which were full of joy.

“You’re awake? Did you sleep well?” His voice was like jade, filled with tender concern!

Ji Yunshu lowered her eyes and immediately sat up from the bed, preparing to throw off the covers and get down. But those devilish hands still held her fast.

Jingrong embraced her from behind, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I didn’t devour you all night long. What are you nervous about now?”

“Please, Your Highness, release me.”

“I won’t!”

“You…” Ji Yunshu was both angry and flustered. She removed his hands from her body and, like a small cat, quickly got out of bed.

She kept her head lowered, afraid he would see the flush spreading across her face. “Your Highness, please rest well. As for last night’s events, let’s just pretend nothing happened.”

Having said this, she hurried out the door. Just as she opened it, she saw Lang Bo standing ramrod straight outside.

Seeing her emerge, Lang Bo smiled secretly and cupped his hands together. “Good morning, Master Ji.”

Good morning, my foot!

Accomplices, the both of them!

Ji Yunshu bit her lip and decided not to respond. She moved around Lang Bo, preparing to leave.

Her feet had just taken one step when she suddenly stopped.

Right there in the courtyard, a woman was walking toward her.

She wore a plain blue-green robe, her long hair reaching her waist and gathered in a simple, elegant bun. Her palm-sized face was refined and delicate, with light makeup that enhanced her features.

She walked with measured steps, hands folded at her abdomen. Each movement revealed the bearing of a distinguished family.

Though she couldn’t be called a celestial beauty, her air of gentle elegance was like a wisp of faint smoke—when it came near, it made one feel comfortable.

“Miss Kong?” Lang Bo exclaimed in surprise.

So this person was Kong Yu.

While Ji Yunshu was observing her, Kong Yu was also taking a clear look at her.

This person wore men’s clothing and had a gentle, refined air. Her features were proper—truly a handsome gentleman in appearance.

What a pity about that scar on her face!

“And who might this be?” Kong Yu’s gaze followed Lang Bo’s line of sight.

Lang Bo immediately said, “This is Master Ji, an honored guest of His Highness.”

“So you’re that Master Ji!” Kong Yu parted her lips lightly and performed a slight courtesy. “All along the journey, I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Master. I heard that the disappearance case in the capital was also solved by you. You truly are a person of great wisdom—no wonder His Highness treats you as an honored guest.”

“Miss, you needn’t be so polite. I am merely an ordinary person.”

“You’re too modest, Master.”

Ji Yunshu wasn’t familiar with her. This woman appearing here must have come to see Jingrong.

She smiled faintly. “Then I won’t disturb you from visiting His Highness. Farewell.”

With that, Ji Yunshu moved around her and quickly left.

Watching that retreating figure, Kong Yu smiled gracefully.

Lang Bo immediately stepped forward. “Miss Kong, why have you come?”

Her smile fading to reveal a face full of worry, she said, “Muruo told me that His Highness was injured. How could I not come?”

“Oh!”

Kong Yu lifted her skirts and entered the room.

Because Ji Yunshu had fled in such embarrassment, Jingrong’s heart bloomed with joy. He was smiling as he got out of bed, preparing to retrieve his clothes from behind the screen.

“A’Rong!” Kong Yu called out.

Hearing this, Jingrong looked over and saw Kong Yu’s delicate face bearing tension and concern as she walked toward him.

“Why have you come?” Jingrong furrowed his brow slightly, his tone low and indifferent.

“Let me see—is the injury severe?”

“I’m fine now.”

Kong Yu had already raised her hand, gently touching his bandage-wrapped forehead. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, “Does your head still hurt? If Muruo hadn’t told me, were you planning to keep hiding this from me forever?”

There was a trace of anger in her tone.

Jingrong took a step back and looked at Kong Yu.

“I’m truly fine. You don’t need to worry.” He spoke gently.

“How is it that after not seeing each other for a year, you’ve become somewhat distant with me?”

“You’re overthinking it.”

If one could say that he and Muruo had grown up wearing the same pants, then he and Kong Yu had grown up holding hands.

Kong Yu was a year older than him and had been like an older sister, caring for him deeply since childhood. Jingrong had always been very close to her, and before Jingrong met Ji Yunshu, the only woman who could get close to him was probably Kong Yu.

Though the two shared a deep sibling affection, as they grew older, Kong Yu became convinced that she was destined to be Jingrong’s Princess Consort. This conviction had taken deep root in her heart early on.

Kong Yu had even frequently mentioned this matter to him.

To this, Jingrong had never responded—not as acceptance, but simply because he had always thought Kong Yu was joking.

Because over time, almost everyone in the entire imperial family had come to accept Kong Yu as the future Princess Consort Rong.

But it wasn’t until a year ago, the day before Kong Yu left for Qingshan Residence, that she sincerely and earnestly confessed her feelings to him.

Only then did Jingrong realize with shock that it wasn’t a joke—she truly wanted to become his Princess Consort.

“Kong Yu, I’m truly fine now. You just returned from Qingshan Residence, and I’m sure you’re very busy at the residence. You don’t need to worry about me. You should hurry back.”

Kong Yu’s face showed a trace of disappointment.

“In years past, you always called me Yu’er.”