Li Shiyan shrugged. “I grew up with him. He hasn’t been here, has he? It’s just that after his father died five years ago, he did disappear for a while—but he was observing three years of mourning at the tomb.”

“Three years?”

Ji Yunshu’s bright eyes once again filled with hope, though her expression was somewhat dazed. She immediately asked again, “Then his legs?”

“He was injured on the battlefield five years ago. The specifics of how he was injured are unknown.”

“Injured five years ago?”

Then—

He really wasn’t Ji Pei!

Li Shiyan, seeing her acting so strangely, curved his lips and leaned toward her.

He asked, “You two have identical tassels—could it be there’s really some unspeakable secret? Tell me about it.”

These words were like snapping fingers by her ear, bringing her back to her senses.

She retreated a few steps toward the door, saying, “Young Master Li has misunderstood. I was just asking casually. I won’t disturb you any longer. Farewell.”

“Wait!”

Li Shiyan closed the door, blocking her path completely.

With a sly laugh, he said, “Leaving just like that? I’m your life-saving benefactor, after all!”

“I haven’t forgotten Young Master Li’s life-saving grace. If someday I can help you in some way, I won’t hesitate.”

“But what if this young master doesn’t need your help? Wouldn’t you owe me a favor for a lifetime?”

That expression was extremely smug!

Hey, hey, hey—what are you trying to do?

Ji Yunshu’s heart was still heavy at this moment, and she had no mind to deal with such matters.

“Young Master Li, I’ll say it again—if there comes a day when I can help you, I will definitely brave fire and water without hesitation.”

“What spirit!”

“Right now, the people from Prince Rong’s mansion must be searching the entire city for me. If they alert Prince Rong and find this place, I’m afraid it will cause trouble. Please let me pass, Young Master Li!”

Li Shiyan was like sticky candy—how could he move aside so easily? His palm pressed against the doorframe as he was about to say something frivolous.

Bang—

The door was pushed open from outside, slamming hard into Li Shiyan’s elbow.

“Ow!” He clutched his arm in pain, his face contorted!

Xiao Luzi immediately trembled all over in fright, bowing and saying fearfully, “Young Master, this servant… didn’t mean to. Young Master, are you all right?”

“Are you asking for a beating? Barging in without knocking—if this young master’s hand is ruined, I’ll skin you alive!”

“This servant was wrong, this servant was wrong.”

Xiao Luzi was obviously terrified!

Li Shiyan was so angry his teeth itched. While rubbing his swollen elbow, he raised his hand and struck Xiao Luzi hard on the head.

“Sooner or later, this young master will chop you up!”

“…”

Watching this master and servant bickering, Ji Yunshu was exasperated.

Fortunately, Xiao Luzi had pushed the door open, clearing her path. She took this opportunity to quickly leave.

Behind her, Li Shiyan was still scolding Xiao Luzi, completely unaware that she had already “escaped”!

As soon as she emerged from the inn’s entrance, sure enough, she ran into the sweating guards from Prince Rong’s mansion.

“Master Ji, where did you go? If we couldn’t find you, we would have lost our heads for sure.” There was still some lingering fear in the guard’s tone.

Could it be that Jingrong’s usually peaceful demeanor was all an act?

Killing people and chopping off heads at the drop of a hat—was it really that exaggerated? But this guard clearly had a completely serious expression.

“I’m not lost, so your heads won’t roll either,” she said, then headed toward Prince Rong’s mansion.

At this very moment at Prince Rong’s mansion.

In the main hall!

Ji Li had chatted with Jingrong about various family matters, mentioning his own household affairs, and also some internal matters of the Ministry of War.

About which official was targeting which other official in league with yet another official.

About how the documents issued by the court were riddled with errors, keeping the lower-ranking officials busy with endless corrections.

About how the Minister of Revenue was caught red-handed in corruption and bribery, and everyone was organizing evidence to submit a memorial.

He even chatted about his damned third younger sister, saying she showed no family affection, set fire to the residence, angered their grandmother to death, and finally disappeared without a trace.

When mentioning Ji Yunshu, Ji Li deliberately observed Jingrong’s expression.

But he saw only an indifferent face, as if he’d listened to a table full of nonsense and hadn’t taken it to heart at all.

Instead, he leisurely sipped his tea.

Occasionally saying “Mm!”

Occasionally saying “Oh!”

After all, Ji Pei was the Left Minister of Justice—even though there had been unpleasantness on the journey back to the capital, he still had to show face.

Who told him to be so gracious!

After rattling off various matters, Ji Li finally said he was leaving.

Whew—

Jingrong was truly relieved in his heart and quickly had someone see Ji Li out.

Leave quickly!

Leave quickly!

Get out!

After Ji Li left Prince Rong’s mansion, an attendant by his side lowered his voice and leaned toward his ear.

He said, “We secretly searched everywhere—we didn’t see that Master Ji in Prince Rong’s mansion.”

Ji Li’s face turned cold. “She can hide from the first day but not the fifteenth. If she really is Ji Yunshu, I will kill her.”

His words were stern and fierce!

The attendant asked, “Should we notify General Ji Huan?”

“No need. He acts rashly. If he’s like last time, raising his sword to stab whoever’s in the carriage, he won’t have enough lives to live.”

“Yes!”

Ji Li looked back at the plaque of Prince Rong’s mansion, snorted, and walked away with a sweep of his sleeve.

Once this person left, Jingrong felt his ears were finally clear.

Lang Bo bowed and said, “Minister Ji clearly came under the pretense of consulting with Your Highness, but actually had his people secretly investigate Master Ji. How sinister! Fortunately, Your Highness saw through his scheme and notified Master Ji in time.”

His words carried a hint of flattery!

The corners of Jingrong’s lips lifted as he tilted his head.

“This Ji Li is nothing but a common fellow who likes to play mind games with people. He thinks he’s cunning and far-sighted, and because he commands the Linyi Army, he acts however he pleases at court. But stripped bare, he’s just a toad without clothes—no matter how high he jumps, he can’t ascend to heaven.”

A toad?

This metaphor, coming from Jingrong’s mouth, had a particularly humorous flavor.

The ancient version of a comedian—truly living up to his reputation.

He took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, “Where did Master Ji hide?”

Lang Bo replied, “Lu Jiang said he went to Yuhua Pavilion!”

“Yuhua Pavilion?” He frowned, worry rising in his heart. “Why does he keep diving into wolf dens?”

Indeed, Muruo was a wolf!

Countless young ladies fell into his tender trap, even unable to extricate themselves!

Truly like a wolf’s den.

Thinking of this, Jingrong felt a headache coming on.

Shaking his head, he stood up and instructed Lang Bo, “Go bring her back.”

“Yes!”

Lang Bo acknowledged and left.

Jingrong, meanwhile, strolled to the Eastern Garden and had someone bring a reclining chair to place in the courtyard. He sat there, watching the water wheel while admiring the plum blossoms in the garden.

He looked extremely content!

Before long, the sky gradually darkened, and the guards from Prince Rong’s mansion safely escorted Ji Yunshu back.

Seeing her enter the main gate, those guards truly and genuinely felt their heads were still attached to their necks.

They breathed a huge sigh of relief!