At this time outside the courtyard.

Outside, both Wen Xian and Zhao Huai were there, standing ramrod straight.

“Young Heir.” Wen Xian stepped forward.

Ji Yunshu: “Please just call me Master Ji. ‘Young Heir’ this, ‘Young Heir’ that—I’m really not used to it.”

“Yes.” Wen Xian said, “Master Ji, when you return to the capital this time, Zhao Huai and I will accompany you.”

Straight to the point.

Accompany her?

Previously Zhao Huai had been a tagalong the entire way, and now there would be one more added.

Seeing Ji Yunshu’s puzzlement, Zhao Huai quickly said, “Wen Xian and I won’t travel with you. We’ll follow behind, also to protect you.”

Oh!

She nodded. “That’s fine. After I return to the capital, if there are any developments in the ‘Linjing Case,’ you can also immediately notify General Wen.”

“Yes.” Both men nodded.

Little Xiyue looked up, tugging at Ji Yunshu’s clothes. “Big Brother, I have a gift for you.”

“What is it?”

She handed her a square box she had prepared and said, “Inside is my favorite book. When you’re in the capital, if you see this book, you’ll think of me.”

Innocent and charming.

Opening it, inside was a book called “Solitary Excerpts.”

Wow!

This book—back then Ji Yunshu had searched for it in Liu Qingping’s study for a long time but couldn’t find it.

“Solitary Excerpts” was a book that recorded much about the mysteries of tomb burials.

On her first day at university, she had heard the professor mention this book, but at the time they said it had been purchased by an antique collector. Even the National Cultural Relics Museum didn’t have it. She had thought that Liu Qingping’s all-encompassing study might have it, but she had searched everywhere without success.

Seeing it now, her excitement was beyond words.

Seeing how much she liked it, little Xiyue was also delighted like a blooming flower.

Just then Jing Rong came in from outside. “Little girl, what’s so amusing?”

Hearing this, Xiyue immediately hid behind Ji Yunshu.

She was still quite afraid of Jing Rong.

Seeing her little appearance, Jing Rong smiled like someone trafficking children. “What are you afraid of? This prince won’t eat you.”

Little Xiyue shrank back even more.

Jing Rong stopped teasing her, lest he frighten the child to tears.

He then turned his gaze to Wen and Zhao, his expression immediately becoming serious, his brows furrowing deeply. “You two, if you don’t want Duke Yuguo’s schemes to be exposed, this prince advises you to stay here obediently. The capital is not a place you should go.”

A dragon’s pool and tiger’s den!

Go in, and you might not come out.

Wen and Zhao exchanged glances, their attitude resolute. “We finally found the Young Heir—we absolutely cannot let anything happen to her. We also know Your Highness’s concerns. You can rest assured, since you previously spared us once, we won’t become your enemies. This time following the Young Heir to the capital is solely to protect her, so before the ‘Linjing Case’ is clarified, we won’t act rashly.”

Seeing his sincerity, Jing Rong said, “You’d better keep your word and not play any tricks during this period. You should know that this prince could capture you once and can capture you a second time.”

“Your Highness, you need not worry about these matters. We all obey the Young Heir’s commands. If the Young Heir gives an order, we will not disobey.”

Heh.

These two were also tough men—naturally their words counted.

Jing Rong was skeptical for a while but ultimately said nothing. However, seeing Wen Xian’s sickly appearance, he became somewhat concerned again. “This prince advises you not to follow along. In your condition, you might not hold up halfway, and if you die then, the trouble would be enormous.”

Wen Xian’s face darkened. “If I truly cannot hold up and die, it will be a worthy death.”

“This determination, this prince quite admires.” Jing Rong was ultimately kindhearted after all and said, “In a moment, go find Muruo and have him take your pulse.”

Muruo indicated he was very busy!

Everything was pushed onto him. What happened to coming to Yufu for sightseeing? What happened to viewing green waters and surrounding mountains?

He truly wished he could remove the hat of divine physician.

Wen Xian knew Muruo’s abilities—Zhao Huai’s severed arm had been healed by him. Originally he had wanted to ask Muruo to examine him, but they were on opposing sides. Now that Jing Rong had spoken up, it made things easier.

“Thank you.”

“Just remember it. Sooner or later, this prince will have you repay principal with interest.”

Wen Xian remained silent.

Seeing it was getting late, the two also needed to return and prepare, so they left dragging little Xiyue along.

Jing Rong’s expression also grew increasingly grave as they departed.

Ji Yunshu noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Thinking about entering the capital.”

“You have misgivings?”

He nodded and let out a long sigh. “The edict Father Emperor sent from the capital is a secret decree, which means no one knows it’s Father Emperor’s summons. So once this prince reaches the capital gates, he’ll be stopped and won’t be able to enter at all.”

“Then what use is His Majesty’s edict?”

“Father Emperor is very clear that if he summoned me openly, all the officials would oppose it, so he secretly summoned me. Once this prince enters the capital, he’ll make his decision.”

Oh!

Ji Yunshu understood.

“Act first, report later!”

“Exactly. At that time, we’ll see how Father Emperor plays that chess move.” Jing Rong looked at Ji Yunshu seriously. “Yunshu, if possible, you should enter the capital first when the time comes. No one will stop you, and you won’t have to be implicated along with this prince.”

She held his hand, their fingers tightly interlaced.

She said, “Jing Rong, I’ve said before, no matter what happens, I will remain by your side. If we live, we live together; if we die, we die together.”

“Yunshu…”

“You don’t need to worry so much. Since His Majesty has permitted you to return to the capital, he naturally has considered what comes after. Even if circumstances change then, I still believe in you.”

He held her tightly in his embrace.

His chin gently rested on top of her head. “Whatever great matter it may be, this prince only wants you safe. If this prince tells you to leave then, you must leave.”

She didn’t speak, burrowing her body deeply into his embrace.

After a long while, Jing Rong thought of something and asked her, “By the way, regarding that wooden plaque your mother left you, do you have any news?”

Suddenly bringing it up!

She lifted her head and shook it.

She removed the wooden plaque she had been wearing around her neck and said, “I already asked Auntie Xie. The thing embroidered on the cloth doll was embroidered by her husband, but he’s already dead. All I know is that her husband was a blacksmith. Before coming to Jinjiang, what did he do? Where was he from? None of this is known. The person has been dead for many years—no one knows his past. To investigate this would be very difficult. I think the lead has probably ended here.”

Disappointment!

Half the reason she came to Yufu was to investigate this matter, but there wasn’t even the slightest clue.

Jing Rong said earnestly, “After we return to the capital, draw that pattern and this prince will have people help you investigate.”

“Mm.”

She nodded, but her heart felt very heavy.