Marquis Kang’s abnormal enthusiasm made Ji Yunshu uneasy.

She could hear something in his words, so she directly asked straightforwardly, “If Marquis Kang has something to say, you might as well speak plainly.”

Hehe!

His little scheme had been seen through.

He also put away that grinning appearance, smiled at her, and said, “As expected, I still can’t hide it from Master Ji.”

“Please speak, my lord Marquis.”

“No rush. This matter—let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

Pffft—

Damn, Ji Yunshu wanted to vomit blood.

This guy who said only half his sentences would get tongue-tied.

And at the same time, Jingrong and the others also followed Marquis Kang’s men into Jingzhou City.

On the empty streets, apart from their group, there was hardly a shadow to be seen.

Suddenly—

The sound of a night watchman’s gong rang out.

Tang Si quickly stuck her head out from the carriage and saw an old man passing by. She didn’t know if her brain had a seizure or what, but she suddenly called out to the watchman, “Old sir, why are there no people to be seen at night in your Jingzhou City? In other places, you can still see quite a few people late at night. Your place is too quiet.”

Speechless!

The watchman glanced at her and just said one sentence, “Miss, of course there’s no one at this late hour.”

“Oh.” Tang Si puffed out her cheeks.

The watchman rubbed his eyes, saw clearly the Marquis’s residence men on horseback, and nearly dropped the lantern in his hand. He took off running.

Much more nimble than his usual walking pace.

Tang Si was puzzled, scratched her head, thinking, was she really that scary?

Muruo reached out and pulled her back into the carriage. “Can you be quiet for a bit? You won’t settle down even late at night. What are you talking to the watchman for? He was doing his rounds just fine.”

“I was just asking. Why are you so worked up?”

“We just had a bloody battle with people. Can’t you just sit properly?”

“Fine, I’ll shut up.”

No more talking!

Jingrong sat with his eyes closed in proper posture. There were still bloodstains on his clothes, printed on the originally plain-colored robe, looking particularly glaring.

At this moment, Tang Si started making a fuss again, pulling at her own blood-stained clothes and saying, “When we get to that whatever Marquis’s residence, I must take a good bath. Look, my clothes are covered in blood.”

No one paid her any attention.

Muruo looked at Jingrong with a grave expression and asked, “What medicine is this Marquis Kang selling in his gourd?”

Jingrong opened his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t know!”

Alright then!

When they arrived at the Marquis’s residence, those on horses dismounted, and those in carriages got out.

Just like Ji Yunshu before them, Jingrong and the others were all startled by the magnificent and splendid residence before them.

It had to be said, this place was simply too impressive.

Marquis Kang, oh Marquis Kang, your comfortable life is a bit too pleasant!

Tang Si charged in like she’d discovered a new continent, but Jingrong and Muruo noticed the handprint on the Marquis’s residence plaque.

Too obvious!

The two exchanged glances but ultimately said nothing.

It was still the same steward from before who came out to receive them. “This servant greets Your Highness. The Marquis has been waiting inside for a long time.”

Very respectful!

Jingrong nodded and stepped inside.

He was led all the way to the great hall. Upon entering, he happened to see Ji Yunshu’s frowning and troubled expression.

She had just been angered to the point of vomiting blood by Marquis Kang, who only spoke in half-sentences.

Seeing the arrivals, Marquis Kang descended from his seat and hurried to greet them, but without the same enthusiasm he’d shown when greeting Ji Yunshu earlier. Jiggling his hundred-plus pounds of flesh, he cupped his hands toward Jingrong but didn’t bow, saying, “Finally, Your Highness has arrived.”

As a junior, Jingrong should properly greet him.

He bowed slightly. “Marquis Kang.” After speaking, he turned his gaze to Ji Yunshu.

She also stood up and walked over.

Jingrong asked her, “How are you?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

That was good. He was relieved.

Marquis Kang looked at Jingrong and the others covered in bloodstains and said, “How about this—I’ll have people immediately prepare rooms. Your Highness, you all go rest and get cleaned up. Tomorrow I’ll host a banquet to entertain you.”

Jingrong was puzzled and asked him, “I wonder, how did Marquis Kang learn that this prince had returned to the capital?”

“We’ll talk tomorrow, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Again with this!

Oh my, he’d even learned to keep people in suspense!

He deserved a beating!

Tang Si wandered around the great hall, picked up a banana and started eating it, looked around, and said, “I say, my lord Marquis, this place of yours is quite large. You must be very wealthy, right?”

Marquis Kang glanced at her. “This young lady is?”

“My name is Tang Si. I’m from Houliao.”

“Looking at the young lady’s attire, you’re indeed not from the Central Plains.” He smiled, then turned his gaze to Muruo, saying with pleasant surprise, “I presume this must be the divine physician of Yuhua Pavilion, Young Master Muruo?”

Muruo immediately cupped his hands. “You’re too kind, too kind.”

“At such a young age, to become a renowned divine physician—truly admirable. This Marquis may still have places where I’ll need the divine physician’s help.”

Hehe.

Muruo smiled.

Marquis Kang said, “Your Highness, you all may rest assured. As for your subordinate guards, don’t worry either—this Marquis will arrange proper lodgings for them.”

“Many thanks.”

Thus, someone led them to rest. After Jingrong had bathed and changed, Marquis Kang separately invited Jingrong to have tea.

The two chatted in a pavilion on the estate grounds about the previous matter of borrowing troops to encircle and suppress Gaoshan Stronghold.

Jingrong expressed his thanks. “I must thank the Marquis for agreeing to lend troops back then.”

“Your Highness jests. Actually, this Marquis is not a stingy person. Moreover, it was to suppress bandits for the court—that was only proper. Besides, Your Highness also promised to give me the golden thread armor. You wanted troops, I wanted the golden thread armor—each taking what they needed. I just didn’t expect that the golden thread armor I’d been longing for all these years, which I didn’t obtain back when I was still at court, I actually received after returning to Jingzhou. I have Your Highness to thank for that.”

“That was what you deserved, my lord Marquis.”

Marquis Kang laughed heartily.

But—

Jingrong across from him pressed the question again. “My lord Marquis, how did you come to know that this prince had returned to the capital?”

“Let’s not discuss that for now. If there’s something to say, we’ll talk tomorrow.” He deflected the topic.

Tomorrow, it’s tomorrow again!

This person was indeed very strange.

Jingrong could only let it go, but in his heart he wondered, what medicine was this old fellow really selling in his gourd?

Suddenly, Marquis Kang asked him, “By the way, would you like to see my treasures?”

“Doesn’t the Marquis protect his treasures very carefully? Why suddenly ask this?”

“Treasures that are collected are naturally meant to be viewed together with everyone. How boring would it be to look at them alone!”

Jingrong smiled. “If Marquis Kang is willing, this prince would indeed like to open his eyes wide. I’ve heard the Marquis has collected many treasures.”

Indeed, no one knew how many treasures Marquis Kang had hidden away. Many people wanted to see them but couldn’t.

So, if he was offering on his own initiative, there was no reason not to look.

Marquis Kang was also very straightforward. “Come, I’ll take you to see.”

Thus, the two went to view the treasures.