Outside the front hall of the Ji residence.

Several eunuchs who had rushed here at full speed from the capital were standing around.

The leader was Eunuch Chang from the palace. He held in his hands an imperial edict in brownish-yellow.

Ji Wanxin’s gaze tightened slightly. She stepped forward quickly, pressed her lips together, and her eyes revealed a puzzled expression. “May I ask what business brings you here, Eunuch?”

Eunuch Chang smiled gently and bowed slightly. “This servant has come to the residence by His Majesty’s order to proclaim an edict.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Wanxin immediately led all the household servants to kneel.

They waited to receive it!

Eunuch Chang straightened his posture and slowly unrolled the imperial edict in his hands.

His expression became solemn.

He proclaimed: “By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees: The Ji family’s daughter, Ji Wanxin, is equipped with both virtue and talent, gentle and graceful. I have recently learned of this woman’s excellent embroidery skills, comparable to those of Southern Su. I am reluctant to let such talent go to waste. Therefore, I hereby decree that Ji Wanxin shall proceed to the capital to enter the Brocade Office as an embroiderer. Depart immediately. By imperial decree.”

The voice echoed through this vast front courtyard.

Embroiderer!

In other words, she was permitted to return to the capital.

The edict did not directly mention bestowing marriage upon Shen Changqin. After all, Ji Wanxin was still technically a criminal! The late emperor had decreed that no one from the Ji family could set foot in the capital again. No matter how “audacious” Wei Yi was, he dared not openly challenge the late emperor’s authority. Therefore, this first step could only be to let Ji Wanxin enter the capital first. But naturally, entering the capital required a proper pretext. Having heard that Ji Wanxin’s embroidery skills were excellent, and the Brocade Office just happened to be short of embroiderers, using the court’s selection of talent as the reason and utilizing this “far-fetched” pretext to let her enter the capital was most appropriate. Even if court officials wanted to object, they could not.

As for the bestowed marriage, once Ji Wanxin entered the capital, everything would naturally fall into place.

Eunuch Chang closed the imperial edict. “Miss Ji, the imperial grace is vast. Receive the decree.”

Ji Wanxin bowed and kowtowed, then raised both hands to receive the imperial edict.

The heavy edict rested in her palms. At that moment, she had finally received her opportunity—an opportunity she had waited nearly a year for!

At this moment, this opportunity was held in her own hands, obtained in exchange for the life and death of the entire Ji family.

She must cherish it, cherish it, cherish it even more!

“I thank His Majesty for his great grace. This humble woman receives the decree.”

Her voice was choked with emotion.

Eunuch Chang helped her up from the ground while saying, “For Miss Ji to receive His Majesty’s permission to enter the capital—this is a tremendous honor. Congratulations, congratulations.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

“Regarding the matters of Minister Ji and your father, this old servant is also deeply regretful.”

“The mistakes my eldest brother made should rightfully be punished. I blame no one.”

“How rare for Miss Ji to be so understanding. Fortunately, His Majesty has graciously permitted you to enter the capital and join the Brocade Office. That is a wonderful future indeed!” Eunuch Chang said.

Ji Wanxin lowered her eyes slightly and curtsied slightly. “Yes, Wanxin understands and will certainly cherish it.”

Eunuch Chang nodded, looked around, and asked, “I wonder if General Ji is at the residence? Why do I not see him?”

How could someone who was dead drunk appear?

According to protocol, when His Majesty’s edict arrived, everyone in the residence up and down should come forward to receive it. Yet only Ji Wanxin, the protagonist, was present.

To avoid inviting blame, she quickly said, “I beg your pardon, Eunuch. My eldest brother and eldest sister have been ill and bedridden recently and cannot come to receive the decree. And my fourth younger sister is still young and attending private school.”

“I see. Then I must trouble Miss Ji to convey this old servant’s regards to them.”

“Yes.”

“This old servant will not disturb you further. Miss Ji should also prepare to enter the capital as soon as possible.”

Eunuch Chang then led his people away completely.

In the courtyard, Ji Wanxin looked at the brownish-yellow imperial edict in her hands, her eyes containing tears.

But the corners of her mouth curved up in a slight smile.

“Shen Changqin, you, this lifeline, have indeed proven useful after all.”

Her voice was very soft, so soft that unless one listened carefully, it was completely inaudible.

That evening, she had servants pack her luggage, preparing to enter the capital the next day.

Just as she finished packing, Ji Lingzhi came running in from outside.

This girl had grown quite a bit taller. From eight years old back then to ten years old now, she had also matured considerably. Her features bore some resemblance to Ji Wanxin, with even more spirit—definitely a beauty in the making.

“Second Sister, are you really going to the capital? Is it true?” she asked with a lilt in her voice.

Ji Wanxin pulled her to sit beside her and instructed, “An edict came from the capital. I must go. From now on, you must not cause trouble at home. Understand?”

“Must you go?”

“I must go.”

“But I can’t bear to part with you, Second Sister. You’d better not go. Right now, you’re the only one in the family who talks to me. If you leave, what will I do? Eldest Sister is crazy and ignores me, and Eldest Brother only knows how to drink.” Ji Lingzhi said while crying, throwing herself into Ji Wanxin’s embrace and holding her tightly. “Don’t go. Lingzhi can’t bear to part with you.”

Ji Wanxin’s eyes reddened. Her heart also felt reluctant.

Just as Ji Lingzhi said, Ji Muqing was acting crazy, Ji Huan only knew how to drink all day. The only clear-headed person in the entire Ji family was Ji Wanxin. If she left, the burden of this household would essentially fall on the ten-year-old Ji Lingzhi. Just thinking about it was pitiful.

But—

Ji Wanxin stroked her head and said, “Lingzhi, you must understand—everyone in our Ji family up and down has become criminals. This is the only opportunity that can allow the Ji family to turn things around. We absolutely cannot miss it. Only if I enter the capital will our Ji family have a chance. Only then will Father and Eldest Brother be able to rest in peace in the underworld.”

“Second Sister…”

“You must be good and listen well to Uncle Li’s words. Everything I needed to instruct, I’ve already instructed. You just need to study well. Understand?”

Ji Lingzhi pulled away from her embrace, lifted eyes full of tears, and said while crying, “I understand.”

Ji Wanxin took a handkerchief to dry her tears and instructed further, “Eldest Sister’s mind is unclear now. When you have time, you should also often go keep her company and talk to her. After all, she used to dote on you the most. And Second Brother—he drinks like that every day, which isn’t good for his health. After I go to the capital, you must often urge him on my behalf. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

The next day, Ji Wanxin took only a coachman and a young maid and set off.

She didn’t let anyone see her off.

In the Buddhist hall.

Ji Lingzhi’s small body squeezed in from outside. She glanced at the empty wine bottles all over the floor but didn’t see her second brother. After searching around, she finally found him by the pond in the rear courtyard.

Ji Huan stood there, hands hanging at his sides, his haggard and weary face expressionless. His hollow eyes stared intently at the calm water surface.

It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Ji Lingzhi carefully approached and called out from behind him, “Second Brother.”

Her voice was very soft!

After a long while—

Ji Huan parted his lips and asked, “She’s gone?”

“Yes, Second Sister just left.”

There was no more sound.

Ji Lingzhi stood in place, not daring to move. She always felt her second brother carried an aura of severity. Even though she could only see his back, that aura was still威懾 enough to make her afraid to speak.

Ji Huan lowered his gaze, looking at his own reflection in the water.

Clothes disheveled!

Face covered in stubble!

Eyes weary!

Was this still the imposing and awe-inspiring “General Changlin” personally bestowed the title by the late emperor back then?