A monkey mask!

Seeing it was a monkey mask, Xiao Ba’s eyes lit up, extremely excited. This was something he had longed for—he immediately took it out and put it on his face!

Just like a child.

Luo Yang pushed him out the door, saying to Ji Yunshu, “Rest well.”

Then he left!

Ji Yunshu sat alone in the room, her ears much quieter.

Outside, Xiao Ba kept putting the mask on and taking it off his face, very happy. “Brother, you’re so good to me. I’ve wanted this monkey mask for so long. Finally got one.”

“I knew you’d like it.”

“Of course I like it!”

The next moment, Luo Yang pulled down his excitement, his expression serious as he said, “Alright, alright, you can play with it later. Right now I need you to do something.”

Xiao Ba asked, “Brother, just say it! I’m willing to do anything.”

Luo Yang handed him the package of bird’s nest tied to his belt and earnestly instructed, “Go quickly and have the people in the inn’s kitchen cook the bird’s nest. You must watch carefully from the side. This is top-grade bird’s nest—don’t let them swap it out and confuse things with inferior quality!”

“Bird’s nest? Brother, where did you get this?” Xiao Ba was shocked.

“I bought it. Right now Miss Ji’s health is poor—she needs to eat some bird’s nest to nourish her body. Otherwise, what if she dies of illness one day? We’d still have to handle her funeral!” Though Luo Yang’s words were somewhat harsh, his heart was still worried.

Xiao Ba didn’t perceive his true thoughts. He simply thought Luo Yang was worried that if Ji Yunshu died, handling her funeral would be troublesome, so that’s why he bought her bird’s nest.

Xiao Ba nodded repeatedly and quickly grabbed the package of bird’s nest to carry out the task.

Very efficient!

Luo Yang had also been tired all night. After yawning several times in succession, he hurried off to rest.

At this time, Wen Che, knowing Ji Yunshu had returned to the inn, got up to go inquire after her.

Ji Yunshu’s complexion had improved considerably, and her body had gradually regained some strength.

“Miss Ji, how is your health?” Wen Che asked with concern.

“Thank you for Young Master Wen’s concern. After resting at the medical clinic for a night, I’m fine now.”

“I heard from Shu Tian that Miss Ji has severe body cold—it’s a chronic illness.”

“Yes, it’s an old ailment of my body.” Ji Yunshu didn’t care much about the cold qi in her body.

Originally, Wen Che had planned to wait until they boarded the ship and reached Liangzhou before inviting Ji Yunshu to go to Yanjing together. But since the words had already reached his lips, it wouldn’t be good to delay further. He might as well speak directly: “Miss Ji, this body cold is no small matter. If it’s not completely cured, I’m afraid it will afflict you for life and have some impact. My uncle is a renowned divine physician. If you’re willing, why not travel with us to Yanjing? Once we reach Yanjing, I’ll invite my uncle to examine and treat you. I believe he’ll surely find a way to cure your cold syndrome.”

His sincerity was genuine!

After hearing Luo Yang’s analysis last night, Ji Yunshu had also had this plan—to go to Yanjing with them, perhaps then she could find Lichuan. But when Wen Yu had warmly invited her before, she had refused, saying she had matters to handle in Liangzhou. She was worried about not having a reason to bring this up again, but unexpectedly Wen Che had given her this opportunity.

Since he’d given her this opportunity, there was no harm in seizing it!

After Wen Che finished speaking and saw her considering it, he continued, “I know you still have matters to handle in Liangzhou and cannot travel with us. But in your condition, how could I ignore it? Moreover, if you hadn’t come to our aid, Ayu might have already met with disaster. So please agree and let me repay you—come with us to Yanjing.”

He had thought this stubborn woman would probably refuse again, but unexpectedly—

Ji Yunshu took up his words, “Since that’s the case, then alright.”

Wen Che was surprised and said, “I thought you would refuse again this time.”

“Since both Young Masters Wen are so sincere, I can hardly refuse your kind offer. Now that my health is poor, I may have to trouble you for help along the way.”

“Miss, rest assured. Once we reach Yanjing, I’ll immediately invite my uncle to examine you. We’ll definitely remove the cold syndrome from your body.”

Ji Yunshu smiled and nodded in thanks.

In truth, she was very clear that the cold syndrome in her body couldn’t be removed. Even Muruo couldn’t accomplish it—there was simply no second person in this world who could.

Wen Che didn’t disturb her further. After telling her to rest well, he left.

Though Ji Yunshu’s intention was somewhat to use the Wen brothers, this was her only option. Right now her whole heart only wanted to find Lichuan. Everything else was unimportant.

That evening, the large ship had been repaired. Everyone boarded the ship and headed toward Liangzhou.

…

Five days later, Yanjing, the Marquis of Kangding’s residence.

The young servants and maids in the residence were busy receiving today’s guests, bustling inside and out without stopping.

It was said that today was an important matter—the young master of the residence was meeting a marriage prospect. The woman was the daughter of the Minister of Rites.

A perfect match!

The Minister of Rites’ carriage had already arrived at the entrance. The Marquis of Kangding personally led the household servants to greet them at the door, showing how much importance he placed on this future daughter-in-law.

Three people descended from the carriage in succession.

Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Rites, his wife Madam Jiang, and their youngest daughter Zhu Yao.

The young woman was about eighteen years old. She was indeed quite beautiful with delicate features, lightly penciled brows, and a pair of eyes with clear black and white pupils—bright and limpid like two translucent pearls. Her every gesture and movement revealed the bearing of a well-bred young lady from a great family.

The Marquis of Kangding stepped forward to greet them. “Minister Zhu, we’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

Having the Marquis of Qujiang personally come out to greet them gave Minister Zhu tremendous face. A smile spread across his entire face as he quickly bowed and said, “Lord Marquis need not greet us personally.”

“Of course, of course. This is Minister Zhu’s first visit to my residence—you are honored guests.”

Minister Zhu smiled and quickly turned his gaze to his daughter, saying, “Yao’er, come, quickly pay your respects to the Lord Marquis.”

Zhu Yao gracefully stepped forward, lowered her eyes, and performed a curtsy, saying, “Yao’er pays her respects to Lord Marquis.”

“Rise quickly, rise quickly.” The Marquis of Kangding’s face bore a kindly smile, looking at his prospective daughter-in-law with great satisfaction. “The last time I saw you, you were still a child. Now seeing you again, Yao’er has become so poised and graceful.”

“Thank you for Lord Marquis’s praise.” Zhu Yao’s tone was gentle, carrying the youthful shyness proper to a young woman.

The Marquis of Kangding stroked his beard with a smile and quickly invited them inside.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they walked to the courtyard, but the Marquis of Kangding suddenly frowned tightly. He turned to ask a young servant of the residence, “Where is the young master?”

The young servant trembled and stammered, “The young master… I don’t know where he went?”

“Useless! Hurry and find him!” The Marquis lightly rebuked.

“Yes!” The young servant ran off.

The Marquis of Kangding ushered Minister Zhu’s family into the main hall, serving them good tea and treating them well, hoping to delay for time and have his unworthy son hurry over.

At this moment, the Marquis of Kangding’s heir Li Shiyan was fishing by the river. Dressed in fine robes, he still had that carefree attitude, though a bit more maturity showed between his brows.

The sun was now high in the sky, blazing hot and poisonous, but he remained at ease. Beside him, young Xiao Luzi stood holding an umbrella over him.

But the entire morning had passed and not a single fish had taken the bait.

On the water’s surface—calm and still!

Li Shiyan held the fishing rod motionless, leaning back in his chair with eyes narrowed, resting and enjoying the fine scenery.

But Xiao Luzi was anxious as fire, his two eyebrows furrowed like two earthworms. Finally unable to bear it, he carefully spoke, “Young Master, we should go back.”

Worried!

Li Shiyan’s eyelids moved. “Go back? Go back for what?”

“Lord Marquis said that today is the day the Minister of Rites comes to the residence. He told you absolutely not to go out. Now we’ve run here to fish—Lord Marquis will surely be furious. Then, Young Master, you’ll suffer again.”

“I’m not afraid. What are you afraid of?”

“This servant is thinking of your welfare! Look at you—Lord Marquis has been busy working on your marriage, and now he’s found the Minister of Rites’ daughter for you. That’s a perfect match, and it would be of great benefit to the young master’s future prospects. How many people in Yanjing City long for this opportunity but can’t get it, yet the young master keeps trying to avoid it.” Xiao Luzi said.

But Li Shiyan didn’t care about these things. He snorted, “What perfect match? My father wants to curry favor with the Minister of Rites, so he’s using my marriage as a stepping stone. I’m not stupid—I don’t want to be a chess piece.”

“Young Master, you’re wrong to say that. Even if Lord Marquis truly has this plan, ultimately it’s still for your sake! Think about it—you’re already this age. Young masters from other families have long since married and had children. How can you be like this!” Xiao Luzi was one who wasn’t afraid of death—he couldn’t keep words hidden in his heart.

Li Shiyan opened his eyes and glared fiercely at him, looking quite displeased. “That mouth of yours—believe it or not, I’ll hook it up with a fishhook?”

Xiao Luzi shrank back. “This servant dares not!”

“Listen well—my life, I decide for myself! Whom I want to marry is also my business. Even if it’s my father, he cannot interfere. If you dare take others’ sides again in the future, I’ll make you pay.” Li Shiyan threatened.

Xiao Luzi nodded and swallowed, seeing his young master’s anger gradually subside before asking, “Could it be that the young master… still hasn’t forgotten that Miss Ji?”

At this mention, Li Shiyan’s expression suddenly darkened.

Five years!

It had already been five years!

After he left Dalin’s capital city that year, he had never forgotten Ji Yunshu in his heart. That woman’s every frown and smile constantly reflected in his heart, to the point that he lost interest in other women. Over these years, he had tried many times to go to Dalin, but his father watched him strictly—he simply couldn’t break free.

His eyes flickered several times as he completely suppressed the emotions in his heart. He rebuked Xiao Luzi, “Who told you to talk nonsense? Say it again and I’ll cut out your tongue!”

“This servant won’t say it anymore.”

Li Shiyan threw down the fishing rod in his hand, dusted off his hands, stood up and straightened his wrinkled robes, saying, “Forget it, I’m not fishing anymore. Not a single fish took the bait all morning.”

“Then are we going back to the residence?”

“No!” Li Shiyan turned and walked away.

Xiao Luzi, holding the umbrella, quickly chased after him, asking, “Young Master, if you’re not going back to the residence, where are you going?”

“To the Su residence!”