Ji Yunshu accompanied Jing Cheng in kicking the cuju for a long time, until the little fellow was tired before stopping.

“Still playing?” Ji Yunshu asked.

Jing Cheng was covered in sweat. He shook his head, holding the cuju under his small arm, saying: “No more. I still need to return to the Imperial Study to review my lessons. By this time, the Grand Tutor has probably already woken up and is looking everywhere for me.”

“Then I’ll escort you back.”

“Good!”

Jing Cheng happily took her hand.

Big hand holding small hand.

That scene was very warm.

Ji Yunshu led him all the way to the Imperial Study like this.

On the road—

Jing Cheng looked up at her and asked: “Will you come to the palace often in the future?”

Ji Yunshu thought for a moment and said: “Probably not.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Hm?

Jing Cheng blinked and asked again: “Why don’t you know?”

How could there be so many “whys” in this world!

Ji Yunshu reached out to stroke his head several times, extremely gently saying: “I also want to know why, but some things have no way to be explained. And even if they’re explained clearly, there may not necessarily be anyone who understands. Even if they understand… they may not be able to do it.”

Her voice grew smaller and smaller…

Her gaze looked into the distance, gradually tightening, as if these words weren’t actually being said to Jing Cheng at all.

Jing Cheng was, after all, still a child. He heard clearly, but wouldn’t necessarily understand.

His little form began to ponder.

When the two arrived at the Imperial Study, a young eunuch outside hurried forward, saying worriedly: “Your Majesty, where did you go? The Grand Tutor took people to look for you earlier.”

“Oh? Really? But I didn’t see the Grand Tutor. Wasn’t he dozing inside?”

“He was frightened when he woke up.”

“What’s there to be frightened about? The Grand Tutor is always making a fuss. I don’t like him anymore.” Jing Cheng pouted, then suddenly said to Ji Yunshu, “I like you. I want you to stay in the palace to keep me company. From now on, can you come to the palace often? When I’m tired, I can play cuju with you.”

His expression was full of expectation.

This…

Ji Yunshu looked at him.

The eunuch was both helpless and embarrassed.

She was Miss Ji—how could she have time to keep the young emperor entertained!

So he said: “Your Majesty, Lord Ji is very busy, I’m afraid…”

He pretended to look troubled.

And that eunuch still respectfully addressed Ji Yunshu as “Lord Ji” even now.

The young emperor was somewhat disappointed.

Ji Yunshu then crouched down to bring herself level with his line of sight, saying earnestly: “Your Majesty, now you are already the Son of Heaven of Da Lin. As an emperor, you must care about the realm, seek blessings for the people. How can you always think about playing?”

“But…”

“The road ahead, every step must be walked by yourself. Your Majesty must remember: do not be greedy, do not be attached, worry for the people to gain their hearts, act righteously to gain ministers’ actions.”

Do not be greedy, do not be attached, worry for the people to gain their hearts, act righteously to gain ministers’ actions.

Jing Cheng nodded: “Mm, I understand.”

Ji Yunshu smiled gently, stroked his head again, then rose and instructed the eunuch: “Take His Majesty inside.”

“Yes!”

After the eunuch led the young emperor inside, Shang Zhuo arrived.

The two nodded and smiled at each other.

They went to the left side of the hall entrance for a brief chat.

Shang Zhuo said: “The Emperor is so young he can’t contain his restlessness and always loves to run out.”

It seemed like a complaint, yet was also very stern!

Ji Yunshu said: “The Emperor has just ascended the throne, so naturally he’s somewhat unaccustomed. In the future, Grand Tutor Shang will need to assist from the side.”

“Naturally.”

“I haven’t yet congratulated you. Now that you’re the Grand Tutor, it can be considered a timely reward.”

“You flatter me. If not for Prince Rong, how could I sit in this Grand Tutor’s position?” Shang Zhuo spoke sincerely, then looked into the distance and sighed, saying, “Actually, Prince Rong not becoming emperor was within my expectations.”

“Oh? Tell me more.”

“Prince Rong’s heart has always yearned for the life of idle clouds and wild cranes. Withdrawing from the court was inevitable. Moreover, this is not necessarily a bad thing. After all… Prince Rong ultimately couldn’t bear it.”

Couldn’t bear it!

The phrase “couldn’t bear it” was enough to explain the reason for Jingrong’s abdication.

“Indeed, he’s not suited to be emperor!”

How could someone who couldn’t bear it decide matters of the realm?

Abdication was inevitable!

Shang Zhuo asked: “Then what plans do Miss Ji and the Prince have for the future?”

The corners of her mouth curved slightly as she said: “I don’t know.”

Confusion!

Both of them also smiled.

After the brief chat, Ji Yunshu returned to the estate.

Upon entering, she saw a familiar figure sitting in the main hall.

Bai Yin!

Wasn’t he supposed to be in Hou Liao?

Seeing her, both Jingrong and Bai Yin stood up simultaneously, both their expressions grave.

“Brother? How did you get here?”

Bai Yin spoke: “There’s a matter!”

“What?”

Bai Yin lowered his eyes slightly and took out his wooden token, handing it to her.

“This is?” Ji Yunshu accepted it.

“Right after you left, Third Master told me… about matters concerning our origins.”

Origins?

Ji Yunshu’s brow furrowed lightly as she looked at the wooden token in her hand and asked: “What do you mean?”

Very tense.

“He didn’t say anything directly, only gave me a person’s name and an address.” Bai Yin pulled out a piece of paper from his person.

He handed it to her.

Ji Yunshu took it and looked.

She froze for a moment!

“Huyi?”

“Yes! He told us to go to Gaoding in Huyi.”

On that piece of paper, not only was Gaoding in Huyi written, but also a person’s name.

The name of a Huyi person, called Chahe.

Bai Yin said: “He said after we arrive at Gaoding, we should immediately find this person, and that person will tell us everything.”

“What else did Third Master say?”

“Nothing more.”

Ji Yunshu’s heart felt like it was wrapped in a huge ball of tangled thread.

Origins?

That is to say, what Third Master said before was all false. Her and Bai Yin’s origins were not simple at all. If they were simple, he wouldn’t have them personally go to Huyi.

Could it be…

She had a frightening thought in her heart, but didn’t dare confirm it.

Nor did she speak it aloud!

Jingrong stepped forward and said: “Since Third Master gave this instruction, then we should make a trip to Huyi. I’ve already discussed it with Bai Yin. In a few days, we’ll depart.”

Yes, Jingrong used “we”!

Ji Yunshu asked: “You?”

“You and I are now inseparable. Wherever I go, you will certainly follow. Then this time, I will certainly follow you as well.”

“But…” She had concerns.

Jingrong had already guessed and dispelled her worries: “I know you’re worried that my identity as a prince going to Huyi will have many inconveniences, but we’re not going with great fanfare. We won’t bring many people and won’t alarm anyone. You can rest assured.”

Ji Yunshu was silent for a while.

She didn’t speak.

It was evident that actually, Jingrong and Bai Yin had already decided.

Now, it was up to her decision!

That evening.

Jingrong waited in the room for someone to apply medicine for him.

The injuries on his body from the thorns in that Dead Man’s River had not yet completely healed.

If Muruo were here, these wounds would probably already be healed!

A maid was carrying the medicine to enter when Ji Yunshu stopped her.

“Give it to me.”

“Yes!” The maid gave her the medicine and then left.