After Ji Yunshu left the Buddhist hall, her feet seemed to lose control, walking forward completely beyond her command.

As if she had lost her soul.

Lost all sensation.

Yet her face was covered in tears.

The weather was gloomy and oppressive, as if making it impossible to breathe.

She didn’t know how long she had walked until her feet could no longer support her heavy body, when she suddenly collapsed weakly.

Her body fell heavily to the ground.

Her knees and hands were scraped until they bled.

She sat collapsed there, tears continuously streaming out.

Crying hoarsely with all her might!

That kind of pain—probably only she herself understood it best.

The sky suddenly began pouring with heavy rain.

Raindrops recklessly assaulted her body, soaking her hair, soaking her face, soaking her thin clothing, and chilling her heart.

She just sat there like this, allowing the rain to drench her.

No longer having the strength to stand up.

Until—

An umbrella appeared above her head.

Shielding her from the rain, blocking the wind.

The person who came stood properly before her, wearing boots trimmed with gold thread.

The hem of his clean robe had already been soaked by the rain.

Jingrong looked down at her with heartache, his brows tightly furrowed.

Yet not knowing what to say.

He could only bend down and lift her from the ground.

Ji Yunshu’s drenched, trembling body leaned into his warm embrace, curling up tightly.

She raised her weak gaze, looking at Jingrong through blurred vision. Opening her mouth, she said in a faint voice, “I want… to leave this place.”

Jingrong looked at her weak form in his arms and held her even tighter.

He said, “Alright!”

He carried her, step by step, walking toward the palace exit.

That tall figure was also gradually blurred by the rain.

Red walls and green tiles passed by his sides one by one, left behind…

Several days later.

The day before departing for Huyi.

Jingrong summoned Lang Bo.

“This time, you don’t need to follow me.”

“Your Highness?”

“Have you forgotten? Your Miss Qin Xi is still waiting for you.”

Lang Bo smiled foolishly, appearing slightly shy.

Jingrong also smiled: “Go on, go find her. Live a good life from now on.”

At this, Lang Bo felt extremely reluctant: “Your Highness, this subordinate truly cannot bear to part with you.”

“You’ve been by this prince’s side for so many years. This prince also cannot bear to part with you. But you can’t very well bring Miss Qin Xi along with us to Huyi, can you?”

That was impossible!

Lang Bo’s emotions were all mixed up.

Afterward, he suddenly knelt down.

Speaking earnestly: “Your Highness, this subordinate still says the same thing—as long as you need me, this subordinate would brave any danger without hesitation.”

He kowtowed!

Jingrong stepped forward, pulled him up, and patted his arm heavily: “Lang Bo, all these years you’ve been through life and death with this prince. This prince owes you!”

“Your Highness must never say such things. Being able to go through life and death following Your Highness is my fortune.”

Jingrong smiled: “Good, then tonight, we won’t return until we’re drunk!”

“Yes.”

Master and servant drank wine all night long!

Early the next morning.

Jingrong had already ordered people to prepare the luggage, ready to leave the city.

Besides bringing a few changes of clothes, Ji Yunshu also brought her two exquisite sandalwood boxes.

One contained her painting tools.

One contained her autopsy examination tools.

They were her two treasures, neither of which could be missing!

Bai Yin asked her, “Have you truly made up your mind to go to Huyi together?”

Still inquiring.

Ji Yunshu smiled at him. After placing the two sandalwood boxes on the carriage, she said, “The future is inherently unpredictable. Since Heaven has arranged all this, then there must be a reason for it. Although I have concerns in my heart, I cannot let you go alone. Or perhaps… it was destined that I would go to Huyi.”

“No regrets?”

“You know my decisions never change.”

Bai Yin nodded with a smile, helping her onto the carriage.

Jingrong gave some instructions to Uncle Lu, arranging everything inside and out.

Uncle Lu said, “Your Highness, on this journey, you must be careful. If you encounter any problems in Huyi, you must notify me.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Your Highness, take care!”

Jingrong looked at the plaque above his head that read “Prince Rong’s Manor,” his gaze settling on it for a moment.

Afterward, he turned and mounted his horse. Bringing only four guards, he left the city.

Lu Jiang, Lang Bo, and the others saw them off for a distance.

But eventually stopped.

When the carriage and horses reached the city gate, Ji Yunshu lifted the curtain to look outside.

The capital’s prosperity remained unchanged.

Every brick and tile was familiar and clear.

She didn’t know how many times she had come and gone. How she hoped that after leaving this time, she would never return again.

She still remembered when Jingrong first wanted to bring her to the capital, she had said the capital was a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den—those who enter face either death or injury!

And she had spent two years proving those words true!

Two children passed by the carriage.

One boy and one girl.

The boy handed the flower-shaped candy in his hand to the girl, smiling as he said, “This is for you. Do you like it?”

The girl took the candy and happily licked it.

Nodding vigorously: “I like it, I really like it!”

“Then I’ll buy it for you every day from now on.”

“Really?”

“Really, I won’t lie to you.”

“Okay!” The girl was extremely happy.

It was such a warm scene.

The two children held hands and skipped away.

Those two cheerful figures radiated infinite longing and hope for the future.

Heaven continuously creates stories.

Every person has an unforgettable story.

Some joyful!

Some sad!

Some full of regret!

And every story is unique.

Ji Yunshu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and lowered the curtain.

The carriage left the city.

The weather at the end of November was exceptionally clear.

The wind in the air was neither cold nor hot.

Rare to have such good weather!

The carriage moved slowly along the official road.

Jingrong and Bai Yin rode horses ahead. The two seemed to be saying something.

When they reached happy topics, they even laughed a few times, and those guards laughed along.

Very harmonious!

The carriage curtain was lifted by the wind, and the scene outside was faintly visible.

Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but poke her head out to look.

What met her eyes were mountains and forests.

A magnificent landscape!

She had never known there was such beautiful scenery outside the capital.

The breeze stirred the surrounding leaves, rustling—a very pleasant sound.

At this moment—

Bell sounds rang out from a distant temple.

“Bong…”

Sound after sound, echoing outward.

Startling the azure-winged magpies in the forest.

The azure-winged magpies flew out from the treetops in flocks, fluttering their wings.

Circling under the cloudless sky.

Not flying far away for a long while.

As if reluctant to leave this place.

Only after the bell sounds ceased did the azure-winged magpies dart back into the forest.

Vanishing without a trace!

Only the sound of birds calling from within the forest could be heard.

Clear and ethereal.

Ji Yunshu’s face showed a clear, clean smile.

Her gaze facing the warm sun of early winter.

So comfortable.

And in this moment, she had never felt so relaxed.

How she wished time would stop right here.

No retreat, no advance.

How wonderful that would be!

(Conclusion of Part One)