She should have thought of it earlier—Ji Shuhan’s letter had already been delivered from Jinjiang to the capital. Encountering her two elder brothers on the official road was inevitable!

But now, if they found out that she had burned down the Ji residence and angered her grandmother to death, the moment her head emerged from the carriage, the Xuanchi sword in her second brother’s hand would probably slice her to pieces, leaving not even bone fragments.

It wasn’t that she feared death or pain—she simply didn’t want to die at the hands of the Ji family.

Otherwise, that would be too unjust!

She wouldn’t do it!

In front of the carriage.

Jingrong still sat astride his horse, his eyes suddenly turning coldly intense with an unfathomable scrutinizing air.

Ji Li, Ji Huan, and the others dismounted one after another, kneeling on one knee with hands clasped together.

“We pay our respects to Prince Rong!”

People who marched and fought in wars were indeed different—their voices were particularly resonant.

Jingrong lowered his eyelids.

“Rise.”

“We thank Prince Rong.”

Ji Li and Ji Huan were two figures that Jingrong didn’t have much contact with in the capital.

Mostly he had encountered them occasionally when his imperial father held council meetings.

Of the two, the eldest, Ji Li, was the Left Commander of the Linyi Army—half civil, half military—holding fifty thousand troops in his hands. Moreover, he was ruthless and unscrupulous in achieving his goals.

Even the current Marquis Dingbei called this man “Howling Wolf,” meaning he devoured people without spitting out bones!

The second, Ji Huan, was a general personally ennobled by the Emperor as the Changlin General—a true military commander through and through. His temperament naturally matched his illustrious military achievements.

Rough! Rough! Still rough!

Fortunately, he was decent as a person, straightforward in nature—hard when met with hardness, soft when met with softness.

“Where are you two generals rushing to in such haste?” Jingrong asked knowingly.

Ji Li had an innately sinister air about his face. Though his build wasn’t large, those slightly narrowed slender eyes seemed to gather countless electric currents, making people shudder.

And they carried shrewdness!

He lowered his head slightly and said: “This humble general’s family has suddenly suffered a bereavement. That’s why we’re rushing back at full speed. We didn’t expect to encounter Your Highness on the way. If we have caused offense, please forgive us.”

“Since that’s the case, I won’t delay you two generals from returning to attend the funeral. This prince must also hurry back to the capital.”

Attend the funeral?

The corpse and coffin were burned clean—Jingrong, you really know how to joke.

Ji Li, naturally perceptive, raised his head and looked toward the carriage behind Jingrong. With darkened eyes and a sinister tone, he said:

“Your Highness, recently bandits have been appearing in this area. Please be extra careful on your journey back to the capital.”

“Bandits?” Jingrong heard the meaning in his words and glanced at the carriage behind him before the corners of his lips lifted slightly: “Thank you for General Ji Li’s reminder. This prince will be very careful.”

“May I ask… who is inside the carriage?”

“This prince’s honored guest.” He answered without hesitation.

Ji Li narrowed his eyes, clearly calculating.

His expression was completely observed by Ji Huan at his side. He stepped forward several paces and said in his rough voice: “Since we don’t know who is in the carriage, why not lift the curtain and let us see clearly, to prevent bandits from causing trouble.”

Jingrong’s expression turned stern, his tone rebuking coldly: “Does General Ji Huan mean to suggest that this prince’s carriage harbors bandits?”

“This humble general is merely speculating. Why not let this humble general investigate clearly on Your Highness’s behalf!”

With that said, he drew the Xuanchi sword from his waist and thrust fiercely toward the person inside the carriage.

Even though she was inside the carriage, Ji Yunshu clearly felt the killing intent brought by the Xuanchi sword approaching her, as if it would pierce through the curtain in front and stab straight into her heart before giving up.

Her hands involuntarily grasped her skirt, holding her breath.

Her ink-dark pupils suddenly dilated!

“Shu’er…”

The next moment, Wei Yi threw himself into her embrace, tightly hugging her slender waist, his head resting against her neck.

Ji Yunshu watched as the shadow outside the carriage drew closer and closer, the silhouette moving upward bit by bit from the bottom of the curtain.

At this moment, she thought she was dead for sure.

Suddenly, the curtain was lifted by a gust of wind!

She saw Ji Huan thrusting the Xuanchi sword toward her.

Their four eyes met hastily!

Ji Huan also saw the woman inside the carriage—face veiled, dressed in plain clothes, her skirt hem stirred by the wind, long hair black as ink draped over her shoulders, only a wooden hairpin gathering a portion of hair simply arranged at the crown of her head.

In her arms, she also held a man!

With only those eyes visible, he couldn’t identify her.

Besides, how could such a woman be his damned third sister!

The wind ceased, the curtain fell!

The sword edge in Ji Huan’s hand was suddenly deflected by a long sword. Before he could react, a sword was already pressed against his neck.

Whose speed was this astonishing?

“Insolent!”

Jingrong’s voice came in rebuke.

Carrying anger!

The sword in his hand actually cut open a gash on Ji Huan’s neck. If he applied just a bit more force, that thick, powerful neck would probably be pierced through by his sword.

“Such audacity! You dare draw your sword against this prince’s honored guest. Do you even acknowledge this prince!”

Ji Huan’s gaze didn’t waver. Years of military campaigns had forged in him an unyielding proud spirit.

His tone steady, he answered: “This humble general thought bandits were hidden in the carriage, which is why I drew my sword. Just now I saw clearly the person inside. This humble general was rash. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

“Forgive you?”

Jingrong lifted the sword in his hand upward, forcefully pressing it against Ji Huan’s jaw.

He laughed coldly: “Do you know that this prince could execute you on the spot right now?”

Hearing this, Ji Li several meters away quickly knelt.

He pleaded: “Please show mercy, Your Highness! Ji Huan has offended Your Highness, but he was also thinking of Your Highness’s safety. Please, Your Highness, in consideration of this, show leniency.”

“Your Ji family truly produces remarkable talent—every single matter has greatly opened this prince’s eyes.” Jingrong’s long, narrow eyes held a fierce, angry flame as he pointed directly at Ji Huan, held by his sword, and said: “Throughout all of Dalin, there has never been a subject who dared draw a sword in this prince’s presence. Ji Huan, this prince knows you’re not afraid of death, but don’t forget—sovereign is sovereign, subject is subject. No matter your great achievements and merit, you are ultimately a subject.”

Filled with warning!

Though Ji Huan was a military man, he understood the principle of sovereign and subject.

He could only yield: “Yes, this humble general understands.”

The next moment, Jingrong withdrew the sword from his neck and tossed it to Lang Bo.

He glanced at Ji Li kneeling on the ground and said coldly: “Rise. After all, one of you is the Left Commander, the other the Changlin General. This prince won’t truly take your lives. However, regarding what just happened, this prince hopes it’s the last time. If similar incidents occur again, don’t blame this prince for charging you with treason.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Jingrong leaped onto his horse, eyes straight ahead, feet lightly nudging the horse’s belly.

“Move out!”

Ji Li and Ji Huan’s people retreated to both sides, making way!

The carriage also began moving. Ji Yunshu tried her utmost to remain calm. The false alarm from moments ago still lingered in her chest, refusing to dissipate.

Wei Yi held her still unwilling to let go—he must have been frightened too.

She could only gently pat his back, softly comforting him.

But just as the carriage passed by Ji Li and Ji Huan’s side, by sheer bad luck, the window curtain was stirred by the wind.

And the veil she wore was also gently blown upward…