So Ji Yunshu didn’t plan to devise various ways to conceal her destination.

She stated directly: “Yanjing!”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yu exclaimed, “Miss Ji is also going to Yanjing?”

“Yes.”

“What a coincidence! We’re heading the same way. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to travel with us.”

“I’ve been in poor health since childhood and frequently fall ill on journeys. I’m afraid I would delay Young Master Wen’s itinerary.”

“That’s precisely why it would be good to look after each other on the road.” Wen Yu’s words carried particular enthusiasm.

Actually, setting aside the matter of Ji Yunshu saving him, he found this woman before him exceptionally beautiful, so he naturally harbored some other thoughts.

However, his eager invitation drew a covert glance from Wen Che.

His foolish younger brother!

Without even ascertaining the other party’s background, he was already showing such favor—it truly gave his older brother a headache!

But Wen Yu was already captivated. How could he still notice that warning look Wen Che had just given him?

Ji Yunshu absolutely could not travel with them, so she politely declined: “There’s really no need to trouble Young Master Wen. Actually, I have some other matters to handle in Liangzhou that might delay me, so I appreciate your kind offer.”

“What a pity!” Wen Yu sighed. “However, since Miss Ji will eventually reach Yanjing, we can meet again then.”

She smiled without speaking.

She truly didn’t know how to continue the conversation.

It was Wen Che who spoke up: “Miss Ji, I heard that last night those two people below were bitten by snakes and you saved them! Do you understand medical principles?”

She met his gaze, finding those eyes exceptionally clear, with distinct black and white, a gentle air flowing through them that made one unable to look away even after a long while. Yet behind this gentle expression, Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but feel somewhat wary.

“I don’t actually understand medical principles. I merely learned some methods for treating snake venom from someone in my early years.”

“I thought you were proficient in various areas and was hoping to learn from you.”

“I wonder what makes this Young Master Wen say such a thing?”

“Miss, you may not know this, but I actually first saw you at the yamen in Jiahe Town.” Wen Che said.

Ji Yunshu was slightly surprised: “You were there that day too?”

Wen Che’s thin lips parted slightly: “I had originally gone to find Magistrate Li about some matters and happened upon the yamen conducting a murder trial. I saw you detained in the hall, labeled a murderer by others, yet unexpectedly, with a brilliant demonstration of evidence, you cleared yourself of the charges and even exposed the true culprit right there in the court. Such ability—naturally I haven’t forgotten. So I naturally developed considerable admiration for you. Even more unexpectedly, you then saved my A’Yu, rendering great kindness to my Wen family. Such fate is truly rare to find.”

He spoke gently and meticulously, his manner of speech and conduct revealing considerable character and refinement.

Quite scholarly and elegant!

Yet between his brows lingered a sharp aura that compelled others not to dare act frivolously or presumptuously before him.

Such a person, Ji Yunshu naturally wanted to avoid!

She responded accordingly: “Young Master Wen flatters me. I merely had some good fortune that allowed me to clear myself of blame. It doesn’t amount to ability!”

“You’re being modest, Miss.”

“I’m stating facts!”

“Previously, when you were taken hostage by that masked assassin and still managed to escape safely, that certainly demonstrates ability. Yet you remain modest and from beginning to end are unwilling to converse openly with us. Could it be… you don’t trust us? You’re harboring thoughts? Or perhaps secrets, making it inconvenient to speak too freely?” Though Wen Che’s gentle words seemed harmless, each word and phrase carried the edge of a blade, determined to cut open Ji Yunshu’s heart to see what lay within.

To see exactly what schemes it concealed?

Ji Yunshu felt uncomfortable all over. She lowered her head slightly, her tone calm as she said, “Young Master Wen is overthinking. I’m merely a country woman going to Yanjing to seek relatives. Where would I have any hidden thoughts or secrets?”

The two had been exchanging formalities, which made Wen Yu’s heart feel as if it were being tickled by feathers. He interjected: “Enough, let’s not discuss other matters. Today is to thank Miss Ji for her life-saving grace. Let’s not waste this table full of food.”

As he spoke, Wen Yu picked up his chopsticks to serve food onto Ji Yunshu’s plate, but she suddenly stood up.

His hand froze in midair.

Should he put the food down?

Or not?

Ji Yunshu bowed slightly and said, “Thank you both, Young Masters Wen, for your hospitality. I’m feeling somewhat unwell, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“Hm?” Wen Yu withdrew his chopsticks and was about to try to make her stay when Ji Yunshu had already turned and left.

It wasn’t that she was being obstinate—it was just that dining at the same table with two grown men felt somewhat awkward.

Moreover, Wen Che’s frequent remarks were all probing her without exception.

So even if she had wanted to eat that meal, the other party probably wouldn’t have let her eat in peace.

Wen Yu sighed: “That Miss Ji has a cold temperament and speaks with considerable reserve. Ordinary people seem unable to befriend her.”

Wen Che’s face, however, was extremely cold!

He said not a word.

His gaze remained fixed on the direction Ji Yunshu had departed.

Wen Yu: “Brother?”

Wen Che withdrew his gaze, looking seriously at his foolish younger brother and reminding him: “A’Yu, that Miss Ji is not some simple person. You’d best keep your distance from her and avoid contact.”

“Not simple? Why do you say that?”

“I always feel she has some connection to the person who tried to kill you. As for the exact nature of it, I’m not clear.”

“That… that’s impossible!” Wen Yu said. “If they were in cahoots, Miss Ji wouldn’t have saved me at the time.”

Wen Che said, “That’s precisely what confuses me, which is why I probed her just now. If she had nothing in her heart, she wouldn’t have left. It’s precisely because she departed that I’m even more certain of some things.”

“It can’t be.” Wen Yu refused to believe it!

But his heart still jumped with alarm!

Wen Che reminded him again: “Also, this time we’re transporting Prince Jing’an’s remains back to Yanjing. We must be extra careful on the road and maintain constant vigilance. Our identities must not be exposed to avoid inviting trouble. Yet just now you invited Miss Ji to travel with us. Do you realize that if something were to happen on the road, could you bear the responsibility? Could our Wen family bear the responsibility?”

At this, Wen Yu finally understood why Wen Che had glanced at him earlier.

“Brother, I… was careless.”

“In any case, until we return to Yanjing, everything must be approached with caution.”

“Yes, you’re right! Just now I was single-mindedly focused on repaying Miss Ji for saving my life, which clouded my judgment and showed poor consideration!” Wen Yu spoke thus, also annoyed with himself for becoming confused over a woman. Normally, he wasn’t like this, but after a moment, he added, “However, Miss Ji is absolutely not a bad person, so Brother, you shouldn’t overthink it either.”

Wen Che exhaled softly: “I’d rather be overthinking.”

After all, constantly being on guard against others was also very exhausting!

…