“Were you injured?”

His tone remained as gentle as always, carrying concern.

Ji Yunshu shook her head. “No.”

“That’s good. You must be tired—rest early. As for the matter of Cuiyue Pavilion… we’ll talk about it tomorrow.” He clearly already knew everything.

“I suppose you already know the reason I was abducted. May I ask you for one favor?”

“You want Wen Cong to go treat that Miss Hua?”

“Yes!”

Su Ziluo fell silent for a moment before saying, “Back then, when Wen Cong saved Prince Rong, he had already repaid his debt to me. This time, he won’t help again.”

That’s right!

Wen Cong’s favor had already been repaid—it was used to save Jingrong.

Su Ziluo gazed at her, his tone carrying a reminder. “Some matters are not yours to manage. You’ve already returned safely—leave the rest to me.”

“…”

“Rest early.”

With that, Su Ziluo rolled his wheelchair, preparing to leave. But Ji Yunshu took a small step forward, chasing after him, and asked, “Jingrong… where is he?”

There were several implications in her words.

As if she suspected… he had hidden Jingrong away.

It wasn’t without reason—after all, Su Ziluo had concealed and hidden him for three years! Su Ziluo also detected the meaning in her words. His deeply furrowed brow creased several times as he said seriously, “I also don’t know where he went. After escorting you out of Yanjing City, he never returned. I’m also sending people to search for him! I hope nothing has happened.” And he told her with certainty, “Rest assured, since you two have already met, naturally I won’t hide him away again.”

“Then where could he have gone?”

“He’s free—I have no right to question his whereabouts.”

These past three years, although Jingrong had been working for him, he had always been independent and solitary. Even disappearing for several months had happened before.

It was just that this disappearance was somewhat suspicious, so Su Ziluo had no choice but to send people to search!

“He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

His tone was very certain!

After hearing this, Ji Yunshu’s worries lessened somewhat.

Su Ziluo then prepared to leave.

“Ji Pei!” Ji Yunshu suddenly called out this name.

How long had it been since anyone had called him by this name? Sometimes… even he himself would forget it.

Memories surged up one by one.

Beautiful ones, unforgettable ones, painful ones, sorrowful ones…

And even more, the scene from many years ago under the plum blossom tree!

Clearly reflected in his mind.

He still remembered he had once said that when he returned, it would be the day he married Ji Yunshu. The two-year agreement was like a dream.

And that dream—he had never forgotten!

But ultimately, times had changed. Everything was just the past, just a period he didn’t want to recall again.

Ji Yunshu looked at his back and said, “Although you’ve always refused to explain why you concealed the matter of saving Jingrong from me, there’s one thing… I want to ask you.”

He said nothing. “Back then, although the Emperor agreed to let you return to Qujiang, I worried something might go wrong, so I secretly had Zijin follow you out of the city. As a result, on the road… she found that tassel of yours. I thought something had happened to you, but not long after, I learned you had safely returned to Qujiang! So I didn’t investigate this matter further and just kept the tassel you had dropped with me! After arriving here and seeing you, I always felt you were hiding something from me. These past days, I’ve thought a lot. Moreover, that child called Lie’er who used to be by your side also disappeared. All of this makes me think more! Ji Pei, can you tell me—did something actually happen back then? Is it related to why you concealed saving Jingrong from me?”

She was always so perceptive!

So meticulous!

Any detail made him think of so many things.

Su Ziluo’s eyes darkened, becoming dull and lightless. A trace of sorrow and resentment instantly shrouded his face, though it vanished in a flash.

But the hand resting on the wheelchair involuntarily tightened!

The atmosphere at this moment became unusually quiet!

For a long while—

Su Ziluo, without turning his head, said, “I accidentally dropped that tassel on the road back! As for Lie’er… he has his own place to belong. As for other matters, I’ll say the same thing—no matter how you ask, I won’t tell you.”

“Ji Pei…” Ji Yunshu stared intently at his back.

“Dawn is approaching. You’ve been through so much—rest early. Any matters can wait until tomorrow.”

With that, he left!

Ji Yunshu watched his gradually receding figure in a daze, her heart full of doubts.

She was certain her speculation couldn’t be wrong!

Su Ziluo absolutely wouldn’t conceal the matter of saving Jingrong for no reason. Perhaps it truly… was related to that incident from years ago.

But what exactly that matter was—if Su Ziluo didn’t speak, she would never know!

A short while later, Ayi and Ajiao, who had previously cared for her in the bamboo house, arrived.

“Miss, when you disappeared for that day and night, we were worried sick. Thank goodness you’re alright.”

Ajiao said, “If only I hadn’t escorted Miss Liu away.”

Ji Yunshu said, “You’re all here.”

“When we learned you had disappeared, we nearly went mad with anxiety, especially the Young Master.”

“But fortunately, good people have their own celestial protection. It’s good that you’re fine.”

Ji Yunshu showed a slight smile and asked, “By the way, what about that Miss Liu? How is she?” Ajiao said, “After Miss Liu entered the city, she saw a physician who said she had been poisoned with cantharidin. Fortunately, the poisoning wasn’t deep, so she’s fine. After taking medicine, she’s much better! The rest of those people also arrived in Yanjing City the next day and are staying at De’an Inn. When she learned something had happened to you, Miss, Miss Liu was also very worried.”

“Do we know who administered the poison?”

“We don’t know.”

Now, Ji Yunshu couldn’t concern herself with those matters.

At this moment, dawn was gradually breaking.

…

Several hours later, at the residence in the small alley. After leaving Fengya Pavilion yesterday, Luoyang had sobered up after emerging from the water, but who knew that after being blown by the wind, his head became dizzy and muddled again! He staggered all the way back while vomiting, retching “earth-shatteringly” while sprawled in a corner at the alley entrance. Fortunately, Xiao Ba had gone out to look for him out of concern and carried him back. Seeing him soaking wet and reeking of alcohol, he quickly changed him into clean clothes and had the cook in the courtyard prepare sobering soup.

He forced several bowls down his throat!

But still couldn’t get him to wake up.

So this sleep lasted until the next day.

Xiao Ba had also kept watch by the bedside all night.

When Luoyang woke, his head was splitting with pain—he simply wanted to die.

“Brother, you’re finally awake.” Xiao Ba was sprawled at the bedside.

“Wasn’t I at…” His memory still lingered at when he had left Fengya Pavilion.

“Brother, do you know you vomited all night? I’m exhausted.” Xiao Ba twisted his arms, then raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

After recovering for quite a while, Luoyang finally turned over and got out of bed, glancing outside. “What time is it?”

“Dawn just broke.” “Just broke?” Luoyang lifted his sleeve to his nose and sniffed—a strong alcohol smell, even somewhat sour. He immediately showed an expression of extreme disgust. Then he fanned his clothes a few times and turned to tell Xiao Ba, “Go fetch some water for your brother. I need a good bath.”

“Oh!”

Xiao Ba scurried off.

Luoyang took a simple bath, changed into fresh clothes, and prepared to go out.

Xiao Ba quickly grabbed him. “Brother, where are you going?”

“To the Wen residence!”

…

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he arrived at the Wen residence.

He told the Wen brothers what Li Shiyan had told him yesterday—that Ji Yunshu had already left Yanjing City.

Wen Yu was skeptical. “Truly?”

“What the Heir Apparent said can’t be false.”

Shu Tian said from the side, “This subordinate has practically turned Yanjing City upside down searching for Miss Ji without finding her. It seems… she truly has left.”

Wen Yu said, “So after searching around and around Yanjing City for so long, she had actually already left long ago. But…” He looked at Luoyang. “Why did the Heir Apparent tell you?”

“How should I know? Anyway, he also learned the news from the Su residence.”

“It seems Miss Ji knows quite a few people.” Wen Yu’s words seemed to carry other implications.

Ji Yunshu was a mystery!

Luoyang had come here just to inform them. “You don’t need to search anymore either. Anyway… she’s already gone.”

Somewhat dejected! Wen Che remained silent on the side, then shifted his gaze to Luoyang. “Luoyang, since Miss Ji has already left, there’s nothing to be done about it. I’ve already arranged a position for you—it’s an official post at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, specifically responsible for sacrificial rites and ceremonies. The rank isn’t high, but it’s very respectable. As long as you work hard, you can continue climbing upward. I’ll help you too.” It seemed he was ready to fulfill his promise!