Imperial Consort Xiao issued a decree out of the blue. Helplessly, Ji Yunshu could only comply with the imperial order.

“Alright!” She agreed.

After the palace servant delivered the message, they left!

Ji Yunshu glanced at Jingrong. “By all logic, with Qujiang’s general entering the palace today, how would Imperial Consort Xiao still have the leisure to summon me to the palace?”

“If you’re unwilling to go, you needn’t go at all. This prince will block it for you.”

“That’s not necessary. Probably, she just wants to discuss this missing persons case.”

“Can you handle it?” Jingrong asked.

Ji Yunshu felt uncertain, only saying, “Handle or not handle—didn’t I come out of the palace alive last time?”

Immediately, Jingrong’s brows furrowed as he said seriously, “You and I will enter the palace together this time. If you dare leave first again and abandon this prince, this prince will make you pay.”

Oh my!

This topic again!

Facing Jingrong’s extremely earnest gaze, Ji Yunshu instinctively took a step back and nodded.

She said, “But if I haven’t emerged from the palace after a long while, the Prince needn’t wait for me.”

Jingrong understood her meaning.

Suddenly, a trace of coldness appeared on his face as he said to her, “If Imperial Consort Xiao dares to confine you in the palace, this prince will lead people to storm in and kill everyone we encounter.”

How embarrassing!

Must it be so bloody?

Ji Yunshu was speechless.

“After entering the palace, I’ll arrange for several young eunuchs to guard outside Imperial Consort Xiao’s palace. At the slightest disturbance, they’ll immediately notify me,” Jingrong added.

“That’s not necessary!”

“It is necessary!”

His attitude was extremely resolute!

Without further delay, the two boarded the carriage to enter the palace. However, Wei Yi rushed out and gripped Ji Yunshu’s hand tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.

“Shu’er, together!” So pitiful!

“Wei Yi, I’m not going to play. Stay here obediently. I’ll return very soon.”

He shook his head!

“Be good!”

Still shaking his head!

Ji Yunshu wanted to reach out and push him, but Wei Yi suddenly said, “I won’t let go of Shu’er’s hand anymore. Otherwise, you’ll disappear again. I’m afraid, I’m afraid Shu’er will disappear.”

Uh!

“Wei Yi…”

“Shu’er, together, okay?”

At this moment, Jingrong’s voice suddenly came from inside the carriage. “Come up. Bring him along.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yi immediately brightened and quickly climbed into the carriage, calling “Good brother” several times!

Ji Yunshu boarded the carriage and glared at Jingrong.

But he squinted his eyes and said lazily, “If he wants to follow, let him follow.”

“That’s the imperial palace!” Ji Yunshu reminded him.

“This prince knows!” he said indifferently.

But Ji Yunshu held firm to her position and looked at Wei Yi. “Wei Yi, get down.”

“Shu’er…”

“Get down!”

Wei Yi lowered his head, knowing Ji Yunshu was angry. He reached out and tugged at her sleeve. “Shu’er, don’t be angry. I’ll get down.”

His head remained lowered, looking extremely pitiful!

Seeing Wei Yi like this, Ji Yunshu’s heart felt uncomfortable.

Wei Yi, once the Linjing Case is concluded, I promise you I will stay by your side at all times!

After Wei Yi got down from the carriage, Jingrong suddenly lifted the curtain and ordered Lang Bo, “You needn’t accompany me into the palace. Take good care of Wei Yi. Take him to eat what he likes and play what he likes to play.”

“Yes!”

After the curtain dropped, seeing Ji Yunshu’s stern expression, Jingrong said, “Since he wants to follow, why must you be like this?”

“I’m not the Prince. I cannot drag someone into deep water and scorching fire.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wei Yi shouldn’t be drawn into any incidents.”

Her answer was simple and clear!

Jingrong also fell silent!

Wei Yi watched the carriage gradually recede. Pouting, he sat down on the steps outside the residence, one foot constantly scraping back and forth on the ground.

Lang Bo walked to his side and, with an ingratiating tone, asked carefully, “Young Master Wei, how about I take you to eat candied hawthorns?”

He shook his head. “No. I want to wait here for Shu’er.”

“How about waiting inside?”

“I said no! I want to wait here.”

Willful!

“Young Master Wei…”

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Yi interrupted. He pouted, tears glistening in his eyes, and looked up at him.

He asked, “Tell me, does Shu’er dislike me now?”

The question came so suddenly that Lang Bo couldn’t answer for a moment. The corner of his mouth twitched.

If asked about military campaigns, he could still answer somewhat, but regarding this kind of matter, it really stumped him.

He shrugged helplessly. “Young Master Wei, you’ve really stumped me.”

Wei Yi lowered his head again, looking at his clean shoes, kicking his feet and constantly scraping the ground.

…

After entering the palace, Jingrong hurried to the Hall of Political Discussion. Before this, he repeatedly instructed Ji Yunshu to be careful.

She could only nod!

She then followed the palace maid who came to receive her to Zhang Zhi Palace.

However, what she never expected was that Imperial Consort Xiao had summoned not only her alone.

Inside the entire great hall, seats had been arranged!

In the seats sat young ladies bedecked in finery.

Each one could be considered beautiful!

She wondered in her heart—what medicine was Imperial Consort Xiao selling in her gourd?

When those women saw her enter wearing a half-mask, full of mystery, it was precisely because of this that the women displayed curious expressions.

They examined her closely.

Though they didn’t know if she was ugly or beautiful!

Yet—

Some young ladies shyly lowered their heads!

Some had faces flushed completely red!

Some smiled at her with blooming expressions!

And some even bit their lips, wishing they could throw themselves into her embrace.

Just one missing persons case had made her reputation soar!

And attracted all these “rouge and powder beauties.”

She quickly averted her gaze from these fluttering eyes and walked to the center of the great hall.

She cupped her hands. “Paying respects to Imperial Consort Xiao!”

Imperial Consort Xiao had a friendly expression and displayed a smile. In a gentle tone, she said, “Master Ji needn’t be so formal. This palace has arranged a banquet for you within the palace. I hope you won’t blame this palace for taking matters into my own hands.”

Hm?

A banquet for her?

What was this situation?

“This commoner doesn’t understand Your Ladyship’s meaning.”

“Master solved the missing persons case. Throughout the entire capital, everyone says you’re simply miraculous. Many young ladies from prominent families all wish to behold your countenance. This palace thinks that sooner or later you’ll marry and have children. The young ladies from various families present today are either talented daughters of military families or from scholarly households. I believe they all match your intelligence.”

What?

She was playing matchmaker!

Ji Yunshu’s palms sweated!

This Imperial Consort Xiao—what was she trying to do?

Ji Yunshu bent slightly. “Thank you for Your Ladyship’s kind intentions. This commoner comes from humble origins and dares not entertain such thoughts.”

“Since ancient times, one doesn’t fear humble origins, only fears that the wise lack determination. Master is highly valued by Prince Rong. Now that you’ve solved the missing persons case, the Emperor also praises you effusively. Rising to prominence and success is only a matter of time.”

“Your Ladyship’s kind intentions—this commoner appreciates them. However, marriage at this time is truly too early.”

She declined repeatedly!

The corner of Imperial Consort Xiao’s mouth lifted slightly upward as she said patiently, “Master, don’t be hasty in declining this palace’s offer. Why not sit down and chat slowly?”

Ji Yunshu was helpless. Entering the tiger’s den—there was no escape!

She could only sit down to one side.

However, those pairs of curious and eager eyes looking at her made her feel uncomfortable all over.

From the seats, a voice suddenly rang out. “Master Ji has such graceful bearing and is so intelligent. You must certainly have a dignified appearance. Why not remove your mask?”

The women at the seats all nodded frequently in agreement, wanting to behold her handsome features.

Imperial Consort Xiao secretly sneered, then also said, “Master Ji, since it’s like this, remove your mask.”

So this was the true purpose of this Hongmen Banquet!