Outside the palace gates!

The sky had already darkened!

Ji Yunshu brought Wei Yi to the south gate. Along the way, young eunuchs carried lanterns to light their path, so their footing wasn’t slippery.

Prince Rong’s carriage waited outside, and Lang Bo was there too.

“Master Ji, you’ve finally come out.” Lang Bo said worriedly.

Ji Yunshu nodded faintly.

Lang Bo then turned to look at Wei Yi, asking with concern, “Young Master Wei, did the princess make things difficult for you?”

Wei Yi shook his head and gave a big smile. “I’m fine!”

“That’s good. It’s getting quite late. Both of you should get in the carriage. His Highness should be out soon.”

Wei Yi immediately climbed into the carriage. Having eaten and drunk his fill, he was naturally somewhat tired.

Seeing him like that, Ji Yunshu wanted to laugh, but her thoughts were heavy and she couldn’t manage it. Just as she was about to step into the carriage—

She caught sight of a group of people coming out of the palace. Those three had stern expressions, determined gazes, and strode forward with heads held high.

It was Yuchi Lin and his two junior officers.

Seeing the style of their armor, Ji Yunshu remarked, “Those three men—are they from Qujiang? Is the one in front the general who led thirty thousand troops to counter one hundred thousand?”

Lang Bo looked over and nodded, saying quietly, “It should be. Master truly is broadly learned. Back in the ruined temple, you recognized those people as Huyi at a glance. Now with just one look, you know they’re from Qujiang. Truly admirable.”

These words of praise didn’t register with Ji Yunshu at all.

Her gaze remained fixed on Yuchi Lin.

After a long moment, she tilted her head, her brow furrowing as she found it strange!

“Master? What’s wrong?” Lang Bo asked.

She shook her head and watched the three men mount their horses and leave.

Just at that moment, when she turned her head, she spotted Ji Li and Ji Huan.

She quickly lowered her head and hurried into the carriage. Extending her slender fingers to lift the curtain, she secretly watched those two men gradually walk away.

Her heart slowly settled!

“What must come will always come!” she murmured softly.

The title “Master Ji” was spreading so feverishly throughout the capital that Ji Li and Ji Huan had no reason not to know about it. Once they finished dealing with the Qujiang matter, they would likely come to trouble her.

Just thinking about having to deal with them later gave her quite a headache!

Just as she was lowering the curtain, Wei Yi stretched and yawned.

“Shu’er, I’m tired!”

Having said this, he bent down and laid his head on Ji Yunshu’s lap, closing his eyes to sleep.

Ji Yunshu didn’t push him away. Instead, she indulgently stroked his head with a slight smile.

Hm?

“Wei Yi, when did you get a birthmark on your neck?” Ji Yunshu noticed.

Wei Yi didn’t open his eyes, only answered drowsily, “Yes, I have one. Mother said I was born with it. You’re the second person to ask me today.”

“What do you mean, second?”

“…”

Wei Yi had already fallen asleep!

Ji Yunshu’s finger lightly touched that petal-shaped red birthmark.

It must be said, this birthmark was quite pretty.

After waiting a while longer without seeing Jingrong emerge, she figured Emperor Qizhen had probably kept his several sons behind closed doors to discuss matters.

Seeing Wei Yi sleeping so soundly, Ji Yunshu gently pushed him aside, got up, and let Wei Yi lie on the cushioned couch. Then she got out of the carriage.

She instructed Lang Bo, “Brother Lang, please take Wei Yi back first. Drive the carriage slowly so you don’t wake him. I’ll stay and wait for His Highness.”

“But…”

“No buts. This is the palace gate—nothing will happen to me.”

Lang Bo thought it over and agreed, then took Wei Yi back first.

Ji Yunshu waited outside the palace gates for a long time, gazing at the morning-like night sky. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as she sank into deep thought.

Not knowing how much time had passed—

“Are you waiting for this prince?”

Jingrong’s voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.

She turned her head to see that handsome face suddenly enlarged before her. She instinctively stepped back, but unexpectedly her legs went weak and her body tilted backward.

She was immediately caught by Jingrong.

The hand clasped at her waist exerted particular force. She heard Jingrong say mischievously, “Little one, why do you always need this prince to catch you?”

Uh!

Ji Yunshu’s ears turned red. She immediately sprang away and quickly turned around.

Silent!

Seeing her like this, the smile at the corner of Jingrong’s mouth spread even wider. He didn’t expose her, but instead snapped his fingers toward his back.

“Go fetch a carriage.”

“Yes!” The guard behind him immediately complied.

Jingrong leaned close to her ear. “If you had left with that boy Wei Yi first, this prince wouldn’t have blamed you.”

Ji Yunshu looked at him strangely. “How did you know Wei Yi also entered the palace?”

“Didn’t this prince tell you? I’d already arranged for several young eunuchs to watch outside Consort Xiao’s palace. When this prince came out of the Council Hall, I already knew everything.”

“…”

It felt like a cold wind!

Making her spine shiver.

The carriage arrived. The two quickly got in and returned to Prince Rong’s mansion.

Inside the carriage!

Jingrong glanced at her and reached out to touch her. “Do you know the result of this council meeting?”

She raised her eyes and shook her head. “Don’t want to know!”

“This prince insists on telling you. This time Qujiang came to propose marriage for the Prince of Qujiang.”

“Oh!” She wasn’t interested at all. Instead she said, “I just saw that Qujiang general at the palace gate.”

Jingrong heard the meaning in her words. Frowning seriously, he asked, “Could it be you noticed something?”

“From Your Highness’s tone, it seems you also noticed something.”

“You speak first.”

Ji Yunshu’s brow furrowed. “I feel… this man doesn’t seem like someone capable of using thirty thousand troops to maneuver around one hundred thousand.”

At these words, Jingrong’s heart jolted. He looked at the woman before him with scrutinizing eyes.

He said earnestly.

“Your thoughts are the same as this prince’s!”

Inside the inn—

Li Shiyan was currently propping his chin on his hand as he sat at the table, reaching out to tease the oil lamp before him.

Looking quite pensive!

Little Luzi was tidying things on the side while asking, “Young Master, are we really leaving the capital?”

“If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to. Hurry up and pack!”

“Oh, oh!” Little Luzi’s movements quickened somewhat.

Li Shiyan glanced at him and was just about to stand up when—

Whoosh—

A silver needle suddenly shot through the thin crack of the door.

Fortunately, Li Shiyan’s reflexes were quick enough. With a leap, he dodged it.

“Young Master, be careful!” Little Luzi shouted.

Immediately after, several more silver needles shot in.

Li Shiyan suddenly opened his folding fan that he carried with him and waved it, blocking the needles. They passed by him and embedded themselves in the long redwood bed.

Thank goodness!

However, these needles carried no killing intent.

“Creak!”

The door opened.

When Li Shiyan saw who was outside, he wasn’t surprised at all. Instead, his face turned ashen as he closed his folding fan.

Sighing, he sat down and complained.

“I knew you would come looking for me.”

At that moment, there were two people outside the door.

One standing!

One sitting in a wheelchair!