More than a year’s time naturally also meant that she couldn’t possibly leave the capital with Wei Yi in the shortest time!

After thinking for a moment, Ji Yunshu’s heart settled, and she said: “Starting today, I’ll live at Bamboo Creek Garden.”

“No!”

Jingrong rejected it outright.

And hastily said: “You must stay by this prince’s side! Otherwise, if something happens to you, who will collect your corpse?”

Oh my goodness!

Can we speak properly?

Such a poisonous mouth!

Ji Yunshu frowned: “The Linjing Case can’t be delayed any longer. These coffins are placed here, quite far from Your Highness’s manor. If I make a round trip each time, it will waste quite a bit of time. It would be better to just stay here—more convenient.”

“This place…”

In an instant, she interrupted his words.

Continuing: “Your Highness needn’t worry. Don’t I have Zijin by my side? She will definitely protect me thoroughly. Moreover, it’s quiet here. When I’m drawing portraits, I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Her words made Jingrong narrow his eyes and think carefully for a while.

Only after taking a deep breath did he say: “Then, this prince will have Lang Bo stay with you.”

Making a concession!

“Lang Bo is Your Highness’s man. Having Zijin is enough for me.”

“During this period, the palace will also be very busy. I often enter the palace and can’t bring him along, so it’s better to let him stay here. This prince will also have more peace of mind. Rest assured, he won’t disturb you.”

This tone left no room for Ji Yunshu to refuse further!

It was just—

Busy?

Busy with what?

Though Ji Yunshu didn’t want to ask, her curiosity still bubbled up.

Jingrong seemed to see through her thoughts. Putting his hands behind his back, he spoke plainly.

“Father Emperor’s birthday is approaching soon. Moreover, on the day of his great birthday, talented ladies from various manors and provinces will enter the palace. The purpose is also to select a consort for the Crown Prince. The entire court has already begun preparations. This prince must also put in more thought and prepare good gifts—one for Father Emperor, one for the Crown Prince.”

Selecting a consort?

The Crown Princess?

That also meant Ji Muqing would be coming to the capital soon?

Indeed! From Jinjiang to the capital, what had to be faced truly couldn’t be avoided.

She turned her body, hiding her thoughts.

“Then Your Highness should hurry and prepare the gifts. After all, there are coffins here—rather inauspicious. Moreover, Your Highness cannot stand the smell of corpses to begin with, and I don’t have ginger soaked in sesame oil on me.”

Why did that sound so awkward?

Yet it suddenly evoked memories of their first time at the Jinjiang Yi Zhuang.

She had stuffed a piece of ginger into his mouth, and he thought it was poison.

Just thinking about it, the corners of Jingrong’s mouth curved into a slight smile.

Then he said: “Very well, you prepare some next time.”

“Yes!” She obediently agreed.

“Then do you have anything else you want to say?”

“For now…” She lowered her head: “No!”

Jingrong moved his lips, originally wanting to say something, but in the end held back, only saying: “Good, then this prince will leave first. Later, I’ll have Lang Bo bring over a few maids. Though this place is quiet, it still needs to be arranged, and someone needs to take care of you. Of course, a room must also be cleared for this prince.”

“What?”

Shocked!

Jingrong asked nonchalantly: “Bamboo Creek Garden is so large—can it not accommodate this prince?”

You’re a revered Buddha; this temple is too small.

But just as the words reached her lips, she disappointingly only managed to utter one word.

“Fine!”

Thus, Jingrong left satisfied.

Just as Jingrong’s front foot left, someone entered the garden on the back foot.

It was none other than Li Shiyan!

He should have returned to Qujiang together with Su Ziluo, but who knew there would be complications. His Majesty’s guard escort personally “escorted” Su Ziluo back, so naturally, he couldn’t be brought along.

“Shu’er!”

He called out from afar.

Ji Yunshu’s body trembled. This sticky candy!

“Why are you still here?”

“What? Don’t want to see me?” He smiled.

Ji Yunshu shook her head lightly.

Li Shiyan, like a sightseer, swept his gaze around the coffins in the courtyard, his face showing great interest.

“These coffins have truly been here for fourteen years?”

My!

This fellow’s information network was quite well-informed.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have found this place, nor would he know these coffins had been buried underground for fourteen years.

Li Shiyan even curled up a finger and tapped on the coffin: “Nanmu wood! This family’s master was truly wealthy enough.”

Of course they were wealthy!

After all, it was the Duke Yuguo’s manor. Moreover, at that time, it was His Majesty who ordered the grand burial.

These sixty-seven coffins for the servants were all nanmu wood, so—

The five coffins for Duke Yuguo and his wife and children buried in the imperial mausoleum must have been inlaid with gold and silver.

The future archaeological team would probably be grinning from ear to ear.

Ji Yunshu looked at him and asked lightly: “Master Su has already left the capital. Do you still plan to stay in the capital indefinitely?”

“I just came to say goodbye to you.” He tilted his head back.

“Is that so? Then Young Master Li, please be very careful on your journey.”

Her tone was gentle!

Though sticky candy was sticky candy, at the end of the day, he had saved her at Liangshan and could be considered a true gentleman.

Rarely hearing Ji Yunshu speak kindly, Li Shiyan’s heart leaped with joy, and he hurriedly moved closer to her.

Raising his peach blossom eyebrows: “If you can’t bear to part, you can certainly ask me to stay. Perhaps this young master would be willing to remain for you.”

Brother, please don’t!

If there were airplanes here, even if I had to eat steamed buns and pickled vegetables for a month, I’d buy you a ticket!

Ji Yunshu retreated two steps.

Speaking seriously: “Young Master Li’s information network is well-connected. You probably also know something about the secret affairs between the two nations. Since that’s the case, hurry and leave Dalin. This place, after all, is not where you should stay!”

“I know!” The smile at the corner of his mouth suddenly tightened, and he said abruptly: “Even someone as clever as Ziluo lost in the end. This Dalin is indeed a place of deep waters. However…” He looked at Ji Yunshu with deep meaning, “In this deep pool, the one who impresses me most is you, this little carp!”

Hey hey hey, are you praising me?

Or mocking me?

Ji Yunshu’s heart tightened.

However, Li Shiyan’s seriousness was swept away completely in an instant.

He immediately raised his voice: “Forget it, forget it! I’m leaving today. In the future, I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you again. But if there’s an opportunity in the future, I will definitely take you to Qujiang to be this young master’s wife.”

So earnest!

So conceited!

But—

Li Shiyan was clearly extremely serious!

Ji Yunshu didn’t banter with him, nor did she have the heart to respond to these words.

Just at this moment, Xiao Luzi ran in, rubbing his hands together, standing in the distance, calling to Li Shiyan: “Young Master, it’s time to go.”

“What are you shouting about!”

Displeased!

Xiao Luzi added: “If we don’t set out at this hour, by the time we leave the capital, we’ll have to sleep outdoors tonight. If we leave at this hour, we’ll arrive at Langzhou just in time—there are inns there.”

“Got it, go go go!”

Li Shiyan waved his hand.

Xiao Luzi didn’t leave, still standing there like a post.

He’d probably get beaten again soon.