Over the past few days, Ji Yinshu’s body had recovered considerably.

This day, she got out of bed and sat in the courtyard lazily basking in the sun.

Her almond eyes gently drooped as she leaned against the soft cushion behind her!

Between her elegant brows, there lingered a trace of the orange glow of the warm rising sun.

The light gradually settled on her delicate face. Her smooth, rounded contours, as if carefully polished by a fine pencil, had exceptionally soft lines.

Such a woman—if not for the male hair crown she wore and the light-colored men’s robes she was dressed in—in this moment of lazy, intoxicated repose, would surely captivate countless men.

Several young maids nearby stole glances at her from time to time. That scholar was even more refined than a woman.

Everyone enjoyed stealing these glances immensely!

Ji Yinshu rubbed her brow. The wound on her back started hurting again. Fortunately, Muruo’s medicine was very effective and had reduced her pain considerably. Otherwise, she would probably already be dying from the pain by now.

Before she could furrow her brow, a figure loomed over her head like a dark cloud. Bending down, with both hands supporting her, he lifted her entire body horizontally and carried her toward the room.

Jingrong held her feather-light form. His front foot had just entered when his back foot kicked the door shut.

The many pairs of eyes were blocked outside.

Naturally, quite a few people began discussing in low voices.

Ever since that Master Ji was injured, their prince had been caring for him almost inseparably. Even if he went out, he would hurry back.

“Could our prince really like… men?”

“Ever since Master Ji came to the residence, the prince has been like a different person. He’s never treated anyone the way he treats Master Ji.”

“So the prince must like men.”

“Moreover…”

Smack—

A harsh slap landed heavily on the servant’s head.

The servant clutched his head in pain and cursed loudly: “Who? Who is it? Which blind fool…”

Turning around, what he saw was actually Lu Jiang.

He immediately cowered.

“Steward Lu, I wasn’t cursing you, I…”  He stammered, bowing his waist.

Lu Jiang pointed at those people, scolding severely: “You people, spending all day with nothing to do after eating your fill—do you want me to throw you all out?”

Everyone knew Lu Jiang’s temperament. Looking at each other, they quickly ran off.

After everyone left, Lang Bo came over. Seeing Lu Jiang’s furious expression, he bumped him.

He asked: “What’s wrong with you? Who provoked you?”

Lu Jiang looked deeply concerned. Gazing at the tightly closed door of Ji Yinshu’s room, he turned to Lang Bo and said: “You’re with the prince all day. When you have time, you should remind him more. Don’t let people gossip. If it reaches the Emperor’s ears, that won’t be good.”

Hearing this, Lang Bo understood the meaning and smiled mischievously: “I say, Lu Jiang, whatever our prince wants to do—can you and I stop him? Besides, I think Master Ji is quite good. This matter of love between men—you old fellow wouldn’t understand.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m worried about the prince’s future!”

“Worried?” Lang Bo withdrew his smile and sighed: “Now, the prince has voluntarily requested to go to Yufu to investigate that disaster relief silver matter. Once he leaves the capital, this capital city will belong to Prince Yi. In the future, it will be difficult for the prince to return to the capital—what future is there to speak of?”

Full of worry!

In truth, wasn’t Lu Jiang also worried about this!

The two sighed in distress. Inside the room, Jingrong and Ji Yinshu were quite harmonious!

Jingrong gently placed Ji Yinshu on the bed. He sat at the bedside, looking at Ji Yinshu’s gradually rosier face, feeling much more at ease.

He couldn’t help but praise: “Muruo truly lives up to being a divine physician. Seeing you’re all right, I feel relieved.”

Ji Yinshu smiled faintly: “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“You troublemaker—how can I not worry? If I don’t keep an eye on you, in the blink of an eye, you’ll probably bring back a whole heap of trouble for me. Ji Yinshu, I must have owed you in my previous life, so in this life, I’m desperately trying to repay you.”

After speaking, Ji Yinshu reached out to grasp his hand. Her beautiful face showed slight concern.

Pursing her lips, she asked: “Jingrong, have you thought about whether going to Yufu might actually be a very good choice?”

“Why bring this up?”

Ji Yinshu said: “The Emperor suddenly placed the matter of the Yufu County disaster relief silver on you and Prince Yi’s shoulders. Choosing one, leaving one—in the end, it’s also to preserve one person. Since ancient times, factional struggles have always been survival of the fittest—either you die or I perish. The Crown Prince is already dead. The Emperor is probably also afraid of losing another son, which is why he came up with this strategy. Now the entire court is almost entirely Prince Yi’s people. For him to become the heir apparent is merely a matter of time.”

“You think Prince Yi should become emperor?” Jingrong refuted her words.

“If we’re talking about the bearing of an emperor, he’s still lacking. One who would be ruler must possess both talent and virtue. Since ancient times, emperors are either virtuous or generals. Prince Yi falls short on every count. But…” A wave of emotion surged in her heart. Her wrist tightened, and her clear, bright eyes flickered for a moment.

Brimming with tears.

She continued.

“I don’t want you to fight.”

Jingrong paused, his mind stirring. He grasped her hand in return and said: “I know your concern, but Yinshu, if Prince Yi becomes emperor, many people will die. So he shouldn’t become Crown Prince, much less emperor.”

“Must you fight?”

“Yes, I must fight.”

“…” Ji Yinshu remained silent, only looking at him.

“Going to Yufu this time, I’ve indeed chosen the worst strategy, but I will definitely return to the capital with you. After all, the Linjing Case hasn’t ended. Between Prince Yi and me, we must fight. Yinshu, I promise you—the life you want, I’ll give it all to you. Once the throne falls into the hands of the one who should possess it, whether you want to wander freely under the heavens or ride horses at sunset, I’ll accompany you to realize it all.”

Hmm?

Besides being moved, Ji Yinshu was also shocked.

“You mean… Prince Xian?”

Jingrong said nothing!

But he had tacitly acknowledged it.

After a while, he said: “In any case, going to Yufu this time is already decided. As for what follows, you needn’t worry. I have my own arrangements. Rest well and recover. In two days, we depart.”

Ji Yinshu lowered her eyes and obediently nodded.

…

Muruo, holding two jugs of wine in his hands, swayed as he entered the southern gate of the palace.

The guards, seeing him like this, initially wanted to step forward to support him but thought better of it. After all, Muruo had excellent alcohol tolerance—he probably wouldn’t fall headfirst into the lotus pond.

So stumbling and swaying all the way, he made it to Tongren Hall.

He had just entered when Fu Lu smelled the fragrance of wine and quickly came out from inside the room to support him.

“Master Muruo, please be careful.”

“I’m fine!” With a sweep of his sleeve, he swept Fu Lu aside.

“The prince just went to rest. You’ve come at a bad time.”

Fu Lu reminded him.

Muruo didn’t care about such things. Walking to the hall entrance, he pushed the door open and entered.

The medicinal smell inside instantly overwhelmed the wine smell on his body.

Prince Xian still reclined on that soft chair, covered with a blanket, resting with his eyes closed.

Just as Muruo swayed before him, he spoke.

“Have you come to collect the wine I brewed for you?”

Muruo poured a mouthful of wine into his mouth and sat down.

“No, I’ve come to bid you farewell.”

Prince Xian slowly opened his somewhat weary eyes and asked: “Where to?”

“Yufu County.”