In no time at all, word spread that Wei Yi wanted to pull down Lang Bo’s pants to apply medicine.

The next day!

When Jingrong’s group departed from the Shanhuai County yamen, Lang Bo left with an anxious heart and mounted his horse uneasily.

Fortunately, Wei Yi had already been captured by Ji Yunshu and taken into the carriage, sparing him from further pestering. His worried heart relaxed somewhat.

However, the surrounding guards looked at him with changed expressions, even quietly discussing a few words before breaking into cheerful laughter.

It made Lang Bo extremely embarrassed!

He, a stalwart man of iron and steel, had actually fallen to such a state.

What a miscalculation!

But in truth, Wei Yi had long forgotten about this matter. At the moment, he sat in the carriage with Ji Yunshu, holding two boxes of pastries in his hands, eating them bite by bite.

He was so happy he was letting himself go!

“This is wonderful—we can finally go home!”

Ji Yunshu asked, “Do you miss home very much?”

He nodded!

“Yes! We haven’t been back in so long. I wonder how Ami is doing, and Uncle Fu, Ada… I miss them so much.”

Ji Yunshu patted his head. “In another ten days or half a month, you’ll be able to see them.”

“Then Shu’er, will we stop traveling after that?”

She shook her head. “We’re going to Yufu County—we’re just passing through Jinjiang.”

“Oh.” He lowered his head in disappointment.

Ji Yunshu saw through his thoughts, smiled gently, and said, “Wei Yi, when we reach Jinjiang, you can stay there. When I return from Yufu, I’ll come pick you up.”

“No!”

He flatly refused.

Hugging Ji Yunshu’s arm, he rested his head on her shoulder. “I want to stay with Shu’er. Wherever you go, I’ll go. We agreed we wouldn’t separate.”

Like a little cat, he nestled there and refused to budge.

He looked truly adorable.

Ji Yunshu smiled and let him be.

Her pale fingertips lifted the carriage curtain. Looking back at the carriage behind them, she asked the guard outside, “How is Auntie Xie doing?”

The guard replied, “She’s been fine these past few days, just a bit anxious. After all, her daughter’s situation…”

He trailed off.

She understood and nodded.

She let the curtain fall!

Up ahead, Muruo never put down his wine. Carrying the scent of alcohol, he climbed into the carriage, but Jingrong hadn’t gotten in yet. He stuck his head out and asked, “What’s wrong? Can’t bear to leave?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

Jingrong turned his head, his gaze falling on the carriage behind them, saying with concern, “I’m worried about her.”

Muruo smiled, understanding immediately. “If you’re worried, then go. I can have a carriage all to myself—spacious!”

He pulled his head back inside.

Unable to hide his excitement.

Now whether he drank himself senseless or lay sprawled drunk in the carriage, no one would bother him. How delightfully carefree!

Meanwhile, Jingrong had already stepped toward Ji Yunshu’s carriage and knocked on it with his knuckles.

Hearing the sound, Ji Yunshu looked out.

“What’s wrong?”

“Let Wei Yi come down.”

“Why?”

“The carriage up front is more spacious. Let him sit with Muruo.”

“What about you?”

“This prince will naturally sit with you.”

Ji Yunshu was stunned. What had gotten into this fellow?

But before she could say anything, she heard Wei Yi’s voice: “I don’t want to! I want to sit with Shu’er!”

Immediately, he stuck half his body out of the carriage, glaring huffily at Jingrong.

Too lazy to say more, Jingrong reached out and directly pulled Wei Yi down from the carriage, then tossed him to a guard nearby, instructing, “Take him to find Muruo.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to!” Wei Yi struggled, but his strength was no match. He could only look pitifully at Ji Yunshu and call out plaintively, “Shu’er!”

Ji Yunshu really couldn’t bear to watch anymore. Her heart ached for him, so she said to Jingrong, “Even if you want to get in, there’s no need to drive Wei Yi away. Muruo reeks of alcohol—how can he endure that?”

That was true.

But—

Jingrong frowned. “But this carriage can’t fit all of us.”

Ji Yunshu retorted, “Then you can sit with the driver.”

Jingrong was speechless. “…”

He had no choice but to release Wei Yi and let him climb back into the carriage.

Suddenly—

“Your Highness!”

A guard from behind called out.

Both Jingrong and Ji Yunshu looked over.

Behind them, five or six men on horseback had appeared at some unknown time. Each looked fierce and menacing, burly and imposing, with wide blades strapped at their waists.

They seemed to be charging forward aggressively, but they didn’t approach. Instead, they lingered at a distance.

And the leader was actually Zhao Huai!

He had lost one arm, half his sleeve torn away. His other hand held the reins as he sat upright on horseback. The missing limb didn’t diminish his imposing presence at all—in fact, it added a certain resolute spirit.

His gaze met Ji Yunshu’s.

Those eyes held an unexpected loyalty.

Ji Yunshu instinctively looked away and pulled her head back into the carriage.

Better leave that hot potato for Jingrong to handle.

Jingrong became alert. Although Zhao Huai had only brought a few men, one had to be cautious. He ordered someone to go investigate.

The guard returned and said, “Your Highness, he says they’re fellow travelers.”

“Fellow travelers?”

“He’s also going to Shanhuai County.”

This reason…

Jingrong became suspicious.

The guard said, “Your Highness, should we…”

Before he finished speaking, Jingrong raised his hand to interrupt. “No need. Just be careful. If there’s any sign of trouble, protect Mister Ji first.”

“This subordinate understands.”

So Jingrong leaped up into Ji Yunshu’s carriage.

Three people sharing the ride.

Worried about being kicked out by Jingrong, Wei Yi huddled in a corner, not even glancing at him.

“Why is Zhao Huai here?” Ji Yunshu asked.

Jingrong replied, “Says he’s also going to Yufu County. Fellow travelers.”

“Going to Yufu County out of the blue? Too suspicious.”

“Looking at his condition, he can’t cause much trouble.”

Ji Yunshu didn’t ask further.

The group headed toward the Shanhuai County city gate.

After leaving Shanhuai County, they traveled all morning and soon reached the territory of Yuzhou. The weather turned foul, and a heavy rain began to fall. The roads became muddy, so by the time dusk fell, they hadn’t managed to reach Yuzhou city.

They had no choice but to take temporary shelter in a dilapidated temple.

Jingrong’s men secured the carriages and tidied up the temple, lighting several fires.

Soon, Zhao Huai’s men also entered. They sat on the other side, slowly lighting their own fire, with no intention of coming over to negotiate anything.

The two groups sat awkwardly on opposite sides.

Out of habit, Jingrong picked up a wooden stick and poked at the fire intermittently. Sparks flew onto the back of Muruo’s hand.

It hurt enough to make him furrow his brow.

He said irritably, “When will you break this habit? Play with fire and you’ll wet the bed—didn’t your wet nurse tell you that?”

Jingrong tilted his head and glanced at him.

The look made Muruo swallow twice. “Fine, fine, fine! I was wrong. If I can’t provoke you, can’t I at least avoid you?”

And so—

He took the two pots of wine that had just been warmed and walked over toward Zhao Huai’s direction.

Like one of their own, he squeezed in.

He pushed a wine pot toward Zhao Huai and asked, “Tell me, with one hand already gone, why are you still rushing along the road?”

Zhao Huai said nothing. He took a sip of wine and tossed the pot to his brothers.

Muruo continued asking, “Where’s Zhao Qing? Why isn’t he with you?”

“He went to Lu’an Temple. I’ve also dispersed the brothers from the stronghold. I only brought these few.”

“Then what are you going to Yufu County for?”