The two strolled along until they finally arrived at the entrance of Guangqu Courtyard.

Outside the gate, two guards stood solemnly and seriously on either side, swords at their waists. Ji Yunshu had passed by this Guangqu Courtyard several times before. Each time, the main gate had been tightly shut. Now it was open, having received that lord to move in.

Wei Yi tilted his head back, craning his neck, tugging at Ji Yunshu’s wide sleeve.

“Brother, where is this place?”

She extended her hand, pointing at the plaque above the gate: “Can you recognize those characters?”

“I can. It says Guang…” He stared blankly, one finger scratching his chin, unable to continue reading.

Giving him a sidelong glance, Ji Yunshu patiently told him, “Guangqu Courtyard. That character is ‘qu.’ Remember it?”

“I remember, it’s ‘qu.'”

He was extremely excited!

At this moment, the corners of Ji Yunshu’s mouth curved slightly in a bright, beautiful smile, tinged with a trace of indulgence!

She lifted her foot up the steps and walked to the entrance of Guangqu Courtyard.

The two gate guards stopped her.

“Who are you?”

“I’ve come to see Prince Rong.”

The guards exchanged glances and asked, “Are you Master Ji?”

Oh, that fellow had actually made arrangements already!

She nodded faintly.

Only then did the two guards step aside. One said, “Please follow me inside, Master. The prince has been waiting for you for quite a while.”

Quite a while? Wasn’t it agreed to be the hour of chen?

Right now, the hour of chen had just arrived!

Ji Yunshu brought Wei Yi along and followed the guard inside.

Guangqu Courtyard was originally the residence of a wealthy family. Later, when the entire family moved to the capital, it had been vacant for a long time. She had long heard that this Guangqu Courtyard was extremely spacious and grand, and that everything inside, whether furnishings or household items, was of the finest quality!

Seeing it today, it indeed lived up to its reputation.

Even just the front courtyard entrance hall took quite a while to walk through.

Wei Yi kept tugging at Ji Yunshu’s sleeve from time to time, twisting his body back and forth, looking around in all directions, full of curiosity.

One moment he pointed at the winter lotus in the pond, exclaiming, “My family has these too.”

Another moment he pointed at a large cypress tree, exclaiming, “My family has this too.”

Then he pointed at a stone pixiu statue: “My family has this too.”

Fine, fine, fine, your family has them, your family has everything.

My family doesn’t!

Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was dragging along a burden.

Of course, that’s exactly what Jingrong thought!

When the guard led Ji Yunshu to the pavilion in the rear courtyard, Jingrong immediately spotted Wei Yi stuck behind her, both hands clutching her sleeve.

If not a burden, what else could it be?

His expression soured. Why did she bring someone along, and a man at that?

Jingrong sat inside, pouring a cup of tea. The tea’s fragrance overflowed, permeating the entire pavilion!

Ji Yunshu clasped her hands together: “This humble one has come to see Prince Rong.”

At the same time, because Wei Yi had been gripping Ji Yunshu’s sleeve all along, when she raised both hands in greeting, Wei Yi involuntarily shuffled forward, his upright figure actually standing in front of Ji Yunshu.

Jingrong sipped his tea and glanced Wei Yi up and down with displeasure, then shot a cold look at Ji Yunshu: “Is this your lover?”

Before Ji Yunshu could speak, the foolish boy broke into a blank smile.

“What’s a lover? Is it like a steamed bun, something you can eat?”

Pfft—

Jingrong had just taken a sip of tea and nearly sprayed it out. His brow furrowed high, his face full of bewilderment.

Where did this demon spawn come from!

Ji Yunshu stepped forward, pulling Wei Yi back, and explained, “Your Highness, this is my friend. It’s just that his mind isn’t quite right, and he says strange things. Please don’t mind him.”

“Your friend? His mind isn’t quite right?” Jingrong repeated her words, pondering for a moment. He seemed to understand and nodded, “What’s his name?”

Wei Yi jumped to answer: “My name is Wei Yi. Wei as in seat position, Yi as in one person.”

Oh my!

Big brother, can you not speak?

Ji Yunshu’s expression stiffened, her eyes twitching. She sighed inwardly. You’re still my “friend” after all—aren’t you just making me lose face?

But Wei Yi didn’t think so at all and even looked a bit proud of himself.

Mm, he hadn’t said anything wrong!

Ji Yunshu hastily explained, “Your Highness, it’s Wei as in defend and protect, Yi as in high spirits and radiance.”

She thought Jingrong would look completely disdainful, but instead he was quite curious. Those eyes that seemed plated with a layer of silver light examined Wei Yi up and down, his lips curving in a smile full of amusement.

“Master Ji is so clever, yet also muddled. This prince rather thinks it is indeed Wei as in seat position, Yi as in one person.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.” Wei Yi nodded vigorously.

Jingrong stood up and walked before Wei Yi, his smile deepening: “Wei Yi, do you know what is meant by ‘a gentleman does not take what belongs to another, showing courtesy and yielding three parts’?”

“What is it?”

“Guess!”

“My teacher never taught me, Mother never taught me, and Father didn’t either.” He muttered, his face thoughtful, then turned to ask Ji Yunshu, “Brother, do you know?”

She knew. Of course she knew!

Summarized in one sentence: A gentleman does not take what another loves!

But when these words came from Jingrong’s mouth, what did he mean by them?

Ji Yunshu’s head filled with dark lines. Too lazy to ponder it, her eyes darkened: “Your Highness, this humble one still needs to report to you about those five charred corpse cases. Let’s attend to business first.”

“So Master remembers there’s business to attend to after all. This prince thought you had brought your friend to come have tea with this prince!” The word “friend” that came from his mouth was particularly clear.

“Please forgive me, Your Highness. If Your Highness finds him too noisy, this humble one will have him leave.”

He raised his hand: “No need. Once through the door, he’s a guest. How could this prince have reason to turn a guest away?” After speaking, he called out, “Lang Bo.”

Instantly, a figure darted into the pavilion and stood beside Jingrong.

“What are Your Highness’s orders?” Lang Bo asked with a bow.

Wow, buddy, where have you been hiding all this time? How can you suddenly appear without even a greeting!

Jingrong said, “Take Master Ji’s friend to the side courtyard to rest. Whatever he wants to play with, give it to him. Whatever he wants to eat, give it to him. Whatever he wants, give it all to him. In short, do not neglect him.”

“Yes.”

Lang Bo stepped forward and stood beside Wei Yi, bowing his head slightly: “Young Master, this way please.”

Wei Yi was unwilling. He shrank behind Ji Yunshu, shaking his head: “I don’t want to. I want to stay with Brother. Wherever Brother goes, I’ll go!”

“This…” Lang Bo was at a loss for words.

Ji Yunshu turned her head to look at Wei Yi behind her. Her tone gentle, she said, “Wei Yi, if you still want to follow me, then be obedient and go to the side courtyard to wait for me. When I’m finished with my business, I’ll naturally come find you.”

“Brother.”

“Go.” One word thrown out, carrying full weight.

Wei Yi felt extremely wronged. Those clean hands gripped Ji Yunshu’s sleeve, and it took a long time before he gradually let go bit by bit.

“Then Brother, you must come find me, otherwise I won’t be able to find my way home.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll come find you.”

Having received a response, only then did Wei Yi shuffle his steps, reluctantly departing. He followed Lang Bo out of the pavilion, turning back to look every three steps.

As if they were parting in life and death!

But neither Wei Yi nor Ji Yunshu saw that Jingrong’s face had already turned very dark!

Not only dark!

But also filled with thick, vinegary jealousy!