“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Where am I talking nonsense? It’s clearly what you just said yourself—you’re letting her stay here. Doesn’t that mean you’re raising her? After all, when her parents die, she’ll be the only one left in the Wen family. If you keep her here, what is that if not being her mother?”

This logic—there was truly no one like her!

Ji Yunshu really couldn’t be bothered to communicate with her, but thinking about how Xiao Xiyue would be here for a while, she had no choice but to patiently remind her.

She said, “I’m just taking care of her for a while. When her parents come out, they’ll naturally take her back.”

“Ah?”

Tang Si cried out in surprise again!

This time, she didn’t cover her mouth.

“A’Ji, are you mistaken? Her father led archers and troops to surround you all and nearly took your lives. That was rebellion! If this gets back to the capital, even Xiao Xiyue won’t survive. And you’re still thinking her parents will come out? That’s completely ridiculous! If this happened in our Houliao, it wouldn’t be as simple as executing nine generations of the family—the entire clan would perish.”

This isn’t to scare you.

In Houliao, if one person rebels, the entire bloodline must die.

Ji Yunshu let out a long sigh and said, “Enough. Stop being alarmist and saying all this nonsense for a child to hear. You’ll scare her. Besides, her parents will be fine.”

“Ah!”

This time it wasn’t a cry of surprise, but of bewilderment.

“Those people nearly succeeded in their rebellion, and they’ll still be fine? Are you kidding me?”

Ji Yunshu stopped paying attention to her. Turning around, she sat down beside Xiao Xiyue and looked at that aggrieved and distressed little face.

“Xiao Xiyue.”

She called out gently.

But the child remained unmoved.

Clearly she had been frightened by what Tang Si had just said.

“Don’t worry. Your parents will come out safely.”

Huh?

Xiao Xiyue’s scattered, unfocused eyes suddenly cleared and brightened.

She looked at her full of hope.

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true.”

“My parents will be alright?”

“Mm.”

“My brother will be alright too?”

“Mm.”

“Everyone will be alright?”

“Mm.”

She nodded one by one, extremely firmly.

The corners of Xiao Xiyue’s lips, which had been drooping, gradually lifted, revealing that clear and bright smile of hers.

So pure!

Tang Si, however, walked over with wide eyes, snorted through her nostrils, and said, “I really can’t understand what you people have in your heads.”

Definitely not ink.

But shit!

Simply ridiculous.

Xiao Xiyue’s clear laughter filled the courtyard. Suddenly, Jingrong and Muruo strode in with powerful steps.

At the same time, the laughter abruptly stopped!

Xiao Xiyue instinctively retreated several steps and hid behind Ji Yunshu, clutching tightly at her clothes.

In those dark, shiny eyes was fear as she stared at the man with the extremely dark expression before her.

Jingrong’s entire being radiated an authoritative and cold presence, like the sharp point of a long sword—just touching it a bit would take one’s life, blood dripping everywhere.

Ji Yunshu’s expression froze momentarily before quickly returning to calm. She immediately instructed Qiao’er to take Xiao Xiyue into the room.

Then she met Jingrong’s gaze directly.

Their eyes locked.

Muruo was a sensible fellow. He tugged at Tang Si. “Come on, I just found some new books. Come with me to get them and read them properly.”

“I’m not in the mood to read right now.”

“Then do you still want to study medicine or not?”

“I do.”

“Then let’s go.”

Bro, the excitement isn’t over yet—can you wait a bit?

Muruo directly dragged her away.

In the courtyard, only the two of them remained.

Yet they stood facing each other for a long time without speaking.

Until—

A bird landed on the eaves and called out.

This finally broke the current stalemate.

Jingrong’s face was cold and stern, somewhat displeased. “You went to the prison?”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I know they truly committed the crime of rebellion. For such a crime, even dying a thousand or ten thousand times wouldn’t be enough. But since you agreed to spare them and sealed off all information, it shows you also don’t wish to see the scene of countless casualties when two armies clash.”

“Muruo advised me to wait. I think the result I’ve been waiting for is that you hope I’ll release them, right?”

This statement wasn’t a question.

It was an affirmation.

Ji Yunshu analyzed with him, “They did indeed kill many people and nearly took our lives, but ultimately, it was also for the Duke of Yuguo—loyalty first, reason second. Such soldiers are extremely rare in this world. I know that when I say this, you’ll think I’m being emotional, but you understand the pros and cons better than anyone. I’ve already persuaded General Wen. He agreed to let this matter go until the day the truth about the great fire at the Duke of Yuguo’s estate is made public. During this time, he won’t do anything.”

“You trust him?”

“Yes. Given the current situation, I can only trust him.”

“This Prince understands your meaning.” Jingrong said directly, “Originally, this Prince was still wavering, with reservations in my heart. Now, there are none. Whatever the outcome, this Prince stands on your side. Because compared to having the court send troops to annihilate a hundred thousand soldiers, ultimately resulting in rivers of blood, it would be better to turn major issues into minor ones, minor ones into nothing—before things ferment, nip that thought in the bud as early as possible.”

He agreed.

Very readily.

Ji Yunshu was relieved, then added, “But I still have another concern in my heart.”

“You’re worried that Father Emperor originally sent this Prince to the Imperial Prefecture regarding the disaster relief silver matter. But if we decide to spare them, then the disaster relief silver matter must also be concealed.”

Indeed!

If he wanted to return to the capital, he would have to solve the disaster relief silver case. But the disaster relief silver was connected to the Duke of Yuguo’s estate case. Once reported, it would naturally be exposed. Then the hundred thousand troops would gather and oppose the court. But if it were concealed, then this Prince would be labeled as “incompetent.” From then on, he would be permanently exiled to the Imperial Prefecture, possibly never able to return to the capital for his entire life.

Truly becoming a carefree prince.

Choosing one meant having to bear the other.

No way back.

Jingrong let out a long breath. “To sacrifice the small for the greater good—not everyone can do it. This time, this Prince wants to do it once.”

Extremely resolute.

He had made his decision—to conceal the disaster relief silver matter. Similarly, it also meant concealing everything about the old retainers of the Duke of Yuguo’s estate and the hundred thousand troops.

“I hope this time… the decision this Prince made is correct.”

Ji Yunshu looked at his bright and clear profile, her warm eyes darkening.

In Muruo’s room.

Tang Si sat before that desk with a thick medical book spread out before her—it was one Muruo had casually taken down from the bookshelf.

And casually tossed to her.

She had been pressed down at the desk, forced to read several pages, but it was really too boring.

Closing the book, she propped up her chin and looked toward Muruo in the distance, saying impatiently, “Are you doing this on purpose? Making me read at a time like this?”

Is there a problem?

Muruo sat in the distance, currently… leisurely making tea.