Not long after, the imperial edict finally arrived at Yufu County.

Return to the capital?

The summons was urgent.

It was clear how difficult Emperor Qizhen’s current situation was.

Lang Bo said, “Your Highness, now that His Majesty urgently summons you, shall we depart immediately?”

Jing Rong held the imperial edict, seemingly doubtful. Logically speaking, after his memorial was sent to the capital, the court officials should all be standing on Jing Yi’s side. The edict that was sent should have contained orders forbidding him from returning to the capital.

But what Emperor Qizhen had decreed was truly shocking.

Seeing him remain silent for a long while, Lang Bo continued, “Your Highness, what are you still thinking about? Now is the most opportune time.”

But—

“No, now is not yet the optimal moment.”

Jing Rong had said before that it wasn’t that he didn’t want to act—the timing simply hadn’t arrived yet.

But for Lang Bo, now was the optimal moment. He didn’t understand what his prince was still waiting for.

Truly, the emperor was not anxious, but the eunuch was dying of anxiety.

Jing Rong was very clear in his heart that the current political situation at court was in complete chaos. The officials still outwardly obeyed His Majesty, but secretly they had long since leaned toward Jing Yi, intending to rise in rank and position when he ascended the throne. Therefore, all those wolves, tigers, and leopards rallied to support him.

Thus, they had also forced Emperor Qizhen into a position where he had no choice but to establish an heir.

So at this time, the only person Emperor Qizhen could think of, besides that powerless sick prince, was Jing Rong, whom he had intentionally sent away from the capital.

Only—

What exactly was he waiting for?

Lang Bo really couldn’t figure him out. After withdrawing, he went to the back courtyard to watch the chickens for a while, then ran to the woodshed to chop firewood.

As he chopped, he wondered exactly when was the optimal moment his prince spoke of?

Crack!

The axe in his hand swung down heavily, splitting the wood in two.

Just then Muruo passed by and came up to ask, “Well well, the dignified Guard Lang—usually raising chickens is already quite peculiar, but now you’ve come to chop firewood too?”

His words dragged with a long tone.

Lang Bo let out a sigh, glanced at him, then continued splitting wood.

“I’m asking you a question.”

Still no answer.

Muruo was puzzled and went to find Jing Rong, dangling a jug of wine in his hand.

That fellow stood under the eaves, hands behind his back, looking thoroughly troubled.

Muruo walked over and said, “What’s wrong with your Lang Bo? He’s chopping firewood alone in the back courtyard, ears like he’s gone deaf, won’t answer when questioned.”

Jing Rong glanced at him sideways but said nothing.

“Have both you master and servant gone deaf?”

“…”

“How strange.”

Too lazy to say much to him, Jing Rong simply handed him the edict that had just been delivered.

“An imperial edict?”

“Mm.”

Muruo took it curiously and unfolded it to look. He was truly shocked by its contents and closed the edict with one hand.

“His Majesty is summoning you back to the capital? Didn’t you just submit a memorial to the capital? If the disaster relief silver can’t be traced, it’s already merciful that His Majesty didn’t execute you. How is he summoning you back to the capital?”

“Because of Jing Yi.”

“Prince Yi?”

“All the officials submitted memorials demanding His Majesty establish Jing Yi as Crown Prince.”

Oh!

Muruo understood. “I didn’t expect Prince Yi to be so impatient. It’s clearly already in his grasp—why make this unnecessary move and end up outsmarting himself?”

“Do you think Jing Yi would be that foolish?” Jing Rong suddenly asked him.

These words—

Muruo pondered. “The officials submitting memorials—on the surface it seems to be proposing Prince Yi as Crown Prince, but in reality, with all its hidden twists and turns, the purpose is fundamentally not to establish Prince Yi, but to place him in mortal danger.”

Jing Rong nodded. “Exactly. Father Emperor is suspicious by nature. This matter of officials collectively submitting memorials about the heir is actually fundamentally pressuring Father Emperor.”

“So, His Majesty is worried that Prince Yi’s power is growing more and more inflated, which is why he ordered you back to the capital, meaning… he wants to use you… to counterbalance Prince Yi?”

Jing Rong: “Correct.”

Muruo: “Then what are your plans?”

“Wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“Wait for the second imperial edict.”

The second one?

Muruo had never been involved in court affairs and didn’t quite understand.

Ji Yunshu also soon learned of this matter.

She didn’t ask many questions, knowing that Jing Rong had his own decisions.

“Whatever decision you make, I will stand by your side,” she said.

Jing Rong held her hand and smiled gently.

As expected, Jing Rong had not guessed wrong. Soon, a second imperial edict arrived from the capital.

Still a secret edict!

Also an urgent summons!

“The time has arrived.”

Jing Rong gave the order to depart immediately!

The night before departure, Ji Yunshu packed her things in the room. Qiao’er and Zhuang’er also helped with the packing. When everything was almost packed, the two little maids cried.

“Master Ji, once you leave this time, you surely won’t come back. We’re all reluctant to let you go.”

“Yes, Master Ji, we’re all reluctant to let you go.”

Ji Yunshu’s eyes also reddened. During this time, these two maids had taken care of her with great attention, and she had also grown dependent on them. If she really had to leave, she indeed felt reluctant.

But—

“Qiao’er, Zhuang’er, during this time, it’s been thanks to you two taking care of me.”

“Being able to care for Master is our blessing,” Qiao’er said. “Master, why don’t you take us with you? On this journey to the capital, we can continue to take care of you.”

Take them along?

Actually, Ji Yunshu hadn’t not considered it, but she didn’t know what would happen upon returning to the capital this time.

The road ahead was full of unknowns!

Moreover, she was afraid. Luan’er’s death was still vivid in her mind. She didn’t want the maids by her side to come to harm because of her again.

Zhuang’er also quickly said, “Master, please take Zhuang’er and me with you. We won’t bring you trouble.”

“I know your intentions, but that place is the capital. I myself must proceed with extreme caution—where would I have the ability to take you along?” She took out two packages she had prepared early, giving one to Qiao’er and one to Zhuang’er. “After I leave, you don’t need to return to the yamen. Inside are two pouches of silver. Not much, but it should be enough for you to prepare some dowries. Find good families and marry.”

“Master, this… how can we accept this?”

“Of course you can accept it. This is my intention, to thank you for taking care of me during this time. If you refuse, you’re rejecting my goodwill, and I won’t leave with peace of mind.”

Qiao’er and Zhuang’er looked at each other and could only accept.

Qiao’er’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Master, you must take good care of yourself. I’ve packed some cold-dispelling medicine in your trunk. It’s all dried and separated into packets. Remember to steep it in water and drink it.”

“Mm.”

“Also, I sewed some gloves. When winter comes, you can use them.”

“Mm.”

“And also…”

Qiao’er gave many instructions, and Ji Yunshu committed them all to heart.

“Big Brother.”

Little Xiyue rushed in from outside and threw her arms around her waist.

“Xiyue, what brings you here?”

“Big Brother, are you leaving?”

“Mm.”

“I wanted to see you off.” She blinked reluctantly. “Big Brother, after you leave this time, will you come back?”

She smiled and pulled little Xiyue out to the courtyard.