Muruo said nothing.

“Don’t hide it from me anymore. That day in the forest, I had pain once, just like just now.”

It couldn’t be hidden anymore!

“It’s toad poison.”

“Toad poison?”

Muruo’s expression was grave. “That day at the inn, the dagger that stabbed into your back… someone had coated it with toad poison.”

Ugh!

Ji Yunshu froze for a few seconds, quickly digesting this information.

She asked in a low voice, “Then… can this poison be cured?”

“There’s no cure, but it won’t kill you. It will only make life worse than death. Once it flares up, the abdominal pain is severe—mild cases last ten days, severe cases three days.”

“For life?”

Muruo nodded, but immediately said, “Don’t worry, there’s no poison in this world I can’t cure. I’ll find every possible way to locate an antidote.”

Ji Yunshu smiled bitterly!

After a long silence, she only said one sentence: “Don’t tell Jingrong.”

Although Muruo had also planned this.

But—

“I originally didn’t want to tell you, but now that you know, Jingrong should also know.”

“You cannot tell him.” Ji Yunshu’s attitude was resolute. “He and Prince Yi are currently in a sensitive period. I don’t want my affairs to affect him. Besides, didn’t you also say you’ll definitely find an antidote? If so, then there’s no need to tell him and spare him the worry.”

“But he’ll find out sooner or later.”

“Then it can wait until after he returns to the capital.”

Extremely resolute!

Muruo couldn’t argue with her and could only agree. He then placed his medicine bottle on the table and pushed it toward her.

“Keep this medicine first. If the pain isn’t too severe, don’t take it. Only take it when you really can’t bear it. Though this medicine can stop pain, taking too much is harmful to the body.”

“Thank you.”

“After we return to Yuhua Pavilion, I’ll find a way to locate an antidote.”

She nodded.

By this time, the night was already very deep!

After giving a few more instructions, Muruo left.

The pain in Ji Yunshu’s abdomen hadn’t completely dissipated yet. After sitting quietly for a while, she felt much more comfortable.

Though she was afraid of this illness in her heart, what use was fear? What could be done about it?

In any case, she absolutely could not tell Jingrong.

The next day, the heavy rain had already stopped and the sky gradually cleared.

Everyone departed, and the abbot even came to the mountain gate to see them off.

“All benefactors, the mountain paths are slippery. Please travel carefully and slowly.”

Jingrong said, “Thank you, Abbot, for letting us stay the night.”

“Amitabha, Buddha is our family. Moreover, benefactor has affinity with Buddha. If there’s another opportunity, benefactor may come anytime. This humble monk hopes to discuss the Buddhist way further with benefactor.”

“If there’s affinity, there’s affinity.”

“Amitabha.”

Jingrong and the others boarded their carriages and left.

Before leaving, Ji Yunshu lifted the curtain and searched again among those monks outside the Guang’an Temple mountain gate for that old monk whose face was burned and who walked with a limp from last night.

“What are you looking at?” Jingrong asked her.

The curtain dropped and her gaze withdrew.

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Your complexion doesn’t look right. Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“I’m fine, probably just caught some wind last night.”

“Later I’ll have Muruo take a look at you.”

“It’s a small matter, why trouble him?” Ji Yunshu said. “You don’t need to worry about me. There are still two days before we reach Liang Mountain. You should also prepare.”

A reminder!

Jingrong’s eyes darkened.

He fell into contemplation.

The carriage train continued forward on the official road. The sky had cleared and the road surface had dried, so naturally the journey quickened considerably.

Two days later, they finally approached Liang Mountain!

Just as they were about to reach the foot of the mountain, the road ahead was flat with no sign of disturbance. Logically, the official road near the capital should have many people and carriages coming and going, yet the entire road was so quiet it seemed abnormal.

Like the calm before a storm!

Lang Bo rode his horse, pulled the reins, turned direction, and rode to beside Jingrong’s carriage, saying, “Your Highness, this entire road is too quiet.”

After a long pause, a voice came from inside the carriage: “Be careful.”

“How about…” we just gallop straight back to the capital?

Before these words could be spoken, they were interrupted by Jingrong. “Slow down the journey and wait for them to come out.”

Ugh!

“Yes.”

Lang Bo could only accept the order.

The carriage train’s pace slowed.

Lang Bo instructed, “Everyone be careful, you must pay attention to the surroundings.”

Those guards were all highly alert, surrounding the two carriages in their midst, protecting them well.

Inside the carriage, Jingrong’s expression was grave as he sat upright.

Beside him, Ji Yunshu said nothing.

Just as they had traveled another short distance and were about to reach the foot of Liang Mountain.

Suddenly—

A chaotic sound of footsteps rang out from all around, accompanied by the sound of weapons clashing. Several hundred people wearing armor rushed out.

Countless swords were drawn, aimed at Jingrong’s people.

“Neigh!”

The horses were startled, neighing and raising their front hooves high. The guards pulled hard on the reins and clamped their legs around the horses’ bellies.

“Whoa!”

The carriage also jolted violently as a result.

After Jingrong protected Ji Yunshu, he lifted open a small gap in the large curtain before him.

The troops blocking the way ahead were precisely Ji Li’s people!

Those people suddenly parted to make way, and Ji Li was seen walking forward. His brow was furrowed high, his cold and hard face carrying killing intent.

Lang Bo’s expression was solemn as he gripped the long sword in his hand and demanded, “Minister Ji, what is the meaning of this?”

Ji Li said, “The Emperor issued an oral decree in court that if the matter of the Imperial Treasury’s disaster relief silver cannot be clarified, Prince Rong may not return to the capital. If he forcibly returns to the capital, it would be defying the imperial order. As Minister of War, I must protect the imperial palace and the safety of the entire capital, so naturally I must send troops to intercept.”

“Are you saying that His Highness endangers the capital?”

“Those who defy the imperial decree are rebels. When rebels enter the city, naturally it falls under the Ministry of War’s jurisdiction.” Ji Li lifted his chin and glanced coldly.

Lang Bo snorted, his gaze sweeping over those people before him.

The other side had more people; they were outnumbered.

But—

He was not someone who feared death.

He raised his hand, signaling those guards to prepare for battle.

“Minister Ji, today no matter what, His Highness will return to the capital. If you continue to obstruct us, we’ll have no choice but to fight to the death.”

The guards drew their swords.

The two sides faced off.

Ji Li laughed coldly and shouted toward the carriage behind, “Your Highness, this humble official is also bound by duty. The Emperor ordered that you not return to the capital. Why must you insist on entering the capital?”

Jingrong smiled and was about to dismount when Ji Yunshu held him back.

“Be careful.”

He nodded.

He got down from the carriage and walked toward Ji Li.

Lang Bo and the others all dismounted.

Jingrong glanced at his people from the corner of his eye and ordered, “Put away your swords.”

Those guards obeyed and returned their swords to their sheaths.

Ji Li bowed to him with cupped fists.

“Greetings to Prince Rong.”

“Minister Ji’s information is truly well-informed. Surely as soon as this prince departed from the Imperial Estate, you deployed here.”

“Your Highness thinks too much.”

“What if today, this prince insists on entering the capital? Would Minister Ji execute this prince on the spot right here?”

“This humble official wouldn’t dare. As long as Your Highness returns to the Imperial Estate, everything will naturally calm down.”

Jingrong curved his evil lips, his eyes reflecting a cold and severe light. He took two steps forward, closing in on Ji Li.

“Minister Ji, don’t blame this prince for not warning you in advance. That day, you and Ji Huan also stopped this prince’s carriage just like now. At that time, this prince already said that the sovereign is sovereign and the subject is subject. Even if you have great merit and achievements, you are ultimately still a subject. Your obstruction of this prince’s return to the capital today is opposing this prince. I’m afraid you cannot bear the consequences.”

Their eyes met!

Ji Li’s heart also trembled slightly from that kind of gaze.