Ji Huan was in the capital, where at any moment he could become a chess piece like Ji Li. Then the two brothers would become Jing Yi’s right and left arms, and at that time, no one could match them.

So—

To stifle Jing Yi’s swelling heart of desire, first they must sever one of his arms, then slowly attack!

It must be said, Jingrong’s suggestion couldn’t be better.

Emperor Qizhen naturally agreed.

After thinking for a moment, he looked Jingrong up and down again. “You’ve only just returned to the capital and are weary from the journey. Go back for now. Tomorrow in court, I will have my decision.”

From beginning to end, Jingrong had conducted himself with “proper restraint.” Having delivered the imperial edict and offered his suggestion, he said no more, paid his respects, and withdrew.

Emerging from the Council Hall, Qin Shiyu was waiting outside.

“How did it go?”

He stepped forward to ask.

Jingrong glanced back at the hall, saying, “Tomorrow Father Emperor will announce his decree in court.”

With this statement, the meaning was clear.

No further questions were asked.

The two departed the palace together.

Just as they were about to reach the South Gate, Jingrong’s gaze swept hurriedly around the surroundings, and he actually spotted a large bright red kite floating in the distant sky.

Jing Xuan?

He stopped in his tracks, his expression grave as he looked toward that place. Because it was too far away, and with green tiles obstructing his view, he couldn’t clearly see who was flying the kite. But Jingrong knew it was that girl Jing Xuan. In the past, whenever he entered the palace, Jing Xuan would fly a kite. If it was a light-colored kite, it meant a minor matter requiring his attention, and he would seek her out after court. If the kite’s color was very bright, then it was an urgent matter.

This was a secret between him and Jing Xuan since childhood.

The red kite was very large. Although separated by great distance, floating against the cloudless horizon, it was still clearly visible.

He knew Jing Xuan’s wedding date was approaching, and she would soon marry and go to Huyi. That she was seeking him at this time was probably because of this matter.

Just as he was about to go over, Qin Shiyu held him back.

“Your Highness, it’s more important to leave the palace first.”

A reminder!

He gazed at that kite rising higher and higher, hesitating in his heart for a while. In the end, he still withdrew his steps and left the palace with Qin Shiyu.

In the distant Zhangqi Hall.

Jing Xuan, separated by the tall wall before her, was anxiously and nervously flying the kite.

Her mouth repeated over and over in prayer, “Imperial Brother, you must see it, you must come over…”

Beside her, Duan’er heard her muttering something but couldn’t make it out clearly, and stepped forward to ask, “Princess, what’s wrong with you?”

She didn’t respond, continuing to pull at the kite in her hands.

Extremely anxious.

Duan’er didn’t understand, but could only watch helplessly as she kept pulling the string.

That bright red kite rose higher and higher, when suddenly—

The wind was too strong. The string was pulled to its very end and, lacking sufficient strength, snapped. The thin line slipped from Jing Xuan’s hands, trailing the kite into the sky.

“No!”

She chased after it for several steps, but helplessly was blocked by that tall wall and couldn’t cross over.

She could only look up bitterly.

Tears in her eyes.

Duan’er quickly said, “Princess, don’t be sad. It’s just a kite. This servant will have someone fetch you another one right away.”

“No need.” Her tone dropped slightly, tinged with choking emotion.

“Princess, what’s wrong with you?”

“Perhaps… this is just fate.”

Hmm?

She gazed at that gradually distant kite, eyes reddening.

…

Prince Rong’s Manor.

After entering the capital, Ji Yunshu returned to Prince Rong’s Manor to wait quietly. Those guards had already returned, while Jingrong held that imperial edict and entered the palace.

She didn’t know what the situation inside the imperial palace was at this moment!

She could only remain here with an uneasy heart.

Lu Jiang at her side comforted her, saying, “Master Ji need not worry. The prince will surely leave the palace safely.”

“I know, but my heart still feels very anxious.”

“The prince has the late emperor’s imperial edict in hand, so naturally nothing will happen. His Majesty is a reasonable person. Believe that this imperial edict will certainly help the prince remain in the capital.”

Ji Yunshu sighed softly in sorrow.

After a long while, her anxious heart gradually settled down.

She looked toward Lu Jiang and asked, “Uncle Lu, is there any news of Wei Yi?”

Suddenly asked this, Lu Jiang was confused for a moment.

He thought to himself—I clearly already sent a messenger pigeon to inform our prince that Young Master Wei couldn’t be found in the capital. How could Master Ji not know? Then thinking again, he instantly understood.

He quickly said, “Young Master Wei has heaven’s protection and surely nothing will have happened to him. Although there’s no news of him yet, I believe Prince Yi must have hidden him somewhere. I’ve already dispatched people to search throughout the capital and will certainly find Young Master Wei.”

“So you’re saying there’s still no news of him?”

“That’s correct.”

Ji Yunshu tried to remain calm as she asked, “Throughout the capital, including Prince Yi’s Manor—have you searched everywhere?”

“We’ve searched everywhere.”

“That’s impossible. If Prince Yi truly captured him, then the person must still be in the capital. It’s just that Prince Yi… where would he hide him?”

Puzzled, perplexed.

Lu Jiang said, “Master Ji, I know you’re worried about Young Master Wei, but Young Master Wei will certainly be fine.”

She didn’t speak!

She was just thinking that a living person couldn’t simply vanish like this.

He must be hidden in some unexpected place.

Just as she was thinking—

A voice came from outside, “Your Highness.”

Her thoughts were immediately pulled back. Looking toward the entrance, she saw Jingrong striding in, completely unharmed and safe.

In that moment, her eyes reddened and the heart that had been suspended finally settled.

As Jingrong entered, she quickly stepped forward, standing before him, slightly raising those tear-stained eyes to look at him.

Both sorrowful and joyful.

Various emotions intertwined, stirring her into some confusion.

Jingrong withdrew his originally cold and stern eyes, gradually softening. “This prince promised you he would definitely return safely.”

The next moment, she disregarded her current male identity and threw herself into his embrace!

Holding him tightly!

Jingrong also embraced the petite person in his arms, lightly resting his chin on her forehead.

The two embraced, as if nothing else existed.

Fortunately, both Lu Jiang and Lang Bo understood.

However, several guards outside were somewhat bewildered, exchanging glances with faces full of question marks. Although they had long heard tales about their prince and Master Ji, and even knew the prince’s affection for Master Ji had reached an obsessive degree, they hadn’t expected that now they would openly embrace before everyone.

See no impropriety!

See no impropriety!

Lang Bo quickly gestured with his eyes, “Everyone withdraw.”

Several guards dared not linger and quickly left.

Lu Jiang and Lang Bo also very consciously walked out, not disturbing them.

Ji Yunshu nestled in his embrace, her cheek pressed tightly against his solid, warm chest, even able to hear his heartbeat.

Strong and powerful!

Ji Yunshu choked out, “I thought of many possibilities, over and over, thinking until the end I grew more and more afraid.”

“When has this prince ever broken faith with you regarding promises made? I said I would return safely, so I would definitely return safely.” He released her, lowering his eyes to gaze at her intently. “This prince has not yet welcomed you through my gates with an eight-carrier palanquin—how could I let anything happen to myself?”

Eight-carrier palanquin!

Welcome you through my gates!

Ji Yunshu pressed her lips together, tears finally falling as she said, “Good. Then I’ll wait for that day, wait for you to welcome me through your gates.”

“What this prince promises, he will never go back on.”