The weather grew increasingly gloomy, and in a short while, strong winds and thunder rumbled.

Ji Yunshu rose from the ground, watching the Ji family members gradually disappearing into the distance, her heart filled with complex emotions impossible to describe.

Ji Huan’s words from earlier were still deeply branded in her heart, lingering persistently.

She was a sinner?

Was she truly a sinner?

“We should hurry back,” Shi Zijin beside her interrupted her thoughts.

She pulled the clothing around her tighter and looked at the closed gate of the General’s Manor. The plaque above had been removed at some point, and two tattered lanterns hung there forlornly. Whether they had been torn by the wind or someone had deliberately done it, she didn’t know. The General’s Manor, whose threshold had once been broken through by court ministers and wealthy merchants of the capital, had today fallen into such desolation.

Its glory was no more.

It was truly somewhat heartbreaking.

“Cough, cough…”

“Miss, are you alright? The wind is getting stronger. You’ve only just recovered—we should hurry back.”

She nodded slightly and let Shi Zijin support her as they left.

Returning to Prince Rong’s manor, just as they reached the entrance, she saw Jingrong standing there. His brow was raised proudly, but his eyes were unfathomable. He wore a black cloak with a piece of white blue felt wrapped around his neck, fastened with a translucent pearl clasp. The hem of the cloak was embroidered with several beautiful golden lang flowers, lifelike in their detail. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he looked at her with an expression of both anger and concern.

During these past few days, his brow had never relaxed—it had been furrowed tightly the entire time. Now, seeing Ji Yunshu had secretly left the manor, it furrowed even more deeply.

“You went to the General’s Manor?” His voice was low and resonant.

She nodded honestly, stepping up the stairs while saying, “To see them off.”

“And then?”

“The people have already left.”

“Can they see the kindness you harbor in your heart?” Jingrong suddenly asked this question.

Of course they couldn’t see it!

Ji Yunshu’s heart trembled, and she was rendered speechless, lowering her eyes.

Looking at the weak woman before him, Jingrong couldn’t muster any anger at all. He took a deep breath, raised his hand to remove the pearl clasp fastening his cloak, and then the cloak loosened from his shoulders. His arm swept out, and the cloak traced a perfect arc through the air before landing steadily on Ji Yunshu’s thin shoulders.

“Ah?”

Before she could react, Jingrong had already swept her up into his arms, and she was immediately pressed into that comfortable, warm embrace.

It was somewhat intoxicating.

Though everyone was surprised, they found it quite normal.

If it were before, they would certainly have thought their prince was “ill”—actually liking men—simply outrageous. But now that Ji Yunshu’s identity as a woman was known to everyone, it was only natural for their prince to treat her so well. After all, it was human nature—the animal mating instinct was determined from the bones, and no one could change it.

Under everyone’s gaze, he carried Ji Yunshu and turned toward the Falling Courtyard.

On the way.

She looked up at the man’s cold, stern jaw and asked, “Just returned from the palace?”

“Mm.”

“Everything’s been resolved?”

“Mm.”

“Are you still busy?”

Jingrong looked down at her and held her even tighter. “Not yet. Jingxuan is about to be married, so I have to keep running to the palace these next few days.”

She made an “oh” sound.

She asked no more questions.

After a short while, the two arrived at the Falling Courtyard.

Wei Yi stood in the courtyard, hands tucked into his sleeves as if hiding something.

Bulging!

It turned out that earlier he had gone to the kitchen and supervised the servants as they brewed the medicine before bringing it over. How could he have known that Ji Yunshu wouldn’t be in the room? After asking the servants, he learned she had gone out. He had stayed at Yuhua Pavilion for quite a long time and knew that brewed medicine couldn’t be reheated in the pot, so he had someone fetch a small jar, hid it in his sleeve to keep it warm, and waited for Ji Yunshu to return to drink it.

But unexpectedly, he encountered Jingrong carrying her.

The two nestled together, very intimate.

His eyes dimmed gently, and the hand holding the medicine jar inside his robe tightened a bit. Then he silently stepped aside.

Jingrong carried Ji Yunshu into the room, placed her on the bed, covered her with the quilt, and pressed it down on both sides.

“If you dare go out again without saying anything, I’ll have someone watch you constantly. Forget leaving the manor—I won’t even let you leave the courtyard gate.” It was a domineering warning, but it carried concern.

She nodded obediently and glanced at Wei Yi, who had followed closely into the room. Her gaze fell on his hands. “What are you holding in your hands?”

He froze, then carefully took the medicine out from his sleeve and extended it forward.

“Medicine to cure Shu’er!”

After speaking, he immediately poured it into a bowl and brought it over.

Sure enough, it was still steaming hot.

Jingrong smiled and reached out to pat him gently. “Our Wei Yi has indeed grown up.”

Fatherly love in abundance.

Go to hell.

A thousand wild horses stampeded through Wei Yi’s mind.

I’m not your son!

But… he endured it.

Jingrong took the medicine from his hands and said, “Boy, I’m here to take care of your Shu’er. Yesterday, I already had Lang Bo hire a teacher to come teach you. I also bought some books commonly used in academies. The teacher has probably arrived by now. Go to the study and take a look. Try to fill yourself with learning—in the future, you can take the imperial examinations and perhaps become the top scholar or something. That would bring glory to our family.”

He was so proud!

Wei Yi: “I want to stay with Shu’er.”

“Learning is more pressing.”

“But…”

Before he could finish speaking, Lang Bo was outside raising his voice and shouting, “Master Wei, the old teacher has arrived and wants you to hurry over. He wants to feel your roots of wisdom.”

That voice was really loud.

Wei Yi was embarrassed and could only hang his head and leave.

After he left, Ji Yunshu suddenly gripped Jingrong’s hand and called his name seriously.

“Jingrong.”

“Mm? What is it?”

But she pressed her lips together, hesitating to speak. Finally, she shook her head. “Nothing.”

Jingrong didn’t pay it much mind either.

After that day, because Jingxuan was to be married, the entire capital was under strict security. Because of Noble Consort Xiao and Jing Yi, Emperor Qizhen paid no attention to this daughter. Jingrong led people bustling in and out, preparing everything.

After all, he had promised Jing Yi.

During these days, Ji Yunshu recuperated in her room. Her complexion had improved considerably. Muruo also came to see her every day. The bandages on her neck had been removed, but… a scar remained.

Fortunately, Muruo had a miraculous medicine!

But it would still leave a faint scar.

Tang Si also came over frequently these past few days, but that girl’s entire focus was on Wei Yi. She kept running to the study to tease him. Wei Yi had been provoked several times but, being a good man who doesn’t fight with women, he restrained himself.

On the day before Jingxuan’s wedding, Zhao Huai and Wen Xian suddenly arrived.

Because Jingrong had promised them that if they helped rescue Ji Yunshu, he would tell them where the young prince was.

But before the two could enter, they were stopped by the manor’s guards.

“You’re breaking your word!”

An angry rebuke.

Ji Yunshu in the room heard it. She came out of the door and saw Zhao Huai and Wen Xian surrounded by people.

“All of you, stand down.” She spoke the command.