This bowl of water also gave him some strength in his body. With Anjiu’s support, he stood up. Just as he walked out of the woodshed, Pei Qiancheng saw a team of fully armed guards with serious expressions rushing past him, followed by several servants hurrying by. He frowned and said, “Anjiu, has something happened in the manor?”

Anjiu smiled and said, “What could happen in the manor? Second Young Master, please don’t overthink it. We should go back to your room first.” As he spoke, he was about to walk forward again, but Pei Qiancheng didn’t take a step and said coldly, “Big brother suddenly released me, and the manor is in this state. Did big brother find out about Ruhui’s matter?”

Seeing that he had noticed the clues, Anjiu had no choice but to say, “That’s right. The General knows about Young Master Du hiding in the manor.”

Pei Qiancheng’s face changed in shock. The next moment, he stared intently at Anjiu and said, “Besides me, only you knew about this matter. Was it you who told big brother?!”

“Indeed, it was this servant who told the General.” Before Pei Qiancheng could get angry, Anjiu lowered his voice and said, “However, this was all Young Master Du’s idea, and Young Master Du is no longer in the manor now. No matter how the General searches, he cannot possibly find Young Master Du.”

“What exactly is going on? Tell me in detail.” At Pei Qiancheng’s request, Anjiu carefully explained Du Ruhui’s strategy. After listening, the latter urgently wanted to speak, but having been hungry for so many days, his body was extremely weak. Where would he have the strength? He panted for a long while before finally squeezing out a sentence, “He… he’s gone mad. How could he possibly rescue Princess Jinyang from the heavy encirclement all by himself? I worked so hard to preserve his life, yet he wants to go die. This is really… really infuriating. And you, you didn’t even try to stop him a bit, letting him act so recklessly!”

Anjiu said aggrievedly, “Young Master Du’s mind was made up. This servant really couldn’t stop him.” Speaking thus, seeing Pei Qiancheng’s worried expression, he added, “However, this servant saw that Young Master Du looked confident. Perhaps he really can rescue Princess Jinyang. As for now, everything is going according to Young Master Du’s plan without any deviation.”

Pei Qiancheng shook his head and said, “Though he is resourceful and wise, force can overcome ten forms of wisdom. Sometimes, things cannot be accomplished with just a bit of clever planning. Sigh.”

No matter how much Pei Qiancheng worried, he could not stop the development of events. After leaving the Pei manor, Du Ruhui went straight to Longchong Gate. Because of the bamboo hat’s concealment, plus the layer of ash that Anjiu had smeared on his face, no one recognized him along the way.

When he was still about ten zhang away from the city gate, he saw Yunyi standing far away on the city wall and… Cui Ji standing beside her!

When Du Ruhui’s gaze swept across Yunyi’s face, the latter seemed to sense something and looked up in his direction. Although she could only see half his face, based on her understanding of Du Ruhui, it must undoubtedly be him.

Ruhui… he actually really came. Once Cui Ji discovers his presence, he will surely mobilize all his forces to capture him. At that time, even if Ruhui has heaven-reaching and earth-penetrating abilities, he cannot possibly leave. What should she do? How should she handle this?

Yunyi was extremely anxious in her heart, yet dared not show it on her face. Cui Ji was terrifyingly shrewd. Once she revealed even the slightest clue, it would arouse his suspicion.

Although Yunyi tried her best to hide it, Cui Ji still noticed something unusual and asked suspiciously, “What’s wrong?”

Yunyi’s mind raced, and she said, “I’ve been standing for a whole day already. When can I go back?”

“In another half hour, the city gates will almost be closed. I’ll send you back then. Tomorrow we’ll continue until we catch Du Ruhui.”

Yunyi said coldly, “I told you long ago that you cannot possibly catch Ruhui, yet you persist in your daydreaming here. How ridiculous!”

Cui Ji was provoked by her words and grabbed her chin, gritting his teeth and saying, “Even if he grows wings, he cannot escape Jiangdu City. When I catch him, I will definitely make you watch with your own eyes how he suffers punishment!”

Yunyi broke free from his hand and said, “I’m thirsty. I want to eat pears. Go find some for me.”

“No!” Cui Ji refused outright. Before he finished speaking, he saw Yunyi turn to leave. He quickly grabbed her and said, “What are you doing?”

Yunyi stared at the hand that grabbed her and said coldly, “I’m tired and thirsty. I don’t want to continue standing. Let go.”

“No, I said…” Before he could continue, Yunyi had already interrupted, “You have no right to force me to do anything, unless you want to face the Prime Minister’s questioning!”

Cui Ji’s cheek twitched repeatedly. This wench actually dared to pressure him with the Prime Minister. Hmph, Yuwen Huaji? He didn’t believe the latter could protect her for a lifetime!

Though he thought this way, he still dared not openly oppose Yuwen Huaji now. Forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, he said, “You want to eat pears? Fine, I’ll have someone fetch them.”

At Cui Ji’s instruction, someone soon brought up a basin of washed pears. Yunyi took one and bit into it, then frowned and said, “So sour!”

Before Cui Ji could react, that pear had already been thrown down from the city wall by her. Following that, she threw down all the other pears as well, causing countless common people below to scramble for them. For them now, pears were precious things they hadn’t eaten for a long time.

Cui Ji said displeasedly, “What are you doing?”

Yunyi clapped her hands and said, “I should be the one asking what you’re doing. Bringing such sour pears for this princess to eat—are you deliberately trying to make this princess’s teeth ache?!”

“You were the one who said you wanted to eat pears. When I gave them to you, you said they were sour and threw them all away. What exactly do you mean?!”

“Nothing much.” Speaking thus, Yunyi covered her lips and smiled, “You’ve been toying with me all day. It’s time for me to toy with you a bit. Cui Ji, being toyed with by others doesn’t feel good, does it!”

“You!” Cui Ji forcibly restrained his urge to slap Yunyi. After a while, he laughed in extreme anger, staring at Yunyi and said, “Yang Yunyi, there will come a day when I make you kneel before me and beg me!”

“I’m afraid Young Master Cui will never see that day.” After saying this, she turned her gaze toward the city below, seemingly looking at those common people scrambling for pears, but actually looking at Du Ruhui. She believed that Ruhui would definitely understand her meaning, and what she needed to do was give him a chance to leave the city.

Ruhui, you still have parents and a wife. They are all hoping to reunite with you. You must… you must not sacrifice yourself for me.

Besides, even if there really were an opportunity, I would not leave. I want to stay with Mother Empress. Outside the city… there are no longer any people or things I care about.

In such thoughts, a tall, elegant figure emerged in her mind, as it had countless times before, yet this time it was exceptionally clear and would not blur with the passage of time.

Li Shimin… he is now following Li Yuan in campaigns heading north. I’ve heard he’s been winning consecutive victories, and his name strikes fear into enemies’ hearts. There’s no longer any need for her to worry about him.

Perhaps… the prophecy “when poplar flowers fall, plum blossoms bloom” will truly be fulfilled in Li Shimin and his father. Li Yuan should be a good emperor who loves his people like his own children, allowing the common people who have suffered from the torment of war to live peaceful and stable lives from now on.