In the courtyard.
Wen Xian and Zhao Huai were waiting there, standing with backs ramrod straight.
“Little Heir,” Wen Xian greeted.
Ji Yunshu responded, “I think it’s better if you just call me Teacher Ji. I'm not used to being called the Little Heir.”
“Sure,” Wen Xian replied. “Zhao Huai and I will follow Teacher Ji on your journey back to the capital.” He got straight to the point.
They want to follow me? Zhao Huai has been following and annoying me for the entire journey, and now there’s another one?
Seeing how bothered Ji Yunshu was, Zhao Huai quickly explained, “Wen Xian and I will not be travelling alongside you. Rather, we will shadow you in order to protect you.”
Oh! She nodded. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. After I return to the capital, if I make any progress in the Lin Capital case’, you can report to General Wen immediately as well.”
“Sure.” The two men nodded.
Little Xiyue lifted her gaze to look at Ji Yunshu as she tugged at the latter's sleeve, “Big Brother, I have a present for you.”
“What is it?”
She took out a square box she had prepared and handed it to Ji Yunshu. “This box contains my favourite book. When you get to the capital, just take a look at this book if you miss me.” Little Xiyue said innocently.
Ji Yunshu opened the box. It was a book ent.i.tled ‘Solo Expedition Excerpts’.
Wow! This was a book Ji Yunshu had searched unsuccessfully for in Liu Qingping’s office a long time back. ‘Solo Expedition Excerpts’ was a book that recorded many archeological mysteries.
Her professor had mentioned this book on her first day of university. However, at that time, the book had been allegedly bought by an antique collector and even the national museum didn’t have a copy. Initially, she thought that she could find it in Liu Qingping's almighty study. However, she searched through every corner of it and found nothing.
Therefore, she was exhilarated when she saw the book. Seeing how much Ji Yunshu loved her gift, Little Xiyue was delighted too.
At that moment, Jing Rong arrived. “Little la.s.s, what are you smiling so widely for?”
Little Xiyue looked in the direction of that voice before she quickly hid herself behind Ji Yunshu. She was still terrified of Jing Rong.
Inspired by her adorable reaction, Jing Rong teased her as he snickered as wickedly as someone who was about to abduct a child. “Why are you scared of me? This prince won't eat you.” [1]
Petrified, Little Xiyue took another few steps backward.
Not wanting her to cry, Jing Rong decided to stop teasing her.
Then, his gaze fell upon Wen Xian and Zhao Huai. His expression immediately turned serious as he rose to his feet, his brows furrowed. “If you don't want anyone to find out about what you're planning on behalf of the Imperial Duke, this prince advises you to stay here quietly. The capital is not a place you should go to.”
It’s full of danger! You might not be able to leave the tiger's lair once you enter.
Wen Xian exchanged looks with Zhao Huai. With a resolute tone, they said, “It wasn’t easy for us to find the Little Heir. We can't let anything happen to him. We understand Your Highness’ concern, but there is no need to worry. Since you let us off previously, we will not work against you. We are following Little Heir to the capital solely to protect him. We will not act recklessly until the Lin Capital case is solved.”
Seeing how sincere they were, Jing Rong responded, “You better keep your word and don't try to pull something over me. Bear in mind, this prince has captured you once, and I can definitely catch you again.”
“Don't you worry, Your Highness. We will obey the Little Heir, and will follow his orders religiously.” These two were men who would honour their words.
Jing Rong was still hesitant as he stared at them without saying a word. He looked at the sickly Wen Xian and became concerned again, “This prince advises you not to follow us to the capital. Look at how weak you are. What if you can't take it and kick the bucket on the way to the capital? It will be really troublesome then.”
Wen Xian put on a solemn expression. “If I can't endure and die on the journey to the capital, it will still be worth it.”
“This prince admires your determination.” Nonetheless, Jing Rong's heart softened. “You should visit Mo Ruo later and get him to check your pulse.”
Mo Ruo would like to protest, I'm a busy man! Why do you have to give me all the troublesome jobs? I thought I came to Yufu for a vacation! Where was the picturesque scenery I was promised? Can I resign from being the legendary doctor?
Wen Xian knew and acknowledged Mo Ruo's skill, because Mo Ruo was the one who cured Zhao Huai’s arm. Initially, Wen Xian intended to consult Mo Ruo, but was too shy to do so due to the discord between them. Now, things were easier for him since Jing Rong had made the offer.
“Thanks!”
“Jot it down. One day in the future, this prince wants you to pay back all of these.”
Wen Xian did not respond.
As the sun was setting, they then left with Little Xiyue to make their preparations for the journey.
Following their departure, Jing Rong’s expression grew more serious. Ji Yunshu noticed the change of Jing Rong's expression and asked, “What is on your mind?”
“I'm thinking about the trip to the capital.”
“You are worried?”
He nodded, heaved a heavy sigh, and replied, “The decree that Imperial Father sent from the capital is a secret decree that no one else knows about. Therefore, this prince will be stopped on arrival at the capital gates. There’s no way I can enter the capital.”
“Then, what’s the use of the Emperor’s decree?”
“My Imperial Father knew that if he was to release a public decree, all the ministers would express their objections to his decision. Hence, he decided to send a secret decree, and will only take action when this prince arrives at the capital.”
Oh! Ji Yunshu quickly grasped the situation. “The Emperor acted first before anyone could disapprove of his decision!”
“That’s right. When the day comes, we will know how my Imperial Father takes his next step.” Jing Rong stared at Ji Yunshu as he continued with a serious tone, “Yunshu, if it’s possible, you should go to the capital first. No one will block your way and this prince will not implicate you either.”
Ji Yunshu held Jing Rong’s hand. Their fingers intertwined.
She replied, “Jing Rong, I’ve said this before. No matter what happens, I will stay with you. We live together and die together.”
“Yunshu…”
“Don’t you worry. The Emperor must have had everything planned out if he allowed you to return to the capital. Even if the situation changes when we arrive, I will still believe in you.”
Jing Rong pulled her into his embrace and held her tight. He rested his chin on the top of her head and said, “I don’t care what happens to the world, this prince only wants to keep you safe. When this prince tells you to run, you must run.”
Ji Yunshu buried herself into his arms without saying a word.
After a long moment, Jing Rong seemed to have recalled something as he asked her, “Have you found out anything about the wooden pendant your mom left for you?” It was an abrupt change of topic.
Ji Yunshu lifted her chin and shook her head.
She removed the wooden pendant around her neck, and added, “I have already asked Aunt Xie about this. Her husband was the one who sewed the pattern on the rag doll but he pa.s.sed away a long time ago. All we know is that her husband was an ironsmith. What did he do before he came to Jinjiang? Where did he hail from? We couldn’t get any answers to these questions. He drew his last breath many years ago and no one knew much about his past. It will be very difficult to investigate his background. I reckon we have arrived at a dead end.”
She sounded disappointed.
This was one of the main reasons that drove her to visit Yufu. However, she gained nothing from this trip.
Jing Rong discussed seriously, “When you arrive at the capital, you draw the pattern on a paper and pa.s.s it to me. This prince will order my men to find out more about this pattern.”
“Sure.” She nodded in agreement, but her heart remained heavy.
[1] Do you find this extremely weird? Yeah me too - author what were you thinking?!