The leading eunuch was one with a nimble mouth. He bent his waist and fawned at Ji Huan while glancing at the place where the burnt lantern laid. “Oh! It was only a small lantern! We thought there was a fire in the imperial palace.”
“It’s alright. All of you leave!” Ji Huan ousted them.
One of the eunuchs looked at the silhouette of Ji Yunshu and asked, “Who was that person just now?”
“My older brother!”
“Secretary Ji?”
‘But it doesn’t look like him!’ The eunuch stared at the figure intently, but due to the darkness, he could only vaguely see the person’s back, but how can anyone mistake this figure?
He could probe around. “Did Secretary Ji lose weight? And this height… How did he shrink so much?”
“What are you looking for? Didn’t I say he is my older brother? Do you want me to drag back my brother for you to confirm my words?”
Hearing the anger in his voice, the eunuch immediately smiled brightly, “This slave doesn’t mean it.”
“Fine. Hurry and clean up the place!” He pointed at the burnt lantern.
“Y-yes!” The eunuchs complied.
Ji Huan seemed like as if he ate gunpowder. He glared at the eunuchs before turning back once more to look at Ji Yunshu in the distance. Then, he departed.
Soon after Ji Yunshu left the lotus pond, Shi Zijin jumped out from her hiding place. She then followed her mistress but remained hidden from sight. She uttered a reminder. “His Highness has ordered me to escort you back to the estate.”
Ji Yunshu didn’t see her, so she only stopped after a few steps. She leaned in the direction of the voice and asked, “Why didn’t you appear earlier?”
“He didn’t intend on killing you.” Shi Zijin replied with confidence.
“He pointed his sword at me. How can you be sure that he wouldn’t kill me?”
“I know!” Her words were concise.
Ji Yunshu laughed, then stroked Shi Zijin’s head. “Zijin, today, let me teach you something: there is nothing absolute in this world. Anything can happen until the last minute.”
‘Ah!’ In fact, when Ji Huan slashed down, Shi Zijin knew he was aiming at Ji Yunshu’s mask. That was the reason why she didn’t come out. However, Ji Yunshu wasn’t wrong. What if Ji Huan changed his mind at the last minute and actually wanted to take her life? The thought of it was quite terrifying.
Shi Zijin nodded. “I understand.”
Ji Yunshu stroked Shi Zijin’s head. Although that girl appeared to be emotionless, she was still a child after all.
They both left the palace. Outside, a horse carriage was waiting for them. After making sure Ji Yunshu had boarded the carriage safely, Shi Zijin retreated into the shadows and followed her unseen once again.
Inside the carriage, Ji Yunshu thought of the mysterious Su Ziluo. She recalled his face and those eyes of his. The memories flashed through her mind in succession, and they became more and more uncontrollable. She dug her nails into her palm. The pain brought forth ended those chaotic thoughts, clearing her mind in an instant.
At that time, they arrived at the Rong Estate. It was already late at night. She didn’t know whether Jing Rong returned or if another incident had occurred at the banquet when she was absent, but it didn’t matter to her now. She was too preoccupied with other thoughts that sleep only came to her after tossing and turning in her bed for a long time.
On the next day, a shocking news spread throughout the Rong Estate. Earlier this morning, a low-ranked official met with Jing Rong to report this important news to him. It was confirmed that someone died in the relay station.