Su Ziluo nodded, however, and wiped his smile off his face, “No, Shu’er will not join us. She will be staying here and be well looked after.”
“Ah… Ah…”
“No, why will I not want Shu’er? But she is no longer mine.” His voice faded.
Li’er stared at him with large, tearful eyes.
In the last two years, Su Ziluo shared his thoughts and secrets with only him. Perhaps it was because he was mute and would never spill his secrets or ask questions, but Su Ziluo often shared his experiences in Jinjiang, including all that happened with Ji Yunshu! Truth was, Li’er was the perfect listener.
Su Ziluo closed the windows and sat for a long time in his wheelchair. Li’er remained squatting by his side, leaving him undisturbed.
The next morning.
The Emperor officially ordered for Ji Huan to bring Ji Li’s body back home to be properly buried, but prohibited the erection of a tombstone. Ji Huan did not protest and headed for Jinjiang with Ji Li’s body.
The Emperor naturally kept busy contemplating other matters in his own private quarters.
‘These cities, should we return them or not?’
Neither the eunuchs nor the officials dared enter to disturb in fear of trouble; no faction wanted to make that first move.
On the other hand, Ji Yunshu was in her own courtyard, non-responsive and refusing to eat or drink. Her servants had no choice but to report this to Jing Rong.
The first thing Jing Rong said on entering was, “How about this Prince send you to the nunnery for you to be a nun?”
How she wished to shave her head and leave the secular behind! But again, how could she bear to part with her long hair!
She stood under the plum tree silently, deep in thought.
Jing Rong sighed, “If you wanted to send your Big Brother off properly, you can still make it in time if you leave for the city gates now.”
“I don’t have those intentions.”
Her worries were not about Ji Li!
Jing Rong spoke again, “Ever since you sent your final report, you have been in this state. This Prince initially did not want to question you, but I cannot bear to see you like this any longer.”
“I’m alright.” Ji Yunshu replied unmovingly, then added, “Perhaps I’m just a little frustrated that too many things happened all at once.”
Jing Rong knew she obviously had something on her mind, but did not call her out. A short while later, he had someone bring over some dishes and he pulled her into the house, sitting her down at the dining table.
“Quickly, eat!”
It was an order, not a request.
Ji Yunshu bit her lip in protest, but still picked up her chopsticks and ate a mouthful of rice. Seeing this, Jing Rong placed a piece of meat into her bowl, saying, “It’s not good to be too thin.”