The atmosphere in the room was a little gloomy.

Like the weather before a storm.

Jiang Rao looked slightly uneasy. Holding the boxes of spices, she nervously walked to Fourth Master Jiang and asked, "Dad, what happened?"

Jiang Qinshi stood up at this moment and pulled Jiang Siye's sleeve, "Master, please come out first and discuss this with me."

Fourth Master Jiang clenched his hands into fists and his brows were tightly knitted.

After Jiang Qin called him again, he picked up the letter on the table and walked out.

Jiang Qin also walked out and turned back to say to Jiang Rao, "Niannian, please wait in the study first. I will come back after discussing it with your father."

Jiang Rao sat in front of Fourth Master Jiang's desk and waited.

…

After going out, Jiang Qin saw that Fourth Master Jiang was worried, and her expression was not looking good either.

The hand holding her husband's arm was shaking slightly.

She never imagined that the child in the west of the city was the Ninth Prince who was almost engaged to her daughter.

"Master, please take your time. Don't rush to tell Nian Nian about this."

Fourth Master Jiang's face was as gloomy as water, and he blamed himself, "It's my fault. I was so angry that I never went to see what the child in the west of the city looked like."

"Who could have guessed that he was the Ninth Prince? I had seen him before, but I couldn't recognize him."

Jiang Qin frowned slightly, "It's all written in Ayun's letter. Very few people know that the Ninth Prince has left the palace to recuperate. This can't be blamed on the master. If there is anyone to blame, it can only be blamed on fate."

Fourth Master Jiang said, "The Ninth Prince was seriously injured and alone here, and it just so happened that our daughter met him. Think carefully, why would the Ninth Prince be seriously injured, and why would he be in such a remote mountain city, without servants and people to take care of him? It is obvious that someone wants him dead. To save him every year is to go against that person."

"I know it's a bit cruel of me to say this, but I am Nian Nian's father. I would rather the Ninth Prince die than have my daughter make enemies because of him."

Although Jiang Qinshi wanted to let the young man from the west of the city be her son-in-law, she knew that he was the ninth prince. She would not dare to let the emperor's child be her son-in-law even if she had two more guts. She gave up this obsession and asked worriedly after listening to what Fourth Master Jiang said, "What if Niannian really likes him?"

"He can't protect my daughter at all." Fourth Master Jiang said coldly, "I won't agree to it. Besides--"

The old father has his own persistence.

He snorted and said, "I think Nian Nian just feels sorry for him.

His leg injury is serious. Being nice to him is no different from being nice to a wounded kitten or puppy. It's not true love. ”

Jiang Qin asked: "Then the master is going to tell Nian Nian directly that the child is the Ninth Prince, and then ask Nian Nian to cut off all contact with him?"

Fourth Master Jiang didn't say it directly, but he obviously thought so, and he was quite confident, "Niannian will definitely listen to me. I just need to tell her, and she will definitely listen to me without even having to explain why."

Jiang Qin shook her head worriedly, "This won't work. Even if it's a kitten or a puppy, you'll develop feelings for it after raising it for a long time. If the master is so straightforward, Niannian might resent him."

Fourth Master Jiang frowned in thought.

…

After returning to the house.

"Nian Nian." Fourth Master Jiang's voice was inexplicably solemn. "If Daddy told you to never see that kid from the west of the city again, would you listen to Daddy?"

In order to raise the stakes, he said, "Daddy, please."

He thought that since it was the first time he asked his daughter for help, she would definitely agree to his request.

But who would have thought that after the daughter looked at him in surprise, she asked seriously, "Daddy, why?"

Jiang Qin glanced at Mr. Jiang Si, as if to say, see, you are wrong.

Fourth Master Jiang was a little embarrassed and coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment. "Do you know who that child is?"

Jiang Rao shook her head to indicate that she didn't know, but her ears were already perked up, "Could it be that Daddy knows?"

When she was listening to someone talking, her clear and bright eyes always followed the speaker. Fourth Master Jiang looked at this precious girl who was held in his hands, and his heart was actually a little sour. He really didn't want her to suffer even a little bit. He just wanted to curse God for always making things difficult for his daughter.

He coughed and cleared his throat, but his voice was still extremely heavy, "The letter sent by your aunt said that the child in the west of the city has the surname Tianzi, and is a child of the heavenly family."

He did not want to name Rong Ting as the Ninth Prince at this time, fearing that naming him would arouse his daughter's fantasies and increase the ambiguity.

But after he pointed out that Rong Ting was a prince, Jiang Rao was stunned for a moment, and almost at the same time, she guessed that Rong Ting was the ninth prince.

His surname is Tianzi, and he is a child of the royal family. In her dream, she called him Master Jiu...

He is the ninth prince.

The Ninth Prince who was almost engaged to her.

Jiang Rao lowered her head.

She did not have much impression of the Ninth Prince. The only impression she had was that her parents had once mentioned to her that the Ninth Prince almost had an arranged marriage with her.

She would

The daughter was glad that the marriage did not take place in the end, otherwise she would have been destined to marry a man she did not know at all.

At the same time, she was a little curious about the Ninth Prince, who was almost engaged to her.

I was curious about the situation of the prince in the palace who was so weak and pitiful that my father didn't even have the ability to protect himself.

When I thought about it, my spine suddenly felt numb.

She once dreamed that Rong Ting's mistress wanted to harm him.

If Rong Ting is the Ninth Prince, then his mistress is

"Year after year?"

Seeing her looking down and distracted, Fourth Master Jiang understood her very well and came over to touch her head. It turned out to be his daughter. "Daddy had the same expression when he learned about this."

I immediately thought of what kind of disaster this would bring.

"Nian Nian, can you listen to your father now and stop dealing with this kid?"

Jiang Rao looked up blankly. She felt cold all over because of what she was thinking about. She didn't take Fourth Master Jiang's words to heart and asked, "What do you mean, Daddy?"

Fourth Master Jiang: “…”

It turned out that his daughter didn't think the same as him.

"His injuries and his current situation clearly show that someone wants to harm him. If you help him, you will make an enemy for yourself. The people in the capital who like to do good will say that we want to form a clique with him and plot something big. It is better to cut off contact with him."

make enemies

Jiang Rao knew very well who was behind the attempt to harm Rong Ting.

Just thinking about how Empress Jiahe looked in public, I felt a chill down my spine.

Empress Jiahe had a very good reputation among the people, and even children would sing songs praising her.

Because of her aunt, Jiang Rao has always disliked the Queen.

I never expected that the woman who was gentle, generous and decent in the eyes of ordinary people would actually be a cruel and vicious woman behind people's backs.

As for forming cliques for personal gain

Jiang Rao raised her eyes and looked at Fourth Master Jiang, "Dad, there's no need to cut off contact with him. Contacting him won't harm our family."

In her dream, there was clearly a new emperor, and new reign titles were used everywhere.

When Rong Ting in the dream was in the house, everyone respectfully called him Master Jiu, and no one could help but bow their heads when they saw him.

Even though he had hidden a lot from her at that time, she knew very little about him.

But it is still unquestionable that Jiu Ye is extremely powerful.

Being in the party with him wouldn't be a bad thing at least.

It might even change the fate of the entire Jiang family, where the men would be exiled to remote areas and the women would be enslaved, after the new emperor ascended the throne.

Jiang Rao's eyes suddenly became bright.

Jiu Ye is a golden thigh, she wants to cling to him.

But she

Jiang Xingzhou could not hear 's voice.

He frowned after hearing what his daughter said.

All Jiang Xingzhou could see was Rong Ting curled up in a dilapidated wooden house, struggling to survive.

In his eyes, Rong Ting was not even as good as a free fish in the river.

The Ninth Prince has been put on the chopping block. Whether he lives or dies depends entirely on the person holding the knife and when he is in the mood to strike.

Accustomed to a carefree life, he did not want to get involved in the fight among the princes for the throne. He just wanted to stay out of it, to protect himself and his family.

If there is no way to avoid it, at least stand on the side of the person who looks like he will win.

"If you change the younger one every year, you may not understand that he is helpless. If the princes really fight for the throne, he will be powerless to protect himself." Fourth Master Jiang said, "When you grow up and figure it out, you will naturally understand why Daddy wants you to distance yourself from him. Today, you listen to Daddy first."

Jiang Rao knew that it was not easy to change her father's opinion, so she did not mention it again. She just looked a little depressed and did not agree.

She didn't know how to let her father know, except telling him honestly about her dream, that Rong Ting would no longer be the person who allowed others to bully him.

Fourth Master Jiang noticed the gloom on her face and it seemed like she didn't want to agree.

He sighed slightly and said to Jiang Qinshi, "You got it right."

Jiang Qinshi took hold of Jiang Siye's hand and gently pressed hard, saying in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Master, if that's the case, let's just follow the explanation I just discussed with you."

Fourth Master Jiang nodded.

He stood up and walked in front of Jiang Rao, his face solemn, "Every year, there is one thing."

Jiang Rao raised her eyes.

Fourth Master Jiang said, "Concubine Yun is ill."

Jiang Rao's expression changed immediately, "What disease did my aunt have?"

"She ate poisonous cakes by mistake." Fourth Master Jiang folded the letter sent by Concubine Yun in half and handed it to Jiang Rao, asking her to read the letter. "She is very ill and in critical condition. She said she wants to see you."

…

Jiang Rao looked at the last few lines of the letter.

It was the handwriting of her aunt Qin Yun. In the letter, she said that she was terminally ill and that when she fell asleep at night she could hear the Qin family's great-grandmother, who had passed away a hundred years ago, calling her by her childhood nickname and wanting to take her away.

In other words, if her mother Nian Nian comes back late, remember to buy her a coffin board from the coffin shop in Jinling City.

I want the most expensive and best looking one.

As Jiang Rao watched, her heart began to tremble.

"Should we go back to see my aunt?" she asked anxiously.

Jiang Siye and Jiang Qinshi looked at each other,

They exchanged glances tacitly, and then nodded.

"It's time to go back."

They knew in their hearts that Qin Yun was just fooling around and pretending to be sick to trick them into going back.

But using this method to take my daughter away can indeed dispel her resistance and concerns.

"But." Jiang Rao was concerned about Rong Ting's leg injury, "Can we go back to Yecheng?"

Fourth Master Jiang thought, no.

But I felt a strong sense of helplessness in my heart.

He nodded, "Of course I'll be back."

"I'll be back in a few days."

"I have to find someone to tell..."

Fourth Master Jiang frowned and interrupted her, "We will leave tonight, go pack your things quickly."

He coaxed her helplessly, "Daddy will arrange for someone to tell the prince that we are leaving temporarily."

…

The Jiang family left the city overnight.

The mansion was still there, and because he was afraid that Jiang Rao would become suspicious, he didn't pack up the things in the mansion and left a few servants here to take care of things.

Night ends and dawn begins.

In front of the Jiang Mansion, a figure in a wheelchair appeared.

Rong Ting's fingers were clasped on the armrest of the wheelchair, his dark eyes staring at Jiang Fu, his brows slightly furrowed.

The mansion, which used to be bustling with servants, was now unusually deserted. The front door was open, and only two or three people were seen walking around inside.

Rong Ting glanced at the sky.

Two hours after dawn, there were already more people on the streets.

If it were usual, the servants of Jiang Mansion would have been busy, and it shouldn't be so deserted as if no one lived there.

A silent anxiety surged up, Rong Ting tightly grasped the hairpin that he wanted to give to Jiang Rao, controlled the wheelchair, walked forward to the gatekeeper, and said, "I'm looking for your young lady."

The gatekeeper raised his head and glanced at him, thinking about what the master had told him last night about what to say when he saw a disabled boy in a wheelchair, and he said, "My girl, let's go."

Gone...

Rong Ting's eyes showed a moment of panic, and then his voice became tense, and he asked anxiously, "Where did you go?"

"I don't know where to go, but I'm not coming back."

The gatekeeper replied according to what the master had told him.

Rong Ting's eyes darkened.

He held the white jade hairpin tightly in his hand, and the force between his fingers at that moment almost crushed the thin and brittle jade body!

"Impossible." He said in a hoarse voice.

She had just promised him that she would not leave.

I won’t just leave without saying goodbye.

Definitely not.

With disbelief in his eyes, he waited stubbornly outside the Jiang Mansion.

From the morning mist, until

The sun is rising.

Then to sunset.

The setting sun shone on the young boy in the wheelchair, casting a thin and lonely figure on the ground.

The thin golden light of the setting sun shone on his lonely and gloomy face. His thick and long eyelashes cast shadows on his eye sockets, making him look even more lonely, frail and pitiful.

The gatekeeper couldn't stand it anymore, so he walked over to Rong Ting and advised, "Young Master, please go back. The girl has indeed left and she won't be back."

He was afraid that the young boy would stay here like a stone sculpture, waiting until late at night, until he died, so he said in a serious tone: "No matter how long you wait, it will be over."

The stone-like figure finally trembled, raised his eyes, and his beautiful face showed sadness and fragility.

It was as if something important was shattered before my eyes.

…

The gatekeeper said not to call Rong Ting.

Rong Ting, however, comes every day.

His wheelchair would always stop under the weeping willow tree in front of the Jiang Mansion, whose greenness grew thicker day by day. He would hang his head, not making any noise, waiting quietly, playing with the hairpin he had made.

The less I make a fuss, the more upset I feel inside.

He looked at the hairpin and kept thinking that it would look great if he used it to tie up her hair and put it on her head.

When you look at her from behind, you can see that her long black hair is all tied up by the hairpin, revealing her neck.

It is white and slender, with beautiful lines, like a swan's neck.

Rong Ting stroked the hairpin.

It was like caressing the skin on her neck.

Just as smooth and delicate, just as slender and beautiful.

It breaks if it is folded.

He suddenly grasped the hairpin tightly in his palm, and his scarlet eyes became dark.

I knew it earlier.

It should be locked up, shut up, and hidden.

Hidden in a place known only to him.

Then, there is no escape.

…

The group of kids from the west of the city who had a deep grudge against Rong Ting, upon hearing that the Jiang family was gone, gathered together like monkeys to watch the show.

He rolled up a ball of mud and threw it at Rong Ting.

When the Jiang family was here, they knew that the eldest daughter of that family was protecting Rong Ting, so they did not dare to act rashly.

Now, hearing that the Jiang family had left, they finally took advantage of the opportunity.

The words that had been suppressed for several months came pouring out.

"You dead cripple, your backer is down!"

"Look, he's like a dog. We feed him once or twice and he's done. He's waiting here anxiously, but to our surprise, no one wants this dog!"

"Poor dog! Poor dog!"

They responded to each other and laughed loudly.

Noisy laughter reached his ears, and Rong Ting's emotions, which had been suppressed for several days, finally came to an end.

He raised his eyes slowly, his gaze cold.

In those sinister and narrow eyes, there was murderous intent that was difficult to conceal.

The hidden weapon that could kill someone by blocking their throat was quietly moved to their fingertips.

Just then, a man came riding a tall horse, whipping the horse.

The children heard the sound of horse hooves and turned their heads to look, "Where did this high-ranking official come from? He looks so impressive!"

"Why is he walking this way? Is he looking for someone?"

"How is it possible? Is there anyone here that such a high-ranking official could come to see him personally?"

As the official in dark brocade clothes approached, the expressions on the children's faces became humble and submissive.

Like quiet family dogs.

The official in brocade clothes tightened the reins in front of Rong Ting, stopped his horse, and rolled over to the ground.

He glanced at the dirty kids with a cold and disgusted look, then raised his whip and swung it in front of the kids, splashing their noses and almost landing on them.

The official in brocade clothes knelt down in front of Rong Ting.

He clasped his fists and saluted, saying in a loud and clear voice, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to His Highness the Ninth Prince."

…

Inside Jinxiu Palace, the Queen was practicing archery with Little Seventeen.

Xiao Shiqi was not very good at archery. Only occasionally did a few of his arrows get close to the center of the bull's eye, but none of them could hit the red dot.

The queen was annoyed by what she saw. The new maid Yuying asked her, "Madam, I know of a target that is bigger than the ones used in the palace and easier to hit the center of. The seventeenth prince is young, why don't we let him use that first?"

The Queen shook her head. "At his age, Rong Ting would have already hit the target every time."

Yuying rubbed her shoulders and chuckled, "But now that the Ninth Prince is not in the palace, no one can be more powerful than the Seventeenth Prince."

These words made the queen smile, "As long as he doesn't come back, my little Seventeen will always be the most powerful child, and I will not let him come back."

“Yuying, let’s change to the target you mentioned. As long as we can deceive the emperor and make him think that my little Seventeen is capable, I will think it’s great.” She gave the order with a sneer.

Her little Seventeen will always be the one who is superior to everyone else.

As for that disabled man, it would be better for him to die in Yecheng.