escape

Autumn is deepening and the weather is turning cooler.

It had just rained, and the air was filled with a faint dampness. Jiang Mian sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, watching the fish playing and frolicking in the pond. The grass in the yard had grown a lot; it had just been cleared a few days ago, but now it was growing back.

Day after day, she found her days increasingly boring.

This can't go on forever. What's more, she didn't take any contraceptive pills after they had sex. If things went wrong anytime, Jiang Mian couldn't imagine how difficult it would be.

Now everyone thinks she is dead. Even if she has left, she cannot return to the Shen family. Not to mention whether her maternal grandmother can accept her relationship with her cousin, even if there is Shen Ji, she must not appear by his side.

Jiang Mian thought about it all day but couldn't figure out how to leave.

Shen Ji returned home late at night. Although she didn't want to see him, she had to admit that all the outside information she knew was from him.

In the months since she "died," Song Mingyan has refused to believe she is dead. He sent people to search for her for a long time, but they could not find her. Jiang Qiyu also seems to have gone mad and refuses to believe she is dead.

Shen Ji told her all of this.

In the dead of night, when no one was watching, he pressed himself against her, his eyes swirling with unfathomable emotions, and bit her earlobe: "Mianniang, you don't have to do anything, yet so many people are willing to go through fire and water for you. Tell me, how should your cousin punish you?"

At that moment, Jiang Mian was pushed inside by him, her eyes were a little dazed. She clung tightly to his arm, and behind her was the suspended wooden bed. He lifted her up completely, her clothes were in disarray, and only the small garment covering her abdomen was swaying precariously.

She couldn't help but crane her neck, not hearing a word he was saying.

Shen Ji persisted, his tone gentle but his eyes filled with possessiveness: "Mian Niang, they all want to take you away from me."

"Cousin... be gentle... be gentle..." Jiang Mian had no idea what he was saying. She only felt that she couldn't bear such force, so she couldn't help but reach out and grab the curtain next to her, her slender fingertips turning red.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ji not only did not slow down, but deliberately moved further inside. He leaned down to kiss her, and his tone finally carried a hint of jealousy: "Sometimes, I really want to lock you up here completely, so that you can only see me every day and only be with me every day."

"Mianniang, promise me, you'll only love me from now on, okay?"

The once aloof and elegant gentleman now had a twisted lust on his face. He kissed every inch of her skin with longing and greed, as if he wanted to completely possess her. This unprecedented calmness made Jiang Mian even more determined to leave.

Staying by his side will only get you killed sooner or later.

Shen Ji is an abnormal madman.

She was blind back then, actually believing he was someone she could spend her life with.

During the day, as soon as Shen Ji left, Jiang Mian couldn't wait to find a way out. Although his anxiety for her hadn't dissipated after these past few months, he had finally lifted his guard over her, leaving only Qing Shuang around her at all times. Although Jiang Mian was eager to find a way out, she didn't show it at all on her face.

Although Qing Shuang served her, Jiang Mian knew that she would tell Shen Ji everything Qing Shuang did.

Jiang Mian hated being constantly monitored.

So she asked Shen Ji if she could go out for some fresh air, since she hadn't stepped out of the courtyard for three whole months, and no one could stand that.

The candlelight cast shadows on his handsome brows as he strolled along, gently stroking her hair, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Jiang Mian couldn't help but whine, "Cousin, let me go out and have a look around! I'm so bored staying here all day!"

She took his arm, pressed herself against him affectionately, lowered her eyes, and casually asked, "Don't you like seeing me all the time?"

Jiang Mian's heart skipped a beat. This madman, asking such abnormal questions again.

But in order to escape smoothly, she suppressed her discomfort and smiled faintly: "No, I am very happy to be with my cousin, but besides my cousin, I like many other things. For example, the pastries from Qingyunzhai, the paintings from Xiantingge, and the storybooks from Tingfenglou. I haven't seen them for three months. Cousin, please let me go out. Just for a stroll."

Shen Ji looked at her thoughtfully, and after a long while, calmly said, "I can bring you all of what you've mentioned."

“It’s not the same!” Jiang Mian immediately retorted loudly, “Cousin, if a person is confined for too long, they will die, just like a caged bird. It should be flying freely in the sky, but it is locked in a cage. Do you think it will be happy in the long run?”

Jiang Mian's words were pointed; she hoped Shen Ji would understand that forcing things would not yield good results.

Shen Ji lowered his gaze, unsure whether he had taken the words to heart: "If you wish to go in three days, I will accompany you."

Jiang Mian's clenched fingers loosened slightly. She had originally thought that Shen Ji would send Qing Shuang with her, but she didn't expect that he would go in person.

Although it wasn't what she expected, at least she got out of there.

Next, she needed to plan how to escape successfully.

Three days passed quickly. Early in the morning, Jiang Mian was in high spirits. She hadn't taken the time to properly groom herself in a long time. Because she was going out today, she got up early and carefully selected a dress. This dress was simple, unlike the previous ones which were more elaborate.

Shen Ji stood behind her, watching her genuine joy, and was suddenly a little surprised.

Is going out really that fun?

"Cousin, I'm all packed. When do we leave?"

After Jiang Mian finished tidying up, she stood in front of Shen Ji, her eyes bright, and she looked at him with a smile.

Shen Ji couldn't help but smile. He gently reached out to tidy up the strands of hair at her temples. Just as he was about to speak, Yun Qing walked in with a solemn expression.

He whispered a few words in Shen Ji's ear, and soon after, the young man looked at Jiang Mian.

She clenched her fingers involuntarily, thinking she was about to discover that last month she had bribed the vegetable delivery boy to ask him to do some things for her. Could it be that Shen Ji found out?

Jiang Mian felt her scalp tingle from the stare, but she forced a smile and a relaxed expression in her eyes. After a brief moment of torment, the young man suddenly came over and hugged her.

"Mianniang, I cannot accompany you today. Could we perhaps do it another day..."

"Cousin, go ahead and do what you need to do. It's the same if Qing Shuang accompanies me. I'll definitely be back quickly so you won't worry." Jiang Mian breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shen Ji hadn't noticed. She couldn't help but feel grateful. She hadn't had much hope for this trip, but it seemed even the heavens were on her side.

She has to seize the opportunity.

Shen Ji looked at her deeply, seeing how carefully she dressed up for going out, and how happy she was. He recalled what she had said that day: even a bird kept in a cage all day long would be restless and bored, let alone a living, breathing person.

Perhaps this is a turning point in their relationship. He has learned to let go and respect her, and perhaps then she will stop thinking about leaving him.

After a long silence, Shen Ji finally couldn't bear to say no. He gently leaned closer and kissed her forehead, his tone carrying a hint of tenderness and reluctance: "It's windy outside, wear more clothes."

Jiang Mian couldn't hide her joy. Regardless of why Shen Ji suddenly changed his mind, today was a tremendous opportunity for her.

She nodded quickly, then hugged him again, pretending to be reluctant to part: "Cousin, don't worry, Mian Niang will take good care of herself."

"Mm." Shen Ji nodded, and only looked away after watching her get into the carriage.

A gust of wind picked up under the eaves, and for some reason, he felt a sense of unease. Turning around, he saw a stranger and couldn't help but ask, "Who is that person?"

"He's a servant who delivers vegetables to the manor. Does the young master find that strange?" Yun Qing replied.

"Send someone to investigate," Shen Ji ordered. He had to be cautious about anything related to Jiang Mian.

"Yes," Yun Qing replied. She immediately gave orders to carry out the task.

Seeing that everyone had left, he couldn't help but ask again, "Young master, should we go to the military camp now?"

Last time, the young master dismissed Wang Shou and appointed Xiao Quan as commander. Although General Wang Shou had no objection, those who followed Crown Prince Yong'an were dissatisfied because the young master's actions made them feel disheartened.

Yun Qing had long anticipated this situation, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Xiao Quan was the young master's man, someone the young master had personally groomed. Removing Wang Shou and putting Xiao Quan in power would indeed chill the hearts of the old generals.

But these people follow the young master for revenge. Back then, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the aristocratic families were in turmoil, and almost all those who stood on the side of the Crown Prince of Yong'an were eliminated by Prince Sui. The court was almost completely reshuffled. Now, news has come from the palace that Emperor Jing is seriously ill. If people's hearts are in turmoil at this time, it will easily lead to changes in the young master's grand plan.

Shen Ji understood this clearly as well.

Two hours later, Shen Ji arrived at the Xishan military camp. The once empty tents were now surrounded by many people. The one in the lead looked refined and gentle, and was not wearing armor. He looked like a young master carefully raised by a noble family, not at all like a general who had been on the battlefield for a long time.

Perhaps it is precisely because of his appearance that so many people are unwilling to follow him.

"Young Master." Upon hearing the noise, Xiao Quan immediately looked up and respectfully greeted him. His life had been saved by Shen Ji, so he would obey all of Shen Ji's orders.

But others might not.

Especially among the "old men" standing here now, Wang Shou was one of them, but he didn't say much. Another general spoke first: "Since the young master is here, let's all speak."

"What did you say?" Shen Ji sat in the high seat, looking with interest at the people below who were disobeying him. His gaze swept over the familiar faces and finally landed on the general who had spoken: "General Su Heng, if I remember correctly, you have been following my father since you were thirteen years old."

"Young master has a good memory. I became Your Highness's study companion when I was thirteen years old, and it has been almost forty years now."

Shen Ji smiled slightly and looked at the next person: "General Jiang Haicheng, if I remember correctly, after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, your wife and daughters were all strangled, leaving only your blind mother."

Jiang Haicheng was stunned, and pain welled up in his eyes. Thirteen years had passed. He thought that as long as he didn't recall it, he wouldn't be in so much pain. But some memories were etched into his bones. In the dead of night, he seemed to always hear someone calling him, the repeated, reluctant "husband," and the painful wails of "father."

He nodded, his hatred seemingly overriding his reason.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident was an unspeakable pain for him.

Shen Ji remained silent for a moment, then looked at the next person.

There were seven or eight people standing in the room. Only two of them had not experienced the tragedy of that year. One was Xiao Quan, who was later rescued by Shen Ji, and the other was Xin Zhuo, who had not spoken at all.

The boy looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, but he had a composure that was beyond his years. When he stood at the back of the crowd and saw Shen Ji’s gaze move over, a hint of emotion appeared in his eyes.

He was different from everyone else; he followed Shen Ji voluntarily.

He didn't know what he was going to do; all he knew was that he was loyal to him, unconditionally loyal to him.

“You are all my father’s closest and most trusted people. I do not want this kind of conflict to continue. No matter who sits in this position, we all have a common enemy. As long as our enemy is alive, continuing to fight among ourselves is meaningless.”

"General Wang Shou, I have stripped you of your power. Do you accept this?" Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Ji finally looked at Wang Shou.

Wang Shou closed his eyes, thinking that the young master was indeed smarter than he had imagined. He was too old to be in this position, and the incident today was intentional on his part.

He wanted to test whether the young master valued revenge more or building his own power.

As it turns out, he was the one who was foolish.

He was already old and had to retire, but he wanted to witness Emperor Jing's death before he died.

He took a step back and suddenly knelt down: "Your Highness's decision is completely accepted by this old minister."

The tent erupted in commotion. Su Heng wanted to say something more, but when he met Wang Shou's warning gaze, he immediately became quiet. He knew that things had changed completely today.

Xiao Quan's rise to power means that the young master will begin to cultivate his own power. Even if they are dissatisfied, they cannot stop him, because if they want revenge, they can only unite against a common enemy.

After dealing with the matters here, it was already late. The last rays of the setting sun had fallen, and everyone in the camp had left, except for Xiao Quan and Xin Zhuo.

Xiao Quan glanced at Xin Zhuo. This young man was clearly a few years younger than him, but his eyes were full of composure and maturity beyond his years. He hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Shen Ji had no intention of sending him away, he continued to report to him on the events of the past few days.

Before he could finish speaking, the young man in the seat of honor suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "Has she gone back?"

Xiao Quan was taken aback, and Xin Zhuo also narrowed his eyes.

Clearly, none of them had reacted yet.

Yun Qing said, "Miss Jiang was in Xianting Pavilion an hour ago, and there has been no news of her since."

Shen Ji nodded, but felt a little flustered inside.

An hour ago isn't too long ago, and besides, Qing Shuang is always by her side, and he has also sent guards to protect her at all times, so nothing should happen, right?

Unexpectedly, just as this thought crossed his mind, someone suddenly ran into the tent: "Something terrible has happened! Miss Jiang is missing!"