Hongshi only planned to stay in Hebi for two days. The officials wanted him to stay longer, but he was thinking about returning to report and had no intention of staying any longer.

Early in the morning, Hongshi got up and sent someone to pack his things before going to say goodbye to the county magistrate. He also went to Ruan Shuying's residence in advance to inform her.

When Ruan Shuying's personal maid saw Hong Shi approaching, she hurriedly ran in to tell Ruan Shuying, "Master, Master! The Prince is here!"

The maid had just left when Hongshi arrived at the door. She greeted Hongshi again before leaving, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Hongshi entered the room and saw Ruan Shuying painting her eyebrows and applying makeup at the table, which was truly a delightful sight.

Ruan Shuying pretended to see Hongshi in the mirror and hurriedly greeted him: "Why has Your Highness come? I haven't washed and dressed yet, and I look very ugly. Please don't look at me."

Hongshi stepped forward and helped Ruan Shuying up, saying with satisfaction, "You are as beautiful as an angel, I can't find you ugly no matter how I look at you. I came here today to tell you that we will be setting off back to the capital soon, so be prepared so that we won't be caught off guard again."

Ruan Shuying nestled in Hongshi's arms like a little girl, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have no way to repay you... except to stay by your side for the rest of my life... I hope Your Highness will not find me unworthy..."

Hongshi lovingly stroked Ruan Shuying's cheek: "How could I possibly dislike you, Shuying?"

Hongshi stayed with Ruan Shuying for a while longer before going to the county magistrate's office to inform him that he was returning to the capital.

The magistrate wiped away two imaginary tears from his face and said insincerely, "Your Excellency is so anxious, it must be for the sake of the people... Having such a prince is truly a blessing for our Great Qing... Since the prince is determined to leave, I will not try to stop him any longer... When will the prince depart? I will certainly go to see him off." After saying this, he wiped away two more tears.

Hongshi sneered inwardly. Such a person was useless, just a grass on the wall, falling from both sides!

"I won't trouble you, sir. I don't need anyone to see me off. Please continue to take good care of the people of Hebi. I'll take my leave now."

Although I despise this person, I still need to maintain appearances; it's better than having another enemy.

As dawn broke, Hongshi and his entourage set off back to the capital. Ruan Shuying followed behind Hongshi, her eyes filled with hatred. It turned out that her brother, Ruan Dafeng, had been following the group, enduring hardships and sleeping in the open along the way! The siblings had agreed to find a way to meet in the capital. Ruan Shuying was worried about her brother and also had to deal with Hongshi; she was inwardly groaning.

This prostitute, who had only ever sold smiles, was now filled with hatred for Hongshi:

I'm sorry, brother, I, Ruan Shuying, hate you! You will be punished by heaven! You will be punished by heaven!

How hateful! How hateful! I actually had to fawn over you! To flatter you!

Why? Why are you born noble, while we are destined for lowly fates? Why?

I hate you, Hongshi! You don't have to do anything to be a superior person! While we are struggling desperately, we still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I hate you, Hongshi! Even though you have harmed so many people, you can still live a life of unbridled indulgence, while we are like ants, only able to become your appendages!

Heaven is unfair, dividing people into different classes from birth. I, Ruan Shuying, must be reborn into a better family in my next life.

Should we just stop struggling so painfully?

Hongshi, Hongshi, you will die a horrible death!

We must find the evidence!