Just as Yun Jia said, tonight, someone is investigating her background all night long.

Ji Huali casually flipped through the presented documents. "Hmm... there's a senior brother too? It'll be easier to deal with him if he has a weakness."

Wei Ke brought over a cup of tea at the right moment, saying, "Your Highness, please enjoy your tea."

Ji Huali sipped her tea. "This green tea tastes really good. Coming to Yong'an Temple was definitely the right decision. What do you think, Wei Ke?"

"Yes, Your Highness's request has been fulfilled, and Yong'an Temple will protect you."

"Hiss, it can talk, I like that." Ji Huali placed the teacup on the table. "Give it some extra money for incense oil when it gets light."

——

After discussing their plan, Yun Jia and Ye Jiu lay down again. Although it was only halfway through the night, it felt like a whole day had passed.

Yun Jia rested her head on her arm and laughed, scolding her, "What woman is as indecisive as you?"

Ye Jiu wasn't annoyed. "My senior brother is clearly smarter than me. What's wrong with me asking a smart person for advice?"

Yun Jia suddenly remembered something and said with some worry, "Am I becoming a burden to you? If it weren't for me, you would have made a decision immediately... It's all because of my concerns..."

Ye Jiu turned her head to look at him. "What nonsense are you talking about? There are no 'ifs.' If that were really the case, I would definitely have stayed in that inn for the rest of my life. I would never have learned kung fu, and I probably would have gone south with Aunt Zhao and the others. I would never have met the princess."

At this point, Ye Jiu laughed and said, "You're not a burden to me at all; you're clearly my lucky star. I've only become a better person since I met you, haven't I?"

Yun Jia was pleased and leaned closer to her chest, saying, "Then I will definitely try my best to bring more blessings to Xiao Jiu."

As the moon rose above their eyebrows, the two fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, after having breakfast provided by the temple, she took Yun Jia to see Ji Huali.

Just then, Ji Huali finished eating. "Hmm? You're here so early?" She glanced at Yun Jia behind Ye Jiu. "And this is..."

Ye Jiu didn't rush to answer her. First, she clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, and Yun Jia followed suit.

"Your Highness, may you be blessed with good health and peace. I thought about it all night after returning home and realized that following Your Highness is the best choice for me. I thank Your Highness for your appreciation."

"This is... my husband. I brought my husband here to pray for blessings, which is how I met Your Highness."

Yun Jia squeezed Ye Jiu's hand tightly. Husband... this title actually landed on his head so lightly. His nose tingled, and he felt like crying, but because it was not the right occasion, he sniffed and did not speak.

Ye Jiu wrapped her hand around Yun Jia's to comfort him, indicating that she was there.

Ji Huali was satisfied with Ye Jiu's honesty. She nodded gently, "I haven't asked your name yet."

"Ye Jiu, a commoner."

Ji Huali tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "I heard you two are not yet married."

Ye Jiu's brow twitched, and she indeed went to investigate.

"Your Highness, it was an arranged marriage when we were children. However, my teacher's wife passed away, and I need to observe mourning at the appropriate age, which is why we haven't gotten married yet."

"He is a filial son." Ji Huali changed the subject. "In that case, let's wait a bit before getting married. After it's done, I will promote you to a higher rank and bestow upon you jewelry and jewels. I will also find you the best matchmaker and prepare a grand wedding with all the betrothal gifts and a long procession of red bridal procession for you to marry him. How about that?"

Ye Jiu tightened her grip on Yun Jia's hand, "This... is naturally excellent."

"Then I'll have to trouble you for the next few days. I'm also sorry to trouble you, young master, to spend a few days alone in your empty room."

"Your Highness, may I be asked if there is anything you require of me?"

“Protect me closely. You saw it last night too. There aren’t many people around me who can take on this responsibility, and there are often people who wish for my death.” Ji Huali stood up, walked to Ye Jiu’s side, and took her hand. “My safety is now in your hands.”

Ye Jiu's heart pounded even harder. "This humble subject will certainly not let Your Highness down."

"Stop being a commoner, now you're mine."

"Let's go, come down the mountain with me. We can discuss the rest in the carriage."

——

The royal carriage was indeed extraordinary; four people could sit inside without feeling cramped at all. There was a low table in the carriage with snacks on it.

A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the car, and soft cushions were placed under everyone's bottoms, making the long journey seem less unbearable—if Ji Huali hadn't been in the car.

“Young Master Yun, I may need to borrow your wife for a few months. I hope you will not hold a grudge.”

Yun Jia was furious and helpless. That's how imperial power is; it can easily crush them.

Ye Jiu was also confused; how did it become several months again...?

Ji Huali continued, "In a few days, the Empress will likely send me south to provide disaster relief. In times of famine, there are many refugees, and the journey is fraught with danger. I hope you can stay by my side and protect me. Of course, I will not take advantage of you."

"How about 100 taels of gold?"

This number, this unit of measurement, 100 taels! Gold! The royal family is truly wealthy and powerful.

Ye Jiu had no choice but to accept this option, nodding and saying, "Thank you for your reward, Your Highness."

“Then, while you’re by my side, I’ll have someone make sure Young Master Yun is settled.”

"This... Your Highness need not trouble yourself. He is doing well at his residence in the east of the city."

Ji Huali glared at her angrily, "Now that you're with me, things are different. That house is nowhere near as safe as my house. For Young Master Yun's safety, it's better to let him stay in the house I've arranged."

Ye Jiu and Yun Jia exchanged glances, this was... a threat.

Ye Jiu: ...You old geezers are all wicked!!

"Don't worry, the people I've arranged are all trustworthy and won't mistreat Young Master Yun."

Ye Jiu could only nod.

Okay, okay, yes, yes, I wouldn't dare to disagree.

They really went to the wrong temple, Yong'an Temple. Where is the peace? Now, both of them are in dire straits.

Yun Jia glanced at her, her eyes filled with comfort, and whispered, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."

Ye Jiu: ...This is even more annoying. He said the same thing when he secretly poured the medicine last time.

Yun Jia was no pushover either. Although he was in poor health, he had the Gu worms left to him by his master's wife. In a sense, he could kill whoever he wanted.

She really doesn't need to worry about him too much.

——

As soon as the carriage arrived in the capital, it headed west. The west of the city was home to many high-ranking officials and nobles, whose houses were not only expensive but also prone to causing trouble. Ye Jiu had once considered buying a house there, but later gave up after discovering so many intricacies involved.

The carriage stopped in front of a carved mahogany gate. Wei Ke got off the carriage first and lifted the curtain. Ye Jiu and Yun Jia quickly got off as well, allowing Ji Huali to make her "grand finale appearance".

The four stood in front of the door. Ji Huali glanced at Wei Ke, who then said, "This is the residence His Highness has arranged for people to stay. There are also several young masters living here. Young Master Yun need not worry about being lonely here."

Ye Jiu had three question marks above her head?

You've settled my husband in your mistress's house?! And there's more than one in that house?!

Ji Huali noticed Ye Jiu's confusion and asked with a smile, "Why do you look at me like that, Ye Jiu? This house was specially prepared by me for Young Master Yun, and there are a few servants here."

Ye Jiu: Terrifying indeed.