military

Someone was spying on them? Could it be Yue Xiao? The thought sent a chill down everyone's spines.

Ji Yun pointed to the ceiling, indicating that the person spying was on the roof.

The two men on the rooftop were unaware that they had been exposed. One of them asked the other for confirmation: "There doesn't seem to be the child our master mentioned down there?"

The man pondered for a moment, then said, "You stay and continue the investigation; I'll go look for people elsewhere."

Jin Minzhi gave Shumo a look, and Shumo nodded seriously, holding the teacup in both hands, and left the room as usual.

Steward Zhu turned his head and silently followed his two attendants out of the room.

Just as Xin Yi was about to look up, Jin Minzhi called out to her, "Dr. Xin, my abdomen hurts. Can you come and take a look?" Xin Yi immediately forgot about being spied on and hurried to Jin Minzhi's bedside.

As Xin Yi lowered her head to undress him, Jin Minzhi whispered in her ear, "Don't look up, lest you alert him."

Jin Minzhi's hot breath hovered beside her ear. Xin Yi's hand trembled, and she tore Jin Minzhi's belt in two. The tips of her ears, hidden in her black hair, turned bright red.

Seeing her strong reaction, Kim Min-ji paused, then distanced herself from her, saying, "I'm sorry."

The atmosphere between the two became awkward.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from the rooftop.

Everyone looked up and saw only a gap through which a ray of light was shining.

"Thump—"

Seeing Ji Yun fall to the ground, Xin Yi seized the opportunity to run over and help him up, dragging him toward the bed, saying, "Are you out of your mind! Lie back down!"

However, Ji Jun broke free from her and staggered towards the door.

Jin Minzhi shouted sternly, "Ji Yun, stop right there."

Ji Jun replied without turning her head, "I'm going to protect Xiaoxiao."

Kim Min-ji frowned deeply and remained silent.

Xin Yi ran up to him and opened her arms to stop him. "Master went to great lengths to save you. How can you treat yourself like this and do this to her?"

Ji Jun pushed her away forcefully and stubbornly walked out.

Xin Yi turned around and said, "You should talk to him! He's courting death!"

Jin Minzhi sighed, "It's no use. No one can change his mind except Xiaoxiao."

Xin Yi stamped her foot and jogged to catch up with Ji Yun.

After being comforted by Steward Zhu, Jin Xiaoxiao decided to postpone her experiment and return to Buquan Courtyard to rest.

As soon as the second wife and Jin Yuanman stepped out of the room, they bumped into Jin Xiaoxiao, who had not returned home all night.

Jin Xiaoxiao touched her nose guiltily and moved closer to the two of them, "Dad, Mom."

"Going to see Minzhi so early in the morning?"

Why are you wearing...this outfit?

When her parents asked, Jin Xiaoxiao chuckled dryly and said, "I was worried about my brother. The butler gave me the clothes because he saw I was cold."

Jin Yuanman looked at her daughter disapprovingly, but said, "It's cool outside, let's go back."

The second wife took off her cloak and draped it over her, rubbing her hands. "Mother knows you have important things to do, but can you promise me you'll take better care of your health?"

Jin Xiaoxiao blinked hard, and just as she nodded vigorously, "Mmm!" she heard her father's roar and her mother's exclamation, "Xiaoxiao!"

The world turned upside down in Jin Xiaoxiao's eyes.

Jin Xiaoxiao brushed her hair aside and realized that someone was holding her around the waist and under her armpits, quickly moving her upwards against the flow of traffic.

"Guards! Someone, stop him!"

In the courtyard, her parents screamed for help, their feet never stopping as they ran after the people who had kidnapped her. When they reached the threshold, her mother tripped and fell, her hairpins and jewelry scattering on the ground.

Seeing her mother's clothes stained red after she got up, Jin Xiaoxiao finally couldn't hold back her tears and cried out, "Mother!"

The second wife thought she was scared, and loudly comforted her, "Xiaoxiao, don't be afraid! Mother will never let him take you away!"

The peace of the Jin family was broken, and all the Jin family members who heard the noise rushed over.

The man who had taken Jin Xiaoxiao hostage flew to the edge of the courtyard wall. Just as he was about to jump off, a dagger carrying a strong killing intent suddenly came straight at his face. The man's pupils contracted and he took several steps back.

Ji Yun landed opposite him with his sword drawn. "Release them, or die!"

Hearing Ji Jun's arrogant tone, the man scoffed, "How presumptuous!"

Ji Jun slowly drew her sword horizontally, raising her eyes to look directly at the man.

Meeting Ji Jun's gaze, the man's heart skipped a beat. His expression was like that of a wolf fighting for its life, fierce and fearless! He wasn't this kid's enemy who killed his father and stole his wife, so why was he putting on such a desperate stance!

Ji Jun wanted to fight him to the death! Jin Xiaoxiao came to this conclusion, and her heart tightened immediately. She guessed that Ji Jun was still able to stand up only because of his strong will. After all, someone who was unconscious last night couldn't possibly be walking briskly the next day.

She couldn't let Ji Jun do it, absolutely not.

Just as Ji Yun and the man were locked in a stalemate, Jin Xiaoxiao suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahaha..."

The man flinched, almost throwing her away. "What are you laughing at?"

Jin Xiaoxiao relaxed her body and said smugly, "Senior brother is here, Master must know too. Hehehe... You're going to die."

The man frowned, his gaze shifting between Jin Xiaoxiao and Ji Jun. The dagger that kid had thrown earlier was incredibly powerful; if he had a master…

The man thought about it for the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, but still couldn't make up his mind.

At this moment, Guard Chief Lu finally appeared in Jin Xiaoxiao's sight.

The man looked down at Guard Chief Lu, who was rushing over with dozens of men, and was puzzled. Didn't the boss say that the Jin family members were all injured? How come there are still so many people?

After a moment's hesitation, the man finally made up his mind: a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. He tossed Jin Xiaoxiao to Ji Jun, "Here you go!"

Then, while Ji Jun was picking up Jin Xiaoxiao, he darted down the courtyard wall and disappeared from the Jin family's sight.

Seeing Ji Yun throw down his longsword and open his arms to her, Jin Xiaoxiao cried out anxiously, "Ji Yun, get out of the way! I'll be alright!"

Ji Jun ignored her and Jin Xiaoxiao fell steadily into his arms.

Ji Jun caught Jin Xiaoxiao, his face pale, and said with a smile, "I caught you." After saying that, he closed his eyes and his body went limp and fell down.

Jin Xiaoxiao hurriedly scrambled off Ji Jun and knelt beside him, calling out helplessly, "Ji Jun!"

Xin Yi finally caught up with the man before she ran out of breath. Looking up, she gasped, "Whatever you do, don't touch him! Let them, let them take him down."

Jin Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears, "I won't touch him!"

The late-arriving head guard, Lu, bowed apologetically to Jin Xiaoxiao, but was about to apologize when Xin Yi pushed him, saying, "What are you dawdling for! Go up and get them."

Chief Guard Lu nimbly flew onto the roof, intending to land with Jin Xiaoxiao first, but she refused, saying, "Take Ji Yun first."

Chief Guard Lu turned around and, as she requested, took Ji Yun with him first.

As soon as Jin Xiaoxiao landed, the second madam hugged her tightly, exclaiming, "Xiaoxiao!"

Jin Yuanman looked Jin Xiaoxiao up and down, and seeing that she was alright, he quietly wiped his eyes.

Jin Xiaoxiao reached out and gently patted the Second Madam's back, "Mother, I'm alright."

The second wife laughed and cried at the same time, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

Jin Yuanman came over and said, "Alright, Xiaoxiao is fine now. Let her go quickly, or people will laugh at us." He gave the second madam a wink, "Let's go back to our room and change our clothes. If we delay any longer, we'll miss the time we agreed to meet with the Qin family."

The second wife reluctantly let go of her hand, took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and said, "Mmm."

As her parents disappeared from sight, Jin Xiaoxiao turned around and walked to Ji Jun's side.

Xin Yi placed her hand on Ji Yun's pulse, her expression growing increasingly serious.

Observing her expression, Jin Xiaoxiao's heart beat faster and faster.

"Ji Jun, are you alright?"

Xin Yi released her grip and instead lifted Ji Yun's clothes to examine the wound. Her expression turned grave as she said, "It's not good."

Jin Xiaoxiao's lips trembled. "Is there any hope?"

Xin Yi remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and looked at her intently, "If penicillin can be made before sunrise tomorrow, it might save his life."

Jin Xiaoxiao suddenly stood up. "I've already made it; all that's left is to conduct the experiment."

Xin Yi was thrilled. "Let's not delay, let's go and conduct the experiment!"

Jin Xiaoxiao did not disagree, but seeing the crowd gathered around, she gestured for Xinyi to wait a moment.

She pointed to two strong servants, "You two carry Ji Yun back to Ya Feng Courtyard." After saying that, she turned to Bai Guo and asked her with her eyes: Is it alright if I leave the three of them in your care?

Bai Guo nodded knowingly: Don't worry.

Jin Xiaoxiao then entrusted the three patients to Bai Guo with peace of mind.

She then turned to Green Ivy, "Sister Green Ivy, go open my money box. Everyone who comes here today will receive one tael. Guard Chief Lu and the others who arrived first will each receive an extra ten taels."

Chief Guard Lu felt even more guilty and wanted to decline, but Jin Xiaoxiao said before he could speak, "Today is extremely important. Please, Chief Guard Lu and everyone else, work hard all day and don't let a single fly into the Jin family."

Jin Xiaoxiao spoke softly, but Chief Guard Lu felt a chill run down his spine and straightened his chest, promising, "I will not fail you."

Having received his assurance, Jin Xiaoxiao turned to the steward who had arrived last and instructed him, "Prepare a horse for me, the sooner the better."

After giving her instructions, she said to Xinyi, "Let's go."

Butler Zhu stood behind the crowd, watching with satisfaction as Jin Xiaoxiao handled the affairs with ease.

At this moment, two attendants approached him, one of whom said, "Steward, the thief was stabbed in the right arm and escaped. But judging from his martial arts style, it is quite similar to that of soldiers."

Butler Zhu frowned. "In the army?"

Another person chimed in, "Three years ago, the Crown Prince took us to visit General Wei's military camp. At that time, we sparred with one of General Wei's men, and the moves he used were about 80% similar to those of General Wei's men."

Why is General Wei being dragged into this? Steward Zhu frowned even more deeply. "Don't make a fuss yet. Let me consult the Crown Prince."

After listening to Steward Zhu's report, Yue Jia paused, his brushstrokes blurring on the paper, the character "争" (zheng) on ​​the right side of the character "静" (jing) becoming a blurry mess.

Yue Jia paused, picked up a clean sheet of paper, and continued writing, "Go and find out where Wei Ran is?"

A short while later, a subordinate reported, "Your Highness, General Wei is in the military camp outside the city."

Yue Jia put down his pen. "Prepare the carriage and go to the military camp."

The carriage left the city and arrived at Wei Ran's military camp.

The guard bowed to the soldiers guarding the camp gate and said, "The young master has come to visit General Wei. Please allow him to pass."

The soldiers guarding the camp gate stood motionless, guns drawn, blocking their way. "No one may enter without the general's order."

The guard's face darkened. "The young master and General Wei have a close relationship. If you don't believe me, feel free to ask them."

The guards remained unmoved, their gazes fixed firmly on the camp gate.

Seeing this, the guard became even angrier and threatened, "If you don't move aside, don't blame me for being impolite."

Yue Jia reached out and lifted the carriage curtain, gently scolding, "Don't be rude."

The guards quickly helped him out of the carriage.

Yue Jia slowly walked up to the guard and took off the jade pendant from his waist. "Please give this jade to General Wei and tell him that Yue Jia wants to see him."

The guard took the jade pendant and turned to go into the tent.

Half an incense stick later, the soldier returned and let him in.

When the guards saw that Wei Ran had not come out to greet the young prince, but had only sent a soldier to lead the way, they immediately complained, "General Wei is really putting on airs."

Yue Jia glanced at him sideways, “The army’s discipline is clear and its orders are strict, which shows General Wei’s great general’s demeanor. How can the rules be broken because of me alone?”

The soldier secretly glanced at Yue Jia. As expected of the heir apparent, he had excellent taste.

Yue Jia didn't miss the soldier's proud expression; it seemed that Wei Ran had a high reputation in the army.

Upon arriving at Yue Jia's tent, the soldier quickly stepped forward, lifted the tent flap, and said, "The general is inside, Your Highness, please come in."

Yue Jia nodded slightly. "Thank you."

Wei Ran sat in his tent, staring intently at the map.

He only snapped out of his daze when Yue Jia walked up to him, and hurriedly got up to offer him a seat, "Your Highness, please sit down."

Yue Jia sat down and glanced at the map casually. "What did you see?"

Wei Ran shook his head. "Just familiarizing myself with the map. What brings you here today, Your Highness?"

Yue Jia looked directly at him and said, "I came today to ask General Wei, when did you become interested in kidnapping children?"