"The current Empress Dowager's mother came from the Ji family; otherwise, why would even the county magistrate be wary of the Ji family?"
Sun Miao'er never imagined that Ji Changru would be involved with the imperial court until this moment.
Why didn't my master tell me even though he knew? Was it because he was afraid of putting me in a difficult position?
Based on Fu Yuchi's consistent style of doing things, it is highly likely.
“So it’s understandable that the emperor would flee to Yingzhou.” Dongli smiled, plotting a grand scheme, and just needed someone to discuss it with.
Sun Miao'er is trustworthy, and she can reveal all her plans. "During the days you were away, the people from the Feather Camp came to Duhuan Tower every day."
"To spy on you?"
Sun Miao'er had witnessed the methods of the Feather Camp. Although Hu Tingzhi had left some experts to protect Dongli Xiaoxiao, she was probably no match for the Feather Camp if they really went head-to-head.
Moreover, the remaining members of the Feather Camp will also come with the Emperor.
Dongli smiled and shook her head. "I'm not sure if he recognized my identity, but he seemed to be trying to get close to me, saying he wanted to give me to the Emperor."
"I think he meant it. He genuinely wanted to use me to curry favor with the emperor, and he was willing to do anything to avenge his brother."
Sun Miao'er recalled that day in the dark room when her master said that Dongli Xiaoxiao looked seven or eight parts similar to the concubine the emperor had been thinking about. She guessed that Luo Yu must have noticed it too.
"So you want to stay by the emperor's side and wait for an opportunity to make your move?" Sun Miao'er asked tentatively.
However, Dongli Xiaoxiao's silence earned her affirmation.
"No!" she retorted. "Xiaoxiao, this is too dangerous. You can't take such a risk!"
The Feather Camp guarded the emperor almost every step of the way; they were all top-notch experts. If they were to be exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Killing the emperor is the best way."
Seeing that she was determined, Sun Miao'er still advised, "If it doesn't work, we can think of another way. There's always a way to have the best of both worlds."
"No need to think about it, I have already made all the arrangements. Starting tomorrow, no outsiders will be allowed to enter or leave Duhuan Tower."
Dongli smiled, his tone unusually solemn, "Miao'er, if anything happens to me, tell Shanqiu that I'm leaving and will never come back."
"Don't let him keep thinking about me."
How could she just stand by and watch her best friend go to her death?
It was clearly a matter of life and death, but why did it sound so nonchalant coming from Dongli Xiaoxiao's mouth?
Hu Tingzhi's last wish was for his child to live a good life.
“If something really happens to you, even Manager Hu might not want to see you when you get down there.”
Sun Miao'er said a few angry words, knowing that no matter how much she tried to persuade Dongli Xiaoxiao, he probably wouldn't listen.
Dongli smiled and handed the key to the vault to Sun Miao'er, saying, "Miao'er, I'm entrusting Duhuan Tower to you. This is all the result of your brother's hard work."
"I don't want the key to fall into the hands of others; I can only feel at ease if I give it to you."
Sun Miao'er knew the key was valuable, but she had no choice but to accept it.
When she returned to the shop, looking up, she bumped into a figure.
"Manager Ji?"
She spoke in a daze, thinking of Ji Changru's relationship with the imperial court.
She was an ordinary citizen of Ping'an City, but her heart belonged to her master.
Even though the imperial court and the King of Wei were at war, her heart still stood with her master.
When Ji Changru saw her, a faint smile finally appeared on his haggard face.
Sun Miao'er never imagined that in just two months, Ji Changru would have fallen into such a state.
That handsome young man has long since disappeared.
"Miao'er."
This time he didn't call her by her surname, but only by her given name.
Sun Miao'er was flustered by this unusual and intimate way of addressing him. "Manager Ji, what's wrong?"
"Miao'er, Mr. Fu is getting married to Princess Alisa from the Western Regions, did you know that?"
Ji Changru's voice was calm and even, but it stirred up Sun Miao'er's heart in an instant.
How could he know about his master and Princess Alisa?
Or did he know his master's identity from the beginning?
But what's the story behind the master's upcoming wedding to Alisa?
Everything happened so suddenly that she didn't have time to sort out her thoughts.
"Manager Ji, what are you talking about? My master, and what princess?" Sun Miao'er pretended to be stupid, but she wanted to know more than anyone else what was hidden behind the marriage.
Ji Changru was unusually calm. "Miao'er, after you left Yingzhou, the Ji family received news from the imperial court."
"When I met your master, I felt that something was wrong with him. His appearance and demeanor were far beyond what ordinary people could achieve."
"You should know that he is a descendant of the Fu family. As the emperor's subjects, the Ji family should bring him to justice for treason."
Sun Miao'er raised her head and met Ji Changru's eyes, which were no longer as clear as before. "So Manager Ji kept investigating?"
“Miao’er, the King of Wei has spies, and so does my Ji family. The Yu Camp may not be able to find out about these things, but the Ji family has merchants all over the country, so it will just take a little more effort.”
Sun Miao'er took two steps back warily. "So, Manager Ji, what do you want?"
"Miao'er, come with me. We'll leave Yingzhou. The Emperor and the Prince of Wei have nothing to do with us."
He suddenly choked up, "Don't you really understand my feelings, Miao'er?"
"Or did you already know all along, but you just refused to admit it because your heart only belongs to your master?"
"When did it start?" Sun Miao'er was at a loss for words to respond to Ji Changru's feelings, and simply asked.
Ji Changru paused for a moment, "It was probably the night I saw you at the dock."
“The wind was strong at the dock. You were standing by the water, and the moon was reflected in the water. The servants pointed you out to me and said you were the female manager of Pingting Cloth Shop.”
At that time, he thought, "She's just a woman, how much ability can she have?"
But later, he witnessed the woman's abilities firsthand and had to admit them.
Gradually, he realized that his heart had fallen for the woman without him even noticing, which is why he was willing to accompany her to the bandit's den in Fushui Village and even abandon the entire Ji family for her.
"But I know that you only have your master in your heart."
As Sun Miao'er listened to his words, she vaguely sensed that something was wrong with Ji Changru since that time in Fushui Village, but she couldn't admit it.
Choosing to ignore it is the best course of action.
"Manager Ji, even if my master really wants to marry the princess, I will not go with you."
Even if the master wanted to marry Princess Alisa, he must have had his own unavoidable difficulties.
She felt only friendship towards Ji Changru; she couldn't deceive others, much less herself.
"I'll ask Master about it when I see him in person later." Sun Miao'er slowly exhaled, knowing that it would take some courage to accept the fact that Fu Yuchi was about to get married.
Ji Changru's face was grim, his tone resentful and helpless, "Miao'er, come with me, and we'll call off the 100,000 taels of silver, okay?"
"Manager Ji, whatever I promised you, I won't give you a single penny less."
"I will repay everything I owe you; you don't need to use it to make a deal with me."
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