Chapter 40 "Now I really have to be my cousin's slave..."
"Chengning, someone's here."
Through the handkerchief, Ji Chengnin's voice was muffled, "What's there to be afraid of if someone comes? We're both dressed neatly..." He paused, then suddenly realized that they had just had a good fight, and their clothes were torn and disheveled, which was indeed unbecoming of officials. So he pulled off the handkerchief and was about to get up.
They were face to face with the "person" Zhou Mufang was referring to.
"Ah Yao?" Upon seeing that it was Cui Yao, Ji Chengning was no longer in a hurry. He sat on the ground and looked at Cui Yao with a smile.
Zhou Mufang didn't recognize Cui Yao, so she stood up first and greeted her politely.
Cui Yao returned the courtesy thoughtfully.
"The ground is cold, why don't you get up, Your Highness?" Cui Yao said softly.
This was the first time Zhou Mufang had ever heard a man speak so gently. It wasn't just a soft, gentle voice, but a kind of tender, lingering softness that sent chills down her spine.
Zhou Mufang got goosebumps all over her body and glanced at Ji Chengning out of the corner of her eye.
The young marquis, however, seemed quite used to it. He even reached out to Cui Yao, acting like a rogue, "A Yao," waving his hand in front of him, his palm bearing several tender red marks from the sand, "I was just hit by Mu Fang, and my whole body aches terribly. Help me up."
Zhou Mufang turned her head sharply, looking at Ji Chengnin in disbelief.
His knee, which had been kicked, was still burning with pain. Ji Chengning had only taken a punch with his elbow, so how did he end up in so much pain all over his body?
Moreover, the young marquis's clothes were only a little disheveled, while the marquis's hair ornament had been removed, and his face was covered in dust and blood. Anyone with eyes could see who had suffered the loss!
The young man named Cui Yao seemed to be blind and deaf. Upon hearing this, he carefully grasped Ji Chengning's hand, deliberately avoiding the red marks that would have disappeared on their own if he had arrived a little later. His movements were as delicate as if he were holding a rare jade artifact.
He leaned down, put his other hand around Ji Chengning's waist, pressed his fingers against her side through her clothes, and gently pulled her up.
Ji Chengning was taken aback for a moment, but he was too afraid of offending Cui Yao in front of others, so he relaxed and let Cui Yao half-carry him to get up.
Cui Yao smiled.
Zhou Mufang: "..."
Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do? Who is this young man? Why are he behaving so intimately with Cheng Ning? Cheng Ning is the only son of the Yongning Marquis's lineage. If he's gay, will Uncle Ji break Cheng Ning's legs? If he breaks Cheng Ning's legs, what gifts should he prepare to congratulate, ptooey, offer condolences?
Countless absurd ideas came rushing in.
In the end, all he did was give Ji Chengning a look that said, "Are you crazy?"
Young Master Ji was not ashamed at all; on the contrary, he raised his chin with pride.
“I’ve said my piece,” Zhou Mufang said, unwilling to watch Ji Chengning and Cui Yao being so affectionate, especially Cui Yao, a grown man who was holding Ji Chengning’s wrist with one hand and carefully wiping away almost non-existent dust from his skin with a handkerchief in the other. “Chengning, don’t forget what you promised me.”
Cui Yao wiped meticulously, carefully wiping each joint with her fingers through the silk handkerchief.
Ji Chengnin nodded solemnly and said, "I understand, I will definitely go to see you off."
"Okay." Zhou Mufang waved her hand. "No need to see me off."
Otherwise, he would have had to watch Cui Yao serve Ji Chengning for another half a moment, and he would have gotten goosebumps all over!
The two exchanged a few more jokes before Zhou Mufang quickly left.
Until General Zhou's figure disappeared from sight, Ji Chengning felt a soft, smooth sensation on his wrist. He looked down and found that Cui Yao was still wiping his hand with a handkerchief, from his fingertips to the back of his hand, and then from the inside of his wrist to his palm.
The original bruises have faded, replaced by a faint, rosy hue, like a layer of rosy mist.
Ji Chengning: "...Cousin, if you want to skin me alive, you don't need to use such a roundabout method."
Cui Yao looked up blankly.
A pair of clear, bright eyes looked up at him. Ji Chengnin paused, his tone softening unconsciously. "I only punched Mu Fang twice, I didn't touch anything dirty."
Yeah?
Cui Yao thought to herself quietly.
The handkerchief slipped through Ji Chengning's fingers like flowing water, making him a little itchy. Cui Yao continued, "All done." After speaking, she folded the handkerchief into three sections and put it into her sleeve.
He lowered his voice again, "Your Highness, there's progress on the matter of Chunyu."
Ji Chengnin's spirits lifted. "Go on," he said.
"Sixteen years ago, Spring Rain was very popular in Beijing. Its price was extremely high, almost the same as gold. Therefore, at that time, only the wealthy and powerful used Spring Rain for entertainment, and it was even called an elegant affair that only noble people could enjoy."
Ji Chengnin frowned deeply. "The imperial court has ignored this?"
"The court probably thinks that Chunyu is just a more expensive aphrodisiac," Ji Chengnin tilted his head, and from his angle, he could just see Cui Yao's slightly raised lips, sharp and mocking, almost like a thin blade. "Moreover, many high-ranking officials are involved. Who will manage it? Who dares to manage it? And how can they manage it?"
Perhaps there are even people from the palace involved.
Cui Yao's voice was slightly deep, yet extremely soft. When it reached someone's ears, it was like being licked on the back of the neck by a venomous snake's tongue—wet, soft, and chilling.
Cui Yao did not say it explicitly, but Ji Chengning understood his meaning.
Ji Chengning felt a chill run through his body, as if sand had fallen into his stomach, stinging him painfully inside his fragile flesh.
He took a deep breath. "Go on."
"However, this substance is made from stone powder, cinnabar, mercury, musk, and dozens of other medicinal ingredients. It is extremely toxic. If taken with alcohol, it can cause people to become delirious and mentally impaired. If one uses Spring Rain for a long time, the erysipelas that accumulates in the body will cause the skin to ulcerate all over the body, leading to uncontrollable bleeding and death."
Cui Yao's voice grew even gentler, "I guess that's one of the reasons why Chunyu later disappeared."
Ji Chengnin was silent for a few moments. "Ayao, let me make this clear: it's not that I don't trust you, but this matter is of great importance. Is there any other evidence?"
Cui Yao nodded and took out a small medicine box from his sleeve.
An exquisitely crafted red agate box, with red gold longevity patterns inlaid on the corners, was taken out by Cui Yao as if his hands were stained with blood.
Ji Chengnin took a deep breath and focused his gaze.
Through the thin, almost transparent box, he could vaguely see two small plum blossom-shaped pills inside, with maltose syrup for the petals and gold powder for the stamens. But as time had passed, the two things had faded, revealing their glossy, dark green original color.
It was exactly the same as the spring rain he had withheld!
Ji Chengnin's expression changed slightly.
He originally thought that Cui Yao had done his best to find out about Chunyu, but he never expected that he could actually get his hands on a box of drugs that were over ten years old and were banned!
Ji Chengning looked at Cui Yao, his eyes flickering with surprise, astonishment, and perhaps a little...admiration?
The only thing missing from Cui Yao's imagination was the fear and doubt.
His gaze was intense, and Cui Yao lowered her head under his gaze. "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Before he could finish speaking, he heard Young Master Ji exclaim sincerely, "My cousin is indeed very capable."
Cui Yao's lips curled up slightly without her noticing, then she realized what she was doing and said calmly, "It's all thanks to the legacy of my parents. I was just passing on a message."
Ji Chengning listened to his simple words, but in reality, finding spring rain was extremely difficult, no different from finding a single leaf in a vast forest. He murmured, "Now I really have to be my cousin's slave."
Cui Yao's gaze unconsciously slid downwards again, then she suddenly realized that she shouldn't be doing that.
If he were to lose his composure due to a single unintentional word or action of the young marquis, then he would be no different from the hunting dogs kept by the young marquis.
He then looked away and calmly said, "No need."
Ji Chengnin leaned on his shoulder and asked with a grin, "No need or are you afraid?"
Cui Yao raised his hand, as if to push him.
Seeing that he was being refused, Ji Chengning quickly stepped back half a step.
His gaze casually swept over the young man walking in their direction, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
The latter was as nimble as a live fish, and before anyone could catch it, it swam away to another place. "Mr. Chen, come to my study," he called out.
Chen Jiansheng, the new physician of Qing Lüwei, had a gentle face with a good temper. His eyebrows and eyes were naturally slightly drooping, and there was a small mole at the corner of his lip. His good temper was so good that he seemed particularly easy to bully and could be easily manipulated.
He had just arrived at Qingluwei and was unfamiliar with everything. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to tie his disheveled hair back up. A lock of hair fell down, wrapped around his shoulder, and swayed back and forth in front of his chest.
Upon hearing this, he smiled slightly and replied, "Yes, I will obey your orders, Young Marquis."
Cui Yao lowered her hand.
Her brows, as white as fine snow, were slightly furrowed.
Who is this?
"Ah?" Ji Chengnin said softly, "Mr. Chen is me. He is my junior brother who often took the army doctor with him when my father went to war. He treated me when I was seven years old. He has a very close relationship with the Marquis's family and is absolutely trustworthy."
Mentioning Chen Jian reminded Ji Chengning of the previous physician from the prefectural office. According to Lü Zhong, the physician had disappeared before Ji Chengning returned from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, having hastily resigned without even leaving a letter.
Ji Chengnin gritted his teeth.
Perhaps this person leaked the information to Xu Sheng. It was Xu Sheng's oversight that led him to focus on dealing with the disobedient guards after taking office and forget to investigate this person's background.
Upon hearing Ji Chengning's reply, Cui Yao realized that she had actually spoken.
Frustrated, he tightly shut his mouth and gave a soft "hmm" in response.
Chen Jian quickly followed.
It was indeed true that he and Ji Chengnin had known each other since they were young; the two chatted and laughed, appearing extremely familiar and intimate.
Qu Pingzhi left, and Zhou Mufang arrived. Zhou Mufang was to accompany the army to Cangzhou. Cui Yao remained expressionless, and Doctor Chen followed closely behind.
Ji Chengning wanted to introduce Cui Yao to her, but his cousin had been fiddling with the agate box bowl the whole way. When she saw Ji Chengning looking over, she smiled very gently.
Perhaps she's shy?
His cousin was a gentle and quiet person. Chen Jianzhi was indeed a stranger to Cui Yao, so it was normal that she didn't want to say much.
As for Doctor Chen, he had no intention of associating with Young Master Ji, a subordinate with a striking appearance and seemingly terrible temper. Although the man was handsome, his aura was inexplicably cold and strange, which made him feel quite uneasy. Moreover, he was not an outgoing person with many friends, so it was better to avoid trouble.
Upon entering the study, the relaxed smile on the young marquis's face vanished instantly.
"Mr. Chen, come and take a look at this."
Fortunately, he had stored the spring rain he had previously cut off in his medicine bottle, so he could compare it now.
He then explained the effects and approximate formulas of the two medicines, asking Chen Jian to examine whether they were indeed the same medicine.
Chen Jian nodded.
For him, analyzing prescriptions through pills was an extremely simple matter.
He said, "Young Marquis, your belongings are incomplete. May I go back and check them?" After thinking for a moment, he said, "Half an hour will be enough."
Ji Chengnin nodded, "Okay."
After all, spring rain is an aphrodisiac, and his study is frequented by many people. If he were to accidentally get tainted—Ji Chengning imagined the scene and broke out in a cold sweat, enough for the Censorate to impeach him and send him to his coffin.
Xu Sheng took the two medicine boxes and quickly left.
Cui Yao suddenly said, "Your Highness, I suddenly remembered that the person who told me the news also said that Chunyu is called Chunyu in the capital, but seems to have another name outside. However, he did not hear it clearly at the time, and only remembered that there was a Li character in it."
"Plums?" Ji Chengnin pondered. "What plums?"
Cui Yao remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head and smiled.
That's enough, that's enough.
You little fool.
If only they were truly as heartless as they appear.
Although Ji Chengning was spoiled, his thoughts came and went quickly. It was as if a huge blow, like a landslide, would be gone after a good night's sleep.
He revered the emperor as a god, and no matter how turbulent things were inside, his face showed no sign of anything amiss.
Just then, Li Bi came in to report on matters. Cui Yao and Ji Chengnin exchanged a glance and then withdrew with great discretion.
Ji Chengning listened casually until he heard Chen Jian's voice outside, at which point he snapped out of his daze, jumped up, and rushed to open the door. "Mr. Chen!"
Chen Jian's face was flushed, but his eyes remained calm. Seeing the hopeful look in the young marquis's eyes, he nodded slowly. Because Li Bi was beside him, he spoke vaguely: "Exactly the same, except that the plum blossom-shaped one has been left for too long, and most of its medicinal power has been lost."
Ji Chengning felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
In other words, spring rain truly exists in the world, and Xu Sheng did not lie to him. But what does His Majesty use him for?
All sorts of thoughts that were blasphemous to the emperor, rebellious, and even unacceptable to Ji Chengning himself were swirling in his mind, so much so that he was still somewhat dazed when he returned to his residence in the evening.
With the entire land of China and hundreds of millions of subjects, the emperor has already ruled the four seas. What more could he want?
Must all living beings in the world willingly and faithfully serve him as their master?
Ji Chengnin gritted his teeth, trying to hold back, but finally couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
He was preoccupied with his own thoughts and didn't want anyone to accompany him; he wandered aimlessly around the mansion like a ghost.
He was upset, so he walked unkemptly, kicking a small stone far away with the tip of his boot.
"Smack."
The stone rolled several feet before hitting the steps and stopping.
Ji Chengnin looked up.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the study of the Marquis of Yongning.
Ji Chengnin paused for a moment, then pushed open the door and entered.
After his father passed away, his second uncle often brought him in, seemingly wanting his nephew to absorb the heroic spirit of the Marquis of Yongning. After Ji Chengning carved a small turtle on the golden nanmu wood table for the third time while Ji Lin was reading, Ji Lin rarely let him in anymore.
The fragrance of sandalwood and the smell of ink wafted over him. Ji Chengning took a deep breath and felt a bitter taste fill his mouth.
He slowly walked inside.
The study was clearly well-maintained; there wasn't a speck of dust, and the windows and furniture were spotless.
Ji Chengning stood in front of a multi-treasure shelf that was taller than a person. On it were military strategies, letters and documents exchanged with various people, and so on that his father had read during his lifetime.
Ji Chengning closed his eyes.
It was so quiet here you could hear a pin drop.
He was enveloped in a dense, bitter fragrance.
Spring rains are harmful to the country and its people, yet the emperor does not stop them but instead intends to exploit them.
The emperor was an elder he respected to the extreme. He suddenly realized that the monarch on the nine-layered imperial steps not only did not care about the world, but was full of scheming in the underworld. How could he not find it as unacceptable as if the sky were falling?
An overwhelming sense of weariness washed over me.
Ji Chengning had never experienced this feeling before. For him, although everything had its difficulties, it was not entirely without a clue.
Unlike now.
Ji Chengnin murmured, "Father, if you are watching over me from heaven, could you please help me out of this predicament, seeing how distressed I am?"
Before he could finish speaking, a gust of wind blew in, making the pages of the book rustle, as if someone was pointing at Ji Chengnin and scolding him for not thinking of him often and then wanting his blessing.
Unfilial son!
Ji Chengnin: "..."
He walked to the desk.
The image above resembles three little turtles biting each other's tails.
Ji Chengnin closed the book, put his hands together, and said, "I was wrong, I was wrong. Forget what I said, please don't be angry."
As soon as he finished speaking, the wind picked up and blew open the book that Ji Chengning had just closed.
Young Master Ji, true to his reputation as a carefree and irresponsible playboy, was deeply moved by his father's "miracle." He picked up a paperweight and pressed it down on the military book that he had been flipping through.
The wind keeps blowing, but it can't move the object.
Ji Chengnin raised his chin, looking quite smug.
Then he realized what a stupid thing he had done and couldn't help but touch his nose.
He lowered his head and saw a very rough manuscript under the paperweight he had just moved. On the cover, a tiger that looked like a sick cat was eating the head of a monster with long ears and a short tail.
Ji Chengnin remained silent.
No wonder his second uncle didn't want him to come.
He casually flipped open the journal, his eyes scanning it quickly, then paused abruptly.
This is a diary.
No, it's less a diary and more like military handwriting.
As Ji Chengning looked at his calligraphy, he sighed inwardly. Compared to his own shabby handwriting, his father's calligraphy was like iron hooks and silver strokes. It is said that one's handwriting reflects one's character, but this fierce and unruly crane-like style had nothing to do with the world's evaluation of Marquis Yongning as upright and dignified.
September 2nd, 4th year of Pingge: No abnormalities.
September 3rd, 4th year of Pingge: No abnormalities.
After four consecutive days without any abnormalities, the next mission was to engage in fierce battles with the enemy, march at night to quell the bandits, and kill three thousand enemies.
The following day, they killed 9,450 enemies and captured countless cattle, sheep and horses. Among them, the Right Army volunteered to fight and killed 3,000 enemies, and requested credit.
Killing 10,000 enemies in two days was astonishing, even to Ji Chengning, who had grown up hearing about his father's military exploits.
Indeed, it is unstoppable.
His fingers unconsciously pressed against the paper, but he suddenly realized what was happening and quickly let go.
Besides the number of enemies killed and the number of enemies wiped out, the Marquis of Yongning recorded the most casualties of his own army this year.
The Right Army made the most contributions, often launching surprise attacks and night battles, and was fearless in the face of death. Its commander, Mo Shuge, was promoted three ranks by the emperor within half a year. However... Ji Chengning narrowed his eyes. He might not be able to see anything in a short time, but when he put these numbers together, he found that the Right Army also suffered the most casualties.
Three months later, the Marquis of Yongning wrote: "A great plague broke out in the Right Army. Many soldiers suffered from festering sores and delirium, and they began to fight each other."
Ji Chengnin's gaze suddenly froze.
The body is festering and the patient is delirious, just like the reaction after a spring rain!
He hurriedly continued reading.
Three days later, the only words in the journal were "strange things".
Seven days later, Marquis Yongning said: "Mo Shuge has lost all conscience. He used the evil drug 'Five Mile Fog' to train his troops, causing more than two thousand people to kill each other. He used the lives of others to fill his own glory and honor. He deserves to die ten thousand times!"
Ji Chengning was struck dumb and quickly looked behind him.
But after that, there was no further discussion, and it was a year later that I made another record.
It was casually written: Back to Beijing. Ji Lin nags, so young, yet she's just like my dad.
Ji Chengning was no longer moved by the deep affection between his father and second uncle. His mind was filled with thoughts of how Mo Shuge had handled things. Was he dead? What was Wuliwu? And Chun—"There is a Li character in it..." Cui Yao's words suddenly popped into his mind.
The character "李" (Li) – no, it's "里" (Li)!
All the information quickly connected. If the fog was indeed spring rain, then wouldn't someone have been using spring rain for military training more than a decade ago?!
Ji Chengnin's breathing trembled, but the closer he got to this moment, the clearer his mind became, and his thoughts raced.
Mo Shuge is a third-rank general. If he is to be dealt with, the Ministry of Justice must have a record of it. If we can find that document, then the matter will be clear!
Ji Chengnin took two deep breaths. "Thank you, Father."
Even at a time like this, he could still manage a smile, saying, "You truly are watching over us from heaven."
All was quiet, without a sound or a breeze.
Ji Chengning remained silent for half a second, closed the note, and strode towards Wangle Hall.
He walked very fast, almost running into the courtyard.
She then pressed her cool hands against her burning cheeks to make sure they weren't so hot before taking a deep breath and saying, "Second Uncle."
Ji Lin responded.
Ji Chengnin pushed open the door and tiptoed in. As soon as he saw Ji Lin, he clung to her like a leech, "Second Uncle."
Ji Lin couldn't stand his nagging any longer, so she used the documents to block him, saying, "Speak quickly if you have something to say."
Ji Chengnin chuckled awkwardly, "Can't I just come to see my second uncle?"
Ji Lin chuckled, almost revealing her disbelief on her face.
Ji Chengnin sighed dramatically, "Alright, nothing can be hidden from Second Uncle. Second Uncle, I want to go and look at the old files of the Ministry of Justice."
"Oh? Why?"
Ji Chengning's hands, which were behind his back, were already sweaty. "Because there's been a case in the Qinglu Guard. One of the guards missed training because he was taking care of his elderly mother. However, I had established a rule long ago that no one is allowed to leave their post without permission. Filial piety is a fundamental human virtue, and violating human ethics and laws is wrong. I want to find old files to see if there are any precedents that I can refer to."
Ji Lin looked up.
His gaze was clear and indifferent.
Ji Chengning felt that Ji Lin's gaze was like a mirror, reflecting his thoughts clearly.
Ji Chengning never dared to lie to his second uncle since he was a child, because his second uncle would see through his lie.
He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, unsure of what to do with his hands, but he still had to put on a sweet smile. "Second Uncle, please."
Before he could get closer, Ji Lin blocked him again.
Ji Lin blocked him with one hand holding a document, and wrote a document in the other hand granting permission to examine the old files to Ji Chengning.
Ji Chengning was about to answer.
Ji Lin stared at him intently, and Ji Chengning felt a cold sweat break out on his back. "Go and come back soon." He handed over the document.
Ji Chengnin accepted it with both hands, "Yes."
The moment he took the document, his fingertips immediately soaked a small patch of the not-yet-dry ink.
He looked up in a panic.
Ji Lin was already reading the documents.
Ji Chengnin held his breath and said, "Second Uncle, I'm going."
"Um."
Ji Lin answered without looking up.
Ji Chengnin's heart pounded wildly. He took the reins, refused any company, and rode away.
Because the Ministry of Justice had a large number of archives, the imperial court set up an office in Ren'anfang, which was closest to the palace, to store the old archives and documents accumulated by various ministries over the years. It was called the Wanghai Office.
Documents transferred between different government offices required an official document issued by a vice minister or higher-ranking official of the relevant department.
Ji Chengning arrived at the Wanghai Office quickly. The officials had long since dispersed, leaving only two minor clerks on duty, who were idly playing a drinking game.
They were all startled to see Ji Chengnin, thinking he had come to inspect, and hurriedly stepped forward obsequiously, "My lord!"
Ji Chengning examined the documents and said, "There is a case involving Lü Wei, and we need to check the old files of the Ministry of Justice."
The minor official, who didn't even bother to read the document carefully, immediately said, "Please, sir, everyone knows that Ji Lin is the young marquis's uncle."
The old files of the Ministry of Justice were in a separate courtyard, which was pitch black inside.
Ji Chengnin specially brought a windproof glass lamp.
The clerk shook the paper lantern in his hand, feigning difficulty: "Sir, I..."
"You wait outside."
The clerk hated searching for old files. They were not only musty, but also gloomy and dark, which was particularly eerie. It took forever to find them, and staying in them for a while would make him dizzy. Seeing that Ji Chengnin was so understanding, he was more than happy to do so and hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, thank you for your consideration, sir."
Upon entering, one sees piles of documents stacked high like mountains.
The rows of shelves, each two meters high, made people appear extremely small.
Fortunately, the old files were arranged by year. Ji Chengning had a sharp eye and searched through them row by row. In no time, he actually found the shelf of the documents from that year.
All military documents were affixed with red ribbons, and Ji Chengning spotted a single red dot amidst the sea of gray at a glance.
He took a breath and realized that he was soaked and cold all over.
He casually picked up a document and looked down at it.
It really is related to Mo Shuge!
He was deeply shaken.
It turned out that Mo Shuge was not dead, but was stopped by the supervising eunuch Huo with the emperor's edict before he was to be executed according to military law.
Ji Chengnin's mood continued to sink.
Upon returning to the capital, he was indeed not severely punished. The Emperor was lenient and merciful, considering his outstanding military achievements and the fact that his elder sister, Consort Mo, had given birth to an imperial heir. Therefore, he was only fined a small amount of his salary.
As for its faults, the document did not specify them, but vaguely stated that it contradicted the Marquis of Yongning's military administration.
It's as if the Marquis of Yongning is intolerant of people!
The windproof lamp in my hand suddenly trembled.
Ji Chengnin looked down sharply and realized that it wasn't the glass lampshade that was leaking air, but rather that his hands were trembling.
My stomach was churning, as if I had swallowed a branding iron.
Now that things had come to this, Ji Chengnin calmed down, carefully read through the document several times, confirmed that everything was correct, and put it back.
A strong night wind blew, and Ji Chengnin galloped back to his residence on horseback.
When he finally saw the gate of the mansion, Ji Chengning felt a little sore. He rubbed his nose, assuming it was because he had inhaled too much dust.
He dismounted and headed towards Wangle Hall.
"Young Master Marquis! Young Master Marquis!" a joyful voice called out from behind him.
Ji Chengnin stiffened and slowly turned around.
When Qin Min saw him turn around, a smile brighter than any flower bloomed on her face. "Young Marquis, it is my good fortune to have met you."
Ji Chengnin heard himself calmly ask, "Eunuch Zhang, is there anything I can help you with?"
Qin Min smiled and said, "Yes, yes, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace!"
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Author's note: Goodnight, my wife.
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