These words pleased Ji Xuan greatly.
The ministers in the court always said that they had been too lenient with Qi Yong, and that they really couldn't blame him.
If someone could act like Qi Yong, always putting himself first, he wouldn't mind protecting them.
Unfortunately, those people have too many thoughts. They want to gain the emperor's favor, but they are unwilling to give their true feelings. They really think they are foolish and can be manipulated by others.
"Never mind, this is fine too," Ji Xuan said with relief. "With me protecting you, no one can do anything to you."
"Thank you for your consideration, Master."
Qi Yong was in a good mood, and the smile on his lips didn't disappear until he returned to the palace.
The Cui family.
As the situation became increasingly tense, Cui Minghao became more and more cautious, constantly keeping his family members from causing trouble, and even gathering them together for roll call every evening.
"Where's Cui Peng? Where's he gallivanting off to this time?"
“Master,” Steward Cui reported, bowing, “the Second Master went to Huiyin Pavilion for a drink and has not returned yet.”
"Send people to find him immediately and bring him back by force," Cui Minghao said angrily. "He's a troublesome wretch. When the family's life or death is at stake, he's the only one who can stomach this."
Cui Minghao felt very resentful.
He was running around every day for the sake of the family's future, and he didn't even have time to sleep. Meanwhile, his good-for-nothing younger brother was living a carefree life in the Echo Pavilion. Why was that?
So all that hard work and toil was for these spoiled brats?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Cui Minghao said directly, "When he comes back, make him kneel in the ancestral hall. He can only be released when he realizes his mistake."
"Yes, sir!"
Because of Cui Peng's lack of manners, Cui Minghao looked at the people in the hall with growing impatience.
"I've said it many times. These are turbulent times, and we can't be careless. No matter how dissolute you were before, you'd better rein yourselves in, behave yourselves, and don't court disaster. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"I will heed the instructions of my father."
"Forget it, you guys can leave now, it's just annoying to look at you."
One sentence was enough to make everyone's expression change drastically.
However, due to the patriarch's authority, no one dared to disobey.
After they had walked a distance, everyone began to complain.
"The head of the family is becoming increasingly cold and inhumane."
"That's right. The future looks brighter than ever, but he's so nervous every single day."
"They say people get more timid with age, but even our wise and intelligent patriarch can't escape this vicious cycle, it's really..."
"Keep quiet. The manor is full of the patriarch's eyes and ears. Some things can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words."
"Exactly, there's no use thinking too much. You can't really go against him anyway. Instead of complaining, you might as well go back to your room and have some fun."
"Indeed, a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. My brothers, do not waste this precious time."
Upon hearing this, everyone simultaneously curled their lips into a smile, and then, they all smiled knowingly.
Outside the city, Jiang Nuan and her two companions trekked all the way to the city gate, and it was already dark when they arrived.
"Daughter, the city gates are closed. We'll go in tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Jiang Nuan touched her heart, somewhat hesitantly, "I'll think of another way. I just don't feel quite right about it."
"If only we hadn't shaken off Dark Three."
An San had secretly followed them, but Jiang Nuan used an array to shake him off.
Only when she couldn't get through the city gate did the old lady begin to regret her decision.
If they had known that Dark Three was still somewhat useful, they shouldn't have let people slip away so quickly. It would have been better to let them slip away once they entered the city.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan's lips twitched. "You didn't say that back then."
“He really can’t be trusted. He followed us without a word. Who knows if he has ill intentions?”
"Since things have come to this, there's no use in you worrying. Let's wait and see if we can think of another way."
Jiang Nuan has a token in her hand.
Liu An gave it to her personally before he left, but she dared not use it.
In this situation, everyone is calling them a villain, and past friendships can no longer be fully trusted.
"Let's spend the night outside the city," the old man said. "There's nothing we can do if the city gates are closed; we can't exactly climb up, can we?"
As he spoke, the old man directed Huang Xiaoliu to go to the nearby woods.
“Alright,” Jiang Nuan couldn’t think of any other ideas, “there really isn’t a better way.”
Unbeknownst to the three, at that very moment, An San had already entered the palace and met with his former master.
"Your Majesty, the Lady Protector of the Nation is already on her way to the capital."
Upon hearing the news that Jiang Nuan had come to the capital, Ji Xuan immediately frowned. "Why didn't you come with her?"
“I thought so too,” An San said with a wry smile, “but we’ve been trapped by the Madam’s formation for half a day and can’t find her.”
"Useless!" Qi Yong was furious. "There's only one main road from southern Henan to the capital, and you can't even find anyone."
"Your subordinate is ashamed."
"Never mind," Ji Xuan waved his hand, "The Lady Protector's formation is indeed powerful, it's normal that An San can't handle it."
Even with Fang Han's assurance, he dared not fully believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.
"Madam Jiang must not be harmed. This servant will send someone to look for her right away."
"Let Fang Han take charge. He came back too late and didn't make any arrangements."
“Your Majesty,” An San said weakly, “I think that if the lady really wants to hide, no matter who looks for her, it will be useless. The formation is really powerful and cannot be blocked by ordinary people.”
"Fang Han said so too," Qi Yong said seriously, "Is it really that amazing?"
“Absolutely true,” An San said with certainty. “I experienced it myself.”
"Then what should we do?" Qi Yong asked, slightly displeased. "People in the capital are terrified of demons; who knows what might happen?"
After saying that, he glared fiercely at An San.
It's all his fault for being useless; that's why he made such a huge mess.
An San felt very wronged. He had really tried his best, but it was something beyond human control, and there was really no way to do it.
"Have someone guard the city gate. If anyone comes, come and notify them immediately," Ji Xuan said with a headache. "Don't have too high hopes. She doesn't even trust An San, so she might not trust anyone else."
Otherwise, they wouldn't have tried so hard to get rid of it.
"Ungrateful," Qi Yong complained, "I was clearly doing this for her own good, but she doesn't appreciate it."
An San disagreed with this statement. "Steward, I believe that the Madam does not need anyone to do anything for her; she can protect herself."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan glanced at An San with a half-smile, "You've been doing quite well lately, you've gained a lot of weight."
"It's alright," An San said, then lowered his head guiltily.
Seeing this, Qi Yong snorted coldly, "Just like your master."
"It's only human nature," Ji Xuan said dismissively. "Loyalty to one's master is a duty, and one should be rewarded. Xiao Yuanzi, go..."
As he spoke, Ji Xuan realized that he was no longer An San's master.
He immediately sighed, "Never mind, let's talk about it later."
He was no longer An San's master, so if anyone should be rewarded, it should be the Lady Protector of the Nation.
Hearing this, Qi Yong felt sorry for his master, "I've fed you all these years, and you've wasted food for nothing. You have no conscience at all."
Upon hearing this, An San weakly defended himself, "Steward, the basic code of conduct for secret guards is to be loyal to their master."
These words left Qi Yong speechless.
After a long silence, he spoke with a dark expression, "You've been away for three months, and not only have you gained weight, but you've also become more talkative."
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