Jiuyang was a sensitive child and immediately noticed Ji Mingyang's gaze.

The smile on her face faded instantly, her peach blossom eyes narrowed, and she glared back with a heavy look in her eyes, then moved closer to Sheng Xiyan.

Sheng Xiyan turned her head to look, and Jiaoyang immediately blinked his eyes aggrievedly, accusing Ji Mingyang with his eyes, like a little kitten complaining, so obedient and soft.

"Master, please spare me."

The thief's cry for mercy broke the brief silence. He looked left and right, his face full of fear and trembling.

Although the arrow he was hit by was very painful, he had been a thief for so many years and was used to being beaten when he was not very skilled. This little pain was nothing and did not hurt his bones. But when this man held his shoulders, even though he was neither beaten nor scolded, he knew that he could not run away.

The murderous intent that surged up into his head made the thief believe that if he dared to resist even a little, he would surely die.

The person in front of me must have seen blood on his hands!

"Master, please spare me." The thief knelt down and kowtowed hard. The purses around him were scattered all over the ground and he didn't even care to pick them up.

Thinking of saving his own life, he used all his strength in each blow. After a few blows, his forehead was already covered in blood.

"This is my purse!"

"Come over here and see if you have lost your wallet."

The commotion here has attracted a lot of attention, and soon someone found his wallet on the ground, and the scene became even more noisy.

The thief knelt down and dared not move, with his forehead on the ground. He thought he would have a great harvest today, but he didn't expect to step on a nail here. He was ready to leave, why did he have the guts to rob her purse! The thief wanted to go back and beat himself to death.

"Send him to the government!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The people whose purses were stolen were filled with indignation and expressed their desire to hand the person over to the authorities.

Ji Mingyang grabbed him, and at that moment, countless eyes were looking at him.

Seeing that Sheng Xiyan had no objection, Ji Mingyang casually said, "You can take it away."

The thief kowtowed again and thanked them profusely, saying that it was better to be taken to the government than to fall into the hands of this man. He did not resist at all and obediently let his victims take him away.

Jiaoyang didn't even look at the thief. She felt relieved when she got her purse.

The gongs of the acrobatic troupe started to strike again. Jiuyang remembered something and quickly took out a silver ingot from his purse. He ran to give the ingot to the troupe as a reward and then ran back happily.

He went back and forth very quickly, fearing that he would be left behind.

Then she grabbed Sheng Xiyan's sleeve and stood beside her obediently.

Xigui smiled and said, "Miss Jiuyang, I will hang it up for you."

Jiuyang glanced at Sheng Xiyan, and when he saw that she also had a purse hanging around her waist, he nodded and handed the purse to Xigui.

Xigui quickly tied her purse. Jiuyang looked at his own purse, then turned his head to look at Sheng Xiyan's, and laughed secretly with his hands covering his mouth.

The acrobatics were still going on, and Jiaoyang had already had enough of it, so Ji Mingyang and Han Qianzhi escorted the two of them out of the crowd, and their horses were waiting outside.

Sheng Xiyan asked casually: "Are you guys taking a day off today?"

Ji Mingyang said: "The prince has given me a task."

He paused and asked casually, "Miss Sheng, is this your sister?" He heard her call Sheng Xiyan "sister".

Sheng Xiyan thought of the flower girl Cheng Chuyu had mentioned, and she said, "Her name is Jiaoyang," she said softly, and then asked, "Does General Ji know her family?"

What she meant was that Jiuyang was not a member of the Sheng family.

When talking about his family, Jiaoyang's face became even more alert.

Sheng Xiyan once said that you should not interrupt others when they are talking, so she just stood there quietly, her lips pursed into a straight line, staring at Ji Mingyang without blinking. A hint of hostility emerged in her dark eyes, like a frightened little wolf who wanted to tear to pieces everything that made her uneasy.

Ji Mingyang shook his head and said confidently, "I don't know her. I just saw that she was quite talented and I felt a little bit of appreciation for her talent."

Is that so? Sheng Xiyan was a little disappointed, and took Jiaoyang to say goodbye to them.

"Let's go eat something delicious." Sheng Xiyan said, "There's a shop selling delicious Tanghulu in front."

Jiuyang immediately smiled, his brows curved, and he agreed happily.

Han Qianzhi was also a little shocked by Jiuyang's sudden change of expression. After the person left, he said with interest: "This little girl's archery skills are simply amazing!"

Jiuyang's bow-holding movements were too unfamiliar and her posture was wrong. It could only be said that she was just showing off. They had been dealing with bows and arrows all their lives, so whether she had practiced or not was completely invisible to them.

With such a show-off, not only is it difficult to use your strength properly, but it is also easy for your aim to be off, but she actually hit the target with one arrow. This really made Han Qianzhi sigh in amazement.

Not to mention newcomers, even veterans who have practiced for several years cannot always hit the target.

Han Qianzhi got on the horse and said as he walked: "Could this be a gift?"

Han Qianzhi was a little envious. They had been in the military for so many years and had seen one or two talented people who could often catch up with others after a year of hard work in just one month.

Jiuyang is clearly more outstanding.

Ji Mingyang nodded slightly: "I have only seen such a talent as Jiaoyang in the prince."

He said with a hint of nostalgia: "When the old prince brought the prince into the military camp, the prince was only five years old. He was holding a specially customized small bow and hit the bull's eye for the first time..."

Ji Mingyang is also approaching forty years old. It can be said that he has witnessed Chu Yuanchen grow from a child who could only walk unsteadily to the heroic and extraordinary man he is today.

When they just passed by, they happened to see the arrow shot by Jiuyang.

They were both experienced fighters with sharp eyes. They could tell at a glance that Jiaoyang's method was wrong. They thought he would miss the target. But now he hit him in the face.

This aroused their interest, and when they looked again, Sheng Xiyan was there too, and she whipped her horsewhip at them. Fearing that Sheng Xiyan would get hurt, they came over.

Han Qianzhi patted him on the shoulder and said jokingly, "Old Ji, you were staring at the girl just now. Could it be that you are thinking of taking her as your disciple?"

I don't know whether her parents would agree if a little girl wields a sword or not.

Ji Mingyang shook his head.

He seemed to see the shadow of someone in her. He asked hesitantly, "Do you think she looks like a princess?"

"A princess?" Han Qianzhi said bluntly, "No, she looks like a wolf cub, dark and thin, with dull features, how can she look like a princess?"

The princess had a beautiful appearance, a noble and elegant temperament, and a heroic air, like a fully blooming peony, making it difficult for people to look away. She was not at all like this little girl.

Ji Mingyang smiled, his eyes full of nostalgia: "That's because you haven't seen the princess when she was a child."

"Have you seen it?"

"Yes."

Back then, their entire village was massacred by the Beiyan people. He was the only survivor and was rescued from the pile of corpses by Old Master Wang.

Seeing that he was young, the old prince originally wanted to send him to a farm for settlement. However, he was determined to join the army for revenge and begged again and again. The old prince felt pity for him and took him to the barracks.

He met the princess in the military camp.

It was a bitter summer. The princess was only about eleven or twelve years old. She had been working in the military camp all summer and was tanned and thin. Her eyes and eyebrows were not as bright as they are now. She looked like a tomboy. She smiled at him, gave him a piece of watermelon and asked him if he wanted to eat it.

Not long after, the princess returned to the capital and never came to Northern Frontier again.

However, he will never forget her smile in his life.

Later, when the old prince asked him if he was willing to marry into the family, he immediately agreed and rushed to the capital with anticipation and trepidation...

Ji Mingyang closed his eyes and pulled his thoughts back.

They are so similar.

The only difference was that the princess had a smile on her face that was so brilliant that it could rival the sunshine, while the little girl was gloomy, just like Han Qianzhi said, like a wolf cub, and a bloodthirsty wolf cub at that.

How can they be so similar?

Ji Mingyang turned around to take another look, and the two figures had already disappeared in the crowd.

The more Han Qianzhi thought about it, the more he felt sorry for Ji Mingyang. He muttered, "The late emperor was such a piece of shit. How can a man like Jiang Ting be worthy of the princess..."

Jiang Ting?

Ji Mingyang's mind moved, and an almost absurd thought came to his mind. Then, it occupied his entire mind uncontrollably, as if a wild beast was roaring in his head.

He suddenly asked, "Ah Qian, how old do you think that little girl was?"

"Looks like eleven or twelve."

"Where's the second young master?"

"I remember I was twelve years old... Hey, Lao Ji, why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!" Han Qianzhi jumped on his horse, chased after him, and shouted, "Lao Ji... where are you going! We have work to do."

The two men rode away, one in front and one behind.

Han Qianzhi followed all the way.

They were supposed to go out of town on a mission today, but Ji Mingyang ended up going to the Jiang family instead.

Han Qian was confused, wondering if he wanted to beat Jiang Ting to vent his anger, and he would have to help punch him a few more times. But it turned out that he came to find Chu Yuanyi.

Old Madam Jiang sat on the armchair and said condescendingly, "Our brother Yi is not here."

"Not here?" Ji Mingyang frowned and asked, "Where did the second young master go?"

Old Madam Jiang bowed to the air just like in a play, and said arrogantly: "The emperor has ordered that Brother Yi be summoned to the court."

Ji Mingyang confirmed: "The Emperor has summoned the Second Young Master away?"

Old Madam Jiang said proudly, "Our Yi Ge'er was raised by the emperor himself. The emperor missed Yi Ge'er, so he sent someone to bring him to the palace to meet him."

Ji Mingyang nodded slightly and said nothing more, "Let's go."

"Wait." Old Mrs. Jiang had originally wanted to show off in front of them, but who would have thought that they would just leave as soon as they said they would. Who could she tell all her bragging to?

Ji Mingyang ignored him and walked forward.

"How dare you." Old Madam Jiang shouted, "I am your prince's grandmother!" It was really rude. It was true that in the Zhenbei Palace, like master, like servant.

Ji Ming stopped abruptly. Old Mrs. Jiang thought her words had worked, and waited arrogantly for him to apologize.

Ji Mingyang turned around, looked directly at her, and asked only one question: "Mrs. Jiang, I heard that you brought a granddaughter with you to Beijing this time. Where is your granddaughter?"

Mrs. Jiang's little finger trembled inaudibly, and she said with an evasive look, "My daughter Aya is cooking in there. Alas, we are not as wealthy as the Zhenbei Palace, and we don't have a maid to cook, so we can only let Aya suffer."

Ji Mingyang's pupils shrank. After a few breaths, he nodded, said nothing more, and left the room.

As soon as the others left, Mrs. Jiang panicked and shouted, "Caixiaer, Caixiaer!"

"Madam, the madam has gone out." A shabby little maid reported cautiously.

"She went out?! She went out again!" Old Madam Jiang was almost mad at her. "She just spent all day taking the money and running away!"

The capital city was extravagant, and the food, clothing, and daily necessities were all things they had never seen in their hometown. Jiang Shi initially went out under the pretext of looking for Jiang Ya, but later on, she was dazzled and went out every day, and it was unclear whether she was looking for someone or having fun.

They didn't have much silver to begin with, and Jiang spent more than three hundred taels in just ten days.

If they were back home, they wouldn't care about this little bit of money, but now they only have a little over a thousand taels in their hands. Spending so much in ten days really makes Old Lady Jiang feel distressed.

You know, the Jiang family doesn't have any property now, and Jiang Ting's monthly salary is only 35 dan, which is going to be a waste of money.

"Useless stuff," said Mrs. Jiang disgustedly, "Eating food every day but being lazy..."

"Mom!" At this moment, Jiang came back from outside excitedly and said with a smile: "Look what I bought?!"

"Where the hell have you been!"

Old Madam Jiang picked up a teacup and was about to throw it away, but she was reluctant to throw it away after thinking about how she had spent a few taels of silver to buy this tea set just for show. She just said viciously, "I told you to go find that damn girl, did you find her?"

Jiang suppressed the excitement on her face and said awkwardly, "No, I didn't find it."

She ran through every street and alley, but still couldn't find it. What else could she do?

"That little girl is so good at running away. And the capital is so big." Jiang was helpless. If they were in their hometown, they would be able to find Jiang Ya no matter where she ran to.

After being beaten to death several times, she no longer dared to run away.

She thought this damn girl had learned her lesson, but she ran away again just after arriving in the capital!

"The capital city is very expensive, and she has no money. Who knows where she might die..."

Old Madam Jiang was almost mad at her. She calmed down and said, "Brother Yi was just taken to the palace by the Emperor."

Jiang's eyes lit up and he asked excitedly, "Really?!"

Old Madam Jiang pointed at her nose and scolded, "Are you stupid? Now is the critical period for Yi Ge'er, and you lost Ah Ya. If something happens, won't you be harming our Yi Ge'er?!"

"I, I don't know." Jiang said in a low voice, "Mom, are you sure about that?"

"Of course." Mrs. Jiang said confidently, "If Ting'er says it can be done, then it will definitely be done."

"Just now, the Zhenbei Palace sent someone to pick up Brother Yi. I guess they are panicking."

Ji Mingyang just came to meet Chu Yuanyi and the Jiang family, but in the mouth of Old Lady Jiang, it became that he came to pick someone up.

Jiang Ting, this son, is the pride of old lady Jiang's life.

Her son had been able to read since he was young, and he had risen rapidly in society, bringing her wealth and glory. Especially in the second half of her life, she had absolutely no complaints.

The only one who was not satisfied was the Chu family.

Old Madam Jiang had a great idea: "When the Emperor lets Brother Yi ascend to the throne, I will be the old lady of the Zhenbei Palace, and the Chu family will have to bow down to me obediently."

This daughter-in-law calls herself a daughter-in-law, but she has never enjoyed the blessing of being a daughter-in-law for even a single day. When she meets them occasionally, even if she doesn't ask them to perform formal formalities, she always has an arrogant attitude. How can a daughter-in-law be like this?

She had made up her mind that when she became the dowager of the Zhenbei Palace, she would make Chu come to her every day to follow the rules.

"Hurry up and find Ah Ya. If you ruin Yi Ge'er's business, I will skin you alive!"

When Jiang heard that Chu Yuanyi's plans would be ruined, she became anxious and hurriedly asked, "What should we do?" She really couldn't find anyone. She was unfamiliar with the capital, so where could she go to find him?

Old Madam Jiang hardened her heart and said, "Then arrange for her funeral, cancel her household registration, and treat her as if she were dead."

Just pretend that there is no such person as Jiang Ya in the Jiang family!

Without a household registration and a travel permit, she would be nothing more than a beggar no matter where she fled to. She couldn't even be registered as a vagabond. What could a little beggar do?

Once Jiang Ya of the Jiang family dies, there will be no evidence left!

She just didn't believe that Jiang Ya could really meet some noble person who could change her fate.

This is the fate of a girl.

A hint of viciousness flashed across Old Lady Jiang's eyes.

Jiang nodded silently: "Yes, mother..." She was the one who raised this damn girl with her own hands, and she actually ran away without any hesitation. She is really heartless!

It's good that it died prematurely. It can save me a lot of trouble. I don't have to run around the capital every day.

As long as I can pave the way for Brother Yi, what does it matter if I give up a dead girl?

Since the decision had been made, as soon as Jiang Ting came back, Old Lady Jiang discussed it with him, and three days later went to the head of the household to report the death, cancel the household registration, and bring back a thin coffin.

Jiang Ting was at least a third-rank official, so the chief did not ask any further questions.

In this day and age, the death of a child who has not yet grown up is very normal. When the neighbors asked about it, Jiang wiped away her tears and cried a few words, saying that the child suddenly caught a cold and died.

The Jiang family had only moved here a short time ago, and their neighbors were not very familiar with them. When they learned that their child had died, they just sighed and left it at that.

The Jiang family finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had taken off the shackles that had been around their necks for years and could finally live a normal life.

Jiang looked at the thin coffin parked in the main hall and felt relieved. She couldn't help but ask, "Mom, should we go to report the death?" It was originally planned to transport the body out of the city for burial tomorrow morning.

Old Mrs. Jiang couldn't help but glare at her, not knowing what was wrong with her.

Jiang smiled and said, "Mom, we are out of money, aren't we?"

They only had a few hundred taels of silver left in their hands, and they could barely afford Old Lady Jiang's bird's nest.

Even if Brother Yi wants to seize the title, no one knows how long it will take.

"Mother." Jiang swallowed her saliva, "I heard that the funeral gifts in the capital are quite generous. We still need to prepare some money for Brother Ting to take care of it."

Mrs. Jiang thought about it and thought it made sense, so she agreed.

Therefore, not only Jiang Ting's colleagues, but even the Sheng Mansion, which was dozens of miles away, received the news of the Jiang family's death. When Liu found out, she was puzzled.

How can one report the death of a child everywhere?

What's more, there is no relationship between the Sheng Mansion and the Jiang Family. Jiang Ting is just a son-in-law.

Liu couldn't help but complain to Sheng Xiyan, but Sheng Xiyan just let it go in one ear and out the other, pretending not to hear.

When they came out of the main courtyard, Xigui was dumbfounded and said, "Miss, why do the Jiang family do things so strangely?"

At first, he came to congratulate us without even notifying us in advance.

Then, without any reason or cause, someone came to report the death.

This is not something that a person with any sense of propriety would do.

"I'm afraid he has no money." Sheng Xiyan said it bluntly.

Jingle took back all the things given to the Jiang family. If the Jiang family relied solely on Jiang Ting's salary, they would not have an easy life in the capital.

"No money?" Xigui's eyes widened. They had no money but were using a funeral as an excuse to collect funeral expenses. How could this be more outrageous than holding a grand funeral for a child who died in infancy? !

"Then... do you want to go?" Xigui asked hesitantly.

"No." Sheng Xiyan answered as a matter of course, "My mother will give me some money to send me away."

"elder sister!"

Jiuyang ran out from behind the rockery happily.

Sheng Xiyan cooperated by uttering "Ah", as if she was frightened by her.

Jiuyang covered his mouth and giggled.

After watching the circus, Jiaoyang became noticeably more lively and clingier, but only to Sheng Xiyan.

"Miss, once the Jiang family has collected all the funeral offerings, will they have to find other ways to make money?"

If they can even come up with this idea, what else can't the Jiang family think of?

"However, the little girl from the Jiang family is really pitiful. How could she suddenly disappear like that..."

When he heard the word "Jiang family", Jiaoyang's face froze visibly. When he heard her say that she was gone, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

She concealed her emotions very well and hardly showed them, but Sheng Xiyan, who was holding her hand, could still feel her palm suddenly become cold.

Sheng Xiyan's almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly.

After picking up Jiaoyang, Sheng Xiyan only asked her once where her home was and whether she wanted to go back. Jiaoyang always avoided answering, so Sheng Xiyan never asked again.

This child is too thoughtful. If you want to gain her trust, you can't repeatedly ask her about things she doesn't want to talk about.

Could it be that...

No way!? Is it really such a coincidence?!