Meanwhile, Ruan Qing'an was still resting in the main tent. The original owner's body had weakened to such an extent that she felt breathless after taking just a few steps.
Therefore, Ruan Qing'an simply leaned against the soft couch, holding a storybook in his hand, slowly sipping tea, looking very relaxed.
037: [Ancestor, if the Third Prince causes trouble, won't that create problems? I think we should just go all the way and remove him from office too!]
"I didn't expect the little system to be so ruthless, tsk tsk."
Ruan Qingan clicked his tongue, looking quite surprised.
037 speechless: [I learned it all from you, my ancestor.]
Just as they were talking, the Third Prince burst into the main tent, followed by Long San and the other soldiers.
The Third Prince stormed up to Ruan Qing'an, his face turning cold: "Ruan Qing'an, out of consideration for our past friendship at the Imperial Academy, I don't want to be ruthless towards you, but—"
"Don't go too far!"
The Third Prince sternly rebuked, "Indeed, this was the army led by the Ninth Prince, but it now belongs to me. If Father finds out that you are acting in a double-dealing manner, you will be guilty of a capital offense!"
Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow: "And then implicate nine generations of relatives?"
"Dang—Ruan Qing'an, don't talk nonsense!"
The Third Prince quickly realized what was happening, and his face turned even uglier. This "nine clans" not only included himself but also Ji Hao. How could the Third Prince dare to say such a thing so casually? Was he courting death?!
Hearing the Third Prince's roar, Ruan Qing'an sighed and weakly raised her eyes: "Your Highness, this is not what we meant. The Ninth Prince told me that when they were far away on the border, these people were unruly and did not listen to him."
"Not to mention you, even I can't do it, which is why I said before that I would stay here to help you."
As she spoke, Ruan Qing'an looked very troubled, as if the Third Prince had forced her: "But Your Highness, if you insist on doing so, I can only follow your wishes."
The Third Prince said coldly and irritably, "Fine, now I need your help, is that alright, Ruan Qing'an?"
"Of course, I am willing to serve His Highness the Crown Prince."
Ruan Qingan immediately replied, with an air of willingness to serve like a dog or horse, and staggered to his feet, his body as fragile as a flower branch that could be easily broken.
Even the Third Prince felt as if he were exploiting the patients.
Until the next moment—
Ruan Qing'an approached Long San and the others, coughed, and said, "Long San, why didn't you finish what His Highness the Crown Prince asked for? Do you look down on His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"How could that be, Miss? But we really have no choice."
Long San hurriedly said, looking helpless, while the soldiers behind him nodded repeatedly, seemingly ignoring Ruan Qing'an's commands.
Ruan Qing'an frowned: "What do you mean there's no way? You're clearly just paying lip service and not taking His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty seriously at all. Just tell me, can you do it or not!"
Upon hearing Ruan Qing'an's "stern" rebuke, the Third Prince couldn't help but nod, but he vaguely felt that something was amiss.
After seeing Long San and the soldiers shake their heads, the Third Prince felt increasingly uneasy. Then he saw Ruan Qing'an turn around with a helpless expression.
She gave a slight bow: "Your Highness, they won't listen to me. I'm really powerless. You yourself said that I'm just a woman and I'm useless. Why don't we execute them?"
The next moment, another group of people knelt down.
"Your Highness, we beg you to order our execution."
Looking at the rows of soldiers with glorious battle achievements, the Third Prince's eye twitched again. It was the exact same scene as before, and even with Ruan Qing'an's "help," things hadn't improved at all!
These people are impossible to kill or punish. If you scold them, they readily admit their mistakes, but then they just won't change their ways!
Most importantly, this group of people has too many war merits, and they just fought a war against Daqing. The Third Prince, a newly enthroned crown prince, is punishing soldiers who won a battle for a trivial matter. That would discourage many soldiers. And then...
Even if he were to step down from his position as crown prince, Ji Hao would not let him off the hook.
After a long while, having finally obtained military power, he still couldn't act arrogantly here. The Third Prince was trembling with anger, but there was nothing he could do. He could only temporarily give up here and let out a cold snort.
Immediately afterwards, the Third Prince strode away and fled at top speed.
The people who had been kneeling on the ground stood up and bowed respectfully to Ruan Qingan, while Long San stepped forward.
"Is there anything else you need, Miss?"
"Go and inform His Highness the Ninth Prince."
Ruan Qing'an paused, frowned, and said, "Forget it, I'll go back right away. This matter isn't that simple."
To be precise, it's obvious that the Third Prince is a fool who was pushed out to wreak havoc in the military camp and attract attention. Now that they've finally managed to get rid of him, there will probably be more trouble later.
...
The carriage didn't stop in front of the Yongle Marquis's residence until evening.
Lanterns hung high in front of the door, and when the candlelight fell, it illuminated half of Ji Wuyu's profile, revealing his high nose bridge and handsome jawline. He stood in the shadows by the door, waiting quietly.
Only after seeing Ruan Qing'an alight from the carriage did a slight smile appear on Ji Wuyu's calm and indifferent face.
It is as smooth and warm as jade, carrying the warmth of a spring breeze.
His dark eyes held a smile: "You're back. Did my third brother bully you?"
"No, Your Highness."
Ruan Qing'an shook her head slightly. As the night wind rose, she came to Ji Wuyu's side and placed her icy hands into Ji Wuyu's palm.
Ji Wuyu lowered his eyes, took Ruan Qing'an's soft and cold little hands in his arms, and said softly, "Good, it's good that you weren't bullied. Otherwise, I would have personally taken people to talk to him."
"Hmm... talk with a knife to your throat?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuyu chuckled: "Am I that kind of person?"
Ruan Qing'an fell silent, pointed at Ji Wuyu, then at herself, her leaden eyes curving into beautiful crescents with a smile: "No, we are all like that, super fierce."
"However, this time the Third Prince was driven away. Your Highness, he doesn't dare to touch Long San and the others. Long San is really bold. He knelt down on the ground and begged the Third Prince, the Crown Prince, to grant him death. But the Third Prince didn't dare to do that and ran away in a sorry state."
Hearing this, Ji Wuyu couldn't help but chuckle: "It's like a pie falling from the sky. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Doesn't he even think about it?"
Ruan Qing'an nodded: "However, although we have driven him away, we are still afraid of alarming others, especially the prince who is truly regarded as the heir by His Majesty. He cannot be underestimated."
"I've already started making arrangements, just wait a little longer."
Ji Wuyu explained, his tone reassuring, but Ruan Qing'an looked at him and frowned.
She suddenly retorted, "Your Highness, something's wrong with you."
"..."
Ji Wuyu fell silent, then bent down and embraced Ruan Qing'an completely. The petite girl was enveloped in his cloak, as if she were completely wrapped up by him, overwhelmed by Ji Wuyu's aura.
Ji Wuyu rested his head on her shoulder and murmured.
"Stay with me, Qing'an."
"Your Highness?"
"...I know why Father is targeting me now."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an stopped speaking, but instead wrapped her arms around Ji Wuyu's lean waist. The next moment, she was lifted into the air, and Ji Wuyu picked her up horizontally. With a light touch of his toes, he carried Ruan Qing'an towards the back of the Yongle Marquis's residence.
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