At least normal people would be thinking about how to compete with the other princes.
However, it is clear that Ruan Qing'an and Ji Wuyu are not in this category. They do not intend to fight with the princes, but instead directly confront the emperor.
Having witnessed everything, 037 was completely speechless. Someone as naive and innocent as him was not suited to collude with these two major villains. This pairing was somewhat eccentric and crazy.
Moreover, neither Ji Wuyu nor Ruan Qingan felt that there was anything wrong with this heinous behavior.
A slightly bitter herbal scent floated in the air, mixed with a subtle smell of blood. Ji Wuyu glanced at the porcelain bowl on the wooden cabinet, which contained a dark, medicinal soup.
The petite girl leaning against the headboard was coughing violently, and Ji Wuyu couldn't help but frown: "Didn't you take your medicine?"
"It's too bitter, I don't want to drink it."
"Then shall I feed you?"
"No, it's too bitter."
Ruan Qing'an shook her head decisively, hugged the quilt and retreated, looking like a young maiden who had been bullied.
But the next moment—a large hand suddenly pressed down on Ruan Qing'an's leg through the blanket. When Ji Wuyu exerted a little force, he found that he seemed to have grasped her ankle.
Ruan Qing'an paused, and just as she was about to back away, Ji Wuyu grabbed her slender ankle and pulled her back, almost causing her to crash into Ji Wuyu's arms.
"Your Highness, please let go—"
"Take your medicine."
Ji Wuyu's gentle smile deepened, but the more he smiled, the more intense his aura became.
Ruan Qing'an was silent for a moment, then picked up the porcelain bowl with a "sad face" and sipped the wine. The bitter taste made her throat hurt, and she coughed for a long time. Her leaden eyes were filled with tears.
Seeing that the medicine in the porcelain bowl was finished, Ji Wuyu put the bowl down again. He raised his hand and used his fingertip to wipe away a trace of the remaining medicine from her bright red lips.
Ji Wuyu was somewhat satisfied: "Yes, that's right, Qing'an, be good."
After taking the medicine, Ruan Qing'an's condition stabilized slightly. She suddenly said, "Your Highness, would you mind taking me away from the Yongle Marquis's residence temporarily?"
"where are you going?"
"Hmm... Cining Temple."
Hearing this, Ji Wuyu didn't ask why. He simply took off his cloak, the inner layer of which was made of fine black velvet that felt very comfortable to the touch, and wrapped it around Ruan Qing'an.
After nearly wrapping Ruan Qing'an up like a silkworm, Ji Wuyu finally picked her up horizontally.
Because of Ruan Changhong, he could only take her and leap out of the window. He gathered his inner strength, used his lightness skill to leap onto the roof, step over the bricks and tiles, and walk through the moonlight, quickly leaving into the distance.
Under the moonlight, Ruan Qing'an reached out and wrapped her arms around Ji Wuyu's neck, burying her face in his embrace. The black velvet cloak shielded her from the cold wind.
After the figure disappeared from sight, the guards of the Yongle Marquis's residence immediately ran back to the main hall, where Ruan Changhong was sitting.
"My lord, His Highness the Ninth Prince has already left with Miss."
"...Alas, daughters are gone once they grow up."
Ruan Changhong rubbed his forehead, clearly having a terrible headache. He gave the guard a cold look and said, "You ride to the front line immediately and tell your subordinates there what happened in the capital."
Upon hearing the order, the veteran guard, who had retired from the front lines, instinctively saluted: "Yes, sir!"
"There's one more thing."
"Please speak, my lord."
Ruan Changhong's face darkened: "If it is found that His Highness the Ninth Prince is disloyal to Qing'an or treats her badly, let him die on the battlefield."
A chilling killing intent surged forth, and the guard immediately understood. His eyes hardened, and he quickly left the main hall, preparing to fetch his horse and head to the front lines.
...
The Cining Temple was quiet and peaceful at night. Ruan Qing'an knocked on the tightly closed temple door, while Ji Wuyu stood behind her, reaching out to pull her cloak.
After a while, the monks from the temple came and opened the door.
"Gentlemen, what brings you here so late at night?"
"I apologize for disturbing your rest. I am Ruan Qing'an from the Yongle Marquis's residence, here to pay my respects to the Abbot."
Ruan Qing'an bowed and said that in the original text, the abbot of Cining Temple was a highly accomplished monk and the national teacher of Daliang, and he also had some relationship with Ruan Changhong.
Upon hearing this, the monk nodded, closed the door temporarily, and turned back into the temple to inquire. Ruan Qing'an and Ji Wuyu waited for a while before the monk hurriedly came to open the door again.
The monk put his hands together and said, "You two have been waiting for a long time. The abbot invites you in."
After nearly midnight, Ruan Qing'an went to the Prayer Hall, while Ji Wuyu waited outside with his trusted confidants who had rushed over. It had been about an hour.
The monk who had opened the door earlier had prepared some food for him and seemed to be heading back to chant sutras. The trusted leader who had come to find Ji Wuyu immediately stepped forward to stop him.
Ji Wuyu waved his hand and said, "Don't do anything rash."
The leader then stepped aside, and Ji Wuyu stepped forward, bowing very politely: "Master, may I ask why that young lady has not come out for so long after entering the Prayer Hall?"
"The female benefactor is bowing and praying to Buddha in the prayer hall and lighting prayer lamps. She will come out before sunrise if nothing unexpected happens."
The monk clasped his hands together again, nodded slightly, and left, which surprised Ji Wuyu. He knew about Cining Temple before, and the name sounded somewhat familiar, but he could only wait patiently.
As the first rays of sunlight fell upon the entrance of the Prayer Hall, Ji Wuyu, who had been waiting there all night, finally saw the doors of the Prayer Hall opened.
The slightly blinding light shone in, and the girl who appeared at the palace gate staggered and fell straight to the ground.
Ji Wuyu was taken aback. He strode forward, scooped up Ruan Qing'an, and pulled her into his arms. When he looked down, he saw her trembling legs.
"Alright, alright... Your Highness, we can go now."
"last night……"
Ji Wuyu paused for a moment. Only then did he remember what the Prayer Hall was for. After lighting the eternal lamp, one needed to devoutly chant scriptures and kowtow for several hours to pray for blessings and peace.
Before Ji Wuyu could react, a pair of slender, pale hands were tying a peace charm to his waist, placing it next to a jade pendant, but its significance was far greater than that of the jade pendant.
Having knelt for an entire night, Ruan Qing'an's health was already poor; his knees were worn raw, and his legs were trembling.
But she took a deep breath and said softly, "The battlefield is where the real battle will be decided, Your Highness. Everything depends on you."
Ruan Qing'an's voice was almost a murmur, but the way her eyes looked up at Ji Wuyu made him unable to have any other thoughts.
It wasn't desire, it wasn't profit, it wasn't a wandering heart, it was simply because of her.
My heart was trembling.
Ji Wuyu closed his eyes briefly, then suddenly laughed: "You really are..."
His words were filled with deep helplessness. Ji Wuyu had never imagined that, aside from the interests involved, he could actually still feel attracted to someone.
【Affection Level: 60】
Just then, the leader who had followed him jogged forward and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, the Marquis's men have sent word that the matter was resolved during the morning court session this day, and that the border is in danger, with the Daqing army beginning to invade."
"If nothing unexpected happens, you will be representing the royal family to go to the front lines in three days. The Marquis's people also said that at this critical juncture, Your Highness and Miss should not meet again."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an straightened up and took a half-step back in a salute: "Farewell, Your Highness. Please return and prepare."
"I will be waiting for your triumphant return in the capital."
The atmosphere became tense. Ji Wuyu took off the jade pendant that had been hanging at his waist and casually placed it in Ruan Qing'an's palm. He then took off the amulet and wrapped it around his neck.
In that instant of close proximity, Ruan Qingan heard a deep voice say—
"Good, victory for you."
...
In early 67 of the Great Liang Dynasty, the Ninth Prince Ji Wuyu personally led troops to quell the border rebellion.
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