The Empress's deep and sharp gaze instantly shot towards Ji Chenyuan, her lips slightly pursed. "What? General Ji, are you here to help me discipline my son?"
Ji Chenyuan's face turned deathly pale. He hadn't even noticed when the Empress had appeared behind him. He immediately bowed and saluted, "Your subject dares not!"
The Empress snorted coldly, ignored him, and walked straight to the main seat.
Ji Chenyuan looked towards the door in confusion. He was only one step ahead of Jiu'er and the Imperial Preceptor. Why hadn't it been time yet?
Could it be that there was a delay on the way? Ji Chenyuan dismissed the idea. Who would dare to delay the Imperial Preceptor's carriage!
"Yu'er, don't do anything foolish again. You've already offended the Ji family last time, so you mustn't act impulsively this time."
"Mother, I understand." Jun Linyu knew what his mother was worried about, but he knew his limits and what he wanted.
"I heard you've been neglecting Ji Fengyan these past few days? Whatever happened between you two, she's your fiancée now. Go apologize to General Ji and try to win Ji Fengyan back."
"Right now, you need these ministers who hold military power to stand behind you and support you. No matter what, before you sit on the throne, you must not offend them easily," Consort Liang said with exasperation.
After much deliberation, Jun Linyu decided that although he did not yet have conclusive evidence that Ji Fengyan had recognized Ji Jiuying before and kept it from him, he would still follow his mother's wishes and deal with the matter for the time being.
"Understood, Mother." Jun Linyu said and walked towards Ji Fengyan.
Ji Fengyan's gaze had been fixed on Jun Linyu since she entered, and she was delighted to see him walking slowly toward her.
Just as he was about to step forward, he was bumped into by a light green figure.
"Cousin, have you missed me?"
"Bingyan, when did you return to Kyoto? Why didn't you let me know in advance?" Jun Linyu asked in surprise.
"Hmph~ I just got back yesterday, and I just wanted to give my cousin and aunt a surprise." Liang Bingyan gently shook Jun Linyu's arm, widened her eyes, and put on a pitiful look.
This made Jun Linyu's heart soften.
Ji Fengyan snapped out of her daze, and when she saw who it was, her heart tightened. One Ji Jiuying was already enough for her to handle, and now another childhood sweetheart had come along!
This person is none other than Liang Bingyan, the third prince's cousin, and also Ji Fengyan's mortal enemy!
That collision was clearly intentional on Liang Bingyan's part.
Now they see them being all lovey-dovey in front of her, completely forgetting that Ji Fengyan is even here.
"Yan'er, this Liang Bingyan is too presumptuous. She doesn't respect you, the legitimate princess consort, at all." Mo Yunran frowned and came to Ji Fengyan's side.
Since Ji Jiuying destroyed her dantian in the street, Mo Yunran has not appeared in the public eye for a long time.
"Yun Ran?" Ji Fengyan turned her head in surprise to look at the person beside her upon hearing the voice. "How are you feeling?"
Mo Yunran recalled the extremely humiliating incident from that day, and a hint of viciousness flashed in her eyes. "My father went to ask the Ghost Doctor to help me repair my dantian."
The Ghost Doctor? As far as she knew, the Ghost Doctor was the maternal grandfather of the Third Prince, and a man of Grand Tutor Liang.
Minister Mo of the Ministry of War has always remained neutral. Could it be that this time it's for Yun Ran's sake...?
Ji Fengyan felt that her guesses were all reasonable.
"Congratulations, Yun Ran! But... don't offend that good-for-nothing Ji Jiuying again. She's changed..."
Upon hearing this, Mo Yunran's face immediately turned ugly, and her eyes were filled with suppressed hatred.
She knew that Ji Fengyan and Ji Jiuying had a grudge, so naturally she wouldn't lie to her.
Although she didn't go out, she hadn't missed any of the recent events in Kyoto, so she naturally knew about Ji Jiuying's changes.
"Yan'er, the world is so big, there will always be someone who can teach her a lesson."
Ji Fengyan sneered inwardly.
At this moment.
Jun Linyu looked at Ji Fengyan and found her looking at him. Crystal clear tears were uncontrollably accumulating in her eyes. Her beautiful little face was a little pale, pitiful and lovable.
Jun Linyu then realized what was happening, pushed Liang Bingyan's hand away from his arm, and ran towards Ji Fengyan.
As he ran toward Ji Fengyan, Liang Bingyan looked at them from behind, a surge of jealousy rising in her heart, her fingernails digging deeply into her clenched fist.
That damned Ji Fengyan.
"Yan'er, I'm sorry, just now I..." Jun Linyu admitted that when he saw Ji Fengyan's expression, his heart ached, and he gently hugged Ji Fengyan, wanting to explain.
"Third Prince, there's no need for further words. Yan'er understands you. After all, it's been many years since Your Highness has seen your cousin." Ji Fengyan met Liang Bingyan's gaze in a direction where Jun Linyu couldn't see her.
When Liang Bingyan saw the smug look in Ji Fengyan's eyes, she stomped her feet in anger. She knew it, she knew it, that damned Ji Fengyan did it on purpose.
Out of sight, out of mind, Liang Bingyan changed her expression and walked towards Liang Fei.
Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Ji Fengyan ignored her and thought to herself, "Hmph~ You're still too green to fight me."
When Ji Jiuying and Gong Mingyue were dawdling as they entered the palace, the banquet at the palace was already halfway through, but the emperor was still trying to stall for time to wait for the Grand Preceptor and Ji Jiuying.
At this moment, the eunuch who had been waiting outside the door raised his voice, "The Grand Preceptor has arrived, Miss Ji has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jun Bufan's spirits lifted, and he ordered, "Summon them."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked expectantly towards the outside of the hall.
"Isn't the Imperial Preceptor someone who never attends palace banquets?"
"I guess they brought Miss Ji here."
"Isn't it rumored that the Imperial Preceptor is celibate? He doesn't even have a single maid in his residence, so how could he...?"
"Absolutely! Ji Jiuying is so lucky! Not only did she receive guidance from the Imperial Advisor, but he even escorted her into the palace!"
"······"
As Jun Luoli listened to the remarks of those young ladies from noble families, she clutched the handkerchief under her sleeve into a tight ball, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth as if she wanted to draw blood. The flames of jealousy burned fiercely in her heart, and her eyes were filled with ruthlessness and anger.
I wish I could tear that woman to pieces!
Amidst the discussions, Gong Mingyue and Ji Jiuying appeared at the palace gate, leaving everyone stunned and their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets!
Gong Mingyue wore a long black robe and a black mask. He had an innate domineering aura that looked down on the world, and he exuded an invisible sense of oppression that made people afraid.
Behind him stood a petite figure in a striking red dress, her face breathtakingly beautiful, her eyes as clear as a deep pool. The sunlight shone down on her snow-white face, making her look like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal world.
However, there was not a trace of a smile on his face, only a cold indifference that kept people at a distance.
Is this really Ji Jiuying, the useless legitimate daughter of General Ji?
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