Chapter 262: A Dreamplace At that moment, a screen separated them. Ji Yunshu wanted to question him further, but she was afraid she might not get the answer she wanted. She got up and brushed off the dead leaves which had fallen on her before clasping her hands in salute. Then, she left. Left alone in the pavilion, Old General Li suddenly cursed.
“Little bastard! You dare to drink the wine I fermented in secret!”
The target of his scolding was none other than Li Zhao. Although she could faintly hear his bellowing, her footsteps never ceased as she continued on her way to the exit.
Outside of the Li Mansion, Jing Rong’s carriage was still waiting for her. Lang Po helped her board the carriage whereas Jing Rong, welcomed her with squinted eyes. Once she entered, he immediately gave his order, “Go!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Lang Po complied.
The carriage set off to Bamboo Creek Garden.
Within the carriage, Jing Rong looked at Ji Yunshu. The latter had a blank expression. There was No need to ask to know the outcome of the meeting.
“It’s normal that he didn’t spill out the information easily. If he had a loose mouth, his reputation would be all but in vain.”
“I didn’t come out empty handed.” Ji Yunshu replied.
“Oh? What did he say?”
“It took six or seven cups of tea before he spoke about his disappointing son and his bastard grandson.”
Pfft-
Jing Rong almost choked as he laughed. “Everyone in the Li Family is quite… odd!” he stated in a mocking tone.
She was left speechless. After a short while, she reached for the window curtain and lifted it to glance at the outside. They had long since left the vicinity of the Li Mansion. She turned to Jing Rong resuming a grave expression.
“In fact, he did mention a matter.”
“What?”
“At the time when the Imperial Duke was still called King of Peace, he relinquished the crown prince’s position in favor to your Imperial Father. Old General Li didn’t go into the details and spoke about it casually. However, I felt that he wanted to hint at something.”
Jing Rong understood her meaning. “You mean he wanted to tell you that the matter 14 years ago might be related to my Imperial Father?”
Spit! She wasn’t the one who said that! She didn’t want to shoulder the crime of speaking ill of the imperial family. She still wanted to keep her head! However, Jing Rong was a prince, it was normal for a son to comment about his old man behind the latter’s back.
Ji Yunshu was on high alert. “It’s only a conjecture. There’s no proof this is the truth. While I was listening to his ramblings, I felt that he was still withholding some information.”
Jing Rong pondered her words. One of his hands started to tap his knee. “If this is really the case, what could he be trying to hide. It must be something important enough for him to keep quiet for 14 years, only breaking his silence now that the Lin Capital case has had some real progress and choosing this time to return to the capital.”
“Then, what could be the information he is trying to conceal the past 14 years? What is his reason for returning to the capital after all this time? If his real purpose is related to the Lin Capital case, why would he not open himself to me?” Numerous questions surged out of her mind.
Suddenly, Jing Rong came up with a conclusion. “Because he might have another purpose!” His own conclusion even startled him.
Who was Old General Li? A senior figure present through three emperor’s reigns. If he came to the capital this time for another purpose, there would be a great storm coming.
Ji Yunshu couldn’t fathom the great impact such character could cause, but through Jing Rong’s words, she realized the scariness of it and how her thoughts were too shallow. Her expression became more dignified while silently contemplating.
A frown twisted Jing Rong’s handsome face. He took his time to seriously teach Ji Yunshu. “I can dispatch people to investigate this matter. It’s better if you don’t meet that old thing alone – In the case, he makes you into his chess piece for his other purpose.”
“I believe I have already become his chess piece.”
“What do you mean?”
“We talked about the newly reinstated position of disciplinary officer.” She faintly reminded him.
“Disciplinary officer?” Jing Rong asked, puzzled. “A few years ago, Imperial Father had abolished that post. Why did he suddenly mention it?”
Ji Yunshu frowned even more, but she didn’t respond to his question.
Jing Rong thought for a moment before there was a flash in his mind. “It looks like he sent you an olive branch!”
“The so-called, wanting to take advantage of someone, a sweet mouth is a must.”
“Still, do you want to take that olive branch?”
“No way. I don’t dare to! I don’t want to be a chess piece.”
Her spoiled and willful tone swooned Jing Rong. He leered at her, causing her to tremble. She hurriedly moved sideways.
“When will Your Highness changed your bad habit of staring at people like this?”
Jing Rong chuckled at her complaint. He wanted to pinch her cheek to tease her, but unfortunately, the carriage stopped and Lang Po lifted the door curtain and popped his head in.
“Your Highness, we have arrived!”
Already? So fast!
His hand was still raised midair with nowhere else to go. He had no choice but to put it down.
Ji Yunshu took advantage of the interruption to disembark from the carriage.
His expression was dark as he got down the carriage. He shot a furious glare at Lang Po. “Busy-body!” He coldly spat. Then, he closely followed Ji Yunshu.
Left behind alone in the cold wind, Lang Po scratched his head in confusion. Did he do something wrong? There was no mistake. They arrived at Bamboo Creek Garden, and as usual, he went in the carriage to notify his Highness. How did he provoke his master’s ire? Could his Highness give him an explanation?
Ji Yunshu had barely stepped into her courtyard when her waist was suddenly grabbed from behind. She had no time to react and already, her whole body was lifted up like a feather.
In no time, she found herself on the roof. Her feet were finally touched down but she only felt the roof tiles underneath. Her legs went limp, but a hand tightly secured her waist. Only then, did she felt relieved. Where she stood, it wasn’t that high, but it still made her feel panicked just looking down. She took a deep breath. Her chest rose up and down a few times before she could calm down. Afterward, she lifted her eyes and looked at the face who suddenly closed in. The culprit who gave her a scare was none other than Jing Rong.
She twisted her body and asked, “What are you doing?”
“There were too many meddlesome roadblocks today, coming at us like waves. Fortunately, none can affect us.”
“Ah?”
“Today is beautiful, it’s too bad if we don’t enjoy it.”
“Huh?”
Ji Yunshu sat down on the rooftop with his support. It was not until she raised her head did she noticed the sky was already dark, but beyond glowed a round moon. It was extremely dazzling. The moonlight bestowed its brilliance on the surroundings. It was a very beautiful nightscape.
Ji Yunshu held onto Jing Rong. Her fingers tightly clenched. The full moon only gave her a sense of nostalgia and melancholy.
“I don’t know if one day I can return.” She muttered.
Her voice was very low, but Jing Rong could still hear her. He glanced at her. “Return? Back to Jinjiang?”
She shook her head.
“A place lost in a dream.”