Chapter 675 - Camping In The Woods

Princess Consort? Haha. That's ridiculous.

“Princess Consort?” Jing Yi sneered, “Even if you're the Princess Consort, you should never hurt this prince’s son.”

“I never did such a thing! This woman is obviously lying. Please believe me, Your Highness.”

“You're not worthy of my trust.”

“But you have to consider my Eldest Brother and Second Brother too. They hold the military authority, and if anything happens to me, they will definitely go after Your Highness.”

Trying to threaten me?

Once she finished her words, Jing Yi gripped both her cheeks harshly with one hand. “Listen carefully. If you dare threaten me again, this prince will cut off your tongue and you’ll not be able to speak for the rest of your life.”

“Ah… Let me go…”

Jing Yi leaned forward and whispered by her ear, “An unclean woman like you doesn’t deserve to bear this prince’s son. This prince will never give you the opportunity to do so.”

After he said his piece, he flung her aside.

Ji Muqing’s eyes widened in shock. Her overbearing air had completely evaporated. I’m not a pure woman, and I’m unclean. Someone as haughty as Jing Yi would certainly not fall for me.

It was as if she was sentenced to death and had lost all hope.

Later, she did not resist at all as the guards dragged her to the woodshed. She had never been to a place like the woodshed, let alone been locked up there.

The place stank with a damp, musty smell.

Once she was locked inside the woodshed, she felt itchy all over. She could not stop scratching herself and ended up leaving a lot of marks on her face and body.

She dared not go further into the room, and could only stand there with her back leaning on the door. How did I end up here?

She was lost in thought as her back slid down the door. Without realizing it, she was already sitting on the floor and hugging her knees.

She was the eldest daughter of Ji Family and had been raised to be the Crown Prince’s Consort. However, she was only taught to be a delicate, self-loving, and conceited woman. What they missed out was teaching her how to plot against others and how to protect herself while she lived in the imperial palace.

She resented them.

Within the Imperial Court, each person had their own schemes and ambitions. Little did she know that an even great conspiracy was quietly approaching on the horizon.

Jing Rong’s cavalcade hastened their pace, afraid to lose even a bit of time.

However, The carriages halted abruptly.

What’s going on? Jing Rong lifted the curtain to peek out of the window. A man on horseback blocked their entire path.

Bringing along his men, Lang Po stepped forward and blocked his advance.

The stranger got off his horse and asked, “Are you the Jing Family from Yufu?”

The Jing Family coming from Yufu? After a brief contemplation, Lang Po nodded. “Yes!”

The man took out a letter and handed it to Lang Po. He explained, “A young lady sent me to deliver this to you.”

A young lady? Lang Po quickly got off his horse and received the letter. He asked, “Who’s this lady?”

“She didn’t tell me her name. She only told me to leave the capital immediately. If I run into any carriage that is accompanied by men armed with swords, I’m supposed to ask if they hail from Jinjiang, and if they are on a journey from Yufu to the capital. When I found the right group of people, I was told to hand the letter to them. I don’t know anything else. I’ve already passed you the letter, and my mission is now accomplished.”

He got back onto the horse and disappeared into the distance.

A puzzled Lang Po brought the letter to the window of Jing Rong’s carriage. He reported, “Your Highness, someone delivered this letter.”

Jing Rong took the letter and opened it.

It was a short letter to inform him that Ji Li’s men were guarding the city’s gate, and tell him to not return to the capital just yet.

“Who is the sender?” Jing Rong was confused.

Ji Yunshu took a peek at the letter, and was astonished. “That’s my Second Sister’s handwriting.”

Ji Wanxin sent this letter! Jing Rong was taken aback. “But, how did she know about Ji Li’s men outside the city?”

“Perhaps… she has discovered something.”

Eavesdropping had always been Ji Wanxin’s forte.

Jing Rong replied, “It seems like Prince Yi made the necessary preparations. The assassination he planned on us didn’t work out, so he decided to convince War Secretary Ji to work for him.”

“I know my Eldest Brother better than anyone else. He would do anything just to achieve his goal, and can be more brutal than Prince Yi if he wants to. Prince Yi married my elder sister, so my Eldest Brother has definitely joined his side and will assist him in the fight for the throne. Therefore, he will surely do his best to stop you from returning to the capital. You’ll not be able to step foot into the capital, unless the Emperor’s secret decree to you is made public.” Ji Yunshu was concerned. “I worry that he will harm Wei Yi, just so he can stop you from returning to the capital.”

She was a bundle of nerves.

Unlike Ji Yunshu, Jing Rong seemed relaxed.

Ji Yunshu asked, “What do you think?”

Jing Rong answered, “Yunshu, what Lord Qiao told me before we left Yufu were not completely groundless. Even Lord Qiao foresaw this issue. Of course this prince has expected this to happen when I make the decision to return to the capital. Returning to the capital means that I will be dragged into the battle between the factions in the court. This prince will not step foot into the capital without sufficient preparation.”

“What do you mean?”

“The second time the Emperor sent an urgent summon from the capital to Yufu, this prince planned for it by dispatching my men to the Capital for Yicheng in the far south-west. I believe that the news has already arrived at its destination.”

“The far south-west?”

Jing Rong nodded. Since he did not elaborate further, Ji Yunshu did not continue asking as well.

What’s this man planning?

Seeing that the sun was setting, Jing Rong ordered his men to set up camp.

Although their tents were set up right beside the road, they were still in the woods. After the sun set, they could hear the howling of wolves from all directions. Therefore, Jing Rong ordered his subordinates to lit fires around the group, while the group sat surrounding a campfire.

Tang Si sneered, “Look at you. It’s only a few wolves. I used to often run into them when I was in the mountains. In fact, wolves are very gentle. They are also the nobles of the animals. As long as you don’t disturb them, they will not attack you out of nowhere.”

One of the men replied, “Miss Tang, we have been fighting alongside His Highness. We’ve witnessed all sorts of difficult situations. How can a few wolves scare us?”

“Exactly. If it’s not to protect Teacher Ji and you, we’ll not be wasting our time here guarding our tents, and would’ve gone to bed earlier.”

“What are you trying to say? Are you saying that Ah Ji and I are weaker than you?” Upset, Tang Si questioned the man.

The guards exchanged looks, and flashed each other a silent smile.

Tang Si was not ready to let them go as she continued, “You guys should make it clear to me. This lady’s martial arts skills are no weaker than that of yours; I can even kill a man just by cracking my whip. It’s far more efficient than the swords in your hands.”

“Alright, alright. Miss Tang is the best fighter in the world. If it’s not for you, our Young Master Mo would’ve long lost his life.” The guards chortled knowingly amongst themselves.

Tang Si lifted her chin, seeming very pleased with the purported compliment. “Of course. If it weren’t for me, he would’ve been long gone.” When she was done speaking, she elbowed Mo Ruo, who was sitting right beside her.

Mo Ruo shot her a glance, and he grudgingly moved a few inches further away from Tang Si, all the while in complete silence.

As a result, someone began to tease, “Young Master Mo, there’s no need to be so shy. Miss Tang has eyes only for you that she even decided to follow you all the way back to the capital. I reckon you should marry her when we arrive at the capital. Then, we will definitely prepare a lavish gift for you.”