The Fourth Prince's arrival brought a collective sigh of relief.
However, the army's journey could not be delayed, and after a brief reunion, they continued towards Luoyi.
The Seventh Prince, who had been riding his horse, unexpectedly squeezed into the Tenth Prince's carriage to catch up with his Fourth Brother.
Inside the carriage, Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao, who was once again marching with the soldiers, with a slight surprise, "This is?"
The Tenth Prince carefully explained the whole story.
Xie Jingqi also did not expect Ji Zizhao to be able to endure for so long, "It is truly difficult for her to hold on."
Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow slightly, "It's rare to hear you acknowledge someone."
A hint of awkwardness flashed across Xie Jingqi's face, "It's not an acknowledgment, but Ji Zizhao is truly not wrong this time. I have always sided with justice over kinship. How about you, Fourth Brother, why did you come over for no reason?"
Xie Jinglan said softly, "Coincidentally, there were some issues with official taxes in the nearby city, and I was ordered by Father Emperor to oversee it. Since you were also heading here, I thought I would come and take a look."
Xie Jingqi was quite disappointed, "In that case, Fourth Brother will be leaving soon?"
Xie Jinglan nodded, "Tomorrow, perhaps."
There were always some matters that needed to be explained.
Due to the incident at the inn, the Second Prince, for once, did not cause any further trouble.
Before evening, the army arrived at the designated resting place.
Yesterday, everyone was a bit tired. After a simple meal of dry rations, they all went to bed early.
Ji Zizhao sat in the military tent, inventorying the medicinal herbs brought along.
Fortunately, the prepared medicinal herbs were abundant, enough to deal with several more emergencies.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew into the tent.
At the same time, a figure shot in like lightning.
Lianju and Qingzhu instinctively adopted a defensive stance, but before they could even make a move, they were acupoint-sealed by the approaching person.
Ji Zizhao turned to face the newcomer, frowning slightly, "What does Your Highness Fourth Prince mean by this?"
Xie Jinglan gently placed Lianju and Qingzhu, who were now completely unresponsive, onto chairs, and then turned to say, "Everyone in the imperial city knows that the two people by the eldest daughter of the Ji family's side were meticulously selected by the old general of the Ji family. If they cannot be subdued in one move, it is likely to cause unnecessary trouble."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Are you trying to justify your uninvited arrival?
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's speechless expression and smiled calmly, "The general of the Tuyur has been fighting against Yulin for more than a decade, and has been held back by the old general of the Ji family. Now, standing on the land of Yulin, although it seems like a triumphant return, he is already physically and mentally exhausted. However, I heard that this Tuyur general has arrived in Luoyi, bringing his only son with him. Compared to the old Tuyur general, this only son seems to be more ambitious."
Ji Zizhao immediately understood.
The father might have lost the will to continue fighting, which is why he offered terms of peace to Yulin.
But the son does not seem to want to end things so easily.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao and added, "Younger generations are always more ambitious than their elders."
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly, "Does Your Highness Fourth Prince mean that everything that happened yesterday was the work of the Tuyur general's son?"
Xie Jinglan smiled without speaking, but did not deny it.
"Your Highness Fourth Prince, what exactly are you here for?" Ji Zizhao never dared to be careless with the man before her.
His mind was too meticulous and subtle, as if nothing could escape his grasp.
Xie Jinglan maintained his gentle and harmless demeanor, "As the end of the year approaches, there are always minor discrepancies in official taxes in some cities. I just happened to be handling matters nearby, and by chance, I also gathered some information that would be beneficial to the eldest daughter of the Ji family." Su Dan Novel Network
Handling matters nearby.
Heh...
To put it crudely, she was just a potential candidate for marriage that could be called off at any time. What did the Tuyur's killing intent have to do with her?
It was likely that the Fourth Prince had already learned that the Tuyur would ambush them here. Then, under the guise of coming to the Ji family's aid, he would send the Seventh Prince before the Emperor, and then have the Emperor send the Seventh Prince to the Tuyur under the pretext of tempering him. Finally, he would watch the Seventh Prince walk into the Tuyur's trap.
This journey to Luoyi, the Second Prince was exiled, the Tenth Prince was a hostage, only the Seventh Prince was accompanying them.
Now that the Tuyur's ambush has been uprooted, this merit is already secured.
Therefore...
The Fourth Prince was earning merit for the Seventh Prince.
For princes, whether it was the public's favor or the court's reputation, none were as solid as military achievements.
This was why all the princes were striving with all their might to go to Luoyi.
Unexpectedly, what seemed like a coincidence was actually everything that the Fourth Prince had meticulously calculated and placed within his grasp.
What a brilliant calculation!
"Your Highness Fourth Prince has gone to great lengths to pave the way for the Seventh Prince." Ji Zizhao could not fully comprehend the Fourth Prince's intentions, but his step-by-step calculations were even admirable to her.
Xie Jinglan showed no signs of complacency. He simply raised his hand, stroking his chin, and looked at Ji Zizhao with scrutiny, "Everyone has different goals in life. Is the eldest daughter of the Ji family not also wholeheartedly working for the Ji family?"
Ji Zizhao did not deny it, but she was unwilling to continue playing word games with the man before her. "Your Highness Fourth Prince, did you come here late at night merely to share the joy of the Seventh Prince's military achievements with this humble woman?"
Xie Jinglan chuckled, as if joking, "I want you to guide Little Seven."
As long as she agreed, Little Seven would undoubtedly benefit greatly on this journey.
Ji Zizhao also smiled, "On what grounds? Because the Seventh Prince has a righteous outlook on life?"
It could not be denied that the Seventh Prince's outlook on life was very righteous.
Right was right, wrong was wrong.
Never confused.
But to want to become the future emperor with this alone was simply a fantasy.
Ji Zizhao shook her head mockingly and turned to leave, wanting to end this absurd conversation.
However, a gentle and comforting voice came from behind her, soft as if coaxing, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, have you ever considered that a thousand-mile steed without a discerning eye can only perish in the stable?"
Ji Zizhao abruptly stopped.
She had tacitly allowed Ji Zixiu to join the army, intending for Ji Zixiu to take over the mantle of the Ji family's men.
To establish themselves in the imperial city, merely having good marriages was far from enough.
If the Ji family were to stand tall again without having to rely on others, great achievements would be of utmost importance.
However, such a matter could never be known to outsiders, otherwise, it would undoubtedly arouse the Emperor's suspicion.
The suspicion of an emperor was a harbinger of slaughter, and no one could bear it!
Her heart trembled, and Ji Zizhao's dark eyes turned icy.
This man was indeed becoming more and more dangerous.
Ji Zizhao suddenly turned to look at his handsome face, suppressing the killing intent and smiling slightly, "Your Highness Fourth Prince, forgive this humble woman's ignorance. It is late, and Your Highness should rest early."
Such an obvious dismissal, anyone could understand.
However, Xie Jinglan suddenly took two steps forward, so fast that even Ji Zizhao could not keep up.
He abruptly grabbed her slender wrist and pulled her back.
Ji Zizhao instinctively raised her leg to kick his shin, but he agilely dodged.
Taking advantage of her attempt to attack again, he turned with her, pinning her against the window, while his long legs clamped down on her legs that were eager to move again.
In the blink of an eye, Ji Zizhao was trapped in his strong arms, unable to move.