Ever since Ji Yeliu was sent back to Gusu City by Prince Yu, he had pleaded with his father. Then they went together to the Yanqiu Battlefield to be responsible for the subsequent cleanup.
On weekdays, he loved to visit pawnshops. From time to time, he would find some good items. He would surely buy them and just play with them for fun.
In Chengzhou, which had just been recovered, many refugees were looking for a place to settle down. He strolled casually on the street and comforted the passing refugees from time to time.
A few days ago, the imperial court bestowed rewards. Since he had made remarkable military achievements, the court appointed him as the garrison general of Chengzhou and temporarily put him in charge of the affairs of Chengzhou.
"Boss, please have mercy! This jade carving was picked up by this commoner at the border between Yanqiu and Daxia. It's not stolen!"
The pawnshop owner thought the old farmer didn't seem to be lying. "Here, I'll give you four taels of silver."
Ji Yeliu took a quick glance. Although he couldn't see clearly what the jade carving looked like, its quality was extremely good. "You, boss, are cheating people!"
"For such quality, you only offer four taels?"
The boss got impatient. "Get out of here. This is my pawnshop. What business is it of yours?" Ji Yeliu chuckled. "The whole of Chengzhou is under my jurisdiction. Do you think I have no say?"
The boss quickly knelt down. "General, please calm your anger!" He was a sensible man. This general was young, with clear and handsome features. He must be someone important.
Ji Yeliu picked up the jade carving and took a closer look. It faintly resembled Princess Yu!
His heart skipped a beat. "Where did you get this?" He had also been sending troops to look for the trace of Prince Yu. Since this jade carving looked so much like the princess, it might be related to Prince Yu.
Immediately, he took the old farmer away.
After asking him some questions, he rewarded the old farmer with a hundred taels of silver and kept the jade carving.
It was the woman in his dream. Ji Yeliu was becoming more and more convinced that Princess Yu was the woman in his dream.
Maybe she was also the woman in Yan Fei's heart.
He had consulted famous doctors and only then learned that twins often had a spiritual connection. No wonder Ji Yeliu had taken a fancy to Song Jinyu at first sight.
It was precisely because of Yan Fei.
She had placed Yan Fei's memorial tablet in the Song Family Ancestral Hall, which showed that the feelings between the senior - brother and junior - sister were very deep. Ji Yeliu sighed. "Since you can't protect her, then I'll do it for you."
"How about it? Any news?"
"General, a message came from the capital that the princess has left the city to look for the prince!"
She's coming in person? They are really deeply in love as husband and wife... Then she will surely come to Chengzhou, after all, this is the closest city to Yanqiu.
Fine. Let this general see what kind of person Yan Fei's junior - sister is.
"Princess, Chengzhou is right ahead!"
"It's getting dark now. I'm afraid we won't be able to enter the city!" Song Jinyu had been sleeping in the mountains and fields for several days. Niaoniao and Micui felt very sorry for her.
"Forget it..."
A group of people arrived at Chengzhou before it got completely dark. Unfortunately, the city gate had already been closed. Just as they were about to rest outside the city, who would have thought...
The city gate slowly opened. Ji Yeliu rode his horse over and immediately saw King Zhongzhou.
He lifted his robe and dismounted, then saluted. Ming Ruyi looked at him coldly. "General Ji, this is against the rules, isn't it?"
Although he also wanted to enter the city, without proper notice, it would be really against the rules to enter the city rashly. "This humble general heard that the king and Princess Yu were coming, so he naturally came out of the city to greet them."
Ji Yeliu's words were reasonable, and Ming Ruyi had nothing to say.
Hearing "General Ji" in the carriage, Song Jinyu knew it was that arrogant magistrate's son, Ji Yeliu.
He was also Yan Fei's twin brother.
"General Ji, there's no need for so much courtesy. Thank you!" The sweet and tired female voice made Ji Yeliu's heart tremble slightly. "Your Highness, you're too polite!"
Song Jinyu took a short rest in Chengzhou. Niaoniao served her to take a bath and change clothes. After days of traveling, her round face had become extremely thin, and her chin had become even more delicate and pointed. Only her eyes still carried a glimmer of hope.
Ming Ruyi looked at Ji Yeliu coldly. "She's extremely tired now. What do you want?"
Ji Yeliu pondered for a while. "It's certainly an important matter..." He was very strange. When Princess Yu was looking for someone, why was King Zhongzhou following her instead.
Rong Shuang'er came out to smooth things over. "Cousin... The princess is resting... If you have anything to say, you might as well tell me."
Ji Yeliu had no choice but to give her the green jade bead curtain and the jade carving together. And he instructed, "Be sure to show them to the princess and see if she is familiar with them?"
When Song Jinyu saw the green jade bead chain, she held it tightly. It was "hers", carved by Zhongli Mingye himself.
It was their token of love and also the item that Zhongli Mingye had taken before going on the expedition. "In this way, you'll be on my heart every day."
Tears dropped one by one, falling on the cold jade carving.
"Please invite General Ji!"
After Ji Yeliu came in, he saw Song Jinyu's red - rimmed eyes. He knew that this jade carving indeed belonged to Prince Yu. Ming Ruyi waved his folding fan and said slowly, "General Ji is really lucky!"
He glanced at the jade carving out of the corner of his eye. It was indeed nine - tenths similar to Song Jinyu.
"Thank you, General Ji. In the future, Jinyu will surely repay you handsomely!"
Song Jinyu got up and saluted. This great kindness was like saving her life. It was like a floating log for a drowning person.
Ji Yeliu quickly supported her.
"Yan Fei... He hopes you'll be happy." Mentioning Yan Fei, Song Jinyu felt even more sad.
This young general who looked so much like Yan Fei had helped her. Wasn't it, in a way, Yan Fei protecting her in the dark?
Ming Ruyi felt unhappy when he saw this and said, "So the princess and General Ji are old acquaintances?"
Knowing that Ming Ruyi didn't know Ji Yeliu's identity, Song Jinyu didn't explain much. Watching Ji Yeliu leave, her mind was slightly at ease.
Now that Zhongli Mingye's jade carving had been found, the clues were slowly becoming clear.
It was much better than searching aimlessly in Yanqiu.
Early the next morning, Song Jinyu regained a little spirit and was about to set off immediately. But Ming Ruyi suddenly "fell ill".
"In that case, King Zhongzhou will stay here to recuperate. I'll go first!" She ordered expressionlessly. "Shuang'er, stay and serve him."
Ah?
Rong Shuang'er was helpless. Ming Ruyi was extremely angry. "Don't you dare let this king die!" He had pretended to be ill today just to make Song Jinyu rest for a few more days.
But since getting the jade carving, Song Jinyu couldn't wait to set off overnight.
"I've said that once I find him, I'll surely offer the antidote."
Hearing this, Ji Yeliu suddenly realized that King Zhongzhou had not come here voluntarily. The look in his eyes when he looked at Song Jinyu was full of more curiosity.
She was really a bold woman.
"This king wants you to rest for one more day! In your weak state, if..." He couldn't go on.
Song Jinyu understood his good intentions. She felt guilty towards Ming Ruyi. So she didn't argue anymore.
She didn't want others to misunderstand.
"We'll set off tomorrow!"