Occasionally, the chirping of cicadas could be heard outside the window. Ji Yuchen rolled out of bed and exchanged a glance with Feng Xingzhi, who had been sitting on one side in the darkness.
The two slipped out of the room silently and headed in the direction of the warehouse.
The big fire had been completely extinguished, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt charcoal.
"Shall we just go in and take a look?"
Seeing Ji Yuchen reaching for a fire starter, Feng Xingzhi immediately grabbed his hand. "Don't use this. The fire has just been put out. Lighting it up now might cause it to flare up again."
"But if we don't use it, it's pitch - black and we won't be able to see anything."
"Use this." Saying so, he took out a glowing night pearl from his bosom. The pearl sparkled in the dim light.
The two bent down and walked into the warehouse. There was a fragrant smell of cooked grains inside.
As they walked deeper, besides the grains, there were also many well - preserved vegetables like radishes and cabbages.
"It seems that this place is full of grains indeed."
Feng Xingzhi nodded. "There's no smell of saltpeter in this warehouse at all. There mustn't have been gunpowder or anything like that stored here before."
Not finding anything abnormal, the two silently returned to their courtyard.
Everything had settled down. When Ji Yunxi woke up, it was already the next day.
After breakfast, watching the King and Queen of Rui leave, Ji Yunxi pulled Feng Xingzhi aside.
"Azhi, I forgot to ask you last night. After you took action against Ji Yuyan, it's probably impossible to hide your spiritual power and cultivation anymore. What are you going to do?"
Looking at her anxious little face, Feng Xingzhi reached out and tucked a wisp of her long hair behind her ear. "It's okay. It's almost time anyway. I'll have to expose this sooner or later."
"Will the emperor think that you deliberately concealed it from him?"
Her concern was reasonable. After all, he was the emperor. Even if he doted on Feng Xingzhi, he might still have some reservations.
"It's okay. I didn't say anything before because my skills were not good enough and I didn't have enough strength. Now that I can protect you, there's no need to hide it anymore." When he said this, his eyes were full of tenderness, making Ji Yunxi blush.
"However, Xixi is right. I should tell the emperor about this."
Ji Yunxi sighed helplessly. "Actually, you should have told the emperor about this earlier. He has always been very concerned about you."
Feng Xingzhi smiled faintly. "You're right. But before, the situation was fraught with danger. I didn't dare to tell him for fear of implicating him."
Ji Yunxi looked at him and thought it was quite funny. It was really interesting that the Feng family member had become the emperor. The brotherly affection was so strong, a scene rarely seen even in ordinary official families but fully demonstrated in the royal family.
"How was the situation you checked last night?"
"As expected."
Ji Yunxi understood what he meant. There was nothing wrong with the warehouse.
She reached out and patted Feng Xingzhi's arm. "That's good. Maybe it really wasn't the King of Rui. Let's wait. Maybe Qing Xuan will have news soon."
Unfortunately, before she could get news from Qing Xuan, Lu Shu showed up again.
Ji Yunxi thought it was news about the military supplies, but Lu Shu stood at her door looking rather helpless.
"Master, look who's here."
He stepped aside, and a familiar figure suddenly appeared.
"Long time no see, Yunxi."
Li Jiuge leaned out and smiled sheepishly.
Ji Yunxi shook her head helplessly. "I knew it."
Li Jiuge flattered her by hugging her arm and quickly hid in Ji Yunxi's room. "Oh, Yunxi, let me in quickly. I can't be seen by your brother. Otherwise, he'll send me back!"
"Not only your brother, but I also want to send you back!" Although Ji Yunxi said so, she still tidied up Li Jiuge's clothes. "How did you run out?"
Li Jiuge looked shocked. "How could I tell you that?! I'm not stupid. If I tell you, you'll tell Ji Yuchen, and Ji Yuchen will tell Feng Jiangming. How can I run out next time?"
"You little girl! Can you just call the emperor by his name?!" Ji Yunxi reached out and flicked her forehead.
"Why can't I? I even want to scold him!" When Li Jiuge mentioned Feng Jiangming, her expression changed, and she immediately showed anger. "He's a bad guy!"
Ji Yunxi quickly covered her mouth. "Alright, stop talking nonsense. What on earth happened? Hurry up and tell me!"
Li Jiuge frowned. "Actually, it's just that... many court officials want me to marry the eldest son of General Ye Minghua to show the emperor's grace."
"Ye Minghua?"
"Yes. There was no sign at all before. Suddenly, someone proposed it in court and said that I'm not young anymore. Humph! Ji Yuchen isn't young either..."
As soon as she said it, she blushed and held back the rest of the words.
"Actually, the emperor didn't say that I must marry, but he's in a difficult position. I don't want to see him unhappy, so I..."
Ji Yunxi helped her finish the sentence. "So you ran away?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm not a girl who stays in the boudoir all day. They must not be willing to marry me, so I don't have to!"
After hearing this, Ji Yunxi pouted. Li Jiuge seemed to be deeply loved and willful, but she was also sensible.
It seemed that Feng Jiangming probably turned a blind eye to Li Jiuge's escape. Otherwise, how could Li Jiuge have run out so easily.
Li Jiuge whispered, "Yunxi, what should I do? Should I just hide here forever?"
"Otherwise? I can't send you back, can I?"
Li Jiuge immediately exclaimed, "Ah! Yunxi, you're the best!"
"Alright, alright! But I have to ask you something."
"Go ahead!"
Ji Yunxi suddenly looked serious. "Jiuge, do you like my elder brother?"
Li Jiuge was suddenly rooted to the spot and couldn't say a word for a while. "I, I... Yunxi, don't ask anymore..."
The two fell silent all of a sudden and didn't know what to say. Ji Yunxi knew that Li Jiuge didn't have the right to choose.
Just as they were talking, there was a knock on the door. Without any defense, Ji Yunxi opened the door. It was Ji Yuchen.
Li Jiuge was so scared that she tried to hide, but unfortunately, she was still seen by Ji Yuchen.
Anger welled up in him immediately. "Li Jiuge!"
Ji Yunxi quickly tugged at his sleeve. "Brother! Don't be so harsh on her. She came here because she was worried about you and wanted to see you."
Ji Yuchen couldn't tell what he was feeling. He just had a dark face.
Seeing this, Ji Yunxi whispered again, "Jiuge was forced to marry by the court officials. They forced her to marry the eldest son of Ye Minghua. It's likely that the emperor tacitly approved of her leaving this time."
Hearing about the forced marriage, Ji Yuchen was a little surprised. He was silent for a moment and then sighed.
"Alright, I understand. Jiuge, come out. I won't be harsh on you."
Only then did Li Jiuge timidly come out, looking at him with red - rimmed eyes.
Her look made Ji Yuchen feel heartache. He wanted to reach out and stroke her head but held back.
"Come with me. Let's talk."