The guard at the city gate went in to announce. Soon he came back trotting, followed by Jiang Yaoji. "Jiang Yin, you've actually come to see me," she said.
Jiang Yin saw her beaming face and tightened his fists. "Yes, I've come to see you."
"I'll take you in." Jiang Yaoji grabbed his hand. The gentle and delicate touch of the girl's wrist made Jiang Yin feel a faint burning sensation. His heart was filled with indescribable feelings.
"Okay." This time, Jiang Yin held her hand tightly.
"Jiang Yin, why is your hand so cold?"
"I'm born with a cold constitution."
"Jiang Yin, will you leave again after this visit?"
"I've always been a wanderer. It's hard to say."
"Jiang Yin, I was wrong before, but I've turned over a new leaf. You won't despise me, will you?"
"No."
Jiang Yin answered all of Jiang Yaoji's questions. Under the setting sun, their shadows were closely nestled together.
Jiang Yaoji was now living with her brother in the Xiling Clan's mansion. When the Xiling Clan withdrew from Jin City, they took their servants with them, but the common people in the city didn't move away.
Jiang Yaoji personally prepared a room for Jiang Yin. Jiang Yansui watched his sister fussing over Jiang Yin and felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Alright, brother, don't stay here. What if you two start arguing later?"
"You've got a man, so you're tired of your brother?"
"Of course not. I'm just afraid you'll quarrel."
"Fine, fine, I'll go. Is that okay?"
Jiang Yansui was just about to reach the door when he bumped into Jiang Yin.
Jiang Yaoji didn't even dare to breathe, fearing they would fight. Fortunately, Jiang Yansui just glared at Jiang Yin and swaggered off.
Seeing this, Jiang Yaoji felt even more guilty towards Jiang Yin. "I'm sorry. My brother means no harm."
"It's okay. I'll try to avoid him." Jiang Yin came with a purpose and felt uneasy. He gently comforted Jiang Yaoji.
Just like this, the two people with their own agendas stared at each other in silence.
"It's late. I'll go back first." Jiang Yaoji stood up and walked out of the room.
"Yaoji!" Jiang Yin called out her name from behind. Jiang Yaoji stopped but didn't turn back.
"If I said for you to let go of your obsession and hatred and leave here with me, would you?"
"But I can't turn back. This obsession has taken root too deeply. It's ingrained in my flesh and blood. It won't end until I'm dead."
After saying that, Jiang Yaoji left resolutely. Something in Jiang Yin's heart shattered. He understood that everything was already set in stone. They were all trapped in this situation. Who could escape?
In the prison cell, Qi Jingyue was lost in thought, looking at the skylight on the top of the cell. After being captured for so many days, she could clearly feel that the atmosphere in the mansion was different today. It was as if something had been thrown into a stagnant pond, and the water had come to life. The people here were obviously less tense than before.
"Has Jiang Yin's status risen so much all of a sudden?"
"Who knows? Fortune really does take turns."
"I heard that Miss Jiang Yaoji has taken a fancy to him. He's just a coward who relies on women. There's nothing to be proud of."
Hearing the low whispers of the guards outside, Qi Jingyue rolled her eyes and leaned against the corner of the wall.
In the dead of night, Jiang Yin climbed through the window into the yard. He stealthily made his way to the prison cell, knocked out the guard outside. Although Qi Jingyue woke up when she heard the noise, she still kept her eyes closed, her heart pounding.
She felt the person approaching her. She could even hear his breathing. Just then, Qi Jingyue opened her eyes and attacked the person immediately, but was subdued by Jiang Yin in one move.
"Let go of me." Qi Jingyue struggled desperately, but the man's hand was like a pair of iron pincers.
"Tomorrow at the Hour of the Boar, I'll drug them and take you away."
"Who are you? Did my father send you?" Qi Jingyue stopped struggling and looked at him curiously.
"Who I am doesn't matter. If you want to live, just obey me obediently."
After saying that, Jiang Yin disappeared from the prison cell in an instant. He came today just to test the waters, find out where Qi Jingyue was imprisoned, and inform her, fearing that she wouldn't be prepared and cooperate tomorrow.
The next evening, Jiang Yin drugged the prison guards and successfully took Qi Jingyue out.
Ji Yunxi and the others had been waiting for them at the appointed place for a long time. "Thank you, Jiang Yin," Ji Yunxi said.
"You're welcome. Don't forget our agreement."
After saying that, Jiang Yin bid farewell and left. Ji Yunxi sighed faintly. She was going to disappoint Jiang Yin this time.
Everyone returned to the Ji Mansion. As soon as Feng Xingzhi got back, he ordered Qing Xuan and Lu Shu to act and cut off Jiang Yaoji's food supplies.
The next morning, Ji Yunxi, Feng Xingzhi and the others were discussing something. They were stunned when they saw Qi Jingyue outside the door. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, Jingyue came today specifically to thank you."
Feng Xingzhi continued to look at the military intelligence in his hand and said indifferently, "You should thank Yunxi. If it weren't for her, Jiang Yin wouldn't have agreed to help rescue you."
Hearing her address Ji Yunxi so affectionately, Qi Jingyue reluctantly said, "Thank you, Princess."
Ru Shou, who was standing beside Ji Yunxi, felt indignant on her behalf and questioned Qi Jingyue, "Is this how you treat your savior?"
Qi Jingyue didn't say a word. The Lord of the Xiling Clan, knowing Ru Shou's status in the Xuanyuan Clan, quickly apologized, "The girl is stubborn by nature. I hope you'll forgive her." Then he immediately pulled Qi Jingyue away.
At this time, the Xiling Mansion in Jin City was in a complete mess. Jiang Yaoji and Jiang Yansui flew into a rage when they found that Qi Jingyue was missing.
"Master, we've searched everywhere, but we can't find Young Master Jiang Yin."
Hearing this, Jiang Yansui flew into a rage. "My silly sister. I've told you that this man can't be trusted, but you didn't listen to me."
Jiang Yaoji stared at him in disbelief, forcing herself to calm down. "Brother, it's all a misunderstanding. He may have gone out. He wouldn't..." Jiang Yaoji trembled all over and couldn't speak.
"Alas, Yaoji, don't let a man cloud your mind." After saying that, Jiang Yansui left, leaving Jiang Yaoji alone.
Jiang Yaoji rushed to the room she had prepared for Jiang Yin. Everything was still there, but the bed was cold, and there was no sign of Jiang Yin.
"Jiang Yin, come out!"
"Come out! You liar. How could you do this to me? You said you wouldn't despise me. Liar, big liar!"
Jiang Yaoji shouted until she was exhausted. She sat down on the spot, tears streaming down her face. When Jiang Yin asked her if she was willing to let go of everything that day, she had a premonition that she and Jiang Yin were destined to be apart in this life.
"Report."
"What now?" Jiang Yansui was in a bad mood and snapped.
"Our supplies have been cut off by Ji Yunxi and the others."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"We just found out."
"Got it. Send someone to accompany me to check the grain reserves in Jin City." With that, Jiang Yansui walked out, taking his trusted followers with him.
It was already afternoon when they finished checking the grain. Jiang Yansui looked unhappy. There was only enough grain for less than half a month. He sat straight on the chair, thinking that they couldn't just sit there waiting for death. He decided to take Jiang Yaoji and flee first.