When Lu Yunqi appeared, everyone on the street fled instantly. Those standing afar observing discreetly now saw the scene unfold, their expressions turning tense.
Although they hadn't caught what Lu Yunqi and Miss Jun had said earlier, Zhu Zan's shout was faintly heard by everyone.
"Could it be that Miss Jun has been swayed by Thousand-Man Commander Lu?"
"Impossible."
"The Lord Heir is jealous and furious."
Low whispers broke out among the crowd.
Miss Jun, of course, didn't think, as others speculated, that Zhu Zan was jealous.
His gaze ignored her, merely reminding her that he too could do it.
Miss Jun looked at Zhu Zan, her expression hesitating.
He indeed could do it, but…
"You cannot," Lu Yunqi said.
Zhu Zan grabbed Miss Jun's wrist with one hand and pointed at Lu Yunqi with the other.
"Get lost." His brows furrowed, voice heavy, "Do you really want to gamble whether I can kill you or not?"
Lu Yunqi had said this very line earlier.
From the moment they entered the capital, the two had clashed twice, neither bothering to conceal their intent to kill. However, both understood this was hardly the moment to carry out an execution.
Each had their own concerns.
But humans are beings with both reason and emotion. Should emotions override reason, they might truly act on impulse—even if it meant killing the other in a burst of rage.
"I'm not afraid of you killing me," Lu Yunqi said, his gaze shifting back to Miss Jun. "I'm afraid that if you kill me, it will make things difficult for her."
With those words, he turned and walked away.
"Think it over. Come find me anytime."
That sentence, of course, was directed at Miss Jun.
Miss Jun watched his retreating figure, her expression complicated.
Zhu Zan reached out and pushed her head to turn her toward him.
"What are you staring at? What's so interesting?" he barked.
Miss Jun no longer tried to turn back but merely responded with a subdued "Hm" and lowered her head, her docility oddly infuriating.
With a swing of his sleeve, Zhu Zan strode off.
The moment Chen Qi and Fang Jinxiu, who had locked Liu'er inside to prevent her from causing trouble, released her, she rushed out.
"Miss!" She cried out, both angry and anxious, sprinting toward her. "Are you alright?"
Miss Jun raised her head and smiled softly, patting her head.
"I'm fine, it's alright," she said.
.........…
.........
"Found out."
By noon, Manager Liu and Chen Qi hurried over, not bothering to sit before Manager Liu spoke.
Miss Jun, who was about to eat with the others, quickly stood up.
"What's going on? What illness? Why so sudden?" Fang Jinxiu urgently asked.
"It's not an illness," Chen Qi dismissed with a wave of his hand.
Not an illness?
Was it an injury?
Was it Lu Yunqi who hurt Jiurong?
Miss Jun's clenched hands tightened further.
"It's evil spirit trouble," Manager Liu explained, his expression complicated.
Evil spirits? What on earth?
Fang Jinxiu was stunned, while Miss Jun's face froze briefly before she recalled something.
"It wasn't done by Lu Yunqi," she murmured, her expression turning complex.
Nor was it deliberately targeted at her.
Knowing it wasn't an illness relieved her slightly, yet overwhelming anger and sorrow surged within her.
Her Jiurong, living neither as man nor ghost, was now dragged out as a tool to grant them fame and respect.
Indeed, it was evil spirit trouble. A person who should have been Crown Prince, Emperor, reduced to such a pitiful state.
She slowly sat down, her head once more lowering.
Meanwhile, within the Lu Mansion, the news of Lu Yunqi's return prompted Princess Jiuli, who typically remained seated, indifferent to all, to rise quickly and stride toward the entrance.
"Jiurong, he…" she asked, her expression calm as always, though her voice betrayed a hint of urgency.
"His Highness is fine," Lu Yunqi replied.
When it came to Lu Yunqi's words, Princess Jiuli trusted him. This man, whether in good or evil deeds, never lied; for him, lies were unnecessary.
"Then what about the evil spirit issue?" Jiuli asked. "Is it a nightmare?"
"No," Lu Yunqi replied. "There's nothing at all."
Jiuli looked at him, her expression tinged with confusion.
"Baseless rumors," Lu Yunqi said, pausing briefly. "Spread by Huang Cheng's people."
Huang Cheng?
Huang Cheng's faction permeated the court, with numerous Prince Mansion officials among them.
But unlike other Prince Mansions, Prince Huai's mansion lacked such officials; it was entirely controlled by Lu Yunqi, and no news about Prince Huai could spread without his consent.
Unless the Emperor permitted it.
Jiuli gazed at Lu Yunqi, a whirlwind of surprise, doubt, and unease flashing through her eyes before they settled into calm resignation.
Evil spirits or otherwise, life and death were just a matter of one command. What was there to be shocked about?
She must have been living too comfortably lately, forgetting who she truly was.
Jiuli chuckled softly, turning back toward the mansion.
"It isn't targeted at Prince Huai," Lu Yunqi said from behind her. "You don't need to worry."
Jiuli did not stop walking.
"I'm not worried," she replied, not turning her head. "What's there to worry about?"
What use was worrying?
Should she, like Jiuling, recklessly perish with someone?
At this thought, she abruptly stopped.
That girl—where was she?
She thought inexplicably.
"Are you trying to force her hand?" she turned to ask.
Lu Yunqi looked at her.
"Do you truly believe this matter could corner her?" he asked.
Believe?
Yes, why did she inexplicably feel that Prince Huai's safety could pressure her? She was a person unconnected to them entirely.
Princess Jiuli clenched her fists.
"Because she's a good person," she said.
Lu Yunqi smirked.
"One person's feeling could be wrong. Two people's could also be wrong. But if three all feel the same way, it seems this feeling isn't mistaken," he said. "This matter was never intended for her, but now, to me, it's entirely about her."
He raised his hand then.
"Someone come."
A Jinyiwei immediately stepped inside, bowed, and answered.
"Do not allow Duke of Chengguo's heir, Zhu Zan, to step foot into Prince Huai's mansion—no matter the cost," Lu Yunqi commanded, turning his head toward the soldier.
The Jinyiwei bowed in affirmation, lowering his head as he exited.
Princess Jiuli had already turned back and walked closer.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" she asked.
Lu Yunqi shook his head toward her.
"Not 'you.'" He replied. "I am only I. I simply intend to coerce that girl. As for the others, perhaps it's merely their gesture of goodwill to the Duke of Chengguo."
For Duke of Chengguo?
Jiuli paused briefly, then let out a bitter laugh.
"Surely they don't think Duke of Chengguo is a loyalist to my father?" she mused.
"Whether he is or isn't—testing will reveal," Lu Yunqi replied.
........
.......
As dusk settled, more details came to light.
"It's said evil spirits entered the miasma, and Prince Huai must be sent to the Imperial Mausoleum, where the ancestors' protection will ensure he is safe," Manager Liu reported in a soft voice. "This is the latest news spreading from court."
Miss Jun sat in silence, holding a teacup, seemingly lost in thought.
"The task is entrusted to a servant of a Cabinet minister. It's certain, and the matter will be discussed in tomorrow's court meeting," Chen Qi added.
Miss Jun snapped out of her daze and shook her head.
"The news is real. Once it's spread, it's meant to be known. They won't keep it hidden," she said.
Chen Qi sighed.
"Prince Huai is truly pitiful," he remarked. "The Imperial Mausoleum is nothing like the Prince Mansion. He's just a young child—apparently, he won't even be allowed to bring his usual attendants with him."
At this, his eyes twitched.
"Why can't he be tolerated?"
He murmured so softly it was barely audible.
But everyone in the room still caught it. They understood what he meant: the Emperor refused to tolerate Prince Huai's existence, finally aiming to expel him from the capital. Eventually, under the pretext of unresolved evil spirits, he could die outside, and it'd be dismissed as insignificant.
Though they heard him, the weight of his words was too heavy to address, so they pretended not to.
"It's not just about Prince Huai," Miss Jun said, raising her head. "They also want to see who will oppose them, who still aligns with the former Crown Prince's loyalists."
Manager Liu and Chen Qi exchanged a glance, their hearts leaping.
Duke of Chengguo.
The thought struck them simultaneously.
"Has the Lord Heir returned?" Fang Jinxiu suddenly asked.
Manager Liu and Chen Qi's hearts skipped again, instinctively turning to Miss Jun.
Since Lu Yunqi had caused a scene, and Chen Qi went to gather information, Zhu Zan had also left to investigate and had yet to return.
Silence descended upon the room.