The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

Wei Jun went away for several days but did not return.

Several nannies were still doing their daily shopping when one of the thoughtful nannies noticed Qi Yunli's worry.

"Miss, don't worry, the young master may be busy these days."

"The young master cherishes you dearly and would never forget you."

Qi Yunli: "..."

That's not what she's worried about now; what she's worried about is whether Wei Ruowei can be released.

These old women each had their own duties to attend to every day, but each time one of them would take turns talking to Qi Yunli.

Qi Yunli's wounds have healed a lot and she can walk normally, but it is still a bit difficult for her to run away.

Wei Ruowei is currently under house arrest by the old lady because of her, and she can't just sit idly by; she has to at least try her best.

"Miss Qi, something's happened!" Xie Dongpo ran over.

He hadn't seen anyone for several days, which was very strange.

"After Nian'an returned to the Marquis's residence, she was immediately detained by the old lady, and the entire residence was filled with guards."

"Except for Nian'an going to court, the old lady doesn't allow him to step out of the Marquis's residence at all, not even the main courtyard!"

"How could that be?" Qi Yunli feigned composure: "The old lady dotes on Wei Jun the most. Even if she's angry, she would never do anything to provoke him."

She was actually a little guilty.

"The reason I haven't been able to come and inform you these past few days is because the old lady has even sent people to follow me," Xie Dongpo sighed.

Meanwhile, at the Hou Mansion's Jingchen Courtyard.

Ru Feng was locked in the woodshed, eating porridge and steamed buns every day, and became very thin.

Wei Jun was playing the zither in the courtyard. The melodious music was melodious, and his skills were already quite proficient.

The old lady, who had just stepped outside the courtyard, stopped in her tracks, tightened her grip on the nanny's hand, and looked at the complex emotions in her eyes.

"Nian An".

The two, grandfather and grandson, were not far apart. Wei Jun pretended not to hear and continued playing the zither.

"Don't blame your grandmother. Has that woman come to visit you even once in the past few days?"

The music suddenly stopped.

"Grandmother is joking. With five or six guards surrounding her grandson, even a female fly wouldn't be able to get close enough, let alone a person!"

The old lady felt a chill run down her spine from his sarcastic tone.

"During your breaks from court, I can't stop people from watching you from afar."

The old lady composed herself. "This title of Marquis of Dingyuan was earned by your own parents with their lives on the battlefield. You broke your engagement and had an affair with someone else beforehand. Aren't you afraid the Emperor will use this as an excuse to retaliate?"

"Grandmother, you've held onto the title of Marquis of Dingyuan for most of your life, and what have you gotten in return?" Wei Jun asked with a mocking look in his eyes.

"For the sake of prestige, your grandson has become your puppet."

"You!" The old lady was so angry her blood was boiling. "You better understand! What she likes is your power, but with you imprisoned, she won't risk her life for you!"

……

The imperial street was bustling with carriages and horses, and Wei Jun's shadow stretched long in the distance.

Dressed in dark court robes, his back was ramrod straight, a jade belt cinched at his waist, a sight that evoked the phrase—

The people on Mo are like jade, and the son is unparalleled in the world.

However, he stood in the middle of the long street, watching from afar through the figures of the guards.

The words, "She wouldn't risk her life," still echoed in my ears.

"Young Master, let's go, it's time to return to the manor," a guard reminded him from the side.

Wei Jun walked slowly, step by step, while many figures came and went on both sides of the street.

There were women in plain-colored cloth dresses, women carrying bamboo baskets, and women leaning against the wall, secretly peeking at him.

Any resemblance in strength or weakness in the outline could make his heart tremble slightly, but upon closer inspection, all that remained was disappointment.

Oh well, it's better that he didn't come.

No matter when or where, it's enough that she can protect herself.

He can handle his own affairs; she doesn't need to worry about him.

Wei Jun consoled himself in this way.

As the evening breeze grew cooler, Wei Jun raised his hand to pull his clothes tighter, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over a large tree.

The tree trunk was thick, but its shadow swayed, and a figure huddled behind it, peeking out with his eyes looking at him.

Ah Li.

He shouted it out in his heart.

Wei Jun stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. The old woman hadn't come out with her, probably worried that she would be too conspicuous.

But what if she herself runs away?

The guards seemed to sense something was wrong, and Wei Jun regained his composure, intending to continue to ignore the situation and leave.

But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of two dark figures darting out from the street corner and rushing toward the back of the tree with lightning speed.

Before the figure behind the tree could react, one person grabbed her arm and another covered her mouth, pulling the slender figure out from behind the tree.

"Ah Li!"

Wei Jun's heart tightened, and he called out from afar.

Six guards surrounded him, blocking his view.

"Young Master, the Old Madam said you must return to the manor immediately after court!"

Wei Jun gritted his teeth, with the surrounding people watching, and could only walk quickly back to the Marquis's residence.

Qi Yunli, with her eyes and nose covered, couldn't breathe, so she could only close her eyes and pretend to faint.

She was taken to a secluded little room, where her hands and feet were tied so she couldn't move.

Zhao's voice rang out: "This little girl is quite valuable. This one job will ensure she's set for life."

"We should keep the profits within the family; this deal is most suitable for us."

Qi Fu responded, and the two men's lewd laughter was particularly deafening in the narrow space.

"I'll give you whatever money you want, just let me go."

Qi Yunli opened her eyes and said calmly.

Zhao and Qi Fu exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

"How much money could you possibly have staying at someone else's house?"

"We'll take you back then, sell you to some old hag, and make another fortune!"

Originally, I wanted to take her away from the capital.

"Who wouldn't want more money?" Qi Yunli interjected. "My hands and feet are tied, where can I go? Every little bit helps, don't you think?"

Zhao didn't want to go through too much trouble and repeatedly refused, but Qi Fu had wicked ideas.

"or……"

"The carriage will be here soon. If we don't get on the road and leave, they won't let us go."

Zhao glared at him fiercely.

"I really don't want to waste the silver notes I've worked so hard to save..." Qi Yunli closed her eyes in anguish, "A thousand silver notes."

Upon hearing this, Zhao hesitated and became uncertain.

Qi Fu became even more anxious: "When the people arrive, I'll pretend to have a stomachache. You take the men to get the silver notes first."

Zhao was annoyed when she kicked Qi Yunli in the stomach.

"Tell me quickly, where are the silver notes?"

"I've been living in a small courtyard in Beijing for a while now."

Fearing that Qi Yunli might try something, Zhao pressed a dagger against Qi Yunli's neck.

Qi Yunli was half-pushed and half-dragged as she walked. Her feet were numb from being tied with hemp rope, and she staggered as she walked.

Sure enough, people came from outside. Qi Fu clutched his stomach and went to hold them off.

Still not entirely at ease, Zhao covered Qi Yunli's head with a black cloth, leaving only her eyes exposed to help her find her way.

"Walk!"

"Don't try any tricks. Taking a detour won't work. If I find out you're stalling for time, I won't hesitate to slash your neck and disfigure you!"

Qi Yunli's palms were sweaty.

She could only stall for time, hoping that the old women in the courtyard could go out and inform Xie Dongpo to come and rescue her.

But is it too late?

If the nanny were to make a sound, she would die by Zhao's dagger.

As soon as the two approached the courtyard, a cold arrow suddenly shot straight from the wall and pierced Zhao's right hand.

The dagger clattered to the ground.

"Ah Li!"

Wei Jun walked out of the courtyard, ran straight out, and hugged her.