Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

"Of course not!"

Mingyi stood up from the couch and said resolutely, "Besides, even if we don't become concubines, we can't stay in the clan's residence!"

The Zong family's ultimate fate was complete destruction along with the new emperor's ascension, and she didn't want to be tied to Zong Xian and end up being buried with him.

She has a bright future ahead of her and doesn't want to be treated like a toy, kept around and exploited at will.

Before long, Cuizhu, who was by Madam Yu's side, came to deliver a message, saying that Madam Yu had made all the arrangements.

Tonight at midnight, a carriage will be prepared at the northwest corner gate. They can get in the carriage and leave the city immediately for Qingzhou.

As for Ji Mingzhe, once Mingyi has settled in Qingzhou, the Yu family will send someone to take him to join them.

After saying that, Cuizhu left.

Back at Wutong Pavilion, Cuizhu said to Madam Yu, who was sitting in the pavilion enjoying the cool air, "I saw that both mistress and servants have packed their bags and are definitely planning to leave. Madam, just wait for them to take the bait."

Ji Mingyi caused her Lu Lang to refuse to see her again, and Madam Yu was so angry that she gritted her teeth, so naturally she had no good intentions.

Once they get into the carriage she arranged, tonight will be the night of Ji Mingyi's death!

A ruthless glint flashed in Yu's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

As long as Ji Mingyi steps out of the Zong Mansion tonight, she will make sure she never returns!

As for what happened next, Madam Yu wasn't worried at all. Old Madam Zong didn't value Ji Mingyi much either, and Zong Xian was only somewhat interested in her. Once she was dead, she was dead; no one would pursue the matter.

Furthermore, since Ji Mingyi wanted to run away and died in an accident, the Zong family would only think she was ungrateful and wouldn't care how she died.

Night fell quickly.

A gray-blue carriage stopped in the dark alley.

After a long while, the coachman was almost asleep when finally there was movement at the side gate.

"Why are you still here?"

It was Cuizhu, who was by Yu's side, who came.

The driver stretched, a roguish look on his face: "Nobody's here yet, am I supposed to drive an empty cart?"

Cui Zhu frowned, glanced at the sky that was about to brighten, and turned back.

"Aunt, Ji Mingyi did not leave the manor last night. The coachman waited all night but did not see her. She is still staying in Shuangxu Garden."

When Madam Yu got up and heard Cuizhu's report, her expression twisted for a moment, then she suddenly realized and let out a cold sneer:

"I knew it! Zong Xian must have promised her something in private when he took her back yesterday. She couldn't let go of the Zong family's wealth and decided to stay!"

Cuizhu thought so too, and she asked hesitantly, "Since she refuses to leave, what should we do next? Should we just let her go like this?"

Madam Yu sneered, "Let her go? How could that be? Ji Mingyi and I have never gotten along. If she really becomes the Second Master's favored concubine, how will I have a good life?"

Moreover, the thought that Ji Mingyi would be a head taller than her made Yu feel uncomfortable all over.

However, it wouldn't be easy to make a move within the clan's residence, as Lady Liu was still watching her closely, waiting for her to make a mistake.

Cuizhu remembered something and said, "Oh, right, Granny Wang said that yesterday, Miss Cousin rarely went out of the warm chamber, but unexpectedly she ran into Second Master. She even went up to him, said a few words, and then Second Master picked her up and took her away. She seemed quite proactive."

Madam Yu's face darkened. "I thought Ji Mingyi was a well-behaved and obedient person, but it turns out she's quite cunning. She really changed her mind!"

Suddenly, Madam Yu thought of something. "Isn't the old lady going to the temple to pray for blessings? Liu Wanruo will definitely go with her. Second Master has never cared about matters of the inner quarters. Once the old lady and that wretched woman Liu Wanruo are gone, it will be the perfect time to make our move."

Yu tapped her freshly painted fingers lightly on the armrest as a sinister plan gradually took shape in her mind.

"Doesn't Granny Wang have a mentally challenged son living in the manor? He has a face full of pimples and boils all over his body. Do you think the Second Master would still want Ji Mingyi if he defiled her?"

Cuizhu felt a chill run down her spine. Aunt Yu was truly ruthless. If Ji Mingyi were to be touched by that idiot, her life would be ruined.

-

When Mingyi returned to Shuangxu Garden, Madam Zong didn't say anything. The next day, she still sent her personal maid to deliver the prepared medicine on time.

The Yu family's side was quiet, with no movement.

On that same day, Mingyi received a letter from Xie Huaiyu.

The letter said he was on his way back to the capital and had already arrived in Qingzhou City. Originally, he did not plan to stop there, as he wanted to return to the capital as soon as possible to report on his work and to see her.

However, when Prefect Li of Qingzhou learned that he was passing through the area, he insisted on hosting a banquet to entertain him and sent people to invite him repeatedly, which he could not refuse.

Although Xie Huaiyu had not yet officially taken office at the local county government, and in terms of rank, it was far from the prefect's place to personally host a banquet to receive him, these officials were always very well-informed.

This Lord Li clearly coveted the power of the Zong family behind him and wanted to curry favor with Zong Xian by hosting him, which is why he treated a minor county magistrate who had not yet taken office so warmly and preferentially.

Xie Huaiyu himself understood the situation clearly, but felt quite helpless. However, such social engagements would inevitably take three to five days to resolve.

We can only stay in Qingzhou for now, and continue our journey after the social engagements are over.

After reading Xie Huaiyu's letter, Mingyi felt a sinking feeling in her heart.

It seems she won't be able to wait for Xie Huaiyu to return.

"Miss, is the young master coming back soon?" Yuegui asked.

"He's currently entertaining clients in Qingzhou, and we don't know when he'll return to the capital. Let's not wait for him in the capital; let's pack our bags and go to Qingzhou to find him."

At this point, if she were to sit idly by in the Zong family mansion and wait to die, she would be a fool.

Mingyi said, "Yuegui, go to the academy now and tell the headmaster that Ji Mingzhe is no longer studying there. Bring him back immediately."

Bailu Academy is the most prestigious academy in the entire Dayong Dynasty, a place that students from all over the world yearn for. Originally, A Zhe was not qualified to study there; he was only able to stay because of the Zongfu (a powerful clan).

Ah Zhe is just an insignificant figure. It would be easy to take him away; all you need to do is say hello to the headmaster.

Laurel nodded and left immediately.

Qingzhou Prefecture.

In the lotus pond pavilion, a young man dressed in blue, with a dignified and upright appearance, stood with his hands behind his back.

He was lost in thought, gazing at the koi swimming in the water.

The attendant stepped forward lightly and bowed, saying, "Lord Xie, the banquet in the manor is ready. Magistrates Chen and Cui from the same manor are already seated and waiting. Your Excellency, please come over there."