Ji Rong looked at Meng Xiao's features, finally resting on his eyes, and said, "You will face mortal danger soon. Be careful of those around you."
If these words had come from anyone else, Meng Xiao would have dismissed them as boasting or an attempt to swindle him.
But the person standing before him was Ji Rong.
Countless people in the world craved Ji Rong's pronouncements.
Meng Xiao’s expression immediately sobered. He took the warning to heart. "Thank you."
Ji Rong watched Meng Xiao walk away.
Just as he was about to turn back, the door he had closed opened behind him. Qin Yiqing's small face, flushed with drink, poked out. "Ji Rong, why did you come out?"
Ji Rong smiled faintly. "I heard some noise outside and came to see."
"Quick, come back and help me. I don't know what's gotten into Ruan Xi today, his tolerance for alcohol has skyrocketed! Without your help, I can't outdrink him. I absolutely cannot let him surpass me in drinking!" Qin Yiqing was fiercely competitive when it came to alcohol.
Ji Rong's smile turned indulgent. He wrapped an arm around Qin Yiqing's waist and walked back in, saying, "Alright, I'll help you."
Ruan Xi, with his sharp hearing, caught their words. He grumbled, "Are you two ganging up on me? What kind of heroes are you?"
"I'm no hero. Besides, Ji Rong is my man. If he doesn't help me, who else would he help?"
"Ji Rong is my friend!"
"Is a friend the same as a wife?"
"You!"
...
As Yun Shu and her party left the General's mansion, they were immediately followed.
Eyes were upon them from all directions.
Yun Changfeng, seeing this from within the carriage, his face turned cold. "These people have quite a bit of nerve."
Zhan Xiaoli looked earnestly at Yun Changfeng. "Grandfather, I can feel their presence. They've been lurking around the General's mansion for a long time."
Yun Changfeng smiled gently. "Yes, Grandfather understands."
"Are they really following us?" Yun Xiaojing asked, bewildered.
They were just out for a stroll, buying fun things and eating delicious food. Why would anyone follow them? It was ruining their good mood.
Zhan Xiaofeng asked, "Where are they? Can I poison them so they can't follow?"
As he spoke, he began rummaging through his own belongings for poison powder, looking for something potent.
Yun Changfeng looked at them, finding them increasingly endearing. He thought that if anyone dared to harm his grandchildren, he would make them regret it.
However, with him present, harming his grandchildren under his nose was out of the question!
Yun Shu also looked at them with a gentle gaze. "It's normal for people to watch our every move. Let them."
But today, there seemed to be more observers than usual?
And many of them were clearly masters.
Yun Shu's heart stirred, and her gaze swept outwards.
She subtly scanned several locations.
At that moment, those who were hidden and trailing the carriage ahead suddenly felt a sense of danger.
It was a feeling akin to facing a formidable enemy.
They had been discovered!
Their concealment was impeccable, and tracking was their specialty. Anyone they chose to follow remained unaware. It was impossible for them to be found so accurately.
Moreover, to be made to feel such danger.
For a moment, they couldn't be sure if it was just their imagination.
As a few of the Shadow Guard from the Assassination Palace doubted themselves, the carriage ahead had already disappeared into the distance.
With no time to ponder further, they refocused and quickly resumed their pursuit.
...
An hour later.
Having bought and played with everything they desired, the group entered a teahouse.
The teahouse was crowded.
The aroma of tea filled the air.
The tea snacks were also exquisite.
The three little ones' eyes lit up at the smell. They were hungry from playing!
"You must all be hungry. What do you want to eat? Tell your grandfather, and he'll order it all for you," Yun Changfeng said with a beaming smile to his three grandsons.
He felt a deep contentment. He would buy them whatever they wanted!
Wasn't the wealth he had accumulated over half his life meant for this very moment? To be able to afford whatever his grandsons desired?
"Grandfather, I want chicken legs."
"I want that pastry!"
"I want that..."
"Alright, alright, the waiter has noted it all down. You'll have it soon!" Yun Changfeng relayed all their requests to the waiter.
Yun Shu sat down and took a sip of tea.
Before she had taken two sips, the waiter returned with another pot of tea, stating that the previous tea had been sitting for a while and its flavor had been affected. This was freshly brewed.
Other newly arrived customers also had their tea replaced after being seated.
Yun Shu poured herself another cup. As she drank, her gaze flickered towards the distance.
Simultaneously, she quietly murmured, "The tea has been tampered with."
Upon hearing this, the elder and the three youngsters all lost their smiles.
Zhan Xiaofeng, who enjoyed studying poisons, immediately cupped his teacup. The aroma of the tea hit his nose. To anyone, it smelled like excellent tea, and it was hard to imagine any tampering.
Indeed, Zhan Xiaofeng couldn't detect anything by smelling.
He, who was usually immune to all poisons, bravely took a small sip, but still couldn't discern any issue.
His handsome little face creased.
To him, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the tea.
Seeing Zhan Xiaofeng's pleading eyes, she smiled. "I'll tell you how to detect it when we get back."
The little one's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously. Great! Mother would teach him, and he would definitely not disappoint her tonight. He would study hard and learn well.
"Then now..." Yun Changfeng felt thirsty and looked at the tea in his hand, hesitant.
Yun Shu smiled. "It's fine to drink."
With Yun Shu's assurance, Yun Changfeng drank with relief, taking large gulps.
Beside him, A'cha and Jing Heng also drank their tea with confidence.
Yun Shu had not disguised herself for this outing, traveling openly. As a result, she attracted many glances.
Patrons in the teahouse occasionally glanced her way.
Then they would whisper amongst themselves.
The tea and dishes in this teahouse were not expensive, hence the crowd.
The three little ones were accustomed to people commenting on their appearance and paid no mind.
They ate the food that was served, one dish after another.
Perhaps it was from playing all afternoon, but soon, the three little ones were full.
At this moment, a voice suddenly cut through the air, laced with surprise.
"Princess Ye?"
Yun Shu looked up and, upon seeing who it was, her eyes flickered slightly.
"Princess Ye might not remember me. I am Qin Linglong from the Minister's mansion. We met at the palace banquet a couple of days ago." Qin Linglong bowed gracefully to Yun Shu and then introduced herself unhurriedly.
Yun Shu smiled faintly. "Miss Qin."
From a distance at the palace banquet, Qin Linglong saw Yun Shu up close now and was greatly struck.
No wonder the marketplaces had been buzzing with exclamations of Princess Ye's beauty these past few days.
However.
Amidst the widespread praise, though she felt a pang of jealousy, a thought also surfaced: why did she feel like she had met Princess Ye before?