However, Jing Rong didn’t understand what else Marquis Kang could want from him other than an explanation.
That person also took the chance to continue speaking. “Your Highness, why don’t you just make the trip with us. This place is not far from the Marquis’s Estate and it is already so late. Your Highness is a noble personage and it’s not appropriate to rest overnight in the woods, amongst the wild animals. It would be terrible if something happened.”
When Tang Si heard that, she hurried forward and bumped lightly at Jing Rong’s shoulder, saying softly, “Why don’t we just go with them? Anyways the woods around here aren’t peaceful either – they’re filled with the stench of blood.” She covered her own nose with disdain.
Jing Rong immediately dodged away from the woman that had suddenly appeared beside him. Other than Ji Yunshu, he refused to even touch any other woman!
Mo Ruo used that moment to tug Tang Si towards himself. “Is your nose that sharp? We are camped next to the public road, quite a distance away from here. You can’t smell it.”
“But I just can smell it.”
This lass really has a formidable tongue. Mo Ruo was speechless, and told Jing Rong, “You decide for yourself.”
Decide my ass! Of course we’re not going!
When that person realised that Jing Rong’s resolve was unwavering, he said, “Your Highness, there’s no need to worry. This subordinate has already sent people to fetch Teacher Ji. At this time, he should have already arrived at the Marquis’s Estate.”
Hah! They sure worked quickly! This was clearly a kidnapping. Jing Rong bellowed in anger, “What did you do to her?”
“Teacher Ji is very well. He is the Marquis’s esteemed guest.” He emphasised the term ‘esteemed guest’.
In other words, Marquis Kang had never intended to seek his agreement, because they only had to capture Ji Yunshu, and he would have no choice but to go. Marquis Kang, how astute!
In the end, Jing Rong could only agree. He would like to see what other tricks that old fellow had up his sleeve.
……
As Ji Yunshu travelled to Jingzhou city in her carriage, she didn’t see anyone on the streets as it was already late at night. Soon after, they arrived at Marquis Kang’s residence.
She got down from the carriage and eyed the dazzle and splendor of the residence before her. She couldn’t help but sigh in lamentation. This Marquis Kang is truly wealthy. His lifestyle is even more lavish than that of the Emperor’s!
The Emperor worked to the bone, looking after the lives of all the common people, and even had to read through countless petitions and memorials; so what if everything under the sky belonged to him? He would still not be able to live as carefreely as Marquis Kang!
Besides, the Marquis had money and lived in a large mansion. He didn’t have to worry about food or clothing, was influential, and commanded several thousand household soldiers. Even the Emperor didn’t bother with him. Such a lifestyle was enviable indeed!
Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but sigh again. C’est la vie!
However when she looked towards the signboard for the residence, she stared for a moment. On it was a bloody handprint from a child. Eh? What was going on? As she pondered about it…
“Teacher Ji, this way please.” The housekeeper came up to the door to welcome her, interrupting her train of thought.
She nodded in reply.
“Our Marquis has waited a long time for Teacher Ji.”
She quirked her lips upwards and didn’t reply, putting down her guard. No matter what, Marquis Kang had once lent Jing Rong troops to attack the Gaoshan Gang, so he should be an ally instead of an enemy. She followed the housekeeper in.
The minute she entered the main doors, she was stunned. This Marquis Kang’s residence was really unbelievably imposing!
Whether it be the furnishings or the decor; every single tile or pottery were exquisitely carved. If one stayed here for a night, they would also be burnished with a layer of gold, just like if they had gone to Europe and come back.
As she passed by the courtyard, she saw several different bizarre trees. They were clearly trees of different species, but their branches were tangled together. It didn't appear to be natural, more like they were deliberately trained into such a shape.
The Marquis's estate was strange indeed! First there was that bloody handprint on the sign board, then now a tree made of several others twisted together.
She didn't understand the pastimes of the rich.
When they reached the main hall, it similarly had everything one could imagine bedazzled in gold, from something as large as a pillar, to something as small as a wine cup. Each and every one of them were exquisitely ornate.
Such a spendthrift! Just how much money could one spend on this?!
"Teacher Ji, please wait for a moment. I will go inform the Marquis."
"Mn." She nodded.
Just as the housekeeper was about to set off, they heard a peal of laughter outside. That laughter was both warm and lively, just like how Liu Qingping always laughed whenever he saw her. She imagined that this Marquis Kang probably was also as plump.
When he came out, he looked just as she had expected.
He was about 1.7m tall, weighing around 180 pounds. As he walked, the floorboards shook.
When he saw Ji Yunshu in the hall, he bounced forward warmly in welcome. He grabbed her hands and blatantly sized her up, expression full of anticipation. "Teacher Ji, you're finally here. Everyone says that you're uncommonly intelligent and can solve any case that you take on. It's such an honor for this Marquis to meet you."
Eh? Why would he say something like that for no reason at all? Ji Yunshu looked at her own hands, held tightly within his grasp, and felt that they were scalding hot, causing her entire body to warm up as well.
It was said that plump people had more fat and thus ran hotter than others; this seemed true for him. She quickly withdrew her hands, took a step back, and bowed with cupped hands. "Greetings, Marquis Kang."
"No need to be so formal." He beckoned her, "Come, come. Teacher Ji, please take a seat," as he tugged her over to a chair.
Marquis Kang waved his large hand and told his housekeeper, "Quickly get the kitchens to prepare a few good dishes for Teacher Ji."
Wait a minute. Bro, it's already so late that it's closer to daybreak than sundown! Is this supposed to be a midnight snack?
Ji Yunshu hurriedly refused the gesture. "Marquis, there's no need. This humble one has already eaten."
"Everyone who comes is a guest. This Marquis has never shirked the duty of hospitality. Besides, such an esteemed guest as Teacher Ji must be treated with especial care." A very warm welcome indeed.
His welcome was so warm that Ji Yunshu almost felt her forehead heat up with fever. She smiled amiably, "There really is no need. Please don't trouble yourself, Marquis."
Marquis Kang could only acquise in the face of her repeated refusals. After that, he continued looking at Ji Yunshu, smiling so widely that his two canines were revealed. It was adorable.
Ji Yunshu always had the impression that Marquis Kang was as reserved and aloof as the Emperor, someone that should be wise and knowledgeable. This… must be a pirated version! She shook her head. Let’s disregard this for now.
Marquis Kang asked her, “I hear that Teacher Ji is from Jinjiang?”
“Yes.”
“You used to work at the Jinjiang yamen?”
“Yes.”
“I heard that Prince Rong regards you very highly, brought you all the way back to the capital, and let you take over the ‘Lin Capital Case’?”
“Yes.”
“This time, you went to Yufu to investigate under orders from the Supreme Court?”
“Yes.”
……
Who knows where this old fellow found so many questions, asking about everything from when Ji Yunshu was born till now. However, Ji Yunshu’s answer to him was always, “Without father or mother, child of the wild, reliant on myself.”
Her words simply put a cork in all Marquis Kang’s questions.
