Chapter 444 - 438_1
"Brother Jiang, there’s no need. Brother Erhu knows some martial arts, and we have servants too. Handling ordinary bandits shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, Brother Li has his own matters to attend to, so let’s not trouble him." Lin Yue hurriedly declined, which was also what Zhao Erhu intended. The only person Lin Yue had informed about striking a deal with the mountain bandits of Longhu Mountain was Zhao Erhu. With the bandit threat out of the picture, there really was no need to trouble Li Xun with another journey considering Zhao Erhu’s skills.
"Enough talk. If you call me ’Brother Jiang,’ then you should treat me as a brother, and listen to what your elder brother has to say. It’s not just about escorting you back; Li Xun has other matters to attend to as well. Escorting you is just a part of it." Jiang Ziqi’s tone was not one of discussion but of certainty. Apart from his concern for bandits, Jiang Ziqi also harbored another worry. Since the Zhang Family had gone to such lengths to have the Fourth Princess act against Lin Yue—even though they didn’t succeed—who knew whether they might make another move? He couldn’t be at ease without sending an escort.
Jiang Ziqi insisted, so there was nothing Lin Yue could do about it. Moreover, Jiang Ziqi pulled Zhao Erhu aside to talk, and whatever was said changed Zhao Erhu’s earlier attitude. With Zhao Erhu agreeing to Li Xun’s escort, Lin Yue had even less reason to refuse.
"Take care on your journey. As for Magistrate Cheng, I am also aware of his character. If you can tolerate, then tolerate. But if he becomes too excessive, don’t endure it. I have your back, and I’ve already signaled to some people over there. I believe he won’t dare to set his sights on you anymore."
"Understood, thank you, Brother Jiang. We shall take our leave, and you take care as well."
After Zhao Erhu and his wife left, Jiang Ziqi watched them until they passed through the city gates. He watched their carriage growing distant, bit by bit, until it finally vanished from his sight, before he withdrew his gaze.
Lin Yue and the others had been escorted to the Capital City by Li Xun and his company. Everyone was familiar with one another, and the journey was filled with laughter and chatter. Thinking that they would be home in a few days, Lin Yue felt a lightness in her heart, and her smile became even more genuine.
In the Imperial Palace, Huangfu Jing finished reviewing memorial submissions. With no other affairs occupying him, he thought of Lin Yue, wondering how she had been and what she had been up to since leaving the palace a few days ago. Although he had not taken action against Yongle yet, he had already had people watch her closely, ensuring she would have no opportunity to harm Lin Yue again.
"Elder brother, are you still reviewing memorials?" Huangfu Jing was lost in thought when Princess Yongle’s voice interrupted him. The bold girl entered without announcement, growing increasingly undisciplined—a result, no doubt, of his excessive indulgence, since she was his only sister after all.
"Yongle, what kind of discipline is that? Bursting in so recklessly." Although Huangfu Jing chided her, his words carried little blame.
Princess Yongle was already accustomed to Huangfu Jing’s rebukes. "Elder brother, can’t you greet me without a reprimand? I just came to see how you are doing, and besides..."