The medicine was truly bitter. Song Yihuan didn't want to drink it after just one taste. She had no idea when Ji Lingchuan would finally spare her and let her stop taking the medicine.
Seeing her scrunch up her little face while drinking it, Ji Lingchuan waited until she swallowed and then asked, "Is it really that bitter?"
Song Yihuan nodded vigorously. The next moment, the man stood up, approached her, tilted her chin up, and lowered his head to capture her lips.
Song Yihuan's eyes widened in surprise. She never expected the usually serious and cold - hearted man to do such a thing.
When the man finally let her go, she found herself being held in his arms, with his big hand firmly supporting her waist.
The man pressed his forehead against hers and asked, "Well, is it still bitter?"
Song Yihuan's ears were so red that they seemed about to bleed. She murmured softly, "It's not bitter anymore."
Ji Lingchuan then let her go, but the depth hidden in his gaze still made Song Yihuan feel flustered. She lowered her head and said, "We're about to set off soon. I'll go and pack up Xuan'er's things and take them back to the capital."
When Song Yihuan left Ji Lingchuan's room, everyone in the posthouse was busy packing their luggage. No one noticed that she had spent the night in Ji Lingchuan's room.
There was still half an hour before they set off. Taking advantage of this time, Song Yihuan put the blood - stained clothes she found in the mountains yesterday and the shreds of cloth Ji Lingchuan found together, along with the items Song Yixuan had used that day. She found an open space outside the posthouse and burned them all to ashes.
The fire blazed brightly, devouring the things left behind by Song Yixuan.
The Princess of Ning stood beside Song Yihuan. Watching Song Yixuan's belongings turn to ashes bit by bit, she couldn't help but shed tears.
"This child was so good at making people happy. He was such a well - behaved child. If he could have grown up safely, with his intelligence and talent, he would surely have achieved great things."
Song Yihuan lowered her eyes and looked at the clay pot in her hand. Choking with sobs, she said, "He once told me that he wanted to become the number one scholar in the imperial examination. It's a pity that there will be no such opportunity in the future."
On the top floor of the posthouse, two figures stood by the window, looking side by side at the blazing fire below.
Ji Zihuan remembered what Ji Lingchuan had told him just now and sighed, "I didn't expect that there was such a deep entanglement between you and Miss Song the Fourth. Cousin, after we return to the capital, we're going to have a tough battle."
Ji Lingchuan said, "I'm already prepared."
The two brothers glanced at each other. Although they didn't say a word, they both understood the meaning hidden in each other's eyes.
The determination to achieve a certain goal at all costs.
When Ji Lingchuan left Ji Zihuan's room, a carrier pigeon flapped its wings and flew in through the window, landing on his shoulder.
Ji Lingchuan took the message tube from the pigeon's leg, unfolded the letter, and read the contents. His eyebrows furrowed tightly, and his gaze grew even colder.
After the incident at the autumn hunting ground, he had sent people back to the capital to inquire about the Qionglimei Troupe and that actor, Cui Taizhu. This was the message sent back by his subordinate.
During the time they had left the capital and traveled to Xingzhou, the Qionglimei Troupe had been normal, and Cui Taizhu had even performed on stage twice. It seemed as if he had never left the capital at all.
However, Ji Lingchuan remembered what Song Yihuan had said about "Baishao" being skilled in disguise. The opera troupe was considered of low social status, and these actors often disguised themselves as others. Even if Cui Taizhu was in the capital, it didn't mean he was innocent.
It seemed that they would have to conduct further investigations after they returned to the capital.
As long as Song Nanxin was still alive, they would surely be able to catch that person.
...
Song Yihuan burned all of Song Yixuan's things to ashes. She used a small clay pot to collect the ashes, treating them as Song Yixuan's ashes. After returning to her room and making a simple arrangement, Song Yihuan left the posthouse with Chunxing.
Standing in front of the carriage, Song Yihuan and Song Nanxin looked at each other from afar. They could both see the obvious hostility in each other's eyes.
Too many things had happened during this autumn hunting. Song Nanxin had completely lost all of Ji Lingchuan's trust. After returning to the capital, she would have to live in the villa, which was no different from being banished to a cold palace. Presumably, with her usual pride, such a result would be a great blow to her.
As for Song Yihuan, she had lost a maid and her beloved younger brother, but she was pregnant with Ji Lingchuan's child. She had finally gained the recognition of the Princess of Ning and no longer had to be controlled by Song Nanxin. She had also completely lost her weakness.
No one could tell who had won and who had lost.
After everyone got on the carriages, at the soldiers' loud shout of "Set off!", the convoy continued to move towards the capital.
Song Yihuan opened the window and looked back at Xile Town through the window lattice. She silently prayed in her heart.
Xuan'er, you must live well. In less than three months, Fourth Sister will come to find you.
The convoy left Xile Town in a grand manner, heading towards the capital. However, because of Song Yixuan's disappearance, a cloud of gloom always hung over the convoy.
Niuding Village in Xile Town.
When the last carriage of the convoy disappeared on the horizon, a small figure on the bed in a civilian house in Niuding Village opened his eyes.
When he woke up again, Song Yixuan's eyes were full of confusion.
Where was he?
The lost memories came flooding back like a tide, and Song Yixuan's face changed.
He remembered that he had overheard his eldest sister talking to a man. The two of them were discussing how to kill Fourth Sister. He was frightened and his breathing became chaotic. He turned around and wanted to go and inform Fourth Sister, but he was caught by his eldest sister and that man!
No, he had to go and inform Fourth Sister quickly. He had to tell Fourth Sister to be on guard against his eldest sister!
Song Yixuan immediately sat up from the bed, jumped out of bed without putting on his shoes, and ran towards the door. After running a few steps, he stopped, raised his hand to touch his chest, and his eyes widened in surprise.
What was going on? Why didn't his chest hurt at all?
Moreover, his limbs were full of strength. He didn't feel like he used to, gasping for breath after just walking a few steps!
At this moment, a clear and pleasant sound of copper bells came from outside. After a while, the closed door was pushed open, and a young man with white hair appeared in front of Song Yixuan.
At the sight of Feng Tingyun, Song Yixuan stood there stunned, not knowing what to do for a moment.
Feng Tingyun was blind and couldn't see, but he seemed to be able to sense the situation in the room. He nodded slightly in Song Yixuan's direction and said, "You're awake."
Song Yixuan was filled with doubts, but he still remembered the etiquette his sister had taught him. He bowed to Feng Tingyun with his hands clasped and asked, "May I ask, who are you?"
Seeing that he was so young but so well - behaved, Feng Tingyun couldn't help but ask in return, "What about you? Do you still remember who you are?"
Song Yixuan nodded, "I'm Song Yixuan from the Ding'an Marquis Mansion."
"From now on, you're not. Your sister has entrusted you to me and asked me to take you away." Feng Tingyun sat down at the table in the room.
Hearing Feng Tingyun mention Song Yihuan, Song Yixuan's eyes lit up. He couldn't help but take two steps forward and asked, "Fourth Sister? Big brother, have you seen my Fourth Sister? Is she... is she okay?"