Zhao Guanjin lay on the bed, afraid to move, too excited to think of anything else, knowing Wei Qianrui was coming.
He had held on during the execution that day, but once he relaxed, the pain was truly bone-deep, and the daily treatments were agony.
But as long as he thought of being with Wei Qianrui, he felt it was all worth it.
"Young Master, how are you feeling? It's all my fault, all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have suffered so much."
"Silly girl, don't cry. As long as I can be with you, I'm not afraid of anything."
"Is it worth it? Princess, you are better than me in everything. I... I..."
"It's worth it. In my heart, you are the best."
Wei Qianrui was so touched she wanted to rush into his arms, but thinking of Zhao Guanjin's injuries, she held his hand and wept silently.
"Don't cry anymore, or I'll punish you."
Wei Qianrui wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said "hateful" while sobbing. Song Momo, who was eavesdropping outside, was speechless.
"How have you been in the manor these days? Has anyone troubled you? Don't be afraid, you are my wife from now on, the mistress of this manor."
"No, Madam treats me very well."
Though she said this, her eyes darted away and her eyes were red. It was all an act for a blind man.
"That's good. My mother is the most soft-hearted and kind. If you don't understand anything, just ask her. If I'm not here in the future and you are troubled, you can also seek her help."
"I understand."
After they whispered sweet nothings for a while, Song Momo reminded them it was time for medicine, and Wei Qianrui reluctantly left the room.
Returning to the courtyard where she lived, she felt like a caged bird, pathetic, and extremely frustrated.
Song Momo didn't care as long as she was obedient. The little maids in the courtyard didn't say much to her.
The Marquis's wife governed the manor tightly, and even though Wei Qianrui was the Young Master's wife, she could only be a nominal decoration.
Princess's Manor.
Ru Tong massaged Jun Jiuli's shoulders, and Dong Yi peeled grapes for him. Life was extremely comfortable.
Although it was summer, the room was not hot at all. The ice was prioritized for her princess's manor.
Shui Wa: "This is the charm that attracts people to climb up, as well as money and beauty."
Jun Jiuli: "Low profile, low profile."
"Uh... what should we do next?"
"Enjoy ourselves first, and talk about it at night."
"..."
At night, Jun Jiuli changed his appearance and, carrying Wei Qianrui's portrait, went to the door of an inconspicuous farmhouse.
"Yes."
"Sun Ci, open the door. I have important matters to discuss with you."
The person in the courtyard was greatly alarmed. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Go back quickly, you've mistaken me for someone else."
"It concerns the orphan of the royal family."
Sun Ci opened the wooden door, looked around, and quietly brought Jun Jiuli into the house.
"Who are you?"
"I am Wang Kui, the deputy general of the Imperial Guard. It was I who secretly took the little princess out of the palace that year. I fainted from exhaustion midway, and when I woke up, the little princess was gone."
"You've come to find me now. Have you found her?"
"Yes, the capital has been in an uproar for the past few days. The young lady brought back by the Marquis of Wu'an is the little princess."
"How can you be sure? So many years have passed, you probably don't even have a token of proof, right?"
Sun Ci looked at Jun Jiuli suspiciously, his hand already reaching for the short knife at his waist.
Jun Jiuli opened the portrait, and Sun Ci was shocked.
"This girl looks exactly like the former Lady Sun. There's no mistake, this is the little princess."
Sun Ci's tears began to flow as he touched the painting. Before the fall of Wei, he had also held an official position and lived well.
Now, he could only live in hiding as an ordinary hunter, eating simple meals daily and worrying constantly.
In his previous life, Sun Ci met Wei Qianrui in the capital by chance. She was the princess of Wei, his own niece.
The thought of her being a mere concubine, a concubine of the Chu Kingdom's prince consort, filled Sun Ci with rage.
He began to contact the old Wei officials. Once he had some influence, he sought out Wei Qianrui.
To support this group of people, the original host had been extorted a lot by Zhao Guanjin.
Sun Ci collected himself after crying for a short while, looked up at Jun Jiuli, and asked,
"How did you know my identity, and what is your purpose in coming here?"
"I know you will doubt me, Sir, but the princess is in a difficult situation now, and we must lend a hand."
"I am just an ordinary hunter now, what can I do? Following the Marquis of Wu'an is better than following me."
"Sir, do not underestimate yourself. Our Wei still has many loyal warriors like you and me. As long as they know the princess is alive, they will surely follow you to achieve great things. Are you willing to remain mediocre as a hunter your entire life?"
"No, I don't want to."
"My abilities are limited. After years of investigation, I only know your identity. I have now entered the Marquis of Wu'an's manor as a stableman. I will protect the princess's safety, so you can rest assured and do other things."
Sun Ci patted Jun Jiuli's shoulder, "Good brother, it is an honor for our Wei to have a warrior like you. I will not fail you and will accomplish something. May I know your name, brother?"
"My name is Zhang Si, Sir. You can call me Xiao Zhang. I live in the alleys and lanes west of Qinglong Street. When you succeed, you can contact me."
"Good brother, I will not fail you."
"Okay, then I will leave now, little brother, to avoid being noticed by outsiders. I will try to contact the princess. Everything is entrusted to you, Brother Sun."
"Walk slowly, brother."
Sun Ci did not see Jun Jiuli off. He stared blankly at the portrait on the table. Jun Jiuli left the place silently.
Shui Wa excitedly rubbed his claws, "Host, are we playing a spy movie?"
"I just couldn't be bothered to look, to avoid any loopholes. Their own people will find everyone."
"Assassinating the emperor is a crime punishable by death for nine generations. Wouldn't the Marquis of Wu'an's family all be wiped out?"
"When enjoying the blessings, we are together. When we die, we must be tidy too."
"But dying like this is too easy for them. The original host suffered a lot before she died."
"Then let's make sure they don't die too comfortably."
The next day, Sun Ci took all his silver and set off. The emperor had annihilated those who resisted stubbornly during Wei's reign.
The emperor was a benevolent ruler. The surrendered soldiers were incorporated into the Chu army. The Chu script and measurement units were used uniformly.
Although the people of Wei had some inconveniences in their lives, Chu never enslaved or discriminated against them. Everyone now enjoyed the same treatment as a citizen of one country.
Sun Ci, fearing implication from the Wei royal family, had registered himself with an ordinary identity and name when the authorities were taking population records.
He had been mediocre all these years and harbored some resentment. There were many like him.