Chapter 118: Companions

After returning to the residence, Li Shimin went directly to Qingchun Garden. Upon entering, he saw Li Jiancheng slowly walking with Ji Rong’s support. Rushing over, he exclaimed anxiously, “Brother, you mustn’t!”

Li Jiancheng understood his concern and calmly replied, “This morning, Physician Xu examined me and said my recovery is progressing better than expected. He advised I try walking a little.”

Hearing this, Li Shimin felt a wave of relief but quickly followed up, “But what about your foot injury...?”

“Since it hasn’t fully healed yet, we can’t be certain if the condition has improved. However, Physician Xu mentioned the outlook should be optimistic.” After saying this, Li Jiancheng asked, “They’ve left?”

Li Shimin nodded. “Yes, Xuanba and I just saw them off. The falcons and their trainers were handed over as Father instructed. I’ve also arranged for someone to secretly follow them, in case...” He glanced at Ji Rong beside Li Jiancheng and didn’t finish his sentence.

Li Jiancheng understood his meaning and walked over to sit on a stone bench. “I’ll set out for Hedong the day after tomorrow. I won’t return for at least half a year. Matters here are in your hands.”

Li Shimin bowed slightly. “Rest assured, Brother. I will assist Father in governing Honghua Prefecture properly.”

Li Jiancheng stared at him for a long moment and sighed. “I’ve never doubted your abilities. I’m only concerned about your temperament… Shimin, to achieve great things, one must not show weakness or act out of emotion. Otherwise, you’ll not only harm yourself but also those around you.”

Li Shimin didn’t believe he had done anything wrong, but he didn’t wish to argue further on this matter. Nodding, he simply said, “I understand.”

After a brief silence, Li Jiancheng suddenly asked, “Shimin, does Wu Meixue truly mean so much to you? Enough that you’d risk offending Wang Wei and jeopardizing the Li family just to protect her?”

Li Shimin looked at Li Jiancheng in surprise. “Brother…”

Li Jiancheng smiled faintly. “Don’t be alarmed. It was merely an idle question. If you don’t wish to speak of it, then let it be.”

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment before replying, “To be honest, I do feel some affection for Wu Meixue, but that’s all. My refusal to hand her over to Wang Wei wasn’t because of her—it was because I couldn’t bear to oppress the people under our jurisdiction just to appease them. Even if they hadn’t targeted Meixue, I would have acted the same way.”

Li Jiancheng remained silent, smiling faintly. After Li Shimin left Qingchun Garden, Ji Rong quietly asked, “Master, are you really going to Hedong?”

“Yes, I have matters to attend to there.” After drinking the medicine brought by a servant, Li Jiancheng glanced at Ji Rong, who remained silent, and said, “Are you worried I won’t forgive you?”

Ji Rong calmly replied, “I trust that with your wisdom, Master, you already know I’ve been falsely accused.”

Li Jiancheng chuckled lightly. “But Zhang Chenyue still hasn’t confessed.”

Ji Rong quickly looked at him. “The Ji family has always been upright and had no reason to harm the governor. Moreover, if I were truly an assassin, I wouldn’t have helped conceal the truth from Imperial Physician Zhu earlier.”

Li Jiancheng smiled but said nothing. In truth, he had already begun to believe Ji Rong wasn’t the assassin—though he hadn’t voiced it yet. After sitting quietly for a while longer, he rose with Ji Rong’s assistance and slowly walked toward the house, saying, “Prepare a month’s worth of medicine for me to take to Hedong. Fetch whatever herbs are needed from the pharmacy.”

Ji Rong shook her head. “The process for making Xujin Shengji San is complex. Two days isn’t nearly enough time to prepare such a large quantity.”

Li Jiancheng fell silent for a moment before saying, “Then I’ll delay my departure. I’ll leave Feng Li here until you’re finished preparing the medicine, then I’ll set out.”

Ji Rong lowered her gaze. “That works, but I have a better idea.” Meeting Li Jiancheng’s questioning look, she continued, “I’d like to accompany you to Hedong.”

Li Jiancheng paused and scrutinized her for a moment. “Why?”

“Although your foot injury has shown initial improvement, complete recovery will still take a month. During this time, traveling to Hedong—even with Xujin Shengji San —still carries risks. If I go along, I can at least ensure proper care.”

Li Jiancheng smirked faintly and coolly replied, “Or perhaps… you plan to seize the opportunity to kill me.”

“No,” Ji Rong responded without hesitation. “Even if someone held a knife to my throat, I wouldn’t harm you in the slightest.”

Li Jiancheng’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Since when have you become so loyal to me?”

“I’ve always been loyal to you, Master—it’s just that you refuse to believe it.” Before Ji Rong could finish speaking, Li Jiancheng had already gripped her chin. The next moment, his scorching lips descended upon her full, trembling ones. His masculine scent flooded her senses, leaving her flustered and unsure what to do. Though she had long hoped to gain his favor, she was still an innocent maiden and found herself overwhelmed by the sudden intimacy. All she could do was remain still as he claimed her lips. After what felt like an eternity, his fiery touch slowly withdrew, and his voice echoed near her ear. “Well, does this count as trust now?”

Before Ji Rong could respond, a soft voice called out, “My lord!”

Turning toward the sound, they saw an elegant and gentle woman standing nearby. Recognizing her, Ji Rong quickly stepped away from Li Jiancheng and curtsied. “Mistress, I greet you.”

“You may rise,” came the reply. It was Lady Zheng, Li Jiancheng’s wife. She hailed from the prestigious Zheng clan of Xingyang and had married Li Jiancheng during the eighth year of Daye. A few months ago, news arrived from Xingyang that her father was gravely ill. Deeply devoted to him, Lady Zheng rushed home, tirelessly caring for him day and night. Whether by divine intervention or her filial piety, her father recovered from his critical illness. Now reassured of his health, she had returned to Honghua Prefecture just days ago.

Lady Zheng seemed oblivious to the earlier intimacy between Li Jiancheng and Ji Rong. Approaching, she gently helped him sit down and softly said, “I’ve already packed everything you’ll need for the journey and instructed Aguang and the others on matters to be cautious about—especially your leg injury.” Her expression turned worried. “My lord, can’t you delay your departure by a few days? At least until your foot heals a bit more.”

“We’ll travel by carriage the entire way, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, Ji Rong will be accompanying me—nothing will happen.” Li Jiancheng’s words startled Ji Rong momentarily before a wave of joy washed over her. By saying this, he had agreed to let her accompany him to Hedong.

Lady Zheng blinked, then smiled warmly. “Of course! How could I forget that Miss Ji Rong hails from a family of renowned physicians? The Xujin Shengji San itself is her creation. With her by your side, I can rest easy.” Turning to Ji Rong, she added apologetically, “It’s such a long journey, and you’ll be away for at least half a year. You must be exhausted thinking about it.”

Ji Rong quickly replied, “Please, Mistress, don’t say such things. It’s my duty to serve.”