For the ice reward in the south, an extra chapter with Spirit Beast Egg (5.30)
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No extra words, only this one character, and one action.
This means was not to invite her in again, but rather for her to place her hand in his, to let her hand fall into his, under his control, and become his possession.
Miss Jun did not move forward, but rather took a step back.
Lu Yunqi also did not make another move or say anything else, just stood on the steps with his hand extended, calmly and confidently waiting.
"I will leave the capital," Miss Jun said looking at him. "I will leave immediately, right now."
Not come but go. This was not only a refusal of the other party's conditions but rather a threat?
Lu Yunqi looked at her for a moment, then suddenly lowered his hand.
"Alright," he said. "Deal."
After speaking, he called for someone.
Out of nowhere, a Jinyiwei appeared behind Miss Jun.
Lu Yunqi slightly raised his hand to him, and the man stepped aside in response.
"Miss Jun, please follow me," he said.
Miss Jun did not look back at Lu Yunqi and turned to follow the Jinyiwei out, her sight quickly blocked by the courtyard walls.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Hundred-man commander Jiang couldn't help but touch his head.
He really didn't understand the conversation they had just had.
"Really letting her see Zhu Zan?" he asked.
"What's there to worry about?" Lu Yunqi said.
Of course, these were not questions, whether Miss Jun was to see Zhu Zan, what to do if she cured Zhu Zan's injuries, what if bringing others into the prison meant conspiracy? What if the emperor became displeased when he found out?
Lu Yunqi was simply stating there was nothing to worry about. So what if they cured Zhu Zan's injuries, so what if there was a conspiracy with others in the prison. If the emperor wanted a man dead, then he must die, and he, too, would definitely want him dead, regardless of whether he was injured or whether he had conspired with others or not.
Nothing to worry about.
Hundred-man commander Jiang touched his head, this time not out of confusion, but realization. Yet, he couldn't help but frown.
"Really letting her go?" he asked.
Lord Lu looked outside the courtyard gates.
"Why not," he said. "As long as she is alive, where can she really escape to?"
He turned and clasped his hands behind his back, his clasped hands tightening.
The Jinyiwei were everywhere in this world. As long as she was alive, she could not escape from the palm of his hand.
Leaving the capital, away from these people who were watching her and the overwhelming public sentiment, would make actions even easier.
Outside the capital, on mountain trails, remote villages, a person disappearing all of a sudden would not put the blame on Lu Yunqi, right?
Who knows, maybe she was taken away by wolves, or kidnapped by abductors.
So that was it.
Miss Jun had considered this as well, thus she was willing to give up the capital, this barrier, and place herself more easily under the control of Lu Yunqi as a bargaining chip.
Originally, she could have left with top scholar Ning Yunzhao, but she did not do so at that time, and now for Zhu Zan, she was ready to leave.
Which man did this woman favor more?
What nonsensical thoughts, Hundred-man commander Jiang shook his head, casting aside these disorderly thoughts.
No matter whom she liked more, she belonged to Thousand-Man Commander Lu, and that was indisputable.
Hundred-man commander Jiang glanced at the girl's retreating figure, then with a hint of relaxed triumph turned and followed Lu Yunqi.
Miss Jun paused in the courtyard.
"I have a few companions, I would like them to come with me," she said to the Jinyiwei who was leading the way.
The Jinyiwei hesitated momentarily with his expression, but still respectfully agreed.
There was no rebuttal, nor any question; they simply obeyed her words without reservation—a treatment that was truly heart-stirring and intoxicating.
"Alright, I'll invite them in right now," he said. "Miss Jun, please wait a moment."
Seeing Miss Jun standing in the courtyard, Zhang Baotang hurried his steps, his expression a mix of surprise and complexity.
"Miss Jun, thank you for your help this time," he said, carefully observing her.
Miss Jun's clothes were neat, her hair untroubled, and her demeanor as calm as ever.
It seems she was not harassed.
The thought passed through his mind, he breathed a sigh of relief and his face flushed slightly; seeing a young lady placed in danger of humiliation and they, as men, could only watch, was truly shameful.
Miss Jun did not pay attention to his feelings, looking with some surprise at the newcomers.
Besides his few brothers who had been at the door just now, Doctor Liang had left, but there were over a dozen more robust soldiers.
The surprise was not only on Miss Jun's part but also on the Jinyiwei.
"We only asked for a few people to come in, why did so many of you arrive?" the leading Jinyiwei said sternly.
Sifeng glanced at him.
"This isn't our doing," he said earnestly.
What nonsense; were they actually blaming them? The Jinyiwei frowned.
Sifeng looked around.
"This is the Northern Administrative Court, a terrifying and daunting place. We few weak men don't dare to come alone," he said, feigning a bit of fear, "of course, we had to call for more people to embolden us."
With that, he waved his hand.
"Quickly, let's go."
Following his call, the soldiers no longer hesitated to push past the Jinyiwei in front of them.
"Sir, this..." the Jinyiwei asked with a touch of annoyance.
The leading Jinyiwei glanced towards Lu Yunqi and then at Miss Jun, shook his head, and gestured with his hand.
The Jinyiwei held back their annoyance and watched the group surge towards the prison.
Despite being prepared, the moment they stepped into the prison, Sifeng, Zhang Baotang, and the others cursed out loud.
This environment, this stench, and the people sprawled on the door.
Curses echoed continuously inside the cell, with some lunging to grab the nearby Jinyiwei and spitting in their faces.
"Are you conducting torture for confessions?"
"Damn your ancestors!"
With curses flying, the crowd jostled, seemingly ready to start a fight.
This time, the Jinyiwei did not fight back.
"This is the prison. You young masters, do you know what a jail is?" said the leading Jinyiwei coldly. "Do you think it's a place to enjoy luxury?"
They really hadn't been to, let alone stayed in, a prison.
Sifeng calmed the noisy bunch.
"You all go out," he said to the Jinyiwei.
The Jinyiwei looked at each other, staying in place without moving.
"What's the matter? Afraid we'll break out?" Sifeng said with a smirk. "Are you overestimating us or underestimating yourselves?"
The Jinyiwei exchanged glances, and before they could say anything more, the soldiers had already surged forward and pushed them out. The noise continued outside, but the Jinyiwei did not re-enter.
"Big brother, third brother, keep an eye out," Sifeng said to the other two, indicating the surroundings.
After all, this was the Jinyiwei's prison; even though people were sent away, who knew if there were still eyes and ears hidden in the shadows.
The two brothers acknowledged and nodded, following him out.
"Second brother!" Zhang Baotang approached Zhu Zan on the bed.
With such commotion, Zhu Zan had been facing inward, motionless as if he were passed out.