Chapter 36: Coming to Settle Accounts

Though there was some distance between them, the carriage looked magnificent at a glance. As it drew closer, the character "Zhao" emblazoned on the carriage became increasingly clear.

Ji Wenbin recognized it immediately—this was the Crown Prince’s carriage!

He hurried down the steps without hesitation.

The steward snapped back to attention and hurried after him.

The guards driving the carriage halted it outside the Prime Minister’s residence. They dismounted and bowed respectfully to Ji Wenbin.

“Lord Ji, His Highness the Crown Prince has entrusted me to escort Miss Ji back.”

No sooner had he spoken than a slender, pale hand drew back the curtain. Ji Hua had already stepped out of the carriage. Seeing her father waiting there, she was quite surprised. With the gentle support of Liu Yiyi, she descended fully.

“Father, why are you here?”

Ji Wenbin frowned and spun Ji Hua around, carefully checking her for injuries before finally exhaling in relief.

“Are you unharmed?”

As soon as he spoke, he realized the Crown Prince’s guards were still standing by, so he cupped his hands in gratitude.

“Please convey my thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince. My eldest daughter was somewhat headstrong; I hope she did not cause him any trouble.”

The guard dared not accept the Prime Minister’s apology and quickly stepped back.

“Lord Ji, please rest assured. His Highness specifically instructed me that Miss Ji was of great help this time. He will personally come to express his gratitude later. Now that she has been safely delivered, I shall take my leave.”

The guard wasted no words and promptly drove the carriage away after completing his duty.

Ji Wenbin did not detain them. His concern was solely for Ji Hua’s condition, and he immediately took her inside the residence to speak with her.

Ji Hua, wanting to soothe her father, cooperated willingly and followed him.

However, before they could reach Ji Wenbin’s study for a private conversation, they were intercepted by Liu Qingmei and her daughter, who had been lying in wait.

One party was heading back, the other came out to meet them, and the two sides collided.

Ji Hua was unsurprised and fixed her gaze on Ji Shulan.

Ji Shulan glared coldly at Ji Hua’s face and tugged at her mother’s sleeve.

Liu Qingmei wasted no time and stepped forward a few paces immediately.

Fortunately, her daughter had returned early to inform her, so Liu Qingmei was better prepared to question them.

Liu Qingmei’s opening words were a familiar accusation, wrapped in a guise of concern.

“Hua’er, I’ve heard that a few unknown people appeared at that banquet—apparently assassins. You should have come back with Lan’er right away. How could you leave alone with the Crown Prince, a stranger?”

“I also heard you went straight to the Jingzhao Prefecture. What business does a young girl like you have there? If word spreads, it could ruin your reputation. If you won’t consider yourself, at least think of your father. He attends court tomorrow, and if his colleagues inquire, what will you have him say...?”

“Has the mistress come to raise an accusation?”

Ji Hua interrupted Liu Qingmei’s questioning and quickly explained before she could speak.

“Mistress also said those people were of unknown origin. I was with His Highness the Crown Prince at the time, so I witnessed the whole event. The Crown Prince had his imperial gift damaged—he is the one who suffered.”

“I was merely a witness and went to Jingzhao Prefecture to serve as a character reference, asking a few questions. How has this become something that tarnishes my reputation in your mouth?”

Liu Qingmei’s brows knit tightly as she scrutinized Ji Hua further.

This girl had indeed become sharper lately—she would never have spoken to her like this before. Or rather, she hadn’t dared.

Liu Qingmei pressed on, “You’re just a young girl. What kind of witness are you? Those unknown people can explain themselves. I think you’re clearly...”

“Father, I’ve been through a lot today and am quite tired. I want to rest.”

Ji Hua paid no heed to Liu Qingmei’s ramblings, treating them as the babbling of a fool. She turned to her father and said wearily.

Ji Wenbin, who had been worried and anxious, felt reassured that his daughter was unharmed—and had even received the Crown Prince’s thanks.

Though puzzled, he trusted Ji Hua’s explanation that she had gone only as a witness, which aligned with what the Crown Prince’s guard had said. That must be the explanation.

Seeing his daughter exhausted, he didn’t want to press further. He suspected she had been frightened and needed rest.

“Then go get a good sleep. If you’re hungry, have the kitchen prepare something for you. You don’t need to join us for dinner.”

Ji Hua accepted the offer eagerly, not sparing a glance for the outraged Liu Qingmei as she, accompanied by Liu Yiyi, headed straight to her chambers.

“Ji Hua, you haven’t explained enough! Who allowed you to leave?”

Liu Qingmei was furious. Being so blatantly ignored by Ji Hua felt humiliating. She instinctively tried to block her path.

Ji Wenbin’s face darkened as he scolded, “What are you doing? With me here, do you still intend to bully little Hua?”

Tears welled up quickly in Liu Qingmei’s eyes as she protested aggrievedly, “Master, how can you say such things? I only want to get to the bottom of this—it concerns the reputation of the Prime Minister’s residence!”

Ji Shulan, seeing her parents arguing and realizing she couldn’t rely on them, picked up her skirts and followed closely, accompanied by a maid.

She knew her father favored Ji Hua now, so she had pursued her for some time before quickening her pace to intercept her.

“Stop right there! You think you fooled Father, but you can’t fool me. Explain—what did you do with the Crown Prince? And who were those people? What did you see?”

Breathless from her anger, Ji Shulan fired off several questions in rapid succession, speaking with such self-righteous certainty that Ji Hua almost felt like a criminal.

Liu Yiyi followed behind her lady, unable to suppress a disdainful curl of her lips at Ji Shulan’s arrogant demeanor.

Ji Hua was expecting Ji Shulan’s pursuit and suddenly countered with a question.

“Did Prince Xuan send you to spy?”

Ji Shulan was startled. She hadn’t expected Ji Hua to see through her intentions so quickly, but of course, she wouldn’t admit it!

Almost reflexively, she blurted out, “No!”

Meeting Ji Hua’s confident, half-smiling gaze, Ji Shulan grew flustered and ground her teeth before saying, “Mind your own business! I’m the one asking here. Didn’t your mother warn you? You’re a young lady. How can you so openly enter Jingzhao Prefecture? It will damage the Prime Minister’s reputation.”

“You may not care about your own reputation or shame, but you’ll drag me down. You owe me an explanation. Otherwise... I—I won’t let you leave today!”

Ji Shulan’s threat sounded feeble to Ji Hua’s ears.

Ji Hua had no intention of answering her. Raising an eyebrow, she appraised Ji Shulan with a mocking glance before speaking.

“Ji Shulan, for the sake of sisterhood, here’s a piece of advice: You’re a lady of good family, so even if you fancy Prince Xuan, don’t be so forward. A little restraint suits you better.”

“Men are all fickle at heart—even a high-ranking man like Prince Xuan cannot change this nature. The more you chase after him, the less likely you are to win his favor.”

“After all, who wants a tool that comes when called and is discarded when no longer useful? They just replace the tool when it breaks. Think carefully about that.”