Shen Zhinan nodded, his face wearing an adorable expression that begged to be taken in.
Ji Wanwan was completely melted by the little one’s well-behaved demeanor. She said, “I can take you back to my home, but I just got into trouble today. Do you still want to come?”
Shen Zhinan grabbed her hand without hesitation. “I want to come! Nan Nan can protect Mother!”
Ji Wanwan chuckled softly. This little guy really dared to say anything.
The original host had offended the only son of Duke Rong’s household. Neither of his parents were easy to deal with. If that couple truly took action, even Old Master Ji would have a hard time protecting her!!
Ji Wanwan led Shen Zhinan back to the mansion. Along the way, this little living map guided her through several twists and turns, successfully bringing them safely from Duke Rong’s estate back to the Ji residence.
However, before she could even step onto the doorstep of her home, a large crowd immediately appeared around them—from guards to onlooking noblewomen, not a single one was missing. It seemed they had been lying in wait here all along!
The rabbit who had run around for nothing all this time: “…”
“Wan Wan, why did you run away? Although you accidentally injured Young Master Rong, he is a generous person and won’t hold it against you.”
A young woman in light green clothes hurried over from not far away, looking slightly anxious with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. But upon closer inspection, one could see it was just water droplets for show.
Ji Wanwan narrowed her eyes. This was the original host’s good friend, Lin Yourou.
It was this person, whom the original host considered her closest friend, who had come up with this terrible idea—making her fly through the air to attract Young Master Rong’s attention.
Ji Wanwan snorted coldly. Ancient teenage green tea girls were really bold. Let Daddy Ji teach you how to behave!
Ji Wanwan spoke innocently, “Yourou, was the method you suggested—making me fly to attract Young Master Rong—not a good idea? I… I accidentally hit him. Will Duke Rong’s household make things difficult for you because of this…”
As soon as Ji Wanwan finished speaking, the guards and onlookers present all turned their gazes toward Lin Yourou, their scrutinizing looks speaking volumes.
A foolish girl doing such a stupid thing might be lightly punished due to her foolishness, but if someone had deliberately orchestrated it, the nature of the matter would be completely different!
Shen Zhinan’s eyes sparkled. This was the first time he had seen Mother speak to someone like this. It felt very novel.
But the woman before them was indeed not a good person. He and Father had once overheard her speaking ill of Mother behind her back, after which Father had punished her for the crime of slandering a first-rank titled Madam.
Before Lin Yourou could even open her mouth, she was stunned by Ji Wanwan’s tea-scented words!
Hadn’t she repeatedly emphasized the need for secrecy? How could this little fool reveal the truth!
Lin Yourou, well-versed in tea tactics, quickly feigned shock. “Wan Wan, what nonsense are you talking about? I haven’t been in the capital recently. How could I have taught you such a method? Are you afraid of being held accountable by Duke Rong’s household? Don’t worry, I’ve already sent someone to fetch your Father. They wouldn’t dare to punish you privately!”
Lin Yourou spoke with righteous indignation, even putting on an act of noble integrity as she positioned herself in front of Ji Wanwan, appearing as if she would stand by her through thick and thin!
Some of the noblewomen who had initially viewed Lin Yourou differently were now moved by her actions. They hadn’t expected someone to actually stand up for a foolish girl. If only they could have such a good friend too.
The steward of Duke Rong’s household, however, paid no attention to any of this. He simply said, “Take both of them back to Duke Rong’s residence to await His Grace’s judgment!”
“Yes!”
“Who dares!” A cold, stern male voice rang out as a young man with a resolute figure slowly emerged from within the mansion.
Ji Wanwan looked up and saw that the newcomer was none other than the original host’s Second Brother, Ji Mingjing.
Ji Mingjing should have been the Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar) of the Military Imperial Examination three years ago, but because of Ji Wanwan, he got into a fight and missed that year’s Palace Examination. This young man had a cold exterior but a soft heart. Although he never showed Ji Wanwan much kindness, he had never let her come to harm.
Ji Mingjing glanced at Lin Yourou, his eyes filled with disdain.
This woman again.
He truly couldn’t understand what kind of spell Lin Yourou had cast on Ji Wanwan, making her unable to distinguish between good and bad people.
The stern young man said coldly to Ji Wanwan, “Hurry over here.”
Seeing that reinforcements had arrived, Ji Wanwan didn’t care how cold or harsh his attitude was. She quickly scurried behind him!
Then, pointing at Lin Yourou, she began to complain in a low voice: “Second Brother, it was all Lin Yourou who taught me to do it. I could never have come up with such a clever idea!”
Hearing this, Ji Mingjing’s stern face couldn’t help but twitch.
So you do know you’re foolish.
He extended his sleeve to shield Ji Wanwan and said, “Regardless of whether it was Ji Wanwan who did it, the Duke’s Mansion cannot openly detain someone in broad daylight. The capital has a prefect and a Chief of the Court of Judicial Review—they will deliver a fair judgment!”
Steward Rong cupped his hands and said, “Second Young Master Ji, your family’s Fourth Miss injured our Young Lord, and everyone witnessed it. Even if it were an ordinary commoner’s child who was hurt, they would seek justice, let alone our Young Lord, who is the heir of Duke Rong’s Mansion!”
Ji Wanwan’s father was merely a fourth-rank official—how dare he challenge Duke Rong’s Mansion!
Ji Mingjing said coldly, “In that case, let us go to the prefect’s office and confront this matter. Let’s see what crime your Duke Rong’s Mansion is committing by attempting to detain someone privately!”
“You!”
This was the first time the Duke’s Mansion steward had encountered someone so unyielding. Usually, just mentioning the Duke’s Mansion would make officials and their children tremble and beg for mercy!
But the Duke’s Mansion’s dignity could not be compromised. He immediately ordered, “Seize them all!”
The guards of Duke Rong’s Mansion rushed forward in unison, and the onlookers grew more and more tense!
This was the first time two officials had clashed so publicly. Recently, the court had been cracking down on misconduct in the officialdom. If the higher-ups took offense, neither family would escape punishment!
“Sister, you dropped something.”
Just as the atmosphere was reaching a boiling point, a young boy’s clear voice sounded especially distinct.
Ji Wanwan peeked out and saw that it was the child she had picked up, Shen Zhinan.
Ji Wanwan was about to say that the original host was a poor wretch—what could she possibly have dropped? But the next moment, she saw the little boy holding up a golden, gleaming plaque and waving it toward her.
The gilded token, inscribed with four large characters, immediately captured everyone’s attention the moment it appeared!
“A Death-Exemption Golden Medal!”
“What?! A Death-Exemption Golden Medal! Aren’t there only two of those in existence? How could it be in this child’s hands!”
“Didn’t you hear clearly? The child said it belonged to the Ji family’s foolish girl. How could that fool… possibly have a Death-Exemption Golden Medal!”