Chapter 3: The Capital's Top BeautyJi Shuhuai had exceptionally sharp eyesight.Even in the dim, bush-covered cave, he could still see Jiang Yiyue’s grimy face.Yet he found not the slightest trace of familiarity.He asked in confusion, “Who are you?”“Jiang Yiyue,” she gave her name.“Don’t know you,” Ji Shuhuai replied bluntly.Jiang Yiyue was surprised. “My reputation is so great, and you don’t know me?”Ji Shuhuai was puzzled. “What reputation?”Jiang Yiyue declared proudly, “The Capital’s Top Beauty.”“Did you give yourself that title?” Ji Shuhuai asked seriously.Jiang Yiyue immediately retorted, “How could that be?”Ji Shuhuai then said, “I’ve never heard of it.”“You…” The original host’s beauty had even caught the attention of the imperial family, yet Ji Shuhuai actually didn’t know.On second thought, he was completely devoted to state affairs, turning a deaf ear to gossip, so it was normal he hadn’t heard.Jiang Yiyue let it go and reintroduced herself, “I am Jiang Yiyue, the Fourth Miss of the Jingnan Earl’s Manor.”“Weren’t you a maid from the Jingnan Earl’s Manor?” Ji Shuhuai countered.This Ji Shuhuai!When Jiang Yiyue had spoken earlier, he had seemed utterly indifferent, but in fact, he had taken it all in.She secretly rolled her eyes at him and explained, “That was just something I made up.“I thought you were a mountain bandit, planning to kidnap me as your little wife.“I had no choice, so I fabricated a tragic background to win your sympathy.“You showed no reaction.“So then I made up a contagious disease to keep you from taking liberties with me.“But that still had no effect.“In truth, my real identity is the Fourth Miss of the Jingnan Earl’s Manor.”“How can I believe you?” Ji Shuhuai asked indifferently.Jiang Yiyue took out a jade pendant engraved with the characters “Jiang Yiyue.”Ji Shuhuai glanced at it and said, “You stole it.”Jiang Yiyue retorted, “Would I steal a jade pendant with a clear name on it, as if I had a death wish?”Ji Shuhuai fell silent for a moment, then withdrew the dagger he had pressed against Jiang Yiyue’s waist.Clearly, he no longer regarded her as an assassin.After a while, he spoke up, “The one who pestered Cui Lianqing.“Insulted her close friends.“Fell into the water while admiring her own reflection in the mirror.“Defied the Lady of Jingnan Earl’s Manor… that Fourth Miss Jiang?”Ji Shuhuai clearly recounted the original host’s actions.Jiang Yiyue felt a throbbing at her temples and asked, “And you call that not knowing me?”“Long heard of your great name,” Ji Shuhuai said, though the “great name” he referred to was not “The Capital’s Top Beauty.”Hmph.Jiang Yiyue really wanted to punch Ji Shuhuai.But she couldn’t do that.Ji Shuhuai wasn’t yet overwhelmingly powerful, but he currently had an excellent reputation and had gained the emperor’s favor.This time, he had been ordered to investigate a case in Jiangnan, which had encroached on the interests of some powerful nobles, leading to his framing and pursuit.He was severely injured.However, he would soon be rescued, incidentally clearing out a bandit den and earning another merit, making him quite illustrious.As long as she clung tightly to his coattails now, followed him back to the capital, and claimed she had assisted him in suppressing the bandits…Those gossipmongers in the capital, out of respect for the name “Ji Shuhuai,” wouldn’t dare spread rumors about her losing her virtue.Then she could rightfully return to the Jingnan Earl’s Manor as the proper Fourth Miss Jiang.As for the matters involving the male lead, the female lead, and the Jingnan Earl’s Manor…She could settle them slowly.Right now… not only was she not angry, but she gradually broke into a smile and said humbly, “How shameful, how shameful.”Ji Shuhuai was taken aback by Jiang Yiyue’s sudden change.Unable to see his expression, Jiang Yiyue looked around on her own and said, “Those people are gone.”"Mhm." Ji Shuhuai responded."Then let's go too." Jiang Yiyue started to rise.Ji Shuhuai spoke first: "Wait a moment.""Wait for what?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Yiyue heard rustling sounds again.Damn it.Those dark figures had returned.She quickly held her breath.The dark figures searched around once more and, finding nothing, left again.Jiang Yiyue lowered her voice and asked, "Should we wait a bit longer?""Mhm." Ji Shuhuai responded."Alright." Jiang Yiyue agreed.Ji Shuhuai stared straight ahead through the bushes.The dark figures returned yet again, found nothing once more, and left again."Let's go." Ji Shuhuai took the initiative to speak.Jiang Yiyue asked uncertainly, "They won't come back again, will they?""No.""How do you know?""Just a guess." Ji Shuhuai replied dismissively.Little did he know, Jiang Yiyue said, "Young Master Ji, you're truly amazing!"Ji Shuhuai's mouth twitched slightly: "What's so amazing?""Even your guesses are right—you're practically Zhuge Kongming reincarnated."Ji Shuhuai glanced at her and said, "Let's go.""Alright, alright, alright." Jiang Yiyue, no longer distracted as before, quickly supported Ji Shuhuai's arm.Ji Shuhuai slowly emerged from the small hole and walked forward with Jiang Yiyue's assistance.As they walked, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Why the sudden enthusiasm?""Enthusiasm?" Jiang Yiyue retorted.Extremely enthusiastic.Ji Shuhuai suspected she had ulterior motives.Jiang Yiyue explained on her own: "Because you're Ji Shuhuai!"Ji Shuhuai was puzzled."I've heard since I was little that everyone in the Zhenbei Marquis's household is good."They've sacrificed so much for the people of Great Wei."Young Master Ji, you've been exceptionally intelligent, handsome, fair, and rigorous since childhood."I also heard that at five, you helped the authorities catch thieves."At six, you upheld justice for the common people."At seven, you donated to disaster victims."At eight, you received praise from the emperor."…"You genuinely care for us, the people of Great Wei."I admire you so much."Today, you're seriously injured, surely for the sake of the Great Wei people."You threatened me only because circumstances forced you to."As a member of Great Wei, not only am I not angry, but I feel honored to be able to care for you."Infinitely honored!" As the saying goes, flattery never fails.Jiang Yiyue lavished praise on Ji Shuhuai.Her attitude was also utterly sincere.Most people would be swayed by such words, but Ji Shuhuai showed little reaction.This was the first time Jiang Yiyue had encountered such a difficult man.Just as she was worrying, rustling sounds echoed around them again.Ji Shuhuai abruptly stopped walking.Jiang Yiyue stopped as well and asked, "Who is it this time?""Not people." Ji Shuhuai looked ahead."Then what…" Before Jiang Yiyue could finish, three canine shadows slowly emerged from the darkness.No.Wolves!Three wolves!Six pairs of wolf eyes gleamed with a ghostly blue light in the darkness, wild and dangerous.She immediately said, "Those are wolves!""Yes." Ji Shuhuai responded.Jiang Yiyue liked dogs very much.But wolves were different from dogs.Their aggression was palpable.Her hair stood on end as she asked, "Why are wolves here?""They smelled blood." Ji Shuhuai said."What should we do?""Use fire.""Right, right, right, wolves are most afraid of fire." Jiang Yiyue then asked, "Where can we get fire?"Ji Shuhuai said, "I have a fire starter in my pocket."Jiang Yiyue urged, "Then hurry up and take it out."Ji Shuhuai said weakly, "I can't lift my arms right now.""Let me get it." Without another word, Jiang Yiyue reached into Ji Shuhuai's embrace.Ji Shuhuai grunted softly and said, "Don't touch randomly."

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried