Chapter 9: Heading to Court While Injured

Ji Kece’s eyes widened in terror. She pursed her lips, wanting to turn her head away to glare at him. Her eyes were imprinted with a magnified image of Yin Xi’s face floating before her, the distance between their noses a mere three millimeters.

As they locked eyes for a brief moment, Ji Kece’s heart throbbed violently; if they moved just a little closer, it felt as though it might burst. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly in the air. As she turned her head to avoid Yin Xi, the slight chill against her back reminded Ji Kece that she was unclothed.

"Your Highness, the medicine has been applied. I wonder if you might release Kece?" In the darkness, Ji Kece's expression was indiscernible, but from her tone, it could be concluded that she was feeling embarrassed and shy.

Yin Xi rose from the lounge chair. Just as Ji Kece prepared to stand, Yin Xi handed his clothes and cloak to her, speaking slowly, "Kece, the Thousand Slaughter Sect has been returned. However, as for the matter of the marriage decree, I do not permit it." Perhaps it was a command, perhaps a promise, or perhaps a wait...

As Kece put on Yin Xi's clothes, a faint scent of sandalwood swirled around her nose. Although the pain on her back had lessened significantly, the ache in her bones and joints still caused Ji Kece to knit her brows tightly.

With a single command from Yin Xi, the personal guards outside opened the doors to the Thunderbolt Hall. By this time, Yin Xi had donned a half-face mask, and Ji Kece gazed at it blankly.

The patterns on that half-face mask seemed to radiate a bewitching charm in the dark of night. Ji Kece lowered her eyes slightly, recalling a childhood memory.

That half-face mask was a toy that Ji Kece and Yin Xi had designed together. In their childhood, they always liked to use it to scare one another; it was a secret belonging only to the two of them.

After a moment, a jade pendant appeared in Ji Kece's hand at some unknown time—it was a token given to her by Yin Xi. Ji Kece glanced at the jade pendant, intending to speak, but found herself at a loss for words.

Just as Pian Fu and Kule were preparing to escort Ji Kece out of the Thunderbolt Hall, they heard the man lying on the lounge chair issue a command: "Kece, in a few days, there will be a 'Pre-Hunting Banquet'..."

Ji Kece naturally understood the meaning behind Yin Xi's words. She lifted her eyes, a shallow curve appearing at the corners of her mouth, and her lips parted slightly. "Rest assured, Your Highness. Even with my injuries, Kece will protect Your Highness."

How could she not follow the will of the current Emperor? As the daughter of General Ji, her primary duty was to protect the current Emperor.

Lying on the lounge chair, Yin Xi waved his hand, and Zhuan Zhu and Zhong Li made a "please" gesture with both hands. Once the doors of the Thunderbolt Hall closed, Zhuan Zhu spoke, "Young Mistress, the Master has repeatedly instructed that either Kule or Pian Fu must carry the Young Mistress back on their back."

Pian Fu crouched down, picked up Ji Kece on his back, and looked at Zhuan Zhu, saying, "Don't worry, we will take care of the Young Mistress."

As soon as he finished speaking, his feet leaped, and he vanished from before Zhuan Zhu and Zhong Li.

***

Ji Kece's Boudoir

Upon entering her boudoir, she discovered something was amiss. On the dressing table sat a heavy medicine chest.

Man Sui helped Ji Kece sit before the dressing table, her long fingers sliding over the medicine chest. With a "thud," the chest opened.

Snow-Face Cream, Golden Sore Ointment, Purple Jade Lotus Paste, Heavenly Fragrance Life-Prolonging Dew, Spirit-Restoring Pill, Spirit Gourd Immortal Pill, Soul-Returning Incense, Nine Yin Powder, Poison Dragon Gall...

Ji Kece could not help but frown deeply. These medicines were all top-tier drugs for healing and soul-restoration, made of extremely precious ingredients.

None of these medicines were items owned by the Imperial Palace of the Yidu Dynasty. With a "thud" of her long fingers, Ji Kece closed the medicine chest and turned to look at her maid, Man Sui, beside her.

Ji Kece spoke in a calm, measured voice, her words carrying an undertone of accusation: "This medicine chest—where did it come from?"