Ye Ningjieng immediately looked away. Her feelings became uncomfortable. Why was General Li smirking at her? What was that man thinking? Could he possibly know her true identity?
She couldn't stop worrying until the emperor's decree was finished reading. She didn't even listen clearly to what the decree contained.
Then Zhou Yan accepted the emperor's edict and thanked him. It was an edict addressed to him, containing a special assignment for him to go help his uncle in Wuliang.
After the procession of receiving the decree was over, General Li smiled. "I will escort Young Master Zhou all the way to the city border. After that, he should continue his journey with the troops prepared by His Imperial Majesty."
"We understand," said the Zhou family member.
Zhou Jingran smiled and then walked over to Li Hongyi. "General Li, please sit down. We may need time to say a few parting words with Zhou Yan."
"Alright." Li Hongyi finally sat down at one of the tables. He received friendly and special service from the Zhou residence's servants.
A young maid poured hot tea into Li Hongyi's cup. The maid's face looked embarrassed. He smiled. "I have never seen that Zhou family member before. Did she come from a branch family?"
"Who was General Li referring to?" The maid asked back. "Is she the First Young Miss, Zhou Lin? She indeed seldom stayed at the Zhou family residence."
"What about that girl?" Li Hongyi fixed his gaze on Ye Ningjie, who was talking to Zhou Yan. They look close. Even the girl patted Zhou Yan's shoulder familiarly.
"General Li, she is Young Miss Ning. I heard she came from the Jinshi kingdom. She is a friend of First Young Miss," replied the maid.
General Li finally nodded. He thanked the maid and then took a sip of his hot tea. His gaze could not leave Ye Ningjie.
Of course, he knew who the girl was. He just pretended not to know. He wanted to confirm how Ye Ningjie and Zhou Yan were related. Did Zhou Yan really love the girl like Zhou Jingran had told the emperor?
Ye Ningjie still felt General Li's gaze. She then whispered to Zhou Yan, "Did you see that? Why does General Li keep looking at me?"
Zhou Yan finally turned to Li Hongyi. However, the general seemed to be busy drinking tea and eating snacks. The man was not watching Ye Ningjie.
"That must just be your feeling. Just forget it. If General Li keeps his eyes on you, maybe he is interested in you," Zhou Yan said casually.
Ye Ningjie snorted. In the end, she said nothing more about it.
Moments later, Zhou Yan had already said farewell to everyone. He carried a bag of provisions and stood by General Li.
Zhou Wanwu smiled. "General Li, thank you for your patience. I will entrust my grandson to you."
"This is nothing," General Li replied politely.
"General Li, am I allowed to accompany Yan'er to the border?" Zhou Jingran asked. He was not ready to give up his only son now.
"Of course. Please."
"Then shall we go now?"
General Li nodded. He gave Zhou Wanwu a respectful greeting, then turned to leave. Before his figure disappeared behind the door, he glanced at Ye Ningjie only to smile at her.
Ye Ningjie clenched her fists. Tonight, General Li went to the city border to see Zhou Yan off. This was the perfect moment to infiltrate the imperial palace.
She immediately approached Zhou Lin. "Aunt Lin, I—"
"Call me Sister Zhou. I'm not that old, you know?" With a smile, Zhou Lin said.
Finally, Ye Ningjie nodded and smiled. "Sister Zhou, I'm glad to see you back."
"I'm afraid you will find it difficult to be accepted here. However, it seems that my father and brother like you. I need not worry then."
"They are very kind. Unfortunately, I can't stay here for too long," Ye Ningjie said softly.
Zhou Lin slightly frowned. She held Ye Ningjie's hand warmly. "Why? It's not because of Zhou Yingyi, is it?"
Ye Ningjie shook her head. "I have to do something. Sister Zhou, you know I want to find my sisters," she whispered.
Zhou Lin finally nodded in understanding. She took a deep breath. "You must be careful. I have gotten a letter from your teacher. Old Duan was fine in the mountains. You don't need to worry about that old man."
"Is that true?" Ye Ningjie's eyes immediately widened. She was happy to hear this news. "Thank you, Sister Zhou."
"Don't mention it."
"Then I will return to the room now," Ye Ningjie said.
Zhou Lin nodded. Then Ye Ningjie took a few steps. However, she stopped and turned to look at Zhou Lin.
"Sister Zhou, I'm glad to know a good woman like you," Ye Ningjie said with a smile.
"Ning Jie'er..." Zhou Lin suddenly felt uncomfortable. "You can't be..."
Ye Ningjie nodded. "I hope we can still meet again."
Zhou Lin took a deep breath. She couldn't help but smile as she watched Ye Ningjie's figure walk away from the room.
She didn't know exactly what Ye Ningjie was going to do. However, she knew the girl would soon be leaving the Zhou residence. Probably tonight.
***
Ye Ningjie packed all her things. She left a special message for Zhou Wanwu and tucked it under the cupboard. She didn't want to directly say goodbye to the old man.
After that, she quickly picked up her dagger, the only weapon she currently had. Then she tucked the weapon into her waist.
She had changed her clothes to all black. She also covered her face with a black veil. After everything was ready, she immediately slipped away through the back window.
Tonight, the security of the Zhou family residence was a bit laxer than usual. It was because a few guards were going with Zhou Jingran to see Zhou Yan off. Everything became easier for Ye Ningjie.
In just an instant, she had already managed to leave the Zhou family residence. At this time, she had already entered the streets of the capital. Suddenly she saw a herbal shop that was still open. Without hesitation, she immediately entered the shop.
A fat man was standing behind the shop assistant's counter. He looked at Ye Ningjie with a frown. The girl's appearance made him wary and careful.
"Welcome to our store. Do you need anything?" asked the fat man.
Ye Ningjie looked around. There were many herbs of various kinds displayed in the display case. She immediately whispered something to the fat shopkeeper.
"No. Young lady, we only sell herbs. We do not-"
Ye Ningjie suddenly pointed her dagger at the fat man. Her gaze became sharp. "There's no need to trick me. Give me what I want. I will pay any price."
The shop assistant was frightened by the sight of the dagger inches from his neck. His face turned pale. It was late. No one was there except the two of them.
Finally, the man nodded reluctantly. "A-all right. Wait a moment."
The shop assistant ran in. Moments later, he returned with two small porcelain bottles. He hesitantly passed it to Ye Ningjie.
"Miss, but these are prohibited from being traded unless one has official papers," said the fat man carefully.
Ye Ningjie snorted. She immediately grabbed the porcelain bottle and threw the money bag on the table. "I don't care. After this, keep your mouth tightly shut. Or else I will come to rip every inch from your body!"
The fat man swallowed his saliva fearfully. Even though the other party was a woman, she was a scary-looking villainess. Her gaze was cold and sharp. This was the first time he had met a woman with such a gaze.
Ye Ningjie smiled smugly at the frightened shopkeeper. She immediately put the porcelain bottles away, then hurriedly left the shop. Her figure then disappeared, blending into the darkness of the night.