Everyone present was taken aback by these words.
Ji Zixiu, however, seemed oblivious and even proactively offered suggestions. "Your Highness Fourth Prince, the roasted naan on top is a bit soft, and the ones below are rather hard. What kind would you like? I can get it for you." Su Dan Novel Network
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly. "Anything is fine. Thank you for your trouble."
"It's no trouble at all."
Look at the man her elder sister fancied, he was indeed different. His demeanor, his presence...
He was simply miles ahead of the other princes present.
The princes, already miles behind, were speechless.
They just wanted to know what was happening.
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly and admonished Ji Zixiu, "Second sister, do not be impudent."
Ji Zixiu dared not disobey her elder sister's command. After quickly picking out roasted naan for the Fourth Prince, she then handed the remaining naan to the other princes.
However, when the naan was offered to Xie Jingxi, he did not reach out to take it.
Ji Zixiu stood there, bewildered, not understanding the Second Prince's intentions.
For a moment, everyone's gaze shifted to Xie Jingxi and Ji Zixiu.
Ji Zizhao's eyes darkened.
Although she didn't know why her second sister had suddenly become so intimate with the Fourth Prince, the Second Prince's attempt to pick a fight was too obvious.
However, he was not worthy of having her Ji family personally hand things to him.
Before Ji Zizhao could speak, she saw Ji Zixiu suddenly turn and walk away.
Xie Jingxi could no longer hold back and shouted, "Insolence! When did I tell you to leave?"
Ji Zixiu frowned and turned back, looking as if it were only natural. "Second Prince, if you don't want the roasted naan, it means you don't want to eat it. If that's the case, must I stay here and eat with you if I don't leave?"
The Tenth Prince thoughtfully considered Ji Zixiu's words and then looked at the Second Prince. "Second brother, we still have to travel after we finish eating. If we delay the army's progress further, it might be difficult to explain to Father."
Xie Jingxi ignored the Tenth Prince entirely and turned to look at the Seventh Prince beside him.
The Seventh Prince had always been at odds with the Ji family, so he didn't believe the Seventh Prince would speak up for the Ji family.
However, faced with the Second Prince's gaze, Xie Jingqi looked utterly confused.
What was just said made perfect sense. If you don't eat, of course, they will leave. Should they starve with you?
Xie Jingxi was speechless.
He really had no appetite now.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zixiu and smiled. "If Miss Ji Er doesn't mind, why not stay and eat with us?"
Ji Zixiu had not expected her future brother-in-law to be so warm and hospitable. She naturally nodded. "Thank you, Fourth Prince."
Xie Jinglan returned her smile and then struck up a conversation with the Seventh Prince beside him.
Ji Zizhao looked at her second sister sitting beside her and said softly, "Why are you acting so strange today?"
Ji Zixiu shook her head. "No, I just feel that the Fourth Prince is very approachable. Although he is not as handsome as the other princes, if you look closely, he is also refined and elegant."
Ji Zizhao frowned and whispered a warning, "Do not speak ill of princes like this."
Ji Zixiu smiled. "I wouldn't dare for other princes, but the Fourth Prince is different. Elder sister, don't you think the Fourth Prince is very good? He is amiable and has a good temper. Not only are royals rarely so composed, but even the nobles and high officials in the imperial city are all arrogant."
"Ji Zixiu!" Ji Zizhao's expression truly turned grim.
Ji Zixiu dared not be presumptuous any longer and quickly shut her mouth.
However, her dark, bright eyes continued to glance towards the Fourth Prince.
After everyone finished lunch, the Fourth Prince was to depart.
The Second Prince, citing discomfort, boarded his carriage first.
Ji Zizhao, along with the Seventh Prince, the Tenth Prince, and Han Jingyu, escorted the Fourth Prince out of the camp.
The Tenth Prince reluctantly grabbed the Fourth Prince's sleeve. "Fourth brother, take good care. When I return to Yulin, Fourth brother must personally host a welcoming feast for me."
"Alright," Xie Jinglan smiled and nodded. His deep eyes seemed to intentionally or unintentionally glance at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly and averted her gaze from the Fourth Prince.
Ji Zixiu, standing with the other soldiers, saw this and her smile was so wide her mouth could barely close. By the time the Fourth Prince boarded his carriage and left, Ji Zixiu was still standing there in a daze.
The Tenth Prince passed by Ji Zixiu and sighed helplessly. "Wipe your drool first."
Ji Zixiu quickly raised her hand, only to find her chin perfectly clean. She turned to look at the Tenth Prince, wishing she could pinch his fair cheeks fiercely.
The Tenth Prince, however, wisely advised, "Fourth brother has always been indifferent to matters of the heart. You... might as well give up."
Seeing that the Tenth Prince had a good relationship with her elder sister, Ji Zixiu did not hide anything. She bent down and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about? He is my future brother-in-law."
The Tenth Prince was genuinely astonished.
He was very curious as to how she had concluded that this was her brother-in-law.
Ji Zixiu gave a mysterious smile and turned to pack up with the rest of the army.
It was Ji Zizhao, standing not far away, who took in the entire scene.
She finally understood why the Fourth Prince had smiled just now.
She suspected that Ji Zixiu had witnessed her meeting with the Fourth Prince yesterday.
Ji Zizhao knew some self-defense skills but had no internal energy.
Therefore, she had not discovered Ji Zixiu's presence immediately.
For the Fourth Prince, who could defeat Qingzhu and Lianju without them even having a chance to retaliate, discovering Ji Zixiu's presence was effortless.
It was likely that the Fourth Prince had discovered Ji Zixiu yesterday, which was why he had suddenly acted so close to her.
He had even deliberately created an exceptionally ambiguous atmosphere, all to make Ji Zixiu misunderstand.
This was why Ji Zixiu would act differently towards the Fourth Prince today.
Without expending a single soldier, he had managed to win over her sister and have her speak highly of him...
What a formidable tactic.
At precisely the hour of the Shen, the army set off again.
However, compared to the hurried pace of the previous few days, the army's steps seemed unusually heavy.
Even Han Jingyu's expression was solemn.
If they continued at this pace, they would likely reach Luoyi by noon tomorrow.
Sitting in her carriage, Ji Zizhao gazed south through the window, an indescribable excitement flowing through her limbs.
It was the anticipation of finally seeing the remains of the Ji family's men.
Lianju and Qingzhu also remained silent throughout the journey, their hearts only wishing for the army to hurry, to hurry faster...
The night passed quickly.
By noon the next day, the two thousand strong army of Yulin finally arrived at Luoyi.
However, standing before the city gates of Luoyi, everyone gasped.
Qingzhu, with trembling hands, pointed out of the carriage towards the city gate of Luoyi. "That, that is..."
Lianju had already averted her gaze, unable to bear looking further.
The Seventh Prince, sitting on his horse, gripped the reins so tightly that his veins bulged.
Ji Zixiu stared with wide, astonished eyes at the war-torn city gate, her vision blurring.