Chapter 160: No matter how tough he is, isn’t he still my brother-in-law?

Chapter 160: No matter how tough he is, isn’t he still my brother-in-law?

Ji Lingchuan learned about the marriage between the Feng and Zhou families and realized that he had been tricked by Chu Li earlier.

He had often taken out his brother-in-law's letters to read and reread, thinking it was a case of romantic correspondence, which had secretly been eating at him for a long time.

The Feng family knew about the marriage between Chu Li and Ji Lingchuan and that their relationship had not been harmonious in the past.

However, since they were unaware of the details, no one mentioned it.

They only prepared a banquet to entertain Ji Lingchuan. After several rounds of drinks, Ji Lingchuan suddenly grabbed Chu Li's hand: "Chu Li, your cousin is finally getting married. Do you know who is the happiest today? It's me."

"You're crazy, why are you happy about someone else's wedding?"

"Of course, I'm happy. Now I don't have to worry about you being taken away by someone else."

As soon as these words were spoken, the banquet hall fell silent. The head of the Feng family was the first to react: "General Ji, you must not speak nonsense. My son and Li'er are cousins, they have been close since childhood, nothing more."

"I know, I know, but I couldn't help it when Li'er kept using him to provoke me. Uncle, you have no idea how bitter I’ve felt these days, it's as bitter as bitter melon, completely bitter."

Chu Li pinched him: "Cut it out, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll ignore you."

"I'm not talking nonsense." Ji Lingchuan spoke while drinking a few more cups, clearly showing that he was truly happy today. Being in the Feng household, he didn't need to be as guarded as outside, so he drank more.

Chu Li was mortified and helped him up: "Uncle and auntie, please excuse him, he's drunk and talking nonsense. I'll take him back to his room to rest."

The head of the Feng family was eager to see this troublesome visitor off and nodded repeatedly.

Once they left, he mopped the sweat from his forehead and advised his son: "Yi, don't be fooled by Ji Lingchuan's seemingly casual demeanor. He's a fierce tiger in the army. Be cautious when dealing with him in the future."

Feng Yi laughed: "No matter how tough he is, isn’t he still my brother-in-law?"

The head of the Feng family thought about it and agreed.

Mrs. Feng, however, was puzzled: "What did General Ji mean earlier, about you and Li'er..."

"Mother, it was just a favor. Li'er asked me for help, to send a few more letters. The letters were just about everyday matters and greetings to my aunt, nothing more."

Hearing this, Mrs. Feng couldn't help but think of her sister-in-law, who was also quite mischievous and unconventional in her actions: "So she was using you to get under General Ji’s skin, no wonder he was so happy to hear about your wedding."

**

Back in the room, Chu Li dumped him onto the bed and turned to leave, fuming.

Unexpectedly, Ji Lingchuan suddenly sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist, not letting go: "Chu Li, don't leave, okay?"

"Let go, a general here in Jiangnan on official business, look at the mess you’re in from drinking." Chu Li felt she had lost face in front of her relatives and was naturally angry.

"Your cousin is finally getting married, I must go thank Mrs. Zhou tomorrow, thank her cousin for taking a rival out of the picture."

"That's my cousin." Chu Li was speechless, he was rambling more and more.

She tried hard to pull his arm away, but even drunk, Ji Lingchuan's strength was still formidable, and she couldn't break free.

Ji Lingchuan opened his eyes, looking up at her like a child, full of remorse: "Chu Li, I was really wrong before, can you forgive me?"

"We’ll talk about it tomorrow when you’re sober, lie down and sleep now, tomorrow we still have to question He Hongzhi."

Ji Lingchuan suddenly got up, cupped Chu Li's face, and leaned in.

Chu Li was so stunned she froze, even forgetting to breathe, until she was almost suffocating, and Ji Lingchuan finally let her go.

"Ji Lingchuan, you…"

Before the swear words could leave her mouth, she was already carried onto the bed.

Chu Li was genuinely panicked now: "Have you lost your mind? Let me go!"

Ji Lingchuan merely smiled at her, then held her tightly in his arms, his breath reeking of alcohol as he whispered in her ear: "It's so good, I'm really happy today. Be a good girl, Lier, let's sleep…"

Chu Li: "..."

Good my foot.

**

At the crack of dawn the next morning, Chu Li rushed to the Zhou residence. Ruan Qinghuan, who was having breakfast, was puzzled: "Since when is Miss Chu so eager, up this early?"

"I… I just wanted to check on Miss Xiaoyue."

Ruan Xiaoyue, sipping her porridge, looked up. If she remembered correctly, Chu Li had disliked her intensely before.

Coming all this way just to see her?

That’s a bit suspicious.

Chu Li, afraid of more questions, sat down and quietly ate her porridge.

Ruan Qinghuan was baffled; Chu Li, the Duke’s daughter, was known for her free-spirited and unrestrained behavior. It was the first time she’d seen her so out of sorts.

But since Chu Li wasn’t talking, Ruan Qinghuan let it slide.

After breakfast, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Zhou residence. He An had arranged an escort of two hundred men, with nearly three hundred more in secret along the way. Such thorough planning showed his commitment.

But Ruan Qinghuan was still somewhat worried.

Ruan Xiaoyue comforted her: "Sister, don’t worry. I’m not about to throw my life away. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe."

"It’s good to hear you say that. You can’t just live for yourself. Think of your uncle and aunt, Xiaoyue and Qingchi."

Tears streamed down as Ruan Xiaoyue nodded gravely.

After they left, Chu Li said with emotion: "I used to dislike her, thinking she was ruthless and had a rotten character. I never expected she would have such an epiphany overnight."

"The price of this realization was too high." Ruan Qinghuan only hoped that this trip back to the capital would go smoothly.

**

Before they knew it, a day and night had gone by. They took their time, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.

As night fell again, they reached a forest. It would take at least an hour to reach the next post station.

They were now at the border of Qizhou. If they went any further, they would soon leave Qizhou, and then the plan to lure Pei Chong out might fail again.

Ruan Xiaoyue lifted the carriage curtain, looking at the dark forest: "Let's set up camp here tonight."

"But this place is desolate and remote, not safe."

"With so many of us, what is there to fear? If we travel for another hour, it will be almost midnight. We won't have much time to rest before we have to set off again. Everyone's body is not made of iron. Let's rest here."

"Yes." The escorting soldiers, who knew Ruan Xiaoyue's status, were actually there to protect her and treated her with great respect, so they said no more.

Jiang Qi was accompanying them, staying close to the carriage, not daring to slack off.

The crescent moon hung like a hook, its light casting leaf shadows on the ground.

She posed a major threat to Pei Chong. He had even arranged assassins for Lin Qiutang, so it was unlikely he would let her off so easily. But two days had gone by, and there was still no sign of any action.

Ruan Xiaoyue couldn’t help feeling a bit discouraged.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft, continuous sound.

"Miss Ruan, get in the carriage."

Jiang Qi spoke up abruptly, and Ruan Xiaoyue urgently asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Get in the carriage first." Jiang Qi pulled her into the carriage and then ordered everyone to be on high alert, shouting loudly, "Stay vigilant! We must ensure the safe escort of the accused woman back to the capital."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chaotic sound of footsteps came from the other side of the forest, bringing with it a chilling sense of impending violence.