“But Li Ruantang only knows how to fight, she has always been unwaveringly loyal to the Great Jin!” The young gentleman’s voice rose significantly in his urgency.

Wei Yunruo waved her hand at him, “Since ancient times, great merit can overshadow the ruler. Moreover, someone has submitted a memorial accusing Young Lady Li of intending to harm—”

She deliberately paused, gesturing for Meng Jun to step closer, before whispering a name.

“Wei is just afraid that Young Master might do harm while meaning well. Repaying gratitude is important, but one must still act within one’s means.”

“If Young Master is willing.”

Wei Yunruo suggested considerately, “I can have maids continue the search here, while Young Master returns to the capital with me. Otherwise, if those with ill intentions find out, they might spread all sorts of nonsense, unintentionally implicating you.”

“I…”

Meng Jun was naturally afraid of rumors and slander.

But he had already called Li Ruantang his wife-master, even if people said some unpleasant things, it was something he had anticipated long ago.

Moreover, if the Empress was suspicious of her, and he also left her at this time. Wouldn’t Li Ruantang be very sad?

She was still injured.

Just thinking about it made the young gentleman feel as if someone had bitten his heart hard, causing a dull ache.

Back then, it took the women of the Li family dying on the battlefield to gain this one noble title of a different surname. In just ten short years, the Empress had become suspicious of the Li family’s only remaining seedling – Li Ruantang.

As these three characters slid past his lips, a faint bitterness suddenly welled up.

The young gentleman secretly clenched his sleeve, glancing at the nearby maid, “Official Wei, I don’t understand court affairs, but my mother often says that Her Majesty is a wise ruler.”

“I believe in Her Majesty.”

“Thank you for your kind reminder, Official Wei.”

He spoke each word clearly. As if anticipating Meng Jun’s reaction, the smile on Wei Yunruo’s lips deepened. This young Master Meng was indeed soft-hearted and kind as she had thought.

Such a man, even if married into the family in the future, wouldn’t cause much trouble in the back courtyard.

However, for now, she needed him to remember her kindness first.

Wei Yunruo lowered her voice, “If that’s the case, then I’ll accompany Young Master Meng to find Young Lady Li. With me present, I can testify to Young Master’s innocence.”

“Thank you, Official Wei.” The young gentleman suppressed his sadness and said sincerely, “With Official Wei’s words, I feel much more at ease.”

He spoke with utmost sincerity. At this moment, Eighteen, who had respectfully come forward, cautiously reported to Wei Yunruo, “My lady, you have a lecture to attend this afternoon. If we ride back quickly now, we can still make it in time.”

“This…” Wei Yunruo frowned, looking at Meng Jun as if she wanted to say something but held back.

“If Official Wei has matters to attend to, there’s no need to worry about me.”

The Imperial Lectures had been established for over ten years in this dynasty, and young Hanlin scholars were always chosen to give lectures. It was not only a good opportunity to show oneself before the Empress but also a test of one’s knowledge and quick-wittedness.

The young gentleman naturally understood the importance of this matter to Wei Yunruo, and also understood that once she left, these maids would naturally follow her back.

After all, if they stayed and something happened in this forest, even Wei Yunruo wouldn’t be able to explain clearly when the time came.

He smiled knowingly, “Official Wei has already helped me a lot. Now that she’s in this forest, I can search for her myself.”

“Young Master Meng, this is Wei’s oversight.” Wei Yunruo hurriedly patted her chest and said, “Please rest assured, Young Master. When Wei returns, I will certainly inform Han Fushi of your whereabouts.”

“Thank you very much then, Official Wei.” The young gentleman nodded in gratitude, then after thinking for a moment, added, “Then, about Li Ruantang…”

“Young Lady Li?” Wei Yunruo saw his conflicted expression and signaled for Eighteen and the others to stand farther away before saying, “The Prince Sujin’s mansion has also been sending people to search for Young Lady Li’s whereabouts these past few days. However, the capital is currently not a safe place for Young Lady Li. If she returns to the capital, she might be in danger.”

“In Wei’s opinion, if Young Master finds Young Lady Li, it would be better to ask her to recuperate in this small mountain village first.”

She pondered for a moment and then said, “How about this, I will be lecturing in the palace these two days. If Young Master trusts me, you can wait for me to make some careful inquiries over these two days.”

“However, if we are to make inquiries, then it wouldn’t be good to directly tell Han Fushi of Young Master’s whereabouts. Otherwise, if people from the mansion come, they will definitely discover Young Lady Li, which would then attract those with ill intentions.”

The more she spoke, the deeper her brow furrowed. The young gentleman was so frightened by her words that he lost his composure. He reached out to grab Wei Yunruo’s sleeve and said, “No, Li Ruantang is still injured. If she’s really targeted by someone, she definitely won’t be a match for them.”

For someone the Empress wanted to deal with, she only needed to hint a few times, and the court officials would rack their brains to comply with the imperial will.

Meng Jun was so anxious that his palms were sweating, “Actually, I can still hold on.”

It was nothing more than eating plain food for two or three more days. Compared to Li Ruantang’s safety, these were nothing.

After much thought, the young gentleman made up his mind and said, “In any case, only Official Wei knows our whereabouts now. I trust you, my lady.”

“Has Young Master thought it through clearly?” Wei Yunruo flipped her sleeve-covered arm and grasped Meng Jun’s wrist, “Wei will definitely not fail Young Master’s trust.”

Her eyes, usually gentle, now seemed to burn with a hidden fire.

The young gentleman nodded, watching Wei Yunruo and her people leave before continuing to search deeper into the forest.

He walked on and off, following the pieces of brocade fabric that would appear on tree branches from time to time.

It was almost noon when he reached the mountain peak.

The mountain breeze blew, fluttering his frost-colored sleeves, graceful as an immortal.

But here, one could see the end at a glance. Apart from lush trees, where was the person he wanted to see?

The young gentleman lowered his head in frustration. He must have come too late; Li Ruantang had probably collapsed from exhaustion and been carried off by wild beasts.

Wei Yunruo had not been shy about mentioning the many tigers, leopards, and wolves in the mountains.

He wiped his tears with the back of his hand, momentarily saddened, “Wuu… Li Ruantang.”

In the forest, the wind brought a faint floral fragrance.

“Mm.”