103 Who Is His Little Lover!

Zhu Xishi stood stunned at the doorway. When had Mu Zhijun arrived? Wasn't it Zhang Sheng who drove the carriage yesterday to rescue their group? How had he suddenly turned into Mu Zhijun after just a short nap? Shouldn't he have been in Ping City managing the salt routes at this moment?

“You…” She raised her hand to point at him, blinking several times. The man before her was only visible from behind, but she was absolutely certain she hadn’t mistaken him!

The group of men gathered around the table inside had to momentarily pause their ongoing discussion.

Guan Shiyi glanced at Mu Zhijun, who didn’t even lift his head, and said, “Time is tight, so can we finish this quickly?”

This was a phrase Mu Zhijun had once used to tease him when they were leaving Ping City. Now, finally, he could return the words verbatim.

But Mu Zhijun didn’t joke with him as usual; instead, he called out, “Zhang Sheng.”

“Yes.” Zhang Sheng appeared.

“Escort her back to her room,” Mu Zhijun said without looking up, pointing with his finger in the direction of Zhu Xishi.

Zhang Sheng hesitated briefly, then approached Zhu Xishi. “Big sister…”

“Who are you? Get lost! Who gave you the right to decide when and where I go?” Zhu Xishi waved Zhang Sheng away irritably. Her mood had inexplicably turned sour. “This is Guan Shiyi’s room. I have important matters to discuss with him! Those unrelated, please leave quickly and free up this space for me!”

With that, Zhu Xishi plopped down on a nearby chair with a commanding presence.

The Second Prince, visibly shocked, pursed his lips and nudged Guan Shiyi sitting beside him. “We were too busy fighting yesterday to confirm with you—this lady,” he cast a sideways glance at Zhu Xishi, “is the little admirer of Zhijun you mentioned in your letters?”

“Guan Shiyi!” Mu Zhijun slammed the table in anger, his wide eyes clearly conveying a silent message: “How could you put such things in a letter?” Even though he had once suggested to the Second Prince to directly eliminate all openly hostile men, he had never mentioned such details.

“Who’s his little admirer?” Zhu Xishi stood up simultaneously to retort. Her movement was so abrupt that the chair toppled over with a clatter.

Everyone was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter.

The Second Prince stroked his chin and winked at Mu Zhijun across the table. “I always thought your taste for sunflowers was peculiar for a hot-blooded man. Turns out, your choice in women is just as unique.”

Guan Shiyi enthusiastically chimed in, “More than unique! That kiss on the braised pork at the Ping City magistrate’s office stunned all the archers, and to this day, brothers still write to me asking for updates.”

“Guan! Shiyi!” Mu Zhijun clenched his fists so tightly they cracked.

Guan Shiyi grinned mischievously. “What, did I get it wrong? If so, come bite me!”

Mu Zhijun glanced around at the increasingly bright eyes upon him, his anger nearly bursting. None of them had been this spirited during the earlier discussion on counterattack plans. What scoundrels!

He took a deep breath to suppress his fury. At a time like this, anything he said would be twisted and mocked. It was better to extinguish the source of the fire first.

“Zhang Sheng!”

Though he had calmed down, the heat lingered, and Zhang Sheng felt as if his ears were burning upon hearing the command again.

“Escort her back to her room!” Mu Zhijun repeated.

Zhang Sheng hadn’t moved yet when Zhu Xishi leapt up. “How dare you! Who do you think you are? Mind your own business…”

Before she could finish, a voice called from outside, “Sister Zhu? Are you in Master Guan’s room? Are you arguing with Master Guan?”

Zhu Xishi froze in place. Oh no, the noise must have woken her too. What now?

Mu Zhijun slammed the table in frustration, threw out, “I’m leaving first; maintain contact as usual,” and swiftly vaulted out the back window. Zhang Sheng followed closely.

“Hey!” She wasn’t done arguing yet. Zhu Xishi instinctively followed their eyes but withdrew when she caught Guan Shiyi’s meaningful glance.

“Sister Zhu?” The voice of Shi Bilian drew near the corridor.

The Second Prince gave a subtle signal to those around him. “Withdraw!”

In a flash, Ashi and his guards disappeared outside the window.

Shi Bilian knocked on the door. “Sister Zhu? Are you in there?”

Guan Shiyi slipped back onto the inner bed, eyes closed, while the Second Prince gathered the teacups and called out, “Miss Shi, please come in!”

Zhu Xishi quickly set the chair upright and opened the door.

Shi Bilian entered but saw only the Second Prince sitting leisurely on a chair, sipping tea.

“Ah, Sister Zhu, you’re not arguing with anyone, are you?” Shi Bilian asked.

Zhu Xishi wore a genuinely puzzled expression. “Arguing? Who? Me? No, you must have misheard.”

“But just now I clearly…”

Before she could finish, the Second Prince interrupted, “Miss Zhu came to check on Master Guan’s injuries. Perhaps she got a bit anxious and raised her voice. Maybe Miss Shi didn’t hear clearly and misunderstood.”

“Oh, I see.” Shi Bilian relaxed visibly. “Then, Your Highness, how is Master Guan’s injury? Is it convenient to visit him now?”

The Second Prince’s eyes flickered with caution. “No need. He just had his dressing changed and is resting. It’s best not to disturb him.”

“Then what can I do for Master Guan? Maybe make some bone broth? He was shot solidly in the back protecting us during the escape. As the saying goes, injuries to tendons and bones take a hundred days to heal. He must need time to recover.” Shi Bilian glanced toward the inner room.

Zhu Xishi crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe, appraising her up and down. “Bilian sister, I must say, your words sound more like a test than genuine concern.”

“Uh, no, no, absolutely not.” Shi Bilian shook her hands vehemently, but her increasingly flushed face betrayed her.

The Second Prince tapped his chin and nodded toward the empty chair opposite him. “Miss Shi, if you’re not busy,I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.