Forced love, an inescapable fate

This was her first time shopping in this era, and she was curious about everything she saw: the sugar figurines blown by the old man on the roadside, the candied haws made by the chubby boy, and the rouge made by the pretty girl herself, all of these were enough to attract her to stop. Like a happy child, she curiously looked at this stall and looked at what the vendor was holding.

It was not until the evening that they returned to the courtyard with full packages.

After returning, the two of them worked together to prepare their first meal in the courtyard. Jiang Ci was responsible for helping, and Mu Qingli was responsible for cooking. After spending some time together, they gradually developed a tacit understanding with each other.

Although they just made two simple bowls of tomato and egg noodles, it was still a big challenge for the two of them. After all, neither of them had any cooking experience. Mu Qingli could cook some simple meals, but it was limited to noodles.

So it took her half an hour to knead the dough and turn it into noodles. Although it was her first time, she succeeded. Especially now, when she eats the noodles she made herself, the satisfaction in her heart is indescribable.

The two of them ate two large bowls of noodles each, feeling very satisfied. They were so full that they could only touch their stomachs. There were two lounge chairs in the yard, and Mu Qingli lay down on them without any image.

She folded her hands and looked at the starry sky. The experience along the way was like a dream. If she had not been sure that she had really experienced these things in this world, she would have thought that she had just had a long dream.

Although the experience along the way was thrilling, they were finally out of danger. She and Jiang Ci are still alive and well. From now on, both Qi and Jing have nothing to do with them. They will just be ordinary siblings and live ordinary lives.

But Jiang Ci is already thirteen years old this year. Given the attitude of the Qi royal family towards him, he should have no chance to learn to read and write. Now they have settled down here and have some money. This town should have a school or something. Although it is late now, he should still be allowed to go to school. He is a prince after all, and it is impossible for him to stay in this small town with me all his life. He is still young and has not thought about these things, but I have to consider it for him.

Thinking of this, she turned and asked Jiang Ci.

"Brother, can you read?"

Jiang Ci himself could read and write. Although the royal family of Qi would never allow a hostage to learn to read and write, and he would never have such an opportunity, Nanny Li and the maid Lu Zhu who came to Qi with him at that time still secretly taught him a lot of words. He had a good memory and usually remembered what he read once. But this was a secret. Apart from the deceased Nanny Li and Lu Zhu, no one else in the world knew about it. Naturally, he would not tell Mu Qingli about this.

He didn't know why Mu Qingli suddenly asked him this question at this time.

He shook his head and asked, "Of course I can't read, what's wrong, sister?"

Mu Qingli showed an expression that said "as expected". She was not surprised at Jiang Ci's answer at all.

"Have you ever thought about going to school?"

"School?"

Jiang Ci was a little confused.

Mu Qingli stood up and looked into Jiang Ci's eyes seriously.

"Yes, go to school. You can't be illiterate. It's always good to read a little and learn a few words. Besides, you are still young and have a long way to go. No one can predict what will happen in the future, but I think that learning a few words will always be good for you. Tomorrow we will go out to the town to see if there is a school and find out first, okay, brother?"

Mu Qingli really cares about Jiang Ci's future, and Jiang Ci can naturally feel it.

He thought about living here for a while and maybe going to school to play.

Seeing Jiang Ci nodded, Mu Qingli was quite happy. She originally thought that he would refuse, but she didn't expect him to agree so quickly.

After cleaning up in the evening, Mu Qingli boiled some water and took a comfortable bath. She decided to find a school for Jiang Ci early the next morning. After a busy day, she was exhausted. She leaned back on the bed and lay down.

......

It was late at night, and every household in the town was fast asleep with their doors closed. Mu Qingli and their family's courtyard was no exception. The entire courtyard was silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects and the sound of night watchmen floating in the quiet night.

Mu Qingli was sleeping soundly, and the incense burner in the room was still burning to help her sleep.

Jiang Ci lay on a recliner in the yard, staring at the night sky in a daze, the hem of his clothes swaying up and down with the movement of the recliner.

Bai Yu flashed and flew in from outside the fence.

Jiang Ci raised his eyes and listened to his report on the recent situation.

"Your Highness, the Qi royal family has secretly sent many people to search for you and the princess. Currently, their attention has been successfully focused on King Xuan. Although they cannot be sure now, they have already suspected King Xuan. Especially with the serious injury of the crown prince and the death of the third prince, King Qi is furious. Now the court of Qi is in an uproar. General Fengzong has not yet received any news of your disappearance and the princess's disappearance. Should we add fuel to the fire?"

After listening to Bai Yu's report, Jiang Ci was thoughtful.

After a moment, I only heard him say.

"Qi Anheng was willing to kill himself, but it's thanks to him that we can proceed so smoothly. I see his sincerity as an ally. As for Feng Zong, it's only a few days before he comes to pick up Mu Qingli and me. We don't need to add fuel to the fire. If he can't pick us up, he'll naturally become suspicious, and we won't have to take action. He'll naturally put pressure on Qi. I want to see how the King of Qi will deal with it then."

Here he paused and then continued.

"As for Mu Qingli and my whereabouts, we will keep it a secret from both Qi and Jing. I have other plans. One more thing, Mu Qingli is going to send me to school tomorrow. Please take care of the arrangements."

Bai Yu was increasingly puzzled by Jiang Ci's thoughts, but as a secret guard, he had no choice but to obey his master's decision.

"Subordinates take orders."

After explaining everything, Bai Yu was about to leave when he saw Jiang Ci hesitate to speak.

Judging from his expression, he seemed a little conflicted, but in the end, he still gave the order.

"Find an opportunity to find a job for Mu Qingli, one that's suitable for a woman and a bit easier. Also, find an opportunity to arrange for a female secret guard to follow her around and monitor her every move. You can decide how to do it."

Even Bai Yu noticed the change in Jiang Ci's attitude towards Mu Qingli. Now arranging secret guards for Mu Qingli was probably more about protection than surveillance.

"Subordinates resign!"

After Bai Yu left, Jiang Ci looked at the room where Mu Qingli was with complicated eyes.