Chapter 5 Sunset in the West

  It was just past noon, and Long Xilan sat under the sun in the west garden of the General's Mansion, basking in the warm sunlight.

  Warm sunshine shone on her pale face, reflecting a faint glow. She casually picked up a wooden stick from the ground and roughly drew a map of Jiangjun Fu on the ground, marking each place with a circle where the guards were stationed. After finishing, she couldn't help but furrow her brow slightly, thinking that with this layout, probably only a ghost could escape from Jiangjun Fu!

  "Our family's young lady has been chosen as the Crown Princess!"

  "Really?" On the other side of the courtyard wall, two slave servants who were sweeping snow were chatting.

  "Have you heard that rumor?"

  "What rumor?"

  That man carefully replied: "This is not Xi Wang's first engagement, this is already the third time!"

  This news reached Long Xilan's ears, and she was also a little curious, how did Li Hua already have three engagements?

  "Yes, the first time was with the daughter of the current Chancellor, and the second time was with the daughter of the Minister of War."

  "Why didn't you marry one of the young ladies from those two families?"

  He lowered his voice and said: "How can we welcome the bride? Both times, it was after someone from the Wang Mansion went to escort her that the young lady mysteriously died!"

  "What are you doing here, still idle? Go and work!" Another scolding voice came from the other side of the wall.

  "Yes!" The two of them hastily turned around and left!

  Recognizing it was Ji Jinjiang's voice, Long Xilan quickly erased the drawings on the ground and sat back down on the stone bench beside her, her face returning to its usual calm.

  "Are you here?" Ji Jinjiang walked over and stopped in front of her.

  "What's wrong, am I not even allowed to bask in the sun?"

  "It's nothing, I came to find you, just wanted to tell you that the person who was sent by the Wang Fu has arrived!" The other party finished speaking and looked at her calm face, wanting to see what kind of reaction she would have.

  But she just listened, without even blinking her eyes once.

  This was never her affair, in her eyes, she was just a prisoner trapped in this general's mansion!

  "It doesn't matter who you were in the past, but now, with this face, you are just the Second Miss of the General's Manor and the future princess consort of the Xi Wangfu. You should understand this point earlier."

  There has been a rumor circulating that any woman who is betrothed to Xi Wang will not live long. Ji Jinjiang did not believe it at first, but after the Emperor summoned General Ji alone and confirmed the marriage, Ji Jinjiang died soon after, with his personal guards stationed outside the house. He died without anyone knowing what happened, and there were no visible injuries on his body. This marriage between Xi Wang and the new bride is inevitable now, and he only wants to ensure her safety.

  Long Xilan's eyes swept across Ji Jinjiang's face, saying disdainfully: "Your sister's bones are not yet cold, and you're already in a hurry to find another person to replace her. This brother, you're really considerate!"

  Ji Jinjiang's face remained unchanged in response to this cold ridicule.

  He only said: "There will be a lantern festival tonight, and someone from the Wang's residence came to invite you earlier. King Xi invites you to watch the lanterns! I think you haven't been looking well these past few days, so it's better if you don't go?"

  Long Xilan suddenly turned her face, smiling involuntarily: "Go, why not go? The people from the Wang Fu have all come to invite us, how can we refuse? Besides, since I'm wearing this face and have become the future crown princess, shouldn't I get to know what kind of person my future husband is?"

  Although she knew that Ji Jinjiang would definitely send someone to follow her, as long as she left the General's Mansion, she would definitely find a way to escape!

  ……

  The sun sets in the west, the magnificent lanterns are initially lit up, a horse carriage stops steadily in front of the General's Mansion.

  Soon, Long Xilan slowly came out under Qinglian's escort.

  Before leaving, Ji Jinjiang followed out, holding a light-colored cloak with a furry edge in his hand.

  "Brocade painting, cool at night, wear this." He didn't let Qinglian come to receive it, but personally handed it over to Long Xilan's hands.

  As he came closer, he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Come back tonight and I'll tell you where the other hairpin is!"

  Long Xilan nodded: "Brother, go back!"

  Then she slowly walked down the stairs and stopped at a well-appointed carriage.

  Inside the carriage, a handsome young man was already seated. As the attendant drew open the curtain for Long Xuelan, he found himself face to face with Li Huan's bright and clear eyes.

  She was stunned for a moment, and softly called out: "Your Highness!"