The Ji Royal Estate. Just as the Ji King and his consort finished their breakfast, a guard entered to report.
"Your Highness, a group of people have arrived at the estate entrance. They claim to be looking for you," the guard said, cupping his hands.
"Looking for me? Did you ask where they are from?" the Ji King inquired casually.
"I did, Your Highness. They said you'll know once you come to the estate entrance to see for yourself," the guard relayed the visitors' words.
Upon hearing this, the Ji King frowned. Who dared to expect the Ji King to personally greet them at the estate entrance?
This piqued his curiosity immensely.
"Your Highness, why don't you go out and meet them? Perhaps our benefactors have arrived in Bianjing," the Ji Consort suggested from the side.
The Ji King was instantly enlightened by his consort's words.
"My dear, you speak wisely. Three months have passed, and the Cold King and Cold Consort are very likely to have reached Bianjing."
With that, the Ji King hurried out.
He arrived at the estate entrance and saw several imposing men standing outside. He was briefly stunned, then realized these were indeed the Cold King and Cold Consort.
"Cold King, Cold Consort, it truly is you! You've finally arrived in Bianjing. I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival," the Ji King said with a broad smile.
"How do you find it, King Ji? Surprised?" Leng Ruoli's bright, lively eyes flickered as she raised an eyebrow teasingly.
"Haha, as the Cold Consort said, you've indeed surprised me. A while ago, my scouts reported that three months ago, the Earth Dragon in Flame Mountain had stirred. After the Cold King and Cold Consort went to Flame Mountain, they disappeared. I thought you both..."
The Ji King stopped himself abruptly at the end of his sentence.
"Don't worry, King Ji. We're blessed with great fortune. A volcanic eruption won't easily claim us," Leng Ruoli said nonchalantly.
At that moment, the Ji King glanced sharply towards a corner opposite them, his expression turning serious.
"Cold King, Cold Consort, there are many eyes at the entrance. Let's speak inside."
Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan had also sensed that someone was observing the Ji Royal Estate entrance.
Following the Ji King's suggestion, they quickly entered the estate. The Ji King signaled to a guard beside him, who immediately used qinggong to fly towards the corner.
Meanwhile, the Ji King ushered Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli into the main hall and had the servants serve them tea and snacks.
"King Ji, three months have passed. Has the Ji Consort's health improved?" Leng Ruoli asked with concern.
"Speaking of that, it's all thanks to the Cold Consort's timely intervention. If you hadn't decisively saved my wife and child that day, they would surely not have survived," the Ji King said gratefully.
"King Ji, there's no need for such politeness. Saving lives is the duty of a physician," Leng Ruoli replied with a gentle smile.
"However, physicians with such noble character as the Cold Consort are truly rare in this world," the Ji King exclaimed.
Hearing this, Leng Ruoli merely smiled serenely, her clear smile carrying a refreshing comfort like a cool summer breeze, making one feel truly at ease.
Just then, the Ji Consort entered, pushing the baby carriage that Leng Ruoli had gifted her.
"Hahaha, Your Highness, my guess was right! Our benefactors have arrived in Bianjing," the Ji Consort said with a smile.
"Indeed, my dear's words are always accurate," the Ji King replied happily.
"Cold King, Cold Consort, my husband and I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival, hoping for the stars and moon to bring you here," the Ji Consort said, turning to Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli with a beaming smile.
"Haha, aren't we here today?"
Leng Ruoli offered a polite smile.
"Your Highness, on the day we returned to the estate from Jade Stone Town, didn't we prepare a gift for the Cold Consort?" the Ji Consort reminded the Ji King.
"Right, right. Ye Fei, go find the steward and have him open the treasury to bring out the gift I prepared for the Cold Consort," the Ji King quickly instructed.
The guard named Ye Fei immediately stepped forward to accept the order and swiftly went to find the steward.
"King Ji, Ji Consort, you truly don't have to be so formal," Leng Ruoli said, seeing that the Ji King was serious about the gift, and immediately tried to decline.
"Cold Consort, it's nothing, just some insignificant trinkets," the Ji Consort said with a smile.
Afterward, Leng Ruoli dropped the topic and inquired extensively about the Ji Consort's recovery and conducted thorough check-ups for the two children.
Later, Leng Ruoli carefully took the Ji Consort's pulse again, ensuring her health had indeed recovered well before concluding.
Soon, a short while later, Ye Fei arrived with a group of servants carrying large wooden chests one after another, placing them in the hall. Leng Ruoli glanced casually; there were six large boxes in total.
"Ye Fei, open these boxes," the Ji King commanded.
"Yes!" Ye Fei replied respectfully.
Instantly, Ye Fei skillfully opened all the wooden chests.
The treasures within the boxes astonished Leng Ruoli.
The first two large boxes contained fabrics, including two bolts of ice-blue cloud-spun cloth. The third and fourth boxes held valuable jewelry and accessories. The fifth contained coral, jade, agate, and various precious gems. The sixth box was neatly filled with rare medicinal herbs, such as thousand-year-old ginseng, thousand-year-old lingzhi mushrooms, Heavenly Mountain snow lotus, and jade ginseng fruit, among others.
Seeing these medicinal herbs made Chu Mingxuan's mouth water.
Heavens, the Ji King was too generous!
He had given so many precious herbs to the Cold Consort all at once, making him envious.
Wuwuwu, he thought, he would immediately ask his consort for some of these herbs upon their return.
Chu Mingxuan muttered incessantly in his heart.
"King Ji, Ji Consort, didn't you say they were just some insignificant trinkets? What... what is this?" Leng Ruoli looked at the six boxes, completely bewildered. The Ji King was too generous; these six boxes of treasures would fetch a considerable sum in silver.
Although she, Leng Ruoli, was greedy, she felt awkward accepting so many treasures from the Ji King.
"Cold Consort, please don't be so polite. Half of these are from us, your Highness and I, to express our gratitude for saving my wife and child. The other half is to thank you for agreeing to treat my uncle," the Ji King said solemnly.
"King Ji, what happened that day with the Ji Consort was merely a small effort on my part and the King's. As for your uncle's condition, I need to examine him personally to determine if his illness can be treated," Leng Ruoli said mildly.
"Cold Consort, I trust your medical skills. Regardless of the outcome of your treatment, I will be extremely grateful," the Ji King said with a slight smile.
"Yes, Cold Consort. Ever since I personally experienced the caesarean section to deliver the baby, I have had absolute faith in your medical skills. I believe the Cold Consort can cure Uncle Shangguan's ailment," the Ji Consort added in agreement.
Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan and the others: "..."
These two were truly showering Leng Ruoli with praise.