The three-day deadline arrived quickly.

In the evening, I asked Luan Zhong to help me invite the magistrate. At the same time, I sent someone to the Cui residence to deliver a message, asking Aunt and Cui Anren to come over.

I dressed up specially, removed my hairpins and makeup, put on simple clothes, wore a Daoist yellow hat, held a duster in my hand, and walked into the flower hall.

The hall was full of guests, and Magistrate Li was sitting at the head.

Aunt looked much more haggard, constantly wiping tears with a handkerchief, and kept telling Magistrate Li how difficult it had been to raise her niece all these years. She couldn't understand what had gotten into her niece to act so recklessly.

Cui Anren had a dark expression on his face, staring at Luan Zhong with hostility. It seemed in his eyes, my erratic behavior had a lot to do with Luan Zhong.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat.

Before I could say anything, Aunt suddenly burst into tears, rushed over in three steps, and hugged me, tears and snot streaming down her face, "Good child, seeing you safe, my worried heart can finally rest. Tell Aunt, were you bewitched by someone? Or were you coerced?"

As Aunt said this, she glanced at Luan Zhong intentionally or unintentionally.

Luan Zhong indifferently said, "Madam, please be cautious. I am Miss Ji's hired bodyguard with real gold and silver, both parties signed a contract, sealed it with their stamps, where does coercion come in? Moreover, a daughter's reputation is most important. Miss Ji was afraid of being slandered by those shameless people, so she moved into the Peach Blossom Temple. Madam, how can you say she was coerced and bewitched by someone? If one didn't know better, they would think you and Miss Ji had some deep-seated grudge, why else would you slander her like this?"

Sure enough, Aunt was left speechless, her face turning red in embarrassment.

Cui Anren snorted coldly, "My cousin suddenly left home, my mother and I naturally have to inquire more." With that, Cui Anren's eyes reddened, he quickly walked up to me, grabbed my hand, "What's wrong with you! What kind of clothes are you wearing! Stop playing around, let's talk about this at home!"

I pushed him away expressionlessly, really, just looking at this despicable man made me feel dirty.

I walked up respectfully and bowed to Magistrate Li, "I am Ji Wanwan, paying respects to the magistrate."

Magistrate Li helped me up, glanced at the people in the room, and smiled, "These days, there have been many rumors in the city about Miss Ji. I heard a lot from that little Luan Zhong, is it true, Miss Ji, that you really want to become a Daoist nun?"

I looked resolutely, "Yes, my mind is made up. Now that the Baiyue barbarians have invaded our Great Wei, occupying ten counties north of the Yellow River, countless civilians in the occupied areas have died or been injured. As long as the enemy has not retreated, I will be a Daoist nun, praying for the country and blessing the disaster-stricken people!"

This was the second thing I had Luan Zhong do for me that day. I asked him to spread the news in the city that Ji Wanwan was concerned about the people's livelihood, withdrew from the Cui family's marriage, and became a Daoist to pray for the people and the country.

With such noble reasons, even the Emperor himself would probably be moved to shed a few tears.