You’re the one who smells, your whole family smells!

Jingrong’s expression was displeased, but he endured it. Then he shot a cold glare at Lang Bo.

He asked: “Didn’t I tell you to take good care of him just now? Why did you let him squat in the corner? Did you hit him?”

What an injustice!

Lang Bo looked nervous and explained: “Your Highness, this subordinate truly didn’t hit Young Master Wei! It was Young Master Wei himself who said… said he wanted to squat in the corner pretending to be a radish while waiting for Master Ji to come out.”

Pretending to be a radish?

Jingrong’s brain capacity was insufficient. The corners of his mouth twitched.

No one could understand the world of a fool.

Wei Yi also quickly waved his hands: “Big brother, he didn’t hit me. He just kept staring at me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere.”

“I was worried you’d run off and get lost,” Lang Bo argued.

“I wouldn’t get lost! I promised Shu’er I’d wait for her outside. I wouldn’t run off and get lost. You’re the one who’d get lost.”

…

The two of them went back and forth, arguing enthusiastically!

Ji Yunshu glanced at the snow—it wasn’t falling very heavily.

She turned sideways and said to Jingrong: “Your Highness, now that this case has been concluded, this humble one will take Wei Yi back first. After all, we’ve been out for quite some time.”

Jingrong frowned: “This prince will escort you.”

“No need. Your Highness has a certain smell on you, and this humble one does too. Better not to put them together.”

That would make the smell even stronger!

But Jingrong was quite stubborn by nature.

He said: “Having stayed in the prison for so long, this prince just happens to want to get some fresh air and take a walk. Incidentally, to have a word with Master Ji.”

“What word?” She was somewhat wary.

“We’ll talk as we walk.”

Playing coy again.

Helplessly, unable to overcome his insistence, the four of them had to travel together!

Wei Yi loved snow very much. Walking at the front, he kept bouncing and jumping. Lang Bo held that set of writing implements and walked behind Wei Yi, following instructions to keep an eye on him.

Behind them, Ji Yunshu and Jingrong walked side by side.

She quickened her pace slightly, and he also quickened his, never falling behind.

After walking a stretch of road, neither had opened their mouth to speak.

Ji Yunshu’s eyes looked straight ahead, her expression like the current weather—frozen as cold.

But Jingrong beside her kept glancing at her from time to time.

Finally he opened his mouth to ask: “Could it be you’re still thinking about what happened earlier?”

“The case is concluded—I won’t think about it anymore.” Her answer was definite.

“Actually, Madam Jiang said one thing that this prince thinks was best said.” With deep meaning.

Ji Yunshu didn’t speak. Having already guessed what he wanted to say, she quickened her pace, wanting to create distance from him and walk ahead on her own. But Jingrong caught up in one stride.

“Jinjiang doesn’t suit you.”

Six words slowly overflowed from his mouth, carrying absolute firm judgment.

Ji Yunshu was fed up and didn’t want to hear it!

Though the capital was grand, it didn’t suit her, this small golden canary!

She stopped walking, her hands clasped before her tightening.

Turning her clear eyes to look at him: “Your Highness is concerned with the Linjing Case. This humble one understands and comprehends the complexity and importance of the case. Your Highness has been away from the capital for half a year, running about solely for this case. I’m afraid in the entire capital, countless pairs of eyes are already fixed on this case. But this humble one would rather stay in the pond, keeping company with lotus flowers, singing with snow, harmonizing with mist. The capital is treacherous—dragons and tigers fighting, even taking lives. A golden sparrow cage means either death or injury. Your Highness worries about the case, but should you not also consider this humble one’s position? Moreover, capable people and reclusive scholars are everywhere under heaven.”

Without half a moment’s hesitation or dragging, each word and sentence was spoken crystal clear.

Jingrong’s originally calm brow and eyes became slightly tense due to this speech!

He looked at Ji Yunshu’s earnest ink-dark eyes, and his heart actually began to loathe himself.

When exactly had he started forcing people!

“Yunshu,” he called softly: “You wish to be a golden canary, but this prince is unwilling to be the cage, confining you within, trapping you until your wings break. Very well—this prince will no longer force you.”

Each word sincere!

Ji Yunshu’s heart jumped, but she also felt reassured. Her red lips parted.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Jingrong said nothing!

At this moment, Wei Yi ran over excitedly, pulling Ji Yunshu’s arm.

Pointing not far away: “Shu’er, look!”

Look? Look at what?

Ji Yunshu raised her eyes. In sync with Jingrong’s movement, she looked in the direction Wei Yi was pointing.

On the main road not far away, red lanterns were hung everywhere. Every household, every shop and warehouse, was busy hanging lanterns in the corners.

Red paper spread before doors, platforms erected, goods displayed.

Along the entire Jinjiang main road, people came and went, all preparing for tonight’s Lantern Gathering Festival.

Vendors busy for their livelihood!

Merchants busy for their business!

While women, children, wealthy families and common families alike—all for the excitement.

“Shu’er, today is the Lantern Gathering Festival. Can we come out tonight? Can we watch the lanterns together?” Wei Yi looked at her with a face full of expectation.

The Lantern Gathering Festival—at the end of the first month, once a year.

Before Ji Yunshu could answer, Jingrong’s originally solemn cold eyes curved with a deliberate flavor.

He smiled: “To encounter a Lantern Gathering Festival in the winter month—such beautiful lantern scenery truly cannot be missed.” Turning to Ji Yunshu, he said: “Tonight this prince will host a banquet at Frost Dwelling Pavilion, inviting Master to join, to reward Master for the hard work of investigating the case these past days. We can also appreciate the beautiful scenery—killing two birds with one stone.”

Before Ji Yunshu could even respond, Wei Yi became anxious.

“What about me? Big brother, why aren’t you inviting me?” A bit aggrieved.

What would you come for?

Jingrong originally wanted to decline him, but thinking about it—he couldn’t be so petty. At that time, he’d just stuff him with more food, which shouldn’t affect his time with Yunshu.

So…

“Fine, you come along too.”

“Big brother is so good!” Wei Yi was very happy and pulled Ji Yunshu again: “Shu’er, let’s make lanterns too, okay? Tonight we’ll hang them together, okay?”

Ji Yunshu’s head was being bothered uncomfortable by the noise, so she could only nod.

She agreed: “Fine.”

Now the snow was falling heavier and heavier. The four quickened their pace and arrived at the Wei residence entrance.

Jingrong took the set of writing implements from Lang Bo’s hands and forcibly stuffed them into Ji Yunshu’s hands.

“This prince gave them to you, so they’re yours. Whether you lose them or sell them again, it’s up to you.”

“…”

“Tonight at Frost Dwelling Pavilion—don’t miss it.”

“…”

Jingrong, bringing Lang Bo with him, had already turned around and departed elegantly. That tall, imposing figure gradually disappeared into the diffuse heavy snow!

Ji Yunshu held the writing implements in her hands, still somewhat dazed.

The next moment, Wei Yi took the writing implements from her hands, saying: “This is heavy. Shu’er, I’ll hold it for you.”

Then he ran into the Wei residence, delivering the items all the way to Ji Yunshu’s courtyard and carefully setting them down!

Mm, he’d done a good deed!

Luan’er saw the two return and noticed they’d brought back a large writing implements box. She came forward.

Very surprised: “Miss, isn’t this that famous and precious set of writing implements from Ink Treasure Studio?”

“Mm.” She nodded.

Suddenly, Luan’er’s nose twitched sharply. She smelled something and frowned: “Miss, do you smell something?”

Of course she smelled it! It was the corpse stench on herself!

But Wei Yi raised his voice: “It’s from that big brother just now. He smelled really bad and made both me and Shu’er smell bad too.”

Good. Jingrong, you’ll reluctantly have to take the blame for this.

Ji Yunshu pursed her lips, smiled gently at Wei Yi, and wrinkled her nose.

She said: “Wei Yi, go play by yourself—whether you find someone to fight crickets with or go make lanterns.”

“Shu’er isn’t going to make lanterns with me?”

She spread her hands left and right: “Look—how can I go to the Lantern Gathering Festival like this?”

Rolling his eyes, Wei Yi understood: “Oh, Shu’er, you need to bathe.”

“…”

Ji Yunshu smiled without speaking.

Wei Yi scratched his head again: “But if Shu’er is bathing, why can’t I be here? When Ami bathes, I’m the one who helps wash him.”

Hey, hey, hey! That’s a dog—I’m a person!

Ji Yunshu couldn’t stand it. She hooked her finger and knocked heavily on his forehead.

“You brat, what nonsense are you spouting!”

He hadn’t said anything wrong—where was he wrong?

Tilting his head, Wei Yi asked: “I’m not spouting nonsense. When Ami bathes, I’m right there beside him. Why can’t I be beside you when you bathe, Shu’er?”

This…

She didn’t know how to explain!

Should she say something about Little Wei Yi and such?

Forget it, forget it.

Setting her words straight, she said: “Wei Yi, if you want to go out tonight to watch the Lantern Gathering Festival, then hurry up and go out now. Otherwise, I won’t go.”

Hearing this, Wei Yi quickly nodded: “Oh, oh, oh, I’ll go out right now.”

Flustered and hurried, he rushed out, leaving only a gust of fresh wind.

Luan’er on the side glanced around twice and quickly asked her young miss: “Miss, where did you go? How did you end up with your whole body…”

She didn’t dare say the word “smelling.”

Ji Yunshu paid no attention to her words and only instructed: “Quickly go boil water. Add some citrus to it—it can dispel corpse smell.”

“Yes.”

Luan’er agreed and hurried to boil water.

Ji Yunshu cleaned herself up thoroughly and also ordered Luan’er to burn that set of coarse hemp clothing.

Before the copper mirror, a light blue silk brocade robe—the upper garment of fine silk, the lower skirt a robe. Her long hair like a waterfall, pinned up with hairpins, adorned with pearls.

That face, lightly made up with powder.

Pure and elegant as frost!

Those beautiful brows and eyes seemed to carry an innate melancholy.

Touching and moving, arousing pity in people’s hearts!

At this moment, Wei Yi carried two lanterns into the courtyard but stood in the yard not daring to enter.

He shouted loudly: “Shu’er, I’ve finished making the lanterns!”

Hearing the voice, Ji Yunshu’s brow moved. She had Luan’er call him in.

Wei Yi ran in carrying the lanterns and placed the two exquisite lanterns in his hands before Ji Yunshu.

“Shu’er, look—I made these lanterns. One for you, one for me.”

Ji Yunshu took them to look. Both were octagonal lanterns. The joints used red wood. Although paste was smeared everywhere, the tassels hanging from the lantern corners were made quite beautifully!

She hadn’t known Wei Yi’s craftsmanship was so good.

“Did you really make these?” She raised her eyebrow to ask him.

But she met Wei Yi’s foolish staring gaze.

Hm?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Shu’er, you’re really beautiful.” He praised from the bottom of his heart.

Hearing this, Luan’er smiled and picked up Wei Yi’s words: “Young Master Wei, I didn’t expect you could also distinguish beauty from ugliness. Our miss is a heavenly immortal descended to earth—of course she’s beautiful!”

He was foolish, not blind—of course he could distinguish beauty from ugliness!

But Luan’er’s words made Ji Yunshu feel awkward. Her gaze fixed on that girl: “What heavenly immortal descended to earth! Nonsense.”

“This servant speaks only the truth. Miss is truly very beautiful.”

“Right, right, right—my Shu’er is very beautiful.” Wei Yi chimed in.

Wait, who is “your” Shu’er?