The two talked in the room for nearly an hour, and no servant entered again. Even when the tea went cold, no one went in to serve more tea.

Afterward, Jingrong came out alone, his expression deeply troubled, his whole body emanating a cold air that made people keep their distance.

Outside, the drizzle continued falling without stop. The weather was also very gloomy, and the air carried a faint cold wind.

The entire capital seemed shrouded in a strange mist.

It made people feel stifled, unable to breathe!

When Jingrong returned to the manor, his robe and hair were already soaked through by the fine drizzle.

A white layer of “frost”!

He headed straight for the Eastern Garden, but just as he entered, several maids informed him that Ji Yinshu had gone out.

“With Young Master Wei?” His tone was icy.

The maids shrank back, shaking their heads. “No, Young Master Wei is in the room. Master Ji went out alone.”

“Where did she go?”

“We don’t know!”

“How do you do your jobs?” Jingrong rebuked.

The maids were so frightened they kept their heads down, not daring to meet his eyes. Opening their mouths, they hurried to say, “Not long after Your Highness left the manor, someone delivered something to Master Ji. After that, Master Ji hurried out, only instructing us to watch Young Master Wei well. Nothing else was said. We servants couldn’t stop him.”

This wrenched Jingrong’s heart!

Ji Yinshu had just arrived in the capital, unfamiliar with people and places. Who could she be going out to see? Ji family members? Impossible. Right now, the Ji family was probably still not finished with the funeral!

Who could it be?

He forcefully swept his sleeve and summoned Lang Bo, his expression urgent as he commanded loudly, “Immediately take people to search the entire capital. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you must find Ji Yinshu for this prince. This prince does not permit her to have even the slightest injury.”

“I obey!”

Lang Bo was also anxious and quickly led Prince Rong’s manor guards to search for Ji Yinshu.

At this moment, Wei Yi heard the commotion and came out, still holding a piece of osmanthus cake in his hand, his mouth stuffed full.

Mumbling unclearly at Jingrong, he asked, “Big brother, what are you shouting about? Shu’er told me that when eating, you can’t talk. Why are you disturbing me?”

“…”

Seeing he didn’t answer, Wei Yi walked up, chin slightly raised, and asked again, “Are you hungry?”

“Not hungry!”

“Then why are you shouting?”

So innocent!

Black lines appeared on Jingrong’s forehead. He was dying of anxiety right now, and this silly boy was still finding ways to “amuse” him. Could he be serious?

Turning around, he instructed the several maids, “Watch Young Master Wei well. If anything else goes wrong, this prince will deal with you all.”

“Yes!” The maids responded in unison.

Immediately, Jingrong strode away quickly, rushing out of the manor to search for Ji Yinshu.

Behind him, Wei Yi muttered, “Has big brother gone crazy?”

Seeing Jingrong leave, the maids’ hearts relaxed somewhat, yet they still looked at each other, slightly trembling with residual fear.

Wei Yi walked up to the maids, his tone comforting as he said, “Sisters, don’t be afraid of big brother. Although big brother is a punching bag, he’s a very good person. Don’t be afraid of him, and don’t be angry with him either.”

“Young Master Wei, we…”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. The person big brother fears most is Shu’er. If he bullies you, I’ll tell Shu’er.” Looking very arrogant.

The maids’ hearts kept pounding. Clearly Master Ji was male, yet Young Master Wei called her Shu’er. This form of address was far too intimate, and moreover, somewhat strange.

Setting these things aside, the young maids all nodded.

You must know, Wei Yi was a master of “chatter.” Though they had only been in contact for one day, this “strong point” of Wei Yi’s was very obvious.

If they didn’t nod, Wei Yi would probably keep talking to them for several hours before giving up.

Wei Yi chuckled, finished chewing the pastry in his mouth, and stuffed the one in his hand in as well. Only then, satisfied, did he enter the room to continue eating!

On the other side.

After leaving Prince Rong’s manor, Ji Yinshu went to a restaurant.

As soon as she entered, she was led upstairs to a private room by a server.

Pushing the door open, she saw a person sitting properly and upright, displaying an elegant and noble posture. Though her expression carried an air of harmony, the pride in her eyes had not diminished in the slightest.

The door behind closed with a snap!

Ji Yinshu wasn’t surprised. Clutching the brief letter in her hand, she brushed the rainwater off her shoulder, walked over, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

She said, “I didn’t expect Madam Jiang to know so quickly that I came to the capital.”

Sitting before her was none other than that overbearing Madam Jiang.

When Ji Yinshu had been imprisoned, she had already learned that Madam Jiang and Li Zhao were released, and it was Old General Li who had brought a yellow document and had it delivered to the yamen. The county magistrate could only obey orders and release the two.

The Li family’s influence was truly great!

Madam Jiang’s eyes rose with a smile, more than that, amazement. Her hands swept toward the chair beside her. “Master Ji, please sit. I’ve already ordered fine dishes prepared as a welcoming feast for you, sir.”

Ji Yinshu wasn’t polite, lightly lifting her robe as she sat down.

Before her were this restaurant’s signature dishes, each one very refined and attractive.

She smiled politely. “Madam Jiang need not be so extravagant.”

“How can it be called extravagant? I said before that Master Ji is no ordinary person. Now that you’ve finally come to the capital, I naturally must drink three cups of wine with you, sir. Such a feast seems somewhat inadequate.”

Rich people really are different!

She turned her gaze to meet Madam Jiang’s eyes, her expression serious. “Since this isn’t the first time Madam Jiang and I have met, if Madam Jiang has business, you might as well speak directly. Fine delicacies are not my preference.”

Shaking her head gently.

“Master Ji is truly clever—nothing escapes you. Since you’ve already guessed my intention, I’ll speak plainly.”

Oh!

So there really was something!

That made sense. She had exposed her “wound” in Jinjiang, so Madam Jiang should hate her to death. How could she truly share fine food and three cups of wine with her!

Madam Jiang sighed and spoke slowly, “To be honest with you, sir, I have a younger sister in my manor who just recently came of age, named Shui Qing. But not long ago, the day before I returned to the capital from Jinjiang, Shui Qing mysteriously disappeared. I sent people everywhere to inquire, but there’s been no news at all.”

Getting straight to the point!

“A young woman’s disappearance case?” Ji Yinshu said lightly.

“Exactly. I presume you heard about it as soon as you entered the capital? Within these past two months, the capital has experienced multiple cases of missing women in succession. Despite investigating for a long time, no leads have been found. It’s truly alarming. I just never expected the culprit’s hand would reach into my Li family.”

Speaking to this point, Madam Jiang’s embroidered hands clenched into fists!

Ji Yinshu understood the general meaning. Her eyes lowered, and she only asked one question. “So, Madam Jiang wants me to help you?”

“I know Master Ji’s capabilities.”

“Madam Jiang…”

Madam Jiang immediately interrupted her.

“I know you don’t wish to get involved in this matter, but right now, only you, Master Ji, can investigate this case clearly.”