Noble Consort Xiao on the noble consort’s couch smiled with her red lips, revealing a mysterious and profound meaning.

Just as Ji Yunshu was about to bow in respect, Noble Consort Xiao lightly raised her hand.

“No need. This consort summoned Master Ji to the palace, so you are this consort’s honored guest.”

“This humble commoner has but a lowly life and cannot bear the word ‘honored.'”

Noble Consort Xiao said nothing, gently raising her jade hands and glancing with her eyes toward a chair to the side.

“Master, please sit.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

Ji Yunshu walked slowly to the side and sat down, her expression carrying respect, yet her heart remained quite cold.

Noble Consort Xiao’s lips curved upward as she looked at Ji Yunshu and asked, “Master Ji is an intelligent person. That day you were able to use the disappearance case to make His Majesty agree to exhume Duke Yuguo’s case. This consort greatly admires you. Since you are so intelligent, presumably you also know the reason this consort summoned you to the palace today?”

Quite straightforward indeed!

Her words didn’t beat around the bush.

Regarding her words, Ji Yunshu only spoke indifferently.

“Your Ladyship was kind enough to summon me. Even if there are other meanings, this humble commoner dare not speculate wildly.”

“No matter, why don’t you guess?”

“As for Your Ladyship’s intentions, this humble commoner truly dare not speculate wildly. I hope Your Ladyship will make it clear.”

Since Noble Consort Xiao was playing coy with her, she knew how to return the favor.

Because she understood very clearly that if she guessed correctly, she would have to follow the path Noble Consort Xiao had laid out and be forced to help her. If she guessed wrong, she would appear to be doing it deliberately, clearly indicating she wouldn’t stand in Noble Consort Xiao’s camp—which would be equivalent to becoming her hunting target!

Choosing either one was a dead end!

Better not to guess!

Noble Consort Xiao was an intelligent person. Knowing that Ji Yunshu had seen through her little scheme, she simply smiled.

“Very well. Since Master won’t guess, this consort won’t make things difficult. Actually, this consort summoned you to the palace merely to ask about the disappearance case.”

Lying!

Ji Yunshu didn’t expose her and answered honestly, “To be frank with Your Ladyship, the disappearance case currently has no progress.”

“None?” Noble Consort Xiao secretly felt a small thrill of delight, yet didn’t forget to raise her eyebrows and ask, “But this consort heard that these past two days, a corpse related to the disappearance case was discovered on Mount Liang. Moreover, both hands were severed and the facial skin was peeled off. Master also went to examine it. I heard Master drew a portrait and learned the deceased was Old General Li’s granddaughter?”

“Yes.”

“Then… besides learning who the deceased was, nothing else?”

“The leads have run cold. There’s no way to investigate.”

Ji Yunshu answered very honestly. She had no need to hide or conceal these things.

After all, for Noble Consort Xiao, the inability to find leads in the disappearance case suited her perfectly.

Noble Consort Xiao deliberately displayed a disappointed expression, faintly tinged with some sadness, and sighed softly.

She said, “This case has dragged on for so long. Innocent women have disappeared one after another. Perhaps they’ve all met the same fate as Old General Li’s granddaughter—they’ve all perished.”

She sighed with deep sorrow!

The way this woman feigned concern truly disgusted Ji Yunshu somewhat.

However, she still swallowed back that feeling of disgust.

“Your Ladyship’s concern for this case is a blessing for the common people. This humble commoner will naturally do everything in my power.”

“It’s good that Master Ji has confidence.”

After speaking, Noble Consort Xiao cast a meaningful glance at a palace maid to the side.

The palace maid came forward carrying an extremely exquisite brocade box, placed it on the small table beside Ji Yunshu, and carefully opened it.

What met her eyes was an extremely beautiful Hainan pearl.

“This Hainan pearl was bestowed upon this consort by His Majesty some years ago. Although this consort is very fond of it, I thought that Master’s belt is missing just such a pearl. Why not give it to you, Master?”

How generous!

Ji Yunshu didn’t show any sign of liking it, nor any sign of refusing. She merely extended her hand, her fingertips lightly pressing on the lid of the brocade box, applying downward force.

The box lid closed.

Noble Consort Xiao didn’t understand. “Could it be that Master doesn’t like it?”

“Your Ladyship’s bestowed items are naturally exquisite and precious. However, this humble commoner is accustomed to wearing plain robes. If I were to wear such expensive items on my belt, I truly wouldn’t be comfortable.”

“Oh? Since Master doesn’t like Hainan pearls, this consort has some other things.”

The palace maid understood and once again presented a painting scroll.

It was unfurled before her!

On the painting, colorful plum blossom branches appeared in detail. On that scroll over a meter long was painted a large expanse of plum blossoms. The pale red hues bloomed outward, making one feel very comfortable. Moreover, the plum branches were arranged with perfect spacing—neither too tight nor too loose. Meeting the eye without seeming excessive or dazzling.

It must be said that Ji Yunshu’s heart indeed felt somewhat moved.

Noble Consort Xiao extended her slender index finger and pointed from afar toward a seal on that painting.

While explaining, “Does Master recognize this seal?”

Looking at it, it was actually a painting by Bai Que, the foremost painter of Great Lin.

“I recognize it—Master Bai’s.” She nodded.

“Master Bai’s painting skills are hailed as the best in all of Great Lin, unsurpassed by any. This ‘Plum Blossom Garden’ is the painting he was most proud of in his life. By chance, this consort obtained it. Such a supreme object naturally requires someone who knows how to appreciate it. This consort knows that Master also enjoys painting and your painting skills are remarkable. Why not let this consort give this painting to you, Master?”

It must be said, Ji Yunshu truly wanted to accept this generous gift.

But she knew that once she accepted it, she would be standing in Noble Consort Xiao’s camp and giving up helping Jingrong investigate the “Linjing Case.”

A trace of coldness arose in her eyes, quickly covering over her momentary desire.

She smiled!

…

Jing Xuan lifted the hem of her newly changed skirt, her hair styled in an extremely beautiful coiffure, and hurried toward the main hall without stopping.

Several palace maids followed behind but couldn’t keep up with her pace no matter how they tried.

Reaching the entrance to the main hall, she was full of joy and prepared to rush inside, but was blocked by a eunuch at the side.

“Princess, Her Ladyship is receiving Master Ji inside and has given orders not to be disturbed.”

“Impudent! Are you trying to block even this princess?”

“This servant wouldn’t dare.”

“Then get out of my way.”

The eunuch ultimately didn’t dare to block her and could only shuffle two steps aside.

Jing Xuan snorted and entered, lifting her skirt.

She happened to see Ji Yunshu sitting in a chair, her gaze resting on that tempting painting.

And her own mother consort was looking at Ji Yunshu with a face full of probing intent!

On the Other Side, Inside Fuyang Hall

Emperor Qizhen sat before his desk, his brows furrowed with worried solemnity, displaying the manner of one concerned for country and people. On the desk before him lay a stack of memorials.

In the front row of the hall’s center, standing from left to right, were Jing Yi, Jing Hua, and Jingrong.

Behind the three of them stood several more ministers.

And behind the ministers stood several slightly younger civil officials. Among them was one called Shen Changqin, the son of the Minister of Rites, who half a year ago had entered the position of Vice Minister of Rites under his father’s recommendation.

Shen Changqin was also Ji Wanxin’s future husband.

Looking at him, though he bowed slightly, his features were indeed rather refined. He had the appearance of a modest gentleman and was truly well-matched with Ji Wanxin, the foremost beauty of Jinjiang.