Uh!

Lying?

Gan Chouliang withdrew that sinister look from his eyes.

“What did you say?”

As he questioned harshly, his hand gradually tightened, gripping Ji Yunshu’s wrist until it hurt.

But Ji Yunshu didn’t struggle. Instead, she fearlessly met Gan Chouliang’s bloodshot gaze.

She questioned him.

“Did you actually kill anyone or not?”

Ji Yunshu’s intelligent eyes were like a beam of light that could penetrate one’s heart, seeing the other person clearly through and through.

Gan Chouliang’s hand gradually released from her arm.

As he spoke: “I’ve already told you everything. All the evidence points to me as well. I’m the killer. You should execute me immediately and tear me limb from limb.”

Yes, all the evidence pointed to him. Before this, Ji Yunshu had also concluded that he was likely the murderer.

So why was she now saying he was lying?

Ji Yunshu took a step back and said, “Rest assured, if you really did kill those people, you will definitely receive the punishment you deserve.”

Without another word, she immediately turned and left Gan Chouliang’s cell.

Behind her echoed Gan Chouliang’s roaring shouts.

“I am the murderer! Kill me! Hurry up and kill me…”

Accompanied by the sounds of him repeatedly striking the wooden posts—

Ji Yunshu stopped in the jailer’s rest area within the prison. Without a word, she quickly picked up the writing brush and ink on the table, wrote something on paper, and as soon as the ink dried, folded it up.

She hurriedly handed it to Jing Zhaoyin.

She urgently instructed: “Jing Zhaoyin, please send someone immediately to the palace gates. If Prince Rong can successfully stop Prince Yi, this letter need not be delivered to him. But if he cannot, give him this letter and have him enter the palace together with Prince Yi to have an audience with His Majesty.”

“This…”

“The matter is urgent. Any later and it will be too late.”

Seeing Ji Yunshu so anxious, Jing Zhaoyin asked no more questions. He took the letter and immediately summoned his men to give the orders.

However, Jing Zhaoyin was still confused and asked Ji Yunshu: “Master Ji, what exactly is going on? What did you write in the letter that needs to be delivered to Prince Rong so urgently?”

Ji Yunshu glanced toward Gan Chouliang’s cell, her eyes slightly darkening, then looked back at Jing Zhaoyin.

She asked: “Did you notice Gan Chouliang’s Adam’s apple?”

“Adam’s apple?” Jing Zhaoyin thought for a moment: “What’s unusual about it?”

“His Adam’s apple is clearly different from an ordinary person’s. A normal man’s Adam’s apple forms an acute angle—the smaller the angle, the larger the Adam’s apple. But… Gan Chouliang’s Adam’s apple is different. The angle of his Adam’s apple approaches an obtuse angle, similar in size to a woman’s Adam’s apple.”

“What does this indicate?”

“It indicates…”

…

Jingrong rode at full speed with Lang Bo, racing to the South Gate.

Just in time, Prince Yi was descending from his carriage, preparing to enter the palace.

After taking just two steps, he was stopped by Jingrong.

Seeing Jingrong’s hurried expression, Jing Yi smiled, wearing a puzzled look: “What are you doing?”

“Are you going to report on this disappearance case?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you do this?” Jingrong questioned.

Jing Yi made no effort to hide anything, saying directly: “Why? Jingrong, I’m the one who solved this case, so naturally I should be the one to report it to Father Emperor.”

Shameless!

“You should be very clear what this case represents.”

“Of course I’m clear. But you and I both know even more clearly that the Crown Prince is now Jing Hua, and Father Emperor is already aged. How many more years can you and I wait? And our status as princes is already very sensitive. Your investigation of the disappearance case is ultimately for the Linjing Case, but when it comes down to it, isn’t it all for the position of Crown Prince in the end!”

“So this is why you’ve obstructed me repeatedly?”

“As the saying goes, badgers don’t share the same den, leopards don’t drink from the same source.” Jing Yi’s tone carried deep meaning.

Of course, Jingrong wasn’t foolish and understood what he meant.

“Jing Yi, I only want to investigate the Linjing Case and have no other intentions. As long as you promise not to interfere with this case, I can guarantee you that I absolutely will not compete with you. You also need not continue scheming and guarding against me everywhere.”

“Why should I believe you?” Jing Yi raised an eyebrow.

“If I wanted to compete with you, I would have presented the jade pendant worn by the death warrior to Father Emperor the very day we returned to the capital.”

Uh!

Jing Yi’s heart skipped a beat, but he said dismissively: “Jingrong, you know I’m not afraid. A single jade pendant alone cannot prove anything.”

“Must you insist on interfering in this matter?”

“I’m not trying to be your enemy. It’s just that when one wants to climb higher, one must cut off the path behind to prevent others from climbing up after them.” As he spoke, he placed his hand on Jingrong’s shoulder and patted it, letting out a cold laugh: “Next time, don’t let me beat you to it again!”

With those words, he entered the South Gate!

Watching that figure gradually disappear into the distance, Jingrong’s face darkened.

Lang Bo walked over and asked quietly: “Your Highness, if Prince Yi really does make the report, then…”

Before he could finish speaking, they heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching.

The rider leaped down from the horse and knelt on one knee before Jingrong, presenting a letter.

“Your Highness, this is from Master Ji.”

Hm?

“Master Ji said that if Prince Rong cannot stop Prince Yi, after reading this letter, you should enter the palace together with Prince Yi for an audience with His Majesty!”

Jingrong received the letter and opened it. Shock!

He immediately secured the letter and strode quickly through the South Gate.

Behind him, Lang Bo looked completely confused.

Inside Fuyang Hall.

Jing Yi had already presented the indictment in his hand to Emperor Qizhen.

Emperor Qizhen was delighted and closed the indictment: “For the past two months, both inside and outside the capital have been in a state of panic over this matter. Jing Zhaoyin investigated left and right but couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t expect that you would solve this case. Good, very good.”

Jing Yi kept his head lowered, slightly bowing at the waist, the corners of his mouth carrying an imperceptible smile.

“I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. Now that you’ve solved the case, I cannot fail to reward you. Tell me, what would you like?”

The throne!

Will you give it?

Jing Yi bowed with clasped hands: “Your son only hopes for the Great Lin Kingdom to have peace and prosperity, and is content with that. Moreover, this matter concerns the safety and welfare of the common people, which is exactly what your son should be doing. I seek no reward from Father Emperor.”

This answer!

In modern times, this would be the standard answer!

Clearly, Emperor Qizhen was very satisfied with Jing Yi’s response. He nodded and said: “Regardless, you have ultimately rendered merit. I shall reward you with…”

“Prince Rong has arrived!”

Jingrong entered at just the right moment, his face expressionless as he bowed with clasped hands: “Your son pays respects to Father Emperor.”

Emperor Qizhen asked: “Why have you come to the palace?”

“Your son knew that Prince Yi was entering the palace to report on the disappearance case, so I came along as well. Regarding the disappearance case, your son still has…”

Emperor Qizhen interrupted him: “I know what you want to say. Previously I promised that Master Ji that as long as she solved the disappearance case, I would agree to exhume the coffin at Duke Yuguo’s manor. But now, this case was solved by Jing Yi. Naturally, my promise to exhume the coffin is also nullified.”

Jing Yi stood to the side, the corners of his mouth curved in a smile.

But Jingrong’s face remained composed. He stepped forward and said: “Your son only wishes to say that the disappearance case reported by Prince Yi contains an error.”

“An error?”

“The killer is not Gan Chouliang.”

Emperor Qizhen frowned, glanced at the shocked Jing Yi, then turned to question Jingrong: “Why?”

Jingrong simply stated.

“Because he is a eunuch!”