Hearing these words, Ji Li’s will to survive seemed rather weak!

It was more like he had accepted his current predicament!

But when did that imposing and authoritative Chief Minister Ji become like this?

Jingrong looked at him sitting on the ground in the darkness and asked, “So you really believe that you killed him?”

“Perhaps!”

“A life for a life—moreover, this murder case involves matters between two nations. Your entire Ji family might be implicated.”

Ji Li raised his eyes to look at him, letting out a cold laugh. “Is the prince worried that my third sister will also be implicated?”

Jingrong’s face remained expressionless as he replied with some amusement, “Has Chief Minister Ji forgotten? She’s no longer part of your Ji family.”

Yes, this prince’s woman has already been expelled from the Ji family by you all. Even if your entire family faces execution, it won’t reach her!

Ji Li’s smile suddenly faded as he muttered, “That’s true!”

“At a time like this, does Chief Minister Ji not plan to say anything else?”

Ji Li exhaled deeply. After a long while, he finally spoke seriously to Jingrong, “Prince, you’re a clever man. You should be able to see the suspicious elements in this matter, right? If someone truly framed me, then what was their purpose? Why frame me? And this time when the Qujiang people came to Dalin, their true intentions were never about what they claimed on the surface. They perhaps have a bigger plan, and this plan must start with me. Of course, these are all just my speculations. Perhaps I really did kill him—after all, five years ago in the Battle of Cangshui, many Qujiang soldiers died by my sword. So seeing the Qujiang people, with alcohol going to my head and losing control, I might have wanted to kill.”

This explanation was truly absurd!

Ji Li shrugged—death was death. In another eighteen years, he’d be a good man again.

But after hearing his seemingly careless analysis, Jingrong’s brow furrowed deeply with gravity, and he took a small step back.

He said, “This prince will remember these words. However, during this time, Chief Minister Ji should stay properly in this prison. But this prince hopes Chief Minister Ji remembers what this prince said—Ji Yunshu is someone this prince brought to the capital, and I will definitely protect her completely. Even if in the end you walk out of this prison wanting to kill her, this prince guarantees I will kill you first. This is a warning, not a notification.”

His tone carried complete threat!

Ji Li only looked at him coldly, the corners of his mouth curved in a deep smile.

And after Jingrong dropped these words, he had already turned to leave. The warden at the corner, after he left, carefully checked on Ji Li in the cell. Seeing he was still there, the warden breathed a sigh of relief.

Emerging from the prison, Jingrong mounted his horse and headed back to Prince Rong’s residence.

Lang Bo beside him couldn’t help but ask, “Prince, this Chief Minister Ji made no urgent attempt to explain himself. Could it be that he really killed the man?”

“I don’t know!”

“To be locked in the Ministry of Justice prison without shouting or making a fuss—only he could do that.”

Jingrong shot him a sideways glance, his face showing disdain. “Chief Minister Ji is not just anyone. He understands very clearly that even if he shouted himself hoarse, without Father Emperor seeing evidence proving he didn’t kill the man, there’s absolutely no way he’d be released. What use would shouting accomplish?”

“This… this subordinate was foolish!”

Lang Bo’s lips twitched!

After returning to the residence, Jingrong went to the Eastern Courtyard. Ji Yunshu was in the room, having spread a sheet of paper on the table and just about to lift her brush when Jingrong entered.

Perhaps he had walked rather hurriedly—his mouth dry and parched. Upon entering, without a word, he drank two cups of water.

Only then did he sit down!

Ji Yunshu watched him like this, stunned for quite a while before asking, “What did you find out?”

Jingrong pondered for a moment, then recounted everything, telling her word for word what Ji Li had said to him.

Ji Yunshu listened carefully, mulling it over in her mind.

Jingrong was also quite puzzled, saying, “There’s one thing this prince doesn’t understand—Ji Li seemed very calm, as if he held a determination to die with no desire to survive, which this prince cannot see through.”

“The prince cannot see through because he doesn’t want you to see through.” Ji Yunshu said.

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“My elder brother has an extremely meticulous mind. When facing any situation, he’s always the most calm. Others think he doesn’t care, but in reality, he’s already seeking another way out for himself.”

“Another way out? Those imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice prison are all serious criminals. Moreover, he was imprisoned there by my Father Emperor’s personal decree. Without Father Emperor’s word, no one can save him. Escaping prison is even more impossible. Another way out? There’s only one path—clearing his name.” Jingrong expressed doubt about her words.

But Ji Yunshu was quite firm. “It’s precisely because of this that others cannot see through my elder brother’s thoughts. Even if he really killed the man, in the end, he can still come out alive.”

“You’re overestimating Ji Li!”

“No, it’s the prince who’s underestimating him.”

With this said, Jingrong suddenly felt as if he really had overlooked something, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

What exactly was Ji Li planning?

Seeing him deep in thought, Ji Yunshu continued, “However, regardless of what other way out my elder brother is seeking and which path it is, he was right about one thing—all of this very likely is a plan by the Qujiang people. They want to use Weichi Lin’s death to achieve their real objective. If so, it’s truly terrifying.”

“So what have you thought of?” Jingrong raised his eyebrows, wanting to hear more.

Though actually, he had already thought of it himself!

Ji Yunshu picked up a brush and began drawing on the paper while saying, “The greatest interest between two nations is nothing more than territorial sovereignty. The Qujiang people employing flanking tactics at the border this time was strange to begin with. After receiving His Majesty’s command, they smoothly entered the capital, claiming they came to seek a marriage alliance. Although the reason seems reasonable, it’s somewhat absurd. His Majesty just ordered Miss Kong to go there—logically, those Qujiang people should leave now. Yet in just one night’s time, Weichi Lin died. The entire affair seems to follow a pattern, planned step by step. Five years ago, after the battle between Qujiang and Dalin, they lost two cities. The King of Qujiang is still a king after all, so he must harbor resentment.”

After hearing her words, a flash of slight surprise crossed Jingrong’s eyes, though not quite shock.

He said, “So you believe their ultimate objective is for those two cities? Step by step, they began planning from when they employed flanking tactics at the border.”

“Possibly even earlier.” Ji Yunshu said lightly.

Jingrong rose from his chair and walked toward Ji Yunshu. For this woman, he could no longer adequately express his admiration—she was too intelligent, so intelligent that one found her terrifying.

These matters, even those who had long been in court might not be able to analyze in such detail.

Yet she seemed like someone who could see the entire situation!

Perhaps sensing that gaze cast upon her—one carrying both appreciation and intense heat—Ji Yunshu raised her eyes, meeting Jingrong’s gaze directly.