Jingrong descended from his carriage, pretending he hadn’t heard those words just now.

Seeing Jingrong alight, Jing Zhaoyin and the others quickly stepped forward and bowed.

“Greetings to Prince Rong!”

Jingrong raised his hand.

“Are you gentlemen about to enter the palace, or have you just left?”

Jing Zhaoyin answered, “We just entered the palace a moment ago and have now come out.”

“Mm.”

He nodded.

Jingrong said nothing more and prepared to step through the south gate.

However, Jing Zhaoyin immediately told the officials beside him to go ahead first, while he himself caught up with Jingrong’s pace.

“Your Highness.”

He called out.

Jingrong stopped and asked, “What matter does Jing Zhaoyin have?”

Jing Zhaoyin approached with a cautious manner, lowering his voice to say, “Your Highness, I wonder how busy Master Ji has been lately with the ‘Linjing Case’—how is it progressing?”

One doesn’t visit a temple without cause!

One doesn’t inquire about matters without a request!

Jing Zhaoyin’s probing demeanor was utterly transparent.

Especially those small eyes of his, gleaming with a mysterious air.

Yet Jingrong maintained a stern expression. “If Jing Zhaoyin has something to say, speak directly. Why beat around the bush?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

He nodded repeatedly.

Looking around, he said, “Your Highness, to be frank, recently a woman from Yufu County has come and insists on…”

Before he could finish, Jingrong raised his hand to interrupt.

“This prince heard everything just now. No need to repeat it.”

Jing Zhaoyin immediately put on a flattering expression and hurried to get to the point. “Actually, it’s like this—this humble official knows that Master Ji’s abilities in forensic reconstruction and case investigation are formidable, so I wanted to request that she…”

“Investigate that case from Yufu County?” Jingrong interjected.

“That is precisely this humble official’s meaning.”

My goodness, you understand me so well!

Jingrong shot him a glance and replied coldly, “The Yufu County case is a matter for you and the Court of Judicial Review. It has nothing to do with Master Ji. She is not a court official nor does she hold a public position—she cannot investigate it.”

Rejected.

Hope shattered, the corners of Jing Zhaoyin’s mouth twitched awkwardly.

Yet he could only force himself to bow and smile obsequiously. “Yes, yes, yes, this humble official was not thinking thoroughly. However…”

“However what?” Jingrong’s eyes focused sharply.

Jing Zhaoyin mysteriously leaned closer to Jingrong and said, “Master Ji is exceptional at investigating cases and so intelligent. If she could assume the position of Judicial Commissioner, it would be absolutely perfect. Your Highness also knows that since the position of Judicial Commissioner was abolished, the Court of Judicial Review’s authority has greatly increased. However, if local cases involve injustices, they can only follow procedures, appealing step by step up to the Court of Judicial Review before a retrial can be established. When calculated this way, the time naturally becomes longer, and local grievances accumulate more and more.

But if the position of Judicial Commissioner were reestablished, local cases wouldn’t need to be so complicated. As long as the Judicial Commissioner nods approval, cases can be retried. This is a special privilege—even the Court of Judicial Review cannot obstruct it, and His Majesty cannot interfere. Therefore, if Master Ji became the Judicial Commissioner, when investigating cases, she wouldn’t need to go through His Majesty. We court officials could submit a recommendation, and Master Ji’s position as Judicial Commissioner could be confirmed.”

Jing Zhaoyin was a perceptive man.

If Ji Yinshu became the Judicial Commissioner, when local people appealed, they wouldn’t need to come trampling on his Capital Magistracy’s doorstep anymore.

And this suggestion had been raised once before by Old General Li as well.

Jingrong pondered for a moment.

“The idea is indeed a good one, but after Master Ji finishes investigating the ‘Linjing Case,’ she won’t investigate any other cases. As for the position of Judicial Commissioner, you should select someone else.”

Refused!

Having delivered these words, Jingrong entered the palace.

Jing Zhaoyin behind him felt extremely awkward.

His suggestion was clearly excellent! The position of Judicial Commissioner was a fine posting indeed.

After Jingrong hurried to Fuyang Hall, he reported everything about Jinghua’s burial to Emperor Qizhen clearly.

Emperor Qizhen merely listened, his expression showing not the slightest ripple.

He didn’t inquire about Jinghua at all!

After the report was complete—

Emperor Qizhen suddenly asked, “Regarding what I mentioned last time about the missing disaster relief funds from Yufu County, what are your thoughts on the matter?”

Jingrong didn’t assume a thoughtful expression, replying calmly, “Your son knows this matter won’t be easy to investigate, but your son will completely follow Father Emperor’s intentions.”

“What if I intend to have you investigate it?”

“Your son will comply with the decree.”

Still so obedient.

Emperor Qizhen said, “You should understand the significance of going to Yufu County.”

Jingrong nodded. “Your son understands.”

His words carried more stiffness and less warmth of human feeling.

Question and answer, completely like emperor and subject!

Looking at his own son, Emperor Qizhen drew a deep breath. “Since you understand everything, I need say no more. In any case, you must know—between you and Jingyi, one must go.”

Only if one of them left would the struggle for the throne not become brutal—at least, no one would die.

This calculation was rather resounding.

Without continuing the discussion further, Jingrong left Fuyang Hall.

And he took Emperor Qizhen’s words to heart.

But if it were before, he would certainly have volunteered to go to Yufu County, to live there peacefully and contentedly as a carefree prince.

But now—

On one hand, the ‘Linjing Case’ hadn’t been solved yet. If he went to Yufu County, what would happen to the case? What would happen to Ji Yinshu?

On the other hand, he had already prepared himself to contend with Jingyi!

Therefore, he didn’t want to be that fool.

Not long after he left the palace, Jingyi also entered, but not to His Majesty’s Fuyang Hall—rather, to Zhangzhi Hall.

Zhangzhi Hall!

Because when the great fire at Chengqing Hall occurred, Consort Xiao had fainted, and during this period her health had remained poor.

Today, with the Crown Prince’s funeral, she had improved considerably.

In the morning, she had even sat outside basking in the sun for a while, utterly leisurely and carefree.

Even her appetite had improved!

When Jingyi entered, Consort Xiao was holding a pair of scissors, trimming those flowers and plants.

What she trimmed wasn’t the leaves, but the flowers on the plants.

Withered ones—cut!

Too gaudy ones—cut!

Displeasing ones—cut!

The flowers on dozens of potted plants had been cut until very few remained.

Seeing her son arrive, Consort Xiao dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, wiped her hands, and greeted Jingyi with a warm smile.

Jingyi asked with concern, “Is Mother Consort’s health better?”

“Mm, much better.” Consort Xiao then asked, “Jinghua’s funeral is settled?”

“He’s already been interred in the imperial mausoleum.”

Jingyi answered calmly.

Consort Xiao snorted coldly. “A treasonous rebel, yet given a grand burial and even laid to rest in the imperial family’s mausoleum—how inauspicious.”

A look of disdain.

She didn’t forget to quickly add, “It seems His Majesty still values sentiment after all. Even though Jinghua harbored murderous intentions, he couldn’t bear it.”

Displeased in her heart.

After listening, Jingyi said, “The person is already dead. Mother Consort shouldn’t anger yourself, lest it harm your health.”

“Yes, the person is already dead. Why should I fuss over it so much?” Comfortable yet triumphant, she asked Jingyi with urgent concern, “By the way, has your Father Emperor discussed the matter of the heir apparent with you?”

Jingyi shook his head, then looked deeply thoughtful.

Consort Xiao seemed to understand something and asked, “What is your Father Emperor’s intention?”

“Does Mother Consort know about the missing disaster relief funds from Yufu County?”