Jingrong didn’t know the intricacies involved. Jing Xuan’s marriage was a beautiful thing!

That girl should also become a wife and restrain her temperament somewhat.

Shi Ziran’s momentum was vigorous as he said, “Your Highness, since all signs now point to Prince Yi, why not take advantage of this current wind and bring down Prince Yi’s banner in one fell swoop?”

Taking this opportunity, it would be best to eliminate Jing Yi.

Jingrong shook his head slightly. “It’s not yet time.”

“Your Highness said before it wasn’t time, but now is clearly the best opportunity. His Majesty has also begun to suspect Prince Yi. Why not strike while the iron is hot and directly pull Prince Yi from his horse?”

The emperor isn’t anxious but the eunuch is!

Jingrong had his own scale in his heart, his own measure of propriety.

“One cannot rush into things. The current situation seems unfavorable to Jing Yi, but since Father Emperor said not to investigate, it means he already has a plan in mind. If I took advantage at this moment to pursue victory and set him up again, what do you think Father Emperor would think?”

He would surely think it was deliberate framing!

Shi Ziran suddenly understood, comprehending somewhat, but was still puzzled. “Then Your Highness, when exactly would be the best opportunity?”

Jingrong flipped through several pages of the case file he had previously closed. As the papers rose and fell, his expression grew increasingly grave.

“Wait until… the day the disaster relief silver case is solved.”

When that day came, he would lead his people and “kill” his way back to the capital.

Finishing his words, he stood up and walked outside.

At noon, the blazing sun shone high. The scorching sunlight poured onto the ground, illuminating it to a translucent white, like a crucian carp showing its belly.

If one stood beneath it for several hours, they would surely be burned alive.

He suddenly called out, “Lang Bo.”

Lang Bo, who had been waiting in the courtyard, stepped forward. “What are Your Highness’s orders?”

“What is Mister Ji doing?”

“She woke at dawn and sat at the door sunbathing for a while, then played with the cat while laughing and chatting with the two maids. After that, Lord Zuo went to find Mister Ji again and finally left that case file behind.”

“And then?”

“Mister Ji is currently reviewing that case file.”

He nodded.

After many idle days, that girl was finally going to properly investigate the case.

He was just planning to stroll over to the corridor when a young yamen runner hurried over.

He reported, “Your Highness, My Lord asks Mister Ji to come to the court hall.”

“For what matter?”

“Someone is causing a major disturbance in the court hall.”

His brow furrowed with displeasure. “Disturbances are for Lord Zuo to handle. Why look for Mister Ji? Could it be that his position as county magistrate is for nothing?”

The yamen runner trembled somewhat under questioning. “Your Highness, it’s… it’s about that case from three years ago.”

“The case of Aunt Xie’s daughter?”

“Those currently causing the disturbance are people from the Qiao family.”

As expected, they had still come knocking.

He pondered for a moment and waved his hand. “Alright, you go ahead first.”

“Yes.”

The yamen runner left.

Shi Ziran thought of something and quickly stepped forward. “Your Highness, just now this subordinate heard Lord Zuo and Constable Zhou discussing that case. They seem very afraid of that case being solved, and moreover, they’ve ordered people to watch us.”

“Surveillance?”

“That’s the implication.”

A cold glint suddenly appeared in Jingrong’s eyes as he sneered coldly. “You go notify Mister Ji and tell her a tiger has appeared in the court hall—ask if she’s interested?”

What?

Shi Ziran didn’t ask further questions and went.

“Let’s go. This prince will go watch the excitement.”

Gossip time!

He headed over with Lang Bo.

Up ahead, people from the Qiao family stood imposingly in the court hall.

Three men and three women!

Among them were Qiao family patriarch Qiao Yi, Madam Qiao, Young Master Qiao, two maids, and a household servant.

“Lord Zuo, over these years, that woman from the Xie family has caused disturbances at my Qiao residence countless times. I overlooked it out of consideration for her loss of a daughter. Now she’s gone to the capital to file an imperial petition, insisting that my son killed someone. This case was already concluded three years ago. That girl committed suicide herself—the evidence was conclusive. Now people have come from the capital saying they want to overturn the case. Must they pin a crime on my son before they’ll give up?”

Old Master Qiao questioned with a stern voice.

Anger in his heart.

As the local official and parent magistrate, when people came knocking at his door, Zuo Yao couldn’t ignore them. Moreover, those who came were from the Qiao family. The Qiao family’s Second Master, Qiao Zheng, was the former Minister of Personnel, an official of the first rank. Even though he had now resigned from office, a broken ship still has three thousand nails—he was someone this minor poor county magistrate couldn’t afford to offend.

Naturally he wilted somewhat.

He explained with kind words, “Old Master Qiao, this matter was heard by the Court of Judicial Review. They’ve already sent someone, so this case must be investigated. If Young Master Qiao didn’t kill anyone, they’ll surely give him justice.”

“Since the court has sent someone to investigate this matter, people outside will surely believe that woman from the Xie family’s nonsense, saying my Qiao family bribed the coroner and twisted the facts. Where does that leave my Qiao family’s reputation?”

To put it bluntly—

Reputation comes first!

Face is paramount!

However, Madam Qiao was a reasonable person. She tugged at her husband. “Husband, don’t be angry. Zihua wouldn’t kill anyone. So what if the court sends someone to investigate? That girl has been dead for three years—how can they investigate? Even if they truly can investigate, it’s nothing more than giving our Zihua his innocence. After that, that woman from the Xie family won’t be so stubbornly unreasonable anymore.”

Zuo Yao picked up the thread. “That’s right, Madam Qiao speaks correctly. Old Master Qiao, you should return first and quietly await news.”

“No.” He swept his wide sleeve forcefully. “Lord Zuo, I’ve heard this case is being investigated by a Mister Ji sent under orders. Have her come out. Qiao here wants to personally ask why exactly their Court of Judicial Review is taking on this case that was already settled long ago?”

“This…” How truly difficult!

Qiao Zihua, who had remained silent, also spoke up to persuade. “Father, let’s go back.”

“You beast!” Old Master Qiao scolded, glaring at him with disappointment. “If it weren’t for you, this wastrel son, my Qiao family wouldn’t have been talked about behind people’s backs all these years. All you know is drinking, drinking, drinking. You’ve thrown away all my Qiao family’s face and even caused such a scandal.”

Being scolded, Qiao Zihua was extremely timid. He lowered his head deeply, looking submissive, his neck and shoulders scrunched together.

Timid as a mouse!

Looking at him like this, Old Master Qiao became even angrier.

Bold when drinking in flower houses, but normally shrinking like a small cat.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was his son, he really wanted to strangle him to death.

Having no heir would be better than having a wastrel son!

Zuo Yao was embarrassed. His gaze lingered on father and son for a moment. “Old Master Qiao, please return first. This case must be investigated as it should be. Rest assured, if it wasn’t your young master who killed someone, they certainly won’t wrong him.”

Qiao Yi: “Lord Zuo, Qiao here merely wants to meet this Mister Ji. Could it be that this great person dwells in the deep mountains, not easily seen?”

Aggressive and pressing.

A voice suddenly came from the doorway. “Mister Ji is busy stealing leisure time. How about this prince receives Old Master Qiao instead?”

Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes over.

Jingrong strolled in, his figure graceful.

Qiao Yi’s eyes flickered.

He had heard that Prince Rong had come to Yufu to investigate the disaster relief silver matter. This person?

Could this be Prince Rong?