“Southern bamboo incense—what is that thing?”

Muruo explained, “It’s wild bamboo that grew behind the ruined temple in Zhang Family Village. When the great Buddha was constructed, it was cut down and stopped growing. But over ten years ago, after a heavy rain—probably because the soil was turned over—that southern bamboo grew back again.”

Jing Zhaoyin suddenly understood, lightly slapping the table. “No wonder after the great Buddha was completed, the strange occurrences in Zhang Family Village disappeared. So that’s what happened.”

Exactly!

Then, everyone toasted each other several more times and exchanged pleasantries.

Minister Yu suddenly said, “Now that the dried-up well case is solved, tomorrow at court, the Emperor will evaluate merit and bestow rewards.” He turned to Ji Yunshu. “Master Ji contributed indispensably—you deserve the highest merit and will certainly receive honors.”

“Minister Yu, you jest.”

“Does Master Ji know that the position of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in the Ministry of Justice was abolished by the Emperor years ago?”

“I know.”

“The Emperor has always valued talent. Perhaps tomorrow, his reward for Master Ji will be the position of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice.” Minister Yu said with certainty, “Looking across all of Great Lin, the only person capable of assuming the position of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice is Master Ji.”

Ji Yunshu’s thoughts grew heavy, though her face carried a respectful smile. “I wouldn’t dare presume such a thing.”

She truly didn’t dare!

Previously, Old General Li had extended the olive branch of “Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice” to her, which she hadn’t accepted at the time. Now hearing it again from Minister Yu’s mouth gave it a different flavor altogether.

Stirring her heart into chaos.

Would the Emperor truly appoint her as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice?

…

At the end of the back courtyard corridor, within the square platform, sat a low-legged small table with some pastries, a pot of tea, and two cups placed on it.

Soft cushions were spread on both sides of the table.

Jingrong and Qin Shiyu sat cross-legged.

The two seemed to have finished discussing the dried-up well case.

“I wonder what Your Highness plans to do next?” Qin Shiyu asked.

Jingrong was in no hurry to answer. He simply picked up the teacup before him and brought it to his nose to smell.

Refreshing to the heart!

He took a sip.

Only then did he speak. “Now that he’s stumbled and is in complete disarray, tomorrow at court, if Father Emperor makes decisions and bestows rewards, he’ll likely fly into a rage. Moreover, the Secondary Princess Consort in his manor had a miscarriage. Such a blow is enough to make him begin growing vigilant.”

“Your Highness means?”

“Previously, he was able to incite the Crown Prince to rebel. Today, this prince can also force him to rebel once.”

“But Prince Yi’s power cannot be underestimated. Inside and outside the capital, all the major exits have almost been replaced with his people. If we truly push Prince Yi to desperation, wouldn’t it be easy for him to catch us like turtles in a jar?” Qin Shiyu worried.

Jingrong seemed to have made arrangements long ago and smiled calmly.

Lu Jiang was seen walking over carrying a thick ledger.

He presented the item.

After Jingrong received it and flipped through a few pages, he nodded with satisfaction and pushed it before Qin Shiyu. “After Minister Qin reads this, you probably won’t worry about being caught like turtles in a jar.”

What was this thing?

Qin Shiyu focused his eyes and began reading through it. The ledger recorded many weapon transactions in dense detail.

Types, prices, materials, entry and exit locations…

Extremely detailed.

This?

“Someone is privately manufacturing weapons within the capital?”

Astonished!

Jingrong nodded and explained to him, “All the details recorded here are crimes committed by Commander Xiao of the Feathered Forest Guard.”

“Commander Xiao?”

“That’s right. Think about it, Minister Qin—Prince Yi was able to so smoothly replace the people guarding inside and outside the palace with his own people. One can imagine that Commander Xiao has long been his man. Working from within and without, they’ve undoubtedly controlled all the major palace entrances and exits. How could this prince not move such an important chess piece into his own bowl? So I previously sent people to investigate Commander Xiao. Upon investigation, we indeed discovered a surprise. It turns out Commander Xiao has been conducting private weapons manufacturing and trading with black market merchants from various places. He’s presumably made quite a fortune already. If reported to the Emperor, he would certainly die. However… this prince needs this chess piece.”

Qin Shiyu was greatly pleased. “Now that Your Highness holds his weakness, he will naturally submit obediently to Your Highness.”

Of course!

“Jing Yi has already lost the support of the Ji family brothers. Now if we pull Commander Xiao, this chess piece, over to our side, he won’t be able to just sit and await death anymore.”

“It seems Your Highness has planned this long ago.”

“In the end, Jing Yi and the Crown Prince are the same type of person. Once pushed to desperation, they’ll do anything.”

He curved his thin, cool lips in a faint smile, though between his brows there always flowed a gentle air that made it impossible to detect any ruthlessness.

Qin Shiyu across from him poured a fresh cup of hot tea. “I toast Your Highness.”

They drank it down.

The two talked for a while longer. Seeing it was getting late, Jingrong ordered someone to send Qin Shiyu back. After all, that old fellow’s legs and feet were inconvenient—it wouldn’t do if he fell.

When Jingrong returned to the banquet hall, he saw everyone chatting enthusiastically, so he took his seat and drank a few more cups.

Ji Yunshu felt somewhat tired and left early to return to her room.

She had just finished washing up and was about to sleep when someone knocked on the door.

“Master Ji, have you retired for the night?” Lang Bo asked from outside.

Ji Yunshu opened the door to be greeted by a wave of alcohol smell.

She saw Lang Bo supporting the thoroughly drunk Jingrong, smiling awkwardly. “Master Ji, His Highness insisted on coming to find you. I had no choice. Why don’t you take care of him?”

Having said this, he pushed Jingrong onto her and quickly left.

Before Ji Yunshu could react, a heavy body pressed onto her shoulder, nearly straining her back.

Jingrong hung his head, resting against her small shoulder, holding her tightly. Then he tilted his head, burying his nose and mouth in her delicate neck.

As if intentionally.

His warm breath moved around her neck, making her body tremble slightly.

“Jingrong?” She called his name once.

“Let me hold you for a moment.”

She indeed obediently stayed still, allowing him to hold her tightly.

After who knows how long, Jingrong’s heavy body suddenly fell backward, forcing Ji Yunshu to catch him.

He smiled. “I’m not drunk.”

“You should lie down on the bed for a while.”

She helped him over and laid him down on the bed.

“I’ll go pour some water.”

Just as she was about to leave, he seized her wrist and pulled hard.

The force was strong yet very careful.

Her body pitched forward, following the force on her wrist, and fell into Jingrong’s embrace, firmly locked against his chest.

At the same time, Jingrong grabbed the folded quilt and pulled it over them both.

“Stop fooling around. I’ll have the kitchen make you some sobering soup.”

“This prince is not drunk.”

He refused to let go.

Ji Yunshu struggled to no avail.

She had no choice but to give up.

Jingrong closed his eyes and lightly rested his chin on the head of the woman in his arms, his lips curved in a wicked smile.

She nestled in his embrace, the strong smell of alcohol lingering at her nose. She seemed to gradually adapt to it and no longer found it harsh.

“Your body is so cold,” Jingrong said.

She said nothing.

He held her even tighter.

Warm breath transmitted from the man’s burning chest, gradually warming her cold body completely through.