After Prince Rong finished reading through the official personnel files that Lord Qi had sent over, to avoid causing trouble, he had him hurry to send them back to the Ministry of Finance, lest anyone notice.

Lord Qi came out of Prince Rong’s manor carrying those files, planning to return them to the Ministry of Finance before they closed for the day. By coincidence, he ran into Ji Yunshu just getting out of her sedan chair at the entrance.

So late!

“Lord Qi, you’re…” she asked.

Lord Qi stood at the entrance, his face bearing a smile: “I came to find Prince Rong. I just finished my business and was preparing to return.”

Ji Yunshu glanced at the confidential files he held in his arms and roughly understood—nothing more than Prince Rong having him go to the Ministry of Finance to retrieve the personnel files of the officials Wei Yi had promoted, to see whether those officials had clean backgrounds. But she understood without saying so, and therefore didn’t mention it.

“By the way, Lord Ji, did you go investigate High Justice Yu’s case?”

She nodded, “Yes.”

“Any leads?”

Ji Yunshu lowered her brows and let out a soft sigh.

Seeing this, Lord Qi became somewhat nervous: “Is it very difficult?”

“Not exactly.” Ji Yunshu said, “If High Justice Yu is innocent, naturally he’ll be fine. It’s just that I went to see him today and asked some things, but obtained very few clues.”

Lord Qi sighed, “The Ministry of Justice only gave you five days, and one day has already passed.”

He was full of worry!

After all, time was pressing.

Ji Yunshu said, “Lord Qi, you can help the prince handle court matters with peace of mind. As for High Justice Yu’s matter, I’ll handle it.”

“With Lord Ji here, I can be at ease.”

“Then I won’t see you off, Lord Qi.”

“Lord Ji, please stay.”

He then took his sedan chair and left.

Ji Yunshu stood there briefly before turning to go inside.

Passing through the courtyard to the front hall.

From a distance she saw Prince Rong sitting in the hall. Just as she was about to step forward, her foot extended but then withdrew.

After thinking about it, she still returned to her courtyard.

Because she had promised Prince Rong that she wouldn’t ignore court matters.

Returning to Luo Courtyard, Zhulan quickly brought her a cup of hot water to serve her.

While asking, “Miss, why did you return so late?”

She took a sip of tea and said, “I went to the Yu manor.”

“Oh.” Zhulan asked again, “Miss, you must be hungry. This servant has already prepared food for you. Eat a little, then take a bath and have a good rest for the night.”

Such a considerate maid!

Ji Yunshu was indeed somewhat tired, so she nodded.

After she finished eating, Zhulan quickly prepared bath water for her. She removed her clothes and soaked in the wooden tub. The hot water’s white mist rose gently, touching her face very warmly and comfortably. Gradually, she closed her eyes and leaned back, countless images flashing through her mind.

Hualing!

High Justice Yu!

That terrifying wall!

That skeleton!

The bloodstained corner of the table.

She thought and thought, when suddenly—

She opened her eyes.

She found herself standing before a large gate. Dark moonlight shrouded everything. Only two slightly swaying lanterns at the entrance gave off bright firelight. A gentle breeze passed by, rustling the surrounding treetops.

She looked up and saw that the plaque at the entrance read “Shuiyue Residence”!

This place… was the side courtyard of the Yu manor.

Which was the side courtyard where High Justice Yu had lived three years ago! She didn’t know why she was here. Was this a dream? But the scenery before her eyes was so clear and vivid, seeming real. At that moment, she froze, finding it incredible. She extended both hands to touch the large gate before her. When her fingertips touched the iron ring on it, she could clearly feel the ring’s hard coldness—so real and tangible.

It didn’t seem like a dream!

Just as she was thinking this, she saw a thin, small figure walking over from the distance.

The woman held a bowl of lotus seed soup in her hands, her head lowered, her body seeming to tremble faintly. Her footsteps stopped at the entrance, completely ignoring Ji Yunshu beside her, as if she couldn’t see her.

Ji Yunshu stepped aside a few paces and looked carefully. This woman… was Hualing!

Hualing held a bowl of lotus seed soup in her hands.

Which meant this was that night three years ago?

Ji Yunshu’s entire body froze.

Too strange.

Hualing stood at the entrance for a long time before tremblingly pushing open the door.

She went inside.

To investigate thoroughly, Ji Yunshu quickly followed closely behind.

Hualing entered the main room of the side courtyard. Inside was High Justice Yu.

“Master.” Hualing bowed.

High Justice Yu glanced at her, “Hualing? It’s so late—is something wrong?”

“This servant knows the master has worked hard, so… I made a bowl of lotus seed soup and brought it. Please drink it before resting, master.”

Hualing set the thing down!

High Justice Yu waved his hand, “Alright, you can leave first. No need to serve anymore.”

“Master…”

“What is it?”

She stood still, her head lowered, her body trembling even more violently, her hands wringing together with sweat.

Hm?

High Justice Yu found it strange, but he knew Hualing had a strange illness—she didn’t like contact with men and didn’t like men getting close to her—so he didn’t walk up to her, only saying, “It’s so late, you should go rest early.”

“…”

“What exactly is wrong with you?”

Hualing bit her lip tightly, biting until it nearly bled. Her nails also dug into her flesh, turning it purplish-red.

Then—

She suddenly raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and said to High Justice Yu, “Master, I beg you, I beg you to grant me this.”

While pleading, she knelt down.

High Justice Yu was startled and stepped back several paces.

“You… what are you doing?”

Never mind him—even Ji Yunshu standing at the door was startled.

She wondered why Hualing would say something like “grant me this” at that time.

She continued watching. Hualing knelt there, dragging her knees forward to High Justice Yu, grasping his thigh with both hands, tearfully looking up and pleading, “Master, this servant knows her status is humble, and in her lifetime wouldn’t dare hope to receive the master’s favor. But this servant begs you, master, please grant this servant’s wish. This servant is willing to work like an ox or horse for a lifetime to repay the master. Please grant this to me, master.”

“…”

“This servant truly has no other way, truly doesn’t know what to do anymore. Master, please grant this servant’s wish.”

As Hualing spoke, she climbed up from the ground, pulling open her own clothes while also tugging at High Justice Yu’s clothes, like a hungry little wild cat.

High Justice Yu had never seen such a scene. Beyond surprise, he was so frightened his face turned deathly pale.

He immediately grasped Hualing’s arms.

He scolded, “Enough! What’s gotten into you, girl, coming here late at night to create such a disturbance? Go, go, go—stop this nonsense.”

He pushed her away.

Hualing continued to throw herself at him!

Crying out repeatedly, “Master, please grant this servant’s wish! This servant is willing to do anything, as long as the master grants this!”

High Justice Yu truly had no choice but to push her away forcefully.

Hualing’s body was already thin and small. With this push, she completely lost her balance and fell backward.

Ji Yunshu watched helplessly as that figure crashed toward the table behind.

She only heard a “thud.” The table shook, knocking over that bowl of lotus seed soup.