Ji Yinshu raised an eyebrow, meeting Jingrong’s gaze.

The light from those lanterns shot forth from behind Jingrong. Standing in the backlight, he seemed like a beam of sunlight streaming through, warm and pure…

Ji Yinshu stared at him.

Unable to look away!

Jingrong raised his hand, gently brushing a few snowflakes from her shoulder as he said, “It’s not far from where we’re staying. Let’s just walk back.”

With this said, Ji Yinshu understood.

So her thoughts had all been seen clearly by him.

He knew she loved the snow!

Jingrong held her hand, their figures—one tall, one short—standing beneath the umbrella.

Walking slowly forward against the wind and snow.

The guard followed behind with the carriage.

Unhurried!

Ji Yinshu stepped on the comfortable white snow, watching the heavy snow falling all around. She couldn’t help but extend her hand to catch a flake.

The snowflake lingered in her palm for a moment before melting!

Ice cold.

A smile gradually spread across her lips.

Jingrong glanced at her sideways, the indulgence in his eyes completely unconcealed.

He truly wished he could always hold her hand like this, accompany her at her side, and love her fiercely.

Involuntarily, his grip on Ji Yinshu’s hand tightened further.

The two walked for a short while…

Jingrong smiled mischievously and asked, “Aren’t you going to ask about that Miss Zhao’er today?”

Ji Yinshu looked at him but responded with a counter-question, “Is she important?”

“Of course not!”

“Since she’s not important, why would I need to ask?”

Jingrong was left speechless by her response!

He couldn’t help but laugh.

Then said extremely seriously, “The most important person in this world to me is right beside me at this moment.”

Ji Yinshu smiled slightly, tilting her chin up slightly to look at the snow filling the sky. Her face radiant with happiness, she said, “The most important person in this world to me is also beside me.”

The two looked at each other.

To love someone is to accompany them at their side.

…

Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Li Cheng went early to the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice personnel already knew about the stone case Li Cheng had taken on this time.

After all, this matter was a murder case and was also connected to the Ministry of Justice!

As long as the case had leads, the Ministry of Justice would need to formally file it, and the two departments would need to cooperate together.

Vice Minister Zhong of the Ministry of Justice saw Li Cheng arrive and came forward to ask, “Young Lord Cheng, so early in the morning—what brings you here?”

Li Cheng wore his official robes, imposing and dignified.

He didn’t want to waste time.

He got straight to the point. “Vice Minister Zhong should already know about the case at the city gate, correct?”

“With such a commotion, I imagine all the department officials already know.”

“Then I won’t say more.”

“I heard Young Lord Cheng found an expert who actually drew the victim’s likeness from when she was alive, and moreover, you’ve already identified the victim based on the portrait.”

Li Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Naturally!”

Vice Minister Zhong smiled in praise. “The first case Young Lord Cheng has taken charge of is being handled so quickly—truly promising for one so young.”

Heh!

Li Cheng wasn’t buying this flattery. He became serious. “Alright, Vice Minister Zhong, I won’t beat around the bush with you. I’m here to retrieve the case files from Du Mubai’s case six years ago. Have someone find them and hand them over to me.”

Vice Minister Zhong paused.

Du Mubai!

That was a case from six years ago.

At the time, it could be said to have shaken all of Gaoding City, and the person specifically responsible for that case was this very Vice Minister Zhong of the Ministry of Justice.

He still remembered feeling regretful about it for quite a while.

After all, Du Mubai truly was a talented scholar. It was just a pity he bore the crime of plagiarizing another’s poetry.

And died!

How could one not feel regret?

Vice Minister Zhong asked, “Young Lord Cheng, are these two cases connected?”

“I don’t know yet if they are or not!”

“Then why do you suddenly need Du Mubai’s case files?”

Li Cheng explained the reason. “Because this victim’s identity still isn’t very clear, but we’ve learned the victim is connected to Du Mubai and may even be involved in the case from six years ago. That’s why I’ve come to you, Vice Minister Zhong, hoping to retrieve Du Mubai’s records. Once the case is solved, I’ll return them.”

“This…”

“Is it difficult?”

“Not exactly!” Vice Minister Zhong said. “It’s just that the case from back then has already been closed, and the files have already been sealed. If we’re to retrieve them, we still need Minister Huang’s approval. I cannot make this decision on my own.”

The procedures still needed to be followed!

The rules couldn’t be broken.

Li Cheng asked, “Then where is your Minister Huang right now?”

“The Minister has been ill these past few days, so…”

“What? The old fellow is sick?” Li Cheng always spoke this way.

Vice Minister Zhong didn’t take offense, only saying, “So, Young Lord Cheng, you should come back later. Let me send someone to report to him first, and then we’ll personally deliver the files to the City Magistrate’s Office.”

Li Cheng was dissatisfied and said, “I don’t have time right now to wait for you all to go back and forth reporting. Who knows how much time would be wasted.”

“But these are the rules. Without Minister Huang’s approval, we don’t have special authorization to open the archives. So even if you pressure us, Young Lord Cheng, it’s useless.”

“…”

Although Li Cheng hadn’t dealt with these officials before and hadn’t navigated official circles,

He had heard plenty about official matters from his eldest brother and father since childhood.

Dark beyond measure!

If he didn’t take Du Mubai’s case files today but waited for them to go through all the procedures, who knew how long he’d have to wait.

After all, dragging things out was a universal habit in official circles!

So Li Cheng had to obtain them today.

He couldn’t waste time.

Moreover, he had also promised Ji Yinshu he would bring Du Mubai’s case files for her to see today.

Therefore—”Vice Minister Zhong, although each department manages its own affairs, your Ministry of Justice handles criminal cases and is also related to this case. Once it’s formally filed, you’ll have to investigate the case together with our City Magistrate’s Office. Now I’m asking for one set of case files—is it really that difficult? If time is delayed, it doesn’t seem beneficial for either of our departments.”

“Actually, we’re anxious too, but rules are rules and cannot be broken. Young Lord Cheng should wait until I send someone to find Minister Huang, then come back.”

This was a dismissal!

For some reason, Li Cheng felt there was definitely something fishy going on.

Perhaps he was being overly suspicious.

He said, “Fine. Since you say rules are rules, I’ll personally make a trip to Minister Huang’s place myself.”

With that—

He left!

Vice Minister Zhong couldn’t even call him back.

He could only watch Li Cheng’s departing figure.

And Vice Minister Zhong’s previously troubled expression disappeared along with Li Cheng’s departure.

He immediately ordered a minor official beside him, “Get to the Minister’s manor before Young Lord Cheng and give notice.”

“Yes!”

The man received the order.

He immediately took off running!

So there really was something fishy!

After hurriedly leaving the Ministry of Justice, Li Cheng immediately boarded his carriage and headed for Minister Huang of the Ministry of Justice’s manor. Today, he must obtain those case files.