Bingzheng said, “Back then, Du Mubai stole this very poem of mine.”

His emotions and tone were both very flat, as if he were discussing something that had nothing to do with him!

This poem was indeed beautifully written!

April catkins drifting—that was in the south. Orchids and bamboo were also from the Jiangnan region.

Small bridges of Jiangnan—breathtakingly beautiful!

Ji Yinshu looked him up and down several times and asked, “Is Young Master Bing from the south?”

“No, I’m from the north.”

“What this poem describes is all about the scenery of Jiangnan.”

Bingzheng said indifferently, “I’ve been there, so I’ve seen it, thus I wrote this poem.”

“Jiangnan orchids and bamboo—such a beautiful name?” Ji Yinshu said.

“Of course. Bamboo hearts are hollow, representing lofty integrity! The name is naturally beautiful.”

“Oh.” Ji Yinshu’s face immediately flashed with a hint of smile at his answer. She stepped forward, her eyes carrying a gleam of shrewd wisdom, and continued asking, “Then, I wonder if Young Master Bing has ever eaten a type of food called cun zhi?”

“I’ve never heard of it. I only know that the flying catkins in the south during April are quite severe. The year I went, I developed red rashes on my body and face, so I only stayed for a few days before leaving.”

“I see!” Ji Yinshu said as much.

Others listening had no idea why Ji Yinshu would suddenly ask Bingzheng whether he had eaten cun zhi.

What did food have to do with anything!

But Jingrong on the side saw it all clearly.

He understood perfectly what Ji Yinshu intended.

He smiled inwardly.

Smiling at how truly clever his woman was.

And smiling more at how Bingzheng had revealed a flaw without even knowing it.

However—

Neither he nor Ji Yinshu spoke of it.

Ji Yinshu smiled again and got to the point: “The matter of the poem ends here. Actually, the reason we asked Young Master Bing to come was to ask if you know a young woman named Su Qiao?”

“I don’t know her!” He said it almost without thinking.

As if he truly didn’t know her. Ji Yinshu walked two steps before him: “This person called Su Qiao is the deceased in this stone case. Like Du Mubai, she was also from Nanshen. Three years after Du Mubai’s death, she came to Gaoding wanting to investigate whether Du Mubai truly died by suicide. If she wanted to investigate, she would definitely seek out those closest to Du Mubai, which is why we’ve asked you all to come here. If Su Qiao truly did seek you out back then and you’re concealing this, when the matter is thoroughly investigated, you’ll have to take responsibility for what you’ve said today!”

Her tone carried a warning.

Hearing this, Fang Tong quickly said, “This matter was already investigated clearly back then. Moreover, Du Mubai himself was unable to defend himself—how could it be false?”

Jiang Wen chimed in, “That’s right! It was already thoroughly investigated.”

But—

Bingzheng actually laughed and said in a deep voice, “Even if it were false, the person is already dead. If there’s a debt owed, that’s a matter for the next life to settle.”

These words were ambiguous.

Since they really couldn’t get anything more out of them, Li Cheng let them leave.

Before Bingzheng left, he gave Ji Yinshu a meaningful look.

The case seemed to have hit a dead end.

Once again, there was nowhere to continue the investigation.

But Ji Yinshu had formed a plan in her mind. She said to Li Cheng, “Young Master Cheng, I’d like to study this case file for another night. I’ll return it first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Of course you can. You can look at it as long as you like.”

Li Cheng practically wanted to give himself to her.

“Also, I’d like Young Master Cheng to give me a token from the Ministry of Justice to facilitate my work.”

“No problem!”

Li Cheng immediately took out his personal token and gave it to her.

He didn’t even ask why.

Because he trusted her.

On the carriage ride back, Jingrong, Ji Yinshu, and Song Zhi rode together.

Ji Yinshu remained silent, thinking about something.

Song Zhi didn’t dare breathe heavily, afraid of disturbing anything.

It was Jingrong who coughed: “Young Master Song.”

Song Zhi immediately responded, “Yes.”

“That poem Bingzheng recited just now—did you memorize it?”

Song Zhi said, “Such a beautiful poem—of course I remember it.” He gathered his emotions and recited with feeling, “April catkins drift and fly, old friends meet by the lake, orchids and bamboo vie in spring rain, a small bridge holds the south of the Yangtze. Just these few words are enough to fully display the scenery of Jiangnan.”

“Do you know that in Jiangnan there’s a type of food called cun zhi?”

“This… I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

“Have you been to Jiangnan?”

“No.”

“Then do you know where in Jiangnan the April catkins drift?”

“I’d like to hear the details.”

Jingrong didn’t reveal it, only saying, “Perhaps you’ll know tomorrow.”

Such a tease! Song Zhi didn’t press further, instead saying, “By the way, today I went to the literary hall specially arranged for housing this year’s scholars. Inside it’s very spacious and very clean. I was thinking that if I don’t pass the exam this year, three years from now I’ll move into the literary hall. Moreover, outsiders entering must be registered—it’s very safe.”

Jingrong said, “With your talent and learning, you definitely won’t fail.”

“You don’t know—that day I went to the poetry gathering, I met many talented scholars, especially one named Xue He. Everyone says he’s a candidate for the top three.”

“The top three means one position is set, but there are still two others! You’ll definitely make it!”

“Since Young Master Jing has such high expectations of me, I’ll definitely work hard.”

He smiled.

Throughout the journey, Ji Yinshu didn’t speak at all!

After returning to the residence, Ji Yinshu sat in her room continuously studying that perfectly written case file.

She looked at it straight through until evening.

Suddenly, she closed the case file, stood up, and left the room.

Outside the door, Jingrong was waiting for her.

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve been outside the whole time.” He said, “Let’s go.”

“You know where I’m going?” Ji Yinshu was slightly surprised.

Jingrong curved his lips in a smile: “How could I not know what you’re thinking?”

He knew it clearly.

Ji Yinshu smiled slightly. “Then let’s go. Don’t waste time.”

“You want to go like this?”

“Hm?”

Jingrong entered the room and brought out a cloak from inside, draping it over her.

Wrapping her up tightly.

This scene was all witnessed by Bai Yin. He sat in the distance without going over to disturb them, only saying from afar, “No matter where you’re going, I’m going with you, to spare myself worry here.”

Jingrong and Ji Yinshu exchanged glances.

So the three of them left together.

Before long, they arrived at the literary hall.

Those scholars were basically all in their rooms studying. The entire literary hall appeared cold and deserted.

The three had just reached the entrance when they were stopped by the gatekeeper.

“Who are you?”

Ji Yinshu took out the token she had obtained from Li Cheng. “From the yamen.”

“So you’re officials!” The boy’s attitude became very cordial. “I wonder what brings you officials here so late?”

“To investigate a case.”

“Investigate a case?”

“The case of Du Mubai from back then.”

The boy shivered all over and quickly said, “I’ll go inside to report this immediately.”

“No need. Just lead us inside.”

“This…”

“The yamen is conducting business. We don’t want too many people to know.”

So that’s how it is. Thus, the boy quietly led them inside.