Early in the morning, Li Cheng sent someone over.

Saying that now Du Mubai’s case had begun retrial and needed Ji Yunshu to get started as soon as possible.

That boy was truly a hands-off manager!

Placing all his hopes on Ji Yunshu.

And this matter had also become a hot topic in the capital.

Even the King of Huyi had been alarmed, and as a result, he had dismissed quite a few officials.

Now everyone in the Six Ministries was trembling with fear. All officials who had participated in Du Mubai’s case back then and still hadn’t been dismissed from their posts were watching this case closely.

All extending eager hands.

Hoping to help a little.

To make up for their dereliction of duty.

Then they could atone for their crimes through meritorious service.

Now facing countless eyes watching closely, the City Defense Bureau naturally couldn’t be careless from top to bottom.

And Ji Yunshu, for the sake of this deal with Li Cheng, hoped to find that person called Cha He as quickly as possible and not delay any longer.

Jingrong had originally intended to go with her, but just as they reached the alley entrance, he suddenly stopped.

His gaze swept toward the distance.

His brows furrowed tightly.

Then he said to Ji Yunshu: “You go ahead first.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just forgot to take something.”

Ji Yunshu didn’t suspect anything and nodded, getting into the carriage.

Then Jingrong said softly to Bai Yin, “You go with Yunshu first. I’ll come shortly. Make sure to take good care of her.”

Bai Yin noticed something was off with him: “What’s really going on?”

“Just go first.”

“Alright! But be careful yourself.”

Bai Yin caught up with Ji Yunshu, and they went to the City Defense Bureau together first.

Jingrong’s four guards remained standing in place with him.

Before long, they saw several people walking over through the white snow from the direction Jingrong had been watching earlier.

At the head was a middle-aged man with a rather mild appearance.

When he walked up to Jingrong, the four guards were about to step forward to block him.

But Jingrong raised his hand to stop them, signaling them to step back.

The visitors hadn’t brought weapons and very politely cupped his hands toward him, saying: “Young Master Jing, my master requests your presence.”

Master?

After coming to the capital, apart from Li Cheng, Jingrong and the others had barely had any dealings with anyone.

He asked: “Who is your master?”

“Once you arrive, young master, you’ll naturally know.”

Jingrong deliberated, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages.

After a moment—

“Lead the way!”

…

About two incense sticks’ time later, Jingrong brought his guards and followed that person to the entrance of a magnificent and splendid residence.

On the residence’s gate plaque were boldly written three large characters: “Second Prince’s Residence.”

Second Prince Na Yan?

Jingrong immediately had some understanding in his heart.

He probably already knew something.

The middle-aged man who had led him here said: “Young Master Jing, please come inside!”

“Mm!”

Just as he was about to enter, the people at the gate stopped the four guards and said: “The prince said he’s only inviting Young Master Jing alone.”

The guards immediately became angry.

But unexpectedly—

“Fine!” Jingrong agreed without even thinking and informed his people, “Wait outside.”

The guards worried: “Young master…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be out within half an hour.” He seemed to have already calculated the time.

“Yes.”

The guards could only remain outside the gate.

Jingrong entered the prince’s residence and followed the person leading the way to the back courtyard.

Na Yan had already brewed tea and was waiting for him.

This was their first meeting face to face!

Na Yan dismissed those nearby and invited him in.

“Young Master Jing, please sit!”

Extremely enthusiastic.

As soon as Jingrong sat down, Na Yan poured him a cup of tea.

Pushing it in front of him.

“Young Master Jing has come all this way through wind and snow. Have a cup of hot tea.”

“Thank you, Second Prince.”

Jingrong picked up the teacup and actually took a sip.

Seeing this, Na Yan smiled sinisterly: “Isn’t Young Master Jing afraid this tea might be poisoned?”

Poison!

Yet Jingrong remained very composed. After setting down the teacup, he smiled: “If the prince wanted to kill someone, there’d be no need to go to such trouble.”

“Haha, you’re right. If this prince wanted to kill someone, you wouldn’t have the life to drink this cup of tea.”

“Not necessarily. I’m afraid in the end, the one who suffers losses and defeats would be you, Prince!” Though Jingrong’s lips clearly bore a smile, his eyes seemed to be laced with poison.

Even the usually ruthless and decisive Na Yan couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart before him.

He knew this person was definitely not simple.

Just that gaze alone was different from ordinary people.

But he was also secretly pleased that he hadn’t misjudged!

Then he said: “This prince has always valued talent. Young Master Jing is indeed different from others. You possess a bearing that this prince greatly admires, and this bearing is something others don’t have.”

“The prince flatters me.”

“This prince rarely praises people!” Na Yan looked at the composed Jingrong across from him and continued, “Actually, you should be quite clear about this prince’s purpose. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come here.”

“So what if I’m clear? So what if I’m not?” Jingrong asked him back.

Na Yan asked him in return: “Tell me, how could a ferocious beast be willing to be trapped in a cage?”

Ferocious beast?

Jingrong felt these two words were even more ridiculous and comical than when Song Zhi had said “backing him up” before.

Seeing him smile, Na Yan’s brows furrowed: “Could it be this prince is wrong?”

He picked up the teacup before him again, rotating it between his fingertips a few times, and said: “It’s not that you’re wrong. A fierce beast indeed wouldn’t be willing to be trapped in a cage, but Second Prince has gotten one thing wrong.”

“What?”

Jingrong’s body leaned forward slightly, his gaze tightening with serious earnestness as he said: “Ferocious beast is used to describe those who devour people without leaving bones, not me!”

In other words, he was no ferocious beast.

Na Yan smiled awkwardly, then very quickly found himself a way out: “Ferocious beast or not, this prince cherishes talent. Why doesn’t Young Master Jing accept this goodwill?”

Jingrong: “I’m not a caged bird.”

“This prince doesn’t want to trap you. Has Young Master Jing misunderstood?”

“Then would the prince please speak plainly!”

“Fine!” Na Yan said earnestly, “Although the one who made a big splash this time was that Young Master Ji, in this prince’s view, you attract this prince’s attention even more than her. This prince sincerely wants to take you in as a retainer. And regardless of what reasons you have for working for Heir Apparent Cheng, this prince only wants to tell you that what you want, this prince can also give you. Even more than what Heir Apparent Cheng can give you.”

He threw out tempting conditions.

Jingrong felt disdain but didn’t show it on his face. He only asked with a half-smile: “Then what does the prince think we need?”

“Nothing more than money and status!”

Heh.

Jingrong found it laughable.

Na Yan immediately continued: “Actually, as long as you’re willing to become retainers of this prince’s residence, whatever you want, this prince can give you. But the prerequisite is that you must wholeheartedly work for this prince.”

“Then what does the prince want?”

“Young Master Jing is so clever—why not take a guess?”

“Power?”

Hearing this single word, the smile on Na Yan’s face instantly froze: “That’s right, it’s power. That’s why I need intelligent and capable retainers.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

“Then, Young Master Jing, do you think you can leave here?”

Just as the words fell—a line of guards appeared outside the door.