The Li Residence.
Li Cheng had been thinking all night about Ji Yunshu and the others coming to Gaoding.
He was so excited he couldn’t sleep at all.
As soon as dawn broke, he planned to rush to the City Security Department.
Before he could leave, he was called by Li Wenshi, who was sitting in the great hall.
His eldest brother Li Qiao was also there.
The father and son seemed to have just finished discussing matters.
“Where are you going so early?”
Li Cheng entered the hall and said truthfully: “To the department.”
“I heard something happened at the city gate yesterday.”
“A skull was discovered inside a stone.”
Li Wenshi took a sip of tea: “You’re responsible for it?”
“Mm.”
“I’ll select a few people to help you then, to prevent you from acting recklessly.”
“No need!” Li Cheng refused.
Oh my, so bold?
Not even needing others’ help anymore.
Li Wenshi: “Can you really handle it alone?”
Li Cheng: “Father, do you know about that case I handled in Yiwu?”
“I know.”
“Actually, I didn’t solve it—it was an expert! That person can touch bones to draw portraits, restore the appearance of the deceased before death, even a pile of white bones is no problem.”
Li Wenshi actually already knew this and wasn’t surprised.
He just said “Mm.”
Li Cheng said happily: “Father, you’d never guess—they’ve actually come to Gaoding too.”
“Oh?” Li Wenshi suddenly became serious and put down his teacup.
Li Cheng said: “I’ve already sent people to search the city for them. Once we find that person, the case can definitely be solved.”
Li Qiao asked: “You’re that certain?”
“Big brother, you haven’t seen that person solve cases. If you witnessed it yourself, you’d naturally understand.”
“No one has ever been praised by you like this.”
“I’ve always had a discerning eye for talent. Anyone who catches my eye is definitely no ordinary person.”
Li Qiao glanced at his father.
Li Wenshi seemed to be weighing something, then waved his hand: “Forget it, hurry and get busy.”
“Yes!”
Li Cheng happily scurried off.
Afterward, Li Qiao asked: “Father, what do you think?”
Li Wenshi said heavily: “Earlier, I already sent people to investigate those people’s identities and whereabouts, but found nothing.”
“Hearing A’cheng talk like this, that person seems quite capable. If we could recruit them for our use in the future, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
“But I’m afraid that if such a talented person really helps Cheng’er solve this skull case, then it won’t just be us wanting to recruit them—I’m afraid the Second Prince’s people will also be very interested.”
“Then we must strike first.”
Li Wenshi said: “No rush. Let’s observe first. After all, those people’s identities are still unclear.”
“Then everything according to Father’s wishes.”
……
Li Cheng went to the City Security Department early in the morning.
Half a shichen earlier than usual.
The people in the department thought he’d had an awakening and become so diligent.
But actually, he was waiting for news.
Sure enough, before long, a minor official came in to report: “My lord, we’ve found them.”
He handed him a piece of paper.
He grabbed it and looked—an address was written on it.
He was immediately extremely excited.
“Let’s go fetch the expert!”
Saying this, he strode out the door.
The minor official was baffled, unable to understand what kind of person could make Young Master Cheng so excited?
Curious at heart, he quickly followed.
And at this time—
After Jingrong returned last night, he had remained silent the whole time.
He sat in the corridor of the front courtyard and sat there until dawn.
His gaze wandered, his mind unsettled.
Ji Yunshu watched him from a distance for a long time before walking over and quietly sitting down beside him.
She asked: “How is Jing Xuan?”
Hearing her voice, Jingrong looked at her sideways: “How did you know?”
“I saw you go out last night.”
“Nothing can really be hidden from you.”
“That day at the inn when I heard someone mention Jing Xuan, you’ve been worried in your heart. Never mind you—I’ve been very worried too. How is she really doing now?”
Jingrong then told her about Jing Xuan’s situation.
Ji Yunshu sighed, only slightly surprised, because she had already anticipated today’s outcome.
With Consort Xiao and Jing Yi dead, Princess Jing Xuan existed in name only.
She said: “I know you’re both worried and heartbroken! But Jing Xuan is right—in the current situation, you can’t take her away. After all, it involves two countries. If she really left, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
Jingrong clenched his fist: “I can’t let her continue staying there. I have to find a way to take her away.”
“Jingrong…” Ji Yunshu said, “No matter what, you can’t take risks. Otherwise, even if you rescue Jing Xuan, she’ll never have peace of mind for the rest of her life.”
Take risks!
Jingrong’s expression was grave as he said: “Yunshu, on this journey, how many risks have we taken—not just one or two?”
“But this matter is different.”
“I know. Don’t worry, I’ll devise a foolproof plan before taking action.”
Ji Yunshu grasped his hand, nodded, and said earnestly: “You’ve always said that whatever decision I want to make, you’ll accompany me. If you’re going to do something this time, I’ll also accompany you. But no matter what plan you have, you absolutely cannot hide it from me. I’ll help you think of solutions together.”
He grasped Ji Yunshu’s slender hand in return: “I know.”
Their gazes intertwined.
Their mutual understanding no longer needed to be expressed in words!
Just at this moment—
Suddenly someone outside knocked “dong dong dong” on the door, very urgently.
Jingrong was just about to open the door when he saw Song Zhi carrying a book and hurrying over, saying: “I’ll get it, I’ll get it.”
Very diligent!
As soon as the door opened, he saw Li Cheng’s face full of anticipation and smiles.
When he saw Song Zhi, his eyebrows rose with joy.
“Oh my, poor scholar, it really is you!”
Song Zhi: “…”
“Quick, quick, quick, I need to see that young master.”
“Ah?”
Li Cheng had already pushed him aside and directly barged in with his people.
He immediately spotted Jingrong and Ji Yunshu in the corridor on the left side.
He rushed over with quick little steps.
“Young master, you’ve been so hard to find!”
Saying this, he spread his arms wide, about to embrace Ji Yunshu.
Before he got close, Jingrong shifted his feet and positioned himself between the two.
Jingrong poked his finger at Li Cheng’s chest, his face dark, saying: “Young Master Cheng, please take note.”
He appeared slightly embarrassed, smiled, and lowered his hands, saying: “I was just too happy, I meant no offense.”
“…”
Ji Yunshu asked: “Young Master Cheng, how did you know we were here?”
“This young master has his divine powers!” He raised his chin, then seemed somewhat unhappy, “I must say, you weren’t being very considerate. Since you were also coming to Gaoding, why didn’t you travel together with me earlier? If I hadn’t spotted your carriage at the city gate, this young master still wouldn’t know.”
So this fellow recognized their carriage and discovered them.
Jingrong looked at him carefully. This fellow seemed to be wearing official robes, and those who followed him in were all wearing matching attire.
“What is this, Young Master?”
“Oh my, I got so excited I almost forgot the important matter!” He slapped his forehead and asked, “You must know about what happened at the city gate yesterday, right?”
“What matter?”
“The skull in the stone!”