The little maid had thought Su Qiao left because she couldn’t find the person she was looking for.

How could she have known—the woman had actually died!

Her head stuffed inside a rock.

Thinking about it now made her back run cold.

Having finished speaking, she couldn’t help but retreat several steps.

Ji Yinshu stared at the maid and asked, “Besides this, what else do you know?”

The little maid shook her head.

Nothing!

“Did she truly say nothing to you? Perhaps she said something, but you’ve forgotten.”

“Impossible.” Zhao’er’s gaze was serious, exceptionally firm, though her tone was weak as she said, “Apart from telling us her name, she really said nothing else. At the time I saw her pitiful state and arranged for her to stay at the inn. During those first few days, she would go out from time to time, returning to cry in secret. Whatever I asked her, she kept her mouth shut. Master, this is all I know.”

“Where was her home? Who did she come to Gaoding to find? She said nothing?”

“No!”

Everyone looked at each other.

Only a name!

How could they investigate with that?

If they knew her place of origin, they could probably lock down some clues by searching through the Ministry of Personnel’s records. But this woman called Su Qiao—her basic information was essentially zero!

Nothing at all!

This was truly troublesome.

Ji Yinshu found it somewhat thorny.

Just as she didn’t know how to proceed with the investigation—

Li Cheng suddenly said, “Having a name is still a lead. Besides, don’t we still have the portrait? We can have city artists make copies and distribute them everywhere. I refuse to believe we won’t get any news.”

This wasn’t a bad method either.

Except—

If they searched for someone this way, who knew when they’d get results!

Suddenly, Zhao’er seemed to remember something.

Her large eyes looked at Li Cheng as she said, “Oh right, Brother Cheng, I have something else here.”

Li Cheng asked, “What thing?”

“Something Su Qiao left behind when she departed.”

“Then hurry and bring it out.”

Urgent!

Zhao’er quickly instructed the maid beside her, “Quick, go fetch the item.”

“Yes!”

The maid turned and left through the crowd, running back to retrieve it.

Everyone could only wait in the hall.

During this gap, Li Cheng ordered tea to be prepared.

To properly receive Ji Yinshu and Jingrong.

Zhao’er sat to Jingrong’s side, her eyes constantly resting on him.

Not moving an inch.

Jingrong naturally noticed her gaze.

It made him feel uncomfortable all over!

He simply turned his head away, pretending not to notice.

But Ji Yinshu, sitting across from Jingrong, took it all in.

She wasn’t jealous, nor did she feel uncomfortable.

Only filled with curiosity.

Who was this woman?

But given the current circumstances, she still forcibly suppressed her curiosity and didn’t inquire.

Silently drinking tea!

Then—

Li Cheng broke the awkward silence.

He picked up the teapot and poured more tea into Ji Yinshu’s cup, saying, “Master Ji, on such a cold day, drink more hot tea to warm yourself.”

Such concern!

“Thank you.”

“If you’re still cold, I’ll have people bring over more braziers.”

“No need.”

“It’s fine, don’t be polite with me.”

Li Cheng immediately instructed several attending guards to quickly bring three braziers.

One placed to Ji Yinshu’s left, one to her right, one behind her.

Ji Yinshu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

The entire atmosphere was extremely strange.

But Li Cheng beamed with satisfaction.

Feeling he’d done something heartwarming!

Then he turned to ask Zhao’er, “By the way Zhao’er, how did you come to know Young Master Jing?”

Zhao’er smiled with pursed lips. “Last time on the street, my horse was startled and I nearly rolled out of the carriage. Fortunately Young Master Jing appeared in time and helped me resolve the crisis. Otherwise, I don’t know what the consequences would have been.”

Oh!

Listening from the side, Ji Yinshu suddenly understood—so the woman Jingrong had saved last time was this young lady.

The confusion in her heart immediately cleared.

Li Cheng’s eyes shifted, and he suddenly raised his eyebrows at Jingrong with a deliberately matchmaking tone. “Young Master Jing, this heroic rescue of yours was truly excellent! You should know, our Zhao’er is the Duke’s precious pearl! She’s also a famous beauty in Gaoding City. Back then, if it weren’t for her sister, I might have paired up with Zhao’er. So you see! Fate is truly a strange thing—when it’s meant to be, it is; when it’s not, it isn’t. Since this fate has come to you, seize the opportunity, right, Young Master Jing?”

This was completely playing matchmaker!

Jingrong naturally understood his little schemes.

His face darkened, and he immediately shot him a glance.

Unwilling to respond!

Unwilling to speak.

Zhao’er, on the other hand, blushed at Li Cheng’s words. She lowered her eyes, then stole another glance at Jingrong, but seeing the man’s gloomy expression, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed.

Then she glared at Li Cheng. “Brother Cheng, don’t talk nonsense.”

“My Zhao’er is shy now.” Li Cheng laughed.

“You… I am not. Young Master Jing is kind-hearted, which is why he helped me. He would have come to anyone’s aid.”

“Oh! So your Young Master Jing is so righteous.”

“Brother Cheng!” Zhao’er grew anxious.

Li Cheng completely disregarded whether the atmosphere was awkward and continued, “Look at how shy you are, really…”

Before he could finish speaking—

Jingrong’s eyes deepened, and he extended his foot to kick hard at the leg of Li Cheng’s chair.

The chair leg immediately cracked with a “snap.”

It broke!

“Bang!”

Li Cheng toppled backward.

Falling flat on his back!

Extremely embarrassed.

Seeing this, the officials present all covered their mouths to stifle laughter, completely forgetting to help him up.

Watching the spectacle from the side.

At the same time, Ji Yinshu and Jingrong exchanged a glance.

Then smiled in perfect understanding!

That’s what you get for talking too much!

Serves you right!

Li Cheng cried out “Aiya!”

His backside hurt as if it was about to burst into bloom.

He furrowed his brows tightly, both hands rubbing his buttocks.

Unable to stand up for quite a while.

Seeing this, Zhao’er asked with concern, “Brother Cheng, are you alright?”

Planning to get up and help him.

But—

Jingrong beat her to it.

He rose and grasped Li Cheng’s hand, his face full of goodwill, saying, “Young Master Cheng, let me help you up. The ground is cold.”

Pff—

Li Cheng looked at him with great emotion.

And borrowed his strength to gradually rise from the ground.

Who would have known—

Just when he was halfway up, Jingrong suddenly released his hand.

Causing Li Cheng to heavily fall back down again.

His buttocks hitting the ground.

“Ah!”

His spine seemed to ring with the impact!

“Oops, my hand slipped!” Jingrong’s face was full of apology.

He reached out to help again.

With good intentions and goodwill.

Li Cheng gritted his teeth against the pain, his face flushed red, and shot him a fierce glare. Then he pushed away the hand extended before him, assuming a very dignified manner as he said, “No need for your help. I’ll get up myself.”

“Suit yourself!” Jingrong tossed him two indifferent words.

Then sat back in his chair.

Smiling inwardly.

This—was the consequence of provoking this prince!