The carriage entered the capital and first stopped at the city gates.

Ji Yinshu sat inside the carriage, hearing voices from outside. Her slender fingers slightly lifted the curtain to look out.

Because the entourage had stopped outside the city gates, there were especially many common folk entering and exiting the city.

There were small households carrying shoulder poles into the city to do business, merchants and travelers from other places, quite a few swordsmen and martial artists, and of course, one or two noble young masters in fine brocade robes.

The capital’s city gates were naturally quite magnificent, having much of the Great Wall’s imposing presence.

Moreover, the gate was divided into three sections. The middle one was guarded by city soldiers, while the gates on both left and right sides were tightly shut. Unless there was a military coup in the capital or some major incident, they would only be opened by order of the city magistrate.

Usually, entering and exiting the city gates wasn’t too strict, but today, Jingrong’s group was stopped.

Ji Yinshu vaguely sensed something, her gaze following to the front.

At this moment, the city soldiers at the gate knelt on one knee.

Cupping their hands: “We greet Prince Rong.”

Jingrong didn’t dismount. His brows furrowed—he’d only been away from the capital for half a year. Why were there so many more soldiers at the city gates?

His sensitive nerves stirred, and his cold eyes swept over them. “Has something happened in the capital recently?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, because over these past two months, young ladies from more than ten prominent households in the capital have mysteriously disappeared, patrols and guards have been increased both inside and outside the city. According to regulations, whether exiting or entering the city, everyone must be inspected one by one.”

“Disappeared? Is the reason clear?”

“Not yet.”

Not yet?

Jingrong’s expression darkened, and he rebuked angrily, “It’s been two months already. How has the Capital Magistrate been handling this matter?”

The city soldiers were frightened by his tone, bowing even lower, hurrying to say, “This matter indeed has no leads. During these two months, both the Capital Magistrate and the Court of Judicial Review have…”

“Enough!” Jingrong waved his hand, his expression not at all good. “Hurry and let us through.”

“Yes.”

The city soldiers quickly moved aside. This lord in the capital was famously bad-tempered.

If they offended him, they’d be in for it!

Bah!

It’s all rumors, all rumors. Jingrong absolutely didn’t admit it.

He just had a heavier tone, sharper gaze, more extreme methods of handling matters! More decisive in dealing with people and affairs.

Aside from these things, he was clearly perfect!

The group entered the city and headed in the direction of Prince Rong’s manor.

Inside the carriage, Ji Yinshu had heard the conversation between Jingrong and the city soldiers, softly saying, “A disappearance case? No leads for two whole months?”

Her beautiful brows furrowed slightly as she pondered.

How could they not have investigated clearly after two months?

That Capital Magistrate and Court of Judicial Review were handling things far too sluggishly—not even as efficiently as she, Liu Qingping, would handle matters.

However, at this moment, her eyes and thoughts were drawn to the bustling main street of the capital.

They said the capital was prosperous, comparable to ten miles of red wedding finery, and it truly wasn’t wrong at all.

Those ancient-style buildings, small residences, carved bricks and red tiles—very refined and grand.

The entire spacious main street could easily accommodate three or four carriages traveling side by side.

Naturally, people in the capital dressed much more elegantly than the common folk of Jinjiang, yet the styles were quite simple, definitely not following any “non-mainstream” route.

Unlike Ji Muqing’s getup, either glittering with gold or flashing with silver. If she didn’t wrap herself in those brocades, gold, and silver, it was as if she’d have an allergic reaction. And as long as she was present, even if squeezed into the middle of a crowd, she would definitely be like a cheap luminous pearl, certain to be spotted at a glance.

Because she was too unconventional!

So unconventional it caused visual fatigue!

Of course, the capital’s main street naturally had people coming and going, and there were especially many people, all walking with very hurried steps.

Such a fast pace had much of the flavor of modern Beijing and Hong Kong!

While Jinjiang seemed more like the tranquil Suzhou.

Along the sides of the main street, there were also vendors shouting at the top of their lungs, displaying all sorts of strange and unusual items. Ji Yinshu recognized some and didn’t recognize others. Most she couldn’t name. For a moment she watched in fascination, and a slight smile gradually appeared at the corners of her mouth.

It seemed the capital was quite fun!

Wei Yi had also woken up by now. As soon as he saw outside, he immediately stuck his head out, his whole body seeming about to rush out.

“Shu’er, look, what’s that? And that one, that’s a mask, that’s a clay figure, Shu’er, look quickly…”

“Wei Yi, hurry and come back in. This is so dangerous.”

Ji Yinshu pulled back the half of his body that had extended out.

His head was still outside, chattering excitedly, so happy.

The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted by someone, and two strings of candied hawthorns were handed in.

The guard driving the carriage said, “His Highness says Young Master Wei likes these.”

Upon seeing the candied hawthorns, Wei Yi’s eyes lit up. He grabbed them, smiling and nodding enthusiastically. “I like them, I like them. Big brother is so nice.”

Speaking, he didn’t forget to hand one string to Ji Yinshu.

She shook her head. “You eat, you eat. Eat more.”

“Shu’er, you really won’t eat? These are delicious. But when Mother was alive, she wouldn’t let me eat them. I only secretly ate one string once. It was really, really delicious.”

She still shook her head. “I really won’t eat. You eat them yourself.”

“All right, then I’ll eat them myself. Big brother is so nice, he actually knew I like candied hawthorns.”

Two strings of candied hawthorns, and Jingrong becomes a good big brother in your heart?

Wei Yi, wise up a bit.

Soon, passing through this main street and turning a few more streets, they arrived at Prince Rong’s manor.

The three characters “Prince Rong’s Manor” on the plaque were very eye-catching, written in gold lacquer and then carefully carved, meticulously imprinted on that plaque.

Outside the spacious entrance, people had long been waiting. At a glance, they were all guards from Prince Rong’s manor.

It was said that the guards around Prince Rong were all outstanding soldiers from the military camp who now served under Jingrong’s command.

Such good “rapport”!

In the middle of that group of guards stood a slightly older man with a sparse beard and a gentle face, looking quite distinguished with an elder’s bearing.

This person was named Lu Jiang, who could be called the strategist at Jingrong’s side.

The matter of Jing Yi sending assassins was also discovered by him through secretly investigating information in the capital, after which he sent a letter to Jinjiang.

Jingrong dismounted, and everyone called out “Prince Rong” in unison.

It startled Wei Yi inside the carriage so much that his whole body shuddered. He immediately grabbed Ji Yinshu’s hand, pressing his body close to hers.

“Don’t be afraid. Let’s go down.”

“Mm.” He nodded woodenly.

The two descended from the carriage. Lu Jiang’s gaze naturally met theirs, with slight surprise.

His own prince had clearly stated in the letter that he was bringing that Miss Ji back to the capital, but at this moment, it was clearly two men who had descended from the carriage together.

One had a handsome appearance but with slightly timid eyes and brows, wearing a light purple robe, indeed looking like a refined gentleman. Yet his hands were firmly clutching the sleeve of the other “man” beside him.