Indeed, at this moment, Ji Yinshu was dressed in men’s clothing!

A light gray robe made her delicate figure appear very upright. Under the fluttering wind, her slender frame didn’t lose to any man’s in the slightest.

The most eye-catching feature was the half-mask on her face—gold with jade trim, simple yet very exquisite.

Though it covered half her face, those clear and beautiful eyes seemed to hold a pool of tears, touching and moving. Combined with the exposed half of her refined and fair face, she could be described with words for a delicate young man, yet without any masculine air.

Actually, wearing men’s clothing and a mask was really because Ji Yinshu felt it was more convenient this way.

After all, she had come to the capital to investigate a case. Being a woman would be somewhat inconvenient. Plus, with the scar on her face, wearing a veil made it difficult to eat—quite troublesome.

This current outfit was light and convenient!

Lu Jiang stroked his short beard and squinted his eyes slightly.

This person should be that Miss Ji who was so skilled at solving cases, right?

Jingrong turned his gaze toward Ji Yinshu and said, “Master Ji, from now on, you and Young Master Wei will reside in this prince’s manor. Everything will be arranged for you both.”

She nodded in response.

Lu Jiang stepped forward, bowed, and said in a kind tone, “His Highness has mentioned Master Ji many times. Master Ji is exceptionally intelligent and commands admiration.”

Ji Yinshu also cupped her hands. “You flatter me, sir. I’ve merely had better luck and solved a few cases.”

“The person His Highness values cannot be underestimated.”

“You’re too kind.”

After the two exchanged polite courtesies, Jingrong cleared his throat lightly. “The journey here has been exhausting. Lu Jiang, arrange for Master Ji and Young Master Wei to rest first. Other matters can be discussed tomorrow.”

Lu Jiang responded, “Yes.”

Jingrong walked to Ji Yinshu’s side and whispered in her ear, “This prince must enter the palace immediately. I’ll come find you later. We’ll discuss the case after you’ve rested well.”

She nodded.

When an imperial prince returned to the capital, he indeed had to enter the palace first to “report” his news.

To prevent that suspicious Emperor Qi Zhen from bringing out that red document again to charge him with crimes.

Jingrong didn’t waste time. Without even entering the manor to change clothes, he mounted his horse directly, took several guards, and headed toward the palace gates.

It must be said, he was very shrewd. Entering the palace in regular clothes—first, it showed his submission to the emperor’s authority; second, it gave the emperor reassurance, telling him that for this past half year, he had truly been investigating the Linjing Case, absolutely not conserving strength and waiting for the day to rebel!

Afterward, Ji Yinshu and Wei Yi were led to the Eastern Garden and settled in a spacious courtyard.

Inside, it was filled with plum blossoms. In the center of the courtyard was an artificial mountain. In front of the mountain was a turning water wheel, with clear water slowly pouring down from the small wooden buckets—very beautiful.

This courtyard was truly built with such refinement!

Just as they entered the room, Wei Yi called out, “Shu’er, didn’t you say that when we got to the capital, you’d take me to eat meat?”

“Do you want to eat now?” Ji Yinshu asked him.

He shook his head. “No.”

With an embarrassed smile, he was just thinking about it in his heart.

Lu Jiang, listening to their conversation from the side, was somewhat confused.

Coming to the capital to eat meat? What kind of reference was this?

He smiled and said to Wei Yi, “Young Master Wei must be hungry. I’ll have people prepare food right away so you both can rest early.”

It was fine until he mentioned it, but once he did, they really were hungry.

Ji Yinshu nodded. “Then we’ll trouble you, sir.”

“My surname is Lu. If Master Ji doesn’t mind, you can call me Uncle Lu.”

Before Ji Yinshu could speak, Wei Yi, being naturally familiar, grinned and called out very warmly, “Uncle Lu.”

This delighted Lu Jiang so much that he quickly ordered food to be prepared and selected several sensible maids to attend to them.

Not only that, he also prepared several sets of clean clothes.

The arrangements were indeed very thoughtful.

Meanwhile, on the main street of the capital.

Li Shiyan was gleefully strolling the street. He had never seen these Central Plains items before, so naturally he was very curious.

And while strolling, he forgot one important matter.

It was Xiao Luzi at his side who reminded him, “Young Master, we… we’ve lost them!”

“Lost what?” He was putting a Guan Gong mask on his face.

“That Miss Shu’er! We’ve lost them. Their carriage is gone.”

Eh!

Suddenly realizing, Li Shiyan’s pupils dilated sharply. He quickly looked around in all directions. Sure enough, on the entire main street, there was no trace of Jingrong’s group at all.

Anger flared up, and he forcefully smacked Xiao Luzi on the head.

Rebuking, “Why are you only reminding me now! Useless thing.”

Xiao Luzi felt so wronged, covering his head. “This servant… this servant only just remembered too. But if it weren’t for you looking around everywhere, Young Master, we wouldn’t have lost them either.”

“You dare blame this young master?”

“I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare!”

Li Shiyan huffed angrily. However, he was also an optimistic person. He took a breath and waved his hand. “Forget it, forget it. Hurry and find an inn to stay at. Anyway, they’re in the capital—they can’t run away, that’s for sure.”

After speaking, his eyes revealed a gleam of proud confidence!

Compared to the bustling main street of the capital, the imperial palace at this time appeared much more tranquil.

Zhang Zhi Palace.

In the garden, during the winter season, the entire courtyard was full of bright and dazzling flowers.

Several palace maids stood respectfully to the side, heads slightly lowered. Though their expressions were cool, their eyes still showed some timidity and caution.

In the imperial palace, this was inevitable!

One careless move, and heads could roll at any moment.

Consort Xiao stood before a pot of red jade crown flowers, her long hair reaching her waist, gold ornaments and silver hairpins atop her head. On the hair bun by her ear hung a jade pendant that matched the green gemstone on her earlobe.

Though the decorations in her hair weren’t overly ornate, her clothing was startling!

She wore a purple-patterned front-opening shirt with an outer robe of dark, deep red embroidered with blue-green orchids and bamboo. On the front of the inner collar were several scattered willow branches, their color gradually fading as they extended to the waist. The robe’s hem was adorned with scattered flower petals that dragged lightly on the ground. Wide sleeves brushed at both sides, each with a phoenix tail feather pattern, appearing and disappearing. One could say it was a phoenix, yet there were only tail feathers. One could say it wasn’t a phoenix, but the tail feathers were indeed those of a phoenix.

Clearly, this Consort Xiao was truly bold!

But beneath the boldness, she was also extremely cautious!

Her slender fingers, painted with bright red nail lacquer, stood out brilliantly even among the hundred flowers.

She picked up a pair of scissors and began trimming the flowers and plants, very leisurely.

Her red lips curved slightly upward as she asked, “Recently, why hasn’t Yi’er been entering the palace?”

The attending palace maid beside her replied, “Your Ladyship’s birthday is approaching. Prince Yi is probably preparing a generous gift for Your Ladyship.”

“This child is always so filial.”

Speaking of her son, Consort Xiao’s face always wore a sweet smile.

Consort Xiao then asked, “Recently in the capital, has there been anything interesting?”

The palace maid lowered herself and replied, “I heard that within these past two months, many young ladies from prominent families in the capital have disappeared, and there’s still no news.”

“Oh? That’s truly an interesting matter!”

The scissors in her hand lightly fell upon a flower branch. With one snip, the perfectly fine flower fell to the ground.