Regarding Jing Hua’s words, Jingrong remained looking straight ahead.

He said coolly, “Since I brought this person back to the capital, she must have exceptional abilities.” Turning to Emperor Qi Zhen: “This son trusts her. Duke Yuguo’s case will certainly be solved.”

Emperor Qi Zhen nodded and once again picked up his teacup for a sip. “Since you have such confidence in this person, Jingrong, I am quite curious.” After careful consideration: “It just so happens that the day after tomorrow is Consort Xiao’s birthday, and there will be a banquet in the palace. When you enter the palace that day, bring her along. I want to see what kind of person can earn your trust like this.”

Upon reaching this point, Jingrong actually felt somewhat hesitant.

Though he had thought about bringing Ji Yinshu back to the capital, she would inevitably be drawn into the palace, he hadn’t expected it would be this fast!

With no way to refuse, Jingrong could only accept.

“Yes, this son obeys your command.”

Emperor Qi Zhen made a sound of acknowledgment and waved his hand slightly. “You may return to your manor first. Having just returned to the capital, you should rest more. You have a loyal and filial heart—I naturally understand this.”

“Yes.”

From beginning to end, the word Jingrong said most often was probably “yes.”

He had just left Fuyang Palace when Jing Hua followed out after him.

“Jingrong!” He called out.

His steps halted. Jingrong stood under the eaves, turned around, and looked at the smiling Jing Hua.

“What business does the Crown Prince have?”

“Just call me Jing Hua. You and I are blood brothers after all. Why be so distant?”

“You are the heir apparent, I am a subject. Between us, there is naturally a distinction.”

Regarding Jingrong’s phrase “heir apparent,” Jing Hua was quite pleased.

He raised his hand and gently patted Jingrong’s shoulder. “Father Emperor is right. You are a loyal and filial person. Among all our brothers, only you don’t fight or compete. In the future, if I become ruler, I hope you, Jingrong, can become my most capable subject.”

The Emperor isn’t even dead yet, and you’re already thinking about becoming ruler?

Simpleton!

Jingrong thought to himself, it’s fine to say this in front of me, but don’t go around saying it everywhere, lest you die without knowing how.

Especially don’t say it in front of Jing Yi. Though he won’t bring you down now, there’s no guarantee he won’t seize on your mistakes in the future and make you fall completely.

With a faint smile, Jingrong said, “If the Crown Prince can one day reach the summit, I will naturally do my utmost to assist you.”

“You truly live up to this Crown Prince’s high regard for you.”

“…”

Jing Hua patted his shoulder again. “All right, I still need to return to the Eastern Palace to study documents. Recently Father Emperor had many books moved into the Eastern Palace.”

I know, I know!

You just want to say the Emperor values you, right?

Nonsense!

Emperor Qi Zhen merely thinks your brain lacks literary knowledge and wants to pour some ink into it.

Jing Hua walked away with his hands behind his back, full of pride, followed by six personal eunuchs.

Behind him, Jingrong couldn’t help but sneer, “Useless fool!”

This Jing Hua had grown up by the Emperor’s side since childhood. Though he was a good-for-nothing and incompetent at handling matters, he was very smooth with words.

But in the end, he was ultimately a useless fool, just born well with a father who doted on him, which earned him the title of Crown Prince.

If he were an ordinary person, who knows how many times he would have died already!

In Jingrong’s heart, he had always categorized Jing Hua among the dull-witted, thinking that because he was the heir apparent, he would certainly sit firmly on the dragon throne in the future, not knowing that as long as other princes used a little strategy, they could pull this fool down.

Presumably, Jing Yi had always left this fool alone without moving against him because his threat level and combat power were too low, even zero. So he only waited to eliminate the other princes, then remove Jing Hua, and naturally Jing Yi himself could sit securely in the Crown Prince’s position.

The scheming and plotting within the imperial family, all these calculations, truly resounded loudly!

Yet Jingrong had no heart to enter this factional struggle, but some things truly didn’t go as one wished.

After returning from the palace, Jingrong changed into a dark blue robe. Without even having time to eat anything, he hurried to the Eastern Garden.

At this time in the Eastern Garden.

Wei Yi had already gone to rest early, wrapped in his blanket, sleeping like a log!

Having traveled by carriage for so long, Ji Yinshu was actually tired too, but had no sleepiness at all.

She stood under the eaves, head tilted up, watching the water falling from the eaves. Her eyes were clear and cool, yet carried a faint sense of melancholy.

In her hand, she tightly gripped a tassel pendant hanging with a translucent, smooth blue bead that was extraordinarily bright under the lantern’s reflection.

Her fingertip lightly played with the red thread of the tassel, swaying in her hand, gently rocking in the cold wind.

When Jingrong entered the courtyard, he happened to see her. Although she wore men’s clothing and a half-mask, she still made his heart tremble slightly.

This woman emerged from mud without being stained, making it impossible to apply the word “worldly” to her.

She should belong to the quiet water towns of Jiangnan, growing up by water pavilions, living out her life peacefully and carefree.

At this moment, Jingrong truly wondered whether bringing her back to the capital was right or wrong.

His heart sank, and he walked over lightly.

“That tassel is very beautiful!” he said.

Hearing his voice, Ji Yinshu closed the tassel on her fingertip into her palm, the corners of her mouth slowly pulling into a slight curve.

“Ji Pei gave this to me. He said that after he lost his memory, he had always kept it with him.”

Mentioning that person, Ji Yinshu’s lips curved like silk threads being pulled, yet carried pain.

Jingrong knew that in her heart, no one could replace Ji Pei.

“Do you really think he’s dead?” Jingrong suddenly asked her.

This question made Ji Yinshu’s heart start, a flash of surprise in her eyes as she asked him, “Why does Your Highness ask this?”

“Nothing, I just suddenly thought of this question.”

She shook her head. “I no longer dare to hope for more. Perhaps I don’t dare hold hope anymore. These past two years, I’ve hoped every moment that Ji Pei was still alive. However great that hope was, the disappointment was equally great. That feeling truly grinds away at one’s spirit.”

Speaking to this point, she smiled bitterly!

Jingrong kept watching her, seeing the subtle changes in her expression when she spoke of Ji Pei.

“Yunshu.” He suddenly called her name.

“Mm?”

“Never mind.” He shook his head lightly, getting to the main point. “The day after tomorrow, you need to accompany me into the palace.”

She was certain she hadn’t heard wrong. Enter the palace?

“Aren’t we here to investigate the Linjing Case? Why do we also need to enter the palace?”

Jingrong explained, “You know that Duke Yuguo was ultimately imperial family. You should understand the importance of this case. Don’t worry, the day after tomorrow is just Consort Xiao’s birthday, with a banquet in the palace. You only need to make an appearance. After I introduce you to Father Emperor, if you want to leave the palace, I’ll immediately have someone escort you out.”

“Must I go?”

“I’ve already agreed.”

Hey, hey, hey, I’m the person concerned here. Shouldn’t you at least get my consent?

But Ji Yinshu thought about it—the Emperor had issued the decree, and Jingrong couldn’t refuse.

Jingrong quickly added, “If you want to bring Wei Yi into the palace, you can.”

“No need.” She rejected it outright. “Now that I’ve already brought him into the capital, there’s no need to involve him further in palace matters.”

“Don’t worry. On the day we enter the palace, I’ll have people take good care of him. Doesn’t he like eating meat? I’ll have someone take him to eat the best meat in the capital.”

This assurance didn’t move Ji Yinshu at all.

If Wei Yi were half-awake right now, he would definitely climb up and give him a big hug!