As she spoke!

The woman raised her sleeve and held it at her nose, making a show of disgust.

Mei Xiang’er on stage lowered her head even more, using her hand to pull at the shawl on her shoulder to cover her neck.

But it still revealed the purple-red scar on her neck.

Like traces of skin being peeled off and then burned by fire, the flesh wrinkled together—truly quite horrifying.

But if it were wrapped more securely, it would be quite difficult to see.

Because the woman’s voice was rather loud, customers around all looked toward Mei Xiang’er, discussing and pointing.

The manager, afraid of affecting his restaurant’s reputation, explained a few words to that woman, then ran to the stage.

He forcefully pulled at Mei Xiang’er’s sleeve and said harshly in her ear, “Didn’t I tell you to cover your neck with something? How many times has this been? Count it yourself! Are you going to let me do business or not? Do you really want to get lost?”

Mei Xiang’er’s body trembled as she bit her lip and said tremulously, “I’m sorry, Manager. I didn’t mean to. The wind just blew, so…”

“Don’t explain so much to me. Get down quickly.”

“Manager, I…” Mei Xiang’er’s eyes reddened.

The elderly person beside her also stood up with a trembling body, bent at the waist, stammering and begging the manager, “Manager, please give us one more chance. Xiang’er didn’t mean it. Please.”

Her voice carried tears, almost desolate.

The manager was actually a good person. He sighed helplessly, waved his hand, and said kindly, “Forget it, forget it. You two just leave for today and come back tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Manager.”

The two bowed in apology!

Mei Xiang’er supported the elderly person beside her as they slowly descended from the stage.

The manager returned and said many placating words to that woman before the matter finally subsided!

Ji Yinshu had silently watched this scene from the side. In her heart, on one hand, she loathed that female customer’s unbridled speech and arrogant rudeness; on the other hand, she felt regret and pity for Mei Xiang’er.

Such a refined woman!

Yet heaven showed no favor!

Letting out a soft breath, she was preparing to leave the restaurant when, after just a few steps, she noticed a man in the distance.

That man was tall and burly, wearing a restaurant cook’s clothing, standing at the passage leading in and out of the kitchen. Those bloodthirsty and sinister eyes stared directly at the female customer in the small compartment on the other side who had just caused the commotion.

His hands hanging at his sides were tightly clenched into fists, veins bulging on his back.

One could imagine how furious he was!

Ji Yinshu grew suspicious. Could this man be Mei Xiang’er’s lover? Was that why he was so angry?

But in her heart, another very ominous premonition arose!

It made her heart suddenly jump.

It wasn’t until that man returned to the kitchen that Ji Yinshu lightly shook her head, quickly left the restaurant, and rushed toward Prince Rong’s Manor.

At this time, in the East Garden of Prince Rong’s Manor.

“Where is Master Ji?”

Just from the voice, one knew it was Jing Xuan.

Why wasn’t this woman staying in the palace to enjoy her good fortune, instead of running outside the palace every day?

A maid at the side lowered her head and quickly replied, “Master Ji just went out.”

“Where?”

“This servant doesn’t know.”

“You don’t even know where a living person went—a bunch of useless things.” Jing Xuan put her hands on her hips, looking quite angry.

At this time, Wei Yi came out from inside, holding a bunch of plum blossoms in his hands, softly humming a song.

Looking very leisurely.

“Fool!” Jing Xuan called to him.

Wei Yi glanced at her, instinctively moved a step to the side, then looked at her and walked toward the plum blossom trees in the courtyard.

What?

Ignoring people?

Jing Xuan was furious and followed.

“Fool, I’m calling you.”

Wei Yi still paid no attention to her, turning his body to look up at the plum blossoms before him, occasionally brushing the bunch of plum blossoms in his hand that had been broken by the wind.

Jing Xuan’s face turned greenish, very displeased.

This made her angry. She reached out and pulled Wei Yi’s sleeve, showing a questioning expression, “I’m talking to you—why are you ignoring me?”

Because his sleeve was being pulled by Jing Xuan, Wei Yi was forced to turn sideways toward her, but he snorted.

“I’m not going to talk to you.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like you.”

“I don’t like you either.” Jing Xuan glared and retorted.

Wei Yi raised his hand and carefully removed Jing Xuan’s hand from his sleeve, with a very disdainful little expression.

Not forgetting to say, “Shu’er told me that a real man shouldn’t argue with girls. Last time you smashed the flowers in the courtyard, I’ve already stopped being angry with you, but I don’t want to talk to you, so don’t speak to me either.”

“You…”

Jing Xuan stomped her foot and swung her hand, a dull fist hitting Wei Yi’s arm as she shouted loudly, “Do you know who I am? I’m a princess!”

“So what if you’re a princess? Mother said everyone is equal.” He retorted, then frowned, scratching his head and asking, “What’s a princess?”

Pfft—

Jing Xuan was so angry she could spit blood!

Just at this moment, Ji Yinshu returned, her feet moving as if on wind. She didn’t even glance at Wei Yi and Jing Xuan, hurrying into the room.

Seeing Ji Yinshu, Jing Xuan immediately restrained her previous angry appearance, pressed her lips together, and her face flushed red.

She ran toward the room.

As soon as Ji Yinshu entered the room, she found the materials about the disappearance case that the Capital Magistrate had sent earlier.

These materials—she had only glanced at them before and thrown them on the desk, never touching them again.

Now, she pulled them all out one by one!

She spread them all out on the desk and began to examine them page by page.

Jing Xuan stood behind her, watching her bustle about for a long time before asking, “What are you doing?”

“…”

“I’ll help you look together!” As she spoke, Jing Xuan moved forward to help her.

Ji Yinshu quickly said, “No need.”

“I just want to…”

Before she could say “help,” Ji Yinshu had already buried herself completely in this task, no longer paying attention to her.

Had both Ji Yinshu and Wei Yi been possessed today?

Why were they both ignoring her?

Her mood was terrible!

Yet her temperament followed Jingrong’s—both were very stubborn.

She simply sat down in the room. While Ji Yinshu was busy, she accompanied her from the side. Thinking about it, this was also quite pleasant!

Ji Yinshu carefully examined the materials before her, one document at a time, reading every word and sentence very seriously, afraid of missing anything critically important.

After approximately half an hour, her gaze finally lifted from that pile of materials.

Her expression was astonished!

No—it was extremely anxious and panicked!

“What did you figure out?” Jing Xuan asked, supporting her cheeks with her hands.

She suddenly stood up, her voice trembling, “If… it really is like this, then…”

Her eyes widened!