As Jing Xuan spoke, she became increasingly excited.

Noble Consort Xiao’s slender eyes narrowed slightly as she said to her, “Xuan’er, that Master Ji is ultimately just an ordinary person—not a match for you. Moreover, this person’s thoughts run too deep. Mother Consort will absolutely never agree.”

“Mother Consort…”

“Don’t mention Mother Consort—even your Imperial Father would absolutely never agree. In any case, don’t even think about this matter. Starting today, you’re not permitted to leave the palace. I’ll have people watch you carefully.”

Jing Xuan was both angry and felt extremely wronged!

After stamping her feet a few times, she left in a huff.

Quiet returned to Noble Consort Xiao’s ears. She glanced at the young eunuch at her side.

She commanded, “Immediately send news to Prince Yi. If the murderer commits a crime, he must, before the Capital Magistrate arrests anyone, capture the murderer first. This merit cannot fall into Prince Rong’s hands.”

The young eunuch bowed. “Yes!”

Noble Consort Xiao’s slender, delicate hands clenched tightly into fists.

This merit absolutely could not be seized by Jingrong.

Want to solve the disappearance case? Want to investigate the “Linjing Case”? Want to claim credit before His Majesty? Want to become Crown Prince?

Dream on!

Very soon, Prince Yi received the message sent out from the palace by Noble Consort Xiao. He ordered Dou Quan to quickly send people to secretly follow the Capital Magistrate’s men. According to Noble Consort Xiao’s instructions, if the murderer really committed a crime, they must arrest him before the Capital Magistrate.

That night!

The evening grew slightly cool as light rain began to fall.

Ji Yinshu stood under the eaves outside the hall for a long time, looking at the pitch-black sky. In her clear eyes reflected faint orange halos of light.

She wondered how things were going on the Capital Magistrate’s end?

Jingrong had someone fetch a cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

He said, “Your body hasn’t recovered yet. Don’t catch a chill.”

Ji Yinshu’s gaze fell on the hand on her shoulder as she raised her eyes.

“Thank you.” She added, “Your Highness’s injuries are much more severe than mine. You’re the one who shouldn’t catch a chill.”

“We haven’t even married yet, and you’re already so concerned about me?”

“I didn’t…”

Before she finished, Jingrong looked at the pitch-black night sky and interrupted her words. “I wonder if it will snow tomorrow?”

Brother, spring has already arrived!

Ji Yinshu shook her head and said nothing.

Not knowing if Jingrong felt it was too quiet, he always wanted to find topics to chat about, lightly bumping her with his elbow.

He said again, “Shouldn’t we… do something?”

“I don’t understand Your Highness’s meaning!”

“The long night is truly agonizing.” Jingrong deliberately reminded her.

Ji Yinshu rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not your sleeping pill!”

“What? Sleeping pill?” Jingrong looked completely bewildered and asked, “Could it be Sanyi Pills?”

No matter what, Ji Yinshu worked in archaeology. She knew very clearly what Sanyi Pills were.

What was this prince thinking about!

Sighing, she said, “Sleeping pills are not San… in any case, not the kind of thing Your Highness is thinking of. They’re just a type of medicine to aid sleep. Since Your Highness finds the long night unbearably agonizing, you really should take a few.”

Jingrong nodded as if understanding but not quite, the corners of his mouth tinged with a smile as he moved two points closer to her.

Wickedly saying, “This prince truly lacks a few sleeping pills.”

“I already told you I’m not a sleeping pill!” Ji Yinshu moved two steps to the side.

“But if this prince says you are, then you are.”

Warm breath drew increasingly closer to Ji Yinshu’s ear. Her body weakened unexpectedly, and her hands in her sleeves involuntarily tightened.

Just as Jingrong gradually drew closer and she didn’t know what to do, the Capital Magistrate suddenly rushed over holding his official robes.

Covered in sweat, his expression extremely panicked!

Jingrong instantly recovered his cold and stern serious appearance, his hands clasped behind his back.

He asked, “How did it go?”

The Capital Magistrate immediately cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness, the person… has already been captured. It was indeed Gan Chouliang from Changxiang Restaurant. Our people followed behind him the whole time and saw that he almost harmed Miss Ruan, but…”

“But what?”

The Capital Magistrate paused, lowering his head. “Our people were preparing to step forward and arrest him when unexpectedly, Prince Yi’s people suddenly appeared and took Gan Chouliang to the Ministry of Justice prison first.”

They beat them to it!

Jingrong and Ji Yinshu exchanged glances—both understood the consequences this brought.

If the credit for this disappearance case went to Prince Yi, then naturally the “condition” Ji Yinshu had with the Emperor wouldn’t count, and the matter of opening Duke Yuguo’s coffin would be impossible!

“How did Prince Yi obtain this information? Didn’t this prince instruct that this matter be investigated secretly?” Jingrong said sternly.

“Your Highness, this official absolutely did not reveal half a word. The matter is of great importance—the people below absolutely could not have leaked it either.”

The Capital Magistrate also couldn’t understand how Prince Yi’s people had suddenly appeared.

Moreover, the Capital Magistrate was also unwilling in his heart!

The credit had been seized by Prince Yi—he seized not only Jingrong and Ji Yinshu’s credit, but even his own credit was gone!

So infuriating!

Jingrong’s brows furrowed, his tone cold and scorching as he said softly, “Prince Yi taking the first step—it seems not to be an accident, but deliberate.”

The Capital Magistrate asked, “Your Highness, what should we do now?”

“Forget it. After the Ministry of Justice examines Gan Chouliang, we’ll discuss it. You keep a close watch too. As soon as there’s news, report immediately.”

“Yes.”

Jingrong waved his hand, having the Capital Magistrate quickly go to the Ministry of Justice to watch closely.

Ji Yinshu was troubled. She glanced at Jingrong. “If Gan Chouliang confesses to all his crimes, the greatest credit will go to Prince Yi.”

“This prince knows!”

“Then what do we do now?”

“At daybreak, this prince will go see Prince Yi.”

“Your Highness wants to persuade Prince Yi not to interfere in this matter?” Ji Yinshu paused, then continued, “Prince Yi has deliberately targeted you. From the beginning, he didn’t want you to investigate the ‘Linjing Case.’ Moreover, Prince Yi suddenly appeared midway in this matter—clearly, he won’t agree to your request.”

Jingrong’s expression was grave, his brow bones pressed down hard.

When the mao hour arrived, Jingrong changed into clean clothing, preparing to make a trip to Prince Yi’s Manor.

But the Capital Magistrate came rushing over again in a hurry.

He quickly said, “Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice interrogated Gan Chouliang through the night. He admitted to everything and has already signed his confession. Prince Yi, holding that written confession, is already preparing to enter the palace to see His Majesty, planning to report the disappearance case to the Emperor and close this case.”

Jingrong’s expression turned ugly as he called out to Lang Bo.

“Prepare a horse immediately. This prince must intercept Prince Yi before he enters the palace.”

“Yes!” Lang Bo responded and immediately went to prepare.

Jingrong didn’t delay any further time, quickly left the manor, and rushed toward the palace gates.

He must intercept Prince Yi!

Ji Yinshu was also very nervous. Watching that figure rapidly depart, her heart was in her throat.

The next moment, she asked the Capital Magistrate, “Capital Magistrate, I’d like to ask—in the crimes Gan Chouliang confessed to, what did he write?”

“This official actually brought a copy of Gan Chouliang’s confession. Take a look.” The Capital Magistrate took the confession from his sleeve and handed it to her.

Taking the confession, she carefully perused it. But as those lines of characters passed before her eyes, her expression gradually grew tighter.

In her eyes was a trace of confusion.

Lifting her gaze, she said to the Capital Magistrate, “I wonder if the Capital Magistrate could take me to the Ministry of Justice prison to see Gan Chouliang?”

“This…” The Capital Magistrate was in a difficult position.

“I know it’s somewhat difficult, but there’s something not quite right in this written confession.”

“What does Master mean?”

“Shui Qing’s corpse—judging from the degree of flesh decay and the color of the congealed blood, she was first skinned by someone, then had both hands severed. But in Gan Chouliang’s confession, he said he first severed the hands, then skinned the face. I don’t know if he remembered incorrectly or if this confession was written incorrectly. So I’d like to personally go ask him. I trouble the Capital Magistrate to help me.”