Not long after, Jing Zhaoyin sent someone to Prince Rong’s manor, bringing news that they had found Meixiang’er’s address—it was in the southern part of the city.

The messenger also handed over a note with the address written on it.

Given the nature of this matter, it was naturally urgent.

Ji Yunshu grabbed the note and said to Jingrong, “I’ll go find Meixiang’er.”

“This prince will go with you.”

“No need. Your Highness should remain at the manor in case the murderer tries to find Miss Ruan during this time. We can’t let Prince Yi beat us to it again.”

Jingrong thought for a moment and nodded.

Lang Bo had taken Wei Yi out of the manor to eat candied hawthorn, so he could only summon two skilled guards to accompany Ji Yunshu to the southern part of the city.

Arriving at the southern district, they found Meixiang’er’s residence.

Outside the thatched cottage, on wooden racks, stacks of dried vegetables and chili peppers were arranged, along with some simple medicinal herbs.

Though the courtyard was simple, enclosed only by some bamboo fence stakes, it was very clean inside!

The accompanying guard stepped forward and knocked on the somewhat dilapidated wooden door.

Once, twice, three times…

Still no one came out!

“Could there be no one inside?” the guard speculated.

Ji Yunshu glanced inside, “There’s someone inside.”

“There is?” The guard was skeptical.

“There’s a faint light in the house, so naturally there’s someone inside.”

Through the open broken window, a faint red light could be seen, dimly flickering through the white rice paper.

The guard suddenly understood and knocked more vigorously on the door that was nearly falling apart.

The sound echoed repeatedly—

Finally, the door inside creaked open. First a head peeked out, then gradually a slender figure emerged.

Meixiang’er kept her head lowered. Seeing the unexpected people outside, she immediately became somewhat frightened, her hands wringing together tightly as she cautiously took small steps forward.

Clearly the timid manner of a weak woman!

She slowly opened the courtyard gate, and saw Ji Yunshu standing before her.

“Young Master? Is that you?” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

A burst of joy!

Ji Yunshu spoke gently, “Miss Mei, I’ve come suddenly. I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

Meixiang’er shook her head repeatedly.

“No, no disturbance at all. Actually, Young Master, you can just call me Xiang’er.”

Ji Yunshu smiled faintly, “Miss Xiang’er, I’ve come because there are actually some things I’d like to ask you.”

“Hm?”

“Is it inconvenient?”

“Not at all! Please come in.”

Meixiang’er took two small steps aside to let her enter.

Ji Yunshu instructed the two guards beside her, “You two wait outside.”

“Yes!”

Only then did Ji Yunshu follow Meixiang’er into the house.

The room wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small either, and it was very tidy inside with relatively refined furnishings.

Everything was complete!

The two sat down at the table. Meixiang’er poured her a cup of water, “Young Master, please have some water.”

“Thank you!”

Ji Yunshu glanced at the water in the cup, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Meixiang’er’s neck across from her.

Because she wasn’t wearing a shawl, that terrifying dark red scar was exposed.

Probably noticing Ji Yunshu’s gaze, Meixiang’er reached up to adjust her collar and lowered her head.

She asked quietly, “May I know what business brings the Young Master to see me?”

Ji Yunshu got straight to the point, “It’s like this—I won’t hide it from you, Miss Xiang’er. I’ve come regarding the capital’s disappearance case. You should know that the murderer is Gan Chouliang from Changxiang Restaurant, right?”

Meixiang’er wasn’t surprised. Instead, she nodded rather timidly, “I know. The restaurant has already been sealed off. Even now thinking about it makes my hair stand on end. I never expected he would dare to kill people, and even…”

She didn’t finish, overcome with nausea!

“So, do you know him?”

“Not really. Although my father and I have been singing at Changxiang Restaurant for quite some time, we’re not familiar with him.” She spoke very earnestly!

She really didn’t seem to be lying. Perhaps she didn’t know about Gan Chouliang’s feelings for her.

Seeing Ji Yunshu’s expression darken, Meixiang’er asked, “But why are you suddenly asking me these things, Young Master?”

“It’s nothing!” she replied.

Just then, the sound of coughing came from the back courtyard.

Looking toward the sound, she saw the old man who played the erhu at the restaurant walking in, holding a tattered fish net and leaning on a rough walking stick.

“Father!” Meixiang’er called out, standing to greet him and taking the things from his hands to place on the table.

Ji Yunshu also quickly stood and nodded to the old man, calling out, “Sir.”

“You are?” The old man looked at her strangely.

Meixiang’er answered for her first, “Father, don’t you remember? This is the Young Master who requested the Fanji Melody.”

“So it’s that kind-hearted Young Master! Xiang’er, this is an honored guest. Quickly, quickly, go prepare a few dishes to properly receive this Young Master.” The old man’s kindly face showed a grateful expression.

“Alright, I’ll go right away.” Meixiang’er responded.

Ji Yunshu quickly said, “Miss Xiang’er, there’s no need.”

“Young Master, please don’t be so polite.” Meixiang’er thought of something and looked toward the front courtyard, saying, “Those two young masters outside have been standing for so long, they must be thirsty. I’ll go invite them into the courtyard.”

With that, Meixiang’er took the teapot and cups from the table and went out.

Very enthusiastic!

Ji Yunshu felt somewhat helpless!

She wanted to go out and follow Meixiang’er, but the old man suddenly started coughing, his body trembling slightly. She could only stop and support the old man.

But just as her hands grasped the old man’s arms, Ji Yunshu’s palms pressed slightly. When she felt the old man’s bones, she was suddenly shocked.

She had examined countless bones and opened countless coffins.

Her professional sensitivity told her very clearly that this seemingly fifty or sixty-year-old man’s arm was actually that of a man in his thirties.

However—

It was a disease-stricken hand!

Probably unable to even lift a chair.

Ji Yunshu found it strange. She helped him sit down first, her heart feeling somewhat uneasy.

Ji Yunshu quickly said, “Sir, please rest well. I’ll be leaving now.”

Before the old man could reach out to stop her, Ji Yunshu had already hurried out of the room.

The sky had already darkened by now.

But outside the courtyard, the two guards were nowhere to be seen.

That sense of fear made Ji Yunshu’s heart even more panicked.

Suddenly, as a cold wind blew, she caught a faint scent with her nose.

Very familiar!

Before she could turn around, someone suddenly covered her mouth.

“Mmph!”

She struggled briefly without success. That dizzy feeling came over her in waves. She opened her eyes wide as her vision gradually blurred.

Finally, she passed out!

She could only hear a buzzing sound in her ears!

She didn’t know how much time had passed. When she woke up, her eyes were blindfolded, her body tied to a stool, her hands bound tightly behind her back!

The surroundings were very quiet!

She wrinkled her nose and smelled a faint woody scent, along with the smell of decomposing corpses and blood.

“You’re awake?”

Meixiang’er’s voice rang out!