What Madam Jiang said was indeed true.

If Duke Yuguo’s trip to Qingzhou to see Old General Li back then was truly related to the Linjing Case, why had Old General Li not mentioned this matter in the fourteen years that had passed?

Instead, leaving Qin Shiyu to petition for a retrial?

But regardless, now that it had been brought up, Ji Yunshu simply had to meet Old General Li.

Thinking of this, Ji Yunshu said earnestly, “Thank you for informing me, Madam Jiang. However, this matter involves far-reaching implications. I hope Madam Jiang will not mention what was said today to others.”

“I understand. Master Ji, please rest assured.” After speaking, with a somewhat apologetic tone, she said, “Master Ji, my younger brother has a rather impatient temperament. He has inadvertently offended you multiple times. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

If she hadn’t brought this up, Ji Yunshu would have long forgotten about it.

She wasn’t a petty person!

She knew what kind of person Li Zhao was at a glance—nothing more than a toothless tiger who would shrink back into his mother’s womb at a single shout from others.

Of course, these disparaging thoughts were best kept to herself.

With a gracious smile, Ji Yunshu said, “The matter has already passed. There’s no need to mention it again. I haven’t taken it to heart.”

Only then did Madam Jiang’s heart settle!

Seeing that the gloomy sky seemed about to rain, Madam Jiang didn’t stay long.

However, just before leaving, she suddenly remembered something.

She said to Ji Yunshu, “By the way, when Duke Yuguo was conversing with my grandfather inside the room, I did inadvertently overhear a few sentences. It seemed they were discussing the deployment of troops, but I’m not clear on the specifics.”

“Deployment of troops?”

“I wasn’t listening very carefully at the time, but it should have been that.”

Ji Yunshu nodded. “Thank you!”

Not long after Madam Jiang left, Ji Yunshu went to find Jingrong.

These past two days, although Jingrong was recovering from his injuries, he still traveled back and forth between the palace and outside daily. It was said that the general from Qujiang had already entered the city. At this time, with the border conflict intensifying, someone as meticulous as Emperor Qizhen naturally wouldn’t let his guard down.

At this moment, Jingrong had just changed into court attire preparing to enter the palace. Seeing Ji Yunshu arrive, he waved his hand toward Lang Bo, signaling him to withdraw.

Lang Bo was quite tactful!

A world for two—he wouldn’t intrude!

As soon as Ji Yunshu entered:

“What’s this? Haven’t seen this prince for two days—do you miss me?” Jingrong raised an eyebrow with a cheeky grin.

Shameless!

Sighing inwardly, Ji Yunshu quickly got to the point, saying to him, “I didn’t want to disturb you from important matters, Prince, but just now, Madam Jiang came to see me.”

“Oh? Did she come to express thanks?”

“Not entirely. She told me about something from fourteen years ago.”

Mentioning fourteen years ago, Jingrong’s heart tightened. With a puzzled tone, he said, “Fourteen years ago? Could it be related to the Linjing Case?”

Ji Yunshu nodded.

“That is rather strange. Fourteen years ago, Madam Jiang wasn’t in the capital. What could she possibly say?”

“Although she wasn’t in the capital, she said that before the incident, Duke Yuguo went to Qingzhou and met with Old General Li.”

“Eh?”

“Duke Yuguo and Old General Li also discussed matters regarding the deployment of troops.”

“Matters of troop deployment?”

Jingrong’s originally thin, cold countenance seemed to acquire a layer of frost. He fell silent for a moment.

Looking at him for a few moments, Ji Yunshu asked, “Has the Prince thought of something?”

He turned to the side, hands clasped behind his back, took a few steps forward, and said in a calm tone, “Duke Yuguo and Old General Li had an excellent relationship to begin with. If Duke Yuguo left the capital to visit him in Qingzhou, it wouldn’t be surprising. Moreover, Old General Li commanded heavy forces back then, so discussing troop deployment would also be normal.”

“So you mean to say this matter has absolutely no connection to the Linjing Case?”

“Not exactly. If what Madam Jiang said is true, then Duke Yuguo returned from Qingzhou and an incident occurred at his residence. To call it a coincidence would be too coincidental.”

Ji Yunshu said nothing, planning to listen to him continue.

Jingrong thought for a moment, then turned to her and said, “Although the Linjing Case is pressing, for now it must be set aside temporarily.”

“Set aside? Why?”

Jingrong explained, “There’s unrest at the border. Father Emperor has allowed the opposing general to enter the capital. During this time, we’ll probably be quite busy. The matter of exhuming the coffin must also be postponed.”

As he spoke, he sighed.

No wonder Jingrong was running back and forth between the palace and outside.

Ji Yunshu also understood the importance of this matter.

To put it plainly, this negotiation between the two nations—if an agreement could be reached, war could be avoided; if not, they would meet with weapons!

Ji Yunshu pressed her lips together and said, “In that case, during this time, I’d like to make a trip to Qingzhou.”

“No!”

Rejected!

“Why?”

Jingrong’s attitude was resolute. “Without this prince by your side, you can’t go anywhere. If you want to die, this prince doesn’t have time to collect your corpse.”

Scram!

A ball of fire instantly welled up in Ji Yunshu’s heart, nearly bursting forth.

That mouth of his—a thousand years from now, if she were fortunate enough to return to the modern era, she would definitely pry it open and study it meticulously.

However, her temperament was mild as plain water, so naturally she wouldn’t lose her temper. She turned her head away sullenly.

She said, “Could it be that the Prince wishes to confine me?”

Jingrong frowned. “You know that’s not what this prince means. It’s just that you’re such a troublemaker—wherever you go, something happens. For your sake, this prince has sustained countless injuries large and small all over his body. Just take pity on this prince and let me live a few more years.”

How pitiful indeed!

But—

“These are two separate matters. They cannot be equated,” Ji Yunshu rebutted.

“How are they different? If you go to Qingzhou, can this prince rest easy in the capital? If something happens to you halfway there, this prince’s heart would probably be torn to shreds.”

His tone was full of distress!

Ji Yunshu’s ears turned red at his words. She immediately straightened her expression, met Jingrong’s burning gaze, and then poured cold water on him.

She said, “The border matter is pressing. Although the Linjing Case is being shelved, it cannot be delayed. I came to the capital for this case, hoping only to investigate it clearly as soon as possible. Qingzhou isn’t far from the capital. Once I meet Old General Li and inquire about the details, I’ll naturally return immediately without lingering. If you’re worried I’ll run away, just keep Wei Yi here. I certainly can’t abandon him and leave.”

Using Wei Yi as collateral!

But Jingrong wasn’t buying it.

“There are no conditions for discussion.” His attitude was resolute. He continued, “Even if this prince arranges experts to protect you all the way, it wouldn’t compare to you staying by this prince’s side for peace of mind. In any case, after the border matter is resolved, this prince will personally take you to Qingzhou. Moreover, Old General Li has an eccentric temperament. If you go alone, he may not see you. With this prince there, he won’t dare refuse.”

The Prince held his position extremely high!

He simply didn’t give Ji Yunshu any chance to rebut!

At this moment, a guard came to report.

“Prince, someone has come from the palace.”

Jingrong nodded.

A eunuch with a shrill voice approached with small steps, head lowered, hands hanging at his sides.

He respectfully cupped his hands. “The Emperor has ordered Prince Rong to enter the palace immediately.”

“What matter?”

“Reporting to Prince Rong, the Emperor said that General Qujiang and the others have now entered the palace. You are summoned to immediately go discuss matters.”

“They’ve already entered the palace at this time?”

“Yes!”

The situation was urgent. Jingrong didn’t dare delay.

He nodded. “Understood. This prince will enter the palace immediately.”

The eunuch didn’t leave, but instead turned his gaze to Ji Yunshu.

He cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Master Ji, Imperial Consort Xiao has issued a decree summoning you to enter the palace immediately.”

What?

Ji Yunshu started!

Could it be that woman wanted to discuss with her again about things that fly in the sky and run on the ground?