The thin wire wrapped around Ji Li’s neck gradually cut deeper into his flesh, viciously carving out a bloody mark, as if it wouldn’t rest until it twisted that head right off.

Su Ziluo spoke coldly.

“Go in peace!”

“Ugh!”

Ji Li continued his death throes, his large eyeballs seeming ready to pop out.

He had never been so terrified. His entire body trembled faintly with the suffocating sensation and pain around his neck.

…

Before long, someone from the Ministry of Justice came to report.

Ji Li had committed suicide in his cell out of guilt!

The news spread quickly but wasn’t widely disseminated.

That very day, Ji Huan, who had been imprisoned by the Emperor’s order, was released.

The moment he came out, he learned of his older brother’s suicide and stood frozen in place for a long while.

“Impossible. My older brother would never commit suicide!”

He insisted adamantly.

Only when he saw the corpse lying in the cell, covered with white cloth—Ji Li—did he accept this reality.

But he also went mad!

He drew the Xuanchi Sword from his hand in one motion. With a forceful swing of the blade, he severed several wooden posts in the cell, terrifying those nearby.

“Big brother!”

He knelt beside Ji Li’s corpse and slammed his fist fiercely into the ground.

Blood immediately burst from his knuckles.

His body sagged to the ground, trembling violently!

After a long while, he finally stood up. His eyes filled with hatred and murderous intent. Gripping the Xuanchi Sword forcefully, he strode quickly out of the Ministry of Justice prison.

Heading straight for Prince Rong’s manor.

A light drizzle fell from the sky. Ji Yinshu stood under the eaves of the courtyard, reaching out to break off a branch of plum blossoms that extended toward her and inserting it into a crack in a split pillar nearby.

Just as she finished this action, she heard—

“General Ji, what are you doing?”

A maid’s anxious voice came from outside the courtyard.

Ji Yinshu looked up and saw Ji Huan charging toward her with murderous intent written all over his face. He drew the Xuanchi Sword from his hand, and from a distance of five meters away, he pointed the blade directly at her.

“I’m going to kill you.”

Ji Huan’s speed was very fast. Ji Yinshu had only retreated a small step when the sharp blade was already thrust to within mere millimeters of her chest.

Fortunately, Shi Zijin was constantly protecting her from the shadows. She pulled her body aside, avoiding Ji Li’s sword.

Shi Zijin’s blade also met his attack!

However, Ji Huan was a general after all, highly skilled in martial arts, and with that Xuanchi Sword in his hand, Shi Zijin naturally couldn’t match him.

Combined with her previous arm injury, after several exchanges, she was defeated.

Ji Huan’s sword then turned its point and thrust toward Ji Yinshu, coming to rest at her neck.

Shi Zijin quickly scrambled up from the ground, preparing to fight to the death.

But—

“Don’t come any closer!”

Ji Yinshu raised her hand, not allowing her to approach.

“If you want to kill me, then kill me.”

Ji Yinshu slightly raised her chin, speaking to Ji Huan.

Ji Huan was burning with rage at this moment. Because he gripped the sword with such force, his arm trembled slightly.

“Why?” he demanded of her.

Ji Yinshu replied, “I was only following the imperial decree to find the true murderer.”

“You know big brother could never kill anyone.”

“But he truly was the one who killed him.”

Ji Huan snorted, his face flushed red. “You caused Yuan Zhi’s death, caused grandmother’s death, and now you’ve caused big brother’s death. That night, I should have killed you.”

Through gritted teeth!

The sword lightly opened a cut on Ji Yinshu’s neck.

But she didn’t avoid Ji Huan’s gaze. Instead, she boldly met it.

“Second brother, if you want to kill me, do it now.”

“Fine. Since you want to die so badly, I’ll let you accompany big brother in death.”

Ji Huan steeled his heart, his wrist about to exert force.

Suddenly, a pebble swiftly flew over, striking the sword precisely. Because of the great force, it pushed Ji Huan back several steps, both man and sword together.

Before he could react, Jingrong had already appeared before him!

He seized the Xuanchi Sword from his hand and held it against his neck.

Then with a sharp rebuke, “General Ji, what audacity! You actually dare to come to my Prince Rong’s manor to kill someone.”

“She caused my big brother’s death!”

He pointed at Ji Yinshu.

Jingrong’s eyes turned cold. “Administrator Ji killed someone. According to Great Lin’s laws, he should have been executed. Now that he’s committed suicide out of guilt, it’s his own doing.”

“Does Your Highness truly believe her? Believe that my big brother is the murderer?”

“Yes. Whatever Master Ji says, this prince believes completely.”

Ji Huan gritted his teeth, both fists clenched tightly, glaring fiercely at Ji Yinshu. He rebuked, “Don’t think that just because Prince Rong protects you, I have no way to deal with you. You clearly know that big brother could never kill anyone. Why are you lying?”

He demanded of her!

Ji Yinshu walked over and said, “Second brother, rest assured, I won’t wrongly accuse anyone, nor will I let the true murderer go. No matter who killed someone, in the end, they must pay the price.”

“Big brother is not the murderer.”

Still the same statement.

Ji Yinshu’s expression was flat, as if she didn’t wish to say more.

Ji Huan’s anger came quickly, but it also left fairly quickly.

After his fury subsided, Jingrong removed the sword from his neck, flipping his hand to turn the sword’s handle toward Ji Huan.

After a long while, Ji Huan finally took the sword back.

He left in anger!

Jingrong glanced at the injured Shi Zijin. “Go treat your wounds.”

Shi Zijin nodded and leaped onto the roof beams, departing.

The next moment, he pulled Ji Yinshu into the room and ordered several maids, “Go fetch the medicine box.”

“Yes!”

The maid brought the medicine box. Jingrong opened it while gently lifting Ji Yinshu’s chin.

He said, “It will hurt a little. Don’t move around.”

Ji Yinshu sat obediently like a marionette.

Jingrong carefully applied medicine to the wound on her neck. After a long silence, he said, “Ji Li’s death has nothing to do with you.”

“…”

“He killed someone, so he had to pay with his life.”

The medicine on her neck was cool, making her suddenly feel cold. She shrank back her head, her body leaning backward.

Jingrong grabbed her wrist and said sternly, “I told you not to move. The wound must be treated.”

She had no choice but to sit obediently again.

Jingrong’s movements were gentle. After bandaging her wound, his tense brow finally relaxed.

“In a bit, I’ll have Muruo come over to take a look.”

“No need. It’s just a minor injury.”

“After he looks at it, I’ll feel more at ease.”

Jingrong put away the medicine box and had the maid take it out. Then he turned to ask Ji Yinshu, “Do you want to go see your older brother? His body is still at the Ministry of Justice.”

She shook her head!

“Then rest well. I’ll have someone notify Muruo shortly.”

She nodded!

Just as Jingrong was leaving her room, Ji Yinshu suddenly called out to him.

“Jingrong!”

She called his name.

Jingrong turned to look at her. “What is it?”

After a moment of silence, she shook her head again. “Nothing.”

If it were any other time, Jingrong would definitely have gotten to the bottom of it. But now, he didn’t do so. He simply left quietly.