“Do the wounds on your body hurt?”

Jingrong shook his head: “Don’t worry, these injuries won’t kill me yet.”

Such bravado!

Jingrong’s stubbornness wasn’t something new—it had been going on for more than just a day or two.

This pair of ill-fated lovebirds—if not for the wooden stake between them, they would likely already be embracing each other in tears.

Nearby, Muruo narrowed his eyes, suppressed his emotions and stepped forward, crouching down. He took out a white medicine bottle from his waist and placed it on the ground, saying to Jingrong: “This medicine was brought especially for you. You two should quickly discuss the urgent matters. This place isn’t safe to linger in—Prince Yi could arrive at any moment.”

Ji Yunshu lifted her sleeve to wipe away her tears, picked up the medicine from the ground and opened it, wanting to apply it to Jingrong’s wounds, but he gently pushed her away.

“Muruo is right, you should leave quickly.” He continued: “Prince Yi won’t kill me. If he can’t extract anything from me, naturally he’ll have no way to deal with me. When that time comes, Father Emperor will order to see me, and then I’ll explain everything clearly to him. If he believes me, he’ll certainly release me.”

Ji Yunshu asked: “What if he doesn’t believe you?”

“Then I’ll accept whatever fate brings.” Jingrong’s response was extremely casual. He called out “Yunshu” once more, then said with utmost seriousness: “Promise me, don’t get involved in this matter. Once something happens to me, immediately take Wei Yi and leave the capital. Lu Jiang and Lang Bo will escort you to a safe place. From now on, never come to the capital again.”

He was clearly making arrangements for after his death!

Ji Yunshu shook her head, saying firmly: “Nothing will happen to you, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Yunshu, listen to me. You must safely leave the capital. Once something happens to me, Jing Yi won’t spare you, and neither will Father Emperor. As long as you can safely leave the capital, even if I die, I’ll be willing.”

“I forbid you to say such things.” Ji Yunshu rebuked him sharply: “From Jinjiang to the capital, all along, you’ve been the one protecting me. Today, I won’t leave you for the sake of my own safety. You’re the one who said it—to hold your hand and grow old together with you.”

“Yunshu…”

“This vow remains unchanged through lifetimes—it’s your promise.”

Jingrong used all his strength to grip her hand tightly, his bloodshot eyes becoming even more crimson.

Ji Yunshu took a breath and said firmly: “I will definitely find evidence to save you.”

Jingrong was already covered in wounds, and gradually lost even the strength to speak. The full weight of his body was supported entirely by the wooden stake. He opened his mouth, his parched and bloodied lips unable to produce a single word for a long moment.

Muruo, however, grew anxious: “Right now, the most important thing is to find a way to locate evidence. Since that old fox dared to commit regicide, he must have made thorough preparations.”

Ji Yunshu: “What caught fire wasn’t those lanterns at all, but rather the iron wires hanging the lanterns. The wires were coated with gunpowder. When the candle flames inside the lanterns heated up to a certain temperature, they would cause the iron wires to ignite. The iron wires are the key to this incident and the only evidence.”

“You mean we need to go examine those iron wires.”

She nodded!

Muruo’s expression darkened, his brow furrowing: “The entire Chengqing Hall has probably become ruins. Even if there’s evidence, it’s likely been burned away. Besides, how would you get in there?”

This was indeed the critical issue.

But then, thinking it over, Ji Yunshu’s eyes brightened: “Don’t forget, there’s still someone in the palace.”

“Kong Yu?”

When Jingrong had his incident, Kong Yu immediately ordered someone to send word out of the palace. From this, one could tell that her determination to save Jingrong was no less than Ji Yunshu’s. To enter Chengqing Hall to examine those lanterns, with Kong Yu’s help, it shouldn’t be difficult.

After all, she was a princess!

But then—suddenly—

Jingrong suddenly frowned, his face full of puzzled confusion. After hesitating for a long while, he said in a weak voice: “I suddenly thought of a very serious problem.”

Hmm?

He continued: “With just those lanterns and iron wires, does Old General Li really think he can commit regicide? That seems far too uncertain.”

An inexplicable chill ran through them!

Ji Yunshu was slightly startled, her mind racing: “You mean…”

“Perhaps… his target wasn’t Father Emperor at all.” Jingrong’s heart began to fill with uncertain doubt.

What!

Just as these words left his mouth, footsteps echoed in the prison, approaching from far to near.

Muruo’s face turned vigilant as he pulled Ji Yunshu up with one motion.

Ji Yunshu also quickly put on the cloak’s hood, covering her face, and silently hid behind Muruo.

Jing Yi, who came rushing over with a face full of murderous intent, glanced at Jingrong still in the cell and breathed a sigh of relief.

But then he raised his hand and slapped the guard who had been watching outside the prison across the face.

He roared: “When Young Master Muruo arrived, why didn’t you notify this prince? Young Master Muruo is an honored guest—how could you let him come to such a filthy place where serious criminals are detained!”

The slap was harsh, with five clear finger marks visible.

The guard lowered his head in apology: “This subordinate knows his error.”

“Someone, take him out and give him fifty strikes with the rod.”

“Yes!”

The guard was dragged out alive.

This was clearly meant to make an example of him!

Muruo watched this performance staged for his benefit and secretly laughed at his foolishness!

“He’s just a minor guard—why is Prince Yi so nervous? I merely came in to take a look. First, I didn’t bring anything in, and second, I didn’t take anything out.”

He spread his hands to either side!

Look, look—I really didn’t steal anything.

Jing Yi merely smiled, glancing at Jingrong in the cell: “Young Master Muruo has imperial authorization to come and go freely within the palace, but today this inner prison holds a serious criminal. If he were lost, this prince would also be punished. Since Young Master Muruo has already come in to look, please leave quickly.”

“Fine.”

The agreement came readily!

With that, he pulled Ji Yunshu to leave, but just as Ji Yunshu passed by Jing Yi, her arm was grabbed.

The force was strong!

The motion was large!

She staggered backward several steps, the ties around her neck suddenly loosened, and the entire cloak slipped to the ground, revealing that delicate face.

Muruo tried to pull Ji Yunshu to his side, but was blocked by a nearby guard.

“So it’s Master Ji!” Jing Yi raised his eyebrows: “I didn’t expect Master Ji to have such a close relationship with Prince Rong, taking such great risks to come to the prison. This prince truly envies that Prince Rong has an advisor like you.”

“I broke in on my own—it has nothing to do with anyone else.”

She twisted her body, unable to break free from the strong grip on her shoulder.

“Very good!” With a face full of ferocity, he commanded: “Someone, seize him!”

The guards obeyed and immediately restrained Ji Yunshu.

“Let him go!”

Jingrong roared with difficulty, his voice deep and resonant!

Having seemingly grasped Jingrong’s weak point, Jing Yi’s smile grew even more sinister.

“Release him?” He curved his lips, raised one hand, and pointed at Muruo: “Young Master Muruo has the privilege to enter and exit the palace without obstruction, but this Master Ji has no such privilege. Those who trespass into the heavenly prison face the death penalty.”

In the next moment, he gripped the wooden stake forcefully with both hands and roared in fury:

“If you harm her even slightly, I will kill you!”