In all her years, no one had ever spoken to her this way.

So she pointed at Ji Yinshu furiously. “Who exactly are you? How dare you speak to me like this! Do you know who I am? I’m Miss Qiao Xiao of the Qiao family. My second uncle is Minister Qiao Zheng of the Ministry of Personnel. And you think you can send me to prison? What wishful thinking.”

With her sharp features and monkey-like face, she was even more vicious than Jing Xuan when throwing a tantrum.

So she had a first-rank uncle!

No wonder she was so arrogant.

Ji Yinshu glanced at her disdainfully and took a step forward.

She said, “Miss Qiao, you should understand one thing—the Great Lin Empire does not belong to your Qiao family, and certainly not to your second uncle.”

“You…”

“Aunt Xie traveled thousands of miles to the capital for her daughter. Why must you make things so difficult for her?”

“Make things difficult?” Qiao Xiao looked at Aunt Xie with disgust, raising her eyebrows high, her eyes narrowed like needles. “Because this woman has been claiming everywhere for three years that my elder brother killed her daughter. She’s even been filing complaints everywhere, making my elder brother’s life miserable all these years. He was originally going to marry a fine lady, but because she came and caused a huge scene, the engagement fell through, and our Qiao family’s reputation was ruined.

If my parents were good-hearted and didn’t hold it against her, otherwise could she have lived until now? If I hadn’t come to the capital to visit my second uncle this time, I wouldn’t have discovered she’d run to the capital to file a complaint. I’m not so kindhearted. Not killing her today is already showing her mercy.”

Huffing and puffing!

As if she’d suffered a great injustice.

Ever since Aunt Xie’s daughter died, over these three years she had frequently caused scenes at the Qiao manor. If she wasn’t burning spirit money at the gate, she was throwing paper effigies into the Qiao manor. She’d even sneaked in and poisoned the well. After being caught and thrown in the county jail, the Qiao family elders, seeing she was truly pitiful and had a young grandson, repeatedly released her.

In the past two months, things had been much quieter. She hadn’t gone to cause trouble at the Qiao manor anymore. They’d thought she’d come to terms with it and accepted her daughter’s death. Who knew she’d run to the capital to file a complaint!

So Qiao Xiao’s fury was somewhat understandable!

However—

Ji Yinshu pressed her lips together, her tone softening slightly. “Miss Qiao, this time Aunt Xie came to the capital to appeal simply because she wants to understand the true cause of her daughter’s death. If your elder brother truly didn’t kill anyone, there’s nothing to fear. Only when the matter is made crystal clear can Aunt Xie truly let go. You don’t want the Qiao manor to continue being harassed, do you?”

Hmm?

Qiao Xiao looked Ji Yinshu up and down several times.

“What do you mean?”

Ji Yinshu said seriously, “This case must be investigated.”

“Investigated?”

“Only by investigating thoroughly can this matter truly end.”

“You… who exactly are you?” Qiao Xiao was beginning to panic.

The refined young man before her emanated an imposing presence. Within his upright bearing was a layer of frost that no one dared touch.

Who exactly was she?

But before she could get this answer, Ji Yinshu had already turned to tell Ji Wanxin.

“Second Sister, I must trouble you to take care of Aunt Xie for me and bring her to change clothes.”

“What about you? Where are you going?”

Ji Yinshu uttered three words lightly: “Strike the imperial drum.”

After speaking, she turned and left the inn.

Ji Wanxin wanted to pull her back, but couldn’t move a step because of Aunt Xie in her arms.

Qiao Xiao was completely bewildered!

Watching Ji Yinshu’s departing back, Ji Wanxin grew anxious. She quickly handed Aunt Xie over to a servant at the inn and instructed, “Please take care of this elderly lady. I’ll be right back.”

Then she chased after her.

Ji Yinshu hurried to the East Gate of the palace.

Four guards with swords stood watch at the East Gate, and two guards holding staffs stood on either side of the imperial drum.

Their expressions were fierce and menacing!

As Ji Yinshu approached without hesitation, her arm was grabbed by Ji Wanxin.

“Yunshu, what are you doing? Striking the imperial drum means being beaten with staffs. How can you endure that?”

“Second Sister, don’t interfere in this matter.”

Ji Wanxin simply blocked her path, spreading her arms. “Previously when Father whipped you a few times, you nearly died. How can you endure wooden staffs? Yunshu, though I don’t know what exactly you’re trying to do, that’s the imperial drum.”

Reminding her.

But Ji Yinshu’s mind was made up. She was determined to strike the imperial drum.

So she reached out and pushed aside the weak Ji Wanxin.

Ji Wanxin nearly fell to the ground and could only helplessly watch her walk toward the imperial drum.

Just as she was about ten meters away, Ji Yinshu was stopped by Shi Zijin who suddenly appeared.

“Sir, His Highness has said you are forbidden to strike it.” Her voice was cold.

Ji Yinshu’s eyes sharpened. “Don’t use Prince Rong to pressure me.”

“You cannot go.”

“Step aside.”

Shi Zijin refused, standing in place and blocking her completely.

After Ji Wanxin recovered herself, she also hurried over to pull her back. But the moment her hand touched the corner of Ji Yinshu’s sleeve, she was shaken off again.

“Listen to me—today I must strike the imperial drum. No one can stop me!”

No one can stop me!

Can’t stop me!

Her voice rang like a great bell!

Full of imposing force, the intensity radiating from her eyes truly made people dare not touch her again.

Shi Zijin and Ji Wanxin were momentarily stunned.

Ji Yinshu then lifted her feet and walked toward the imperial drum.

Knowing she could no longer be stopped, Shi Zijin contemplated for a moment in place, then hurried to find Jingrong.

Ji Yinshu, who had already reached the imperial drum, was stopped by the two guards holding staffs.

One of them said, “This is the imperial drum. Not just anyone can strike it.”

“I wish to file an imperial petition.”

The two guards exchanged glances, gripping their staffs more tightly. They looked Ji Yinshu up and down and asked, “Who are you?”

“Ji Yinshu, a citizen of Jinjiang, here to appeal a case from three years ago.”

Hearing this, the two guards whispered to each other, and one of them quickly went to report.

Shortly after, the Gate Official hurried over.

Seeing Ji Yinshu, he was slightly startled.

“How is it Gentleman Ji?” The official recognized her and asked, “I heard that Gentleman Ji has come here to appeal for a retrial?”

“Yes!”

“This…” The official panicked, looking around. Not seeing Prince Rong present, he carefully reminded her, “Surely Gentleman Ji is aware that the imperial drum is used for filing imperial petitions. Sir, is your coming to strike the imperial drum Prince Rong’s intention?”

Ji Yinshu composed herself, cool air entering her nostrils. “This has nothing to do with Prince Rong.”

The official didn’t know what case it was. In his mind, he only knew that coming to strike the imperial drum could be for two reasons.

One: To have an imperial audience.

Two: To file an imperial petition.

Moreover, the official knew Ji Yinshu was Prince Rong’s person, so he was rather polite, though clearly very conflicted.

He said hesitantly, “Striking the imperial drum is possible, but according to Great Lin law, those who strike the imperial drum must first endure forty strokes of the staff.”

“I know.”

“If you cannot endure it, you also cannot strike it.”

“I know.”

“If you die while receiving the staff beating, that is also your own affair.”

“I know.”

Her expression unchanging, it was always the same response.