Master Zhang is dead?

He was a famous wealthy merchant in Anfu County!

It was said that Master Zhang was celebrating his sixtieth birthday today and had hosted a grand birthday banquet at his residence, inviting half the prestigious people in the county town, as well as many nobles who had come from out of town to offer birthday wishes. The entire residence was practically filled with tables.

The birthday gifts alone filled two large rooms!

Truly magnificent.

Speaking of that Master Zhang, on the surface he was a courteous person, but in reality he was quite stingy, not letting a single tael of silver slip through his fingers.

He had the reputation of being an “iron rooster”!

For this birthday banquet, in order to make a grand display, he had invited many theatrical troupes to perform, with singing and dancing of every kind. He had even spent a fortune to invite a theater troupe from far away to perform opera.

Who would have known that halfway through the performance, he collapsed at his seat.

Dead on the spot!

And at this moment, the Zhang residence had descended into complete chaos, frightening many people.

When Liu Zhiliang heard this, he still couldn’t quite process it.

But the little yamen runner beside him reminded him, “My lord, shouldn’t we hurry to the Zhang residence?”

“Of course we must go. You go ahead with men and seal off the Zhang residence, then notify the coroner to go examine the body.”

“Yes.”

The yamen runner hurried off to handle the matter.

Liu Zhiliang cupped his fists and bowed to Jingrong. “My lord, this matter came suddenly, this official…”

“You attend to your business. This prince won’t disturb you. Your men need not escort this prince back either.”

“Yes.”

Jingrong glanced at the two servants kneeling on the ground with trembling bodies, his sinister eyes narrowing slightly, then left with Shi Ziran.

On the way back—

Shi Ziran asked curiously, “My lord, could this be another mysterious case?”

“You want to know?”

“Just curious.”

Jingrong laughed coldly. “Perhaps Master Zhang ate too much and was stuffed to death. What mysterious case? Where do so many mysterious cases come from in this world?”

Shi Ziran nodded.

He smiled foolishly.

They returned to the inn an hour later.

As soon as he entered his room, he saw Ji Yinshu sitting inside waiting for him.

The corner of his mouth curved up wickedly, smiling mischievously. He sent Shi Ziran out, turned around, and closed the door.

He thought to himself, this was a wolf’s den, and this woman had delivered herself to his door!

“Waiting for me?” he asked.

Ji Yinshu: “Brother Lang Bo said you went to the yamen?”

“Mm, went to meet County Magistrate Liu Zhiliang.”

“I heard someone died at the Zhang residence?” Ji Yinshu said directly, though her tone was rather indifferent.

Jingrong smiled. “The news traveled quite fast.” Then he sat down beside her, speaking in a commanding tone, “Listen well, tomorrow morning, we depart.”

The implication being—she wasn’t allowed to meddle in other people’s business!

Ji Yinshu naturally understood his meaning.

She simply smiled, poured two cups of tea, pushed one toward him, then stood up to leave.

But after just two steps, her wrist was seized. With a pull, her body fell into Jingrong’s broad chest, and his arm simultaneously locked tightly around her waist.

She couldn’t break free!

Their two bodies pressed together.

One tall, one short!

One large, one small!

Before Ji Yinshu could react, her chin was already lifted by his fingers.

Meeting his gaze, their four eyes locked!

“Leaving already?”

Her eyes lifted slightly. “What else?”

Jingrong showed a jealous, complaining expression and said, “Along this entire journey, that boy Wei Yi has been monopolizing you. It’s been difficult for this prince to even say a few words to you. Since you’ve delivered yourself to my door, you’re a lamb to be devoured. How could there be… any reason to push you away?”

As he spoke, he still lowered his body, gently pressing his forehead against hers.

Dominance mingled with deep affection in his eyes.

Ji Yinshu’s body went weak, yet she didn’t forget to lean backward.

Unfortunately, Jingrong’s hand locked at her waist was very firm.

“Little enchantress, don’t think of escaping. Tonight, this prince will devour you.”

“Nonsense.”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, we’ll know after trying.”

His lips pressed closer…

Ji Yinshu immediately placed both hands against his chest, pushing him away a few inches with force.

Pressing her lips together, she lowered her eyes and said, “It’s already very late. You should rest early.”

She struggled to break free with force.

Who knew—

A small, square, flat wooden tablet suddenly fell from her sleeve.

Thud!

It hit the floor.

Ji Yinshu wanted to pick it up, but Jingrong got there first.

He felt it between his fingers. It was very smooth, and the four corners had been polished quite round. The color of the wooden tablet was like ink spreading through water.

In the middle was an exquisite design.

He couldn’t tell if it was writing? Or a flower?

“What is this?” He held it up.

Ji Yinshu reached out to snatch it back, quickly tucking it into her sleeve, saying calmly, “Just an ordinary little wooden board.”

Jingrong clearly didn’t believe her.

“If it were ordinary, why are you so nervous?”

“Am I?”

“It’s written all over your face.” Jingrong was puzzled, his brows furrowing. “Could it be this thing was also given to you by Wei Yi’s father?”

How awkward!

Ji Yinshu immediately explained, “This is a keepsake my mother left me. I’ve always kept it with me. I can’t lose it.”

Upon hearing this, Jingrong had nothing more to say.

Taking advantage of this, Ji Yinshu quickly slipped away.

Leaving Jingrong alone in the room, full of regret.

Just now, he should have thrown that woman onto the bed and been done with it.

This truly proved that saying—the meat at your mouth fell into the ditch.

Sighing, he simply undressed and rested.

The next morning!

On the first floor of the inn.

It was abuzz with activity!

“Have you heard? Master Zhang died last night.”

“I heard last night. Master Zhang was celebrating his great birthday at the residence and invited many people. They were watching a performance, and halfway through, he suddenly collapsed on the ground. When they looked, he was actually dead.”

“Did he have a seizure or something?”

“Master Zhang’s health was very good. How could he have a seizure?”

At this moment, someone lowered their voice and interjected, “I heard that the yamen sent a coroner to examine the body and discovered that Master Zhang died from poisoning. Turns out, poison had been placed in his teacup, and moreover, the killer has already been found and taken to the yamen.”

“Who is the killer?”

“Seems to be someone from the theater troupe, a young lady, and moreover, she’s the star of that troupe. From the Southern City Theater Troupe, yes, the Southern City Theater Troupe. That young lady is called Zhanmo. Master Zhang specifically invited her for this birthday celebration.”

Sighs filled the surroundings. “Oh my, what kind of grudge would drive someone to murder?”

“Who knows!”

Everyone gathered around the tables discussing it endlessly.

Ji Yinshu and Jingrong were also eating on the first floor, catching every word they said.

The poisoner was Zhanmo?

The young lady who had fainted at the mountain inn?

Ji Yinshu pondered this, while Jingrong across from her seemed indifferent.

He ate and drank as usual.

He even coldly remarked, “Those who live long, hear not with their ears, speak not with their mouths. Those who die young, steal others’ affairs, gossip excessively.”

This comment—who knew who it was meant for? It just came out of nowhere.

Ji Yinshu understood his meaning.

So she simply closed her ears, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.

But Muruo suddenly put down his chopsticks, abruptly stood up, and walked into the crowd of gossipers.

He pushed his way through and sat down.

He even helped himself to a cup of tea, took a sip, and asked those people, “The Southern City Theater Troupe? What kind of theater troupe is that?”

Everyone looked at him. Who was this fellow?

But everyone had a heart for gossip, so they ignored this question and delved deeper into discussion.

One person looked at Muruo with disdain. “You don’t even know this? The Southern City Theater Troupe is a famous theatrical company. I heard they even performed in the palace for the emperor and some imperial relatives—quite remarkable! But later the old troupe master died, and the Southern City Theater Troupe wasn’t as glorious as before. Still, a broken ship has three thousand nails. The star of the Southern City Theater Troupe, Miss Zhanmo—the way she sings opera, it lingers for three days! Especially the role Miss Zhanmo plays in ‘Dream of the Zhuang Person.’ I heard it’s so lifelike that if you could see it with your own eyes, this life would be complete!”