After leaving the imperial palace, Jing Yi immediately went to the Supreme Court.

Without alarming the people throughout the Supreme Court, he summoned only the Supreme Court Minister into an inner room.

The door was closed!

“I wonder what matter brings Prince Yi here through the rain?” The Supreme Court Minister asked with cupped hands.

Jing Yi got straight to the point, “Has any secret decree come out from the imperial palace?”

Although the Supreme Court Minister was Jing Yi’s person.

However—

“Prince Yi, that’s His Majesty’s secret decree. This subject fears…”

“Speak.”

The Supreme Court Minister hesitated for a moment, then said, “A quarter-hour ago, Eunuch Zhang from His Majesty’s side personally came to announce an imperial edict, saying that Prince Rong was recently assassinated. The culprits are currently being escorted to the capital. Once they arrive at the Supreme Court, they must be interrogated immediately to get to the bottom of it, without any mistakes.”

Jing Yi’s pupils instantly contracted!

His expression grew grave!

The Supreme Court Minister observed secretly, cautiously stepping forward, asking weakly, “The matter of Prince Rong’s assassination…”

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, they were completely blocked back by one sharp look from Jing Yi.

He could only stand to the side, saying nothing!

After a long moment, Jing Yi suddenly rose, hands behind his back, instructing, “The fact that this prince came here—not a single word must be leaked.”

“Yes!”

Only acknowledgment remained.

At this moment, Jing Yi had already pushed open the door and departed, leaving in the distance.

On the carriage ride back to Prince Yi’s manor, his expression was cold and stern, showing not a trace of emotion. His hands resting on his knees were clenched into fists. Who knows how long passed before the fists gradually loosened.

Yet his brows suddenly tightened.

“Dou Quan.”

He called out!

Dou Quan, who was riding through the rain outside the carriage, immediately responded, his sturdy body leaning from the horse’s back toward the carriage’s direction.

However, the square carriage window curtain did not lift open.

Only a single word was coldly transmitted from inside, “Kill!”

The volume of the voice was perhaps washed away somewhat by the rainwater, so when it reached outside, it was very light.

Dou Quan maintained an obedient face.

He responded, “Yes.”

Rainwater flowed rapidly down from the edge of his bamboo hat, soaking his lapels and those black boots.

Everything was falling bit by bit into the trap Jingrong had set up long ago…

The rain did not stop.

The raindrops struck the ground and the carriage roof like round, lustrous pearls, making heart-stirring sounds one after another.

…

June’s heavy rain troubled the capital, but the rain in Anfu wasn’t heavy—only the air always made people feel stuffy.

Unable to catch their breath!

Ji Yinshu was dozing at the table with her forehead propped up when she was suddenly awakened by thunder outside.

Looking at Wei Yi who remained unconscious, her heart grew increasingly suspended.

Just then Muruo entered, bringing her a bowl of cold-dispelling medicine.

“Drink it. This weather easily brings hot winds.”

She obediently drank it.

She asked, “It’s been two days already. Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

“It’s not a minor injury. How could he wake up so quickly? Injured so deeply, naturally he needs to sleep more. Stop worrying. Wei Yi will be fine.”

Since Muruo said this, she could only set her mind at ease.

Tang Si, who appeared from who knows where, suddenly interjected, “I think that foolish boy is doing it on purpose. He finds the bed comfortable, so he’s lying there refusing to get up.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Muruo scolded.

“I’m just stating my opinion.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Fine, I won’t say anything then.”

Looking all aggrieved.

Muruo looked her up and down and asked, “Young lady, don’t you have anything to do? Why are you pestering us all day long?”

Tang Si plopped down, propping up her chin.

Those big, watery eyes stared at him, “Didn’t I already say? You owe me a life, and I’m definitely going to get it back. How could I let you take advantage so easily? Right now, I’m your creditor.” As she spoke, she didn’t forget to bump Ji Yinshu’s arm, raising her eyebrows, “Right, A-Ji?”

A-Ji?

Muruo shuddered all over!

But Ji Yinshu had already gotten used to it.

These past two days, Tang Si had been calling her “A-Ji” with every breath. At first it felt sticky, but later on, she really did get used to it.

But she had no mind to engage, so she simply turned her head aside to think about other things.

Full of thoughts!

Muruo was perceptive and noticed something.

So he curved his lips and said in a mocking tone, “These past two days, that Miss Mujin has always been coming over for short visits. These short visits have become regular visits. When passing by Jingrong’s courtyard, one can always hear good poetry coming from inside. Sounds so pleasant and comfortable.”

Ji Yinshu’s eyes flickered slightly.

Her expression remained cold.

Who would have known—

The talkative Tang Si immediately picked up the conversation.

“Not just poetry! I even saw them chatting and laughing together. A talented man and beautiful woman—truly a perfect match.”

“Just a perfect match? If you ask me, it’s tender affection between them!”

“You’re truly disgusting. What tender affection? In our Houliao, when a woman likes a man, she wouldn’t be all coy and shy like you Central Plains people. If she likes him, she likes him. I think that Miss Mujin has the spirit of us Houliao women. It’s just that cold stone… I don’t know if it will bloom.”

Oh my!

Muruo looked at her in surprise.

“How do you know he’s a cold stone?”

“Haven’t you been saying it constantly these past two days?”

“Oh, did I?”

Muruo didn’t even remember himself.

The two went back and forth, but Ji Yinshu’s expression grew darker and darker as she listened.

She didn’t join the conversation!

Suddenly, Tang Si narrowed her eyes, lowered her voice, leaned forward, and said oddly, “You still want to hide it from me? I, Tang Si, am no fool. I never imagined… that a prince of Dalin would actually be assassinated.”

As soon as these words came out.

Both Muruo and Ji Yinshu stared at her in unison.

Seriously saying, “Miss Tang, some things should be said, but some things absolutely cannot be said everywhere.”

“Don’t worry. We Houliao people don’t gossip.”

She patted her chest!

At this moment, a maid entered carrying a bowl of medicine.

“Master Ji, Young Master Wei’s medicine is ready.”

She took it and walked to the bedside, having the maid gently lift Wei Yi’s head while she fed him medicine spoonful by spoonful.

Because he was unconscious, Ji Yinshu could only use her hand to pry open his mouth while jerking his chin upward sharply to allow the medicine to pour into his throat.

Muruo asked the maid, “Is Jingrong’s medicine ready?”

“Almost. In another half stick of incense it will be taken over.”

“I’ll take it over.”

He was about to rise and go to the medicine room when Ji Yinshu stopped him, “Let me go instead.”

Muruo was surprised!

“You? These past two days you’ve stayed here constantly. Why suddenly…”

“Just in passing.”

These four words came out, blocking back Muruo’s next words.

He simply shrugged and sat back down.

After finishing feeding Wei Yi the medicine, she went with that maid to the medicine room, packed up the medicine, and went.

There was no one in the courtyard where Jingrong was staying. She carried the medicine inside, set it down, and looked around.

She noticed a copy of “Za Nan Ji” lying on the table.

Her hand hovered in the air for a long moment before she finally picked up that book.

She flipped through several pages!

Of the poetry within, she could only understand fifty percent!

How vexing. Ancient people were so troublesome, always liking to show off literary talent and speak eloquently. Would it kill them to speak some plain language?

Just as she was thinking this—

“Want it?”

A voice came from the doorway.

Hearing this, she turned to look.

Jingrong stood in the doorway. That face was hidden in the flickering light, the soft glow gently outlining the contours of his cheeks, exceptionally clear.

For an instant, Ji Yinshu couldn’t make out his expression!

She only lightly traced the book’s cover with her fingertips, shaking her head.

“Don’t want it. Can’t understand it.”