Tour around and enjoy the sights?

Of course, that should be fine.

Yufu County might be poor, but the scenery was beautiful. If this were modern times, it could definitely become a national first-class tourist destination with ticket prices selling better than the Forbidden City.

But Zuo Yao thought to himself—everyone said that Mr. Ji was eager to investigate cases and never delayed time. By rights, last night upon arrival, he should have immediately asked for the case files. Yet when he personally delivered them today, she neither wanted them nor looked at them.

Could this be a fake Mr. Ji?

He couldn’t figure it out.

Yet he still answered with a forced smile, “Mr. Ji has traveled far and endured hardship. You should rest first. The scenery throughout Yufu is quite excellent.”

“Does Magistrate Zuo have any recommended places?”

“Outside the east city gate, there’s an open space by the mountains and water, with a towering tree that provides shade.”

Ji Yinshu nodded with satisfaction. “That sounds quite nice. I’ll go take a look shortly.”

“You’ll go shortly? Then this case…” Won’t you investigate it?

“Put it aside for now. After I’ve enjoyed myself enough, I’ll investigate.”

Zuo Yao was speechless!

Yet cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

This Mr. Ji’s thinking was truly strange!

Ji Yinshu then walked over to Jingrong, glanced at those case files about the disaster relief silver, and said, “Your Highness, I’ll be going out shortly. You can peacefully review these case files.”

Jingrong frowned. “Where are you going?”

“To that place Magistrate Zuo just mentioned.”

Actually, Jingrong had already sensed something. His gaze deepened as he closed the case files in his hands. “As it happens, this prince is also feeling rather stifled. The disaster relief silver matter has been investigated for several years without reaching any conclusion—a little more time won’t matter. This prince will go together with Mr. Ji.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“It’s appropriate.”

He tossed aside the case files in his hands and instructed, “Magistrate Zuo, put the disaster relief silver matter aside for now. Have someone send these case files to this prince’s room later. When I return, I’ll examine them carefully.”

Zuo Yao was somewhat dumbfounded!

What were these two gentlemen up to?

They had come from the capital through countless hardships, enduring eighty-one tribulations along the way. Now that they’d arrived, they both said they wouldn’t investigate for the time being. Were they toying with people?

Yet Zuo Yao still spinlessly agreed, “Yes. However, if both Your Highness and Mr. Ji are going, then this humble official will send a few people to protect you.”

“That won’t be necessary. This prince has people at his side.”

The people at his side were each extraordinarily capable.

Zuo Yao’s cheeks trembled a few times, and he said nothing more.

Then—

He watched helplessly as Jingrong pulled Ji Yinshu out.

Once they left, Constable Zhou, who had been standing silently to the side, walked over. He looked vigilantly toward the door to confirm the people had truly left before lowering his voice. “Magistrate, are that prince and Mr. Ji really here to investigate cases? How is it that at a time like this, they’re still thinking about having fun? Could it be… we received the wrong people? I see that person looks quite proper with some heroic bearing, but perhaps he’s not actually a prince at all.”

Quite proper?

Interesting!

Constable Zhou was already wildly constructing a scenario in his mind—perhaps this person had killed the real prince and come to impersonate him.

Zuo Yao glared at him, sighed, and sat down in the chair Jingrong had sat in earlier. He picked up the untouched cup of tea and took a sip.

Then with a “thunk,” he set it down heavily!

“It would be better if we did receive the wrong people.”

He sighed again, drawing out the sound.

…

After Jingrong pulled Ji Yinshu outside, taking advantage of no one being around, he asked her directly, “Speak. What exactly are you thinking?”

“Having fun!” She blurted out!

“How do you plan to have fun?”

“Does Your Highness really want to know?” She raised her eyebrows slightly.

Jingrong’s face was serious. “Hurry up and tell the truth. Otherwise, how can this prince cooperate with you?”

Yes, he said “cooperate.”

Then she wouldn’t play guerrilla warfare with him either. She smiled with pursed lips. “I presume last night, you heard everything that Magistrate Zuo said to me?”

“Mm.”

“What he said was full of holes, and he clearly knows it was a wrongful conviction. If what Auntie Xie said is correct, then the Qiao family indeed bribed the coroner and that Magistrate Zuo, deliberately claiming Auntie Xie’s daughter’s death was suicide. In that case, there must be much more to the story. Moreover, I think Magistrate Zuo definitely made preparations early on, so the case file he showed me is nothing but a few sheets of waste paper stained with ink. Whether I look at it or not makes no difference. I might as well investigate myself. But if I investigate myself, naturally I need to avoid Magistrate Zuo’s attention.”

Oh!

So that was it.

Jingrong nodded. “Then where do you plan to start investigating?”

She became serious. “This case—I have my own methods to handle it. What’s most important for Your Highness right now is to investigate the disaster relief silver matter clearly.”

“The time that should have been delayed has already been delayed. There’s no rush for these two days. Moreover, I just told Magistrate Zuo that this prince would go tour around with you. If I turn back now, what would that look like?”

Mm, that was true too!

Ji Yinshu nodded, her eyes lowering. “Since that’s the case, Yufu County is indeed worth touring. If Your Highness is interested, then come along.”

She turned to leave.

“Where to?”

“The brothel.”

Huh?

The brothel?

Again?

Half an incense stick’s time later.

The two had already left the yamen and arrived on the main street.

Although Yufu County was impoverished, the entire street was completely unlike the desolate and gloomy atmosphere of last night. It was as if it had been reformed overnight—bustling and lively.

Vendors hawked their wares on both sides of the street, pedestrians came and went, women and children walked slowly, and the laughter of children was especially clear and crisp.

That archaic, elongated street bore quite a resemblance to Jinjiang Street.

The two walked ahead while Lang Bo and several guards followed far behind to protect them, not coming forward to disturb the pair.

Finally, they stopped at the entrance of a brothel.

One tall figure and one short figure stood in a row, positioned squarely at the main entrance.

Like… two kids who had just entered the city to see the world.

Ji Yinshu looked at the sign above the brothel entrance. On the sign were three large golden characters that read “Zhichun Tower.”

It must be said, the gold-stamping technology of ancient times was quite good.

Jingrong had previously gone with her once to the Chang’an House and even staged an “auction meeting” inside, where he ended up tricking her badly—really badly.

This time, surely he wouldn’t pull that trick again?

This time, he didn’t have enough silver on him.

“Related to the case?” He turned his head and asked.

“Possibly.”

“Then let’s go in.”

After all, once unfamiliar, twice familiar.

Jingrong very proactively lifted his feet to go in, but she stopped him.

“I didn’t say we were going in.”

“Then you plan to squat at the entrance? Help those young ladies solicit customers?”

Sweat!

Brother, can we speak seriously?

Ji Yinshu pointed at a teahouse across from the brothel. “Let’s go there to drink tea and wait slowly.”

You took off your pants, and now you want me to… drink tea?

Fine, let’s go drink tea then.