Zuo Yao was the first to step forward to greet them.

He cupped his hands, “Your Highness.”

This served as a reminder to Qiao Yi, confirming his suspicions.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed in surprise, “You… you’re a prince?”

The tone was extremely shocked.

Qiao Zihua froze, his face showing fear and panic as he looked at this person who had bullied him in the brothel.

“You know this prince?” Jingrong pretended not to recognize him.

“I… you…” Qiao Zihua pointed his finger at him.

The next moment, his hand was harshly struck down by Qiao Yi, “You beast! In the prince’s presence, how dare you address him so informally with ‘you’ and ‘I’.”

He withdrew his hand into his sleeve in pain, not daring to make a sound.

Qiao Yi immediately cupped his hands and bowed to Jingrong, “I did not know Your Highness was here. My unworthy son has offended you. Please forgive him, Your Highness.”

“An unintentional act—how would this prince take it to heart?”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Just now, this prince heard everything you said outside, Lord Qiao. When your younger brother Qiao Zheng, Minister Qiao, was in office, this prince conversed with him several times. He spoke of having an elder brother whom he regarded as the pillar of the family, describing him as modest and capable. Yet unexpectedly, Lord Qiao has now come to the yamen with what appears to be an accusation. What is this? Is there something improper about the court investigating a case?”

His voice was cold to the bone, his smile intimidating.

It made everyone around him nervous.

Qiao Yi hastily said, “Your Highness misunderstands. Qiao only wishes to meet this Master Ji and ask about the circumstances. After all, the case was closed three years ago—why is it being reopened now?”

“The case has discrepancies. A retrial is inevitable.”

“But…”

“Enough. Since the Court of Judicial Review has already approved the retrial, your continued protests are futile. If this prince were you, he would return home and wait quietly. As the saying goes, ‘Those who have done nothing wrong need not fear the knock of ghosts at their door.'”

Qiao Yi was silenced and didn’t know what else to say.

Northern Courtyard.

Ji Yunshu flipped through the case files that Zuo Yao had sent over earlier in her room.

What was written on them was all information she had already heard.

In plain terms, they were useless waste paper.

Shi Ziran had been waiting beside her for quite a while and had urged her twice, “Master Ji, are you really not going?”

She smiled and put down the case files, calling for Qiao’er to bring over that cat.

“Has it eaten?”

“Yes.”

She took the cat in her arms, her pale fingers lightly tapping the little cat’s head. “Little fellow, come, let’s go watch the commotion and see what this fierce tiger looks like.”

With great interest, she carried the little cat outside.

She had just arrived at the main hall when she saw the Qiao family being “sent off” by Jingrong.

Seeing a refined young scholar entering, Qiao Yi paused in his steps.

He scrutinized her carefully.

This person was neat and clean with proper features, especially those eyes that looked clear, bright, and without guile, yet possessing a certain cleverness.

Graceful bearing!

Proud spirit still intact!

But—

Something was quite strange.

Why would a grown man be carrying a cat in his arms?

Zuo Yao employed his old tactic, hastily reminding, “Lord Qiao, this is Master Ji from the Court of Judicial Review who was sent to investigate the case.”

Qiao Yi exclaimed in surprise, “So you are Master Ji?”

Ji Yunshu said gently, “I heard Lord Qiao was looking for me?”

Qiao Yi naturally didn’t dare be as impulsive as before and spoke in a more restrained tone, “Qiao heard that the Court of Judicial Review wants to retry this case and even sent you to investigate, so I came to the yamen to inquire about the situation.”

“So it’s about this.” She spoke lightly, “The case has suspicious points, so naturally it must be retried.”

“Suspicious points?” Qiao Yi was confused. “Three years ago, there was solid evidence proving that the woman died by suicide. How can there still be suspicious points?”

Facing his question, Ji Yunshu paid little attention and didn’t respond.

She glanced at Qiao Zihua, who was cowering to the side, then walked toward him while holding the cat in her arms.

When he saw the cat nestled in her arms, Qiao Zihua suddenly screamed in fright, his whole body breaking out in goosebumps. His ten fingers curled up, his face twisted in disgust.

“Ah! Take it away!” He lowered his head and vigorously waved his sleeve.

He immediately hid behind Madam Qiao.

Madam Qiao’s expression was somewhat awkward. She grabbed her son’s hand and comforted him with a few words, then turned to explain softly to Ji Yunshu, “Master Ji, Zihua has been unable to tolerate furry animals since childhood, so the cat in your arms…”

She didn’t complete her sentence.

Ji Yunshu pretended to suddenly understand and quickly put the cat down on the ground, patting its little head.

“See, you’ve frightened someone.”

“Meow~”

“Go, go find Qiao’er.”

The little cat seemed to understand her words.

“Meow~”

It scampered away on its short little legs.

Quite adorable.

Only then did she turn to Qiao Zihua behind Madam Qiao. “I didn’t know Young Master Qiao was afraid of cats. If I frightened you just now, please accept my apology.”

Qiao Zihua was covered in nervous sweat. He raised his sleeve to wipe it away, and seeing the cat had left, only then did he awkwardly straighten his clothes and compose himself.

He said stiffly, “It’s just a cat—how could I be frightened?”

He glanced at Ji Yunshu, then at Jingrong.

These two people were clearly the same two he had encountered at the brothel a few days ago. Now they were pretending not to recognize him.

But then he thought about it—a prince appearing at a brothel and running into him face to face was indeed not a glorious matter.

After all, what prince visits a brothel?

Thinking this over, he kept his mouth shut.

Ji Yunshu smiled, then turned to Qiao Yi and said, “Lord Qiao, when I said earlier that the case has suspicious points, it wasn’t without reason. As for whether Young Master Qiao committed murder, everything will be clear once the truth comes out. If the person was truly killed by your son, prison chains will await him. If not, from now on, your son will be cleared of suspicion, the common people will no longer gossip, and the Qiao Manor will naturally be proven innocent. I wonder if this answer satisfies Lord Qiao?”

Satisfied!

What else could he say?

But—

Qiao Yi asked, “The person has been dead for three years. How can you investigate?”

The corner of her lips curved slightly as she slowly spoke four words: “Open the coffin for autopsy.”

Open the coffin for autopsy!

These four words struck the hall like the sound of a bronze gong, reverberating with a shocking ring.

Qiao Yi’s deep eyes narrowed as he questioned, “Three years have passed. The body has already become nothing but bones. Autopsy? How can you perform an autopsy?”

How absurd!

“Lord Qiao need not worry about that.”

“Then… since Master Ji has said so, Qiao has nothing more to say. I shall take my leave.” He cupped his hands toward Jingrong. “Your Highness, Qiao takes his leave.”

Jingrong nodded.

Though Qiao Yi was unwilling, in the end he still left with his people.

After they left, the yamen finally returned to peace and quiet.

Zuo Yao stepped forward and asked, “Master Ji, since you’re going to investigate the case, where will you start?”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Lord Zuo, didn’t I just say? Choose an auspicious day and open the coffin for autopsy.”

Zuo Yao froze, looking at her in surprise. He opened his mouth and unconsciously took two steps back.

He lowered his head. “Yes.”

But his voice was weak and listless.