Following the instructions, Zuo Yao didn’t dare delay and quickly sent someone to fetch a feng shui master.
They would calculate an auspicious day and plan to open the coffin as soon as possible!
Returning to the Northern Courtyard.
Jingrong thought for a moment and asked Ji Yunshu, “You already knew the Qiao family’s young master was afraid of furry animals?”
She nodded and asked him in return, “Do you remember a few days ago on the street when he saw those chickens and was so frightened his legs went weak?”
“I remember.”
“These past few days, I had Ziqin secretly following him. Indeed, he’s extremely afraid of furry animals.”
“But what does this have to do with the case?”
Ji Yunshu’s expression became more serious, her eyes darkening as she said earnestly, “Three years ago, it wasn’t just Miss Ye’er who died in that room at Yichun Building.”
Uh!
Could it be two people died?
Jingrong was puzzled, his brow furrowing as he waited for her to continue.
Ji Yunshu said, “At the time, there was also a cat that died in the room.”
A cat?
“After these few days of observation, that eldest young master of the Qiao family is indeed as timid as a mouse. Forget about killing someone—he probably wouldn’t even dare to pick up a knife to cut fruit. Moreover, he’s very afraid of furry animals, yet a cat happened to die in that room, and it was strangled to death by someone. If he really was the murderer, then after killing Miss Ye’er, why would he strangle a cat? Or rather, before committing the murder, why would he kill a cat?”
This was a suspicious point.
Jingrong then said, “So you believe he’s not the murderer.”
She shook her head. “I can’t be certain, but the possibility of him being the killer is indeed very low.”
“After the coffin is opened, the truth will come out.”
“You trust me that much? What if I’ve also overlooked something? After all, the case is from three years ago. Although Lord Zuo’s case file was detailed, it was all insignificant talk that didn’t provide much information about the case.”
“Speaking of this Lord Zuo, you need to be careful yourself.”
“I know. These past few days, I’ve been avoiding discussing that case with him. I haven’t accepted the case files he’s repeatedly tried to give me. It’s clear he’s very nervous, even somewhat guilty, as if he knows I’m deliberately wearing him down. Moreover, when the Qiao family suddenly came to the yamen this time, he played quite a role in that too,” Ji Yunshu said.
For the Qiao family to come at precisely this time was clearly meant to use the prestige of that first-rank official in their family to warn her, trying to force her to turn a blind eye and conduct a perfunctory investigation just to submit a report.
Little did they know they would encounter a prince and also meet the righteous Master Ji.
Naturally, their wishful thinking came to nothing.
They could only swallow their bitter pill like mutes eating bitter herbs and slink away in dejection.
What Ji Yunshu had thought of, Jingrong had naturally thought of too. He didn’t state it explicitly, but his mind was clear as a mirror. He said, “Collusion between merchants and officials, officials covering for each other—it hasn’t been just a day or two. This old fox Zuo Yao, this prince will deal with him sooner or later. As for the Qiao family, once the case is settled, if they’re truly involved, whether punishment or penalty, this prince will not spare them any of it.”
If Qiao Zihua really was the killer, he would crush the entire Qiao Manor flat as a dried persimmon!
Ji Yunshu took a deep breath. “I’m confident about this case myself. You needn’t worry. The matter of the disaster relief silver—you should attend to that too.”
He suddenly smiled, looking wickedly at the woman before him. “Are you worried this prince can’t solve it?”
“I don’t understand cases in officialdom, so naturally I can’t help you much. It’s not that I’m worried you can’t solve it, but rather I’m worried the case might go wrong and drag you in as well. You must know, over these years since the disaster relief silver went missing, the officials who investigated this case disappeared and then died. I absolutely don’t believe in ghosts and spirits—I only fear it’s human action. Now that you’ve been ordered to investigate, what if…”
“There’s no ‘what if’!” He denied it, grasping her pale, slender fingers. “Yunshu, this prince left the capital for you back then. Certainly, I must return to the capital with you as well. The azure phoenix and fire phoenix cannot fly alone. You needn’t worry about this prince—just focus on investigating your case.”
The corner of her lips lifted slightly as she nodded!
The two gazed deeply at each other, their eyes gradually intertwining, melding with threads of warmth.
At this moment, the cat that had run out from the main hall earlier came over, its small body rubbing against Ji Yunshu’s feet.
“Meow~”
It interrupted the two of them.
Ji Yunshu crouched down and lifted the cat into her arms.
“Little fellow, are you making a fuss again?”
“Meow~”
This cat was something Jingrong had given her a few days ago.
So she could play with it when bored and pass the time.
“Is it well-behaved?” Jingrong’s paternal love overflowed as he reached out to pat the cat’s head.
Very gentle.
“Very well-behaved.”
“Do you like it?”
“I can’t put it down.” Coming from her mouth, it sounded especially sweet.
Jingrong’s heart filled with joy. “Then in a couple days, this prince will buy another one and make it an even pair for you.”
She quickly refused. “Let’s not. This tiny one alone is troublesome enough.”
“But you must gradually get used to it.” Jingrong spoke with hidden meaning, his thin, cold lips curving slightly. “In the future, you and I will have many children.”
At this, Ji Yunshu lowered her head slightly with a small smile and remarked, “How improper.”
“How is it improper? Having children is a virtue. The sage said, ‘Children come from heaven, it is virtue.’ One isn’t enough, three would still be too few.”
Pfft—
Bring a basin—she needed to catch blood.
Did he think she was a breeding sow?
At this time, Lang Bo came over to report, “Your Highness, following your instructions, this subordinate has found a courtyard residence. It’s very clean and spacious, and it’s already been cleaned. We can move there anytime.”
Jingrong was displeased at being interrupted, but still counted on his fingers and selected an auspicious day.
“Then… let it be tomorrow.”
“Yes, this subordinate will make arrangements first.”
“Wait.” Jingrong called him back. “Bring along that batch of chickens sent to the yamen a few days ago. Leave just one or two for Lord Zuo. After all, this prince paid for them—can’t let that old fox benefit.”
You’re really so petty, Your Highness!
Lang Bo secretly smiled to himself, lowered his head, and cupped his hands in acknowledgment. “Yes.”
Then he left.
Ji Yunshu asked him, “Are we moving out?”
“Can’t stay at the yamen long-term.”
“That’s true.”
Jingrong asked her again, “Do you like those two maids?”
She nodded. “One is obedient, the other sensible.”
“Good. Tomorrow when we move out, bring those two maids along. You need people to attend to you.”
She agreed to this as well.
Learning that Jingrong was moving out, Zuo Yao was frightened, thinking his care had been inadequate.
He quickly came to inquire, clutching at his official robes. “Your Highness, are the accommodations not suitable? Just say what’s lacking, and this official will immediately have it provided.”
“No!”
“Then is the food not good? This way—this official will find the best chef in the imperial city and definitely prepare dishes to Your Highness’s satisfaction.”
“No!”
“Could it be the sleep is poor? This is this official’s fault. This place is next to the main street and is indeed somewhat noisy. This official will change your quarters immediately.”
“None of that!”