Qiao Zheng’s arrival was like a ray of dawn, giving the Qiao family hope.

After all, he was the former Minister of Personnel. Even though he had resigned from office, a broken ship still has three thousand nails—his authority and connections remained, so naturally he could still speak with weight.

Qiao Yi quickly said to the servant, “Come, let’s go welcome the Second Master together.”

“Yes.”

Everyone rose one after another and hurried toward the main gate.

At that moment, at the Qiao family’s main gate.

A deep gray sedan chair stopped there. The person outside opened the curtain, and the person inside bent over to exit, arriving at the entrance.

Qiao Zheng wore a robe of ink-black, its two wide sleeves flapping and swaying with the wind. The flying birds and flowering branches embroidered on them seemed to come to life as they moved.

His brows were tightly furrowed, several more creases at the corners of his eyes. His unfathomably deep eyes looked toward the Qiao family members rushing straight over, showing some anger.

“Second Brother.” Qiao Yi’s voice boomed like a great bell.

In an instant, he was surrounded by his relatives, each face bearing a smile of great respect mixed with fear.

The sight appeared somewhat affected and artificial!

His expression was stern as he said only one sentence, “Let’s go inside to talk.”

“Alright.”

Everyone quickly went in, and the gate was closed once again.

“Bang.”

Not far away, Ji Yinshu had taken in this entire scene.

Yes, she had guessed early on—according to Qiao Zheng’s travel schedule from the capital, this was indeed when he should arrive!

Tang Si didn’t quite understand. Just moments ago they said they were going back, but Ji Yinshu had stopped here, continuously gazing at the area outside the Qiao manor.

No, more accurately, she was waiting for something.

But what Tang Si understood even less was—

“Aji, who exactly is that person? When we came, no matter what, the Qiao family wouldn’t open the door, but as soon as he arrives, they all come out to welcome him. Could that person be the King of Heaven himself?”

“That’s their savior!” Ji Yinshu’s mouth lightly voiced these four words.

“Savior?”

“Yes, the Qiao manor’s savior.”

Tang Si understood even less. She could only crane her neck and look that way again.

But the person had already gone inside, and the gate had closed.

The corners of Ji Yinshu’s mouth lifted slightly, carrying a smile as if everything had been planned long ago.

“Let’s go, we should head back.”

With that, she turned and left.

Tang Si quickly followed.

Inside the Qiao family’s main hall.

Qiao Zheng sat in the seat of honor, still wearing that unsmiling expression, exuding an aura of natural authority.

A young maid brought up a pot of tea and was about to place it by his hand when he suddenly spoke in a cold, stern tone.

“No need.”

The maid trembled slightly, keeping her head lowered. She could only quickly carry the tea away.

She dared not disturb that aura.

The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive. No one dared break the stalemate first. They could only fix their eyes on Qiao Zheng, waiting for him to say something.

After a long while.

Qiao Zheng finally spoke. “This case has been reopened by the Court of Judicial Review. Even I cannot help.”

They had been counting on him to save them, but he threw out such a cold statement!

Qiao Yi grew anxious, leaning forward. “Second Brother, Zihua didn’t kill anyone. If you don’t help him, no one can help him.”

“Big Brother, you’ve always been intelligent. How can you be so confused at a time like this?”

“What do you mean?”

Qiao Zheng said, “There’s a saying: ‘No silver buried here—three hundred taels.’ Even if Zihua truly didn’t kill anyone, by making such a fuss, you’ve placed all the suspicion on him.”

It seemed to awaken understanding with one phrase.

“Then Second Brother, what should we do now?”

“Don’t worry. As long as he didn’t kill anyone, I guarantee no one can arrest him. Moreover, the Master Ji who came to investigate this case is already renowned in the capital. She’s excellent at solving cases and possesses exceptional qualities—an extremely intelligent person. With her handling this case, you can set your mind at ease. She will certainly uncover the truth and give Zihua justice.”

“If Second Brother says so, then I’m much more at ease.”

The Qiao family members breathed a sigh of relief.

However—

“Just now you turned people away at the door—absolutely foolish. Setting aside that she was sent by the Court of Judicial Review to investigate this case, she is also a favored person of Prince Rong. Offending her means offending Prince Rong. Offending Prince Rong means opposing His Majesty. Even I must show that Master Ji some respect.”

With this said, the Qiao family members all panicked.

Qiao Xiao suddenly stepped forward and said, “Second Uncle, when I went to the capital to find you, I had already met that Master Ji. That person is truly not to be trifled with. But now, whether we wanted to provoke her or not, we have. What if she gets angry and directly says big brother is the murderer? What will we do then?”

Qiao Zheng pondered for a moment. Inside his robe, his palm tightened. He looked at the timid Qiao Zihua.

“Come with me immediately.”

“Second Uncle, where to?”

“To find that Master Ji and apologize at her door.”

In an instant, the Qiao family members were all dumbstruck.

…

An hour later.

In her courtyard, Ji Yinshu held a small bamboo stick and was teasing a cat.

Playing with great enjoyment.

That lively little cat bounced and hopped, stretching out its short front paws to catch that thin, long bamboo stick.

“Meow~”

Whenever its paws reached up a bit, she would lift it higher.

Teasing the cat until it was nearly developing anxiety.

“Meow~”

Before long, a guard from the manor came to report, “Master Ji, people from the Qiao family have arrived, saying they wish to see you.”

She acted as if she hadn’t heard, continuing to tease the cat with the bamboo stick.

The guard thought she hadn’t heard, so he repeated it once more.

Still receiving no response, he could only stand awkwardly to the side.

Watching her tease the cat.

She had already calculated that Qiao Zheng would personally bring Qiao Zihua over, and even Zijin had informed her in advance. By rights, when people came calling, she had no reason not to receive them.

But—

A few hours ago, the Qiao family had shut them out. That feeling—the Qiao family should also have a taste of it.

She could wait until she tired of teasing the cat before going over. No rush.

Soon, Jingrong also learned of this.

Qiao Zheng had come?

Perfect—he still wanted to get to the bottom of the Ministry of Personnel’s memorial impeaching him.

So he allowed him to enter.

Upon seeing Jingrong, Qiao Zheng respectfully clasped his hands in salute.

“This official Qiao Zheng pays respects to Prince Rong.”

Jingrong coldly glanced at him. “Minister Qiao just returned from the capital?”

“Precisely.”

“Then why not rest first, but instead run over to this prince’s residence?”

Qiao Zheng kept his head lowered, his back bent. “This official came in such haste because of my young nephew Zihua’s matter.”

He came straight to the point.

Jingrong’s gaze naturally glanced at the head-lowered Qiao Zihua, then shifted back to Qiao Zheng. He gave a cold laugh. “Last time your elder brother brought him barging into the magistrate’s office. Today, you’ve just arrived at the Imperial Manor and already brought him here. You Qiao family members are truly all peculiar.”

The magistrate’s office was Minister Zuo’s territory—he couldn’t control that. But if they wanted to cause trouble here, Jingrong would strip off his skin in minutes.

It was just that crude and simple.