Those people clearly didn’t dare approach.

They were even shocked beyond measure upon seeing that jade pendant.

Facing the sharp long swords aimed at her from all around, she showed not the slightest trace of timidity or fear.

At this moment, she had come with a determination to die. Of course, she had also made a gamble—gambling that after she revealed this jade pendant, they wouldn’t kill her.

The fact was, she had won the bet.

Holding the jade in her hand, she straightened her chest, raised her head, her gaze resolute, and strode through the Si family gate.

At the same time, those people automatically retreated to both sides.

Accompanied by the ringing sounds of iron boots striking the ground, the stern sounds of armor rubbing against arms, and the humming sounds of long swords cutting through the air, she walked all the way into the spacious courtyard of the Si residence.

Three people stood in the courtyard.

One was Master Wen, Wen Panshi!

One was Lin Feng!

One… was Zhao Huai!

Ji Yunshu stood in the center of the courtyard. After her gaze lingered on the three people for a moment, it met Wen Panshi’s eyes.

Their eyes met!

Wen Panshi’s expression was stern and cold as frost, no longer the warm and amiable appearance from when they had met at the Wen residence before.

After he glanced at the jade pendant in Ji Yunshu’s hand, his eyes showed slight alarm!

Then—

His eyes widened in fury as he looked at the soldiers surrounding them with swords pointed at Ji Yunshu.

He commanded harshly, “Lower them!”

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers immediately sheathed their long swords.

They retreated several steps.

Wen Panshi then walked before Ji Yunshu, his sharp, stern eyes suddenly softening.

He placed his hands together and bowed deeply.

“Greetings to the Young Heir.”

At that moment, Zhao Huai and Lin Feng also bowed with their heads lowered.

“Greetings to the Young Heir.”

Everyone around them also knelt on one knee.

“Greetings to the Young Heir.”

The voices were like great bells, resounding and powerful.

Ji Yunshu looked at these people before her. She felt no pleasure whatsoever, no sense of being elevated above others. Instead, she felt immensely pained.

She lowered the jade pendant, spreading it in her palm, and handed it toward Wen Panshi.

“For this thing, you would sacrifice so many people?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Wen Panshi’s expression was resolute. “It’s worth it!”

Two words, forceful.

Ji Yunshu laughed coldly, somewhat bitterly. “So you’re going to kill him?”

“He must die.”

Must?

Laughable!

She bit her teeth and drew in a cold breath, saying firmly, “Release him!”

Her tone brooked no objection.

“Impossible!” Wen Panshi refused directly.

“Fine!”

Ji Yunshu’s eyes narrowed. She took out a dagger and suddenly placed it at her own throat.

“Young Heir!” Wen Panshi was frightened pale.

The surrounding people were also startled.

But she raised her head. “I’ll say it once more—release him.”

Lin Feng stepped forward. “Young Heir, so many people from Duke Yuguo’s household died—all at that dog emperor’s command. His son deserves to die even more. You cannot be soft-hearted.”

“I don’t care what plans you have, but if he dies, I will follow him in death.”

“Young Heir…”

“Will you release him or not?”

Wen Panshi didn’t speak.

Ji Yunshu applied force to her wrist, pressing the dagger more forcefully against her own throat, immediately cutting a gash.

Blood flowed out.

Wen Panshi was alarmed, his expression already showing some yielding.

Taking advantage of this, Ji Yunshu retreated a step, put away the dagger, and ran toward the rear courtyard.

Everyone followed.

In that courtyard of the rear yard.

Jingrong sat calmly inside, even a trace of inexplicable smile at the corner of his lips, as if he had long anticipated the situation outside.

Opposite him, Wen Xian stood up, his wide sleeves sweeping fiercely.

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t blame us for being merciless. For this day, we’ve waited fourteen years.”

Jingrong: “Fourteen years ago, Duke Yuguo’s residence burned. No one knows what really happened that night. Yet you keep insisting it was the current emperor who ordered the killings. Where’s the evidence?”

“First, the late emperor, to consolidate his throne, didn’t hesitate to kill his blood brother, Marquis Chao. Later, Emperor Qizhen followed suit in killing his brother—it’s an established pattern.”

“Laughable.”

He slammed the teacup in his hand heavily on the table.

Then he stood up, looking at the surrounded courtyard, and laughed coldly. “What exactly happened back then is still unknown. Since you are former retainers of Duke Yuguo’s residence, you should be finding the truth, not talking about ‘established patterns.’ Moreover, Lord Qin Shiyu has long petitioned to overturn the case of Duke Yuguo’s residence. The emperor has graciously approved a thorough investigation, and someone has already taken charge. Surely you know this?”

“Of course we know!”

The Master Ji conducting this thorough investigation of Duke Yuguo’s case was none other than their Young Heir.

Jingrong continued: “Since you know, you should also understand that the truth is only one step away. You’ve waited fourteen years—do you really care about this bit more time?”

“No need to investigate. The facts are already before our eyes. The one who ordered the extermination of Duke Yuguo’s entire household was your imperial father, Emperor Qizhen. He’s a tyrannical ruler.”

Jingrong let out a soft breath.

He knew these people were beyond reasoning with.

Wen Xian continued, “That dog emperor truly thought that by killing Duke Yuguo he could sit securely on his throne—what wishful thinking. How could he imagine that twenty years ago, the hundred thousand troops under Duke Yuguo’s command had already been secretly hidden throughout Dalin, their military identity concealed? Even more unexpected was that Duke Yuguo’s newborn Young Heir was secretly sent away at that time. The purpose was that if anything happened to Duke Yuguo, we could still find the Young Heir, obtain that tiger tally, summon the hundred thousand troops, strike straight at the capital, kill that dog emperor, and avenge Duke Yuguo.”

His tone was full of killing intent!

Jingrong was slightly stunned. “Young Heir?”

How could he not know Duke Yuguo had a son?

Eh!

“Third Madam?” Jingrong suddenly realized, his brow furrowing tightly. “That means you’ve already found the Young Heir?”

“Correct.”

“Who is he?”

Wen Xian laughed once, not yet opening his mouth!

Suddenly—

A series of footsteps came from outside.

Many people crowded into this courtyard, and walking at the front was Ji Yunshu.

Yes, she walked in completely unharmed!

Those people behind her didn’t even dare approach her.

The instant their eyes met, he understood.

He walked out of the room, step by step toward her.

He knew she couldn’t possibly be the Young Heir, but—

She must know about this matter!

General Li from before?

That jade pendant?

…

Unbelievable—how many more secrets was she hiding from him?

“Release him.”

Ji Yunshu said to Wen Panshi.

Wen Panshi: “He must be killed.”

So she took out that dagger again, placing it at her own throat.

She threatened, “I’ll say it one more time. If you don’t release him, I’ll die here today as well.”

But the next moment, a force came from behind her, slapping her arm forward.

Her elbow hurt. She loosened her grip, and the dagger fell to the ground.

Her body was also firmly restrained, dragged backward.

Unable to move!

Instantly, Wen Panshi raised his hand, pressing down heavily forward.

He ordered: “Kill!”

The archers on the rooftop drew their bows, aiming at Jingrong, Shi Ziran, and the others.

Ji Yunshu’s eyes widened, looking at Jingrong standing there meeting her gaze, not struggling in the slightest.

And those arrows were poised to strike!

She let out a heart-rending cry.

“No!”