Hearing Ji Yinshu say she would catch ghosts tonight, the others looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what she meant.

The onlookers also began discussing amongst themselves.

“Did you hear that? Master Ji says she’s going to catch ghosts.”

“I heard.”

“Didn’t she say yesterday that there are no ghosts in this world? How is she now changing her tune to say there are ghosts, and even saying she’ll catch them?”

“Either way, I’m getting goosebumps all over. Our residence has been strange lately—I keep feeling like there’s something not right here. Let’s not even talk about the weird incidents these past few days—just think about those dozen or so people lying in those rooms. They’re in there all day shouting in pain, but the residence has called in countless doctors and still can’t figure out what illness they have. If you ask me, it’s ghosts doing this. Otherwise, how could this happen for no reason?” That person wrinkled his mouth, looking as if he believed he was right.

The person beside him nodded, agreeing with his words!

But then reminded him, “Keep your voice down—don’t let anyone hear you.”

So he fell silent.

In the room, Marquis Kang carefully pondered what Ji Yinshu had just said, then said worriedly, “Master Ji, since you say my treasures aren’t lost and are still in the residence, why not have me send people to search the residence? If we find them in someone’s room, wouldn’t that catch the ghost?”

It was a good method!

But in Ji Yinshu’s view, it was somewhat foolish.

She smiled. “Marquis, since the items are still in the residence, you need not be anxious for the moment. Besides, those who stole your treasures aren’t so stupid—how would they hide the stolen items in their own rooms and then wait for you, Marquis, to catch them red-handed? Think about it, Marquis—you have so many treasures here, each one unique, yet in one night they were all switched with counterfeits. One can imagine that the thieves premeditated this long ago. With such planning, they must have calculated for a long time. Therefore, after all the items were switched, they naturally wouldn’t just hide them in any random room. It must also be part of the plan, so the treasures are definitely hidden in a very secure place. If you go searching, Marquis, you won’t find them.”

“You mean the real treasures are hidden within the residence, but can’t be searched out?”

“Exactly.”

“Then…”

“I’ve said that once night falls, we’ll not only find the thieves, but also find the ghost causing trouble in the residence. So please wait a bit, Marquis. Once the sky darkens, the truth will be revealed.” Ji Yinshu’s tone was calm, with added firmness.

Since this was the case, Marquis Kang could only abandon his earlier idea and wait quietly for nightfall to catch ghosts. But when he turned to look at the room full of counterfeits, his heart filled with frustration again.

If you’re going to steal them, just steal them—why leave these counterfeits behind to pass off as real? Did they really think Marquis Kang was a fool?

Were they trying to slap him hard across the face?

How infuriating!

“Someone come.” Marquis Kang burned with rage and immediately ordered, “Hurry and throw all these things out and smash them—not a single one is to remain.”

Uh!

The steward at the side thought for a moment, then stepped forward to inquire, “Marquis, really just burn them like this?”

“Burn them, burn them all—they’re an eyesore just sitting here.”

Marquis Kang waved his wide sleeves and walked away.

The steward sighed, looking at those items with regret. Though they were counterfeits, if someone who didn’t know the trade looked at them, they couldn’t tell real from fake. If these were taken out and sold, they might fetch a price. To smash them like this was truly a waste and a pity.

He thought to himself—why not secretly take them out and sell them?

But this little scheme hadn’t even formed when Jingrong immediately knocked it back into place.

“The Marquis has already instructed you to destroy everything. What are you still standing there for? Not preparing to act?”

“Yes, yes, yes—we’ll smash them right now.”

The steward quickly summoned servants and maids to carry the items out and began smashing them relentlessly outside the courtyard with crackling sounds. Some items that wouldn’t break were simply piled together and burned with a fire.

The roaring flames burned vigorously.

People nearby were still sighing. “What a pity—such fine items.”

“Isn’t that right? Even if they’re counterfeits, they could still be sold for some money.”

It seemed the steward wasn’t the only one thinking this way.

But some said, “These things are unclean—don’t bring disaster upon yourself. Better to burn them.”

Simply put, was this done by people? Or by ghosts? Hard to say.

After watching everything burn, Jingrong and Ji Yinshu also left.

On the way back to the courtyard, Jingrong had doubts and asked her, “Are you certain you know who it is?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Mm.”

“You woman really dare make grand claims. If you can’t catch the ‘ghost’ tonight, Marquis Kang will probably treat you as the ghost.”

Puchi.

This made Ji Yinshu laugh despite herself. She turned her head to look at him. “With you here, I’m not afraid.”

These words were very pleasing to Jingrong.

His heart immediately bloomed with joy, his chin lifting slightly. “Naturally—with this prince here, no one dares touch you. But…” Then his eyes darkened, looking seriously at the woman before him. “Even so, you can’t make grand claims. If you don’t know, just say you don’t know. Why deceive Marquis Kang? Isn’t this the same as giving him a piece of candy, then turning around and slapping him in the face?”

“But I didn’t say I wouldn’t help him find his treasures.” Innocent face.

“But you just said you didn’t know.”

“I truly don’t know who stole them, but perhaps by tonight I’ll know.”

Hmm?

What kind of reasoning was this?

Ji Yinshu quickened her steps toward the courtyard, as if unwilling to explain too clearly. Jingrong couldn’t figure out her thoughts, so he simply stopped guessing. In short, whatever that woman said was what it was—he would just believe her.

On the other side, Marquis Kang huffily returned to his room. His plump body sat down on the pear wood chair with a “crack”—the chair seemed to break.

He stood up abruptly and kicked it.

“Crack!”

The chair was kicked completely to pieces, lying on the ground like a heap of mud.

“Even you bully me.”

He was furious.

Hearing sounds from inside, two servants immediately rushed in. When they saw the kicked-apart chair on the ground, the two looked at each other.

“Marquis, what is this?”

“Get out!”

A sharp rebuke.

Everyone knew Marquis Kang was currently angry—whoever stepped forward to say more would be plucking hair from a tiger’s head. The two servants could only both retreat.

But those two had just left when a man entered.

This person was about the same age as Marquis Kang, only looking somewhat more spirited. Though his eyes were stern, his features revealed some warmth.

This person was the one who had previously been ordered to bring Ji Yinshu from the forest.

Having removed his full suit of armor, he appeared more approachable.

“Zhou Wen?” Marquis Kang looked at him.

Zhou Wen bowed. “Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“I just heard that thieves switched Your Highness’s treasured collection.”

Ai!