Jingrong kissed her forehead with a touch as light as a dragonfly on water, then reached out to gently wipe away the tears on her cheeks.

Tender and considerate!

With him safe and sound, her heart naturally settled as well.

The two were like lovers reunited after a separation of life and death, their affection deep and intense, their passion undivided.

Ji Yunshu lowered her eyes momentarily, then slightly raised them, asking him, “How did things go at the palace?”

At this question, he shook his head.

“Was it not good?”

He shook his head again.

Unfathomable.

Jingrong slowly explained, “The imperial edict has already been presented. As for Father Emperor’s decision, we’ll see tomorrow in court.”

It seemed the real hard battle would be tomorrow!

Most of the court officials had already aligned with Jing Yi. Now that Jingrong had returned to the capital, he naturally couldn’t escape the officials’ gossip. Who knew if there would be another uproar in court tomorrow, forcing Emperor Qizhen to issue another decree “demoting” him back to the Imperial Treasury.

But everything would still be decided by tomorrow’s contest in court.

At this moment—

Lang Bo announced from outside, “Your Highness, Vice Minister Yu from the Court of Judicial Review has arrived.”

It would be strange if he didn’t come!

Jingrong turned and nodded in acknowledgment.

Ji Yunshu naturally felt it inappropriate to participate in matters between men, so she said, “I’ll excuse myself first.”

“No need.”

“But…”

“You should listen as well.”

He insisted she remain seated.

Shortly after, Vice Minister Yu arrived. He stepped into the hall, cupped his hands and bowed. “This humble official pays respects to Prince Rong.”

“Minister Yu need not be so formal. Please sit.”

He took his seat.

A young servant from the manor quickly brought a pot of fine tea.

Vice Minister Yu glanced at Ji Yunshu sitting across from him, cupping his hands again. “So Master Ji is also here.”

She smiled politely in response.

“Regarding the case file for that case, it was sent from the Imperial Treasury to the Court of Judicial Review several days ago. It’s now been filed and investigated. As expected, Master Ji is truly capable. A case of wrongful conviction that remained a mystery for two years was resolved clearly and thoroughly by your hand. This official truly admires you.”

Sincerely!

“Minister Yu gives too much praise. I was merely lucky—it can’t be called any real ability.”

“Master Ji is being modest.”

“You’re too kind.”

The two exchanged polite smiles.

Then Vice Minister Yu raised his tea cup toward Jingrong respectfully. “This official must also congratulate Your Highness on your return to the capital.”

Jingrong raised his cup perfunctorily but said, “Minister Yu speaks too soon. Tomorrow when court convenes, we still don’t know what the outcome will be.”

“Your Highness has the late emperor’s imperial edict in hand—what is there to worry about?” After saying this, he grew puzzled and asked, “However… what does the late emperor’s imperial edict say? And where did Your Highness obtain this edict?”

Jingrong didn’t plan to hide it from him.

He spoke directly. “The edict was entrusted to Marquis Kang for safekeeping by the late emperor back then. This time, knowing this prince was returning to the capital, he produced it and gave this prince crucial assistance. As for what the edict says, it concerns deploying troops to eliminate the barbarians!”

“Ah!” Vice Minister Yu exclaimed in shock. “Eliminate the barbarians?”

He was stunned for a moment before finally understanding.

“Your Highness has brought a lifesaving straw. Now that the barbarians are causing trouble along the border, with the late emperor’s edict, a major problem for Great Lin is resolved. Although Your Highness couldn’t investigate where the disaster relief silver went, bringing this imperial edict is an immeasurable contribution. His Majesty will naturally not make Your Highness return to the Imperial Treasury, and the court officials won’t be able to say anything either.”

“All things are uncertain.” Jingrong’s voice was heavy, his brow furrowed. “If Prince Yi and the others insist on pursuing the matter of the disaster relief silver, even if His Majesty wishes to keep this prince in the capital, I fear it will still be a hard battle.”

Vice Minister Yu also showed a worried expression. “Since Your Highness left the capital, Prince Yi’s faction has continuously grown. Nearly the entire court consists of Prince Yi’s people. Moreover, now that he’s married the legitimate daughter of the Ji family, he’s like a tiger with wings. With just one word, all the civil and military officials will stand on his side. For Your Highness to succeed, you must attack from small angles to have any chance of victory.”

“This prince understands.” He nodded, then added, “Regarding the assassin being murdered in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison last time, this prince must thank Minister Yu for your help.”

“I dare not.” Vice Minister Yu quickly said, “To serve Your Highness is this official’s honor. Moreover, from the moment I decided to stand on Your Highness’s side, I had already prepared myself for everything. With just one word from Your Highness, this official will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

“It seems you and former Minister of Personnel Qiao are the same type of person.”

“Why mention Minister Qiao?”

“Just bringing it up.”

Jingrong was unwilling to say more.

Indeed, Vice Minister Yu and Qiao Zheng were the same type of person—both understood flexibility and how to assess the times. Both knew that although Prince Yi had gained power, ultimately, he was too impatient!

Vice Minister Yu didn’t speculate further.

However, Ji Yunshu across from them suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, Minister Yu, the imperial examinations’ palace examination has already concluded, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, it just ended recently.”

“Then who were the top three?”

He answered, “The zhuangyuan and bangyan both came from Mingshan Academy students. The zhuangyuan is currently Hanlin Academy Compiler Lin Shu, Minister Lin. The bangyan is Deputy Compiler Shang Zhuo, Minister Shang.”

Oh my goodness!

Way to go, buddy.

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong exchanged glances.

Jingrong said, “I didn’t expect that young fellow Lin Shu would indeed win zhuangyuan. It wasn’t in vain that this prince saved him back then.”

“This means Your Highness and Master Ji know this person?”

“We met once.”

Oh!

Vice Minister Yu sighed. “But Your Highness probably doesn’t know—according to this official’s understanding, that zhuangyuan scholar is now one of Prince Yi’s people.”

Shocking!

Ji Yunshu pressed, “How did this happen?”

Vice Minister Yu explained, “Originally, regarding the positions of zhuangyuan and bangyan, His Majesty couldn’t decide because both examination papers were excellent. Later, it’s said that due to Prince Yi’s influence, the Hanlin Academy recommended Minister Lin. His Majesty originally couldn’t make a decision and had the Hanlin Academy select someone first, so the zhuangyuan position naturally fell to that Minister Lin.”

Having spoken!

Ji Yunshu’s face showed complete disappointment.

She had thought that young fellow could reform himself, but she hadn’t expected him to still be so unable to distinguish right from wrong.

Jingrong, however, wasn’t very disappointed, only saying, “Prince Yi’s reach is quite long.”

“He’s just a minor compiler—hardly significant enough to pose a threat. Your Highness need not worry.”

“Does this prince seem worried?” He countered, saying, “No matter how vast Prince Yi’s power, how sharp his claws, he’s nothing more than a fierce beast Father Emperor has trapped in the capital.”

So in the end, Emperor Qizhen was still the more formidable one!

He granted his sons princely titles but no territories. Their mansors could only be established in the capital for convenient supervision, preventing them from recruiting troops outside and forming their own factions.

So ultimately, no matter how formidable Jing Yi was, he could only swagger about in the capital using borrowed authority.

It was just that now the court officials all stood on his side, and with the Ji family brothers assisting him, this tiger had grown considerably larger and was becoming harder to contain.

Vice Minister Yu ultimately said nothing more, only agreeing with his words. After all, he still understood the meaning behind them.

Afterward, they chatted idly for a bit, discussing various matters large and small that had occurred in the capital over the past months.

Finally, Jingrong sent him away.