“The dagger? Wasn’t my dagger lost by Caifeng?”

The maid said, “But it seems Prince Yi came specifically to ask about this matter. This servant was outside at the time and didn’t hear very clearly.”

“Did they say when she’ll return?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know anything when I ask you?”

How useless!

Young Miss Huang wasn’t someone who got stuck on details. After glancing at her, she didn’t ask any more questions.

Then—

She stretched lazily!

Yawned!

“I was originally going to have Caifeng go out with me to buy some fabric. Now that she’s not here, you’ll accompany me instead.” Young Miss Huang said.

“Yes.”

So they tidied up.

And went out to the street.

The two went to a silk shop.

As soon as they entered, the shopkeeper quickly brought out fine-quality materials.

“Young Miss Huang, it’s been quite a while since you visited. We’ve received some excellent fabrics recently. Look at them, touch them—I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

She felt them. “Alright, bring out all the new goods in your shop for me to see.”

“Yes, yes.”

A big customer had arrived.

The shopkeeper had the assistants bring out all the fine fabrics.

Serving her personally!

While Young Miss Huang was selecting, she also complained, “If only Caifeng were here. With one touch of her hand, she knows which fabric is good quality and which isn’t. That Prince Yi—I don’t know what he’s up to. It’s just a dagger. If it’s lost, it’s lost. Why did he need to interrogate Caifeng? And even take her away. Besides, that dagger isn’t some rare treasure. I just thought it was interesting before, so during a trip I had someone forge that four-inch dagger for self-defense. If Prince Yi wants one, he could just say so directly. I’d have that blacksmith make him one.”

The maid quickly said, “Young Miss, the master gave instructions earlier not to speak of this outside.”

“Why can’t I speak of it? Prince Yi took my maid away, and I can’t even talk about it? What kind of logic is that?”

Just because he’s a prince makes him so special?

She complained a few more times.

Little did she know, on the other side, Ji Wanxin had heard everything she just said.

She momentarily lost herself in thought.

The maid beside her asked, “Second Young Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Hmm?” She came back to herself. “Nothing.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine.”

She put down the fabric she had just picked up and pulled the maid out with her.

“Second Young Miss, where are we going?”

She said, “Go back to the manor first. Don’t worry about me.”

“But…”

“I’ll return in an hour.”

The little maid hesitated and dithered for a while, but finally had to go back.

Ji Wanxin went alone to Prince Rong’s Manor.

A servant hurriedly went to the back courtyard to announce her.

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong happened to be eating breakfast.

“There’s a young lady at the gate saying she wants to see Master Ji.”

“A young lady?”

“She says she’s Second Miss Ji from the General’s Manor.”

Ji Wanxin!

Ji Yunshu was silent for a moment before saying, “Let her in.”

The servant went to invite her.

Ji Wanxin arrived quickly. As usual, she walked with small, lotus-like steps, her bearing elegant and refined.

Upon entering, she performed a courtesy. “This one pays respects to Your Highness.”

Jingrong didn’t look at her and continued leisurely drinking his tea.

He only said, “Second Miss Ji need not be so formal.”

Jingrong had long seen through this young lady, but out of consideration that she was Ji Yunshu’s second sister, he didn’t expose her.

Ji Yunshu didn’t invite her to sit either. She only asked, “Why have you come?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Speak.”

She raised her gaze slightly, her tone soft and delicate. “Just now, I heard someone say… Prince Yi went to the Huang residence in the capital, questioned a young maid about a short blade only four inches long, then took her away, and wouldn’t let anyone speak of it. I know that recently Prince Yi and Prince Rong have been investigating a dry well case, so I thought Prince Yi’s sudden visit to the Huang residence might be related to this case, so… I came to report it.”

Straight to the point!

Jingrong and Ji Yunshu exchanged glances.

Suspicious.

“Yunshu, what I’m saying is all true.”

“Then why did you come to tell me?”

“Yunshu, I want to help you.”

Bah!

Who knows what evil schemes you’re plotting!

Ji Yunshu’s attitude was cold. “Regardless of whether what you say is true or false, thank you. However, you should hurry back. Right now, the General’s Manor and Prince Rong’s Manor cannot afford the slightest connection.”

In other words, she was being shown the door.

So Ji Wanxin no longer had the face to continue staying.

She could only—

“Then I’ll leave first.”

She raised those pitiful eyes to glance at Jingrong once before slowly going out.

But—

As soon as she left, Ji Yunshu chased after her.

“Wait.”

“Yunshu.” Ji Wanxin grasped her hand. “I know I did wrong before, but I’ve changed. Can you forgive me?”

Ji Yunshu pulled her hand away and said coldly, “I’m not here to listen to you say these things. What you did, I’m no longer pursuing. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I only want to tell you that last time when you sent that letter, Prince Rong and I both owe you our thanks.”

“It’s what I should do. Yunshu, I want to make amends for what happened before…”

“Enough. Don’t mention past matters anymore. Hurry back.”

“Yunshu…”

Ji Yunshu resolutely turned and went back inside.

Ji Wanxin stood in place with tears in her eyes, biting her lip hard. She wiped her tears dry with her handkerchief before leaving.

Inside the room!

Jingrong was still drinking tea.

After Ji Yunshu entered, he asked casually, “She left?”

“Mm.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“You mean about Prince Yi going to the Huang residence to investigate that dagger?”

Jingrong’s brows furrowed deeply. “It seems Prince Yi has already found a lead.”

Equivalent to being one step slower.

…

The Imperial Palace.

Fuyang Hall.

Emperor Qizhen had just finished reviewing some memorials and was rubbing his temples, planning to rest for a while.

A eunuch brought a ginseng soup from the imperial kitchen.

He placed it in front of him.

“Your Majesty, please rest for a while.”

He lifted his eyelids slightly and waved his hand. “Take it away.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Take it away!”

His tone became heavier.

It was a young eunuch with very little courage. He quickly picked up the ginseng soup to take it away, but just as he went out, he ran into the old eunuch Zhang Quan.

“Eunuch Zhang.”

“His Majesty won’t drink it?”

He nodded.

Zhang Quan took the ginseng soup. “You may go.”

“Yes.”

He left.

Zhang Quan entered the hall, walked to Emperor Qizhen’s side, placed that bowl of ginseng soup down again, and said, “Your Majesty should still rest for a while. The imperial physician said before that Your Majesty must rest well and not overwork yourself. Memorials are certainly important, but you mustn’t harm your body.”

Emperor Qizhen raised his eyes and let out a stifled breath.

Simply put—

“Fine.”

He closed the memorial at hand and picked up the ginseng soup to drink a mouthful.

Afterward, he asked, “Tell me, how are Jing Yi and Jingrong doing now?”

Zhang Quan replied, “In response to Your Majesty, earlier both Prince Yi and Prince Rong led people to the Ministry of Justice to examine the corpses. Presumably they each have found clues. Moreover, the next day they produced portraits, and the Ministry of Justice has confirmed the list of deceased based on the portraits. They are still questioning everyone one by one and should have results very soon. Also, yesterday both princes went to that abandoned temple, but because of heavy rain, they ended up staying there overnight. I heard that evening someone died there as well, though that murder case has already been reported by the Jing Zhaoyin to the Court of Judicial Review.”