The night stretched endlessly, cold wind whistling through.

Ji Yunshu curled up in Jingrong’s embrace like a child, finding peace as her ice-cold body gradually warmed.

The man’s heavy breathing fell steadily and forcefully upon the crown of her head.

She carefully lifted her head, gazing at his tightly closed eyes.

In the candlelight, those long and thick lashes fluttered gently, mischievously displaying this man’s innate gentleness.

Sword-like brows, a high-bridged nose, thin cool lips, and a handsome face as if carved by a knife.

All displayed his unique charm.

If this face were in modern times, who knew how many young fangirls would be enchanted to death.

At this moment, Ji Yunshu became somewhat infatuated, possessed by some strange impulse as she extended her finger, slowly reaching toward Jingrong’s face. Before her fingertip could make contact, she was instantly caught red-handed.

Her five fingers were captured!

Though the man’s eyes remained closed, it was as if a pair of hidden eyes had grown on his forehead, staring intently at her.

She wanted to withdraw her hand, but her strength was no match.

Somewhat guilty.

Jingrong leaned his head forward, pressing it against her upturned forehead.

“Little one, you have a guilty conscience like a thief.”

“When did I become a thief?”

“You were caught red-handed.”

“Nonsense.”

“You stole this prince’s heart, and stole this prince’s person—if that’s not a thief, what is it?”

“Nonsense.” She bit her lip.

Jingrong opened his dark eyes, the corners of his lips bearing a mischievous smile, his gaze revealing a kind of forceful charisma as he stared into Ji Yunshu’s confused eyes.

This look seemed to see through her completely.

“You say this prince speaks nonsense? Very well, this prince shall prove it.”

“Mm?”

Suddenly, he turned and rose, his massive silhouette pressing down upon her.

Like dark clouds bearing down.

“Eh?”

Her heart tightened as her hands were quickly pinned above her head by this hungry leopard before her, firmly pressed down.

Unable to move!

Before she could speak, her red lips were sealed.

The man’s scorching passionate kisses fell densely, leaving her unprepared as her entire body tensed.

Those kisses remained gentle and tender, as if caressing an extremely precious object, afraid that the slightest force would shatter it to pieces.

Ji Yunshu was gradually “conquered.”

As if becoming somewhat greedy.

Everything around them seemed to become very soft.

No more cold, no more tension, no more concerns…

Only when she was kissed breathless did Jingrong reluctantly release her.

His deep misty eyes gazed at her as his finger touched the lingering taste at the corner of his own lips.

Still savoring it!

However—

“This prince is somewhat tired. I’ll spare you today.” His voice sounded slightly weary.

Truly drunk!

The next moment, his head grew heavy, his eyes clumsily closed, and his body pressed down.

He fell asleep.

Damn it, you take off your pants and then show me this?

Ji Yunshu was pressed until she could barely breathe, neither laughing nor crying was appropriate.

She pushed him aside.

She wanted to get up, but that man, as if deliberately pretending to sleep, reached out to embrace her slender waist, once again capturing her in the bedding.

His lips pressed against her flushed ear, saying, “In the long night, I cannot do without you.”

He wouldn’t let go.

No choice—the two slept through the night in their clothes.

Early the next morning, before the sky was fully bright, Ji Yunshu gently got out of bed, unwilling to disturb the still-sleeping Jingrong.

She straightened her clothes, combed her hair, and facing the mirror, inserted the silver clasp into her bound hair.

The person on the bed also awoke.

Jingrong turned on his side, resting his hand against his head, propping up half his body as he gazed through the bronze mirror at the refined Ji Yunshu from afar.

A smile spilled from the corner of his lips as he said, “Whether man or woman, both are beautiful.”

Praise!

Hearing this, Ji Yunshu turned her head to look, seeing the person on the bed grinning foolishly like a laughing Buddha.

His smile carried a trace of “lewdness.”

She said, “Hurry and get up, it’s almost light outside.”

Reminding him it was time to attend court.

Jingrong exhaled stuffily, rolled around on the bed several times, then reluctantly lifted the covers and got out of bed.

But suddenly wrinkled his nose, pulled at his own clothes and sniffed near his nose, very disgusted, “This body reeking of alcohol—how did this prince fall asleep?”

“Forgot?” Ji Yunshu asked.

“Not forgotten, only remember this prince was kissing you.”

Ji Yunshu: “…”

He walked over, “Last night, did we undress? Or did we sleep in our clothes?”

This was typical wiping the slate clean after eating.

Good thing they didn’t sleep together.

Ji Yunshu was embarrassed, poking him with her finger, “You reek of alcohol, I can’t stand it.”

“So did we undress? Or not?”

“…”

Suddenly, “knock knock” several times.

Someone was knocking at the door.

Interrupting their conversation.

Outside the door, Lang Bo said, “Your Highness? Master Ji?”

Are you up?

Jingrong frowned. Sooner or later, he would definitely kill Lang Bo and feed him to the dogs.

Always reporting at critical moments!

He responded through the door, then barked an order: “Go fetch this prince’s court attire.”

Lang Bo: “Yes, but Your Highness…”

“Speak.”

“The palace just sent a decree—the Emperor wants Master Ji to enter the palace as well.”

Eh?

The air paused.

Ji Yunshu had no desire to participate in court matters.

She worried in her heart that this time, she absolutely must not let Yu Shaoqing’s crow’s mouth prove correct.

Though Jingrong also didn’t want her to go, the Emperor had issued a decree—it could not be refused.

After tidying up, the two boarded a carriage and entered the palace.

Throughout the journey, Jingrong gave many instructions, telling her to pay attention to everything. Worried she might forget, when they reached outside the South Gate, he instructed her again.

Remembered!

Remembered!

More clearly than memorizing acupuncture points on a corpse.

Though she had already met the Emperor many times, attending court in the Golden Throne Hall would be her first time, and moreover, she wouldn’t just be facing the Emperor alone.

There were also those demons and monsters!

She played the role of a minor attendant, following behind Jingrong’s rear as they entered the hall.

Drawing many gazes—court officials wondered why that Master Ji had come.

But no one voiced their questions!

Standing on the left side of the throne hall, Jing Yi had a cold expression, barely glancing this way.

Yesterday, he had felt like his wings had been clipped, deflated into a heap. Now he simply had no energy to fuss over the reason for Ji Yunshu entering the palace, and even thinking with his rear end, he knew what it was about!

The hand inside his sleeve clenched tightly into a fist, restraining his hostile aura.

Ji Yunshu stood beside Jingrong, treating those demons and monsters as transparent people, ignoring those gazes.

Soon, the eunuch called out loudly, “The Emperor arrives.”

Everyone knelt, “Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”

Emperor Qizhen, clad in dragon robes, his body unwell, was supported as he came up and sat upon the dragon throne.

With a wave of his hand, “All ministers, rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

They rose.

Emperor Qizhen was not one who liked to beat around the bush. First glancing at Ji Yunshu, he went straight to the point, “This dried well case has been solved. Recently, this case has caused panic throughout the capital. Now that the culprit has been found, We can be at ease. Previously, We said that whoever could solve this case would be handsomely rewarded. A sovereign’s word carries weight.”

The four words “a sovereign’s word carries weight” struck with resounding force!