Execute Ji Yunshu?

Qin Shiyu was astonished, his already wrinkled forehead furrowing deeply together.

Impossible!

“Although Director Ji is guilty of deceiving the sovereign, the crime doesn’t warrant death. No matter what, this official must see the Emperor.”

He had only taken two steps forward when two sword-bearing guards blocked him.

Noble Consort Xiao said, “Minister Qin, the Emperor has already said he will see no one. If you force your way through, that would be defying the imperial decree. At that time, you might also be imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice prison and charged together.”

Qin Shiyu: “…”

As Noble Consort Xiao had said, the oral decree had already been transmitted to the Ministry of Justice. When Minister of Justice Li received the decree, he was greatly shocked.

Ji Yunshu was guilty, but… her merits outweighed her faults—how could she deserve death!

But who dared falsify the Emperor’s oral decree?

After hesitating for a long time, he had no choice but to make a bold stroke on the document—the day after tomorrow at noon, execute the guilty official Ji Yunshu!

This news simultaneously reached Prince Rong’s manor.

Yet Jingrong acted as though nothing had happened, taking no action whatsoever.

Extremely calm!

He only dismissed others and went alone to the room where Ji Yunshu had stayed, standing with hands behind his back before several exquisite paintings on the wall, admiring them.

Those paintings were all done by Ji Yunshu in her leisure time.

Bamboo and mountains, flowers and water, scenery, people… all were represented.

He stood there from noon until evening.

When Muruo and Tang Si heard the news that Ji Yunshu was to be executed, they came early, but Lang Bo blocked them, not allowing the two to see their prince.

By evening, they grew anxious!

“At a time like this, has he thought of a solution or not?” Muruo asked Lang Bo.

Lang Bo said, “Young Master Muruo, His Highness has his own plans.”

“His own plans? Does that mean sitting and waiting for death? Is he planning to wait until she’s escorted to the execution ground before thinking of something? What is that blockhead thinking?”

Ugh!

“His Highness said…”

“Move aside, I’ll go find him myself.”

“Young Master Muruo…” Lang Bo couldn’t stop him.

However, when Muruo went, he left Tang Si behind, not letting her follow to avoid getting in the way.

He hurried over and saw Jingrong standing before those paintings in the room, as though lost in thought.

Motionless.

“What exactly are you thinking?” he asked as he walked in.

Jingrong acted as though he hadn’t heard.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to just keep standing in front of these paintings? Not thinking of any solutions?” Muruo nudged him with his elbow.

“…”

“Are you deaf or mute? Right now the Emperor has already issued an order to execute Master Ji the day after tomorrow at noon, yet you still look like nothing’s wrong? So all that stone flower blooming was for nothing?”

Brother, can your sharp tongue be a little less devastating?

Jingrong frowned slightly, as though his elegant mood had been disturbed. Somewhat displeased, he glanced at him sideways, then returned his gaze to the painting. Taking a deep breath, he parted his lips and said, “She’s more important than my life. If she dies, I’ll follow her.”

His tone was low and warm!

Carrying a chill.

Muruo said, “Then why aren’t you thinking of a solution now?”

He lowered his gaze and smiled, saying in a teasing tone, “Your medical skills are exceptional—everyone calls you a divine physician. But when it comes to court matters, you’re just like your father—a brute.”

“You…” Muruo felt extremely awkward and couldn’t refute it.

“Before Yunshu entered the palace, she gave me a thousand reminders and ten thousand instructions not to enter the palace to rescue her. Even if she was imprisoned, she didn’t want me to act rashly. But I almost cast aside those words and single-mindedly wanted to rush into the palace to save her. Fortunately, after calming down, I gradually understood the reasoning behind it.”

“Reasoning?”

He nodded, saying each word seriously, “To defeat an enemy, you must first know what the enemy wants!”

Muruo: “The more you talk, the less I understand.”

Jingrong: “Let me ask you, what does Jingyi want most?”

Muruo thought about it, his eyes brightening. “The throne!”

“Exactly, the throne. From when the Ministry of Personnel submitted a memorial accusing me of interfering with official appointments, he already realized his situation was unfavorable. Now that he’s been thwarted, his ambition has been forced out. Naturally he won’t sit and wait for death anymore, so if he wants to turn the situation around, he must first strike at Yunshu.”

“But… since he already knew long ago that Master Ji was female, why didn’t he expose it earlier? Why wait until now?”

“Because he was cultivating a chess piece, needing to wait for the critical moment before making his move!”

Muruo was confused.

Jingrong walked to the doorway, his expression grave, continuing, “He knows Yunshu’s importance to me, so if there ever comes a day when he rebels, he’ll use this chess piece to restrain me at that time.” He paused briefly. “Now the timing is ripe, and the Emperor just happened to appoint Yunshu as Director of the Bureau of Punishment. Choosing to expose her female identity at this time couldn’t be more appropriate. This way, I would spare no effort, trying every means to rescue her, naturally having no extra energy to guard against or prevent his siege of the palace. If his plan is fortunate, perhaps because I entered the palace to plead, he could at that time incite court officials to pressure me, also charging me with deception and insubordination. Even if the Emperor wanted to protect me, he would also imprison me in the Ministry of Justice prison. Then his palace siege would have no one to stop it, and he might even… kill me in the prison.”

Court factional struggles were like deep ocean waters—unfathomable, impossible to see through.

No wonder Jingyi had kept Ji Yunshu’s female identity secret until now to expose it—it was preparing for contingencies, paving the way for his palace siege.

“So that’s how it is!” Muruo suddenly understood, then pondered, “But if you don’t try to rescue her, Master Ji’s life…”

“I have my own plan!” he declared, his eyes deepening once more. “Jingyi’s scheming calculations—doesn’t he just want to see me restrained by him, helpless and utterly devastated? Fine, then I’ll satisfy him!”

Muruo looked at Jingrong’s silhouette and seemed to vaguely see a massive storm approaching…

However—

Muruo had a concern. He stepped forward and said, “There’s one more thing. The news that Master Ji is female has already spread throughout the capital. I’m afraid that Zhao Huai and Wen Xian, who followed her all the way from the Imperial Manor to the capital, must also know by now. That means they also know…”

Ji Yunshu is not the young heir!

Speak of the devil, and the devil appears!

Two figures suddenly flashed into the courtyard.

Standing side by side.

Wen Xian held a flute, Zhao Huai held a sharp sword.

Those two gazes were filled with murderous intent!

Simultaneously, the guards of Prince Rong’s manor raised their swords and surrounded them, while archers on the rooftop also showed themselves.

With just one command, those two could be pierced by ten thousand arrows!

But—

Jingrong commanded, “Stand down.”

The guards looked at each other.

“Stand down!”

Everyone obeyed the order and withdrew.

“Where exactly is the real young heir?” Zhao Huai roared in questioning. Meeting Jingrong’s gaze, his rough, dark eyebrows were like two sharp large blades mounted above his fierce eyes.

Compared to him, Wen Xian beside him appeared much calmer.

Jingrong maintained a solemn demeanor and walked toward the two of them, but when only a few steps remained, Zhao Huai placed the sword in his hand against his neck…