When Jingrong returned to Prince Rong’s manor, the sky had already darkened!

As soon as he entered the door, he asked impatiently, “Where is Miss Ji?”

“Miss Ji just returned from the Ministry of Justice and took some official documents to the study.”

Jingrong hurried over immediately.

Not seeing her for a day felt like three autumns!

Originally, the Ministry of Revenue had already selected a new residence for Ji Yunshu, right next to Prince Rong’s manor—just around the corner—but Jingrong absolutely refused to allow her to move there, insisting she remain at Prince Rong’s manor.

His reason was: “You’re already my woman, so why should there still be a wall between us!”

This left her unable to argue back!

In the study, Ji Yunshu was troubled by a case from Qingzhou—a burnt corpse case. The local county office had already closed the case six years ago. The deceased was a forty-year-old woman, and the murderer was supposedly her own elder brother. Now there was an appeal to overturn the case, because a merchant passing through Qingzhou not long ago suddenly mentioned that on the night he left six years ago, he had seen the murderer. According to that person’s description, whether in build or height, it was not the deceased’s elder brother at all. However, the local county office refused to accept the case, so it was appealed to the capital.

Actually, this matter wasn’t difficult—they just needed to reopen the trial.

The problem was that the original crime scene had been burned completely by a fire, leaving nothing behind. What was even more troublesome was that according to the merchant’s description, the real murderer had died a month ago, making verification impossible.

This was probably the most troublesome case Ji Yunshu had handled in the past six months.

The person labeled as the murderer was indeed very distressed. Back then, the deceased’s elder brother hadn’t committed murder. When the deceased died, someone had witnessed it at the first watch of the night. They also mentioned that the woman’s hands surprisingly had no calluses.

When Jingrong entered, he saw her brow tightly furrowed, rubbing her temples.

So he snatched away the official documents in front of her and closed them.

Hmm?

Ji Yunshu suddenly looked up!

She met his stern gaze.

“Official business should not only be handled officially, but also during work hours. It’s so late now—it’s time to rest.”

She said, “I’m not handling official business, just thinking about problems.”

“Think about it tomorrow.”

“…”

Helpless.

She had no choice but to let her brain rest.

She said, “I’ve been so busy these days that I haven’t entered the palace to see Wei Yi for a long time. How is he?”

At this question, Jingrong became jealous.

“Alas!” He let out a heavy sigh.

Ji Yunshu asked, “What’s wrong?”

He played with the inkless brush on the desk, looking like a pitiful thing, and said, “When I enter the palace, he asks how you are. As soon as I leave the palace, you ask me how he is. During this time, I’ve been busy with the merchant association, working my heart and strength out, yet you two only care about each other and don’t ask about me even once.”

Pfft!

Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh. She walked around the desk in front of her, moved to his side, smiled secretly, and asked, “Then… how is a certain someone today?”

“Now you think of me?”

“I’ve never forgotten you.” Having followed Jingrong for so many years, she had learned some sweet words.

Clearly, these words were very satisfying to Jingrong. His heart bloomed with joy, yet on the surface he still maintained his “seeking comfort” appearance.

He was quite comparable to the milk baby from Official Qi’s family!

Ji Yunshu didn’t want to expose him either, so she gently hooked his clothing corner with her hand, circled around, and continued, “You’re by my side all day long. Whether things are good or not, I can see and feel it—why must I ask?”

Jingrong’s heart melted at once, a smile spilling from the corners of his mouth.

Completely satisfied!

He still lost to this woman.

And so—

He suddenly picked her up, his face full of mischief, saying, “Why not… use your body to feel it?”

“Scoundrel!”

Ji Yunshu wanted to break free, but it was already too late.

She had already been carried out of the study and thrown directly onto the bedroom bed.

Heh heh heh!

…

Brain supplementation time.

The next morning.

The two got up exhausted, and just as they finished dressing, Lang Bo’s voice came from outside the door, “Your Highness, Miss Ji.”

Jingrong opened the door and asked, “What is it?”

“Jing Zhaoyin has arrived. He says… something has happened.”

Eh?

That fellow never brought good news.

Jingrong turned back and exchanged glances with Ji Yunshu.

At this moment, Jing Zhaoyin was pacing back and forth in the reception hall, extremely anxious, his palms sweating. When he saw Ji Yunshu and Jingrong arrive, he hurried forward with a solemn expression, “Your Highness, Official Ji.”

“What happened?”

“A… a murder case has occurred.”

As expected!

A quarter hour later, the group arrived at the scene—Longfu Inn.

Although the inn’s main door was closed, quite a few common people still gathered outside, pointing and discussing in all directions, all speculating about what had happened inside the inn.

Jing Zhaoyin said softly, “The news has been blocked for now to avoid causing panic.”

Ji Yunshu nodded, approving of his approach!

However, when the common people saw that not only had Jing Zhaoyin come, but even Ji Yunshu had arrived, they knew it was no small matter. This sparked even more heated discussion. They thought someone must have died inside—otherwise, why would Official Ji from the Ministry of Justice’s Prison Administration Office have come?

Not only had she come, but Prince Rong had also arrived.

Clearly it was a major incident!

Upon entering the inn, Jing Zhaoyin ordered people to guard outside, allowing no idle persons to enter.

Inside the inn, everyone working there—the manager, waiters, cooks, and staying guests—were all present.

Everyone gathered in the main hall. The timid ones huddled together, while the bolder ones kept glancing upstairs.

“Your Highness, Official Ji, the deceased… is upstairs.” Jing Zhaoyin extended his finger and pointed upward.

Jingrong said, “Let’s go up and take a look first.”

Just as they were about to go up, the inn’s manager came over hunched over, trembling as he approached, saying, “Esteemed officials, although the person died here, it… absolutely has nothing to do with our inn! If this matter gets out, this humble one’s establishment probably won’t be able to continue operating. So I beg all of you officials to please, please keep the news sealed.”

Pleading.

Jing Zhaoyin couldn’t make this decision himself, so he looked to Jingrong for his opinion.

Jingrong said, “After the case is solved, we naturally won’t let your inn be affected.”

“Thank you, officials, thank you, officials…” The manager bowed repeatedly, his heart at ease.

As the group went upstairs, Jing Zhaoyin explained as they walked, “The deceased is a spice merchant who only arrived in the capital yesterday. This morning, her assistant went to knock on her door, but there was no response. He broke down the door and went in, only to discover the deceased lying inside. After confirming that she was dead, this official immediately came to find you. I really didn’t dare disturb the scene, so I didn’t send anyone to search the room. I only had people surround the inn and the crime scene, waiting for your instructions before proceeding.”

She hummed in acknowledgment!

The corridor was full of Jing Zhaoyin’s people, guarding outside an open guest room. Everyone’s expressions were extremely grave—the situation inside the room must be quite “complicated.”

When they reached the doorway, they saw a woman lying motionless on the floor inside the room! There were no bloodstains anywhere around her!