Ji Yunshu immediately changed the subject, handing him the case files for Jiao Shiniang and Xing Xiyang.

“The cases aren’t closed yet. Take a look first.”

Wei Yi’s empty hands had felt somewhat awkward, but he gladly accepted the two files, breaking through the sense of disappointment that had just risen in his heart.

He opened the files and began reading.

As he read, his handsome brow furrowed slightly from time to time. After getting a general understanding, he gently closed them and placed them beside his hand.

Worried, he asked, “So the murderer will kill again?”

Ji Yunshu’s expression was grave. “If my judgment is correct, it’s possible.”

Wei Yi was deeply concerned. “If another murder occurs, I’m afraid this matter can no longer be concealed. The common people in the capital will be in a state of panic, and with less than five days until the Commerce Festival, more and more people will be arriving in the capital. I fear this might trigger other incidents as well.”

His worry was not unfounded.

After all, the murderer was a psychopath—any terrible thing was possible.

Ji Yunshu said in a low voice, “Every part of the capital is now under tight surveillance. If the murderer appears, they will be captured.”

“But what if the murderer has already left the capital?”

“That won’t happen. A psychologically twisted person will never give up until they complete what they’ve long planned, even if it means death.”

“Shu’er,” he called her name and said, “No matter what, you must protect yourself. If something happens to you, how can I be at ease here in the Forbidden City?”

“I know.”

Wei Yi suddenly thought of something. His eyes lowered slightly as he smiled. “Actually… with Jingrong protecting you, what do I have to worry about? If you’re in danger, he would risk his life to save you.”

There was a trace of bitterness in his words!

Ji Yunshu looked at him, her heart aching with sadness, not knowing how to respond.

After a pause—

Wei Yi pressed his lips together, his eyes sincere yet tinged with sorrow, as he earnestly spoke these words: “I could too.”

I could too!

These three words carried almost all of his feelings for Ji Yunshu.

Just how deep must one’s emotions be to say these three words?

She felt immensely guilty.

Guilty that she couldn’t return his love with equal affection.

So much so that all her words, when they reached her lips, became simply “thank you.”

At that moment—

The sky, which had been overcast with dark clouds and gloomy, suddenly began to rain.

The sound of rain pattered down, striking the tiles on the pavilion roof, the treetops, the ground… crisp and ethereal.

The refreshing, cool air swept away the heat from the ground, gradually raising a layer of white mist that swirled upward, spreading hazily through the air like a fairyland.

The gauze curtains outside the pavilion were lifted by the wind, rippling in waves.

Ji Yunshu stood up and walked to the edge of the pavilion, looking up at the dense raindrops as large as pearls. In this moment, they seemed to wash away the recent gloom and troubles in her heart.

Wei Yi walked to her side, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

That delicate profile entered his vision.

How he wished he could watch her like this forever, stay by her side—even if just watching from afar, it would be worth it. But from the moment he accepted that imperial edict, they were destined to be separated by a red wall. Even meeting each other required constant hoping and waiting.

Ji Yunshu noticed that burning gaze and turned her head to meet it.

Their eyes met!

This long-separated gaze was filled with mixed emotions.

Ji Yunshu’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes trembled slightly, but remained as gentle as always.

Wei Yi’s lips curved into a smile. “Seeing you once is truly too difficult.”

His voice was cold and cool.

Ji Yunshu said, “Then in the future, whenever I have time, I’ll come into the palace to see you more often.”

“That’s not necessary either. After you finish your work at the Ministry of Justice, you should rest more.” He gazed at the continuous drizzle and said softly, “Red walls and green tiles, misty rain and haze—dwelling within for so long brings its own helplessness.”

Though his voice was soft, it wasn’t drowned out by the heavy rain.

Ji Yunshu heard every word clearly. She asked him, “Do you regret it?”

“I don’t regret it.” The words came out almost reflexively. “I don’t have the opportunity to regret it either. The path that Heaven chose for me cannot be wrong.”

“Yes, Heaven makes no mistakes. You are a good emperor.”

He smiled slightly. “Half a year ago, Jingrong said the same thing to me.”

“That proves he wasn’t wrong.”

“Perhaps.”

Actually, he didn’t know if he was truly a good emperor. Because in the past six months, he had done too little. Almost all decisive matters were decided by Jingrong, and all he did was learn.

Constantly learning!

He hoped that one day, he would live up to everyone’s expectations and truly become a good emperor.

The two stood there for quite a while, but the rain only grew heavier!

Seeing that it was getting late, Ji Yunshu had a eunuch fetch an umbrella for her. She was preparing to leave the palace.

“Wait a bit longer. Leave after the rain stops,” Wei Yi said.

“I’m afraid this rain won’t stop anytime soon.”

“Then…” don’t leave.

He still didn’t have the courage to speak those last four words.

The words reached his lips, but he swallowed them back!

Just then, a young eunuch brought over an umbrella.

“Master Ji, here’s the umbrella.”

He handed it over!

She took it.

But just as she was about to open it—

Wei Yi suddenly grasped her wrist.

Hm?

Her whole body trembled. Following the hand with distinct knuckles that gripped her wrist, her gaze slowly moved upward until it met Wei Yi’s slightly sorrowful eyes and stopped.

Those eyes were not only sorrowful but also flickered with a possessive desire.

“Wei Yi?”

He said, “With such heavy rain and it being so late, if you leave the palace now for Prince Rong’s manor, it will surely be dark. Why not… stay here tonight?”

He had finally said it.

“…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll have someone notify Jingrong. Shu’er, please stay.”

His tone was almost pleading.

Her mind was blank.

Agree?

Refuse?

But it seemed she could never be cruel enough to say no directly in front of Wei Yi.

And at this time, it was indeed already getting quite dark.

Finally—

She nodded.

Wei Yi was overjoyed, and it showed all over his face. The hand gripping Ji Yunshu’s wrist completely forgot to let go.

Until she withdrew it herself.

Several young eunuchs carried over a sedan chair, but Wei Yi said, “Give me an umbrella. I wish to walk more with Master Ji.”

“Yes.”

The two held umbrellas, their two figures stepping into the rain.

One tall, one shorter, the distance between them neither far nor near.

They headed toward Zhi’an Palace.

Along the way, two eunuchs walked ahead carrying lanterns to light the path, with eunuchs and palace maids following behind.

The two of them walked in between.

The Forbidden City in the rain remained ablaze with red lanterns. Walking through it with umbrellas had its own beauty, even making one feel somewhat greedy.

All along this path, Wei Yi stole glances at her from time to time, and the distance between them grew closer and closer… If not for the two umbrellas above their heads bumping into each other, he truly wished he could rush under her umbrella and hold her tightly in his arms.