Hearing Wei Yi’s voice, Ji Wanxin’s back immediately tensed up sharply, though on the surface she remained calm and composed.

Then she followed Shen Changqin’s steps into the pavilion.

Wei Yi sat down in the pavilion with a leisurely, carefree manner. He drank a mouthful of water and relaxed for a moment before looking at the two people standing before him.

He looked them up and down!

“This subject greets Your Majesty.” Shen Changqin bowed.

Ji Wanxin also immediately curtsied. “This commoner woman greets Your Majesty.”

Her voice was gentle and pleasant to hear, yet weak and powerless. Wei Yi’s eyes, which held a dangerous glint, fell upon her. For a moment, all sorts of things from the past flashed continuously through his mind—those filthy deeds this woman had done, he knew them all. Back then at Gaoshan Stronghold, it was because of this woman that he and Ji Yinshu had nearly died. Every time he thought of it, he wished he could issue an imperial edict and have this venomous woman hidden beneath gentle appearance executed directly. However, he still couldn’t do that now, because keeping this woman alive still held great benefits.

“Yesterday, I was counting the days, thinking it should be about time for you to enter the capital. I didn’t expect that today Lord Shen would bring you here.” Wei Yi said.

Ji Wanxin said, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great grace.”

“You don’t need to thank me. It was Lord Shen who petitioned me to let you come to the capital. If you want to thank anyone, thank him.” His tone was extremely cold and indifferent. Turning to Shen Changqin, he said, “Lord Shen personally brought Second Miss Ji here, which shows she truly is very important in your heart.”

Shen Changqin clasped his hands. “I hope Your Majesty will grant this wish.”

“I said, there’s no rush!”

“…Yes.” He could only suppress that sense of urgency.

Wei Yi took another sip of tea, unhurried and leisurely.

The atmosphere in the pavilion seemed extremely tense.

No one knew what Wei Yi was going to say.

Ji Wanxin raised her head to look at him, feeling that the person before her was both strange and familiar.

After a short while, Wei Yi suddenly looked toward her.

She immediately lowered her gaze.

Wei Yi said, “Second Miss Ji, I can be considered acquainted with you. Everyone says Jinjiang produced a beauty—you, Ji Wanxin. Although I haven’t spoken much with you, back when Prince Rong went to the Imperial Treasury to investigate the disaster relief silver, I also traveled with you. What kind of person you are, I naturally understand to some degree.”

It seemed he was deliberately reminding her of something!

It also seemed he wanted to dig out Ji Wanxin’s memories, making her recall those venomous deeds she had done back then.

Very obviously, Ji Wanxin knew his words held meaning. Her face alternated between pale and ashen. She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say. All the changes in her expression were captured by Wei Yi’s eyes. He laughed inwardly and parted his lips. “I’ve always heard your embroidery skills are exceptional. Summoning you to the palace this time, I also hope you can display your talents. From now on, you will stay peacefully in the palace. When the right opportunity comes, I will naturally make other arrangements. At that time, you can leave the palace.”

Ji Wanxin bowed again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Wei Yi smiled slightly and waved his hand lightly at the eunuchs and palace maids in the pavilion.

Everyone withdrew!

Only the three of them remained!

What was he going to do? Wei Yi suddenly rose and walked before the two of them. His gaze darkened, and he spoke seriously to Ji Wanxin. “When all is said and done, your Ji family are ultimately criminal subjects. The mistakes your eldest brother committed are destined for you to bear yourselves. The late Emperor also issued an edict forbidding your Ji family from entering the capital. But Lord Shen petitioned me many times and expressed his feelings for you clearly. I am not a heartless person. Knowing Lord Shen’s wholehearted devotion to you, I truly couldn’t bear to separate you. Moreover, disaster doesn’t extend to wives and children, and guilt doesn’t fall upon relatives! Only then did I agree to Lord Qin and issued an imperial edict, using the pretext of summoning you to the palace as an embroiderer to grant you permission to return to the capital. When the right time comes, I will issue another edict bestowing your marriage. But from now on, you must behave peacefully in the palace. Do not engage in any crooked schemes. Otherwise, I will not only make you leave the capital but may even… take your life.”

Full of威慑!

These words made Ji Wanxin’s eyes involuntarily tremble, and she pressed her lips tightly together.

Then—

She lowered her head and said, “Yes, this commoner woman… understands.”

“It’s best if you understand. I don’t wish to say more.” Wei Yi waved his sleeve and called someone in. “Take her to the Fangjin Bureau.”

“Yes.”

A eunuch led her out.

Ji Wanxin bowed and withdrew. After going out, she couldn’t help but look back.

The man in the pavilion was truly no longer the Wei Yi of before.

It was as if she didn’t recognize him at all.

Extremely strange.

She could even feel that the man now high above, wearing dragon robes, was very dangerous!

So dangerous that he wouldn’t allow others to approach.

Seeing her standing motionless—

“Miss, please come with this servant quickly.” The eunuch urged.

She came back to her senses and immediately withdrew her gaze, lowering her head. “Yes.”

The eunuch also looked at her several more times. After all, this woman was truly beautiful—not just beautiful, but like a celestial fairy. In all his years in the palace, he had never seen such a beautiful woman. But to be just a palace maid was truly a waste.

The two left.

In the pavilion.

Shen Changqin said, “This subject thanks Your Majesty for your great grace.”

“You don’t need to thank me. You handle matters for me, so naturally I should fulfill your heart’s desire.”

“Handling matters for Your Majesty is what this subject should do.”

Wei Yi curved his lips. “I still must remind you—that Second Miss Ji is ultimately just a beautiful face. What lies beneath that skin, no one can determine. So Lord Shen, you must look carefully and clearly. Don’t say later that I didn’t warn you.”

Huh?

Shen Changqin didn’t quite understand the meaning!

But he still gave thanks.

Wei Yi suddenly smiled again, with a self-deprecating feeling. He took a deep breath and turned to walk to the pavilion’s edge. Looking up at the clear blue sky, he said, “Although I say this to you, actually you and I… are the same kind of person!”

His voice was extremely soft!

Shen Changqin seemed not to have heard, but still obediently waited there without moving.

Wei Yi pondered for a long while, his face showing melancholy, his eyes slightly somber. He asked, “Recently, what has Lord Ji been doing?”

“Still investigating the case.”

“Case?” Wei Yi was puzzled. Turning around, he asked, “What case?”

“That case at the Yu household.”

“Wasn’t it already closed?”

“But Lord Ji said the evidence was insufficient, and moreover, the murderer is not Yu Wang. After investigation, it was determined that the murderer should be among those craftsmen who renovated the Yu household back then.”

Wei Yi frowned. “So you’re saying this also involves the Ministry of Works?”

Shen Changqin replied, “Yes.”

Wei Yi thought for a moment and instructed, “If that’s the case, then let Lord Ji continue the investigation. Convey my decree—the Ministry of Works must cooperate with Lord Ji in investigating the case. If anyone refuses to cooperate, they shall be executed without mercy. Once the murderer is found, they must be severely punished.”

“Yes, this subject obeys the decree.”

After a moment.

Wei Yi’s brow furrowed, and he said again, “Now Prince Rong has already begun collecting evidence, preparing to impeach those officials I promoted. Although I know they have major problems, Lord Shen, they are my people. You should know what to do, right?”

“This subject knows.”

Wei Yi said “mm” and sat down!

His face was somber. “Alright, you may withdraw.” Shen Changqin bowed. “This subject takes his leave.”