The weather had already cooled considerably this season, especially sitting in such an open pavilion. Yet Yu Jin felt the temperature inside seemed higher than outside, and he tugged at his collar.

Hmm, if he were to loosen it a bit for some air, would Jiang Si misunderstand his intentions as lecherous…

Of course, he didn’t dare to loosen his clothes. Still, it was a rare chance to be alone, so saying a few more words wouldn’t hurt. Yu Jin racked his brains and managed to squeeze out a sentence: “With the coachman dead, we might not be able to uncover much.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yu Jin wanted to slap himself.

Wasn’t he just adding to Jiang Si’s worries by saying such things?

Jiang Si was relieved that Yu Jin was, for once, focusing on the matter at hand instead of rambling about nonsense. She nodded slightly and said, “I know.”

The coachman’s choice to commit suicide surely meant he knew he couldn’t escape punishment, so he took all the blame upon himself, hoping the mastermind behind it would take care of his family.

To thoroughly investigate a case, there’s an important prerequisite: the cooperation of the victim’s family.

For instance, in the case of the Marquis Yongchang’s manor, both the Marquis and his children were eager to find the real culprit who killed the Marchioness. All Magistrate Zhen had to do was determine the murderer based on the various clues obtained.

But the current situation was different.

The Zhu family didn’t want official involvement. With the coachman dead, if everyone in the household kept quiet, not only would Yu Jin be helpless, but even if Magistrate Zhen came, he would be at a loss.

It’s difficult for an upright official to settle family disputes, which is why many families resolve their internal conflicts privately under the leadership of the clan head, and why officials are reluctant to intervene proactively.

Fortunately, Jiang Si hadn’t expected to uncover the truth from the coachman anyway. Her decision to report to the authorities was to make the incident public, bringing it out into the open. This way, whoever was behind it would have to think twice before plotting against her elder sister in the short term. Even if she couldn’t prevent the “secret liaison” incident from happening, at least they would have some power to counterattack when the time came.

Having experienced the sudden deaths of the Marquis and Marchioness Yongchang, Jiang Si knew deeply that knowing some future events didn’t mean omnipotence. Those events could very likely change due to her interventions.

“What I want to tell you isn’t about the Zhu family,” she said.

Yu Jin unconsciously sat up straight, his heart pounding.

He felt that what Jiang Si was about to say was very important. Could it be that after this period of coldness, Jiang Si had finally come around?

As Yu Jin’s mind raced with speculation, already imagining what name they should give their first child, his face remained serious: “What does Miss Jiang wish to tell me?”

Jiang Si couldn’t help but tug at the corner of her lips, thinking to herself that if Yu Seven could always maintain this attitude unrelated to romance, the two of them could have a proper conversation.

Yu Jin, being highly perceptive, immediately noticed Jiang Si’s show of goodwill and suddenly became nervous.

It wasn’t just his imagination; Jiang Si’s attitude towards him had indeed softened.

What should he do? If Jiang Si were to express her favor towards him, should he reveal his true identity?

Keeping it from her all this time was certainly wrong, but what if his princely status scared her away?

As Yu Jin was struggling with this dilemma, he heard Jiang Si say, “Today at Baiyun Temple, I accidentally overheard two men talking about plotting against you…”

Seeing Yu Jin’s strange expression, Jiang Si paused and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Jin let out a long internal sigh, suppressing the overwhelming sense of disappointment, and put on a faint smile: “And then?”

Jiang Si looked at him in surprise.

Hearing that someone was plotting against him, how could he be so nonchalant?

Of course, he was a prince. Anyone associated with the royal family grew up amidst schemes and plots. It wasn’t strange for him to be unmoved by such news.

Jiang Si decided to be straightforward: “They plan to use the beauty trap on you.”

Yu Jin suddenly laughed: “A beauty trap? How preposterous.”

Aren’t there few people in this world more handsome than him?

Moreover, he belonged to Jiang Si. If she were to use a beauty trap on him, he would be more than willing to cooperate. As for others…

Yu Jin let out a cold laugh.

Why couldn’t they just live well? Why did they insist on courting death?

Seeing Yu Jin’s dismissive attitude, Jiang Si couldn’t help but frown.

Yu Jin hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

Jiang Si glanced at him.

She had just thought he had reformed, but now he was at it again. What did he mean by telling her not to worry? What did she have to worry about? She was merely warning him out of goodwill. Even if she knew an ordinary friend was in danger, she would kindly warn them.

Miss Jiang explained to herself internally, then unexpectedly found herself gazing into his eyes, which seemed to flow like clear spring water.

At that moment, the pavilion fell silent, with only the faint rustling of wind through flowers and trees, and the steady breathing of the large dog.

From a distance, the pair in the pavilion looked like a perfect couple sitting opposite each other, with the large dog lying outside, lazily wagging its tail. It formed a harmonious scene of stillness and motion, so beautiful it softened one’s heart.

Jiang Ancheng watched intently, full of contentment.

He had always said that Si’er was well-matched with young Yu… Of course, the top scholar from Old Brother Zhen’s family was also excellent…

When his daughter had no connection with the young man he favored, Jiang Ancheng couldn’t wait to play matchmaker. Now that the two seemed to have some chemistry, this indecisive father began to waver again.

“They said they would find a woman who resembles the Holy Maiden to get close to you. In any case, you should be careful,” Jiang Si mentioned the Holy Maiden while observing Yu Jin’s reaction. Sure enough, she saw his eyes turn deep and unfathomable at the mention of “Holy Maiden,” changing from clear springs to an immeasurable cold pond.

Jiang Si lowered her gaze and stood up, silently walking towards the exit of the pavilion.

Ernui had been instructed to restrain his familiarity with Jiang Si in front of others. Now, seeing Jiang Si leave, he looked expectantly at Yu Jin, only to find his master lost in thought.

Ernui immediately became anxious.

If he wasn’t allowed to be close to her, and his master didn’t seize the opportunity either, forget about bringing the mistress home – his master wouldn’t even be able to attract those female counterparts that often approached Ernui but whom he disdained.

Ernui let out a dissatisfied bark.

Yu Jin suddenly came to his senses, realizing Jiang Si had already left the pavilion, and hurriedly chased after her.

The sudden mention of the “Holy Maiden” had inevitably set his mind racing.

Those two people must be familiar with affairs in the South, possibly even from there. But what was their purpose in trying to find a woman resembling the Holy Maiden to approach him?

The key question was, how would resembling the Holy Maiden make it easier to get close to him? It made no sense!

Wait a minute—resembling the Holy Maiden, doesn’t that mean…

Having realized this, Yu Jin felt a frustrating urge to bang his head against a wall.

Jiang Si had finally shown him some favor, and now she might have misunderstood something.

No, he had to explain!

The Seventh Prince Yu, following closely behind Jiang Si, was eager to speak, but with a group of people watching from not far away, he couldn’t find an opportunity to bring it up, despite having a thousand words to say.

“Young Master Yu, if you keep walking so close to me, others will think there’s something between us.”

Yu Jin wiped his face.

There was indeed something between them – a problem that urgently needed to be resolved!