‘Ah!’ Her words were like an alarm rousing people from their sleep. Jing Yi contemplated the idea. Immediately, his mouth stretched into a smile. However, his tone remained heavy. “Imperial mother always knows how to consider everything thoroughly.”
“Wait until tomorrow. I’ll summon him into the palace and explore his intentions. If he is a greedy man, I will give him money and valuables. If he truly is corrupted, what fear do we have of him? I don’t believe that anyone in this world has no desire.”
In the future, when Concubine Xiao discovered Ji Yunshu’s nature, she would wish to strongly slap herself a few times. However, at this moment, how could she ever dream that Ji Yunshu’s greediness only reached the level of having enough food and warm clothes. Now that Luan’er was no longer amongst the living, Ji Yunshu could even content herself with a bowl of congee. As for yearning to climb the ladder of officialdom, don’t even mention it. Concubine Xiao was extremely confident in taking a hold of that high-quality jade that was Ji Yunshu, but that dream would forever remain a dream.
After they discussed for a while, Jing Yi noticed that it was getting late. He wanted to go to the imperial court and meet with his father since he already went into the palace and, as a “son”, he had to show the appropriate etiquette to demonstrate his filial piety.
Before he left, Concubine Xiao pulled him back to fix his clothes while saying, “Your imperial father’s mood is not good recently. The situation at the borders preoccupied him. After you meet him, be careful with your words and avoid provoking him.”
“Your son understands.”
“That’s right, didn’t your imperial father bestow you a golden canary last time? Did you raise it properly?”
‘Raise it?’ He already released it. However, he nodded at her question. “I have raised it well. The pet that imperial father had bestowed me cannot have any accidents.”
“It’s good that you understand.” Concubine Xiao’s slender fingers lightly brushed off her son’s shoulders. “Go now.”
Jing Yi clasped both hands and saluted before leaving. After he left Zhangzhi hall, a drizzle fell from the sky. A eunuch came forward while holding up an umbrella. However, Jing Yi suddenly waved his hand and slapped away the umbrella which fell to the ground.
Splash! The sudden gesture scared the eunuch who hurriedly kneeled on the spot and lied his upper body on the wet ground, not daring to utter a sound.
Jing Yi’s chilly gaze revealed an extreme unwillingness and a desire to revolt against the emperor’s authority. He had deep hatred, a hatred against his imperial father.
‘Giving me a golden canary? You are clearly insinuating that I’m only a golden canary that should stay inside his cage and forgo all attempts to win the crown prince’s position.’ His fists tightened for a moment before he slowly uncurled his fingers. Then, he flipped his sleeve and went towards the imperial court.
As for the eunuch, he remained prone on the ground for a long time after Prince Yi left before he dared to raise his head. ‘What is going on with Prince Yi today?’
‘Everyone knows that Prince Yi is gentle and treats people with leniency. He was known as a refined and cultured gentleman. Yet, why did he get so angry today? How strange!’
……
The horse carriage drove from the memorial hall to the Rong estate. The whole way, Jing Xuan leaned on the window to the point her head and body was almost extending out of the window. Her heart was crying as her feeling of nausea never left her and, with the bumpy ride, she felt even more unwell. Numerous times, she spat out her stomach’s content, but nothing but bile came out. Ji Yunshu was still sitting upright the whole time. She acted as if she did not see Jing Xuan, but she did not avoid the princess either.
Finally, as soon as they reached the Rong estate, Jing Xuan got out of the carriage and disappeared inside the estate like a wisp of smoke. She must be in a hurry to find a place to continue vomiting.
Ji Yunshu and Jing Rong went together to the reception hall where Lang Po stood guard outside.
Jing Rong asked her, “What do you think about this case?”
“You are really asking me if I discovered some clues, right?”
“I never doubted your ability. Since I said I trust you, I will believe in you. You don’t need to question my trust in you.”
Ji Yunshu faintly replied, “Since you believe in me, I don’t see the harm in telling you that I don’t even have a clue. Currently, we can only wait for the capital governor to do his assigned tasks. In the case that nothing comes out, we should take a step back and think again. I don’t know what else to do.” After her words fell, she gave him a helpless smile.
“Perhaps we can only wait for the murderer to commit another crime.”