Since this was something she overheard from the maidservants, she couldn’t ascertain the truth of the matter because, besides Lang Po and Lu Jiang, everyone else was kept away from his courtyard since yesterday.
It was only at the hour of the rooster that Jing Rong reappeared again, back to his old self, outstanding and heroic, not a trace of last night’s drunkenness could be seen.
He came over only to notify her. “Imperial Father had prepared a banquet tonight. The ministers and officials would be present. You are invited, go prepare.”
“Huh?”
He quickly left without waiting for her response. Ji Yunshu wasn’t stupid. She was aware that her words yesterday had made him sad and uncomfortable the whole night. How could she not understand his feelings?
On the way and all the while until the horse carriage entered the palace, both of them maintained a certain distance, not talking to each other. In the end, Ji Yunshu took the initiative to break the silence. “Your Highness, are you planning to ask Miss Kong Yu’s hand in front of all before the Emperor’s announcement?”
“Isn’t that the only way? Besides, isn’t that what you want?” His tone stayed neutral as he spoke with rhetorics.
Ji Yunshu balled her hands into fists under her sleeve. She couldn’t retort and didn’t feel like arguing with him. A heavy silence sank in.
This time, the banquet was held at Moon Gazing Terrace, which was a square building completely opened on one side, convenient for people to enter and exit. The other three sides were enclosed with low railings. The design inside incorporated around seven or eight similar pavilions next to each other, separated between them by curtains of muslin hung from the ceiling. A well-thought setting since the final result made it possible to retain the intimacy in each pavilion despite their proximity and open access in-between.
Ji Yunshu sat inside the leftmost pavilion, but when she turned back, there was no sight of Jing Rong. She inquired, “Where is his Highness?”
“Milord had a matter to attend. He had me look after you.”
Her mind caught on his meaning. He must be using this time to find Kong Yu at Shaoxin hall. Fortunately, the banquet hadn’t started yet. As soon as she raised her eyes, she, unfortunately, crossed eyes with the one who she shouldn’t be looking at – Jing Yi.
He sat across her, a polite smile and a slight nod greeted her. Afterward, he got up and came to her.
Ji Yunshu was forced to get up and greeted him. “Paying my respect to Prince Yi.”
“No need to be polite, Teacher Ji. Please sit!” Jing Yi wasn’t reluctant to approach her. He directly sat in the pavilion that was prepared for Jing Rong, and looked at his surroundings.
“Have you seen Prince Rong?”
Lang Po replied, “His Highness will arrive in a moment.”
“Really! Teacher Ji is already here. How can he be late?” He said with a smile plastered on his face. His features were handsome, an undeniable fact, but his black heart and viciousness made him repulsive. His sight switched to Ji Yunshu. “I still haven’t congratulated you for solving the missing girls case. This Prince heard you were injured several times in order to investigate this case.”
“It’s only a small injury.”
“You have to take care of your safety. You can’t throw away your life just to solve a case. The investigation for the Lin Capital case still hasn’t started; It will be a pity if your final send-off has to be given.”
From his tone, it seemed as if he wanted Ji Yunshu to die soon. He was even more infuriated from failing twice to kill her.
1. Hour of the rooster = 5-7pm