The next day, the capital governor arrived at the Rong estate and reported the results of the search in Lin mountain yesterday. He enumerated all the discoveries that were found, “I dispatched a great number of people for the search, but we found nearly nothing, unfortunately. The body was found at the foot of the mountain, near the main road. Thus, there were too many traces of horse carriages, countless footprints, and everything is a mess. Not to mention how impossible it is to search for clues on the main road itself. Another group was searching for any form of habitation or shed nearby and we only found an abandoned cottage. However, no one has used the place for a very long time and the surroundings have been reclaimed by the wilderness. The place didn’t seem to hide anyone recently. The victim couldn’t possibly escape from anywhere in the surroundings. Apart from those things, we didn’t discover anything else.” After he was done reporting, he sighed helplessly.
The trail was once again broken. The two-month investigation still ended up in a dead end. Ji Yunshu had some doubts. It was impossible not to find anything… The only explanation for this situation was the carelessness of the runners under the governor. After she considered a few points, she declared, “I’m going to Lin mountain.”
“Out of the question!” Jing Rong vetoed before adding, “Your body is not well. You can’t go there.”
“I’m very healthy!” Ji Yunshu retorted.
Jing Rong pulled her near him and spoke with a solemn expression, “It’s very humid on Lin mountain, even during July and August. Don’t forget that the wound on your face cannot be exposed to too much humidity or it won’t heal properly and be ruined.”
‘That’s right!’ She almost forgot about that. The doctor did mention a few recommendations like being forbidden to go to damp places as to avoid stopping the wound from healing or even possibly reopening it. “If I don’t go there myself, this case will end with cold trails.”
“Absolutely no way! Your safety is more important than anything else.” His words didn’t leave any room for argument.
Ji Yunshu knew his temper. Still, she was about to argue when several palace eunuchs came in.
A eunuch approached them in small steps with his hands clasped in front of his abdomen. He spoke in a practiced tone, “This lowly one is paying his respect to Prince Rong. Her ladyship, Concubine Xiao, has passed the order to summon Teacher Ji immediately to the palace.”
……
At this moment, Jing Xuan was sitting inside a pavilion with her hands propping her chin. Her big eyes were watching the flowers growing in the garden. Lost in thought, the corner of her mouth curled up occasionally in an obvious bashful way. Next to her, her two maidservants were glancing at each other in puzzlement.
‘What is going here? Don’t tell me the princess has been possessed by a devil?’ Ever since she came back yesterday, Jing Xuan smiled like an idiot and sometimes her face would turn crimson and she became bashful, acting like a coquettish little girl.
Jing Xuan bit her lips and giggled quietly. Her shoulders shrank closer to her body as she showcased her shyness again as a feeling surged out. Further away from her, five palace maids were carrying some pastries while walking toward the main hall. Suddenly, Jing Xuan turned towards one of her servants and instructed, “Go and bring some pastries here.”
“Yes, Princess!” The palace maid hurriedly went towards the other five maids and said something to them. Finally, she came back empty-handed.
Jing Xuan asked, “Where are the pastries?”
“Princess, they said that the pastries are to be brought to the main hall.”
After hearing the reply, how could she restrain herself? Jing Xuan hit the stone table. “Such courage! This Princess wants to eat, but they didn’t give?”
The maid hurriedly lowered her head and explained, “They said that they are expecting the arrival of a noble guest. Thus, her Ladyship had ordered them to prepare the best pastries.”
“A noble guest? Who?”
“I heard them say that it is Teacher Ji.” Once the answer was said, Jing Xuan immediately smiled bashfully and became extremely excited.