Chapter 48 – The Case of Lin Capital (2/2)
A question, an answer; the conversation flowed without a hitch!
Jing Rong’s expression became solemn as he emitted a faint “Hmm” while passing the book to Ji Yunshu.
“In that case, I am giving you three days time to get familiarized with the contents of this book. In two days, I will be waiting for you at Grand Canal Manor on the west side of the city.”
This was the first time Ji Yunshu had seen such a serious expression on Jing Rong’s face. His gaze contained mystery and a hint of anxiety, causing others to feel anxious too!
She reached out to receive the book and asked in a soft voice. “Why?”
Jing Rong maintained his solemness. “After you have familiarized yourself with the contents, I will tell you.”
Yet Ji Yunshu seemed as if she was born this clever. With suspicion in her heart, she asked, “Does it have anything to do with… the case of those 72 corpses Your Highness mentioned?”
His expression crumpled slightly! He had to admit, Ji Yunshu was too smart! At the same time, this only went to prove that he hadn’t found the wrong person!
But…
“This matter is of grave importance. I cannot tell you everything right now, but the one thing I can, is that the reason I have left the capital for half a year is for this matter.”
Ever since the founding of the empire of the Great Lin, whenever imperial princes received their titles, no land would be bestowed to them. The place that they lived in was usually a mansion in the capital. One reason for this was so that their father would be able to better keep an eye on them. Another reason was to stop them from raising their own private forces and rebelling.
Thus, for an Imperial Prince to leave the capital was a large matter. This was because it raised the risk of said Prince raising his own troops in rebellion or defecting to another country and using those troops to seize power!
Emperors were always prone to suspicion and paranoia. It was an illness that all monarchs share from time immemorial.
Because of this, the current Emperor of the Great Lin dynasty, Qi Zhen Emperor, issued a decree declaring that any Imperial Princes that left the capital had to report their whereabouts every three days. The moment there was any delay, it would immediately be assumed that they had the intention to rebel!
And those five burnt bodies just so happened to be the people Jing Rong had sent to report to the capital. Yet he hadn’t expected them to be assassinated halfway!
For Jing Rong to have left the capital, and for half a year no less, really caused many people to feel surprised. It could be inferred from this how major this “Lin’s Capital Case” was!
Ji Yunshu nodded, and didn’t continue to question him. “Yes, this humble one will closely analyze the contents in this book.”
Her obedience sent a warm glow through Jing Rong.
Dropping his stern countenance, he smiled warmly. “Then I shouldn’t bother you any further. Have a good look, and we’ll meet two days from now, at dawn. Don’t be late.” Having said so, he left with a flick of his sleeves!
The study quietened down in an instant.
Ji Yunshu clutched the heavy book to her chest. The patterns on the book’s cover were like ripples on the surface of the water, the ups and downs seemingly reflecting the emotions fluctuating within her heart!
She gently placed the book down. ‘Better finish up the report, so I can go home and start on this book!’
Roughly in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, the report was finalized. It was laid out on the desk, the words on it delicate and orderly. This was the calligraphy skill she had honed over the greater half of a year since transmigrating here. It had taken her quite a bit of effort!
She didn’t wait for the magistrate to come in to collect it, instead simply carrying the book as she left the yamen.
On the way back she was quite distracted. Suyun kept occupying her thoughts. A perfectly fine woman, yet for the sake of her lover, she hadn’t feared dying!
Ji Yunshu didn’t understand that kind of love.
At least as of right now, she hasn’t met that someone who she would be willing to sacrifice her life to protect.
She remained distracted by her train of thought until it got disrupted after reaching the Ji Mansion.
Upon opening the door to her courtyard, she could hear the sounds of objects being smashed!
Four or five servants were holding sticks and using them to smash the flower pots in her courtyard. The ground was littered with shards of pottery and upturned dirt. Torn and tattered pieces of vegetation were scattered everywhere.
“Please stop smashing, Third Young Master. I’m begging you please don’t smash those. These were all carefully cultivated by the Young Miss. Please Third Young Master, don’t smash those!” Luan’er’s choked sobs made their way to Ji Yunshu’s ears.
1. An emoji, like this: (~.~|||), used to express exasperation.