Sulphur, papier-mache, rust
She introduced herself!
The halo of the Ji family's wife-born daughter was truly dazzling!
It would forever be synonymous with Ji Muqing's self-promotion.
Jing Yi looked at her from head to toe, as if sizing her up.
He had to admit, this woman was truly rich. Everything she wore, everything she wore was glittering silver!
Even the imperial concubines were not as extravagant as her.
Jing Yi couldn't help but frown. He was actually disgusted.
But …
For the sake of his own power and status, he could only endure the taste and swallow this pile of shit.
He smiled fakely, "So it's the young miss of the Ji family. This Prince has heard a few things about you."
"Your Highness knows of me?"
Her eyes brightened.
"Mm, everyone says that Miss Ji is generous and a model daughter of a noble family. Seeing you today, it seems to be true."
She lowered her head, feeling extremely bashful.
Jing Yi continued, "Jing Xuan is a bit crafty, but Miss Ji did not bicker with her. This is your generosity, please don't take it to heart. This Prince will teach her a lesson."
Hearing this, Ji Muqing immediately put on a kind face, saying, "I unintentionally picked the Princess's flower and angered her. I should be the one apologizing. Although the Princess hit me, it's pardonable."
You deserve it!
"Miss Ji is truly the most generous woman this Prince has ever seen."
She bowed, "Your Highness is too kind."
A faint smile hung on Jing Yi's lips the entire time.
He took the opportunity to take out a handkerchief from his sleeve and placed it in Ji Muqing's hand, saying with concern, "Miss Ji, you should hurry back to Chuxiu Palace and apply the medicine on your face."
She clutched the embroidered gray handkerchief in her hand, feeling her heart clench. She gently pressed the handkerchief against her burning face.
"Thank you, Prince Yi!"
"No need, this Prince still has matters to attend to, so I won't be seeing you off."
Jing Yi brushed his sleeves and left.
Ji Muqing's eyes were filled with admiration as she watched his silhouette. The Crown Prince, who was about to become her husband, was thrown to the back of her mind.
After returning to Chuxiu Palace, she locked herself in her room. When the palace maids applied the medicine on her face, she did not react, only staring coldly at the handkerchief Jing Yi gave her.
He was out of it!
She looked like a love-struck fool!
Perhaps, this was what people called love at first sight.
Of course, what happened in the Imperial Garden had also spread throughout Chuxiu Palace.
The girls gathered round and talked about her being slapped by the Princess.
"Serves you right!"
"Yes, that's right!"
Everyone covered their mouths and laughed happily.
He stared at the tightly shut door with extreme vigilance, afraid that Ji Muqing would suddenly rush out from inside!
If it was before, she would definitely rush out and fight them. But now, she didn't have the time to do so.
She stared at the handkerchief in a daze, her mind filled with images of Jing Yi.
A palace maid at the side whispered in her ear, "Miss, why don't you apply some medicine? Otherwise, my face will swell up. "
No response!
The palace maid retreated to the side.
Without her disturbance, the entire Chuxiu Palace became much quieter!
It was like the calm before the storm.
Outside the palace, it was like the calm before the storm.
In the past few days, Ji Yunshu had already drawn the portraits of two skeletons. After eliminating the corresponding names from the booklet, she ordered the two coffins to be buried.
Now, there were only 11 skeletons left!
At this rate, she was one step closer to the truth of the case.
Twisting her sore neck, she took a few glances outside and felt a little disappointed.
These days, Jing Rong didn't come to disturb her. Instead, he sent Lu Jiang to inform her that he was busy preparing for the Emperor's birthday gift. He often ran in and out of the palace, so he didn't come over and asked her to focus on drawing the portraits.
She had to admit that without Jing Rong by her side, she really felt uncomfortable.
Just as she retracted her gaze, a figure flashed in from outside. Like a gust of wind, he landed two meters away from her.
It turned out that Zijin had returned.
Ji Yunshu hurriedly asked, "How was it? Did Teacher Su return to Qujiang? "
She shook her head.
"He didn't go back?"
She shook her head again.
Ji Yunshu was confused by his words.
She walked around the table in front of her and approached Shi Zijin. She nervously asked, "Did he return safely? Or what? "
Shi Zijin didn't rush to answer. Instead, she took out something from her waist and handed it to Ji Yunshu.
It was Ji Pei's tassel!
Ji Yunshu paused for a moment before receiving it.
Shi Zijin explained, "I picked it up on the road. I chased after them all the way to Qujiang, but I couldn't catch up with Teacher Su's entourage. I asked around and heard that Teacher Su had already returned. I don't know anything else."
"So, he has safely returned to Qujiang?"
"It should be."
Then …
Why did he throw away the tassel?
Ji Yunshu pondered for a moment before saying, "I tied this tassel to his body, and he taught me how to tie the knot. Apart from him, no one else can untie it."
Shi Zijin continued her sentence, "Did he throw it himself?"
"I can't think of any other reason." She looked at the tassel in her hand and said, "But, this tassel was left to him by his father. He couldn't have thrown it away." She then asked Shi Zijin, "Are you sure that he has safely returned to Qujiang?"
"The people of Qujiang said so. He should have returned. That's why I came back."
Only then did Ji Yunshu nod in relief.
As long as he returned safely, it was enough.
She held the tassel in her hand, and the worry in her heart sank.
Her nose slightly wrinkled as if she smelled something. She looked at Shi Zijin and noticed a stain on her sleeve. As she moved her arm, it emitted a faint smell of sulfur and paper.
There was even the smell of rust!
Ji Yunshu asked her curiously, "Did you set off firecrackers?"
"No! I never play with firecrackers. "
"Then, where did the stain on your sleeve come from?"
Shi Zijin curiously pulled up her sleeve and looked at it. She thought for a moment and said, "I probably rubbed against it when I entered the city."
"Rubbed against it?"
"Yes. There were several carriages entering the capital today. They should be carrying fireworks and firecrackers," Shi Zijin explained.
'No wonder there's a smell of sulfur!'
Ji Yunshu didn't continue asking. She told Shi Zijin to freshen up and rest for the night.
After Shi Zijin left, Ji Yunshu put the tassel in a brocade box.
She closed it!
She thought that Su Ziluo had probably let go of everything in the past. Everything in the past was just a memory, so he threw the tassel away.
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