A cool breeze swept through the path, lifting the hem of Ji Bozhai's robe slightly.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled. "Though Magnolia Green Fabric is rare, it's hardly a unique treasure in this world. My lord has already investigated the cloth shops, and now you wish to inspect Prince Gong's rewards as well?"
"Forgive my intrusion, Lord Ji," Zhao Si Pan clasped his hands. "Had it not been for a new witness, I would never have troubled you."
"Oh?"
"Zhang Tai, a dancing girl from the Music Bureau, suddenly accused Xu Lan, the bureau's internal affairs steward, of bending the law for personal gain today. She also revealed some other matters." Zhao Si Pan smirked meaningfully. "For instance, on the day Prince Ping was murdered, the Ming Guniang by your side did indeed attend the banquet. And that Magnolia Green dress—it was hers."
Ji Bozhai's eyelid twitched.
Hadn't Zhang Tai been staying at his residence? He'd specifically instructed Buxiu to keep an eye on her. How could she have suddenly gone out to accuse Xu Lan? This would bring her no benefit—she'd only be punished alongside him.
Bribed? Unlikely. A pregnant woman wouldn't risk her life for money.
Then why?
His mind raced, but his expression remained unreadable. "I don't understand what you're implying, Adjudicator Zhao. If the case has reached a conclusion, kindly report it to Da Si and summon me officially."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode forward.
Zhao Si Pan called after him, "Does Lord Ji have a guilty conscience?"
Ridiculous. What did he have to feel guilty about? The investigation hadn't even scratched the surface yet—they still had to connect the Magnolia Green fabric to Prince Ping's death first.
Still... he thought irritably, with Zhang Tai's changed testimony, the Hall of Judgment now had grounds to summon Mingyi for questioning. If he protected her, he'd inevitably be implicated. But if he didn't, her delicate temperament might not withstand the harsh conditions of the Hall.
Lately, with the warmer weather, she'd been eating just one meal a day if the food didn't suit her taste. The plain fare at the Hall would be even worse. When hungry, she'd grow dizzy and weak-kneed, stumbling about with no one to lean on.
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became.
Shu Zhonglin had just exited the council chamber when he spotted Ji Bozhai ahead. Delighted, he hurried over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Tonight, let's go to Flower Full Tower—"
Before he could finish, a surge of violent Essence Power lashed out at him, fierce and unrelenting.
Shu Zhonglin nearly died of fright, hastily summoning his own Essence Power to evade the attack. He scrambled onto a high wall, trembling. "Bozhai! It's me!"
Ji Bozhai snapped back to reality, his face calm as if nothing had happened. "Why are you climbing so high?"
"Thanks to your 'generosity,'" Shu Zhonglin descended, heart still pounding. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
If it was nothing, why such fury? Shu Zhonglin wanted to ask but didn't dare, cautiously studying his expression. "So... are we still going to Flower Full Tower tonight?"
"Of course. We might even stay overnight."
Shu Zhonglin blinked in surprise. "Overnight? I thought you've been returning early lately to accompany Ming Guniang?"
Ji Bozhai scoffed lightly. "Who told you that?"
"Yan Xiao. He said you're quite taken with her—not only returning early every day but always bringing her little trinkets to amuse her." Shu Zhonglin sighed. "You've never treated any other girl like this before."
"He's talking nonsense."
"Huh?""I return early every day not for Mingyi's sake, and bringing trinkets is merely to amuse other women," Ji Bozhai said indifferently. "Mingyi has been at my residence for half a month already, and I've grown somewhat weary of her."
Shu Zhonglin was taken aback, his steps slowing as he watched Ji Bozhai's retreating figure. For some reason, he felt a fleeting sense of loneliness emanating from the man.
Why couldn't he keep anyone by his side for long?
But then Shu Zhonglin thought of Ji Bozhai's bright future and supreme status, and he understood. Heaven was always fair—granting him extraordinary talent in Essence Power meant taking something else away.
Ming Guniang was indeed captivating, but she was just a woman after all.
Quickening his pace, Shu Zhonglin caught up with Ji Bozhai, and the two walked side by side, chatting and laughing as they left the inner courtyard and headed toward the pleasure quarters.
Buxiu, having received his orders, silently departed from Ji Bozhai's carriage and returned alone to the residence.
He felt a pang of guilt—this matter was his responsibility. That day, when Granny Xun had distributed rewards, everyone had been in high spirits. Off duty, he had indulged in an extra drink or two, never expecting it would lead to negligence in the guest courtyard where Zhang Tai resided.
Yet he still couldn’t fathom it. The guest courtyard had maids and matrons keeping watch, and he himself had frequently visited to replenish supplies. By all accounts, Zhang Tai shouldn’t have suddenly gone mad and exposed the father of the child in her belly. What had prompted this abrupt accusation?
As his horse rounded a corner, Buxiu noticed crowds of people running back and forth on Erjiu Street, carrying buckets of water. The direction they were heading looked oddly familiar.
Startled, he quickly stopped a passerby and frowned. "What’s happening up ahead?"
The man wiped sweat from his brow and answered anxiously, "A fire—a huge one! It’s been burning for two hours already and only just started dying down. If you’ve got time, lend a hand, brother."
Buxiu was puzzled. The city strictly controlled fire hazards—how could a blaze break out in broad daylight, near official residences, and burn for so long?
Urging his horse closer, he tried to see which unfortunate household was affected. Then his eyes focused, and he realized—oh, it was the Ji residence.
The Ji residence!
With a jolt, Buxiu dismounted and rushed through the side gate into the compound.
Thick smoke billowed everywhere as maids and matrons frantically carried water to douse the flames. Even Granny Xun was covered in soot. Spotting him, she immediately grabbed his arm. "Quick, inform the master! Tell him to summon the Fire Suppression Division from the inner court—this fire’s too big for water alone. Any later, and the entire estate will be ashes!"
Buxiu nodded, dispatching someone to notify the master, then asked in confusion, "How did it start?"
"How should I know? We were peacefully having lunch when the Hall of Judgment suddenly sent someone to see Ming Guniang. To avoid suspicion, she took all the servants to the front courtyard. Then, out of nowhere, the storeroom in the back caught fire."
Granny Xun’s voice trembled with distress. "That storeroom was full of treasures! Now it’s all gone—not a single scrap left!"
Buxiu’s brow twitched at her words.
Unable to resist, he glanced toward the figure standing in the courtyard.
Dressed in a Peach Blossom Haze Phoenix Tail Dress, she held a Scattered Flower Scepter fan, positioned at the very edge of the crowd, gazing up at the roiling smoke in the sky.
The black smoke reflected in her eyes, so deep it seemed bottomless.As if sensing something, she turned her head and gave him a fleeting glance before revealing an expression of deep distress. She beckoned to him, saying, "Buxiu, come and greet this esteemed Adjudicator from the Hall of Judgment. Tell them, how much silver is our treasury worth!"
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