Chapter 105 Investigating the Truth of Luo Junhe’s Rescue

Chapter 105 Investigating the Truth Behind Saving Luo Junhe

Ji Yuntang pressed her red lips together, mulling over inwardly as her fingertips rubbed the tea bowl in her hand.

When he fell into the water, Luo Junhe was still so young. He must have been terrified. Grabbing a sachet as a lifeline, it's understandable he wouldn't let go.

And now, this sachet had become the most crucial piece of evidence.

"A He, do you still remember what that sachet looked like?"

Ji Yuntang didn't dare ask if he had kept it after all these years—it was such a long time ago.

But Luo Junhe said, "A Tang, I remember I brought that sachet to the Prince Ye's Mansion. It's in a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf in the Jinghong Courtyard. Go take a look and you'll see."

He was a man of deep loyalty and sentiment. Even if something was small and worthless, as long as it held meaning in his eyes, he would keep it well.

Ji Yuntang was overjoyed. She had originally planned to have Luo Junhe describe the sachet's pattern, fabric, and shape, then draw it herself and send someone to investigate.

To her surprise, Luo Junhe had saved her the trouble.

Ji Yuntang immediately went to the Jinghong Courtyard where Luo Junhe had previously stayed. Pushing open the door, she went straight to the bookshelf he had mentioned.

On the two-meter-tall nanmu bookshelf, many military and martial arts books were neatly arranged. Flipping open any one of them, they were still brand new, showing how much Luo Junhe cherished these books.

Ji Yuntang had read in novels about hidden compartments in ancient emperors' bookshelves, but she had never experienced one herself.

She reached in and felt around slowly behind the books.

Suddenly, a small raised round button caught her attention.

Ji Yuntang pressed it hard, and the wooden board behind the bookshelf suddenly opened. Looking up, she indeed saw an oval sachet shaped like an auspicious pouch inside.

The sachet was palm-sized, dark blue, sewn with gold thread and colored silk, and embroidered with exquisite patterns of flowers and birds. The craftsmanship was remarkable.

Ji Yuntang opened it and saw it was filled with nearly a dozen herbs, including galangal, patchouli, atractylodes, angelica, and vanilla.

These herbs were all used for calming the mind and relieving anxiety, and helped improve sleep.

Ji Yuntang took out the sachet and restored the hidden compartment to its original state.

Before she could figure out the sachet's owner, she decided not to share her suspicions with Luo Junhe to avoid worrying him needlessly.

Since this sachet came from the palace, the first person Ji Yuntang thought of to investigate was Luo Qingge.

Ji Yuntang returned to the West Yard and said she had to go out on business before taking a carriage toward the palace.

She sent a visiting card to Luo Qingge.

When Luo Qingge received the card from Linglan, she thought she was dreaming.

"Linglan, is this really a card from Third Sister-in-law? You're not messing with me because you know I miss her after the palace banquet, are you?"

Linglan was amused. Their Ninth Princess was great in every way, but sometimes she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Think about it—how would a servant ever dare to trick Luo Qingge?

"My Ninth Princess, how would I dare tease you? This was just sent by Princess Ye. The eunuch at De'an Gate said that Her Highness, Princess Ye is now waiting at the palace gate. As long as you give the order, she can come see you immediately."

"Then what are we waiting for? Quickly invite my Third Sister-in-law in!"

After saying that, Luo Qingge immediately changed her mind. "Forget it, I'll go invite her myself."

Ji Yuntang hadn't been waiting long at the palace gate when she saw a girl in a red dress flying toward her like a butterfly.

She threw her arms around Ji Yuntang in a big hug.

"Third Sister-in-law, a day apart feels like three years, but an hour apart? That just feels like an hour! I saw you just today, but I miss you like crazy!"

"Is that why you came back to the palace to see me?"

The girl's eyes sparkled like stars, staring at Ji Yuntang with such earnestness that it melted her heart.

"Of course. I miss Qingge too."

Ji Yuntang smiled lightly and reached out to affectionately ruffle Luo Qingge's hair. Seeing the girl's mischievous expression lifted her gloomy mood.

But as fond as she was, she hadn't forgotten why she came today.

"Qingge, I came today because I need you to help me with something."

Hearing this, Luo Qingge realized Ji Yuntang might have something important to discuss. She immediately took her hand and led her into the palace.

"Third Sister-in-law, this isn't the right place to talk. Come with me."

Luo Qingge brought Ji Yuntang to her Feiyue Palace and had Linglan bring out fine pastries and tea for her.

Luo Qingge dismissed the others. "All of you leave. Without my permission, no one is allowed in!"

"Yes, Princess." The maids immediately obeyed, and Linglan even closed the door behind them.

Once everyone was gone, Ji Yuntang took a sachet from her sleeve and asked, "Qingge, do you recognize this pouch?"

Luo Qingge examined it for a moment, obviously confused.

"Third Sister-in-law, I don't recognize it. But based on the workmanship and fabric, it must be from the palace. How about I ask someone to check for you?"

Ji Yuntang was overjoyed. "That would be wonderful!"

"Qingge, this sachet is from eighteen years ago. Just help me find out which palace matron it belonged to."

Luo Qingge lifted her chin and pounded her chest confidently. "That's easy. Rest assured, leave it to me. I'll find out all its information!"

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly. "Then I'll be waiting for your good news, Qingge."

They didn't stay and chat long, since Ji Yuntang had other things to do, so she took her leave.

Luo Qingge walked her to the palace gate and didn't go back inside until the Prince Ye's carriage had vanished from sight.

Seeing her dejected look, Linglan teased her. "Ninth Princess, you look like a sweetheart seeing off her lover. Princess Ye only came to the palace for a day, and you're already reluctant to part. What will you do when you marry a prince in the future?"

"Hmph! What is a consort compared to a sister!"

"Good thing I'm not a man. If I were a man, I'd do everything in my power to marry my third sister-in-law. Then I'd be hers and hers alone, and make her the happiest woman alive."

At that thought, Luo Qingge started drooling.

"Slurp... drool..."

Linglan clapped a hand over her mouth. "Princess, you can't let the emperor and empress hear that. That's treasonous."

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