Chapter 608 Unrequited Affection

Chapter 608: Reading Too Much Into It

Ji Yuntang frowned. "What do you mean, Shopkeeper?"

The shopkeeper said, "Miss, you probably don't know this, but Zhang Laojiu's family was wiped out three years ago. The whole family of nine was killed in a single night!"

"Who knows what enemies they'd made, but there wasn't a single survivor."

"That incident cast a shadow over the hearts of all us locksmith families. For a long time after that, no one dared to make hanging locks, for fear of bringing disaster down on their whole families."

Ji Yuntang's brow furrowed even tighter. She asked, "Do you remember about when the Zhang Laojiu family massacre happened, Shopkeeper?"

The shopkeeper thought for a moment, then told her, "If I remember right, it was in the summer—around mid-June, I think."

Ji Yuntang was a little taken aback. She remembered Luo Junhe mentioning that the private salt case at the villa had also happened in mid-June.

Her gut told her that the death of the locksmith Zhang Laojiu was absolutely connected to the salt case.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that both happened in June of the same year, three years ago?

Now that the man was dead, there was no way for her to continue the investigation.

The culprit had probably anticipated Luo Junhe would investigate, so they'd blocked off all their escape routes.

In other words, the lead they'd worked so hard to find had just gone cold here.

After thanking the shopkeeper, Ji Yuntang walked out of the locksmith shop, hanging lock in hand.

She told Luo Junhe everything she'd just learned. "The other side probably saw this coming, so they made thorough preparations in advance and got rid of everyone connected to the case."

Luo Junhe's face turned grim. If that was the case, the culprit's identity would be even harder to uncover.

He knew plenty of people in the capital wanted him dead—people like Luo Jingshen and Consort Li, who made no secret of their hatred for him.

Luo Junhe couldn't help but start to wonder: could the person who framed him and the person who poisoned him be the same person?

Just then, Ji Yuntang suddenly cried out, "I've got it! The Zhang Laojiu massacre happened three years ago, and the Court of Judicial Review investigated it for a month before wrapping it up. We can go to the Court of Judicial Review and pull the case files!"

"That way, wouldn't we be able to find out who the real culprit was?"

A massacre was a major case. Any case the authorities had investigated would have left behind clues and case files from the time.

And just now, Ji Yuntang had learned from the locksmith shopkeeper that the case had been handled by the Court of Judicial Review and closed properly at the time.

That meant the culprit had been caught.

Hearing her words, Luo Junhe also felt they needed to check the case files at the Court of Judicial Review.

No matter the outcome, one more lead meant one more chance to clear Anqi and Long Yin's names.

Chen Hu drove the carriage once more, bringing the two of them to the Court of Judicial Review. Ji Yuntang again had Luo Junhe stay in the carriage and wait for her.

She was familiar with Xu Muyan, the Vice Minister of the Court, which would make looking into the case easier.

Luo Junhe, of course, had no objection to that.

Ji Yuntang hopped down from the carriage. When the guards at the Court saw it was Princess Ye, they mistakenly assumed she was there to see Ji Huaiche and hurried over to bow.

"This subordinate greets Princess Ye. Please wait here a moment, and I'll go inside to announce you."

Ji Yuntang figured the guard knew she was there to see Xu Muyan. She didn't explain, just nodded in acknowledgment.

"Thanks, then."

Once the guard went inside, he immediately reported the matter to Ji Huaiche.

"Reporting to Heir Ji, Princess Ye is here to see you. She's waiting out front right now."

Ji Huaiche was in the middle of writing up a case analysis report. When he heard that, he froze completely, and the brush in his hand dropped onto the table.

He looked up at the guard and asked in disbelief, "What did you just say? Say that again."

The guard repeated, "Princess Ye has come to see you, Heir. She's waiting at the gate right now. Do you want to see her?"

Ji Huaiche was completely stunned. It took hearing it twice before he was sure that Ji Yuntang had come to see him.

Along with his shock came a little flicker of secret delight.

Last time, he and Ji Nanchuan had gone together to the Prince Ye's residence to ask Ji Yuntang to help save Ji Qingfeng, and she'd flat-out refused.

Could it be that she'd come to find him today because she'd realized she was wrong and come to apologize?

Otherwise, with her temper and personality, how could she possibly take the initiative to come see him?

The more Ji Huaiche thought about it, the more he was convinced his guess was right.

He'd crossed paths with Ji Yuntang so many times that he'd long since figured out she was someone strong-willed who never let herself get taken advantage of.

The servants at the Prince Ye's residence had splashed dog blood on Ji Nanchuan, and she was too embarrassed to go to the Marquis Yongning's residence to apologize to him directly, so she'd come to the Court of Judicial Review to find him instead.

With that thought, Ji Huaiche couldn't help but start picturing the scene.

When he met Ji Yuntang later, what kind of expression and attitude should he put on when facing her?

Being too easygoing wouldn't work—it would make him look weak.

Being too disdainful wouldn't work either—it would strain their relationship again.

He was still hoping Ji Yuntang would lend him a hand!

With that in mind, Ji Huaiche immediately ordered the guard, "What are you standing around for? Go bring Princess Ye in."

"Yes, Heir Ji." The guard nodded eagerly. But before he could step out the door, Ji Huaiche called him back. "Hold on."

The guard asked, confused, "Does the Heir have any other instructions?"

Ji Huaiche smoothed his sleeves and stood up, saying, "Never mind. I'll go myself."

After thinking it over, he felt it was better for him to go out and receive Ji Yuntang personally.

First, it would show her how sincere he was.

Second, it would let all those people outside who'd been cursing him see that Ji Yuntang had taken the initiative to come make peace with him.

Ji Huaiche was so pleased with himself that even his footsteps had a spring in them.

He walked out of the Court of Judicial Review and spotted Ji Yuntang at a glance, standing at the entrance with her back to him.

Ji Huaiche's heart leaped with joy. The guard hadn't lied to him—Ji Yuntang really was there, waiting obediently for him.

He straightened his official robe and ran a hand through his disheveled hair before stepping out.

Ji Huaiche walked up to Ji Yuntang, and his first words were:

"You came to see me, this heir—got something you want to say in private?"

When Ji Yuntang heard his voice and turned to see him, she frowned, clearly annoyed.

She was utterly baffled, wondering what kind of stunt Ji Huaiche was pulling now.

Ji Yuntang didn't bother to acknowledge him. She sidestepped a few steps, putting two or three meters between them.

But as she moved, Ji Huaiche tagged along like a shadow, moving with her every step.

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