Soon after, Dou Quan returned to the capital and reported the contents of the Imperial Edict to Jing Yi. His Majesty has already changed the edict; whats written on it now summons Prince Rong back to the capital immediately.

What? Jing Yi was aghast. Summon Jing Rong back to the capital?

This undoubtedly wasnt even the greatest threat. He never could have imagined that the Emperor would actually issue a decree like this. As expected, the incident where the ministers had put him forward as Crown Prince, truly made the Emperor anxious.

Dou Quan asked, Your Highness, what should we do now?

His eyes were filled with killing intent as he spoke ruthlessly, Seems like we must start planning now. In any case, Jing Rong cannot be allowed to return to the capital. I will stop him with any means I have, and if it means that he must be killed, this prince will not hesitate either.

Yes.

Wait.

Does Your Highness have other instructions?

That idiot that was always with Teacher Ji - he didnt go to Yufu, did he?

Thats right. He is in Jinjiang now.

Jing Yis eyes suddenly gleamed with malicious intent, as if he wanted to overthrow the heavens. Send someone to Jinjiang and capture that idiot for this prince. If we cant prevent Jing Rong from entering the capital, we can then use that idiot as a chess piece. What a brilliant stroke!

After Dou Quan received his orders, he didnt dare to delay and immediately left.

Within the capital, the undercurrents started churning as an invisible shadow war slowly started.

In Jinjiang.

Ever since Liu Qingping was reinstated as county magistrate, there hasnt been a single case of homicide in the entire Jinjiang county. It was so peaceful that the yamen was quiet and even the yamen runners that usually guarded the door were taking a nap.

Wang San and Wei Wu sat on the doorsteps of the yamen main gates, sighing deeply. Im so bored. Its been so boring lately.

Yeah. Anyways, ever since Teacher Ji left, its not just the yamen but the entire Jinjiang has become so cold and cheerless. In the past, we always complained about being busy, running here and there with Teacher Ji. If there wasnt someone that died here, there would be a corpse discovered elsewhere. But then at least the two of us could still learn a little something as we followed Teacher Ji around. Now that we are idle with nothing to do all day long and have plenty of leisure time, it just feels like were missing a little something.

Same here. Wei Wu said, When I passed by the autopsy room yesterday, I went in to take a look. You know, cobwebs have even started growing inside!

Haiz The two of them spent every day moaning and groaning outside the yamen.

Suddenly, a dong sounded. Someone was hitting on the drum! Their eyes immediately brightened and they scrambled upright, going out to greet the visitor joyfully. Haha, finally someone has come to strike the drum and air their grievances!

However, the person that had come wasnt someone wanting to redress grievances, but Wei Yi. He hugged the drumstick and stood in front of the large drum. This scene was rather familiar.

Wei Yi directed a wide smile at them. That smile was so bright and refreshing it felt like the sun in late summer.

Young Master Wei? Why have you come? Wang San asked.

He sketched out a deep bow and replied, Im here to borrow books from Magistrate Liu.

Borrow books? Wei Wu and Wang San looked at each other and chuckled, then asked teasingly, Young Master Wei, I thought you cant read? Even if you came to borrow books, would you be able to understand them?

You dont even know the Three Character Classic, dont you? [1]

The books in our Magistrate Lius study are very profound. In the past, even Teacher Ji found them difficult to read; I think you better forget it.

Do you want me to find a few childrens books for you?

The two of them didnt actually intend to mock him.

Wei Yi thought that the two men were very interesting. The grin on his face widened as he ignored them and directly walked into the yamen.

Wei Wu and Wang San scratched their heads and exchanged glances. They muttered in puzzlement, Why does Young Master Wei seem like a totally different person?

I think so too. But what had actually changed? They couldnt make heads or tails of it.

Liu Qingping was dressed in everyday clothes, holding a birdcage and teasing the bird inside. That bird likely had become annoyed at his teasing - it kept chirping angrily as it beat its wings against the bars of the cage and hopped up and down.

Look at you, this official feeds you so much food everyday, why would you just not grow fat?

Chirp chirp!

Of all the birds, only you are so lively.

Chrip chirp! The louder the bird called out, the happier Liu Qingping was - it signified how healthy the bird was.

Magistrate Liu. Wei Yi came in.

Liu Qingping put down the cage, surprised. Young Master Wei, why have you come?

Wei Yi drew out a piece of paper he had prepared earlier from his sleeve and passed it to him. Im here to borrow books from you. Here is a list of the books Id like to borrow.

Borrow books? Liu Qingpings face had an expression that was exactly the same as the yamen runners outside. Puzzled, he unfolded the piece of paper that was stuffed in his hand to find a list of almost ten books. Liu Qingpings eyes widened immediately. Young Master Wei, these are some very profound books. Even this official might not fully understand them. Are you sure that these are the books you want to borrow?

Wei Yi nodded. Everyone says that Magistrate Lius study has every book you might want, and with Magistrate Lius bellyful of wisdom, you must have collected quite a few good books. Thats why I came to try my luck, to see if I could borrow these books. I want to be like you as well, to read thousands of books and become a wise person.

Wei Yis compliments were certainly thorough. They were also delivered in a clear and leisurely manner.

Liu Qingping always loved it when people complimented him, especially if it were unrestrained praise. He grinned from ear to ear. Haha, Young Master Wei, its been just a few days since I last saw you. Your tongue has gotten a lot more nimble!

Pfft. So long as youre happy. Wei Yi smiled without replying.

I have all the books that youre looking for. Come with me to my study and Ill find them all for you.

Many thanks, Magistrate Liu.

Liu Qingping laughed giddily as he leaned forward. Ah, why are you thanking me? You and Yunshu are betrothed, so youre a family. This official and Yunshu are also a family, so were all one big family.

Who is family with you? How shameless! When Wei Yi heard the words 'betrothed, his chest gave a sudden clench, but he didnt reflect it on his face.

The two of them went into the study and Liu Qingping spared no effort to find the books for him. He brought over a ladder and climbed up and down enthusiastically. Right, Young Master Wei, are you really going to read these books yourself?

Mn.

Why does this official have the impression that you couldnt read in the past? Did this official remember wrongly?

Liu Qingping shuffled and flipped the books on the shelf as he spoke, but received no reply from Wei Yi. He turned around with a few books in hand and saw Wei Yi standing in front of his desk, looking tenderly at an open book on the desk.

There were a few words written delicately on that little book.

Yunshus Record

[1] This is possibly also a pun. 'Three Character Classic' is also slang for cursewords lol.