Early the next morning
Just as Ji Yingying had eaten and drunk her fill, her father dragged his sleepless body over.
[Well, well, did my dad go thieving last night? Why does it look like he has such heavy dark circles? This doesn’t look like he went thieving—more like he battled three hundred rounds.]
“Ahem…” Ji Cailiang was once again angered by his daughter’s unrestrained thoughts, yet he couldn’t say anything.
“Daughter, do you remember who it was you saved yesterday?”
Of course, Ji Yingying knew, but she didn’t dare admit it and instead politely asked, “Father, who was that person? Did he bring disaster upon our family?”
“No, that was the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince said that once he recovers from his injuries, he wants you to assist in solving the counterfeit silver case.”
[What? The counterfeit silver case? No, no, this case involves too many people. One wrong move and I could be beheaded or hunted down. How can I possibly solve this case?]
My dear daughter, you know this case has far-reaching implications, so why don’t you stop these wild thoughts? If you didn’t think so wildly, would there be so many complications?
“Father, your daughter is untalented. I haven’t even read any books—how could I possibly investigate a case?”
“My child, you were personally chosen by the Crown Prince. There’s no need to be modest. The Crown Prince said that if the case is solved, there will be a substantial reward.”
Hearing the words “substantial reward,” Ji Yingying’s eyes lit up. Ever since she was reborn into this world, aside from eating the melons in the estate, she hadn’t even been allowed to step outside.
The only way she knew about the outside world was through her father’s study. But if… she could go out!
[Hehe, if I get titled as a County Princess or even a County Lady, then I could go out and stroll around. Who knows, I might even get to taste bigger melons. As for the counterfeit silver case, it shouldn’t be too hard to solve. After all, I’m a university student—solving a case is as easy as splashing water…]
Ji Cailiang listened to her thoughts and couldn’t help but wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
My good daughter, how dare you think so boldly?
“Father, where is the Crown Prince? I’d like to pay him a visit.”
“The Crown Prince is recuperating. Wait until he summons you before going.” Ji Cailiang didn’t want his daughter to meet the Crown Prince so soon. The longer he could delay it, the better.
“Alright.”
…………
“Your Highness.”
Ning Qingran’s An Yi came to report.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Prefect Liu went to a certain place after Your Highness disappeared. Moreover, our people discovered a hidden room in his residence.”
“Keep a close watch on him. Also, I will be staying here for the time being.”
“Yes.” Shortly after An Yi left, Ning Qingran heard: [What? The neighbor’s female dog gave birth, and the puppies actually belong to Squire Liu’s male dog? That male dog from Squire Liu’s household has slept with every female dog within a ten-mile radius and doesn’t have to take responsibility—exactly like Squire Liu himself.]
Following the voice, he found her perched on the wall. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed outside, yet she sat obediently on the wall.
[Those poor dogs. I wonder if it’s too late for me to perform a neutering surgery on Squire Liu’s dog now? Such beautiful dogs being bullied by that scoundrel—no, that scoundrel of a dog—it really breaks my heart.]
“Third Miss Ji.”
A sudden voice interrupted Ji Yingying’s inner thoughts. She turned her head abruptly and saw Ning Qingran standing below the high wall, startling her so much she nearly lost her balance.
“Oh, the Crown Prince. I didn’t expect him to be able to walk around today despite such severe injuries yesterday. But then again, his injuries aren’t as serious as the poison in his body—the poison is the most critical issue.”
“I never thought the Crown Prince’s constitution would be so strong. He’s been poisoned for seven or eight years, yet he’s still holding on.”
“As expected, the strong are truly strong, while I’m just weak. If I were afflicted with such a deadly poison, I’d first kill the person responsible and then commit suicide—since there’s no cure anyway.”
Hearing Ji Yingying’s words, the hand hidden in his sleeve clenched slightly. Was there really no cure for him?
Indeed, over the years, he had sought out renowned physicians from across the land, yet no one knew how to detoxify him.
But Ji Yingying was right—before he died, he would definitely kill the one who poisoned him and make them accompany him to the grave.
“Fortunately, I know how to detoxify him. This little poison is nothing. Hmm, I need to find an opportunity to mention it to the Crown Prince. This Crown Prince is quite a wise ruler. If the Second Prince or the Third Prince were to ascend the throne, the people would truly suffer, and even my loyal family might be killed.”
“No, for the sake of my own life, the Crown Prince must not die.”
Ji Yingying tried to turn over and climb down but accidentally missed her footing and nearly fell. Luckily, she steadied herself in time, or she would have ended up flat on her face.
“Heh, haha…”
“Ah… that damned Crown Prince! I won’t save him after all. How dare he laugh at me? It doesn’t matter. Whoever ends up on the throne, I’ll take my parents, eldest brother, and second brother and flee. We definitely won’t starve to death.”
Ahem… Third Young Lady, are you injured?
Ji Yingying, who had just climbed down, snorted coldly. Her ten-year-old face was round and flushed, utterly adorable.
“I’m fine. Are you the Crown Prince?”
“Yesterday, Ning Qingran—this Crown Prince—was all dirty, so I couldn’t see what he looked like. But now that I see him, he’s really handsome! If I could look at this face every day, it would even make meals more enjoyable. And at such a young age, he already has such sharp wits. Under his rule, the Tianyou Dynasty is sure to reach new heights.”
“It is I. Third Young Lady, have you heard from your father? In the coming days, you will assist me in investigating the counterfeit silver case.”
“I have. But, Your Highness, why would you use a young girl like me instead of my capable second brother?”
“Naturally, because I believe Third Young Lady is exceptionally talented and will surely solve the counterfeit silver case in a short time.”
“Haha, I knew it! I knew this Crown Prince was a wise ruler. Look, just look—he actually thinks I’m exceptionally talented! But from which eye did he see that I’m exceptionally talented?”
“Host, perhaps it’s because you remained calm and handled yesterday’s situation so well that he thinks you’re exceptionally talented.”
This was the first time Ning Qingran had heard the system Xiangxiang’s voice.
“That’s true. Who am I? I’m a proud university student! My mentor once said that if I entered society, I could definitely bring prosperity to any company. It’s a pity that after graduation, I’m still stuck at school.”
Crown Prince: …………
“Thank you, Your Highness. How is Your Highness’s health? To be honest, I know how to take pulses. Why not let this subject’s daughter examine you?”
“Very well.” Ning Qingran extended his hand for her to check his pulse.
“Hehe, the Crown Prince’s hand is so beautiful! Long, slender fingers, distinct bones—what a fine hand, truly a fine hand!”
Though inwardly swooning to the extreme, Ning Qingran showed no trace of it on his face as he gave a light cough.
Ji Yingying immediately took his pulse and said, “Your Highness has been poisoned with Frostbite. This poison causes cold extremities and gradually leads to loss of sensation and death. Additionally, you have Thousand-Day Drunk in your system, a toxin that induces prolonged unconsciousness leading to death in one’s sleep. Yet these two poisons happen to counteract each other within your body, which is why you frequently suffer discomfort and spit blood.”
“However, without an antidote, you likely won’t survive past next year.”