Jun Yichen fell asleep right beside Gu Ci without even touching his evening meal.
Early the next morning, everyone noticed that the Seventh Prince’s spirits and mood had improved markedly, and they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Over the past few days, the Seventh Prince had been like an active volcano on the verge of erupting, his moods dangerously volatile. Everyone around him had felt like a startled bird, walking on eggshells in constant dread.
Meanwhile, Zhang Heng, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, had developed a profound sense of admiration and respect for this previously obscure Seventh Prince during their joint investigation over the past few days.
He realized that despite his low birth, the Seventh Prince possessed extraordinary wisdom and insight. Throughout the proceedings, the prince had displayed a sharp intellect and decisive leadership that left onlookers marveling.
It became clear to Zhang Heng that this Seventh Prince was far from ordinary. He firmly believed that the prince was destined to secure a prominent place in the future of the Daqing Empire.
It was more than half a month before Gu Ci finally woke up. Although his wounds were mostly healed, he still could not move around freely to prevent the incisions from tearing and causing secondary damage.
Jun Yichen was assisting the Chief Justice with the aftermath of the case at the county government office when a subordinate rushed in to report that Gu Ci had regained consciousness. Throwing caution to the wind, Jun Yichen bolted through the door and rode at a frantic gallop all the way back to the inn. Yet, upon reaching Gu Ci’s doorway, he forced himself to grind to a halt. Striving to steady his racing heart, he slowly raised a hand and pushed the door open.
Inside, Gu Ci was propped up against the headboard, his complexion still terribly pale.
Grand Physician Li was in the midst of examining his bandages. Stepping lightly to the bedside, Jun Yichen asked with a raspy, tender voice, “A-Ci, how are you feeling?” His words carried an overflow of unconcealed heartache.
Seeing him arrive, Gu Ci struggled to sit up further, but Grand Physician Li quickly intervened. “Whoa now, Lord Gu, your injuries haven’t fully mended yet. You mustn’t move around.”
The sharp twinges of pain shooting from his chest and back made Gu Ci’s pale face look even more translucent.
Jun Yichen hurried forward to help him lie back down, had Grand Physician Li re-examine him to ensure everything was intact, and then dismissed the physician with peace of mind.
Breathing weakly, Gu Ci looked up with concern. “Your Highness, are you alright?”
At that, Jun Yichen grasped his hand, the corners of his eyes faintly rimmed with red as he rasped, “I’m fine, A-Ci. Thank you for saving me.”
Gu Ci smiled and squeezed his hand back. As their eyes met, the heavy atmosphere between them lifted, turning much lighter.
At that moment, a thought struck Gu Ci, and he asked, “Your Highness, how is the case proceeding? Has Liu Quan been captured?”
Jun Yichen let out a soft sigh, knowing all too well that A-Ci was never one to sit idle. To prevent him from making any sudden movements that might tear his wounds, Jun Yichen gently tucked Gu Ci’s hand back under the covers and smoothed the blanket around his shoulders.
Only then did he begin to recount the events of the time Gu Ci had spent unconscious, explaining everything from beginning to end.
Through the investigations conducted by himself and Supreme Court Justice Zhang Heng, it was confirmed that Liu Quan was indeed the culprit behind the dumping of bodies in the outskirts, but a mastermind lurked behind the scenes.
Furthermore, Liu Quan had not murdered Caiyu to avenge Yanniang, but rather because Caiyu had come into possession of evidence proving his involvement in the illicit salt trade.
As for the other female victims, they had simply been targeted and killed to cover up the truth of Caiyu’s murder.
According to Yanniang’s confession, Liu Quan answered to a powerful patron whom he referred to as his “lord.” This patron supplied Liu Quan with private salt, while Liu Quan utilized the logistical convenience of his tea plantation business to handle the transportation.
The two had conspired together to profit illicitly from the illegal salt trade.
Even the bodies of the victims had been smuggled out to the outskirts through the secret passage hidden within Yanniang’s room.
Listening to the narrative, a wave of sadness washed over Gu Ci. He had never imagined that human lives could mean so little to these people, treated as nothing more than disposable tools to bury the truth.
However, he quickly pivoted to another question. “The private salt trade? Investigating that is unlikely to be simple.”
Nodding in agreement, Jun Yichen shared their intended course of action. “Supreme Court Justice Zhang shares that view. He plans to wrap up this murder case for now, escorting Yanniang and Liu Quan’s family back to the capital as accomplices to await the Emperor’s final verdict.”
“As for the private salt trade, since Liu Quan remains at large, it is unwise to stir the waters too aggressively right now. Cases of this nature naturally tend to implicate a vast network of powerful figures.”
Gu Ci nodded in approval; that was precisely his sentiment as well. If Yanniang’s testimony was reliable, the figure backing Liu Quan was certainly not someone to be underestimated.
With the case concluded, it was time for Gu Ci and his party to return to the capital to report on their mission.
However, despite the recent improvements in Gu Ci’s physical condition, his injuries still required extended rest to ensure he could endure the strains and heavy jolting of a long journey.
Grand Physician Li strongly advised him to remain in bed for a few more days to avoid any secondary trauma to his body.
Yet Gu Ci was never one to lie quietly in bed. Being confined for weeks had already felt like a form of torture, and now that the return trip to the capital was finally within reach, staying behind was out of the question.
Being forced to remain here would be far more agonizing than death itself. He was aching to leave this place and head back to the capital, having been away for so long, he was starting to miss Uncle Zheng and the others.
Looking up at Jun Yichen with a pitiful, puppy-dog expression, Gu Ci reached out to tug and shake the prince’s sleeve gently. “Good Your Highness, please let me travel back with you! My injuries are practically all healed.”
Steeling his heart against the pathetic display, Jun Yichen put on a stern face and declared deliberately, “On this matter, there is no room for discussion!”
That was what he said, but when it actually came to hardening his heart against Gu Ci, he still lacked the cruelty to follow through.
When the day to depart Kang County finally arrived, Gu Ci stood by the window early in the morning looking thoroughly dejected. Watching everyone else busy packing their bags only deepened his gloomy mood.
As Jun Yichen walked into the room and caught sight of his lifeless, drooping expression, a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. With a knowing smile, he asked, “Why aren’t you packing your things?”
Gu Ci froze for a second, as if he hadn’t processed the words, then looked up in disbelief. “Are you saying I.” Jun Yichen nodded with a smile.
With a sudden bound, Gu Ci leaped right out of bed, but the moment his feet hit the floor, a piercing wrench in his chest caused him to gasp sharply. Catching himself, he quickly straightened up, flashed a bright smile, and waved dismissively as he put on a nonchalant front. “I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt at all!” Noticing Jun Yichen’s lingering look of worry, he hastily added, “Really, it doesn’t hurt. I’m completely better.”
Without a word, Jun Yichen walked over with a dark expression and gently unbuttoned Gu Ci’s undergarment. Just as he suspected, pale pink and crimson stains were already seeping through the bandages. His wound had split open again.