He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

As soon as Jiang Bingning landed, a heavy garment soaked in well water was draped over her head.

"Sizzle—"

The stinging sensation from the collision of water and fire emanated from the tips of my hair.

Before she could even react, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist.

The next instant, her feet left the ground and she was held tightly in someone's arms.

Jiang Bingning turned her head to the side and could only see a jaw with cold, hard lines.

It was Ji Chengyun; his embrace was very steady.

Outside Jinse Courtyard, chaos had already broken out.

The water pump was pushed closer, and a dozen strong servants worked together to pump it, but they could only barely suppress the fire on the outside.

More guards and servants carried buckets of water, running back and forth between the fire and the well. Shouts, commands, and the sizzling sound of water splashing on the flames created a busy scene.

Ji Chengyun carried her through the chaotic crowd and placed her on a stone step away from the fire.

"Miss!"

A heart-wrenching cry rang out.

Chun Tao scrambled over and threw herself into her arms.

"Miss... Waaah... You're finally out... You scared me to death... You scared me to death!"

Only now, when that familiar voice rang in her ears, did Jiang Bingning finally relax.

She reached out and gently patted Chun Tao's trembling back.

"I'm fine, Chuntao."

"Don't cry."

Chuntao cried even harder.

Looking at Jiang Bingning's face, blackened by the thick smoke, she felt an overwhelming pang of heartache.

"Miss, your face... is all smudged..."

She reached out to wipe the wood chips off Jiang Bingning's face.

But she forgot that her hands were already covered in soot from frantically trying to pry open the burning wood.

This wiping action left several comical black marks on Jiang Bingbing's fair face.

Jiang Bingning was taken aback at first.

Then, looking at Chun Tao's tear-streaked face, a feeling of both laughter and tears welled up in my heart.

She escaped and remained completely calm even when trapped in a sea of ​​fire.

At this moment, however, he was amused by Chun Tao's silly behavior.

"Pfft..."

Chun Tao was also stunned, staring blankly at her own blackened hands, then at Jiang Bingning's face, and belatedly realized what had happened, her face instantly turning bright red.

"Miss...I...I didn't mean to..."

Ji Chengyun stood to the side, watching the master and servant pair, and the tension in his eyes finally eased a little.

Thankfully, no one is hurt.

But this warmth was fleeting, replaced by a surge of anger.

He stepped forward and spoke sternly.

"You can still laugh?"

"Jiang Bingning, are you out of your mind?"

His voice wasn't loud.

Chun Tao shuddered in fright and instinctively shrank her neck.

Jiang Bingning's smile faded, and she stood up and gave Ji Chengyun a proper bow.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life."

Then, she gently patted the hard object tightly wrapped in wet clothes in her arms.

"Some things cannot be burned."

"What could be more important than life?!"

Ji Chengyun's anger intensified, and he grabbed her wrist.

"Follow me!"

He pulled Jiang Bingning along and headed straight for a fairly tidy guest room next door.

Upon reaching the door, he turned to Chun Tao and coldly ordered, "Stand guard outside and don't let anyone in!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Chuntao timidly agreed to come down.

With a "bang," the door slammed shut.

Inside the room, Ji Chengyun loosened his grip, looked Jiang Bingning up and down, and the anger in his tone subsided, leaving only deep worry.

"Are you burned? Call a doctor right now!"

Jiang Bingning shook her head and moved her wrists.

"I'm fine, thanks to the young master's bucket of water."

As she spoke, she walked to the table and carefully placed the package in her arms on it, then uncovered the half-dry, wet clothes.

Several books were revealed.

The top book, though its cover has some water stains, still clearly displays the words "Classic of Poetry".

There are a few more classic books below.

"These things cannot be burned," she stated calmly.

Ji Chengyun's gaze was fixed on the Book of Songs.

All my anger vanished the moment I saw this book.

He reached out his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly as he gently stroked the two words.

His eyes even welled up with tears.

He slowly raised his head and looked at Jiang Bingning.

"Is it... worth it for all of this?"

Jiang Bingning met his gaze, her eyes, which had remained unwavering even in the firelight, shone with a sincere and clear light.

"worth."

"We just reached a cooperation agreement. It would be a shame if the most important clue to uncovering the truth were to be destroyed like this."

One sentence sent a huge shock through Ji Chengyun's heart.

She risked her life to go back, not just for a few old books, but also for the promise they made!

It was for his deceased mother!

Ji Chengyun took a deep breath, suppressing the sob in his throat.

He took a step back, solemnly cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Jiang Bingning.

"I will never forget this kindness in my life."

This kindness was not only a life-saving grace, but also preserved his hope of pursuing the truth!

Jiang Bingning accepted his bow without hesitation.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Ji Chengyun straightened up, all the emotion and warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a gloomy killing intent.

"This fire started in a very strange way."

His voice was as cold as ice.

"While you were inside, did you notice anything amiss?"

Jiang Bingning nodded and recounted the events of that time.

"The door was locked from the outside with a large brass padlock."

"The windows were also sealed off from the outside with several thick wooden strips."

A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"They probably didn't want the sound of nailing the window to be too loud and for me to notice, so they only used wooden strips to jam it shut."

"If it is indeed nailed shut with long nails, even if I find the iron bedposts, I'm afraid it will be too late to save it."

Ji Chengyun's face grew increasingly gloomy.

"I didn't notice anything unusual when I left your yard."

"Therefore, locking the doors, sealing the windows, and setting the fire were all accomplished in a very short time."

He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

"Within the Prince's residence, to have such ability to mobilize manpower and do things so cleanly and efficiently, without being detected by the night patrol guards..."

"There aren't many people like that."

After he finished speaking, his gaze unconsciously drifted to the window.

That direction leads directly to the "Fallen Plum Garden," where Consort Lin resides.

The meaning is self-evident.

Jiang Bingning understood and nodded.

Looking across the entire Prince Xin's mansion, besides Consort Lin, she couldn't think of anyone else who had the motive, the ability, and the cruelty to do so.

She was just about to speak up and share her speculation.

"Miss! Young Master!"

Suddenly, Chun Tao's anxious voice came from outside the door.

"The Dowager Empress... the Dowager Empress has arrived!"