The smile on Jing Rong's face grew broader as he gently pushed the cup of tea toward Ji Yunshu. "Have some tea and call it a day."

"I'll skip the tea. I'll get water retention if I drink before I sleep."

"Water retention?"

Are you some corpse floating in the water?

Ji Yunshu could not bother to explain it to Jing Rong as it would require a lengthy lecture and involve a vast amount of specialised knowledge. It was already late at night and she was too tired to engage in such conversation.

When she was about to head for her room, Jing Rong noticed the pebbles in her hand.

"Why are you holding the stones in your hand? You should be taking a big rock if you need a self-defence tool. These small stones are not going to hurt your opponent." Jing Rong was puzzled.

Can you not make such a sarcastic remark?

She shrugged as she replied, "Both big rocks and small stones have their advantages; they are just different in terms of purposes.""

"What are you going to do with the pebbles?"

"You'll find out tomorrow." Ji Yunshu left the room.

When she entered her room, two maids came in at her heels, bringing along a bucket of water.

"Teacher Ji, this humble one has brought you a bucket of water for you to wash up. Please rest early."

Out of courtesy, Ji Yunshu responded with a smile as she stared at the two maids with delicate features. All of a sudden, she asked in a gentle tone, "What are your names?"

Ji Yunshu had been born with a beautiful face. Even now, dressed in a male outfit, she looked extraordinarily charming and handsome. The two maids gazed into her alluring eyes as they listened to her gentle and warm words. Immediately, they got butterflies in their stomachs as their cheeks turned red.

One of the girls pulled her sleeve anxiously as she answered, "This humble one is named Qiao'er while my friend is Zhuang'er."

"How old are you?"

"We are both fourteen years old."

"How long have you been here?"

"We've been here for three years."

Looking at the obedient and meek girls, Ji Yunshu was rather pleased.

Occupied by the cases involving Aunty Xie's daughter and the disaster relief funds, Ji Yunshu reckoned that she would stay in this place for some time. As a stranger in an unfamiliar land, it would be useful to have two ladies who were familiar with Yufu around. At the very least, she could turn to them when she had any queries. Therefore, she happily took in the two maids who were sent over by Zuo Yao.

"Miss Qiao'er and Miss Zhuang'er, I'm not your master. Therefore, you don't have to refer to yourselves as humble ones before me."

"We do not dare to comply."

"It doesn't matter if you dare to do so or not. I am not used to being treated like this, so you can just refer to yourselves by your names. I feel awkward if you continue to address yourselves as the humble ones."

The two maids exchanged looks before they nodded.

"Alright, you go get some rest too. I do not need any assistance for now."

"If Teacher needs assistance, please call for us at any time."

"Sure," Ji Yunshu replied as she nodded in acknowledgment.

After they left Ji Yunshu's room, the two maids giggled secretly.

She watched the two girls as they disappeared into the distance before she summoned Shi Zijin. Immediately, Shi Zijin's silhouette formed as she stepped out of the darkness.

"Teacher, what are your orders?"

Ji Yunshu explained with a sombre expression, "Ask around and find out the places where the Qiao family's Young Master usually visits, and who he always mingles with. All in all, keep a watchful eye on him and report everything to me."

"Yes." Shi Zijin was never one who questioned orders, always carrying them out obediently.

After she left, Ji Yunshu closed the door. She then found a beautifully sewn money pouch to keep the pebbles. She briefly weighed the pouch in her hand. For someone who did not know, it felt as if there were a few silver ingots inside.

The next day, Zuo Yao prepared a table full of delicious food. There was an extensive variety of food, ranging from chickens, to ducks, to fish. There was no doubt he spared a fair amount of money. Jing Rong's expression darkened subtly.

Thinking that he had certainly got into Jing Rong's good graces this time, Zuo Yao secretly praised himself as he added proudly, "These dishes are personally cooked by the masterchef of the Yellow Crane Tower. This humble official understands that the food of the common people definitely doesn't suit the Prince's palate, and thus prepared these special dishes to welcome Your Highness's arrival."

Praise me now! It's even better if you can reward me with some pocket change.

However, Zuo Yao was wrong.

Jing Rong furrowed his brows as he glared at him. "There are many disaster victims in Yufu County. They hardly get to eat and many of them starved to death. Yet, Lord Zuo prepared such a feast here. Are you trying to take years off this prince's life?" [1]

Err…

"Your...Your Highness?"

"Lord Zuo, this prince is not here for a vacation or to enjoy your local delicacies. If you can spare this table of dishes with the impoverished people, you might be able to save one or two lives."

"Your Highness has misunderstood