Talking About the Law

"You don't need to comfort me."

Ji Yinyin quickly finished a chicken leg and licked her dirty fingers. "I've long since despaired of this looks-obsessed world. In this life, I'm only fit to be a beggar…"

Ji Hongxue showed a pained expression. "Yinyin, don't say that. You're a princess."

"Then I'm the beggar among princesses, the most pathetic one. I'm embarrassing the other princesses."

Ji Yinyin laughed heartily, showing no sign of sadness or resentment.

An Bulang greatly approved of Ji Yinyin's attitude and offered his own comfort. "Yinyin, you don't need to be so pessimistic. Although you're the most pathetic among princesses, you're the safest-looking!"

Ji Hongxue felt a surge of joy. An Bulang was finally learning to comfort people. This harmony was wonderful.

But suddenly, she felt something was off…

Ji Yinyin's optimistic smile froze on her face, and she nearly grabbed the chicken bones on her plate to throw at An Bulang!

"Bu Lang, my sister's life is already so difficult. How could you bear to…" Ji Hongxue reacted, nearly spitting blood.

"It's fine, Sister Hongxue," Ji Yinyin interrupted, placing her hands on the table. Her two eyes, one large and one small, stared directly at An Bulang. "An Bulang, you said I look safe. You're really wrong about that!"

"Oh? What makes you say that?" An Bulang asked curiously.

Ji Yinyin adopted a triumphant pose. "The year I was born, my mother died in childbirth. When I was one, my father wanted to kill me, insisting I wasn't his biological child. My childhood was spent enduring constant scolding and beatings. When I was twelve, I snuck out of the palace and was almost beaten to death by others who thought I was a monster… All of this was because of my appearance. And you say I look safe?"

An Bulang: "..."

Ji Hongxue's eyes welled up with tears.

"I'm sorry, I misspoke." An Bulang could no longer maintain his flippancy and lowered his head to apologize.

Ji Yinyin waved her small, dark blue hand. "It's okay. I've heard much more malicious words over the years. Your way of speaking doesn't affect me at all; in fact, I find it quite comfortable."

An Bulang nodded, mentally choosing to forget Ji Yinyin's angry expression when she almost threw chicken bones at him.

"By the way, Yinyin, why did you hit Censor Chen Yong earlier?" Ji Hongxue asked again.

"Chen Yong saw her beauty and defiled a daughter from a humble family. Naturally, I had to teach him a lesson!" Ji Yinyin replied.

Ji Hongxue's expression changed. "How outrageous! But if he did something so wicked, shouldn't we report him to the authorities?"

Ji Yinyin scoffed. "If reporting to the authorities worked, I would have done it long ago. Chen Yong has connections. The government usually dismisses such cases due to insufficient evidence. Moreover, the family of the defiled daughter feared Chen Yong's influence. After being threatened once, they could only swallow their pride and dared not speak out."

Ji Hongxue fell silent. Such incidents were not uncommon in the Azure Kingdom.

Ji Yinyin's expression turned fierce. "Since reporting to the authorities was useless, I had to solve the problem my own way. Isn't Chen Yong very capable? I brought my subordinates, found an opportunity, and gave him a good beating, destroying his 'tool of crime.' Let's see if he dares to commit crimes again!"

"Destroyed his 'tool of crime'? How ruthless!" Ji Hongxue's lips twitched slightly.

"Everyone in this world hates me. It's fine, I accept my fate." Ji Yinyin's ugly face was filled with solemnity. "But this filthy world at the bottom needs someone to uphold justice. There's not much I, Ji Yinyin, can do, but I'll do what I can, to the best of my ability!"

"Well done!" An Bulang praised the girl full of justice and chuunibyou.

Afterward, Ji Yinyin chatted with An Bulang about the injustices she encountered while living as a beggar.

Many of the stories were truly infuriating.

Commoners were constantly oppressed and persecuted, yet no one dared to step forward. At such times, the beggar princess would use various unconventional methods to punish certain individuals. An Bulang found it incredibly satisfying to listen to, exclaiming his delight.

Moreover, most of the punished individuals, upon learning of Ji Yinyin's princess identity, no longer wished to pursue the matter. This was probably the only aspect of her princess status that she didn't dislike.

The three of them chatted at the small tavern for the entire afternoon.

In the evening, Ji Yinyin had to take her leave.

"Yinyin, come back with me," Ji Hongxue said.

"I need to take the children back first. It's my duty as a junior elder of the Beggar Clan," Ji Yinyin said earnestly.

Ji Hongxue looked helpless. "Be careful."

"I'm off. Bu Lang, I'll see you at the palace later." Ji Yinyin waved goodbye.

"Alright." An Bulang smiled.

This beggar princess had a pretty good personality and was easy to get along with.

Ji Yinyin also found An Bulang quite good. Although he had been sharp-tongued and dismissive of her at first, their subsequent interactions completely ignored her appearance. This was far better than those in the palace who smiled on the surface but were actually suppressing their disgust and hiding their aversion.

Because of this, their interactions were quite pleasant.

"Alright, next we're heading into the palace," An Bulang said, stretching his arms.

Ji Hongxue nodded. "I know a secret passage into the palace. We can sneak in that way."

An Bulang frowned. "Sneak in? Why would we do that? You're a princess. Can't we just enter openly?"

"Ji Wuye's people might be watching us. Let's not be too conspicuous, or we'll be targeted…" Ji Hongxue said with a grave expression.

"Oh, so that's the reason. Like I said, I'm invincible! If anyone blocks our way or tries to kill us, I'll just slice them down with my sword." An Bulang said earnestly to Ji Hongxue, "I, An Bulang, never use back doors!"

Ji Hongxue was awestruck by An Bulang's imposing aura. Her beautiful eyes fixed on him, her red lips trembling slightly. "Okay… we'll use the main entrance!"

The palace was located in the center of the royal city. The palace complex was magnificent and spread out, with red walls and golden tiles, exuding a noble and grand aura.

An Bulang, along with the Third Princess, swaggered through the main gate.

Ji Hongxue possessed a royal token, so the guards dared not stop her.

They walked through the gates of the royal palace and saw the resplendent True King's Hall.

"Halt!" A squad of guards in black armor was rapidly approaching from a distance.

An Bulang noticed that the vital energy of these guards was exceptionally full, clearly indicating they were skilled martial artists.

The leading general was tall and imposing, with a stern face. Upon seeing Ji Hongxue, he immediately produced a token and said, "Third Princess, we from the Heavenly Prison Department suspect you are involved in the death of the Second Prince, Ji Changwu. Please accompany us for an investigation."

Ji Hongxue's heart leaped in surprise, but her face showed displeasure. She said coldly, "Wei Haisheng, although the Heavenly Prison Department is a department specifically handling major cases, you still need evidence to arrest someone. Where is the evidence?"

"We cannot yet provide conclusive evidence, but the death of the Second Prince is a matter of great importance. Special cases require special handling. Third Princess, you are a major suspect, thus requiring a special investigation." Wei Haisheng did not retreat an inch and had even drawn the sword in his hand.

Ji Hongxue angrily retorted, "You have no right to change the investigation methods. Who authorized you to do this?"

"The King's health is not good. This matter has been entrusted to me by the Crown Prince to handle entirely. I hope the Third Princess will cooperate with the investigation," Wei Haisheng stated calmly.

At this, Ji Hongxue's pretty face turned slightly pale. It was indeed Ji Wuye's doing again.

If she were taken away for investigation, she might not even know how she died.

"The Heavenly Prison Department, without concrete evidence, must have my father's personal imperial decree to forcibly arrest someone. The Crown Prince also lacks that qualification..." Ji Hongxue continued to argue her case.

Wei Haisheng walked towards Ji Hongxue, his sword drawn. The blade glinted with a chilling light under the afterglow of the sunset. "Third Princess, please cease your resistance. If you resist, you will be obstructing the Heavenly Prison Department's investigation, and your crime will be compounded."

Just then, An Bulang stepped in front of Ji Hongxue.

Wei Haisheng looked at An Bulang with a cold expression and continued, "According to the laws of the Heavenly Prison Department, those who are not of royal blood and obstruct the Heavenly Prison Department's investigation shall be killed without mercy. Are you not going to move aside?"

Seeing that An Bulang did not budge, Wei Haisheng smiled. "Very well, foolish man. By doing this, not only will you die, but the Princess will also..."

"Bang!!"

Suddenly, Wei Haisheng's black armor caved in, accompanied by the sound of cracking bones and flesh.

His pupils began to dilate, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body was sent flying dozens of meters before crashing to the ground. His life or death was uncertain.

"Those who forcibly arrest the princess die!" An Bulang declared righteously.

Then, he turned to look at Ji Hongxue, whose small mouth was slightly agape. "Is there such a law?"

Ji Hongxue shook her head. "No..."

An Bulang nodded. "Good, then there is now!"