Finally, Lin Shu decided to put down the stone that had been weighing heavily on his heart.
Gently sighing, he said, "Yes. I bumped into Guo He on the evening of the 12th. We did not run into each other at the back mountain but at the corridor of the west courtyard. I was on my way back from the washroom and ran into Guo He, who was drinking alone at the corridor. Despite our fairly close relationship, I didn't join him because I never enjoyed drinking and I hated the smell of it. However, he noticed me and relentlessly forced me to drink with him. I refused and gave him a push. Everyone knows his bad temper, and it worsened under the influence of alcohol. He furiously attacked me with the wine bottle and spilt the wine all over me.
"Meanwhile, my chestnut bead bracelet accidentally got caught by the wine bottle broke. Then my hand got cut by the chipped wine bottle, causing my blood to stain it. Not only that, he humiliated me and attempted to challenge me, saying that I was no match for him. He also said that I would definitely lose to him in the coming examination. I was enraged by his words. Unable to contain my anger, I punched him a few times and had certainly injured him badly, causing him to lie on the ground, covered in blood. However, I am very sure that he was fine since he sat up afterwards. So I picked up my chestnut beads and left the scene. That was exactly what happened. I didn't lie. He was still alive when I left him behind." He grew more agitated as he spoke.
He seemed to be telling the truth.
"I didn't want to tell the truth because… I did actually hit him. I was afraid that if I admitted that you will assume that I'm the murderer and send me to the yamen since my blood was found on the chestnut beads and the wine bottle. Then, I will not be able to defend myself anymore. Afraid of that possibility, I decided to stay quiet." He looked at Ji Yunshu and continued, "Teacher Ji, everything I said just now was nothing but the truth. You must believe me."
Ji Yunshu asked, "Do you have any proof?"
He shook his head. "Everyone was studying in the study hall. We were the only ones in the corridor. Besides, I haven't told anyone about this incident."
That means he has neither an alibi nor any material evidence to support his claim! At this moment, Ji Yunshu hesitated to believe his statement.
Upon listening to his hesitation, Lu Hu remained hostile. "Lin Shu, how dare you continue to lie!"
"I'm not trying to defend myself. I've been telling the truth. I only attacked Guo He but didn't kill him. When I left him, he was still alive as he was trying to help himself up. I thought that he would return to his room once he was sober."
"We'll naturally discover the truth when we arrive at the yamen." Lu Hu was determined to bring Lin Shu to the yamen for interrogation. He commanded, "Bring him to the yamen together with the bones."
Two yamen runners responded to the order, and they grabbed both of Lin Shu's arms and dragged him away from his peers. Meanwhile, another approached the pile of bones and removed the white cloth that was covering it.
The moment he unveiled the bones, he was overwhelmed by the stench of the skeleton and his brow wrinkled in disgust. 'That smells so bad!' He held his nose and braced himself to pick up the bones with the help of the cloth. However, he was abruptly stopped by Ji Yunshu.
She stepped forward and said, "There are still many doubts regarding the case. No one should touch the bones."
"Go away!" The man pushed her away. She never had great strength and so couldn't resist the force. Immediately, she lost her balance and almost fell onto the ground.
The brawny officials violently dismantled the arranged skeleton and wrapped them up with the cloth as though they were the men dispatched by the town council, attempting to confiscate goods from illegal hawkers. Their action was harsh but efficient.
The bones were piled together haphazardly. Using a cloth, the government worker bundled the bones up in order to transport them with ease. However, because he tied it too loosely, the skull fell out and hit the floor with a loud thud.
The skull rolled on the floor and stopped by Ji Yunshu's foot. Coincidentally, it stopped at a position where the occipital bone was facing upward. Ji Yunshu lowered her gaze and quickly noticed the small indent at the back of the skull.
Her eyes narrowed in astonishment.
The official intended to pick up the skull. Unfortunately, Ji Yunshu was one step ahead of him.
She picked up the skull and examined it. As she scrutinised the injury on the skull, she felt puzzled. She had previously noticed the dent on the skull and was curious about the cause of the dent.
However, at that moment, all her doubts were solved! All the answers slowly flooded her mind, and eventually, the sudden realization hit her hard.
"Give it to me!" The official extended his hand, requesting for the skull.
Yet, Ji Yunshu refused to let go of the skull. Looking solemn, she approached Lin Shu with the skull in her arms. She questioned him, "When you fought with him, did you hit his head? Or, did he knock his head on any hard object?"
Hmm?
Lin Shu was bewildered by her question. However, knowing that he was stuck at a crucial time, he disregarded all his personal emotions and grudges before he tried his utmost to recall. Distressed, he furrowed his brow, shook his head and answered, "No. I didn't hit him in the head, and I am sure he did not knock his head. I remember that I only punched him in his torso and struck him on his shoulder and face. Although he did fall because of that, his head did not hit the ground."
Ji Yunshu nodded as she listened to Lin Shu's narration. As she contemplated the case, she mumbled, "If you didn't hit his head, and he didn't fall on his head, then what caused the dent in his skull?" Her voice was extremely soft.
She continued to scrutinize the hollow on the skull as she racked her brain.
All of a sudden, a hint of excitement flashed across her eyes as she exclaimed, "I know what happened!" Carrying the skull with her, she immediately ran toward the back mountain.
All the spectators were perplexed.
What's happening?
Lu Hu quickly brought his men and followed Ji Yunshu closely. Not wanting to be left out, the scholars hurriedly tagged along.
……
In the meantime, Lang Po was standing outside the room in a respectful and reverent manner. He took a peek at Jing Rong, who was savouring his tea, before he reported the incident that had happened in the backyard to Jing Rong, missing not a single detail. Jing Rong silently listened to Lang Po as he leisurely took another sip from his teacup, and would occasionally acknowledge Lang Po with a few nods here and there.
"Your Highness, Teacher Ji went to the back mountain with the skull. I've no idea what she is up to, but she seems to be in a hurry. Does Your Highness want to head over to the back mountain?"
However, Jing Rong disregarded Lang Po's suggestion as he spoke nonchalantly, "The tea in Mingshan Academy is good. Yet, Liu Qingping's tea is far superior."
"Prince…"
"Fine. This prince understands what you're saying."
"Then, does Your Highness really not want to help Teacher Ji out? The officials from the Bingjing yamen seem extremely hostile. This humble one worries that Teacher Ji might not be able to handle them."
She can't handle them?
Jing Rong chuckled. "Others might not be able to handle those men, but she can."
That makes sense.
Lang Po pursed his lips and decided not to argue further.
Jing Rong finished the cup of tea in his hand before he stood up and exited the room, his hands rested at his back.
"By the way, where is Miss Tang?"
"Ziran said that he has passed her over to Young Master Mo."
"Tell him to watch Miss Tang closely. Don't let her run to the back mountain again and cause more trouble."
"Yes."
Jing Rong curled his lips and said, "Let's go and witness how our little girl is going to capture the killer," before he headed in the direction of the back mountain.