Jing Rong squinted at Official Lin and asked with a heavier tone, “Are you sure?”
Official Lin lowered his gaze to the ground, eyes darting back and forth frantically. After a long moment of panic and guilt, he responded decisively, “I am absolutely certain that nothing happened during the transport.”
If so, the trail ends here!
Jing Rong came out of the warehouse and looked around. “Official Lin, find out what other goods have been delivered to the relay station on the same day as the disaster relief silver these past few years.”
“Your Highness, what do you want this for?”
“Just find them for me. After that, send me the lists in Anchang Courtyard in the west of the city as soon as possible.”
Official Lin agreed, “Yes.”
Jing Rong didn’t mean to stay long, so he left the relay station with his subordinates. After seeing Jing Rong off, Official Lin heaved a sigh of relief.
On the way back.
Jing Rong asked Lang Po, “What is Teacher Ji doing now?”
Lang Po answered, “She went to open the coffin with Magistrate Zuo early in the morning, and later had the coffin sent back to the yard.”
“Okay, let’s go to have a look.”
……
After a short while, Ji Yunshu had finished assembling the remains. All the bones were neatly placed, from the large bones like the skull and ribs, to the small bones like the phalanges and pubis!
Everyone who stood at the sidelines were dumbfounded, watching her shift the bones with ease. She is amazing.
There were no wounds or any indents on the bones. For now, no other clue could be identified from the bones except for the signs of poison. Ji Yunshu found a piece of white cloth and covered the assembled remains. Then she told Zuo Yao, “Lord Zuo, you have worked hard today. Now you can return to the yamen with your subordinates. I will send someone to inform you of the progress.”
“What about the remains?”
“I’ll keep it.”
“Okay, then this official will take his leave and wait for your message.” Zuo Yao bowed his hands and left with his men, after when Jing Rong came to Ji Yunshu.
Jing Rong had just entered the courtyard when he saw Ji Yunshu washing her hands. He glanced at the skeleton covered with the white cloth and asked Ji Yunshu while approaching her, “How is it? Did you manage to find anything?”
Ji Yunshu rubbed her hands in the water as she answered him, “The deceased died from poison.”
“Suicide?”
“I can’t tell for now.”
“Could it be that the poison was poured down her throat after her death?”
“It’s impossible.” Ji Yunshu firmly denied the suggestion. She lifted her hands daintily from the water, letting the crystalline droplets slide down her slim fingers to her fingertips. With a casual flick, the beads of water danced off her hands and onto the ground and her clothes.
Seeing that Jing Rong was still confused, Ji Yunshu explained, “The remains of the deceased revealed that she was poisoned before she died, and the larynx showed that the poison passed through the throat. However, as the case report stated, the deceased was discovered half-naked on the bed, with her clothes torn apart. If she commited suicide after she was raped, she would never have done so while still disheveled and half-naked. After all, no one would want to be found in that state. The only possibility is that the murderer forcibly poisoned her while they raped her till she died.”
Jing Rong said, “Since it was a murder, the suspicion on Young Master Qiao still can’t be lifted.”
Ji Yunshu chuckled and said as she walked towards her room, “Even if there was a murderer, it would not necessarily be him.” Oh!
Jing Rong followed her, “You are biased towards him.”
“When have I been biased?” Without turning back, Ji Yunshu headed straight to her room, poured a cup of water, and took a sip. She gazed at Jing Rong’s jealous face, saying, “We have been watching him for so long. He is timid by nature and dreads furry animals. It doesn’t make sense that such a person would kill someone even if he was drunk, not to mention strangle the cat who also died in the room.”
It sounds reasonable. Jing Rong took a seat and gently tapped his finger a few times on the desk. “How are you going to proceed with the investigation then?”
She didn’t answer, but asked him instead, “What about you? You went to the relay station today; were there any clues for the missing disaster relief funds?”
At the mention of his case, Jing Rong frowned and poured himself some water from the teapot. After gulping down two cups, he said, “There are no clues yet.”
“What’s the issue?”
“I’m wondering if there really is an invisibility technique in this world, which allows someone to either switch things in front of everyone, or in a tightly guarded warehouse?” He had never believed in superstition or the supernatural.
Ji Yunshu pondered for him, “Weren’t there any mishaps on the way?”
“Throughout the whole journey, the chests containing the disaster relief silver did not leave the sight of those officials except for one night, when they were stored in the warehouse after being transported to the relay station. The rest of the time they were under tight surveillance.”
“Then did you ask if there were any other goods brought in or out of the relay station on the day the chests arrived? That might be the key point to the case.”
Jing Rong stared at Ji Yunshu after she finished speaking. What?
She was startled for a moment, “Why are you staring at me?”
“Great minds think alike. It looks like your brain is not only good for solving cases.” [2]
“Thank you for your compliment.”
Just then, a voice came from the courtyard, “Brother.” Ji Yunshu could tell it was Little Xiyue coming.
Holding a large box of food in her hands, Xiyue ran in delightedly and placed the box on the table. However, she was stunned when she noticed that there was another man besides Ji Yunshu in the room, especially when the “other person” was cold, fierce, and exuded a desolate air. Little Xiyue instinctively drew back a few steps. This man looks quite fierce, she thought.
Jing Rong stared deliberately at Little Xiyue, revealing a look that seemed to say ‘I want to eat you’.
Bro, is it really okay to scare a child like this?
“Little girl, are you Xiyue?” He asked, with a deep voice, as though he were a ravenous wolf.
Little Xiyue nodded without speaking.
Seeing this, Ji Yunshu pointed to the food box on the desk and asked her, “What is this?”
Little Xiyue regained her courage and said, “Brother, these are some sweet osmanthus cakes made by my mother. She knows that I have been bothering you these days, so she told me to bring you some cakes for you.” [1]
“Really?” She opened the box with a smile. The cakes were exquisitely made; they looked and smelled delicious.
“Xiyue, please send my thanks to your mother.”
“You are welcome. My father wants to invite Brother to our home tonight. He has already prepared fine drinks and dishes to treat you. Brother, will you come?”
“He invited me?”
“Right.”
“Little Xiyue, I’m busy these days, so I might not...”
She hadn’t finished speaking when Jing Rong broke in, “Go back and tell your father that Brother will attend together with his friends. Ask him to prepare enough drinks and dishes.”
Little Xiyue stared at him, her head tilted to the side, “Who…are you?”
“I’m your Brother’s…family.” He walked towards Little Xiyue with an evil smile on his face.
“But my father didn’t invite you.”
“All that come from afar are guests, and it’s basic courtesy for guests to visit. Your father won’t mind. Be good, now hurry back to your father and inform him.” He stretched out his broad palm and gently rubbed Little Xiyue’s head.
Little Xiyue drew back her neck and peered at him as if he was weird. She leaned towards Ji Yunshu and raised her head to ask her, “Brother, will you come?”
She doesn’t feel like going. But...
“Okay, I will be present.”
Little Xiyue was exalted and hopped back to her home.
Ji Yunshu glared at Jing Rong, “Why did you accept the invitation for me?”
“We are neighbours. There’s nothing wrong with visiting a neighbour.” [3]
Gosh!
[1] These are little pastries made with osmanthus flowers, sugar, and rice flour. Modern versions include those made with different starches and jelly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmanthus_cake
[2] Inner JR: *heart eyes*
[3] Inner JR: Yeah. I gotta check out the competition for my JYS's time and attention. *sour vinegar smell wafts out*