An expectant Qiao Zihua scurried forward, “Second Uncle.”
Qiao Zheng gave him a quick disapproving glance, “What’s wrong with you? What happened? Why is there so much filth and blood?”
“It’s nothing, I accidentally fell.” Qi Zihua gave a nervous laugh as he hid his bloodied sleeve behind his back. How embarrassing would it be to let others know that he was beaten up!
Qiao Zheng didn’t have the energy to care too much about such minor issues and quickly dismissed him with a wave of a sleeve. “It’s time to go.” Qiao Zihua scampered behind in Qiao Zheng’s wake.
Inside the hall, Jing Rong fell deep in thought. He turned to Lang Po, “Did you hear everything?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“What are your thoughts?”
Lang Po deliberated. “Lord Qiao claimed that Lord Peng only implicated Prince Yi in order to avenge the Crown Prince, and that Lord Qu … He only teamed up with Lord Peng to keep Prince Yi’s ambitions in check. It all seems reasonable, but …”
“Spit it out.”
“Unlike this servant, Lord Peng and Lord Qu grew up weathering the storms of the political world - they understand deceit and schemes better than anyone, but even they would not dare to openly oppose Prince Yi without someone supporting them in secret.” Lang Po reasoned carefully.
Jing Rong took what Lang Po said into consideration, tapping his finger against his thigh as he muttered, “Peng Yuanhai? Qu Jiang? Mingshan Academy? Teacher Yu?” What did they have in common? Who was their hidden supporter? Jing Rong finally ordered Lang Po, “Inform Lu Jiang to investigate Lord Peng and Lord Qu. Also, make sure to find out how many current officials are … graduates of Mingshan Academy.”
“Understood!” Lang Po was just about to leave when the attendant from the station arrived.
“Your Highness, these records have been organised by Attendant Lin. Here are the records of all the goods entering and leaving the station on the day the relief funds arrived.” He handed over a stack of papers. They were indeed quite efficient!
Jing Rong nodded, “Inform your superior - he will be summoned if there are other concerns.”
“Understood.”
Jing Rong flipped through the hefty stack of papers in his hands; he had expected a heavy read, especially since the station was busy all year round. Each page detailed the dealings each day - the relief funds were received on such day and time, then there were rice offerings from the Ju Family, other goods imported from so-and-so to be delivered to others. The records were conscientious - even the time taken for delivery, and its route were carefully recorded. There were porcelain wares from Yi City, umbrellas from the Northern Liang, jade from the Shen Family in Luzhou …
Jing Rong sighed, putting down the papers. He could feel a throbbing headache coming and he massaged his temples.
Lang Po offered himself up, “Your Highness, this servant can look through them on your behalf and alert you immediately if there’s anything suspicious.”
“There’s no need. This Prince just needs a short nap. You can head off first - go and give Lu Jiang my instructions.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
In the early morning.
The stuffy day suddenly saw thunder and lightning, and dark clouds blanketed the sky. Trees rustled and bent under gusts of wind, swaying dramatically as the rain became heavier.
The rain came so suddenly that Ji Yunshu was caught off guard. She hurriedly asked her servants to move the remains from the yard into shelter, but they were still soaked. Water from the white cloth dripped down the edge of the table corner to the ground, wetting a large area.
Madam Xie used her own clothes to wipe the remains dry, over and over again, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ji Yunshu only remembered the cloth doll that was on the white cloth when she looked out and found it lying by a potted plant and drenched in the rain. She rushed out of the room without a word to retrieve it.
“Teacher Ji?” Zhuang’er hurriedly took an umbrella, caught up with Ji Yunshu, and opened the umbrella for her.
Ji Yunshu picked up the doll on the ground. The coarse cloth was even dirtier than before, and had grown heavy as the cotton within soaked up the cold rain. She tightened her hands, intending to squeeze it dry, but was hampered by something inside the doll.
“What’s wrong, Teacher?”
“Something seems to be inside the doll.”
Zhuang’er was surprised, “What could there be in this doll?”
Ji Yunshu frowned and pinched the doll, feeling around the object. There was indeed something hidden in the ball of cotton inside, something small but hard. Its shape was roughly oval, but it also seemed to end in a triangle, just like... a fish!
Yes, it was in the shape of a fish.
She suddenly remembered what Qiao Zihua said before. Ye’er had connections with a man with a fish-shaped jade pendant. Was he fish-shaped thing inside the doll his jade pendant?
She had wanted to pinch the doll again to confirm her guess, but Madam Xie suddenly rushed out, grabbed the doll, and looked at Ji Yunshu in panic.
“Teacher Ji, this doll... there’s nothing interesting about it.” Her tone trembled slightly.
Ji Yunshu did not say anything but moved the umbrella above her head to Madam Xie’s side. “Let’s go back to the room before we talk.”
Upon entering, Ji Yunshu had Qiao’er cook two bowls of ginger soup. She did not rush to get straight to the point.“Madam Xie, drink a bowl of ginger soup.”
Madam Xie nodded, but didn’t let go of the doll.
After she finished drinking, Ji Yunshu said, “The doll is soaked through. You can give it to Qiao’er and let her dry it by the stove.”
Hearing that, Qiao’er hurried forward, but Madam Xie suddenly dodged and hid the doll behind herself. She lowered her eyes, “There’s no need..”
“It’s okay, it’s no trouble at all. The stove is just over there.” Qiao’er came forward to get it.
But she didn’t expect...
“I said no.” Madam Xie said more harshly.
Qiao’er was stunned atMadam Xie’s words, her hands frozen mid-air. She couldn’t decide whether she should reach out or withdraw her hands. She could only look beseechingly at Ji Yunshu for help.
Ji Yunshu waved her hand. “You two have my permission to withdraw.”
Qiao’er and Zhuang’er looked at each other and went out with the bowls of ginger soup.
After they left, Ji Yunshu focused on the doll in Madam Xie’s arms, saying slowly, “That thing in the doll… who does it belong to?”