Chapter 743 - Want to fight Me? You’re Not Worthy.
Translator: April, Editor: Aruthea
Who knew that this ditty was actually describing a person!
However, Jing Rong did not understand, "Who is this person exactly? Why do you have such strong misgivings at the mention of him? And even use the word fear to describe him?”
She just said, "He's just an old acquaintance."
An old friend? "Never heard you mention him."
"There’s no point in mentioning it since it’s all in the past, but this man is not simple at all. He is comparable to Prince Yi. Although his investigation skills may not be as good, in terms of scheming, he is by no means inferior to Prince Yi. In short, since he is helping Prince Yi this time in the investigation, we need to be careful."
“If it were as you said, since Jing Yi invited him here, surely there is something extraordinary about this man, isn’t he… like you, can create portraits of the dead?”
No, no, no, that Wen Shisan is a fake! She took a deep breath and looked at him intently, “Four or five years ago, his name was Zhou San, and he was just an insignificant coroner back then. I requested aid from the magistrate’s office because I was in need of help. I saw that he was eager to learn and indeed gifted. So I investigated the case and taught him at the same time. He was very clever and a quick learner, but then…”
He waited for the rest.
But she shook her head, "Never mind, it happened many years ago, I don’t want to mention it again." She was not willing to say more.
Jing Rong was not someone who would insist on getting his answers no matter what. Since she did not want to say it, then he wouldn’t continue asking. But in his heart, there remained a big question. Who is that person?
What happened between Ji Yunshu and him a few years ago? So much so that Ji Yunshu used the…word "fear".
Early the next morning, Jing Rong and Ji Yunshu led their group to the Ministry of Justice. As soon as they entered, the Minister of Justice hastened to welcome them. "Greetings to Prince Rong." He bowed with cupped hands.
"Minister Li, this prince is bringing Teacher Ji here today to conduct the autopsy. Please lead the way."
"This…"
"What's wrong?"
The Minister of Justice hesitated and bowed his head before saying, "Prince Rong, to be honest, Prince Yi… has already brought people into the autopsy room to examine the body. They just went in, so they may not be done any time soon…"
This was not unexpected. Now that Jing Rong and Jing Yi were directly competing against each other, racing against the clock to solve the case, the one who arrived first would have the advantage…
Jing Rong had no intention of leaving. "Since this prince is here, there is no reason to return. Although Prince Yi brought people to conduct the autopsy first, it can't possibly take up the entire day. This prince can afford to wait."
“In that case, \Your Highness, please wait in the hall. If Prince Yi finishes the autopsy, I will inform you immediately.”
“Noted.”
The party entered the hall of the Ministry of Justice and sat down. The Minister of Justice ordered servants to serve several pots of good tea and a variety of pastries. It was good service and good hospitality. However, the tea grew cold and was replaced several times, while the sun rose high up in the sky. There was still no news.
Ji Yunshu was not anxious at all. She drank her tea as she waited.
As the saying goes, the Emperor isn’t in a hurry, but the eunuchs are anxious. Lang Po huffed in impatience. "What the heck is Prince Yi doing? It’s been so long; why isn't the autopsy done?
Jing Rong frowned lightly and knew in his heart that Jing Yi was doing it on purpose. He tapped lightly on the table, "Wait a little longer."
They continued waiting. One hour passed, then two hours, and four hours…
Finally, Jing Rong lifted his robe and got up, "Let's go and have a look." He left the hall and led the group to the autopsy room. Ji Yunshu stayed in where she sat for a moment before deciding to follow along as well.
The coroner's room was in a small, squarish courtyard that had Jing Yi’s guards in the doorway, making it difficult for others to enter.
When the Minister of Justice saw this, he hurriedly came out and said, "Prince Rong, Prince Yi is still inside, it is estimated that… it will still take a while, how about…" you go home and come back another day.
Before the last few words were spoken, Jing Rong raised his hand and interrupted him. "This prince knows." The voice was extremely cold.
"This lowly official can do nothing. After all, the Ministry of Justice has long stipulated that the order of the investigation of the case should be on a first come first served basis. Prince Rong, please forgive me."
"Lord Li, when did this prince blame you?"
"Then Your Highness…"
"Lord Li." A voice came from the autopsy room.
Jing Yi stepped out, a haughty expression on his face and a flurry of grandeur. He walked towards the Minister of Justice. "Lord Li, Prince Rong is not some commoner. Of course he knows the rules of the Ministry of Justice and naturally will not cross the line. How could he possibly blame you!?"
"…"
Next, Jing Yi looked at Jing Rong, pretending to apologize, "I’m truly sorry to have arrived ahead of you to examine the body, but you know that this is a rather tricky case. After all, it’s not just one or two skeletons, it’s one dead body and seven skeletons, so we need to examine each of them individually and thoroughly. It is only natural that this would be a time-consuming process and it is unclear when exactly we can finish. " He deliberately raised his voice, radiating smugness.
Jing Rong’s eyes were cold, he asked with a deep voice, "How much longer?"
"I cannot really say."
"Are your people really that useless?"
Huh? Jing Yi’s eyebrows tightened slightly.
Jing Rong retorted, "I heard that Wen Shisan you invited is a talented person who has handled a lot of big cases. Could it be that he has spent all day doing the autopsies without finding a single result? Be sure to keep your eyes open and don't trust the wrong person lest you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere, facing a crushing defeat."
Jing Yi’s expression changed completely. He grit his teeth and grimaced, "The winner or loser has yet to be determined. You have no cause to lecture me. Anyway, since I came earlier than you today, I’ll take as long as I need to, and no one can stop me. Because this case involves so many lives and it happened within the capital, it must be handled slowly in order to ensure that no evidence is left out. Otherwise, I could not afford to bear the blame if Imperial Father is displeased."
He had a sly look in his eyes as he immediately added, "I forgot to tell you that just as I came out, we are still investigating the second skeleton. Judging at the time, it may be very late when we finish, if you can wait, then you’re free to wait. If not, then please come earlier tomorrow."
…
Jing Rong didn’t lose his temper at that. He maintained his grace and said, "Fine, then just take your time to check, I will come back tomorrow."
"I will not see you out." He smiled mockingly.
Jing Rong then led his people away.
Behind him, Jing Yi's eyes grew deeper and deeper, and the smile on the corners of his lips tightened and tightened. "You want to fight me? You are not worthy."
When they left the gates of the Ministry of Justice, Lang Po asked in confusion, "Your Highness, Prince Yi is obviously doing this on purpose, if we just leave like this, doesn’t that mean that we fell for his trap?" He was clenching his fist and feeling indignant.
However, Jing Rong looked at Ji Yunshu and asked, "What do you think?"
She stopped walking and gathered her thoughts. Then, she met his gaze and said, "I would have made the same decision because even if we continue to wait, it will only be in vain." Sure enough, the two of them were of the same mind.
Lang Po was left stewing in embarrassment.