Chapter 761 - The One In The Lead Wins
She said that there was something she needed me to see, but there was nothing in the handkerchief at all. Isn’t that a joke? Mo Ruo had originally intended to confirm the matter with Ji Yunshu the day before, but since she and Jing Rong were away to investigate the Case of the Dried Well, he could only wait till today.
Ji Yunshu looked at the empty handkerchief, baffled. “How can this be?” There was a frown on her face. Was it taken by a ghost?
Jing Rong immediately called out to Lang Po, “Why is the item that Teacher Ji entrusted to you missing?”
“Impossible!” Lang Po was shocked, “I did not open it when I told my men to send it to the Yuhua Pavilion. They are a very careful lot, there’s no way they will lose the object contained within.”
“Are you certain that your men did not do anything to the item?” asked Mo Ruo.
While Lang Po trusted his subordinates, he still called for the person.
“I did not open the handkerchief. Whatever Teacher Ji included within the handkerchief was inside when it was delivered.” There was no hesitation in his voice.
“The thing wrapped within the handkerchief is a slightly sticky black substance that I scraped out from the inside of the victim’s ear. It smelled like some sort of herb, so I wanted you to have a look.”
“A black substance?”
“It’s quite small, and it was still there when I handed the handkerchief to Brother Lang.”
“Now that’s strange.” Mo Ruo was certain that he did not see anything wrapped in the handkerchief.
“Think carefully,” said Jing Rong, “What if it fell out by accident when you opened the handkerchief? After all, such a tiny black object is very easy to miss.”
“Could it… Be that girl?” mumbled Mo Ruo, who was deep in thought.
“Who are you talking about?”
“Who else other than that crazy wench who has been wreaking havoc at my place?” The look on Mo Ruo’s face was one of misery, “I had urgent matters to attend to in the palace on that day when the handkerchief arrived. Tang Si was holding it when I went back, saying that a young lady had sent it to me as a gift, and was throwing a tantrum because of it. But when I asked her and my apprentice about the handkerchief, both of them told me that there was nothing inside.”
That’s strange! How can something disappear just like that? But none of them could figure out what went wrong.
“Let’s hope that it has nothing to do with the case, or it might prevent the truth from coming to light,” said Ji Yunshu.
The only thing they could do was to pray that the black substance had nothing to do with the case.
With this issue temporarily cast aside, Mo Ruo continued his inquiry, “Did you find anything useful at the derelict temple? You’re racing against Prince Yi in this. Whoever takes the lead will be the victor.”
“We found a lot of things, but the clues are too scattered and incoherent.”
The knew how the victims were killed, identified the victims, and discovered that the murder weapon was a dagger. They also learned that the killer had been targeting people born in the year, month, day, and hour of Yin.
……
But there wasn’t a single clue that could point them to the killer.
“Perhaps we should start with them being born in the year, month, day, and hour of Yin.”
“The victims were all dumped into the dried well under the big Buddha statue. There may be some form of ritual involved, and may have something to do with the Zhang Village.”
Ji Yunshu was starting to understand Jing Rong’s line of thought, but Lang Po was still confused, “Your Highness, what does it have to do with the village?”
“Do you not remember what the village chief said?”
“I do.”
Ji Yunshu continued, “Are you talking about the supposed supernatural happenings within the village?”
“That’s right.” Jing Rong nodded, “One or two young people would die in the village every year since a crack appeared on the statue years ago, as if the village had been cursed. The victims would die in mysterious ways, and would always be dumped into the dried well. I’m sure it has something to do with the statue, and the belief held by the villagers. We shouldn’t be focusing our attention on how the statue was moved but instead… on the secret of this village.”
The secret behind Zhang Clan Village? What sort of secret can a backwater village like this hold?
But it was apparent that Ji Yunshu agreed with his words as she nodded in affirmation.
Thus, Jing Rong told Lang Po, “Head to the Zhang Clan Village. I want you to investigate this matter thoroughly and find out what secrets they are hiding.”
“At once, Your Highness.”
“Wait,” Jing Rong called out to Lang Po before the man could leave.
“No, you’re not the one who should go. They won’t tell you any secrets they might hold. Besides, you were there yesterday and they will have their guard up. We should send someone else.”
“Very well, I’ll get it done.”
“I’ll go!”
A shrill voice came from outside, followed by Tang Si bursting through the door, “Why don’t you let me go! I’m bored to death in Yuhua Pavilion. If you let me go, I’ll definitely do a thorough job!” She was brimming with confidence, but it was not shared by those around her.
Mo Ruo pulled her aside and glared at her, “Are you trying to start some trouble?”
“I’m not.” I clearly only have good intentions
“Human lives are involved. Can you bear the responsibility if mistakes are made?”
Ji Yunshu added, “We’re not doubting your abilities, but this is not as simple as catching thieves. Moreover, you’re not familiar with the area around the capital.”
“Ah Ji, are you really doubting me?” Tang Si pouted, “Let me tell you, there’s no information that I can’t get in Houliao. I have thousands of ways to make someone speak the truth,” there, she immediately noticed her mistake, “Please don’t misunderstand, I would never use force. And didn’t you say that they know your faces? You don’t have to worry; nobody in the world is better than me in the art of disguise. How else do you think I was able to get into Great Lin from Houliao?”
She was very proud of herself.