This storm truly came too quickly, leaving Ji Yunshu completely unprepared.

Her courtyard had been peaceful for many years. If she and Luan’er died someday, probably no one would even notice.

What wind blew today that brought Ji Lingzhi here, and Ji Wanxin too!

Watching that small figure dart out again, Ji Yunshu naturally knew that if Ji Lingzhi truly went to complain, she herself would likely suffer the consequences!

Ji Wanxin wore a worried expression, her steps uneasy as she moved over.

Though concerned about Ji Lingzhi in her heart, she still didn’t forget to say, “Yunshu, I saw earlier that you seemed about to go out. Don’t worry, I’ll handle Lingzhi’s side. You go about your business.”

“Second Sister, thank you for earlier.”

“We’re family—why speak as if we’re strangers?” The sincerity beneath her brows was plain to see.

Ji Yunshu nodded. “In the entire Ji family, I’m afraid only you, Second Sister, would treat me as family.”

These words carried a mix of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy—all five flavors jumbled together!

Ji Wanxin reached out and gently patted the back of her hand. “I know you harbor resentment in your heart. You’ve suffered much since childhood. Anyone else probably couldn’t have endured it, yet the resilience in your bones makes me endlessly envious.”

She smiled faintly, not answering.

“Then I won’t say more. I’ll go check on Lingzhi. That girl’s mouth runs like the wind—who knows what trouble she’ll stir up. You go about your business. I’ll block for you first!”

“Mm.”

She nodded in agreement.

After Ji Wanxin left with small steps, her light coughing could still be heard from afar.

A perfectly good refined young lady, yet perpetually sickly!

At this moment, Luan’er’s face was full of worry. She bit her lip. “Miss, Fourth Miss won’t really go complain, will she?”

Of course she would!

But right now Ji Yunshu couldn’t worry about such things. She returned to her room, changed into men’s clothing, and hurried to the county yamen.

Arriving at the yamen entrance, the two bailiffs outside saw her arrive and broke into smiles.

“Gentleman Ji has arrived!”

Just like neighbors coming out for a stroll.

Ji Yunshu didn’t even glance at them with her eyelids. Her frame stood straight, that pale cyan long robe swept up by the rustling winter wind, the wide sleeves fluttering continuously.

Her brows were tightly knit yet elegant, her features deep yet delicate—she could simply be called a beautiful young gentleman!

“Like Master Liang of Qi who begot sons like Master Ziyu,

In Duanzhou all pass by, all are like the handsome Xiaojun”

These two lines of poetry were absolutely perfect to describe her!

The two bailiffs exchanged glances. Today, Gentleman Ji seemed rather strange.

Little did they expect…

Ji Yunshu walked before the complaint drum at the yamen entrance, picked up the drumstick, raised it high, and struck forcefully.

Boom…

One strike after another, a total of seven times.

The bailiffs trembled, both stunned.

Placing the drumstick back in its original position, Ji Yunshu turned sideways to face them, saying sternly, “Someone has struck the drum. Will no one go report to Magistrate Liu to open court?”

Coming to their senses, the bailiffs couldn’t understand the situation either. They stepped back a few paces, faces bewildered, nodding frantically. “Oh, oh, oh…”

Then they quickly darted into the rear courtyard of the yamen to report.

Ji Yunshu followed right behind into the yamen.

At this moment, the County Magistrate was sitting in a pavilion in the rear courtyard tasting tea. Though clearly leisurely and at ease, his expression was tense. Although his lips curved with a flattering smile, his hands trembled uncontrollably!

The reason could be found in Jingrong, who sat across from him!

Jingrong across from him had a bandage hanging from his neck supporting his arm in a sling, while his other hand held a teacup drinking tea—truly somewhat comical!

Just an hour ago, this great Buddha had once again graced his humble abode, saying he wanted to drink tea with the County Magistrate and chat about bright futures and such.

Who would have thought that once seated, everything Jingrong spoke of were strange tales from his travels over the past half year.

About old monks leaving monastic life to marry! About pigs and dogs fighting! About women caught in adultery being dunked in pig cages…

Hey, hey, hey, these aren’t strange tales—I’ve even seen stones bloom! Old willows bleed!

The County Magistrate thought to himself!

But when Jingrong spoke, the County Magistrate dared not miss a single word. He’d been listening attentively for so long that drowsiness gradually crept up on him.

“My lord…” A bailiff came running over in a hurry.

Saved, saved!

The County Magistrate’s eyes lit up, hoping to hurry and open court to escape this Buddha.

The bailiff rushed breathlessly into the pavilion and quickly said, “My lord, Ji… Ji…”

“What chicken?”

“Not chicken.” The bailiff waved his hands, catching his breath. “It’s Gentleman Ji. She’s striking the drum outside the yamen, struck it seven times!”

Striking the drum seven times meant the case was extremely serious!

The County Magistrate shot up with a whoosh, eyes wide. “Gentleman Ji struck the drum? Why?”

“I don’t know! She says to hurry over and open court.”

“This…” The County Magistrate glanced at Jingrong, still waiting for his instruction.

Jingrong’s handsome brows furrowed slightly, his hand gripping the teacup couldn’t help but tighten.

Little one, delivering herself to the door!

Last night she left this prince to sleep in the mortuary all night, and even had Lang Bo relay a message. Does she really think she can escape from this prince’s grasp?

He nodded slightly. “Go. This prince will watch from behind. Don’t mention this prince is here.”

“Yes, yes, yes…”

He responded repeatedly.

He quickly grabbed his official robes and went to open court.

Below the high hall, Ji Yunshu stood straight.

The County Magistrate had just sat down and habitually prepared to strike the gavel block, but suddenly his hand paused. The one who struck the drum was Yunshu—what was there to strike!

Looking toward Ji Yunshu, his face full of confusion. “Yunshu, why did you strike the drum? Who bullied you?”

The next moment, Ji Yunshu swept her robes and knelt.

“My lord, this commoner has come to strike the drum and cry out injustice.”

This frightened everyone in the entire hall.

They were all old acquaintances—why kneel!

The County Magistrate leaned forward, quickly saying, “Yunshu, quickly get up. The floor is cold!”

She didn’t rise, extremely solemn, emphasizing once more, “My lord, this commoner has come to strike the drum and cry out injustice.”

“Then… then what drum did you strike? What injustice are you crying out?” the County Magistrate asked carefully.

“This commoner wishes to accuse someone.”

“Who?”

“This person’s surname is Ji, given name Yunshu.”

Madness! Madness! Madness!

The County Magistrate gave a shudder, using his hand to dig at his ear, confirming he hadn’t misheard.

Behind the high hall, Jingrong also narrowed his eyes slightly, doubt rising in his heart. What act was this young scholar playing?

But it seemed there would be a good show.

He really should have brought some melon seeds to crack!

The County Magistrate’s trembling hand lifted, pointing at Ji Yunshu kneeling on the ground. “You… say that again.”

Ji Yunshu’s eyes flashed. “This commoner wishes to accuse the yamen’s court artist Ji Yunshu of unclear judgment, countless oversights, wrongly deciding a case and wronging innocent people. This commoner begs to reopen the court and investigate the Zhou family murder case.”

Uh…

Inside the yamen, everyone from top to bottom was in uproar!

Wasn’t the Zhou family case already closed?

Hadn’t the murderer already confessed?

The case documents submitted had already been sent to the Ministry of Justice. In just a few days, the verdict should come down.

Now… what was this situation?

The County Magistrate swallowed. “Yunshu, let’s… let’s not make trouble.”

“Who’s making trouble with you?”