Just as Zhao Huai was wavering.

Zhao Qing, his mind clear, asked Ji Yunshu: “Can you determine who the deceased was?”

“I need some time, but how long will depend on how much information this skeleton gives me.”

“Hm?”

Ji Yunshu walked around to the front of the table and said: “The deceased was about five feet tall. Although female, her bone structure is rather large, and the bones are quite hard—not like someone born into a wealthy family.”

Looking at the deceased’s foot bones, she frowned and continued: “During her lifetime, the deceased must have sustained an injury to her metatarsals, which is why she’s missing a section of the intermediate cuneiform bone. When the intermediate cuneiform and lateral cuneiform bones of the human foot are injured during life, they will soften after death when soaked in wine, even completely dissolving into the wine. Based on the missing intermediate cuneiform bone, we can conclude that she injured her foot during her lifetime. In fact, we can say the deceased was actually lame.”

Uh!

With this conclusion, both Zhao Huai and Zhao Qing’s expressions froze!

Ji Yunshu took in their expressions but didn’t point it out. She reached out and pressed on the skeleton’s shoulder.

“There’s an indentation on the deceased’s left shoulder bone. It should have been struck by a pointed object. Based on the depth of this indentation and the changes in the surrounding bone joints, it was caused about two years ago. Because she didn’t seek medical treatment promptly at the time, it left lasting problems. Whenever it thundered and rained, the deceased would inevitably suffer unbearable shoulder pain.”

Thud—

At the sound, they looked over to see Zhao Qing’s face pale, his body staggering back two steps, his feet hitting the stool with a muffled thump.

As for Zhao Huai, his expression was dazed, his eyes vacant.

Even—

Shocked to the point of disbelief!

Ji Yunshu’s astute eyes narrowed slightly—she already had an estimate in her mind.

She stepped forward, her face serious, and asked them: “So, do you know who the deceased is?”

“It can’t be, it can’t be…”

Zhao Qing shook his head lightly, his gaze vacant, unfocused, completely appearing astonished and shocked.

Ji Yunshu’s eyes tightened slightly as she continued to ask: “You know who it is, don’t you?”

Who would have thought that before Zhao Qing could answer, Zhao Huai spoke up.

“From the moment she was born, because of her foot condition, she was abandoned by her family. My father took pity on her and brought her back to the stronghold, raising her here all along. Two years ago, her shoulder struck the corner of a table, but because she was stubborn and refused to cry out in pain, it left lasting problems from that time on. When it rained and thundered, the pain would flare up.”

“Who is this ‘she’ that the head chieftain speaks of?”

Zhao Huai swallowed several times.

Then slowly uttered two words from his mouth.

“Jiu’er!”

How could it be Jiu’er?

Zhao Qing had already come to his senses and immediately said: “This skeleton cannot possibly be Jiu’er. A year ago, I personally took Jiu’er away, and I personally buried her. She couldn’t possibly appear here, and her skull—how could it have been cut off by someone? It’s impossible.”

He was so adamant!

It didn’t seem like he was lying.

The next moment, Zhao Huai’s face reddened as he grabbed Zhao Qing’s collar with his hand and demanded: “Are you certain you buried Jiu’er’s body?”

“I buried her, I buried her with my own hands, I buried her with my own hands. This is not Jiu’er’s corpse, definitely not.”

Like a madman, he pushed Zhao Huai away.

Then he rushed toward Ji Yunshu, eyes red, saying: “Didn’t you say you could determine who this skeleton belongs to based on those bones? Fine, investigate, investigate as quickly as possible and prove that she’s not Jiu’er.”

Compared to his impulsiveness, Ji Yunshu was extremely calm.

“If you want to know whether this skeleton is truly Jiu’er’s or not, there’s one fastest method—open Jiu’er’s grave and look inside the coffin to know.”

“No.” He refused: “Jiu’er is already dead. I can’t let her be disturbed even in death.”

“Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. Very well, I’ll draw a portrait based on this skeleton. But if it’s discovered that the deceased is indeed Jiu’er, in the end, you’ll still have to open the coffin for verification.”

“But what if it’s not?”

“Based on the description, there’s a very high possibility that this skeleton is Jiu’er, but I cannot give you a definitive answer.”

Zhao Qing fell into contemplation.

Meanwhile, Zhao Huai’s face was rigid, his hands secretly clenched into fists. He cast a meaningful glance at Zhao Qing.

He said to Ji Yunshu: “If you can truly investigate this matter clearly, I, Zhao Huai, can promise you that what happened before will be forgiven. You can take that fool and leave here. All of you can leave Shanhuai County safely. However, I’m only giving you five days to complete the portrait. Otherwise, I’ll still kill you.”

Five days?

Are you joking?

Even if there were a skull sitting right here, there’s no guarantee it could be drawn within five days.

This was clearly making things difficult.

Zhao Huai was an impatient person who gave Ji Yunshu absolutely no opportunity to object. His attitude was resolute—there was no room for negotiation.

After Zhao Huai left, Zhao Qing also stumbled away.

Ji Yunshu had someone find several sheets of rice paper and writing implements, planning to rush through the work.

Wei Yi had been sitting on the small stool in the distance the whole time, his round eyes watching the entire scene that had just unfolded. When Ji Yunshu buried herself in work, he threw off his gloves and walked over.

He asked: “Shu’er, are you hungry?”

Ji Yunshu didn’t respond.

“I’m hungry. I’ll go get you some steamed buns.”

Then, holding his shriveled belly, he ran out.

Completely forgetting his earlier feelings of revulsion!

Little Yu, who had previously taken Wei Yi to the privy, also followed him out.

Behind them, Ji Yunshu picked up the femur, held it in her hands for a long time, then simply drew a mandible on the paper—just a small section.

Without precise measurements or instruments, this was truly difficult for her.

Meanwhile, Wei Yi cheerfully rushed toward the kitchen.

Little Yu followed behind. Nominally it was surveillance, but in reality, he had ulterior motives.

“Hey fool, did you ever ask her what ultimately happened to the Monkey King?”

Wei Yi gave him a sideways glance: “You want to know?”

“Yes, so tell me!”

“I’m not telling.”

Arrogantly turning his head away, he lifted his legs and entered the kitchen, beginning to rummage around.

The few people in the kitchen didn’t stop him, all finding this fool quite entertaining.

Little Yu, however, kept pestering him annoyingly: “Fool, just tell me—what happened in the end? If you don’t tell me, I won’t be able to sleep!”

“I’m just not telling.”

“You…”

This is infuriating!

This foolish boy had clearly piqued his interest, but now wanted to abandon him—he really should be put in a pig cage!

Wei Yi found several meat buns and was thrilled.

“There’s meat to eat!”

He grabbed the buns and was about to rush back to find Ji Yunshu, but Little Yu blocked his path, refusing to let him pass.

“If you still won’t tell me, I’ll cut out your tongue and soak it in wine.”

Wei Yi was frightened, shrinking his shoulders and covering his mouth: “He died. The Monkey King died.”

“What?”

My Monkey King died?

Thunderstruck!

Little Yu was completely dumbfounded.