Li Cheng had no time to tease this old coroner.

He said: “That expert can not only determine from a skull that the deceased was drowned, but can also draw what the deceased looked like before death.”

Uh!

This was getting more and more outrageous!

The old coroner couldn’t believe it even more.

He expressed deep doubt: “Draw what a dead person looked like before death? Based on a skull?”

“Exactly!”

“My lord, this is impossible! This humble one has been a coroner for decades and have never known of anyone in the world who could draw portraits by examining bones. My lord, haven’t you been deceived by some charlatan?”

“You old fellow, you’re really like a frog at the bottom of a well! As they say, beyond people there are people, beyond mountains there are mountains. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. This lord witnessed it with my own eyes—saw that person touch bones and draw portraits, accurately revealing the deceased’s identity, and even solved a strange case because of it. How could that be some charlatan? In my opinion, your old fellow’s skills are rather deceptive. You can’t even determine the cause of death, yet you claim to have been a coroner for decades. How laughable.” Li Cheng rudely rebutted him.

Once these words were spoken, the officials and guards present also covered their mouths and laughed softly.

The old coroner choked up. He had some reputation in the coroner profession, and this was the first time he’d been publicly belittled like this.

Simply too hurtful.

In any case, his heart hardened and he issued a harsh statement: “My lord, if there truly exists someone in the world who can touch bones and draw portraits, I will kneel down and kowtow to her three times.”

“You said that?”

“This humble one never speaks falsely.”

“Good! This lord will let you see clearly what a remarkable person in the world is.”

One was a noble young master.

One was a coroner.

The two just clashed like this!

Truly remarkable news.

After leaving the morgue, Li Cheng went straight home.

He immediately rushed to Li Wenshu’s courtyard.

Before he even entered, he called out from afar: “Elder Sister, you must help me come up with an idea this time!”

His tone was full of pleading.

At this moment, Li Wenshu was reading in her room. Hearing the sound, she looked up and saw Li Cheng rushing in hurriedly.

He plopped down across from her.

He even brought in a gust of cold wind.

The cold made Li Wenshu involuntarily tighten her clothing.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Elder Sister, I have an important matter to discuss with you.”

“What?”

Li Cheng poured himself a cup of water and drank it, caught his breath, then said: “Elder Sister must not know—those people we encountered in Yiwu have also come to Gaoding.”

Those people?

Li Wenshu’s expression immediately darkened as she asked: “So, you’ve already seen them?”

“Mm, I saw them this morning.”

“Didn’t I tell you their identities are unclear and not to make contact with them?”

“Elder Sister, you’re overthinking.”

“No matter what, you must be careful above all!” Li Wenshu said seriously.

Li Cheng lowered his head: “I know.” Then his eyes widened and he said, “But to run into them like this shows I’m fated to meet them!”

Li Wenshu was helpless. “This is the important matter you wanted to tell me?”

“Oh dear, look at me, I almost forgot the real business!” Li Cheng slapped his forehead and quickly got to the point. “Elder Sister must know about the murder case at the city gate, right? That matter happens to be my responsibility, but you know investigating cases is what I’m worst at. So I went to find them early this morning, wanting to ask Miss Ji to help me solve the case, but she refused no matter what. I plan to make three visits to the thatched cottage and go again tomorrow morning, but I’m worried she still won’t agree. I don’t know what to do then.”

After hearing this, Li Wenshu frowned: “So?”

“Elder Sister, you’ve always had many ideas. Tell me, what should I do to get them to help me?”

“How would I know?”

“This is very important to me. If I can’t solve this case, what face will I have in Gaoding in the future? I’ll definitely be laughed at to death.”

Li Wenshu said seriously: “You’re already this old. You can’t rely on others for everything. You need to use your own brain too! Moreover, we don’t even know those people’s backgrounds yet. What if something happens?”

Li Cheng made a bitter face: “Elder Sister…”

“Don’t say anymore, I won’t help you.” Li Wenshu’s attitude was firm.

Clearly this approach wouldn’t work!

So—Li Cheng had to devise another strategy. He composed himself and said: “If Elder Sister won’t help me, that’s fine, but don’t you care about justice either? The deceased only has a skull left. Even Gaoding’s most capable coroner can’t verify the deceased’s identity, let alone solve the case. It might take three to five years to investigate without results. But clearly Miss Ji has the ability to know the deceased’s identity and can help solve the case. With her assistance, the case would definitely be solved quickly, and it would prevent panic among the people of Gaoding. Besides, solving cases isn’t murder or arson—it’s doing good deeds, it’s seeking justice for the deceased. Elder Sister has read books of the sages for so many years. Would you really watch this case eventually come to nothing while the murderer continues to roam free?”

Who knew this fellow’s mouth could be so formidable!

Li Wenshu was stunned.

Every sentence struck at her heart.

It stirred her up so much she was momentarily speechless.

Seeing her waver slightly, Li Cheng struck while the iron was hot, pulling on Li Wenshu’s hand and pleading: “Elder Sister, I promise I’ll definitely be careful in my work and absolutely won’t bring any trouble to our Li family.”

A vow!

Seeing him so serious, Li Wenshu sighed, very helpless.

She said: “Just this once!”

Li Cheng’s eyes brightened: “I guarantee just this once!”

Li Wenshu: “Actually, if you want others to agree to help you, there is one best method.”

“What?”

“Cater to their interests!”

“Cater to their interests?” Li Cheng pondered. “But I don’t know what she likes! How can I cater to her interests?”

“You’re really foolish!”

“Ah?”

“The interests I’m talking about aren’t hobbies.”

“Then what are they?”

Li Cheng leaned his entire upper body forward, pressing on the table.

Li Wenshu: “Those people aren’t merchants here for trade at all. But they’re concealing their identities to come to Huyi—what is this for?”

“For what?”

“Nothing more than two things: first to find someone, second to find something!”

Li Cheng paused, then suddenly had an epiphany: “Elder Sister, I understand.”

Extremely excited.

Li Wenshu shook her head slightly and picked up her book to continue reading.

“Now that you understand, hurry and leave. Don’t disturb my reading.”

“Yes, yes, yes, Elder Sister, you read well. I’m leaving.” Li Cheng bounced away, his figure quickly disappearing from the courtyard.

After he left.

Li Wenshu put down her book again.

Her thoughts grew heavy.

Inexplicably, she thought of Bai Yin.

That man who had the same eyes as Du Mubai.

She thought that after parting in Yiwu, they would never meet again.

Who knew Heaven loved to play tricks on people.

The more she thought about it, the deeper her thoughts went, and she could no longer focus on her book.

She stood up and walked to the window, pushing open that window.

Cold wind rushed in, brushing against her cheeks.

It also cleared her mind considerably!