To prove the true fatal injury that caused Shui Yan’s death.

Ji Yinshu ordered someone to bring a small amount of white wine, clean white paper, and some camphor wood juice.

Then she conducted on the deceased’s skull an experiment she had performed before.

This was to verify whether the wound on the occipital bone of the skeletal remains was a fatal injury or an old wound.

She first applied the camphor wood juice to the occipital bone, then covered it with paper soaked in white wine.

After waiting a while.

The paper soaked in white wine displayed a faint pale red color.

In other words, this wound was inflicted before the deceased’s death.

It was a fatal injury!

She had obtained the answer she wanted, yet her heart felt extremely heavy.

Although this result was something she had anticipated all along.

Her heart still felt as if a massive stone was pressing down on it.

At this moment, she could be certain that Shui Yan’s death was the beginning of this entire murder case!

It could be said to be the fuse.

She removed her gloves, covered the skeletal remains with white cloth, and after tidying everything up, went out to instruct those several guards: “You all stand watch here. Don’t let anyone approach those skeletal remains. After the case is concluded, properly bury them back in their original place.”

“Yes.”

“Also, in a moment have the caretaker of Yi Zhuang burn a few sticks of incense for the deceased.”

“Yes!”

The guards responded solemnly.

Their voices uniform.

Jingrong heard the sound and came over, glancing inside once before asking her: “Already finished the examination?”

“Yes.” She nodded her head, then looked toward Song Zhi. “Young Master Song, I need you to help me with something.”

Was this the reason Ji Yinshu had previously said “even if you hadn’t come to find me, I was going to find you”?

Song Zhi straightened his chest, speaking very solemnly: “As long as Song can accomplish it, just say the word.”

“I need you… to rewrite a new play script for me.”

A new play script?

Confusion.

…

Thus that day, Song Zhi rewrote a new play script according to Ji Yinshu’s requirements.

He wrote until evening.

The new play script was finally completed!

He handed it to Ji Yinshu for review.

After Ji Yinshu finished reading it, she was very satisfied.

Then she had Bai Yin take the new play script out, and also gave him some instructions about certain matters.

The second day.

Ji Yinshu spent the entire day staying at the inn.

She didn’t investigate the case!

She didn’t even mention it.

She appeared leisurely and carefree.

Jingrong asked Song Zhi for several play scripts and began reading them in his room.

Song Zhi sat across from him like a child awaiting criticism.

Waiting for Jingrong to express his “post-reading impressions.”

The plots of those plays were actually written rather ordinarily, even lacking any real appeal to watch. No wonder Song Zhi had eaten so much “dirt” all these years. Of course, this wasn’t because he wrote poorly, only because he wrote too literarily.

He wrote too much poetry and elegant prose!

He only focused on flowery language, not on plot.

Naturally there was nothing worth watching.

Plus Song Zhi was unwilling to follow trends, refusing to write those vulgar scripts no matter what.

But he was a man of letters after all!

Seeing Jingrong reading so seriously, Song Zhi said with a reddened face: “I’m truly ashamed. What I’ve written probably cannot enter the warrior’s eyes.”

Jingrong’s gaze lifted slightly, uttering one sentence: “The literary style is excellent!”

“Everyone says so, but the circumstances are hard to put into words.”

“Things will naturally get better and better.”

“Perhaps.” Song Zhi hesitated for a moment, then said, “Actually, what you said to me yesterday, I thought about all night.”

Upon hearing this, Jingrong set down the play script in his hands and asked him seriously: “So what did you conclude?”

“Although the official circles are dark, if I participate in the imperial examinations and achieve scholarly honors, I fear I may fall deeply into a quagmire in the future. But as you said, the lamp wick burns out and falls into night, a thousand acres of good farmland belong to the family, an umbrella can provide shelter from rain, carriages and horses can travel urgently. If I have such capabilities, I should display my talents accordingly. If I can become an official, I must seek welfare for the common people.”

Clearly, Song Zhi was planning to participate in the imperial examinations!

Jingrong understood his meaning: “The spring examinations are in the third month, there are still two or three months. There’s time.”

“Once the case concludes, I plan to set off for Gaoding.” Song Zhi had made his decision.

“Then I shall congratulate you in advance on your bright future prospects.”

“Many thanks, warrior.”

“You needn’t keep calling me warrior. My surname is Jing.”

“Young Master Jing.” Song Zhi raised his hand in salute.

Always so courteous and polite.

Jingrong didn’t tell him that he too was going to Gaoding, thinking that after this matter passed, everyone would part ways!

Too much entanglement was ultimately inappropriate.

At this moment—

A voice came through.

“Why aren’t you two going to handle proper business yet?”

It was Li Cheng.

He strode in hastily.

His expression urgent.

Upon seeing him, Song Zhi immediately stood up and bowed: “Heir Cheng.”

Li Cheng didn’t care for such empty courtesies. The folding fan in his hand pressed against Song Zhi’s elbow, gently lifting it upward. “I’m not some important personage, what are you bowing for!”

“Last time, many thanks to Heir Cheng for coming to my aid. Otherwise, Song would likely have already been convicted.”

“Just a small effort.” Li Cheng raised his eyebrows, looking him up and down, saying, “Looks like Lord Zhuo’s work efficiency isn’t bad. You were released so quickly. I thought that old fellow would keep you locked up for several days.”

About this…

Song Zhi didn’t know how to respond to his words!

Li Cheng also no longer chatted idly with him, instead turning to look at Jingrong and asking: “I just went to knock on Young Master’s door, but she refused to open it for me. What exactly are you all doing? The sun is about to set, and the two-day time limit is almost up.”

A typical impatient personality!

Serving as a reminder.

Jingrong looked at the sky, fell silent for a moment, then said: “The time hasn’t arrived yet.”

“It’s almost here!”

“How long is ‘almost’?”

“This…” Li Cheng was left speechless, licking his lips before plopping down onto a stool, pouring himself a cup of water and gulping it down.

He noticed the several play scripts in front of Jingrong and grabbed them to read.

After reading a few pages, his eyes lit up as he asked: “Who wrote this? It’s really well written!”

Really well written?

As the saying goes, turnips and cabbages each have their own preferences.

No matter how poor Song Zhi’s plots were, there would be a few odd ones who liked them.

For example—Li Cheng!

Song Zhi said bashfully: “I wrote this.”

“You wrote this? Good heavens, you’re truly talented.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

“No need to be modest!” Li Cheng continued reading.

Completely absorbed in it.

He became Song Zhi’s little fanboy.

Until the sunset in the west.

Ji Yinshu emerged from her room.

Bai Yin had also already returned from outside, telling her: “Everything has been arranged.”

“Any mistakes?”

“Rest assured, I personally oversaw it.”

“That’s good then.”

Ji Yinshu then went to Jingrong’s room.

When the door opened, she saw three grown men currently squeezed into one room.

Gathered around the table, each silent.

The scene was somewhat comical!

An eyesore.

Song Zhi was still the first person to stand, very polite.

Li Cheng was still holding the play script reading.

Frowning as he pondered the upcoming plot developments.

Feeling the story within was stirring and soul-moving!

Jingrong looked toward Ji Yinshu, then glanced at Bai Yin, already understanding.

Ji Yinshu smiled slightly, saying to the three grown men: “Come, let’s all go watch a play.”

Watch a play?

Upon hearing this, Li Cheng immediately set down the play script, turning to ask: “Watch a play? What play?”

“Naturally a good play!”