Going to watch a play at a time like this?

Wasn’t this wrong?

Li Cheng didn’t know what scheme she had up her sleeve.

But Jingrong and Song Zhi weren’t surprised at all.

The group left their rooms, preparing to go out.

Just as Li Cheng was about to follow them downstairs, his elder sister called out to him.

“Where are you going with them again?” She worried that Li Cheng would stay out all night again.

“To watch a play.”

“What play?”

“Not sure!”

“Listen here, I don’t care what you all are going to do, nor do I care whether this case can be solved. In any case, tomorrow morning at the earliest, you’re coming back to Gaoding with me.” Li Wenshu’s attitude was resolute.

“I know.” Li Cheng was helpless. His eyes rolled once, then he said again, “Elder sister, you’ve been stuck at the inn these past days anyway feeling bored. Why not come with us to watch the play?”

“Not interested!” Li Wenshu refused.

“We finally came all the way to Yiwu. Staying cooped up in your room all day will make you sick from boredom. Tomorrow morning we have to leave. If we don’t look around, wouldn’t that be a pity? I’ve heard that the various theater troupes in Yiwu perform extremely well, even better than those theater troupes in Gaoding.”

“I already said no…” Before the word “go” could leave her mouth, she saw Bai Yin downstairs. She paused for a moment, then suddenly changed her mind, saying, “Alright then.”

Li Cheng didn’t think too much of it, only assuming she had suddenly become interested.

He then pulled Li Wenshu downstairs.

The group together left the inn.

To watch a play!

At this time, at the Yiwu prison.

Zhang Xiaobai had learned from the jailer’s mouth that Lord Zhuo had only given that Young Master Ji two days to find the murderer. If the two-day time limit arrived and there was still no other evidence proving the murderer was someone else, then Zhang Xiaobai would be determined as the murderer.

Therefore, he had been worried in the prison for two days.

Couldn’t rest properly at all.

No sleep!

No food!

No water!

All day his heart was troubled!

Looking now, it was already dark.

The two-day time limit was almost up.

That also meant he would be treated by Lord Zhuo as the murderer and sentenced to death.

When that time came, his head would roll.

How could he bear that?

Thinking of this, he anxiously clutched at his own neck.

His whole body trembling with fear.

Meanwhile, Old Qiao in the cell across from him had rested very well these past few days, eating with great appetite.

He looked at Zhang Xiaobai’s appearance and said: “Zhang Xiaobai, you should stop worrying. Song Zhi said he would save you.”

“Save me?” Zhang Xiaobai glared at him, choking up as he said, “But there hasn’t been any sign of him. He probably stopped caring about me as soon as he got out.”

“Song Zhi isn’t that kind of person!”

“He is exactly that kind of person. Everyone says scholars fear death, and he’s no exception.”

“How can you say that about him? Song Zhi is a good person. I stole the bundle he was returning to Wang Jun, causing him to sit in unjust imprisonment for several days, and he didn’t even blame me.”

“Those are two different matters, don’t mix them together. What do you know!”

Old Qiao was speechless, slapping his thigh: “I won’t say anything more.”

He then leaned against the wall behind him and fell into a deep sleep.

Zhang Xiaobai paced back and forth in the cell.

His hands rubbing together tightly from time to time.

From time to time touching his own neck.

Extremely worried!

He didn’t want to bear such a false accusation.

“Song Zhi! There are only a few hours left. You must help me. Once I get out, I’ll definitely serve you like an ox or horse.”

His hands pressed together in prayer!

Praying toward that small window.

In the back hall of the county yamen.

Lord Zhuo was also waiting for results.

He stared gravely outside.

Waiting for the time to arrive so he could pass judgment.

An official came in to report: “My lord, I’ve already gone to look. That Young Master Ji went to Yi Zhuang once these past two days. The rest of the time he stayed in his room sleeping, not investigating the case at all.”

“Sleeping?”

“Yes! Today he slept the entire day.”

“But what did she go to Yi Zhuang to do?”

“Not clear. His people are watching at Yi Zhuang, so we couldn’t openly inquire.”

Lord Zhuo squinted his eyes in contemplation, his finger gently tapping on the desk beside his hand: “What exactly is she trying to do? Claiming repeatedly that the case has other hidden circumstances, yet why is she not anxious at all?”

Strange!

He pondered for quite a while but couldn’t figure it out!

Just then, an official rushed in hastily.

Calling out: “My lord!”

Lord Zhuo: “What is it?”

“That Young Master Ji says to invite you to watch a play together.”

Lord Zhuo stood up abruptly, his jaw nearly dropping, incredulous as he said: “At a time like this, she wants this official to go watch a play with her? This is simply absurd!”

He waved his sleeve.

The official trembled as he said: “My lord, Heir… Heir Cheng is also there.”

Uh!

That trump card was truly effective at any time.

Upon hearing that Li Cheng was also there, how could Lord Zhuo dare refuse!

He immediately grabbed his official robe saying: “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go watch the play.”

The official immediately stopped him again: “My lord, wait.”

“Why are you stopping this official?”

“Young Master Ji also said to have you… watch quietly from the doorway.”

“Watch quietly?”

What kind of nonsense was this?

Lord Zhuo swallowed, but given Li Cheng’s presence, he didn’t dare not comply.

He could only agree to watch quietly.

He then took several officials with him.

…

Ji Yinshu and the others went to the theater house.

They went to the Zhao Family Troupe’s theater house.

As soon as they entered, Director Tao hurried out to greet them.

Because so many incidents had occurred, Director Tao had become much more haggard, with no energy whatsoever.

Extremely dejected!

He had already decided that after this matter passed, he would disband the Zhao Family Troupe.

In the future, he would probably have to change professions!

He looked at the people who had come, both men and women.

Each with their own background!

“Are you all here to investigate the case? Or is there something unclear you need to ask us?” Director Tao asked in a hoarse voice.

Ji Yinshu said: “Director, we’re here to watch a play!”

Director Tao froze for a moment. “Young master, please don’t joke with me.”

“I’m not joking. We truly are here to watch a play.”

“Alas, so many incidents have occurred. My theater troupe can no longer continue operations. Where would there be any plays? Look around you—there’s no one here watching at all.” Director Tao sighed.

Normally at this time, the theater house would be packed with people watching plays.

But now, it was extremely desolate!

Ji Yinshu’s intention was very clear: “Aren’t we all people? We just want to watch a play, nothing else.”

“This…”

While Director Tao was in a difficult position—

Jingrong took out an ingot of gold and handed it toward him.

“Director, our young master here won’t go to any other theater house but specifically came to your theater house because he truly enjoys watching your Zhao Family Troupe’s plays. Today, consider that we’ve reserved the entire venue. How about it?”

That was an ingot of gold!

A month’s income for the theater troupe!

Director Tao had always been someone who jumped at the sight of money. Although he was currently very dejected, seeing money, there was no reason not to earn it.

Thus—

He gritted his teeth and accepted it.

Asking: “But what play do you want to watch?”

Jingrong looked toward Ji Yinshu, inquiring her opinion.

Ji Yinshu stated clearly: “‘Ghost Bride Buries Her Husband’!”

Uh!

Director Tao was greatly shocked. “Wh… what?”