Li Cheng said: “Could the murderer possibly be one of those scholars from back then?”

He wondered suspiciously.

Ji Yunshu couldn’t directly deny it either.

She said: “Yesterday we already conducted on-site tests. The murderer is very tall, one meter eighty-nine or above.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ll quickly have someone investigate whether any of the scholars back then had such height. If there is someone, they’re probably the murderer.” Li Cheng spoke decisively.

Ji Yunshu was speechless. “It’s too early to draw conclusions now. Let’s wait until everything is investigated clearly before saying anything.”

“You’re right!”

Ji Yunshu took a breath and continued: “I need to open the coffin for autopsy.”

“Open the coffin for autopsy?” Li Cheng was startled.

The officials of the City Department present also showed surprised expressions.

Ji Yunshu glanced at them indifferently and said: “If we don’t perform an autopsy, how can we find clues?”

“But Du Mubai is now just a pile of bones.” Someone said.

“Since he was murdered, his body will naturally have left clues.”

“Can you examine them?”

“That depends on whether Du Mubai wants to tell me who killed him.”

This was said very eerily!

Li Cheng snapped out of his surprise and said: “Alright, leave this matter to me. Du Mubai is buried not far outside the city. We can dig him up tomorrow.”

“Digging up the coffin must be done carefully. When carrying the coffin from outside the city here, remember to seal the cuts on the coffin lid tightly with damp cloth to prevent contamination along the way. Also…”

She gave instructions one by one.

Fearing those people wouldn’t understand, she repeated the instructions once more.

Only after ensuring they all heard clearly did she stop.

After all, if the skeletal remains in the coffin came into contact with dew or other things, it would affect the judgment later.

Li Cheng asked: “What about Su Qiao’s case?”

Ji Yunshu said: “Her case needs to be approached from other angles. I still have no clues, so it might need to be set aside temporarily.”

“That’s fine. Finding the murderer who killed Du Mubai might also mean finding the murderer who killed Su Qiao.”

Ji Yunshu said nothing more.

At this time, the old coroner who had previously examined Su Qiao’s skull arrived.

His face showed admiration.

He cupped his hands toward Ji Yunshu.

“Earlier, this old fool spoke presumptuously and offended Master Ji. Please forgive me and don’t take offense.”

Ji Yunshu immediately stood up and politely cupped her hands back at him, saying: “Elder, please don’t say such things. There are still too many unknown things in this world that not everyone is aware of.”

“Master, you needn’t comfort me.”

“I don’t know how to comfort people. I’m just speaking the truth.”

The more she said this, the more embarrassed the old coroner became.

But that kid Li Cheng had a very good memory.

He walked over with a mischievous smile and said: “Old fellow, you made a bet with me before—if Master Ji here could identify the deceased, you would kowtow three times to him. How about it? Isn’t it time for you to fulfill your promise?”

The old coroner’s face immediately turned ashen.

He gritted his teeth and said: “Fine. Since I said it, I naturally must do it.”

Having said this, he was about to kneel down before Ji Yunshu.

The next moment, Ji Yunshu immediately stopped him: “No need. After all, I’m a junior. I cannot accept these three kowtows.”

The old coroner looked resolute: “But I gave my word.”

“Then consider that I’ve already received them, but the physical act can be spared.”

Li Cheng: “How can that work? One should accept the consequences of a bet!”

He continued fanning the flames.

Ji Yunshu glared fiercely at him: “Does Young Lord Cheng want to shorten my lifespan?”

“Of course not!”

“Since you don’t, having me, a junior, accept three bows from an elder—isn’t that shortening my life?”

Uh!

Li Cheng was instantly speechless.

He smacked his lips and could only wave his hand: “Fine, fine, pretend I said nothing.”

The old coroner felt very embarrassed.

Yet he was moved in his heart.

Before long, Ji Yunshu and Bai Yin left.

They would wait until Du Mubai’s coffin was brought tomorrow to continue the investigation.

When they returned to the old residence, they finally saw Jingrong.

Ji Yunshu asked worriedly: “Where exactly did you go?”

Jingrong then told them about his meeting with Na Yan.

Bai Yin was very agitated: “I told you not to take on this case. Now look—so many people have been dragged into it!”

Jingrong remained calm: “That Second Prince won’t dare act recklessly. He understands the consequences.”

“But what if? Even a wolf raised by someone’s side that only eats vegetables will bite! Let alone a human.”

Jingrong’s brow furrowed: “Bai Yin, this isn’t the Western Sai Grasslands. There’s no Hou Liao or Yue Dan here. This is Huyi, a place balanced on the scales of power.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Ji Yunshu spoke up to explain: “What he means is, court politics are not about rash impulses but about assessing the situation to survive. Now we’re helping Young Lord Cheng handle cases, which is equivalent to handling cases for the Huyi court. If the Second Prince dares to make a move against us, it’s equivalent to opposing the court. He wouldn’t dare do that!”

Bai Yin still had some of the temperament of the Western Sai Grasslands. On the grasslands, there were no such considerations and deliberations. If you wanted to win, you just fought directly!

Win the fight, and you’re the king!

But here, this was Huyi.

Bai Yin seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to understand.

But he knew that saying more would also be useless.

So he said no more.

He turned and left.

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong exchanged glances and both smiled.

The next moment, Jingrong had already taken her hand.

The two of them stood under the eaves.

Watching the heavy snow falling at this moment.

They say when two people are together, there must be a primary and secondary.

Jingrong was willing to be secondary, willing to hide all his own brilliance and silently accompany Ji Yunshu.

This was love!

…

Pingyang Marquis Manor.

Li Cheng had been busy arranging people to dig up Du Mubai’s coffin and worked until very late before returning.

As soon as he arrived at the manor, he was stopped by his older brother Li Qiao.

“Brother?”

“Has there been any progress on the case?”

“Still investigating.”

“Have you completely entrusted it all to that person called Master Ji?”

Li Cheng nodded: “She can help me.”

Li Qiao patted him on the shoulder: “Whether the case can be solved relates to whether you can enter court in the future, so don’t completely rely on others. You need to put in some effort yourself.”

“I understand, brother.”

“Then go rest early.”

Li Cheng nodded. Just as he was about to return to his own courtyard, he stopped again and asked Li Qiao: “Brother, do you know who Du Mubai might have gone to see after his student qualification was revoked back then?”

Hmm?

“Why do you suddenly ask this?”

“Because according to what they said, Du Mubai went to see someone before he died. Brother, you were close to him back then—do you know who else he might have known?”

When Du Mubai was still a student, Li Qiao had taken care of him many times.

He thought him exceptionally clever, and if he succeeded in the examinations in the future, he could become a branch supporter of the Li family.

Li Qiao thought for a moment: “Not very clear.”

“Oh, forget it then. I’ll be going.”

After Li Cheng had walked a few steps, Li Qiao suddenly called out to him again.

“Acheng, I might… know someone.”

Li Cheng: “Who?”