No one would have expected the deceased to actually be someone from the Li family!

That Shui Qing was also quite pitiful.

However, it was probably also due to the sins Madam Jiang herself had committed. The karmic retribution had actually fallen upon her younger sister.

Ji Yunshu remained silent. She glanced at Jingrong and reached out to tug his sleeve, pulling him aside to clear the doorway so Madam Jiang and the others could enter.

Madam Jiang could be heard sobbing lowly, her cheeks twitching slightly, her lips pale.

Completely the picture of heartbroken grief!

From the doorway to the interior was only about ten steps, but her feet moved as heavily as stone blocks, taking a long time to walk.

That originally proud and upright body was now being supported by two young maids on either side, swaying unsteadily as she went inside.

Li Zhao had intended to follow in, but his steps halted at the doorway. A pair of extremely hateful eyes looked toward Ji Yunshu.

He said viciously, “Wherever you are, there’s never anything good. It was like this in Jinjiang, and it’s still the same in the capital. Did our Li family kill your entire family in a past life?”

He wished he could clasp his hands around Ji Yunshu’s delicate neck and strangle her to death!

Ji Yunshu remained silent!

However, Jingrong was furious.

His own woman—you dare curse her like this?

Those eyes, already like an eagle’s, now blazed like flames as he shot them at Li Zhao. He took a step forward.

Coldly, he said, “If you feel the Jinjiang prison wasn’t enough for you to squat in, this prince doesn’t mind sending you to the Ministry of Justice prison.”

Li Zhao was originally a coward. He lowered his eyes, couldn’t help but swallow, trembled twice, and quickly went inside.

Instantly, Jingrong also turned to face Ji Yunshu directly, looking down at her who was a head shorter than himself.

“Where did that spirit you had when you burned the Ji residence go?”

“…”

“Where did that courage you had when solving cases go?”

“…”

“Don’t give me empty words. Remember this well—with this prince here, no one can bully you. This prince is your greatest support. As long as I don’t fall, I guarantee your evergreen prosperity.”

Jingrong’s words were firm and certain!

His affection for Ji Yunshu was also an indisputable fact. This woman—he was truly “raising” her as if she were his Princess Rong.

Ji Yunshu had a calm expression. She exhaled lightly, met his eyes, and said, “The Li family has lost someone. Li Zhao has anger in his heart and wants to vent it—that’s understandable. If I had to argue with this kind of person every single time, wouldn’t I be exhausted to death?”

Her tone was slightly weary!

Arguing with that Li Zhao boy was indeed a waste of her breath.

Jingrong seemed to understand her meaning. Was he being too petty?

Of course not.

“Fine. From now on, this prince will shield you from this kind of person.”

Full of tender feelings!

It stirred Ji Yunshu’s heart, and she immediately avoided his gaze and went inside the room.

Jing Xuan on the side looked completely puzzled. Imperial Brother, when did he start treating people so well?

She reached up to scratch her head, puffing out her cheeks. She wanted to ask something, but after thinking about it, swallowed her words back.

Inside the room, Madam Jiang lay prostrate beside that body, her mouth continuously saying something, crying so heartbreakingly that her body had already weakened to the point of nearly collapsing to the ground. Fortunately, the maids were supporting her.

But the two maids beside her both turned their heads away, not daring to look at that corpse at all, their brows furrowed and pale, forcing themselves to hold their breath.

Li Zhao stood far away, not approaching at all, his hand at his nose, clearly feeling nauseated.

After quite a while, Jing Zhaoyin’s voice came from outside.

“Master Ji, the woodcutter has been brought over. Is there something you want to ask?”

Hearing this, Ji Yunshu went out. She saw the woodcutter bowing in the courtyard, not even daring to raise his eyes.

How could an honest woodcutter have seen such a scene before?

Ji Yunshu looked him up and down and asked, “You discovered the body?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you discover it?”

“On Mount Liang. I went to chop firewood. I didn’t kill anyone! If I’d killed someone, I would have run away long ago. Why would I have gone to report it to the authorities? You can’t wrongly accuse me!”

The woodcutter was extremely nervous, terrified they would pin the murderer’s title on him.

Ji Yunshu said, “No one said you killed the person.” After speaking, she continued, “Let me ask you—when you discovered the body, did you see anyone around?”

Only then did the woodcutter relax. He thought it over again in his mind and shook his head. “No one. I just saw a corpse. It was terrible—the face skin had been peeled off, and both hands had been severed.”

He sighed!

This woodcutter must have also vomited when he saw that corpse.

Ji Yunshu thought for a moment and walked before Jing Zhaoyin.

“I must trouble Jing Zhaoyin to take people and follow this woodcutter to the crime scene. Search the surrounding area thoroughly—very thoroughly. Whether it’s cart tracks or footprints, examine them all clearly. Before the deceased died, her body must have been very weak. She couldn’t have run very far, so she probably ran out from somewhere nearby. You must expand the search area. Also, please ask those woodcutters who regularly chop wood on Mount Liang whether they’ve seen any suspicious people or if anything suspicious has occurred. I believe Jing Zhaoyin should have this level of capability in handling matters?”

She spoke very clearly, and Jing Zhaoyin understood it all.

At this time, he first nodded, acknowledging his competence in handling matters, then became suspicious. Inexplicably possessed, he asked, “Has Master Ji served as a local official?”

“Why do you ask this?”

“Your method of investigating cases impresses this official. You consider every detail carefully, so this official speculates—have you held a position in a county office?”

Ji Yunshu shook her head. “Jing Zhaoyin thinks too much. I’ve merely read more books.”

Jing Zhaoyin was half-believing and half-doubting. In his heart, he became even more curious about this person.

The person Prince Rong had found was truly extraordinary!

Without further delay, Jing Zhaoyin dispatched his people to handle the matters Ji Yunshu had instructed.

By now, Madam Jiang inside had finally cried herself out. Her trembling hand slowly covered the body with the white cloth. Clutching her handkerchief and wiping her tears, she came out.

She shook off the two maids beside her and walked toward Ji Yunshu.

Her voice hoarse, she said softly, “I never imagined Shui Qing would end up in such a miserable state. Since you’ve already helped me find Shui Qing, naturally I won’t go back on my word. Once Shui Qing’s funeral arrangements are completed, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

Those reddened eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.

Ji Yunshu didn’t speak, only nodded.

Madam Jiang cried and shed a few more tears, taking a deep breath.

“I must ask you, Master, to definitely find the true culprit. I want the murderer torn apart by five horses to vent my Li family’s anger.”

“No need for Madam Jiang’s request. Since I’ve taken on this case, naturally I’ll investigate it thoroughly, down to every detail.”

“I have faith in your abilities, Master.”

Madam Jiang’s body was unsteady and nearly collapsed again. The two maids quickly supported her and helped her away.

Li Zhao left with even greater strides, still covering his mouth. He must have wanted to vomit the moment he went in.

Finally, Jingrong, Ji Yunshu, and Jing Xuan also left Yi Zhuang.

Jing Xuan’s speed in diving into the carriage was extremely fast.

She regretted it—she would never come to Yi Zhuang again!