What had originally been a naked corpse was now dressed neatly in silk and satin, nothing left out. The messy, coarse long hair had been combed until extremely smooth, adorned with gold hairpins and silver ornaments.

The accessories on the body were too numerous to count, and as the body was moved, they emitted a series of jingling sounds.

The wide sleeves also concealed Shui Qing’s severed hands, and on her face was an exquisite and beautiful golden mask.

The whole thing looked just like a glittering golden Buddha!

Although the corpse had already begun to decay somewhat at this point, because it had been treated and surrounded by soapberries and even some flower pollen, there was no foul odor.

Ji Yinshu quickly opened the sandalwood box she had brought, selected a wide, flat small knife from inside, and set it aside.

Putting on white gloves, she slightly pulled open the clothing on Shui Qing’s body, revealing the greenish-blue shoulder.

She picked up the knife and lightly cut an incision on Shui Qing’s shoulder, quickly and carefully cutting off a piece of skin.

Because the blood in the corpse had already congealed, no blood flowed out, and the golden clothing remained completely clean.

She carefully placed that piece of skin on a handkerchief.

The entire series of movements were clean and efficient!

Turning to Madam Jiang, she said, “Alright, the body can be placed back in the coffin.”

That was it?

Everyone still felt it hadn’t even begun!

Li Zhao opened his mouth, also finding it incredible—shouldn’t there be cutting open the torso and such? How…

Madam Jiang agreed and ordered people to place the body back into the coffin and close the lid.

It was as if the small episode just now had never happened at all.

“I need a basin of salt water and a clean piece of paper. Can you bring them?” Ji Yinshu asked.

Madam Jiang was very cooperative with her requests.

She agreed to everything.

After the salt water and paper were prepared, Ji Yinshu placed the piece of skin she had just cut off into the salt water. After waiting approximately half an incense stick’s worth of time, she placed a piece of paper into the water basin, dabbed it a few times, and lifted it out.

On what had been clean paper, there were now some orange-colored marks.

The corners of her mouth moved, her expression grave as she silently set the paper aside and looked toward Jingrong.

“Your Highness, you can notify the Capital Magistrate now. I believe I already know who the murderer is.”

“Mm.” He nodded and immediately ordered someone to notify the Capital Magistrate.

Hearing that there had been progress in the disappearance case, the Capital Magistrate rushed over without stopping.

“Master Ji, has the murderer been found?”

He was extremely excited.

Although the case had already been handed to Ji Yinshu, he, as Capital Magistrate, couldn’t be said to be completely without responsibility.

Ji Yinshu stood outside the mourning hall and explained to the Capital Magistrate in detail.

“I went to Liang Mountain and found a piece of white cloth. I discovered that the cloth was stained with oil—moreover, two kinds of oil. One was just ordinary lard, and the other was oil from human flesh.”

Ugh!

Everyone present was utterly shocked!

Human oil?

Just hearing those two words made them feel nauseated.

The Capital Magistrate didn’t quite understand and quickly asked, “What does Master mean by this?”

Ji Yinshu explained, “That piece of white cloth, when it touched water, released two kinds of oil. If it were lard, the oil ring that forms would have a heavier color on the outer ring, but the oil ring from a human body is different—the inner ring has a heavier color.”

“A piece of white cloth thrown on Liang Mountain that was stained with lard and also stained with human oil—one can imagine that at the time, the murderer needed to transport the deceased from inside the city, but fearing discovery, he placed the corpse together with some pork. When leaving the city, it would naturally be much more convenient. But what the murderer didn’t expect was that the deceased would actually escape. He pursued all the way up Liang Mountain, and a piece of white cloth from his body accidentally fell off. That white cloth must have been something the murderer always carried with him. When he was loading the pork and the deceased onto the cart, he got stained with lard and also with oil that flowed from the deceased’s severed hands.”

“Just now, I also soaked the skin I cut from the deceased in salt water and discovered lard. If my explanation is correct, then adding the fact that where the deceased’s hands were severed is extremely smooth, we can determine that the murderer should be a butcher. Capital Magistrate, I need you to immediately investigate the information on all butchers in the capital, but remember, you cannot alert the enemy—lest the murderer escape before we’ve confirmed anything.”

Having said so much, everyone understood!

The Capital Magistrate was both surprised and delighted, and of course, admiring!

Lifting his robe, he repeatedly agreed and hurried off to handle the matter.

Madam Jiang, however, began to cry, shouting, “If we find that murderer, I will definitely kill him!”

Her denunciations came voice after voice!

Ji Yinshu walked before her. “Madam Jiang, the dead cannot come back to life.”

“Master Ji, thank you so much.”

“No need to thank me.”

Madam Jiang cried until her eyes swelled again. Ji Yinshu and the others didn’t linger long and left the Li Manor.

Just as they returned to Prince Rong’s Manor.

Lang Bo whispered a few words in Jingrong’s ear.

Then Jingrong was heard saying, “Good, have him wait properly.”

Turning, he said to Ji Yinshu, “This prince has some matters to attend to. You should go rest as well. Since the murderer’s range has been narrowed, I believe the Capital Magistrate should have news very soon.”

“Mm.”

She nodded!

Jingrong then left the manor with Lang Bo.

She had no interest in concerning herself with his whereabouts. Right now, the most important thing was probably this disappearance case. With leads, they should be able to solve the case soon.

…

Peach Blossom Garden

Yan Weiyi sat in the pavilion. On the table before him was a pot of tea, only it had gone somewhat cold!

This person looked rather like a scholarly teacher, his features could be considered amiable.

No one could connect such a person with the four words “ruthless and cruel.”

He waited for the time it takes one incense stick to burn and finally saw Jingrong arrive.

He withdrew the hatred from his eyes, stood up and cupped his hands. “I greet Prince Rong.”

“Master Yan need not be overly courteous. Please sit.”

Jingrong sat down, a smile on his lips.

Yan Weiyi sat down opposite him, but his gaze remained lowered as he asked, “I wonder for what matter Prince Rong has summoned me here?”

“No rush.”

Jingrong picked up the pot of cold tea before him, poured two cups, and pushed one of them in front of Yan Weiyi.

He said, “Come, Master Yan, taste and see if this tea I’ve brewed with peach blossoms is good.”

Clearly knowing it was cold, Yan Weiyi still picked it up, brought it to his lips and took a small sip, then gently set it down.

“It’s very good.”

“Just very good? Has Master Yan not noticed that something else has been added to this tea?” Jingrong raised an eyebrow.

Something else?

Yan Weiyi looked into the teacup, not understanding. “Please speak plainly, Your Highness.”

He heard Jingrong laugh coldly. “This tea contains leaves from the northern ginkgo tree that you personally planted, Master Yan.”

“Ah!”

Yan Weiyi’s face immediately showed alarm, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, his eyes carrying terror and shock!