People are dying?

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the ruined temple was shocked and turned their gazes toward the old man.

Some were intensely interested, others looked utterly confused…

As soon as Ji Yunshu heard this, her nerves jolted as if electrified, and she became more alert.

She spoke up to inquire, “Old sir, what happened in Yuzhou city that people are dying?”

The old man sighed, waved his hand, and said in a trembling voice, “Nothing happened.”

“Oh? Then what’s going on?”

The old man turned directly to face Ji Yunshu and held up three fingers. “In the past month, three people have died in Yuzhou city. The whole city is in a state of panic. The county magistrate can’t figure out the reason at all. The murderer is still at large. Who knows if more people will die? So now, anyone who can leave town has left. Who would dare stay in the city?”

Speaking of it, even the old man felt thoroughly creeped out.

Ji Yunshu thought for a moment and continued asking, “Could you tell us more details?”

“I heard that before those three people died, they all saw a ghost—said it was an evil ghost with a mangled face. That very night they went mad, and the next day they died. Their faces were twisted in agony, their limbs stiff, their deaths terribly miserable. What’s even stranger is that all three were found hanged from large trees. They say it’s a vengeful spirit claiming lives, looking for substitute victims. No one knows what it really is, but basically no one dares go out at night anymore.”

After finishing, he sighed!

At this moment, Jingrong instinctively glanced at Ji Yunshu and quietly reminded her, “We’ve already been delayed in Shanhuai County. If you get involved again, who knows when we’ll reach Yufu. It’ll be the year of the monkey and the month of the horse.”

“I…”

“Think about Auntie Xie. She’s traveling all the way to the capital to seek justice for her daughter, isn’t she? You want to manage everything, but you need to prioritize. Besides, Yuzhou city is so large—surely they can find a capable person to solve the case? Let the Yuzhou county magistrate worry about this case himself. Don’t get involved.”

All these words were basically to prevent Ji Yunshu from “meddling in other people’s business.”

Ji Yunshu glanced at Auntie Xie huddled in the corner, holding that tattered, yellowed bundle, her eyes vacant.

These past days, Auntie Xie had barely spoken a word. Even in Shanhuai County, she rarely left her room and didn’t even urge Ji Yunshu and the others to continue their journey.

Ji Yunshu thought about it and agreed with Jingrong. “Understood.”

Seeing how obedient she was, Jingrong was very satisfied.

But unexpectedly, from the other side, one of Zhao Huai’s men suddenly spoke up: “How can it be so supernatural? What ghosts? It’s all superstition.”

The old man immediately retorted, “Young man, you better believe it! This matter of ghosts and spirits—you can’t not believe. Be careful or a substitute victim will come for you, and then you’ll be in trouble.”

Ugh!

This made the man suddenly feel his hair stand on end, and he didn’t dare speak anymore!

The old man reminded them again, “If you’re heading into the city, better not go in. If you’re just passing through, it’s best to go around.”

Everyone fell silent!

The old man said nothing more and grabbed his heated steamed bun to eat.

What was going on in the perfectly fine Yuzhou city to cause such trouble?

Lang Bo turned his head to ask Jingrong, “Your Highness, should we still enter Yuzhou city tomorrow? If we go around, it will probably add two more days to our journey.”

“No need for that. Besides, when we reach Yuzhou city, we need to stock up on supplies and food.”

“But…”

Jingrong glared at him. “What? Worried about vengeful spirits claiming lives?”

Lang Bo quickly said, “No, Your Highness knows this subordinate isn’t afraid of such things at all.”

“Then why are you still talking? Enough, hurry and rest. Tomorrow we’ll enter the city, stock up on supplies, and leave immediately.”

“Yes.”

Everyone hugged their swords and went back to sleep!

But a stone had settled in Ji Yunshu’s heart. She stared at the blazing flames before her, lost in thought.

She didn’t notice the gaze that Zhao Huai cast upon her from a distance.

…

The next day!

Everyone packed their luggage, boarded the carriages, and headed for Yuzhou city.

Jingrong’s people were in front, while Zhao Huai’s people followed behind at a distance.

Just as they reached the main gate of Yuzhou city, the county magistrate led his men to greet them at the entrance.

This county magistrate wasn’t like the obsequious Liu Qingping, nor like the fawning Jing Zhaoyin. He appeared upright and honest, like a poor scholar, with deep furrows in his brow that made him look rather pitiful.

Standing beside him was a chief constable with a face full of stubble, looking imposing and stern.

Wasn’t this Chief Constable Zhang?

The impulsive and reckless Chief Constable Zhang whom Ji Yunshu had encountered on her way to the capital when a murder occurred at an inn.

County Magistrate Fang of Yuzhou saw them arrive and cupped his hands in greeting. “This humble official, Fang Mingsan, welcomes Prince Rong.”

Hearing this, Jingrong lifted the curtain and stuck his head out for a look.

Outside the massive gate of Yuzhou city stood a full complement of yamen officials, while people coming and going on both sides were held back.

This formation was clearly a trap.

The corner of Jingrong’s mouth curved upward. He got down from the carriage and walked upright to stand before Fang Mingsan.

“Is Magistrate Fang setting up a Hongmen Banquet for this prince?”

“This humble official wouldn’t dare.”

“Wouldn’t dare? I see you not only dare, but have brazenly arranged this Hongmen Banquet. Magistrate Fang, back when you were able to take office in Yuzhou, it was this prince who helped submit your official appointment documents. What scheme you’re plotting in your heart—others may not understand, but this prince can see it clearly. Those twisted thoughts of yours are getting all tangled up. You’d better straighten them out quickly.”

Fang Mingsan smiled warmly, brushing his wide sleeves, his thoughts written all over his face. He glanced at the carriage behind them and spoke seriously to Jingrong.

“Before Prince Rong, this humble official truly can hide nothing. This humble official has heard that among those accompanying Your Highness on this journey to Yufu County, there is a Mister Ji.”

Jingrong’s eyes deepened. “No need to beat around the bush. Speak directly.”

“Why doesn’t Your Highness enter the city first, and we can discuss the details.”

It was clear he wanted to discuss the recent murder case in Yuzhou city.

Jingrong looked around, his sharp gaze deepening further. “Magistrate Fang has made such a grand display at the city gate. If this prince didn’t go in for a visit, it would make this prince appear unreasonable. Magistrate Fang’s methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated.”

“This humble official thanks Your Highness for the praise.”

“Enough. We’ve traveled for a day anyway, and my men need to stock up on supplies. It’s fine to go in, sit down, and have a cup of tea.”

Fang Mingsan bowed slightly.

Jingrong didn’t return to the carriage but directly mounted a horse alongside Fang Mingsan.

As soon as he mounted, he noticed Chief Constable Zhang and smiled. “After several months apart, Chief Constable Zhang looks much more spirited than before.”

Chief Constable Zhang lowered his head. “Your Highness is too kind. I didn’t expect to see Your Highness again.”

Jingrong smiled. “Chief Constable Zhang mustn’t be as impulsive as before.”

“Yes.”

Thus, everyone entered Yuzhou city and settled down in the county yamen residence.

When Ji Yunshu and the others got down from the carriage, Fang Mingsan politely greeted them. “I presume this must be the renowned Mister Ji?”

Renowned!

When had her reputation grown to such an extent?

Ji Yunshu immediately cupped her hands. “Your Excellency is too kind. This humble one is just an ordinary person.”

“Mister Ji need not be modest. Those with talent naturally become famous throughout the land.”

Ji Yunshu: “…”

Chief Constable Zhang on the side suddenly felt puzzled. From the moment Ji Yunshu got down from the carriage, he had been staring at her.

He found this person extremely familiar—whether it was the physique or the walking posture—but his heart was perplexed.

Back then at the inn, he had encountered a young lady wearing a veil.

How could this Mister Ji be a man?