Cotton quilts and pillows!

These four words seemed to slowly peel away the fog in Ji Yunshu’s mind.

With no marks on the body, it must have been something soft that caused the death.

She should have thought of this earlier!

Releasing the stunned Luan’er, she lowered her brow, her bright, spirited gaze carrying layers of thought like mist.

“Miss, are you alright? Did this servant say something wrong just now?” Luan’er asked.

“It’s not that you said something wrong, but that you reminded me.”

“Reminded?”

She nodded, pondering, muttering again, “If a person dies naturally, the body’s muscles will become stiff after two or three days. Even if they die from poisoning, it’s the same, but…”

Suddenly she realized!

She understood, understood everything—all of it connected!

Clapping her hands, she exclaimed joyfully, “Indeed, heaven is still fair. The long arm of the law may have wide meshes, but nothing slips through. They can’t escape, destined not to escape!”

Before Luan’er could even react, Ji Yunshu strode out the door, planning to go to the yamen to overturn the verdict. After a few steps, she realized she was still wearing women’s clothing.

Changing several times a day was truly troublesome!

If this were modern times, she’d really want to take a trip to Thailand!

Just as she was about to turn back to her room, a small cuju ball rolled to her feet.

“Don’t touch my ball.”

A shrill, thin voice rang out.

Fine, fine, fine—your ball, it’s your ball. Take your ball and go!

Ji Yunshu lifted her foot and kicked. The cuju flew up, rolled several circles, and landed by a distant flower bed.

Ji Lingzhi’s small frame immediately darted in. Seeing her cuju kicked away, she glared fiercely at Ji Yunshu, then picked it up from the ground.

She made a face and pointed at Ji Yunshu. “Why did you kick my ball? Third Brother made this for me. Can you afford to pay for it if you break it?”

Frowning, “When something falls into my courtyard, it belongs to my courtyard. Can’t I kick my own things!”

Little thing, if you keep yelling, believe it or not, I’ll kick you out too?

Ji Lingzhi burned with petty fury, saying harshly, “Shameless! Third Brother clearly made this for me. When did it become your thing?”

Her small appearance was delicate and lovely, yet twisted with a harshness unsuited to her age.

Extremely ugly!

“I can’t be bothered to argue with you. You’ve picked up your ball, now hurry up and leave.”

Hurry up and get lost!

Having said that, Ji Yunshu walked toward the house—going to the yamen to overturn the verdict was most urgent.

But Ji Lingzhi, this difficult character, wasn’t one to give up so easily.

Her small frame stood upright, blocking Ji Yunshu’s path. Looking up with a fierce expression, she said, “You just kicked my ball. I want you to apologize to me.”

“Move aside. I don’t have time to fool around with you.”

“Apologize and I’ll move.”

Ji Yunshu simply went to push her, but worried about hurting her, she didn’t use much force on her wrist. Instead, she was pushed back, her steps stumbling, and with snow accumulated on the ground…

Her body became unstable, falling backward.

Just when she thought she’d take a spectacular tumble, someone forcefully supported her shoulder and waist, propping up her swaying body once more.

“Yunshu, are you alright?”

The voice fell on Ji Yunshu’s ear like a clear spring.

Ji Wanxin’s voice was as pleasant as always!

Once both feet were steady, she turned her eyes to look. Ji Wanxin’s exquisite face was right before her eyes.

This woman truly seemed carved from jade.

Several times, she’d wanted to peel back that skin and study it carefully.

Just then, Luan’er, hearing commotion outside, came out to look and was alarmed.

Seeing her young mistress in a position about to fall, leaning against Ji Wanxin, she quickly ran over and supported Ji Yunshu’s arm.

“Miss, are you alright?”

Ji Yunshu shook her head.

“Second Sister, why are you protecting her? This bastard child should fall to her death.” Seeing this, Ji Lingzhi was full of complaints.

Ji Wanxin withdrew her slender jade fingers from Ji Yunshu’s shoulder and walked toward Ji Lingzhi with a calm expression.

Ji Lingzhi thought her most beloved Second Sister was coming to pat her head and comfort her.

Who would have expected…

Smack—

A resounding slap landed squarely on Ji Lingzhi’s tender young face.

“Who taught you to act so wickedly? Yunshu is your elder sister and your elder. How can you speak such words? Hasn’t your tutor taught you that one cannot be rude in treating people and handling matters?”

The scolding voice came in succession with the sound of the slap!

The usually good-tempered Ji Wanxin actually had such a severe side—truly frightening everyone.

Ji Lingzhi covered her burning cheek, eyes wide.

From the time she could remember, Second Sister loved her most, never hitting or scolding her. Today, what kind of gunpowder had she eaten?

“Second Sister? You hit me?” She was both confused and angry.

Ji Wanxin pressed both hands at her abdomen, still dignified in bearing. “You’ve been pampered and spoiled since childhood, your temperament growing increasingly perverse. Your mother died when you were born—fine that Father doesn’t teach you, fine that Grandmother doesn’t manage you, but when sent to study at the academy you won’t go, spending all day making trouble with Third Brother, learning a bellyful of bad habits!”

Wow!

These words coming from the usually reticent Ji Wanxin truly shocked Ji Yunshu to her core!

How had she never discovered she had such an eloquent, talented, and beautiful elder sister!

Ji Lingzhi trembled with anger, extremely indignant. She pursed her lips, directly transforming her fury into a sharp glare, going around Ji Wanxin to stab straight at Ji Yunshu.

“It’s all because of you. I’m going to beat you to death.”

With that, she rushed over with small quick steps, lunging at Ji Yunshu.

But Ji Yunshu moved quickly, pulling Luan’er aside to dodge, causing the little girl to lunge into empty air.

Probably because there was snow on the stone slabs, and the soles of Ji Lingzhi’s purple-gold embroidered cotton shoes were smooth, she couldn’t stop her feet or steady herself, actually lunging toward the flower bed.

Bang—

A ceramic flower pot fell to the ground, her small body sprawled completely over it.

“Lingzhi.”

Ji Yunshu’s kind heart overflowed. In one swift movement, she pulled her up from the ground.

Ji Wanxin behind her was also frightened stiff!

Because her hands had pressed against the broken ceramic pot, Ji Lingzhi’s palms were cut with two gashes, fresh blood flowing from her palms to the ground.

She began crying, “Wah, wah!”

Yet she didn’t forget to push Ji Yunshu away with one shove.

“I hate you, I detest you, I won’t allow you to touch me, my hands…”

“Luan’er.” Ji Yunshu called out anxiously, “Quick, bring Fourth Miss into the room to apply medicine.”

“Yes.”

As Luan’er stepped forward, Ji Lingzhi unceremoniously kicked out, landing right on Luan’er’s shin.

“Get away.”

Such a small creature, quite strong!

Ji Yunshu finally became serious, sternly rebuking, “If you want your hands ruined, then continue making a fuss.”

She didn’t care, crying while cursing, “I’m going to tell Father that you bullied me. I want Father to kill you all. I hate you.”

Having said that, holding out those blood-dripping hands, she ran out of the courtyard, running while crying and shouting.

Hey, hey, hey—don’t you want your cuju ball?