At this moment, Zhanmo was like a corpse. If they wanted to get any words out of her mouth, it would be completely impossible.

Liu Zhiliang knew this himself, so he cupped his fists toward Jingrong and said, “My lord, this official will definitely investigate who used torture and will severely punish them. However, if the prince came for the Zhang residence murder case, I’m afraid we won’t be able to get anything out of her for the time being.”

After all, the woman on the ground had been beaten like this!

Her body was weak, and she couldn’t speak.

Jingrong’s brows furrowed high. “Then I’ll trouble Magistrate Liu to explain the Zhang residence murder case clearly to this prince.”

“Yes!” Liu Zhiliang acknowledged and said respectfully, “Last night was Master Zhang’s birthday celebration. He hired the Southern City Theater Troupe to perform opera. Before the performance, this young lady brought wine to Master Zhang, saying it was to toast his celebration. After Master Zhang drank a sip, he died shortly after. The coroner examined the body and found it was death by poisoning—specifically, there was poison in the cup of wine she delivered. This official brought her back to the yamen for questioning, but after interrogating her all night, she refused to admit it, so I had her imprisoned. Who would have thought…”

She’d been beaten like this.

He sighed!

He didn’t continue.

After listening, Jingrong didn’t say much, only asking Muruo one question: “How is she?”

Muruo: “Her whole body is injured. She can’t speak.”

Therefore, Jingrong told Liu Zhiliang, “Magistrate Liu, better to misjudge than to wrongly execute. After all, a life is at stake—we cannot kill the wrong person.”

“This official understands. Please instruct me, my lord.”

“For now, imprison her. When she can speak again, then interrogate her.”

“Yes!”

Liu Zhiliang immediately ordered Zhanmo to be taken back to prison and sent someone to fetch a doctor.

Just as Zhanmo was being led away, the sound of a dog barking came from outside the gate.

“Woof woof woof,” it barked, its voice very shrill.

Ji Yinshu was the first to leave the hall. Hearing the sound, she looked over and saw a large yellow dog barking frantically at a tall wall.

As if there were someone standing in front of that wall!

After a short while, an old man came looking for it, hooked the rope around the dog’s neck, and kicked the dog.

He scolded it, “Damn dog, always barking randomly. Are there bones or something behind this wall? If you keep barking and disturb others, I’ll slaughter you.”

“Woof woof woof…”

The dog kept barking.

The old man pulled on the rope and dragged the dog away.

Watching this, Ji Yinshu suddenly felt an ominous premonition in her heart.

Perhaps this was a woman’s sixth sense.

Just as she was thinking this, Liu Zhiliang came out and cupped his fists toward her. “This must be Master Ji, correct?”

He greeted her with a smiling face!

With a flattering manner.

Ji Yinshu naturally returned the courtesy and asked, “The yamen keeps a dog?”

“Just this one. It belongs to Old Liu who works in the kitchen. He’s raised it for many years.”

She nodded and didn’t ask further.

Liu Zhiliang continued, “This Zhang residence case has alarmed the prince and also Master Ji. Everyone says Master Ji is exceptional at solving cases. I’m sure the Zhang residence case will be resolved quickly.”

“Magistrate Liu overestimates me.”

“You’re too modest, Master.” He quickly added, “However, what is your view on this case?”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“Fifty-fifty?”

She smiled gently without explaining, only saying, “Magistrate Liu, I wonder if Master Zhang’s body is still at the residence?”

“It is.”

“Then, could you take me there? To examine his body?”

Liu Zhiliang readily agreed, “Of course! Having Master Ji help investigate the case is exactly what I’d hoped for.”

She still smiled gently and modestly, then turned to tell Muruo, “Young Master Muruo, please come with me as well.”

Muruo shrugged.

He didn’t care either way!

Jingrong said, “Then let’s hurry over. Don’t waste time.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiliang quickly said, “That won’t do. The prince has an honored status. If you go to the Zhang residence where a murder occurred…”

Before he finished speaking, Jingrong shot him a cold glare.

“No need to consider this prince’s status. When we arrive at the Zhang residence, don’t make any announcement either.”

Liu Zhiliang could only respond with “Yes.”

An incense stick’s time later!

The group arrived at the Zhang residence.

The Zhang residence’s main gate was very impressive, with two stone lions positioned on either side as foundations, majestic and imposing.

The words “Zhang Residence” on the gate plaque were in pure gold leaf, blindingly bright.

Throughout the entire Zhang residence, red lanterns hung at every corner, decorated festively and cheerfully.

But the rear courtyard was a complete mess!

The dozens of tables and chairs that had originally been neatly arranged were now toppled here and there. Moreover, bowls and chopsticks were either smashed to pieces on the ground or scattered messily on the tables.

As if the place had been ransacked!

Yet the large, grandly decorated red stage was clean.

On the way to the mourning hall, two little yamen runners quietly discussed.

“So wealthy, what a pity he died.”

“That’s right. Look at this estate, look at the grandeur of this residence.”

They even clicked their tongues several times.

So envious!

After passing through this area, they arrived at a courtyard where the body was kept.

Several madams of the household had been crying all night guarding the body!

A room full of servants and maids stood by without making a sound.

As soon as Liu Zhiliang entered, he told Steward Zhang, “This official has brought people to investigate Master Zhang’s cause of death again.”

Steward Zhang was about to speak when the Third Madam, who had been crying most sorrowfully on the ground, stood up.

She said, “Magistrate Liu, the killer has already been caught, and the coroner has examined the body. What else is there to investigate? The killer is that opera-singing woman. Did my husband slaughter her entire family? Or do something unconscionable to her? That she would poison my husband to death! Magistrate Liu, you should execute her immediately.”

The Third Madam was Master Zhang’s most favored wife, and Master Zhang’s only son was born from the third household.

Now that Master Zhang was dead and the family property hadn’t yet been transferred to her son, how could the Third Madam not be agitated?

Liu Zhiliang explained, “Third Madam, don’t be agitated. This official also wants to investigate the truth of this matter to ensure nothing is overlooked.” He then introduced Ji Yinshu. “This is Master Ji, who is exceptional at solving cases. Let her examine Master Zhang’s body. If it proves that the opera singer is indeed the killer, this official will definitely handle it impartially.”

The Third Madam glanced at Ji Yinshu, hesitated for a moment, and sniffled.

She said nothing more.

Essentially agreeing!

Liu Zhiliang told Ji Yinshu, “Master Ji, I’ll trouble you.”

She nodded and walked to the coffin with Muruo.

Inside the coffin, Master Zhang’s face was purple-blue, completely bloodless, and his lips were black.

“Indeed death by poisoning.” Muruo stated directly. “Silver Frost poison. When added to tea, it dissolves quickly, colorless and tasteless. Ordinary people can’t detect it. Generally, only animals with keen senses of smell can detect it.”

“Seems bringing you along was the right choice.”

“Aren’t you omnipotent? Can’t you determine the cause from a mere corpse?”

“I’m not a coroner. Heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys—those aren’t my domain. If he were just a skeleton, I’d be interested enough to investigate thoroughly, but for death by poisoning, I still need you to make the trip.”

Speaking the truth.

The corner of Muruo’s mouth curved up, and he said nothing.

He continued examining.

He reached out to pry open Master Zhang’s mouth and look, then—

In one motion, he stripped off Master Zhang’s upper garment, exposing his bare upper body.

Simple and brutal.

It made Ji Yinshu freeze for a moment.

Brother, at least give me some warning.

She watched as Muruo pressed on Master Zhang’s chest, his brows tightly furrowed. After thinking carefully for a moment, he began taking Master Zhang’s pulse.

His fingertip pressed and released, his expression also showing confusion.

After a moment, he told Ji Yinshu seriously, “Seems having me come along was the right choice.”

“What do you mean?”

“He died from drinking tea with Silver Frost poison added, but there’s another kind of poison in his body.”