When these words were spoken, they made Liu Zhiliang feel very awkward!

He could only quickly nod and say, “Yes, I’ll find someone to clean it up shortly, and tomorrow I’ll also have people go buy some good tea leaves.”

Ji Yunshu smiled slightly, using her chin to gesture toward the pear wood chair opposite, saying, “Magistrate Liu, why don’t you sit down and rest? During this long night, if you stand the whole time, your legs will probably give out.”

This—

Liu Zhiliang was astonished.

“Master Ji, this entire night, we’re going to…” His finger pointed downward, gently tapping, “stay here… sitting?”

“Magistrate Liu is quite clever. That’s right, we’ll sit here. Don’t you want to know the outcome of the Zhang Manor murder case? At daybreak, we’ll begin the trial. What does Magistrate Liu think?”

Her tone carried a teasing flavor.

“Since Master Ji is confident, this official naturally agrees.”

“Then please sit down, Magistrate Liu.”

Liu Zhiliang didn’t dare sit, instead glancing at Jingrong, waiting for his nod of approval.

However, Jingrong was intently playing with the lid of his teacup, lifting it up and down, lightly tapping it against the rim, producing one crisp sound after another.

Echoing through the deep night within the public hall, it was eerie.

Liu Zhiliang received no response and finally had no choice but to awkwardly lift his official robe and sit down on that pear wood chair.

In the public hall, complete silence!

After everyone had been silent for the duration of an incense stick burning, Jingrong suddenly had someone fetch a chess set and pulled Liu Zhiliang to play together.

Liu Zhiliang could only steel himself and join in.

But—

Should he win?

Or should he not win?

This question troubled and contradicted Liu Zhiliang’s heart, and as a result, he chose to lose every single game.

Moreover, he was sweating profusely!

When the chess games reached the middle of the night, both men became increasingly alert.

Those bailiffs were even more spirited, gathering around the chess game to watch.

“A true gentleman observes chess without speaking,” but those bailiffs were no gentlemen—they pointed and discussed as they watched.

All saying their county magistrate was too foolish.

How could he lose every single game?

Since Ji Yunshu didn’t know how to play chess, she watched from the side with a completely bewildered expression.

Occasionally, she would throw out a question, “Why move there?”

“Should move there,” Jingrong replied.

“Then why move there?”

“Should move there.”

“What about this move?”

“Should move there.”

“Oh!” She drew out a long sound.

Then Jingrong handed her a white stone between his fingertips, “Come, you play.”

Come, come, come!

You do it!

You play!

All yours.

She tilted her head and actually took that chess piece.

After staring at the entire board for a while, she placed the piece down, connecting it perfectly with the white stones on the outer ring, completely surrounding the black stones.

“How’s that? Did I win?” She was very excited.

Jingrong smiled without speaking, raising his hand toward Liu Zhiliang.

Your turn!

So Liu Zhiliang picked up a black stone from the chess bowl, contemplated for a moment, then placed it on the board.

It seemed to flash with light.

“Magistrate Liu wins,” Jingrong said.

After playing for most of the evening, he had finally won one game.

But Liu Zhiliang’s heart trembled with fear!

He smiled awkwardly, “Then I must thank Master Ji.”

Ji Yunshu: “It should be that Magistrate Liu’s chess skills are superior.”

“Master truly flatters me. The Prince won so many games, and I only won one.”

“Oh, so what Magistrate means is, if I hadn’t interfered, this game would also have been the Prince’s victory?”

“That’s certain.”

What shameless flattery!

Ji Yunshu smiled.

While tidying up the chess pieces on the board, Jingrong said, “Magistrate Liu, since Master Ji has given you a bowl of golden water, just accept it. Why be so humble and decline?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“Then, shall we play a few more games?”

“Good, good, good.”

The chess pieces were collected one by one.

Then they played several more games.

Ji Yunshu went outside the public hall. The full moon in the deep night was exceptionally bright!

…

Who knows how much time passed before the sky gradually brightened!

Inside the public hall, that group of people were still gathered around watching, each and every one seeming to have their blood up from the excitement.

Until Jingrong placed the final stone, achieving complete victory.

“Your Highness, impressive.”

“Alright, Magistrate Liu, the sky has brightened. Let’s get down to business.”

“All according to Your Highness’s wishes.”

The two men stood up, brushing off their somewhat wrinkled clothing.

Liu Zhiliang asked, “Your Highness, what are your instructions?”

“This Prince doesn’t know. Go ask Master Ji.”

Passing the buck.

“Yes.”

So Liu Zhiliang walked out of the public hall, approached Ji Yunshu’s side, and asked quietly, “Master Ji, the sky has already brightened. What about the Zhang Manor murder case?”

Ji Yunshu stretched lazily, pretending to ponder, “How about… we invite the Zhang family’s First Madam here for a visit?”

“First Madam? This case is related to First Madam?”

“Not clear. We’ll talk after she arrives.”

Very casual.

After thinking a moment, she added, “Oh, also bring Third Madam and that Young Master Zhang along as well.”

Liu Zhiliang complied and sent people to the Zhang Manor.

Before long, the people were brought in.

First Madam was the same as yesterday—cold-faced, even carrying a resentful air.

In her arms, she still held that pure white cat from yesterday.

The cat nestled in her arms, sleeping!

Behind her followed Third Madam, who kept her head buried very low, her feet somewhat lame, supported by her son Zhang Yimo as they entered. Looking closely, both mother and son bore injuries, with bruises on their faces and even on the backs of their hands.

Presumably, yesterday’s matter of exhuming Master Zhang’s corpse had resulted in this mother and son receiving quite a beating!

Liu Zhiliang ascended to the high seat and sat down.

Jingrong sat in a corner to one side, with a cup of tea and a plate of melon seeds beside him, cracking seeds while watching.

Ji Yunshu stood within the public hall.

“Magistrate Liu, what business do you have summoning us here so early?”

First Madam asked.

Liu Zhiliang said, “It’s regarding Master Zhang’s case.”

“What does that mean? Yesterday people were already sent to the manor to investigate, found nothing, so why bring this up again now?”

Ji Yunshu stepped forward, “First Madam, please don’t be agitated. Didn’t I say yesterday? At daybreak, I would expose the murderer. Now that the sky has brightened, naturally the murderer must be brought to the public hall.”

“What do you mean?”

Ji Yunshu only smiled, reaching out to stroke the sleeping cat in First Madam’s arms, then pinching it hard.

The cat woke with a start!

Its body trembled, those round, bright eyeballs opening wide.

“Little fellow, you’re finally awake. So well-behaved.” Ji Yunshu gently tapped the cat’s forehead with her finger.

First Madam shifted the cat backward, saying, “Since Master already knows who the murderer is, then speak plainly.”

Ji Yunshu paid no attention, continuing to tease the cat with an indulgent expression.

The cat also lunged toward her, its two paws scratching continuously.

“Little fellow, just moments ago I said you were well-behaved, but now you’re starting to scratch people? Could it be there’s some scent on me?” She wrinkled her nose, “There isn’t! Could it be a scent that only cats can detect?”

At these words, First Madam actually became somewhat flustered, her gaze flickering.