Jingrong asked, “Lord Liu, are you very surprised as to why Du Sanniang is here?”

He remained silent!

“Actually, it’s quite simple. Under this Prince’s watch, I cannot tolerate even the slightest bit of theft or deception. This Du Sanniang actually stole from the theater troupe—how could this Prince let her go? So I had already ordered people to secretly keep watch on her. But unexpectedly, on the very night this Prince came to appease the county, she came as well. According to reports, she secretly infiltrated the Zhang residence that night, and didn’t stay long before coming out. Actually, it’s not so strange—Du Sanniang has sticky fingers, and with the Zhang residence hosting a banquet, it would be normal for her to go in and steal things. When the Zhang residence’s Guanyin seal was stolen, aside from her, this Prince couldn’t think of anyone else. So last night, I ordered people to arrest her, waiting until this morning after the Zhang residence murder case was resolved to bring her over. Who would have thought that a blind cat would catch a dead rat—Master Ji happened to find a case report, which actually drew out you, this old fox. Now there’s sufficient proof that you and Du Sanniang have been secretly colluding.”

Liu Zhiliang stopped making excuses!

His body slid to the ground, looking like a corpse.

But Du Sanniang kneeling on the ground showed no fear at all, instead laughing a few times.

“I never imagined that I, Du Sanniang, would fall into your hands. But I accept it. I’ve never submitted to anyone, but now I do. I dare to act and dare to take responsibility—it’s just one life.”

“Du Sanniang’s boldness is much more unrestrained than Liu Zhiliang’s.”

“Bah! Don’t compare me to this beast. He’s afraid of death and constantly makes me do his dirty work. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s an official and I needed him for cover, I would have killed him long ago. Would he still be alive now?” Her face showed complete disdain.

“Du Sanniang, if it weren’t for me, you would have died long ago.”

“If I die, I’m dragging you down with me.”

It was truly like dogs biting dogs!

Ji Yunshu walked in and asked Liu Zhiliang on the ground, “Lord Liu, over these years, just how much money have you embezzled?”

He kept his head lowered, his gaze wandering, not speaking.

“Lord Liu, let me give you one more chance. You’ve been taking bribes for so many years, you must have quite a lot of gold and silver treasures, right? Why don’t you voluntarily hand them over? That way, perhaps your sentence could be lighter.”

“That money, I spent it all long ago.” He turned his gaze away, not daring to look at Ji Yunshu, afraid his lies would be exposed.

Ji Yunshu’s smile deepened.

“Good, then let’s find that vast fortune of yours.” She turned and instructed a bailiff, “Please go fetch that big yellow dog from the yamen.”

The bailiff was confused for a moment, just about to leave.

She called him back again, saying, “Also find a few large hammers.”

The bailiff was confused again, scratching his head as he left.

Before long, the bailiff brought several large hammers and left them at the door, while an old man came leading his yellow dog.

When he saw the scene in the courtroom, the old man looked puzzled.

That dog seemed naturally afraid of Ji Yunshu—when it saw her, it instinctively shrank behind the old man, not barking, instead appearing very docile.

Ji Yunshu walked over and crouched in front of the yellow dog, reaching out to stroke its smooth fur.

Surprisingly, the yellow dog no longer hid, but instead pushed its head hard against her palm.

“The people’s hard-earned money depends entirely on you. If you can find it, I’ll give you bones to eat. How about it?”

“Woof!”

“So you agree?”

“Woof!”

“Good, then go find it.”

“Woof!”

The big yellow dog broke free from the old man’s hands and ran out.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Was Master Ji part dog?

He could actually converse with dogs!

Ji Yunshu stood up and said, “Let’s go. Take your hammers—we’re going treasure hunting.”

She left with a carefree air.

Jingrong signaled his guards to escort both Liu Zhiliang and Du Sanniang along to watch the excitement.

Following the dog, the group arrived in front of a wall, where the yellow dog barked forcefully at the wall.

Ji Yunshu patted the dog’s head again. “Good boy, you’re the great hero. Go to the side for now, and I’ll give you bones to eat shortly.”

“Woof!”

It obediently ran to the side, curling up on the ground.

Ji Yunshu said, “Those of you holding hammers, break through this wall. The treasure is inside.”

Soon, several bailiffs began swinging their hammers, starting to break through the wall.

As the wall was gradually broken through, the contents inside were gradually revealed.

It seemed to flash with a golden light!

Crash!

The moment the wall collapsed, everyone was astonished, their eyes wide.

“It’s gold! There’s actually gold inside the wall!” They exclaimed.

Those gold bars mixed with the broken wall fragments appeared exceptionally striking, bar after bar, filling almost the entire wall.

“Woof woof woof!” The dog rushed over.

The facts and evidence were now laid out before everyone’s eyes.

That old fox Liu Zhiliang’s face had turned green—he probably even wanted to die.

Jingrong ordered, “Someone, throw Liu Zhiliang and Du Sanniang into prison. Immediately submit a memorial to the court, report this matter, and Anfu County should have a new official.”

“Yes!” The guards responded.

“As for this gold, put it away for now and wait for the Ministry of Revenue to send people to handle it.”

“Yes!”

Liu Zhiliang and Du Sanniang were dragged away.

Jingrong then moved close to Ji Yunshu’s side and asked with great curiosity, “Just now, were you really… talking to the dog?”

“What else?” she said.

“Are you a dog?”

“You’re the dog.” She opened her palm—in it was a tiny golden pendant. “That dog is very sensitive to the smell of gold. I held it in my hand when I stroked its fur, so it smelled it and naturally barked.”

“Then how did it know to find this wall?”

She thought for a moment and shook her head. “I don’t know. Perhaps… it really can understand what I say.”

Jingrong looked puzzled.

…

Before long, the news spread throughout Anfu County!

The people were all talking about it, saying there was a Master Ji with vast supernatural powers who not only solved the Zhang residence murder case but also threw the corrupt county magistrate into prison.

At the same time, they were also preparing for Anfu County’s annual Lantern Festival.

Jingrong and the others had originally planned to leave Anfu County immediately, but with Liu Zhiliang dismissed and the gold still needing to be processed and reported to the Ministry of Revenue, the court couldn’t possibly immediately send a new official. This burden naturally fell on Jingrong’s shoulders.

It would probably take a day or two, so they simply moved into the yamen.

While Jingrong was handling matters and Ji Yunshu had finished helping write two case reports, when she came out, she saw Wei Yi crouching behind a stone pier, staring into the distance.

“Wei Yi, what are you doing?”

“Shh!” He pulled Ji Yunshu down to crouch with him.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s about to explode. Shu’er, keep your voice down.”

“What’s about to explode?” Ji Yunshu lowered her voice.

Wei Yi pointed at firecrackers standing upright in the distance, saying, “I’m setting off firecrackers.”

Ji Yunshu looked and saw firecrackers set up in the distance, but the fuse’s flame had already gone out, leaving only a wisp of white smoke.

“Why are you setting off firecrackers? The fire’s already out.”

Wei Yi stood up disappointedly and sighed. “I heard them say that today is the Lantern Festival. Shu’er, do you remember? Half a year ago at the Lantern Gathering Festival, you drew a lantern for me and we released sky lanterns together.”

“Yes, I remember.”

Of course she remembered!