Liu Qingping’s official position was revoked?

He felt somewhat embarrassed and laughed awkwardly, immediately changing the subject. He put on a smiling face and said, “Yunshu, I’ve heard all about it. As soon as you went to the capital, you solved the disappearance case that the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice couldn’t solve for months, and also that murder case of General Qujiang. You solved them all. Now you’ve even received an imperial decree to investigate the Linjing Case from fourteen years ago. Yunshu, you’re going to be famous, truly…”

“Stop.” She sternly interrupted. “Never mind my affairs for now. I’m asking you—why was your official position revoked?”

Liu Qingping didn’t want to bring it up at all. He turned his fat body away. After a long while, he pressed his palm against the back of his hand and weakly slapped them together.

A dull thud.

He sighed, his brow tightly furrowed!

Ji Yunshu pressed him, “Speak. What exactly happened?”

He said, “Actually, I don’t know either.”

“Don’t know? If you did nothing wrong, why would the court revoke your official position for no reason? There must be a reason.”

“Yunshu, you know me. Even if I suffer losses myself, I wouldn’t let the common people suffer. How could I have done anything wrong?” With a sincere expression, he said helplessly, “Not long after you went to the capital, the court’s official document came down and directly dismissed my official title. There wasn’t much of a reason—they just said I was ineffective in handling matters. When the court issues such a document, I can only accept it. Not long after, a new official took office—the current county magistrate, Liu Qian. This person was originally a military general on the Yumen Road. Only in recent years did he begin to pursue an official career path. This time, he was transferred from Liaojiang. As they say, a new official lights three fires upon taking office. As soon as he arrived, he directly replaced all the original bailiffs in the yamen with his own people. I don’t know what he’s up to. Moreover, recently, any case that enters the yamen is resolved within two days. His efficiency is extremely high. So, Jinjiang has been very quiet during this period. Anyway, now I’m just an idle person, teasing birds and playing around every day. I’ve truly become penniless with clean sleeves.”

He drew out the last word!

Liu Qian?

Ji Yunshu didn’t know this person.

But saying he had high efficiency? Ji Yunshu didn’t think so. Earlier, those bailiffs who went to the mortuary to arrest someone were all fierce and menacing, clearly intending to extract a confession from Fu Bo through torture.

With subordinates like that, it was clear that Liu Qian was definitely not a good person!

She pondered for a moment, then simply said, “The court revoking your official position and selecting a military general to replace you—there are only two possible reasons. First, during your tenure, you handled matters incorrectly and caused consequences. Second, you offended someone, and that person secretly submitted a petition to the Ministry of Personnel and used their power and influence to pressure them. The Ministry of Personnel, forced into a helpless situation, issued the official document and directly removed you.”

“What? Offended someone? Who would be so unscrupulous?” Liu Qingping exploded. “Yunshu, you know my temperament. Among the common people of Jinjiang, who doesn’t speak well of me? How could I have offended anyone?”

Yes, everyone speaks well of you!

Everyone does!

You, Liu Qingping, are famously known as a parental official who loves the people like his own children!

Otherwise, during festivals and holidays, the common people wouldn’t send chickens, ducks, and eggs to your residence!

Ji Yunshu also knew that even though he might commit some foolish mistakes in daily life, it wouldn’t be enough for the court to revoke his official title. So then…

Who could the person be who pulled him down from behind?

“Forget it. We can’t figure it out right now. I came today for another matter—Fu Bo’s case. What do you know about it?”

“You mean Fu Bo’s case of burying a corpse and murder?”

“It seems you haven’t been entirely idle. Speak—what exactly happened in this matter?”

Liu Qingping became serious. “This case is rather strange when you talk about it. These days, there’s been continuous heavy rain. Yesterday at noon, a corpse suddenly washed out from the mountain forest next to the mortuary. It was the corpse of a woman in her twenties. The cause of death was rape followed by murder. In the female corpse’s hand, she was clutching Fu Bo’s long belt. Plus, later someone came to the yamen saying they personally saw Fu Bo burying something in the mountain forest a few days ago. That’s why the authorities determined that Fu Bo killed the person.”

“What did the coroner say?”

“Said that after the deceased was raped, she was strangled around the neck with that belt and died of suffocation.”

Impossible!

Ji Yunshu didn’t believe it. “What kind of person Fu Bo is, you and I both know clearly. Could he possibly do such a thing?”

“Yes, but… but the witness and physical evidence are both present. The yamen going to arrest someone is also proper and reasonable. Unless now, we can find evidence proving that the person wasn’t killed by Fu Bo.” He immediately leaned forward and asked probingly, “Yunshu, you deliberately came to ask me about this. Could it be that you plan to take on this case?”

“If Fu Bo has been wrongly accused, I can’t just stand by and watch. In a while, I’ll go to the yamen.”

“You’d better go tomorrow instead. Liu Qian said that tomorrow in the courtroom, he’ll try this case on the spot. If you truly want to help Fu Bo, use tonight to find some evidence first. If there’s anywhere you need my help, I’m available at any time.”

“That female corpse—is it still at the yamen?”

“Should still be there.”

“That’s good then.”

Liu Qingping reminded her, “But now you’re not part of the yamen. If you want to examine the corpse, it seems improper.”

She nodded. “I’ll find a way myself.”

“So this time you’ve returned—you’re not leaving?”

She shook her head!

“I’m just passing through Jinjiang. Prince Rong also came along. He’s currently at the Wei residence. Because there’s still a case on the Yufu side, we’ll go there together.” After speaking, she glanced outside. The sky had already darkened. “It’s getting late. I need to leave first. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the yamen.”

Hearing this, Liu Qingping felt very dejected.

His eyes widened again. “Yunshu, since you’ve come, why not stay and have dinner together? I’ve already ordered people to prepare a whole table of chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Eat before you go.”

“No need. You should also eat less of those greasy things. High cholesterol is bad for your health.”

This—

She had already left the main hall, holding an umbrella as she departed.

Liu Qingping gazed at that thin, frail figure, feeling both heartache and reluctance.

He was just brewing towering emotions of sadness in his heart when—

His little ear was grabbed again.

“Ow…”

Madam Liu was still burning with anger, one hand on her hip. “All you know is eating. As soon as Yunshu comes, you use it as an excuse to bring out chicken, duck, fish, and meat. I think you’re so full you’re bursting. Our family doesn’t have much grain left to feed you, yet you still want chicken, duck, fish, and meat. I think you’re asking for a beating.”

“Madam, I know I was wrong…”

Ji Yunshu, who had already walked far away, faintly heard the voice coming from behind. The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile.

Muddle-headed fool—still the same muddle-headed fool…

The Wei Residence!

Jingrong stood in the corridor under the night, his gaze falling on the misty drizzle, silent.

No one knew what he was thinking about.

The heavy rain in the evening came even more fiercely, with no sign of subsiding.

The slanting cold wind, along with the rain, drifted into the long corridor, wetting half the ground. Even the hem of Jingrong’s robe was dampened by a small patch.