The case was closed!

However, the aftermath proved somewhat troublesome.

No matter how hard Ji Yunshu thought about it, she couldn’t understand what other unspeakable secrets might be connected to Ye’er.

Zuo Yao wasn’t foolish either. He understood the meaning behind her words—essentially, she wanted to continue investigating.

Jingrong rose from the pear blossom chair and walked over, his stern features also wearing an expression of furrowed concern.

He too harbored suspicions about what Ji Yunshu had just said.

However—

“Ye’er’s death has already been clarified. As for what comes after, we’ll investigate that later.” He said to Zuo Yao, “Magistrate Zuo, since the case is closed, prepare a criminal case report to send to the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible. This matter cannot be delayed any further, and the Court of Judicial Review needs an explanation as well.”

“Yes, this subordinate will handle it immediately, without any delay.”

“But don’t think that just because the case is solved, it’s cause for universal celebration. Your official’s hat still hangs precariously on your head, as does your life.”

He certainly knew that!

His palms, beaten until bloody and mangled, served as a vivid lesson.

He bowed at the waist, “This subordinate remembers and will do everything possible to investigate the matter of the disaster relief silver.”

Respectful and reverent!

Sincere and earnest!

But to put it plainly, it was also to save his own life.

Ji Yunshu wrote a case report at the yamen to keep on file.

That report was far more detailed than the one written by the corrupt coroner who had accepted bribes.

Afterward, Jingrong dragged her away.

Watching the two depart, Zuo Yao returned to the court hall, sighing and moaning. He waved his sleeve and slapped his hand against his thigh, accidentally hitting the wound on his palm, causing him to grimace in pain.

It hurt like hell!

Zhang the Head Constable stepped forward to ask, “My lord, is your hand alright?”

He raised his bandaged hand, “What hurts isn’t the hand, it’s the head.”

Indeed, his brain throbbed terribly.

“What does my lord mean by this?”

“The case from three years ago is resolved, and the Prince hasn’t yet condemned me, but as a county magistrate who privately accepted bribes—that’s a capital offense. If I can’t uncover the truth about the disaster relief silver, this official’s hat and this life of mine are certainly doomed.”

At this point, he let out a heavy sigh.

Soon, news of the case spread throughout the entire Yufu County.

People sighed endlessly, never imagining that the killer would turn out to be Liang Da. Usually seeing him walk with his head down, taciturn and quiet, they had thought him a timid, cowardly, weak person. Who knew he would commit such murderous deeds, and so perversely poison and kill the cats throughout the city.

That kind of person deserved to go to hell.

Not only should he be executed!

He should be cut into a thousand pieces!

Meanwhile, they praised the mysterious Master Ji as a divine person. The case from three years ago was clearly explained through her words alone, as if she had been present at the scene when it occurred.

The crowd also regretted not going to observe the trial at the yamen!

From that day on, Auntie Xie lay beside her daughter’s skeletal remains crying for two days and two nights until her eyes nearly went blind. On the third day, the bones were finally buried.

On the day of the burial, the Qiao family also attended, specially commissioning a coffin made of superior wood and crafting a tombstone. The burial plot was also selected by a feng shui master they hired.

They had done everything humanly possible to show respect!

However, Ji Yunshu didn’t go. She sat in her own courtyard, deep in thought.

Wondering what exactly Ye’er had wanted to tell Qiao Zihua at that time?

Why did it involve reporting to the authorities?

She took out the paper with the drawing of the jade pendant again, examining it from left to right, wondering who its owner might be.

And so, she continued sitting there.

Qiao’er brought over a pot of tea and placed it on the stone table, her gaze glancing at the jade pendant on the paper.

“Master, what is this thing on here? Is it jade? Or some kind of pattern?”

She squinted her eyes and answered indirectly, “Qiao’er, do you happen to know if there’s anyone in Yufu City who carries a flute on their person?”

Hm?

Qiao’er thought for a moment, “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone like that. Why does Master suddenly ask this?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Oh.”

Qiao’er prepared to leave, but her footsteps suddenly halted, her eyes lighting up. “Master, I haven’t seen anyone carrying a flute, but I’ve heard someone playing a flute. Does that count?”

“Who?” She asked with slight urgency.

“It came from next door, but only late at night when all is quiet. I’ve heard it twice.”

Next door?

Ji Yunshu looked over at that wall. She had lived here for so long—how had she never heard it?

This girl, could she be having auditory hallucinations?

Just then, Shi Zijin walked in, saying that Auntie Xie had returned, but the woman was weak from crying and had been helped to her courtyard.

Ji Yunshu temporarily set aside the previous matter and hurried to the courtyard where Auntie Xie was staying.

Seeing her arrive, Auntie Xie suddenly knelt down.

She kowtowed heavily several times.

“Thank you, Master Ji, for giving my daughter justice. You are my benefactor. Even if I worked like an ox or horse, I could never repay you.”

Kneeling on the ground, her body trembling.

Ji Yunshu quickly helped her up.

“Working like an ox or horse is unnecessary. Taking good care of your own health is what matters most.”

Auntie Xie wiped her tears, her eyes completely red.

Through her tears she said, “That accursed beast—my daughter’s life was taken by him just like that.”

Her teeth itched with hatred!

Ji Yunshu could only offer a few words of comfort, then said, “In a few days, bring Nan’er back. From now on, you grandparent and grandchild should live well together.”

Ji Yunshu had inquired about Ye’er’s son. She heard he was a fair, chubby little boy. When Auntie Xie went to the capital to appeal, she had placed him with her relatives, intending to bring him back after the case was settled. Moreover, the Qiao family had given Auntie Xie a large sum of silver and even arranged a small estate for her, so she could live there comfortably with her grandson.

The Qiao family bearing no grudges and acting this way truly showed the heart of a bodhisattva.

The knot between the two families was finally untied.

After Auntie Xie’s emotions calmed down, Ji Yunshu asked, “Auntie Xie, I’d like to ask you about some things.”

“Ask whatever you wish. Whatever I know, I’ll tell you everything.”

“It’s about that cloth doll.”

“The cloth doll?”

She nodded. “There’s a pattern embroidered on the doll that looks like writing, but also like a flower. I want to know what exactly it is.”

Hearing this, Auntie Xie took the cloth doll from her bundle and rubbed her finger over the pattern, shaking her head. “I’m not sure either. When Ye’er’s father embroidered it, I didn’t ask about it. Could this have some significance?”

Unclear!

“To be honest with you, this pattern is very important to me.”

Auntie Xie looked bewildered. This cloth doll that her daughter had carried for over ten years—how did it relate to Master Ji?

Ji Yunshu continued, “Could you tell me about Ye’er’s father? Or what he did before you married him?”

“He was just a blacksmith. During his lifetime, he was somewhat well-known in Yufu City. Before I married him, he was alone in his household. I also asked him about his family, but he only said that during a famine when he was young, they all starved to death. He treated me extremely well and was a hardworking person. Moreover…”

In short, she said a great deal!

But none of it was what Ji Yunshu wanted to know.

Or rather, regarding the clues about the wooden plaque her mother had left behind, she gained no information whatsoever.

After Auntie Xie finished reminiscing, she asked again, “Did Ye’er’s father leave behind any belongings?”

“Just a few worn clothes, a few pairs of shoes, tools used for smithing, and a few boxes containing iron implements.”

Nothing beyond that!

Could it be that the trail had gone cold just like this?