“It’s… it’s Madam Jiang’s younger brother.”

His voice shook terribly.

Although the Jiang family of Guangqu Courtyard had moved to the capital two years ago, how could the death of Master Jiang not have been reported to the yamen?

Wasn’t this extremely strange?

Ji Yinshu’s heart was filled with doubt. She took two steps forward, her expression becoming even more grave.

She asked, “You say those bones belong to Master Jiang, but why, when the head of the household died so miserably, did the yamen never receive a report? If, as you say, the killer is Madam Jiang’s younger brother, even if Madam Jiang was desperately protective of her brother and didn’t want to publicize the matter, which is why the whole family moved to the capital, still—a living human life! Could everyone in the Jiang household have been blind? Or is it, as you just said, that they feared revealing even half a word would bring Madam Jiang’s silencing upon them? This… seems like quite an excuse!”

He was wronged—every word he spoke was true!

The old man wrung his hands together, his tone carrying a trace of panic. “Master Ji, everything I’m saying is true. To be honest with you, because the master had a yin-yang body, the madam only found out about it after she married into the family. So regarding this matter, the madam was truly harsh toward the master. The master… he couldn’t hold his head up in anything he did! The servants in the household never cared about the master either. Moreover, the one in charge of the Jiang family was the madam.”

“What does this have to do with the case?”

“Master Ji, I know the master was murdered. That very night, I saw with my own eyes Madam’s younger brother getting into an argument with the master. Since this wasn’t the first or second time this had happened, I didn’t pay it much mind and left. But when I came back, I saw the madam and her brother digging a pit and burying the body. I witnessed the entire process, but I didn’t dare speak up! After the master went missing, no one reported it to the authorities. The madam only said that the master had gone mad and disappeared, so no one was allowed to spread word of it. Not long after, the madam dismissed some of the servants and moved to the capital with her trusted confidants.”

What an extraordinary tale!

Ji Yinshu listened very carefully.

Her brows lifted slightly as Ji Yinshu said, “Old sir, I’ve made note of everything you’ve said. However, as to the truth of the matter, we still need to wait for the portrait to be completed. After all, who the deceased is cannot be determined by your word alone. Furthermore, although you say you witnessed the murder, you only saw it. If there’s no concrete evidence, even Magistrate Liu cannot arrest anyone. You must understand that everything requires evidence.”

The old man nodded. “I’ve always heard that Master Ji has the ability to solve cases. I trust you will surely bring justice to the master.”

“Rest assured, since this case has passed through my hands, I will definitely find the true killer.” She paused, then continued, “Old sir, I know you have concerns, but this involves a human life. I hope that after I complete the portrait, if that person truly is Master Jiang, you can make a trip to the yamen?”

“This…” He panicked!

What kind of person was this Madam Jiang that she made everyone in the Jiang household so afraid of her?

In modern times, she probably wouldn’t be a strong woman but rather a demon!

Ji Yinshu’s expression was stern as she said to him, “A life for a life—if you can testify in court, it would bring justice to your master.”

The old man’s face showed panic, his eyes darting back and forth several times before he finally gritted his teeth.

“Alright, I… I will testify in court.”

“I’m sure Master Jiang’s spirit in heaven will be very grateful.” she said.

The old man nodded, but his body trembled even more violently. Without staying any longer, he hurriedly left.

Ji Yinshu stood in place for a while, thinking to herself—if it was truly as the old man said, and the killer was Madam Jiang’s younger brother, once the portrait was completed, wouldn’t this case be solved?

Could it be that simple?

Her heart felt like it held a scale, swaying her back and forth!

After returning to the Ji residence, she didn’t even bother to change the dressing on the wound on her back. She had Luan’er fetch some clay and began molding the approximate shape of a skull.

This kept her busy straight through until late at night.

Luan’er brought in a bowl of hot porridge and placed it beside her.

She said with concern, “Miss, please drink some porridge first. You’ve been busy since you returned and haven’t eaten dinner. This servant worries you’ll harm your health from hunger. Also, it’s time to change your dressing. Please go into the inner room and lie down so this servant can change the medicine for you.”

When Ji Yinshu worked, she was always like this—she lost all sense of time and even forgot to eat!

Twisting her neck, she was indeed quite tired. She put down the clay she had been molding, washed her hands, and picked up the bowl of hot porridge to drink.

Luan’er continued, “Oh, and Miss, regarding the medicinal herbs that Prince Rong brought today, this servant has already crushed them. When we apply them to your back later, I’m sure Miss will recover soon.”

At the mention of Jingrong, Ji Yinshu’s expression wavered slightly.

“Luan’er, didn’t you say Prince Rong burned Father’s whip?”

“Yes!”

“And he made him go to Qing’an Temple, kowtowing at every step?”

“Yes, the master has already gone to Qing’an Temple. Right now, he’s probably still at the foot of the mountain.” Luan’er looked gleeful at the misfortune.

Serves him right!

She lowered her eyes slightly and murmured softly, “How coincidental that he sent white cloud root to treat whip wounds, then burned Father’s whip and made things difficult for him as punishment. Could it be that he already knows my identity?”

Seeing her young miss murmuring something, Luan’er leaned closer and asked, “Miss, what are you saying?”

“Nothing!”

Putting down the bowl, she gathered her thoughts and went into the inner room to have Luan’er change her dressing.

As soon as she removed her clothing, something fell out. Luan’er picked it up, and upon opening it, exclaimed in surprise, “Miss, where did this jade pendant come from? It’s so beautiful.”

Ji Yinshu reached over to take it and stuffed it under her pillow.

“It’s nothing. Hurry and change my dressing.”

“Oh!”

Luan’er asked no more questions and changed the medicine for her.

After the dressing was changed, Ji Yinshu continued to mold the clay.

Because time was pressing, she stayed in her room for the next two days until she finally completed the portrait. Only then did she leave and deliver it to the yamen.

That very day, the person in the portrait was confirmed to be Master Jiang!

Ji Yinshu had thought that the old man would surely come to the yamen to testify, but who would have known—what arrived was not the old man.

Instead, it was a woman in her forties, dressed in brocade and fine clothing, a noble lady.

Beside the woman were two maids and a somewhat younger man.

The four of them entered the yamen’s main hall with an air of condescending arrogance, their eyes even carrying a trace of disdain!

The County Magistrate had worked in this yamen for decades without complaint—what were they disdaining!

The County Magistrate naturally recognized this woman and stepped forward. “You must be Madam Jiang? I was just about to send someone to the capital to notify you. Why did you suddenly come?”

Madam Jiang swept a glance at the County Magistrate. “Recently, I happened to return to my hometown to worship at my ancestors’ graves. Just after entering the city, I heard that my husband’s remains had been found. Magistrate Liu, I’ve come to claim my husband’s remains for burial. Please bring them out.”

She went straight to the point!