An incense stick’s time later, the two arrived at Prince Rong’s estate.
But just as they reached the entrance, they happened to encounter Jing Zhaoyin and Vice Minister Yu.
“Mr. Ji, you’ve come as well.” Jing Zhaoyin forced a smile.
“Are the two gentlemen here to find Prince Rong to discuss the Dry Well Case?”
“Precisely.”
“Then let us enter together.” After speaking, she closed the umbrella in her hand, handed it to the guard at the entrance, and went inside.
Jing Zhaoyin and Vice Minister Yu exchanged glances.
Not understanding!
Hadn’t it been said that Mr. Ji would not interfere with this case?
Without thinking further, the two followed closely behind.
The three entered the great hall one after another.
Jingrong had not expected to see Ji Yunshu arrive.
“Why have you come?” he asked.
She pursed her lips, walked before him, her gaze resolute, “The Dry Well Case—I’ve decided to take it.”
Extremely firm!
Brooking no argument.
Uh!
And when she spoke those words, they happened to be overheard by Jing Zhaoyin and Vice Minister Yu entering.
Who would be most delighted?
Naturally, Jing Zhaoyin!
His eyes lit up as he hurried forward with quick steps, “Mr. Ji, you’ve truly decided to take this case? That’s wonderful! With you handling it, Mr. Ji, this Dry Well Case will surely be solved quickly.”
But—
Jingrong’s face grew serious as he directly vetoed it, “No!”
His voice was like thunder.
Jing Zhaoyin’s body trembled, his eyes full of astonishment, but being a tactful person, he quickly retreated to the side, becoming a silent spectator alongside the equally astonished Vice Minister Yu.
Facing Jingrong’s strong opposition, Ji Yunshu tightened her neck, resolute, “I’ve already made my decision. You need not try to persuade me.”
“This prince is not persuading you—it’s an order.” His brow furrowed deeply, his fists involuntarily clenching, “This case has nothing to do with you. It’s a matter between this prince and Jing Yi. You need only focus on investigating the ‘Linjing Case.’ Don’t get involved.”
“Yes, this case truly has nothing to do with me. I should remain at Zhuxi Garden, hearing nothing of matters outside my window. But some things—just because I don’t participate doesn’t mean I’m not entangled. From the day I agreed to return to the capital with you, I was already deeply involved. Now you and I are on the same path with no way to turn back. When I can clearly help you, yet I turn a deaf ear…” She held her breath, her eyes sorrowful, her tone choked with emotion, “Moreover, this time it’s not only to help you, but also for Wei Yi. Because only by forcing Prince Yi into a corner will he bring out the chess piece that is Wei Yi. Only then will we have a chance to rescue him. Whether you call me stubborn or say I’m meddling in affairs that don’t concern me, in any case, I must investigate this case. I absolutely cannot let Prince Yi succeed.”
Jingrong’s expression grew grave.
Unable to refute!
Seeing the two continuing to argue, Jing Zhaoyin quickly stepped forward to persuade, “Prince Rong, if Mr. Ji helps, this case will be much simpler.”
He did not respond, his burning gaze still fixed on Ji Yunshu.
After a long while—
“Fine.”
He agreed.
Ji Yunshu breathed a sigh of relief.
Jingrong reminded her again, “Jing Yi has taken on this Dry Well Case and will surely use every means to achieve his goals. So during this time, you must stay by this prince’s side at all times. Understand?”
She nodded slightly.
Indicating understanding.
Subsequently, several people began discussing the Dry Well Case.
Jing Zhaoyin said, “Prince, the missing persons cases reported by the Ministry of Revenue over these past years exceed a hundred. The coroner examined the skeletal remains but really cannot match them. Without reconstructed portraits from the bones, it will be difficult to determine who the deceased are. Moreover, the water in the ruined temple at the city outskirts has not completely receded. Even if there are clues, they’ve probably all been washed away by the flood.”
“What about those skeletal remains?”
Vice Minister Yu said, “The skeletal remains have now been transferred to the Ministry of Justice’s mortuary.”
“What about that merchant traveler?”
“We’ve already questioned those traveling with him. They all say they don’t know. That night they stayed at the inn, each returning to their own rooms in the evening. Everyone at the inn also said they never saw him go out.”
Jingrong pondered, “Something must have been overlooked in all this.” Contemplating carefully, he asked, “Was that dry well beneath the great Buddha built together with the temple?”
Vice Minister Yu answered, “That temple has been standing for nearly a hundred years. Those who built it are long dead. This official asked the person guarding the ruined temple, but he wasn’t clear either. However… that dry well is pressed beneath the Buddha, completely sealed. If it had been built later, the great Buddha would have had to be moved. But moving a Buddha to dig a well would certainly create a great commotion—there’s no reason no one would know. Therefore, this official deduces that dry well should have been built together with the ruined temple.”
With this explanation, Jing Zhaoyin became puzzled.
He said, confused, “But if the dry well is sealed, then to throw dead bodies down there, wouldn’t the great Buddha also have to be moved?”
Hearing this, Jingrong analyzed, “This case is full of doubts. If the dry well was built together with the ruined temple, why don’t the surrounding common people know about it, yet the murderer knows there’s a dry well beneath the great Buddha? Moreover, to move the great Buddha and throw bodies inside—this certainly couldn’t be accomplished by one person’s strength alone. And furthermore, why would the murderer kill a merchant traveler coming to the capital for business for the first time?”
The case was too mysterious!
Could it be supernatural?
Ji Yunshu, standing to the side, spoke up, “Tomorrow, make a trip to the Ministry of Justice. There will be results then.”
Jing Zhaoyin: “With Mr. Ji’s help, the prince will surely solve the case before Prince Yi. Overthrowing Prince Rong—this turning point is just around the corner.”
But—
Vice Minister Yu expressed concern, “No matter what, we must act carefully. Moreover, Prince Yi now has numerous party members in the court. To guard against any eventuality is certainly not wrong.”
Jingrong nodded, heaving a long sigh, “Let’s leave it at that for today. You two gentlemen should return to your estates first.”
“Yes.”
The two cupped their hands and withdrew.
However—
Ji Yunshu was still troubled. Logically speaking, she had solved countless cases. There was no reason this Dry Well Case, before even beginning investigation, should cause such deep concern!
Shouldn’t she be full of confidence?
Jingrong seemed to perceive something.
He asked her, “What’s wrong?”
She remained silent for a long moment, then said directly, “I went to see Prince Yi.”
Uh!
Jingrong’s eyes sharpened, “What?”
Astonished!
“Prince Yi said that as long as I help him solve this Dry Well Case, he will release Wei Yi. But I cannot, for the sake of rescuing Wei Yi, cover my eyes and lose all sense of right and wrong.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“I’m not worried—I’m somewhat afraid.”
Hmm?
Jingrong: “Worried about Wei Yi?”
She shook her head, her eyes slightly fearful, “No. It’s because Jing Yi brought in someone. That person… is called Wen Shisan. No, he should be called Zhou San instead.”
Mentioning this person, a wave of disgust rose in her heart.
“Wen Shisan? Zhou San?” Jingrong thought carefully, “Who is this person?”
“Have you heard the saying in the martial world: ‘First watch seeks the person, second watch seeks the soul, third watch seeks the corpse’?”
Jingrong thought about it. In order to investigate the “Linjing Case,” he had searched for half a year outside, traveling across great rivers and mountains both north and south. And this saying…
Uh?
“If this prince remembers correctly, this saying comes from one of the Thirteen Strings of Jing’an.”
“Exactly. It refers to Wen Shisan of Jing’an County.”