Seeing the county magistrate caught in hesitation, Ji Yunshu tightened her grip on the sandalwood box tucked under her arm, a glint flashing through her dark eyes.

“Your Honor, Miss Zhou will be buried in two hours. If you wish to investigate further, you’ll need to exhume the coffin and dig up the grave again. The longer the case is delayed, the more troublesome the investigation becomes. Your Honor should understand this principle.”

The county magistrate rubbed his hands together, clicking his tongue several times in succession, his brow furrowed with worry. “Of course I understand, but…”

“But what?”

“There’s someone waiting for you at the yamen! How about you make a trip to the yamen first, and then I’ll accompany you to the Zhou residence afterward? We’ll definitely make it before Miss Zhou’s burial.”

The county magistrate looked at her with questioning eyes, his heart filled with anxiety.

Ji Yunshu raised her eyebrows and asked, “Don’t tell me someone died at the yamen too?”

“No, no, someone is looking for you – it’s that young master who went with your father to East Suburb Village yesterday. He came to the yamen first thing this morning.”

“Oh? Has the coroner finished examining those five corpses?”

“We mustn’t delay any longer. My dear Yunshu, please hurry back to the yamen with me. We’ll deal with the Zhou family matter afterward.”

Without giving Ji Yunshu a chance to speak, the county magistrate pulled her along and rushed urgently to the yamen.

By now, Jingrong had already finished a cup of tea. Looking up, he saw the county magistrate arriving with Ji Yunshu in tow.

When they reached him, the county magistrate was gasping for breath.

Ji Yunshu, however, showed no signs of being out of breath or flustered. She stood there properly and looked toward Jingrong, who was seated in the pear blossom chair.

He looked somewhat different from what she had seen in the darkness yesterday.

Those sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes clearly held peach blossom eyes, and that cold, proud, imposing countenance also clearly carried a few traces of playful amusement.

Their eyes met, and Jingrong also scrutinized her from head to toe.

He noticed her fair, clean face seemed a bit more rosy – whether from running just now or from the wind, he couldn’t tell – and those deep eyes also seemed more spirited.

However…

Why did she look at him with such disdain!

The county magistrate quickly bowed. “Prince Rong, this subordinate has brought the person for you.”

Prince Rong? Ji Yunshu was momentarily stunned.

As expected, anyone who could make her wolf-like father grovel and wag his tail was definitely no small figure!

Her hem was suddenly tugged by the county magistrate’s subtle gesture, signaling her to hurry and bow, lest she offend this important personage.

Ji Yunshu was quite obedient and perceptive. She bent at the waist and said indifferently, “This humble one greets Prince Rong.”

Jingrong’s eyes deepened slightly. He waved his hand, signaling the county magistrate to step aside, then asked Ji Yunshu, “Master Ji, did you eat well today?”

“I ate quite well!”

“And did you sleep well last night?”

“This humble one didn’t sleep all night.”

“Why not?”

She had knelt all night – of course she didn’t sleep well. What nerve, asking about her sore spots!

Ji Yunshu frowned and retorted, “Does Prince Rong live by the sea?”

So nosy!

Fortunately, Jingrong didn’t understand the reference and instead pondered seriously over these words. “This prince lives in the capital, at Prince Rong’s manor, nowhere near the sea. Could Master Ji have slept too long today and become confused?”

You’re the confused one – your whole family is confused!

Ji Yunshu lifted her eyelids. “Surely the prince didn’t summon this humble one just to inquire about eating, drinking, and daily routines?”

“Of course not.” Jingrong composed himself and got to the point. “The coroner examined the bodies and indeed found death by poisoning. All the conclusions match what you said, Master.”

Ji Yunshu wasn’t surprised. “And so?”

“So this prince would like to ask you to make a trip to the morgue and help this prince take another careful look to see if you can discover anything else!”

“Were the bodies dissected?”

“The intestines are visible!”

“Can the bones be seen?”

“Clear as day. That’s why this prince was concerned about whether you had eaten enough, lest you have a reaction upon seeing the corpses.”

A reaction – was he afraid she would vomit?

How laughable. What hadn’t Ji Yunshu seen? Forget blood-soaked dissected corpses – she had handled plenty of bodies so rotten they were crawling with corpse insects.

Ji Yunshu remained silent for a moment, then looked toward the county magistrate and asked, “Two cases – which one should be handled first?”

One was Miss Zhou’s case, the other was Prince Rong’s case.

Which to handle first? Wasn’t this putting the county magistrate in a difficult position?

Jingrong pondered, “There’s another case?”

The county magistrate quickly replied, “Prince Rong, the day before yesterday there was also a murder case in our city involving a young lady from a wealthy family. She’s about to be buried. If we don’t investigate now, I’m afraid it will be too late.”

After careful consideration, Jingrong’s expression grew solemn. He said to Ji Yunshu, “This prince’s matter isn’t urgent. Finish the case you have on hand first, then help this prince with full concentration. That way you won’t be distracted.”

Well! What a truly benevolent person!