Liu Zhi lay crying on his wife’s corpse for a long time.

The common people outside the courtroom also began speculating about Ji Yunshu’s identity.

“That young lady is truly capable!”

“Who exactly is she? She knows so much—even more formidable than Coroner Zhou.”

“If she’s not a physician, then she must be a coroner.”

“How could a woman be a coroner?”

“Then she must be a physician.”

“If she’s a physician, why did she say to have someone fetch a physician to examine the injuries on the deceased!”

“Then… who is she?”

…

Everyone speculated endlessly.

All were words of endless praise.

Within the crowd, two men dressed in brocade fine clothing had been hiding all along.

They’d been there since the court session began!

The man in front appeared mature, very composed, probably around thirty years old. His posture was straight, strong and powerful—clearly someone who practiced martial arts regularly.

This person’s keen gaze had been fixed on Ji Yunshu the entire time.

At first he thought that woman was spouting nonsense to exonerate herself.

But unexpectedly, she was a formidable character!

Not only did she clear her own name, she also found the true culprit.

This case wasn’t major—if investigated carefully, it could probably be solved.

But to uncover the truth in such a short time—this woman was definitely no ordinary person.

And she knew so much!

More like an official than an official.

More like a coroner than a coroner.

Yet he’d never seen such a capable person before.

For a moment, he became curious.

The man behind him asked quietly: “Young master, should we go in now to find that Magistrate Li? Or?”

The man said: “The courtroom is busy right now. Let’s not join the commotion for the time being.”

“Then?”

“Return to the inn first. We’ll come back later.”

“Yes.”

The man glanced at Ji Yunshu, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly. Then he turned and left.

In the courtroom, though the county magistrate breathed a sigh of relief that the case was closed, he also sighed repeatedly over the truth of this case.

Finally he waved his hand and ordered: “Someone, the criminal Liu Zhi has confessed. Immediately imprison him in the jail. We’ll pass judgment later.”

“Yes!”

The officers escorted the sobbing Liu Zhi away.

They also carried away the deceased!

The county magistrate looked at Ji Yunshu, still kneeling on the ground: “The truth of this matter is clear. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Thank you, Magistrate!”

The county magistrate struck the gavel: “Court dismissed!”

The officers on both sides shouted in unison: “Mighty!”

The common people watching outside also dispersed one by one.

Ji Yunshu and Coroner Zhou stood up together.

Coroner Zhou was also quite curious about her. He was about to open his mouth to ask something when the county magistrate’s words stopped him: “Old Zhou, you go back first.”

“Yes, then this humble one will take his leave.”

Coroner Zhou withdrew from the courtroom.

Ji Yunshu also planned to leave afterward.

Who knew—

The county magistrate called out to stop her: “Young lady, wait a moment.”

“I wonder what other business the magistrate has?”

“This official’s memory isn’t very good. You… what did you say your name was just now?”

“This common woman is Ji Yunshu.”

“Right, Ji Yunshu. This official has remembered it this time.” The county magistrate still spoke weakly. After saying two sentences, he would pause to catch his breath!

Ji Yunshu stared at him for a few moments and roughly perceived the old man’s thoughts.

Could it be…

The county magistrate revealed a kind smile, then had the legal advisor beside him help support him as he slowly walked down from the high bench.

He walked up to Ji Yunshu.

He squinted his eyes and scrutinized her carefully, asking amiably: “What do you do?”

Ji Yunshu took a step back: “Magistrate, if you have something to say, please speak plainly.”

“You’re a clever person, so this official won’t beat around the bush.” The county magistrate made his meaning clear. “Just now you extricated yourself from difficulty with just a few words and solved this case! This official has always valued capable people. If you had a male body, this official would keep you in this yamen to work and grant you an official title! It’s just a pity you’re a woman, so an official title wouldn’t be appropriate. However, this official isn’t some rigid person. Since ancient times, women have also had heroic examples! Young lady, you’re a capable person. If you’re willing, could you stay and help this official with work? Though there’s no official title, silver is no problem—we definitely won’t shortchange you, and it will only be more, not less.”

What a shrewd county magistrate!

His wishful thinking was truly ringing loudly.

Should Ji Yunshu give up being Director of the Criminal Justice Department and being Princess Huyi Zhangzhu to come here and be a lowly runner at a county yamen?

Though she didn’t care about titles—if she could serve the common people, any profession was the same.

But—

Right now she was single-mindedly focused on chasing after Lichuan. There was absolutely no way she could stay here.

So she politely declined: “Thank you for the magistrate’s praise. This common woman is just an extremely ordinary person. Being able to extricate myself and solve this case was purely coincidental.”

“Young lady, please reconsider! This official said silver is no problem. As long as you’re willing, any amount is fine!” To keep this person, the county magistrate was truly sparing no expense.

Actually, the county magistrate’s earnest pleading was somewhat helpless! Although Jiahe town was very prosperous and basically every household wasn’t short of money, this was still a Qujiang border town after all, close to the Nansai desert—somewhat inconvenient! Outsiders were never willing to put down roots here, so none of the officials from higher up were willing to come here to work. As a result, this county magistrate was almost seventy years old and still hadn’t retired. With no one to take over, he had no choice but to continue serving in his position. If he died somewhere, it would probably be at his post! Now seeing someone as talented as Ji Yunshu, naturally he couldn’t let her go! Even if she was a woman, at this point he didn’t care—as long as she stayed to help, anything could be discussed!

Money was even less of a problem.

But Ji Yunshu’s mind was made up.

She refused repeatedly.

The county magistrate was distressed: “So you’re truly unwilling to stay?”

“This common woman still has urgent business. I’m only passing through Jiahe town. If this incident hadn’t occurred, I would probably have already left the city and wouldn’t have stayed here any longer.”

“Alas! What a pity.”

“I believe the magistrate will surely recruit even more capable people.”

“I’m afraid if we miss this village, there won’t be this shop again.” The county magistrate wore a bitter expression.

He looked quite adorable too!

His graying whiskers tilted upward, making one want to reach out and tug them.

Ji Yunshu simply smiled without speaking!

The county magistrate sighed repeatedly, but in the end didn’t insist further.

Ji Yunshu was also anxious to leave. She performed a courtesy bow: “This common woman has urgent business. I take my leave.”

Then she left!

The legal advisor saw the county magistrate was somewhat unhappy. Missing out on a capable person—naturally one couldn’t be happy.

So he said: “Magistrate, that young lady clearly has a stubborn temperament, but she’s indeed a capable person. Our yamen lacks precisely this kind of person. If we really let her go, it would be truly regrettable.”

The county magistrate stroked his beard and sat down on the pear wood chair beside him: “She’s unwilling. We can’t very well tie her up, can we?”

“Naturally we can’t tie her up.”

“Then do you have a solution?”

The legal advisor’s eyes rolled: “How about I go see that young lady? Have her reconsider. Even if it’s after she finishes her urgent business and then returns to take the position, that would be acceptable.”