The Road to the Capital
The next day
The fire at the Ji Mansion had been extinguished. The front hall and the East Courtyard had been burnt to a crisp.
Ji Yuanzhi's corpse, along with his coffin, had been completely incinerated.
This morning, another piece of news arrived.
Old Madame Ji passed away due to her grief and a cold.
Shortly after, a letter of severance was sent from the Ji Mansion to the Grand Canal Court and into Ji Yunshu's hands.
"Today, the daughter of the Ji Clan, Ji Yunshu, has the surname 'Yun' carved on her. Her words and actions are corrupt. She has no regard for her family and has no moral character. Today, she is expelled from the Ji Clan and will never be recorded in the Ji Clan's genealogy …"
The seal of the Ji Mansion was engraved on the white paper.
Holding this piece of paper, she sneered. Her eyes were filled with a monstrous smile that seemed to split the heavens.
She reached out and threw the paper into the furnace. She stared blankly at it as it burned to ashes.
She knew that the entire Ji Clan wanted nothing more than to hack her into a thousand pieces and throw her into the wilderness so that wolves and tigers could devour her.
Ji Yuanzhi was dead, and Old Madame Ji was also dead.
Who was to blame for this?
Was it her fault?
She didn't want to shoulder the blame. She didn't want to carry this burden.
Jing Rong gave the order and prepared to return to the capital. The carriage was parked outside, ready to set off at any time.
Ji Yunshu went to the Wei Mansion and handed over the Wei Family's affairs to Wei Fu. She also told him that if things didn't work out, he should dismiss everyone in the mansion.
After all, it would probably take a year for the Lin Capital Case to be resolved.
She wasn't sure if she would be able to return by then. Perhaps, she would bring Wei Yi to a small county town and become a coroner.
Wei Yi packed for a long time. There were several bags of various sizes.
"When Mother was still alive, she said that we must bring everything when we go out."
He pointed at a yellow bag. "This is my clothes."
Then, he pointed at a blue bag. "This is my shoes."
Then, he pointed at a small box. "This is the things Mother and Father bought for me. There is a kite, a pendant, and …"
"Wei Yi." Ji Yunshu interrupted him.
"Shu 'er, did you call me?"
Yes, I'll call you, otherwise, you'll forget me again!
Ji Yunshu handed him the two scrolls of paintings she had brought with her. "Take these two scrolls with you. As for the rest, you only need to pack two sets of clothes."
Wei Yi looked at the painting in his hand in confusion.
Then, he opened them one by one, feeling extremely happy.
"This is Dad and Mom!"
There were two paintings, one of Lord Wei and the other of Madame Wei.
Ji Yunshu had finished it overnight.
Wei Yi hugged the two scrolls tightly, unwilling to let go no matter what. He had also forgotten about the large and small baggage.
From the Wei Mansion to the Grand Canal Court, almost everyone was talking about the Ji Mansion.
Some said that the fire was started by the Ji family's Third Miss and that she was the one who killed Old Madame Ji. It was said that it was because she had gone berserk and scratched her face.
She only admitted to arson, the rest were all rumors, all rumors!
Fortunately, there was no such thing as Weibo in ancient times. Otherwise, wouldn't she become the version of Ma "Rong"?
She feared that she would be drowned in countless spittle before she could leave Jinjiang City.
Outside the Grand Canal Court.
Jing Rong had already mounted his horse and was pulling the reins. His golden boots were lightly pressed against the horse's abdomen. If his purple and gold robes were replaced with armor and a silver helmet, the current Jing Rong would look like a man with iron bones and a proud and elegant demeanor.
Seeing that Ji Yunshu and Wei Yi had already arrived, his long and narrow eyes swept over them before he nodded at Lang Po.
Lang Po pulled the carriage over and said to Ji Yunshu, "Miss Ji, everything is ready. You and Young Master Wei can board the carriage."
"Good, we can board the carriage now."
Wei Yi didn't say anything else and jumped into the carriage with the two scrolls of paintings in his arms.
Ji Yunshu looked at Jing Rong's back and whispered to Lang Po, "Isn't His Highness going to board the carriage?"
"His Highness said that he won't ride with commoners."
'Aiya!
It seems like he really remembered what I said. '
She nodded indifferently and boarded the carriage.
Just as she lowered the curtain and sat down, she heard a familiar voice coming from outside.
"Yunshu, I've come to see you off."
Ji Yunshu's white fingers lifted the curtain and she saw Magistrate Liu's sweaty face.
"Lord Liu?"
His face was full of reluctance as he said with a bitter expression, "Yunshu, if you leave like this, I won't be able to handle the yamen's affairs in the future."
"Are you trying to make me stay?"
"This …" Magistrate Liu timidly looked in Jing Rong's direction and said with a trembling voice, "I don't dare to snatch the person that Prince Rong wants."
Ji Yunshu thought for a moment and said, "Lord Liu, go to the Li Family Village and find a coroner named Li Hai. Let him work in the yamen."
"Li Hai?"
"He also handled the corpse dumping case a year ago. This person will definitely be of help to you."
"Yes, of course." Lord Liu repeatedly agreed and sighed. "Such a big matter has happened to the Ji family. It's better for you to leave. However, if you come back one day, you must tell me."
Although Ji Yunshu disliked this muddle-headed Magistrate for five years, she had to admit that he treated her very well.
When she ran out of money, he would give her more. When she was in a bad mood, he would give her more.
As long as she asked, he would agree to it.
She wondered how much Jing Rong would give her for the 'Lin Capital Case'.
She shook her head. 'You're thinking too much!'
She smirked and glanced at Magistrate Liu.
"Silly fool, get lost."
She stretched her head back into the carriage and withdrew her fingers from the curtain. The corner of her mouth curved into a faint smile. It was a smile of reluctance to part with that silly fool, Lord Liu.
"Shu 'er, who's the silly fool?" Wei Yi stared at her and asked.
She shook her head and didn't answer.
At this moment, the carriage began to move.
After a short while, they left Jinjiang City.
In this place, apart from the plum blossom forest and that youth, there was nothing else worthy of her nostalgia.
A group of people traveled along Jinjiang's small road and into the mountains.
In the evening, the spring rain arrived unexpectedly. The pitter-patter pattered against the black roof of the carriage. As the cold wind rolled up the curtain, a few raindrops flew into the carriage and landed on Ji Yunshu's veil. The raindrops seeped into her skin, making her feel cold.
She pretended to sleep for a while. When she opened her eyes, she saw Wei Yi sleeping soundly with two paintings in his arms.
Because they weren't on the official road, the road was bumpy and swaying.
She reached out and lifted the curtain. The carriage was probably still in the mountains, surrounded by bushes and forests. She looked ahead and saw several imperial bodyguards holding torches leading the way, illuminating the entire road.
Her gaze finally fell on Jing Rong.
The drizzle made Jing Rong's head and his fine brocade robe slippery. But he was riding on horseback and wasn't affected in the slightest.
"Your Highness, there's a run-down temple in front."
Someone yelled.
Ji Yunshu immediately shrank her head back into the carriage. She appeared to be somewhat guilty.
Soon, the group stopped in front of the run-down temple. Ji Yunshu shook Wei Yi awake and pulled him into the temple.
Jing Rong's imperial bodyguards brought in some things that couldn't withstand the water and started two fires.
Jing Rong brought Lang Po while Ji Yunshu brought Wei Yi. The four of them started a fire.
The dozen or so imperial bodyguards sat in a pile.
Just as they sat down, another group of people rushed in from the entrance of the run-down temple.
They saw five or six people carrying a heavy coffin through the entrance of the run-down temple. Each of them was completely drenched.
"Quickly, quickly carry it in. Don't let Madam's body get wet."
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