A Hand Stained with Disease
Not long after, the Capital Governor sent someone to the Rong Estate with news that Mei Xiang 'er's residence was located in the southern part of the city.
The messenger also handed over a slip of paper with the address written on it.
Since it was related to this matter, it was naturally urgent.
Ji Yunshu grabbed the slip of paper and said to Jing Rong, "I'm going to look for Mei Xiang 'er."
"This Prince will go with you."
"There's no need. Your Highness should stay in the estate to prevent the murderer from looking for the Ruan family's young miss. This time, we can't let Prince Yi beat us to it."
Jing Rong pondered for a moment and nodded.
Lang Po brought Wei Yi out of the estate to eat tanghulu. Jing Rong had no choice but to summon two good imperial guards and follow Ji Yunshu to the southern part of the city.
They arrived at the southern part of the city and found Mei Xiang 'er's residence.
Outside the thatched hut, there were piles of dried vegetables, chili peppers, and some simple medicinal herbs on a wooden shelf.
Although the courtyard was simple and crude, it was only surrounded by bamboo fences. However, it was very clean inside.
The following imperial guard stepped forward and knocked on the somewhat dilapidated wooden door.
Once, twice, thrice …
No one came out.
"Is it possible that there's no one inside?" The imperial guard guessed.
Ji Yunshu glanced inside. "There's someone inside."
"There's someone inside?" The imperial guard was skeptical.
"There's a glimmer in the room. Naturally, there's someone inside."
The broken window was open, revealing a faint red light that faintly shone through the white rice paper.
The imperial guard suddenly understood and exerted even more strength to knock on the nearly collapsed door.
Sounds came one after another.
Finally, the door inside creaked. First, a head popped out, followed by a slender figure.
Mei Xiang 'er's head was lowered. When she saw the person who appeared out of nowhere, she immediately became frightened. She tightly rubbed her hands together and cautiously walked over.
It was clearly the cowardice of a weak woman.
She slowly opened the door and saw Ji Yunshu standing in front of her.
"Young Master? It's you? "The corner of her mouth slightly rose.
She was overjoyed.
Ji Yunshu spoke in a polite manner, "Miss Mei, I came suddenly. I don't know if I'm disturbing you."
Mei Xiang 'er repeatedly shook her head.
"No, I'm not disturbing you. Actually, Young Master, you can just call me Xiang-er."
Ji Yunshu pursed her lips into a faint smile. "Miss Xiang 'er, I actually came here because I have something to ask you."
"Hmm?"
"Inconvenient?"
"No, no! Please come in. "
Mei Xiang 'er took two small steps to allow her to enter.
Ji Yunshu ordered the two guards beside her, "The two of you, stand outside."
"Yes!"
Ji Yunshu followed Mei Xiang 'er into the room.
The house wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. It was very clean and tidy, and the decorations were exquisite.
Everything was there!
The two of them sat at the table and Mei Xiang 'er poured him a cup of water. "Young Master, please drink some water."
"Thank you!"
Ji Yunshu looked at the water in the cup, but her gaze couldn't help but fall on Mei Xiang 'er's neck.
As she was not wearing her cloak, the terrible scarlet scar was visible.
Mei Xiang 'er probably noticed Ji Yunshu's gaze, so she reached out to straighten her clothes and lowered her head.
She asked in a low voice, "May I know why Young Master is looking for me?"
Ji Yunshu went straight to the point. "It's like this. I won't hide it from Miss Xiang 'er. I'm here because of the missing girls case in the capital. You should know that the murderer is Auspicious Prosperity Restaurant's Gan Chuliang, right?"
Mei Xiang 'er wasn't surprised. Instead, she timidly nodded. "I know. The restaurant has been sealed. Now that I think about it, I feel my hair stand on end. I didn't expect that he would dare to kill people and …"
Before she could finish, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.
"Then, do you know him?"
"I don't know him. Although my father and I have been singing in Auspicious Prosperity Restaurant for a long time, we aren't familiar with each other." She spoke very earnestly.
It didn't seem like she was lying. Presumably, she didn't know that Gan Chuliang liked her.
Seeing Ji Yunshu's expression sink, Mei Xiang 'er asked, "But, why did Young Master suddenly ask me about this?"
"It's nothing!" Ji Yunshu replied.
Right at this time, a cough came from the backyard.
Ji Yunshu looked towards the source of the sound and saw the old man, who played the erhu in the restaurant, walk in. He was holding a tattered fishnet in his hand and was leaning on a crutch.
"Father!" Mei Xiang 'er called out and stood up to greet him. She took the thing in his hand and placed it on the table.
Ji Yunshu quickly got up and nodded at the old man. "Old man."
"You are?" The old man looked at her with a strange expression.
Mei Xiang 'er rushed to answer for her. "Father, don't you remember? This Young Master is the one who ordered the 'Fan Ji Tune'. "
"So it's that kind-hearted Young Master. Xiang 'er, this is an honored guest. Quickly, go and cook a few dishes to properly entertain this Young Master." The old man's benevolent face revealed a grateful expression.
"Yes, your daughter will go right away." Mei Xiang 'er complied.
Ji Yunshu hurriedly said, "Miss Xiang 'er, there's no need."
"Young Master, you don't need to be so polite." Mei Xiang 'er thought of something and looked towards the front courtyard. "The two Young Masters outside have been standing for a long time. I'm afraid they are thirsty. I'll go and welcome them into the courtyard."
After saying that, Mei Xiang 'er took the teapot and teacups on the table and left.
He was very enthusiastic!
Ji Yunshu felt helpless.
She wanted to chase after Mei Xiang 'er, but the old man suddenly coughed and his body faintly trembled. Ji Yunshu had no choice but to stop and support the old man.
However, just as she supported the old man's arm, Ji Yunshu exerted a little force. When she felt the old man's bones, she was startled.
She had examined countless bones and opened countless coffins.
Her professional sensitivity told her that the arm of a man that looked like he was in his fifties or sixties was actually the arm of a man in his thirties.
However …
It was a disease-tainted hand!
He probably couldn't even lift a chair.
Ji Yunshu felt strange and helped him to sit down. She felt a little uneasy in her heart.
Ji Yunshu quickly said, "Old man, you should rest well. I'll be leaving first."
Before the old man could pull her back, Ji Yunshu had already rushed out of the room.
The sky had already darkened.
Outside the courtyard, there was no trace of the two imperial guards.
This feeling of dread made Ji Yunshu even more anxious.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew, and the tip of her nose smelled a faint fragrance.
It was very familiar!
Before she could turn around, her mouth was suddenly covered by someone.
"Ugh!"
Ji Yunshu struggled but to no avail. Waves of dizziness overwhelmed her. She opened her eyes wide and her vision gradually blurred.
In the end, she fainted.
She could only hear a buzzing sound in her ears.
After an unknown amount of time, she woke up. Her eyes were blindfolded and her body was tied to a stool. Her hands were firmly behind her back.
The surroundings were very quiet.
Ji Yunshu wrinkled her nose and smelled the faint smell of wood, rotten corpses, and blood.
"You're awake?"
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