House of Serenity!
The Chang Residence!
Ji Yunshu smiled awkwardly, not saying a word.
Wen Lingyang said, "I have to go look for Lord Fang, so I won't disturb you any further. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to call me."
Once Wen Lingyang left, Constable Zhang said, "Lady … Teacher Ji, Advisor Wen has been in the yamen for two years. He's a good person – not only is he smart, but he's also efficient."
"Why is Constable Zhang always praising Advisor Wen?"
"To be honest, Teacher, actually …" Constable Zhang said sheepishly, "My younger sister really admires Advisor Wen, and as her brother, I naturally have my own selfish motives."
Pfft –
Ji Yunshu lowered her head and smiled, "I see. I think Advisor Wen is a talented man, and he's meticulous in his work. He's indeed a rare good person. Your younger sister has good taste."
"That's true."
"However, there's one thing I don't understand."
Constable Zhang asked, "Please speak, Teacher."
"Advisor Wen is so smart, and he's already an imperial scholar. Logically speaking, he should be taking the imperial examinations in the capital. Why did he stay in the yamen for two years?"
Constable Zhang said, "Advisor Wen said that he didn't want to take the imperial examinations. Being the top scholar is just a title. He'd rather stay in Yuzhou City and be a little advisor."
Hmm!
Indifferent to fame and fortune, that's admirable.
Ji Yunshu smiled warmly and nodded.
She returned to her desk and looked through the files again.
When the sky was almost dark, she went to look for Fang Mingsan.
Fang Mingsan was worrying about the case. He hadn't eaten much in the past two months, and he looked haggard.
When he saw Ji Yunshu looking for him, he thought that there was some progress on the case. He asked anxiously, "Teacher Ji, do you have any clues?"
Are you kidding me?
"Lord Fang, this one has only looked through the files and understood the details of the case. As for the specifics, I'll need to see the victim and the crime scene before I can make a conclusion."
Fang Mingsan nodded.
"This official understands."
He waved his hand and ordered two constables, "Hurry to the Chang Estate and inform them that Old Master Chang's body is not to be buried for the time being. There's still a need for an autopsy."
"Yes!"
The young constable scurried away.
Fang Mingshan pointed outside. "Teacher Ji, it's getting late. Why don't you rest for the night and go to the Chang Estate tomorrow morning?"
"There's no need. The case is more important."
After all, Jing Rong had only given her five days. She didn't want to waste any time. Rest or not, that was a matter for later.
Seeing how determined she was, Fang Mingsan ordered the yamen's men to bring along brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to Chang Residence.
As soon as she stepped out of the door, Jing Rong caught up with her.
"This King will go with you."
His face was cold!
Fang Mingshan stepped forward. "Your Highness, you should go and rest first. With this official by Teacher Ji's side, this official will not let anything happen to her."
Jing Rong snorted. He flicked his sleeves and placed his hands behind his back. He stared at Ji Yunshu. "It's not that I don't trust you, Lord Fang, but I don't trust Teacher Ji."
Hmm?
What did that mean?
The corners of Ji Yunshu's eyes slightly trembled. She pursed her lips, but she was powerless to retaliate.
Indeed, in Jing Rong's eyes, she was a troublemaker!
…
The group arrived at the Chang Estate.
Two servants in mourning attire stood at the entrance. The door was tightly shut, and even the iron ring was wrapped in white cloth.
Along the way, Fang Mingshan told Ji Yunshu about the situation at the Chang Estate.
In Yuzhou City, the Chang Estate was considered one of the wealthiest families. Old Master Chang started his business in silk, and the entire silk business in Yuzhou City was monopolized by him. However, Old Master Chang was a benevolent person. He would give out rice and porridge during the festive season. His reputation in Yuzhou City was also very good, and he naturally had no enemies. It was strange that he died for no reason.
It was also hard to say that he was killed by his family.
When Old Master Chang was alive, he treated his servants very well. He was also generous, and everyone thought that he was a living Bodhisattva. If he died, the people in the estate would not receive any benefits. Moreover, there was no dispute over the family property. After Old Master Chang's first wife passed away seven years ago, he never married again.
He only had one daughter!
Excluding these, what other possibilities were there?
Ji Yunshu pondered for a moment, but she could not come to a conclusion.
The group arrived at the mourning hall in the backyard of the Chang Estate. The coffin was still placed in the center of the room, surrounded by white satin. Incense and candles were lit, and a basin was placed at the entrance. The basin was covered with a black cloth, and on top of it was a white flower.
At the corner of the entrance, two white lanterns were hung, and the moonlight shone faintly.
Below the lanterns were two jade pendants tied with black rope.
This kind of style was usually the habit of rich families.
In the mourning hall, Miss Chang knelt at the side, wearing mourning attire and a mourning hat. Her head was lowered as she sobbed.
Her wet nurse accompanied her, and from time to time, she would comfort her, but to no avail.
Seeing that so many people had arrived, Steward Chang came to welcome them. He first glanced at Jing Rong and Ji Yunshu, then said to Fang Mingshan, "Lord Fang, didn't the yamen coroner already examine the corpse? Why do they need to examine it again? "
Fang Mingshan turned and pointed at Jing Rong. "Steward Chang, this is Prince Rong."
"Prince Rong?" Steward Chang was startled, and hurriedly knelt on the ground. "This lowly one greets Your Highness. I didn't know Your Highness would be here. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you."
Jing Rong's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand. "Get up. There's no need to make this public."
Steward Chang slowly got up, but he didn't dare to raise his head.
Fang Mingshan pointed at Ji Yunshu, and introduced, "This is Teacher Ji. She will be in charge of this case, so she brought you here. That's why Old Master Chang's burial was delayed a day later."
"So that's how it is."
Steward Chang raised his eyelids to look at Ji Yunshu, then bowed and stood to the side. He extended his hand towards the mourning hall. "My Old Master's corpse is inside. Teacher, please go ahead."
Ji Yunshu nodded, and walked in.
Just as she walked to the side of the coffin, Miss Chang, who had been kneeling and sobbing, suddenly spoke.
"Who are you?"
Her voice was slightly choked, and it sounded as soft as a willow drooping on the surface of a water.
Ji Yunshu's eyes met with Miss Chang's tearful and red eyes.
The girl looked no more than ten years old. She was a petite beauty, and her body trembled slightly as she knelt on the ground.
Ji Yunshu said, "This one's surname is Ji."
"Are you here to investigate my father's death?"
"Yes."
"Then, can you find out who killed my father?"
"If it was him, yes."
"My father loved me very much. I don't know what to do now that he's dead."
Miss Chang's nose turned sour, and she stared at Ji Yunshu with her big eyes.
Ji Yunshu walked to her, squatted down, and stroked her head. "What's your name?"
"Yiyan."
"That's a nice name."
"This name was given to me by my mother, but she's already dead. Now, my father is also dead."
Speaking of which, it was indeed pitiful!
Ji Yunshu said, "Yiyan, go back to your room and have a good sleep. Tomorrow morning, you will attend your father's funeral."
The wet nurse at the side moved her lips. She had already tried to persuade Chang Yiyan several times, but he refused to rest. How could a newcomer like you be persuaded?
Who knew …
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