Chapter 63: Madame Jiang
"It's … It's Madame Jiang's younger brother."
His voice trembled violently.
Although the Grand Canal Court's Jiang family moved to the capital two years ago, how could the Jiang family's Old Master's death not be reported to the yamen?
Wasn't this very strange?
Ji Yunshu's heart was filled with confusion. She took two steps forward, and her expression became even more solemn.
She asked, "You said that the skeleton belonged to Old Master Jiang. Then why didn't the yamen receive any reports of the family head's tragic death? If what you said was true and the murderer was Madame Jiang's younger brother, then even if Madame Jiang wanted to protect her younger brother and didn't want to make this matter public, could it be that the entire Jiang family was blinded by the fact that it was a fresh human life? Or is it like what you said just now? They were worried that a single word would be leaked and Madame Jiang would kill them to silence them. This … is too much of an excuse! "
He was wronged! Every word he said was true!
The old man rubbed his hands together and spoke with a trace of fear in his voice, "Teacher Ji, what I said is the truth. I won't hide it from you. Madame only found out about Old Master's yin and yang body after she married into the family. Therefore, Madame treated Old Master very harshly. Old Master, he … he couldn't even lift his head up high! The servants in the mansion never cared about Old Master. Moreover, the one in charge of the Jiang family was Madame. "
"What does this have to do with the case?"
"Teacher Ji, I know that Old Master was killed. That night, I saw Madame's younger brother arguing with Old Master. Since this wasn't the first time, I didn't take it to heart and left. However, when I returned, I saw Madame and her younger brother digging a pit to bury the corpse. I saw the whole process, but I didn't dare to say anything. After Old Master disappeared, no one reported it to the yamen. Madame only said that Old Master went missing because he lost his mind, so no one was allowed to make it public. Not long after, Madame dismissed a portion of the servants and moved to the capital with her trusted aides."
What a strange story!
Ji Yunshu listened attentively.
Ji Yunshu raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "Old man, I've memorized everything you've said. However, we still have to wait for the portrait to come out. After all, the identity of the deceased cannot be determined by your side of the story. Moreover, although you witnessed the scene of the murder, you only saw it. Without concrete evidence, even Lord Liu would not be able to arrest the culprit. You must know that everything requires evidence."
The old man nodded. "I've always heard that Teacher Ji has the ability to solve cases. I believe that you will definitely give justice to Master."
"Don't worry. Since the case has passed through my hands, I will definitely find the murderer." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Elder, I know you have your concerns, but this is a matter of life and death. I hope that after I draw the portrait, if that person is really Master Jiang, can you make a trip to the yamen?"
"This …" He panicked.
Who was this Madame Jiang? How could she make everyone in the Jiang family so afraid of her?
In modern times, she would not be a strong woman, but a devil!
Ji Yunshu solemnly said to him, "A murderer must pay with his life. If you can testify in court, it can be considered as giving justice to your Master."
The old man's expression was flustered. His eyes darted back and forth several times before he finally clenched his teeth.
"Fine, I … I will testify in court."
"I believe that Master Jiang's spirit in heaven will be very grateful," she said.
The old man nodded, but his body trembled even more violently. He didn't stay any longer and hurriedly left.
Ji Yunshu stood in the same place for a moment. She pondered in her heart. If what the old man said was true, that the murderer was Madame Jiang's younger brother, then wouldn't the case be solved once the portrait was drawn?
Could it be that simple?
It was as if there was a scale weighing on her heart, causing her to sway left and right!
After returning to the Ji residence, she didn't have time to change the dressing on the wound on her back. Instead, she asked Luan 'er to find some clay and began to knead the skull.
She busied herself until late at night.
Luan 'er came in with a bowl of hot porridge and placed it on the side.
"Miss, you should drink some porridge first. You have been busy ever since you came back and didn't even eat dinner. This servant is worried that you will starve. Also, it's time to change the dressing. Go to the inner room and lie down. This servant will help you change the dressing."
Ji Yunshu was always like this when she was working. She didn't have the slightest sense of time and didn't even remember to eat!
She stretched her neck and felt a little tired. She put down the clay in her hand and washed her hands. Then, she picked up the bowl of porridge and ate it.
Luan 'er added, "By the way, Miss, this servant has already crushed the medicinal herbs that Prince Rong brought today. I will apply it on your back later. I believe that you will be fine soon."
Ji Yunshu's expression slightly swayed when she mentioned Jing Rong.
"Luan 'er, didn't you say that Prince Rong burned Father's whip?"
"Yes!"
"He even let him go to Qing An Temple and kowtow with each step?"
"Yes, Master has already gone to Qing An Temple. He might still be at the foot of the mountain." Luan 'er gloated.
'Serves you right!'
Her eyes slightly drooped, and she softly muttered, "What a coincidence that Bai Yunzhang, the one who delivered the treatment for whipping wounds, even burned father's whip, and then made things difficult for me to teach him a lesson. Could it be that he already knows my identity?"
Luan 'er looked at her miss and asked, "Miss, what are you talking about?"
"It's nothing!"
She put down the bowl and gathered her thoughts. Then, she went into the inner room and asked Luan 'er to change the dressing.
Just as she took off her clothes, something fell from inside. Luan 'er picked it up and opened it. She was surprised. "Miss, where did you get this jade pendant? It's so beautiful. "
Ji Yunshu reached out to take it and stuffed it under her pillow.
"It's nothing. Hurry up and change my dressing."
"Oh!"
Luan 'er didn't ask anymore and helped her change the dressing.
After changing the dressing, Ji Yunshu continued to knead the clay.
Because time was tight, she stayed in the room for the next two days until she finished the portrait. Then, she went out and sent it to the yamen.
On the same day, the person in the portrait was confirmed to be Master Jiang!
Ji Yunshu thought that the old man would come to the yamen to testify, but she didn't expect that the old man wouldn't come.
Instead, it was a noble woman in her forties dressed in brocade.
She was accompanied by two maidservants and a slightly younger man.
The four of them entered the yamen's public hall with arrogant expressions. There was even a trace of disdain in their eyes.
'I, the magistrate, have been working in this yamen for decades and I don't despise him. What are you despising me for?'
The magistrate naturally recognized the woman and stepped forward. "Are you Madame Jiang? I was just about to send someone to the capital to inform you. Why did you suddenly come here? "
Madame Jiang glanced at the magistrate. "Recently, I coincidentally returned to my hometown to pay my respects to my ancestors. As soon as I entered the city, I heard that my husband's remains were found. Lord Liu, I have come to collect my husband's remains for burial. Please tell him to come out."
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