You're not fit to fight with me.
Searching for a person, searching for a soul, searching for a corpse.
Who would have thought that this tune was used to describe a person!
But …
Jing Rong didn't understand. "Who is this person? Why are you so apprehensive at the mention of her? You even used the word 'afraid'? "
She only said, "He's just … an old friend."
Old friend?
"I've never heard you mention him before."
"It's been many years, so it's meaningless to mention it. But this person is not simple at all. He's not inferior to Prince Yi in the slightest. Although he may not be as skilled as Prince Yi, when it comes to scheming, he's definitely not inferior to Prince Yi. In short, he's helping Prince Yi with the investigation this time, so we have to be careful."
"According to what you've said, since Jing Yi could invite him here, this person must have something special about him. Could it be … that he's like you, able to draw a portrait by touching bones?"
No, no, no. That Wen Shisan is a pirate!
She took a deep breath and looked at him seriously. "Four or five years ago, his name was Zhou San, and he was just an ordinary coroner. At that time, I was short of manpower, so I invited the yamen to help me. I saw that he was eager to learn and was indeed talented, so I taught him while investigating the case. He was also very smart, and he learned almost immediately. But later …"
She waited quietly for him to continue.
Unexpectedly, he shook his head. "Forget it. It's already been many years. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
She didn't want to say more.
Jing Rong wasn't the type to get to the bottom of things. Since she didn't want to talk about it, he didn't pursue the matter.
However, there was a huge question in his heart.
Who was that person?
What happened between him and Ji Yunshu a few years ago?
So much so that Ji Yunshu used the word 'afraid'.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Jing Rong and Ji Yunshu brought some people to the Ministry of Justice.
As soon as they entered, the Minister of Justice hurried over to welcome them.
"Greetings, Prince Rong."
He cupped his hands and bowed. "Minister Li, this prince has brought Teacher Ji here to examine the corpse. Please lead the way."
"This …"
"What's wrong?"
The Minister of Justice stuttered and lowered his head. "To be honest, Prince Yi … has already brought people to examine the corpse in the autopsy room. He hasn't been in for long, so it might take some time."
This was not surprising.
Right now, Jing Rong and Jing Yi were in a standoff. They were racing against time to solve the case. Whoever made the first move would have the upper hand.
Jing Rong had no intention of leaving. "Since this prince is already here, there's no reason for this prince to leave. Although Prince Yi brought people to examine the corpse first, it can't possibly take a day. This prince can still afford to wait."
"In that case, Prince Rong, please move to the main hall and wait. Once Prince Yi is done, this lowly official will immediately inform him."
"Yes."
The group entered the main hall of the Ministry of Justice and sat down.
The Minister of Justice ordered the servants to serve a few pots of good tea and a few plates of pastries.
The service was thorough.
But —
When the tea was cold, it was changed to a warmer one; when it was heated, it gradually became cold. They changed several pots in succession, but the sun was already high up in the sky, and there was still no news.
Ji Yunshu wasn't in a hurry. She sipped her tea as she waited.
However, the Emperor was not in a hurry, but the eunuchs were. Lang Po grunted and stepped forward, "What is Prince Yi doing? Why isn't the test done yet? "
Jing Rong frowned. He knew that Jing Yi was doing this on purpose.
He tapped his fingers on the table. "Let's wait a little longer."
Wait a little longer!
Half an hour, two hours, four hours …
Finally, Jing Rong lifted his robe and stood up. "Let's go and take a look."
He left the hall and led the servants to the autopsy room.
Ji Yunshu paused for a moment, but still followed him.
The autopsy room was a small, square-shaped courtyard. Jing Yi's imperial bodyguards were guarding the entrance, making it difficult for outsiders to even take a single step inside.
The Minister of Justice saw it and hurriedly came out. He tried to persuade Jing Yi, "Prince Rong, Prince Yi is still inside. I don't think … it'll be so soon. Why don't we …"
Before he could finish his sentence, Jing Rong raised his hand and interrupted him.
"This Prince knows." His voice was cold to the extreme.
"This lowly official has no choice. After all, the Ministry of Justice has long ago stipulated that there is a priority in investigating cases. Please forgive me, Prince Rong."
"Lord Li, when has this Prince ever blamed you?"
"Then, Your Highness …"
"Lord Li." A voice came from the morgue.
Jing Yi stepped out. His face was noble and dignified. He walked to the side of the Minister of Justice. "Lord Li, Prince Rong is not a commoner. He naturally knows the Ministry of Justice's rules and will not overstep them. Why would he blame you?"
"…"
Then, Jing Yi looked at Jing Rong and pretended to be apologetic. "I'm really sorry for rushing to examine the corpses before you. But you know, this case is too tricky. After all, it's not just one or two skeletons, but one corpse and seven skeletons. So, we have to examine them one by one. Of course, it will take more time. As for how long it will take, I don't know."
He picked his voice!
Who knew how pleased he was.
Jing Rong's eyes turned cold. He asked in a low voice, "How much longer?"
"That's hard to say."
"Why, are your men so useless?"
Huh?
Jing Yi frowned.
Jing Rong said, "I heard that Wen Shisan, whom you invited back, is a talent and has handled many major cases. But why is it that after an entire day of examination, there are no results? You must keep your eyes open and not trust the wrong person. Otherwise, the ship will be lost in the middle of the sea. "
Jing Yi choked.
Jing Yi's expression changed.
He gritted his teeth and smiled. "The winner and loser haven't been decided yet. It's not your turn to remind me. In short, I came earlier than you today. I can examine for as long as I want. No one can stop me. Moreover, this case involves so many lives, and it happened in the capital. I must take my time to ensure that there is no missing evidence. Otherwise, if Imperial Father blames me, I won't be able to bear the consequences."
His eyes were crafty.
Then he immediately said, "I forgot to tell you, when I just came out, I only found the second skeleton. Looking at the time, it might be very, very late. If you can wait, then wait. If you can't, then please come back early tomorrow."
Jing Rong didn't get angry. He maintained his composure and said, "Fine. Then you and your men can slowly investigate. I'll come back tomorrow."
"I won't see you out."
He sneered.
Jing Rong left with his men.
Behind him, Jing Yi's eyes darkened. The smile on his lips tightened.
"You're not qualified to fight with me."
… …
After exiting the Ministry of Justice, Lang Po was confused. "Your Highness, Prince Yi is obviously doing this on purpose. If we just leave like this, won't we be falling into his trap?"
He was indignant.
He clenched his fists.
But …
Jing Rong looked at Ji Yunshu and asked, "What do you think?"
She stopped in her tracks. Her heart sank. She met his gaze and said, "I will be the same as you. Even if I continue to wait, it will be in vain."
Sure enough, the two of them had a tacit understanding.
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