(Congratulations to Alliance Master Chieh-Ching Little Guang. Begging for more pink votes ~)
After recording down the names of the six people Jing Chen had named, Xue Rui immediately sent officials to summon them one by one to verify their identities with Jing Chen.
They sat in the small building and waited. Yu Shu and Jing Chen ignored each other. Xue Rui conversed with Yu Shu, while Jing Chen sat quietly and looked outside the door, remaining silent.
When the sun set in the sky, people were brought in one after another. Without exception, they were all girls. Presumably because of the murder, they were somewhat reserved. Some of them recognized Xue Rui and went forward to greet Jing Chen. Because there were still people who hadn't arrived, Xue Rui wasn't in a hurry to ask questions. Instead, they surrounded Jing Chen and asked questions. For a moment, the sound of chattering filled his ears. It was difficult for Jing Chen to sit there calmly and answer each and every one of them.
Yu Shu watched this scene and felt that it was ridiculous. Just a few months ago, Jing Chen was still the unapproachable Jing Chen. Now, however, he had learned to be amiable and approachable.
She pondered inwardly. Jing Chen now had the Ten Thousand Life Sacrificial Rites on him, which could suppress the outbreak of the Kedu Star. As long as his Dao Heart wasn't affected, he wouldn't implicate others. Otherwise, this group of young ladies would suffer.
As they spoke, the last two people arrived. When Yu Shu saw Ji Xingxuan and Qin Yuerou walk in one after the other, she raised her brows.
Ji Xingxuan looked around at the people in the building. When she saw Yu Shu, she was clearly startled. Qin Yuerou recognized Yu Shu, so she didn't go to Jing Chen's side. Instead, she walked to Yu Shu's side. She glanced at the opposite side and asked in a low voice, "Lotus Room, why are you here?"
Xue Rui had sealed off the Star Observation Platform early in the morning, and he didn't allow unauthorized people to enter or leave. So even though the news of a murder case had spread out, no one knew that the corpse was discovered by Yu Shu and Xin Liu first.
Yu Shu smiled at her and didn't answer.
Now that everyone was here, Xue Rui cleared his throat and explained the reason for gathering these students. Hearing that Jing Chen had written a note in Cao Youling's room, the girls were shocked. Very soon, someone voiced out his doubts. "How is that possible? Academician Jing has only known Miss Cao for a few days. How could he do something like making a private appointment?"
Someone else said, "Yesterday, during the lecture, we were all present. Academician Jing didn't speak to anyone alone. When he came, he was the first to arrive. When he left, we watched him leave. How could he have had the chance to give Miss Cao the note? "
"That's right. Milord, you must have made a mistake. That note must have been written by someone else to frame academician Jing. "
The girls spoke in unison to defend Jing Chen. Only Qin Yuerou didn't speak. She looked at someone thoughtfully and then lowered her head.
Xue Rui unhurriedly had his subordinates pass the note to them. He didn't rush to conclude that Jing Chen was the culprit. Instead, he asked about Cao Youling. "Among you, who had a good relationship with the deceased? When was the last time you saw her last night? Did she mention anything special recently? "
The girls looked at each other in dismay. Someone said, "Cao Youling was closest to Miss Yin. However, Yin Ting was sick yesterday and didn't come. I last saw her yesterday. It was in the small garden. After dusk, I saw her alone near the pavilion, picking flowers. "
They answered one after another. The last to speak was Ji Xingxuan. Yu Shu was particularly concerned about her statement. "I'm not familiar with Miss Cao. I've only seen her two or three times in the library. Yesterday, I last saw her at the bottom of the observatory. It was still early."
Xue Rui compared their statements. Yesterday, someone last saw Cao Youling at the door of the female dormitory. From this, it could be seen that Cao Youling didn't have any private contact with Jing Chen the whole day.
Jing Chen spoke at the right time. "Milord Xue, I'm sure you've asked clearly. I didn't give Miss Cao any note. Although I don't know why the handwriting on the note is the same as mine, it wasn't written by me. "
Xue Rui withdrew his thoughts and looked at Jing Chen. He said in a calm tone, "At present, we can only confirm that Daozi didn't personally hand this note to the deceased. However, we can't rule out the possibility that you didn't ask someone else to pass it on your behalf. You are still a suspect. Daozi, please stay in the library for the next few days. To avoid arousing suspicion, suspend your classes and avoid contact with others. I will send someone to follow you. "
As soon as he said this, Jing Chen frowned. Before he could object, a group of female students who admired Daozi's reputation were the first to protest. They said, "Milord, aren't you twisting words and forcing logic? It's just a note and you want to suspend the academician's classes. How unreasonable."
"That's right. How can Milord be so sure that the note was written by the academician? Is there no one in this world who is good at copying and creating characters? You don't investigate the real culprit but wrongly accuse a good person!"
"The academician is so pitiful. He was obviously framed. Milord is so muddle-headed!"
"Hmph, it's that Cao Youling who has bad intentions. After getting this note, he secretly ran off to have a private rendezvous. Otherwise, he wouldn't have died a violent death."
Only Ji Xingxuan and Qin Yuerou didn't say anything. The other girls were dissatisfied with Jing Chen's suspension and unanimously blamed Xue Rui. Fortunately, they were all young ladies of aristocratic families with status and background. If they came from ordinary families, they wouldn't dare to speak to an official of the imperial court like this.
Xue Rui's expression was normal, but his eyes revealed some impatience. People like Feng Zhao, Miao Ruilin, and the others knew that when Xue Rui wore his official robes, he wasn't the elegant and kind Young Master Xue. At this time, he always did things according to the law and treated people bluntly. His temper was also much harsher than usual.
Hearing them say more and more outrageous things, and finally involving the deceased, Xue Rui's face finally sank. Just as he was about to open his mouth to rebuke them, he suddenly heard a "pa" sound beside him!
"Are you done yet?!"
Yu Shu slammed her palm on the tea table, causing the teacups to shake and silence the room. She coldly said, "Young Lady Cao died a violent death. Presumably, her spirit hasn't dispersed and is hanging nearby, watching you. You must speak louder so that she can hear you. At night, she will find you to complain about her grievances."
With just two sentences, the previously eloquent female students shut their mouths in fright. They all looked around suspiciously, their expressions timid.
Jing Chen opened his mouth and glanced at Yu Shu. In the end, he didn't say anything and became silent.
Xue Rui lost his temper from this slap of hers, and he glanced sideways at her cold face. In a flash, he recalled her arrogant and untamed appearance on that day in the Forgotten Plane, and his heart started to heat up slightly at an inopportune time.
However, there were also people who didn't buy Yu Shu's words. They faintly said, "Don't do anything shameful. Don't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. Female fortune-teller, is there a need to scare people like this? "
Ji Xingxuan's one sentence revealed Yu Shu's identity. The female students who didn't know Yu Shu looked at her in surprise. They thought to themselves, "Is this the female fortune-teller who has been in the limelight recently?"
Because of her earlier scolding. The few of them immediately had a bad impression of Yu Shu.
Yu Shu was annoyed by the group of people earlier. She turned around and saw Ji Xingxuan bumping into her. How could she allow her to speak so freely in front of her?
Did she really think that she had the magnanimity to not dare to slap her in front of others?
Yu Shu tilted her head to look at Ji Xingxuan. Her eyes flashed and a fierce look appeared on her face. No one dared to look at her directly.
"It's fine if they don't recognize me, but you are a fourth-grade Yi Master. You're a fourth-grade fortune-teller, yet you don't have any manners when you see me, a third-grade fortune-teller. You've been in the Imperial Historian's Library for three years, yet you don't even know the rules. Who told you to speak to me like this?! "
With this scolding, the building fell silent. Ji Xingxuan looked as if she had been hit in the head. Although half of her face was covered by a veil, her embarrassment could still be seen.
Qin Yuerou was the first to react. She lowered her head and stood in front of Yu Shu. She clasped her hands and bowed. "First-grade fortune-teller, Qin Shi is rude. I hope that female fortune-teller won't blame me. "
Yu Shu coldly looked at the other women. Some of them couldn't stand her fierce gaze, but they were hindered by the rules of the Imperial Historian's Library and the division of the fortune-teller's ranks. They pushed and pulled each other forward and bowed to her. "First-grade fortune-teller, Zhao Shi is rude. Greetings to female fortune-teller."
"Second-grade Xianglang, Cui Shi is rude."
"First-grade fortune-teller, Zhan Shi is rude."
.....
Yu Shu sat there without moving. She looked at the five people in front of her and said, "Mm." She accepted the bow. After the female students retreated to the side, she turned her head and shifted her gaze to the stiff-faced Ji Xingxuan. With a hint of mockery on her face, she said, "Great fortune-teller Ji, do you still want me to invite you?"
Even though she's only a grade higher, she can still suppress you to the point where you can't even raise your head!
Ji Xingxuan gritted her teeth. Looking at Yu Shu's bossy manner, she had to endure it. She clenched her fists and walked forward with heavy footsteps. She stood in front of her, and under everyone's gazes, she bowed and raised her hands towards Yu Shu. Her voice was slightly hoarse. "First-grade fortune-teller, Ji Xingxuan, is rude."
"Hmph." Yu Shu snorted. She didn't accept the bow, and just let her bow there. She turned to Xue Rui and said, "Big brother, where were we? Let's continue."
As she finished speaking, she picked up the teapot and filled it with half a cup of water. She slowly drank it, and in the blink of an eye, she became an outsider again.
Xue Rui almost forgot what he was talking about after her outburst. He put his fist to his mouth and coughed to cover up the fact that he was lost in thought.
"When you go back, if you think of anything related to the deceased, you can report it at any time. Before the case is investigated, the observatory will be temporarily closed. In addition, because the murderer is unknown, we don't know if he will continue to commit crimes. It is best for you to be in the company of others. Be careful."
As she finished speaking, she arranged for two subordinates to follow Jing Chen and monitor him. Jing Chen didn't object. His calm gaze swept past Yu Shu and the bowing Ji Xingxuan in front of her. He said to Xue Rui, "I'll take my leave first."
After Jing Chen left, Yu Shu saw that there was nothing else to do. She put down her cup and said to Xue Rui, "I'll return to the female dormitory first."
Xue Rui stood up and said, "I'll see you off."
"En."
Yu Shu nodded at Qin Yuerou as a farewell. She glanced at Ji Xingxuan, who was still bowing, and straightened her sleeves. Without another word, she walked out with Xue Rui one after the other, leaving behind whispers.
"Phew, I was scared to death. This female fortune teller has such a bad temper."
"Who asked her to be so much higher than us? This is the Taishi Library, and we can't not follow the rules. Ai."
The female students chattered among themselves. Only Qin Yuerou noticed Ji Xingxuan. She watched as she straightened her back with a head full of sweat, lowered her head, and quietly left.
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