Bone Painting Coroner

Translator: April, Editor: Aruthea

Prince Rong greeted, "Imperial Father."

The Qizhen Emperor spoke without turning around, still looking at the painting, "Did you understand my intentions?"

"I understand."

"As long as you solve this case and garner meritorious service, the courtiers will no longer harp on the issue of the disaster relief fund."

"This son will certainly bring the culprit to justice."

The Qizhen Emperor turned around and walked towards him, "That Teacher Ji beside you is very smart and a talented person. With his help, you should be able to solve this case as soon as possible."

"This son...will find a way." In fact, he didn't want to bother Ji Yunshu. After all, the Lin Capital Case is still in progress! That woman doesn't have four hands.

Qizhen Emperor suddenly frowned, "Teacher Ji initially used the disappearance case to make me promise to open the coffins in Mount Lin. He also made a deal with me in the case of Qujiang, requesting that the Qujiang people be allowed to return to their country if he was able to solve the matter between our two countries. He is the first person who could influence my decisions twice. It is good to have such a smart person around, but one must also be clear whether this person is a sharp arrow in the hunters' hands? Or a mighty tiger under a sharp arrow?"

Jing Rong's expression turned wary. He did not speak a word.

"Therefore, you must be careful in selecting the people you use and don't create unnecessary trouble for yourself" he reminded.

The Qizhen Emperor had always been paranoid and Ji Yunshu had twice influenced the decisions of someone as powerful as the Emperor. How could he not be concerned? Having such a person around could either serve as a valuable advisor or a mighty quagmire in the making!

Jing Rong bowed his head, "This son understands."

The Qizhen Emperor went back to the painting and continued to study it.

Jing Rong left the palace. He was about to get on his horse when he saw a platoon of the Yulin Army passing by the palace gates. Leading the platoon was Lord Xiao, commander of the Yulin Army.

This young man was extremely handsome, said to be very serious i, and a martial arts champion with excellent skills. However, he had become one of Jing Yi's chess pieces.

Lang Po, who was next to him, followed his line of sight and said, "Your Highness, Lu Jiang is already investigating him. His background is very clean and nothing has been found yet, but I believe that he should find the information that Your Highness wants as he continues investigations."

Jing Rong said nothing in reply. Once the Yulin army departed, he got into the carriage. Through the walls of the carriage, he instructed Lang Po, "Go summon both the Capital Magistrate and Judge Yu to see me at my estate. This prince wants to know about this Dried Well Case."

"Yes." He responded.

The carriage then left the palace gates.

......

Meanwhile, Ji Yunshu stayed in Zhuxi Court for two days, recreating portraits from the skeletal remains. From time to time, she would overhear the maids discussing the Dried Well Case. There were so many rumors flying around! The rumors grew increasingly distorted and more bizarre as time passed. Since the Capital Magistrate left two days ago, he never came back to ask about the matter again.

Jing Rong came over every night but did not talk about it either. He just told her to focus on her investigations on the Lin Capital Case. She was drawing a portrait and had just put her brush down to the paper when her hand shook. The tip of the brush twisted a little and the outline of the nose was ruined. Ah! She was distracted.She put the brush down and laid out a new sheet of paper.

Uncle Liang stood in the open doorway and knocked.

Ji Yunshu raised her eyes and looked, "Uncle Liang? What is it?"

"Teacher, I have a letter for you."

"A letter?"

Uncle Liang entered the room and handed over the letter. "Someone just delivered it and said that it was for you, but I don't know who it's from."

Oh? Ji Yunshu took the letter. After she opened it up, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows knit together.

"Teacher, who is it from?"

"It's nothing, just a few words of greetings from a friend. Uncle Liang, sorry for the inconvenience. Please feel free to leave now."

A friend again? He never expected that Teacher Ji would make so many friends on this trip. If he had a chance, he would also like to make a long-distance journey to make a few friends in his old age.

"I'll leave you to your business then, Teacher." Uncle Liang went out.

After he left, Ji Yunshu burned the letter. Then she changed her clothes and tidied up, and quietly left the Zhuxi Court. However, her destination was not Prince Rong's estate, but Prince Yi's estate.

At the door, the servant outside led her in without saying a word. In the back garden was a pavilion by the lake. Jing Yi was standing at the edge of the pavilion, holding a small box of fish food and feeding the fishes.

The servant left after leading Ji Yunshu into the pavilion.

Upon hearing their approach, Jing Yi put the box down and turned around with a smile on his face, "Teacher Ji...no, I should be calling you Miss Ji, I thought you wouldn't come." The smile was cordial.

But Ji Yunshu's face was cold as she said, "Actually, I should have come to greet Your Highness the day after I entered the capital."

"In that case, this prince should have invited you over two days ago." He smiled and extended his hand, "Come, please take a seat, Miss Ji."

Ji Yunshu sat down.

Jing Yi brewed a cup of hot tea for her and pushed it in front of her, "This tea was just brewed by this prince. It's made especially for you, Miss Ji. Have a taste."

"No need."

"Are you looking down on this prince?"

"Your Highness, let's get to the point." She doesn't want to beat around the bush!

Jing Yi also started to speak openly, "I believe you should have heard the news about the Dried Well case that has spread in the capital these days, right?"

She nodded her head, "Yes."

"Then fine, this prince will not beat around the bush." Jing Yi said, "Earlier today at court, this prince asked to investigate the case, but His Majesty asked Jing Rong to join the investigation as well. Since you are one of his people, you should know the relationship between this prince and him nowadays. We are both competing for the same goal, so this time, if this prince can solve the case before him, I could win one round."

Ji Yunshu was not stupid and she knew what he meant, "You want me to help you?"

"That's right."

"Why should I do that?"

"Why, you ask?" Jing Yi laughed a few times, "Because you are here, Miss Ji."

Hmph. Ji Yunshu did not want to talk in circles either. "Tell me, where is he?" She asked coldly.

Jing Yi said dangerously, "As long as you help me solve this case, I can return him to you, how about that? This deal is worth it, right?"

"..."

"With regard to the Chengqing Hall fire, this prince promised you that I would let Jing Rong come out unscathed and I did it. Yet you played this prince and went back on your word. But this prince was generous and didn't harp on it. I hope that this time, you and I can cooperate in good faith."

"I haven't agreed to this yet."

"Since you refuse, it looks like you don't want to save that fool. It seems that this prince really overestimated his importance in your heart."

"You won't get what you want. I didn't come here to make a deal with you. Since Prince Rong didn't agree to your terms, I naturally won't agree to it. If you hurt Wei Yi, you will be the only one to lose in the end."

"This prince understands what you mean. You could refuse, but don't blame this prince for not giving you a chance." Jing Yi's expression turned cool as he suddenly said, "in that case, this prince will introduce someone to you."

Hmm? Just then, a man entered the pavilion.

[1] The original text says 'drawing a bow while pointing a sword' but i don't see how that is possible unless he has 3 arms. Since the arrow is mentioned later on and makes more sense for hunting, i just assume Author couldn't decide and forgot to remove that when editing.