The innkeeper opened his mouth and explained to the crowd with haste, “I apologize for the inconvenience this situation had caused, but there’s no need to panic.”
“This is a human life we’re talking about. Your inn is such an unlucky place.”
“No, no, no! Everyone, our inn had long established a reputation. For a man to hang himself in one of our room i-is an unexpected accident. Since it’s like this, all costs for today will be waived. I hope you will forbear us and be lenient. If this were to spread, it won’t be good for us.” The innkeeper threw caution to the wind.
Hopefully, nothing will happen and that hundred-year-old reputation would be preserved in the end. As soon as everyone heard they were exempt from paying, they were more than willing to agree with the innkeeper’s request before returning to their activities. The innkeeper could finally raise his hand and wipe the cold sweat drenching his face with his sleeve.
After one of the runners examined the corpse, he reported his finding to Constable Zhang, “On this man’s neck, there are two bruises. One is parallel to his neck, and the other is situated on the upper end of his neck. Furthermore, that mark extended upward from his neck to his ears. It must have been created after he died. Someone was trying to emulate a suicide by hanging.”
Constable Zhang humphed, then pulled the innkeeper in front of him before interrogating him in a severe tone, “Who is the first person to discover the corpse?”
“It’s…” The innkeeper thought for a moment, then beckoned the waiter. “Do you know who is the first person to see the body?”
The waiter, who was still trembling with fear, swallowed his saliva and pointed in a direction. “It’s a guest that came earlier.”
“Bring me to him,” said Constable Zhang.
“Y-y-yes! I’ll bring you to him.” The waiter led Constable Zhang along with several other runners.
At this moment, Wei Yi was still in a panic, and it had yet to settle. He shrunk himself in the bed while holding onto Ji Yunshu, who was gently patting his back and whispering comforting words, “Wei Yi, everything is fine. Don’t be afraid.”
“Shu’er, that person… is… is he dead?”
Ji Yunshu didn’t answer him. Her expression sank instead, and she turned to glance at Jing Rong. With perfect timing, Jing Rong looked at her with a rare expression that didn’t show any jealousy.
“Constable Zhang is here!” Behind the door, the voice of the waiter could be heard.
Constable Zhang straightforwardly stepped forward, but his steps had yet to pass the threshold when his path was barred by Lang Po.
“Who are you?” questioned Lang Po.
“Yu Province yamen is handling this case,” answered Constable Zhang as he used his official title.
Usually, when common people hear that it’s the yamen, they would cooperate, but Lang Po didn’t budge one bit. He had no intention of letting that constable pass. “Our young master is inside, so I can’t allow anyone to disturb him.”
“You have the impertinence of obstructing the yamen’s work! Step aside!”
Both men glared at each other in anger without anyone conceding an inch. At that time, Jing Rong came out of the room and arrogantly narrowed his eyes. When Constable Zhang saw Jing Rong, he appeared to be shocked by Jing Rong’s oppressing aura. His intuition alerted him that this man was different from others. As for Lang Po, he stepped aside and stood beside Jing Rong with obvious deference.
“Yu province? Isn’t that under Lord Liang’s jurisdiction? I didn’t expect that old guy is still an official!” Jing Rong’s slightly smiled.
‘That old guy?!’ Constable Zhang’s expression stilled for an instant before turning to the waiter to ask, “Who is he?”
The waiter shook his head, hinting at his ignorance.
Constable Zhang spoke to Jing Rong, “Gentleman, I don’t care whether you are familiar with our Lord or not. Right now, there’s a murder in this inn and this waiter said that the first one to discover the dead man is another gentleman who stayed here. I don’t know if that person can come out. If so, can you please bring him out? I need to ask him a few questions.”
“It’s inconvenient.” Jing Rong didn’t mash his words.
“This is related to a human life. In short, I must take him away. This matter does not allow me to do otherwise. Or did that gentleman inside kill the man?”
Jing Rong sneered. “I said that it’s inconvenient to take him away. If you want to ask him something, then come back tomorrow to ask.”
Right now, Wei Yi is so scared that there was no point in asking anything.
Even if Constable Zhang is a calm man, the runners behind him weren’t able to maintain steady minds.
Shiiing! The sounds of swords being drawn out from their scabbards were heard.
Jing Rong’s subordinates didn’t lose to any of the runners. They also pulled out their swords. The atmosphere tensed as both sides confronted each other, ready for action at any time.
“Is it possible to let me see the dead man?” The exquisite voice of a woman could suddenly be heard. Following her voice, Ji Yunshu came out from the room. A veil was still covering her face, but if anyone was to pay close attention, they would notice her stubborn expression.
Constable Zhang observed Ji Yunshu with disdain. “Young lady, this is a murder case, not going to the market to choose cosmetics. We’re talking about dead people; there’s nothing good to see.”