Jing Rong held that list against his chest with one hand, his loving gaze fixed on Ji Yunshu, “Alright, this Prince understands. Someone will be here soon.” He was uncharacteristically obedient!
Jing Rong was very efficient; the 54 coffins scattered across the yard were removed by the end of that afternoon. The remaining 13 coffins were closed and covered with hay to prevent the corpses from being damaged by the humidity.
Seeing as it was approaching evening, Jing Rong escorted Ji Yunshu to the Li Mansion.
At the gates, Jing Rong grabbed onto Ji Yunshu’s hands before she could disembark from the carriage, reminding her, “If you can’t get anything out of him, don’t bother prodding further. Although not a conniving man, Old General Li is quite peculiar in how he deals with such matters, especially with his years of experience. Don’t forget as well that this ‘Lin Capital Case’ was taken over by this Prince – I don’t want you to get too involved, understand?” His grip tightened in fear that she would forget.
Ji Yunshu nodded slightly, “I understand.” Only then was Jing Rong happy to let her enter the mansion.
A servant had long been awaiting her arrival outside Li Estate. He bowed slightly, “Teacher Ji, Old General Li has been anticipating your arrival for some time. Please follow this old servant.”
“Many thanks!”
Ji Yunshu followed that old servant into the Li Mansion’s backyard, but unexpectedly met that old fellow Li Zhao on her way in. His sleeves were pushed up, with a long fishing rod in one hand and a woven fish basket in the other. He happily skipped his way towards the front yard. Upon seeing Ji Yunshu, his elation at heading out disappeared. He glared angrily at Ji Yunshu as usual, asking the old servant beside him, “Uncle Ge, what is she here for? My Big Sister isn’t around these few days.”
“Young Master, actually…”
Before Uncle Ge could finish, Li Zhao snorted at Ji Yunshu demandingly, “Teacher Ji, weren’t you investigating that ‘Lin Capital Case’ recently? Why the late visit to our residence, huh? Don’t tell me there are also coffins in here that you want to unearth?”
Ji Yunshu smiled, “Master Li is over-worrying. Why would there be coffins buried beneath your estate grounds? If there really are, then this place wouldn’t be quite as peaceful at night, lest the one buried was wrongly maligned.” As she spoke, a chilly breeze blew through the yard-
Li Zhao was frightened by her words. He gulped, scanning his surroundings frantically, “W-what nonsense are you talking about?”
“All I did was followed up on what Young Master Li mentioned – whether it truly is nonsense or not, who knows? There may really be a wrongfully accused soul lying beneath the ground, crying night and day, just as Young Master Li suggested.”
Li Zhao’s cowardice wasn’t exaggerated! He trembled at the sight of the eerily lit backyard corridor, the red lanterns beaming into the dark end of the corridor and striking fear into his heart.