Bone Painting Coroner (Web Novel CN) - Chapter 421: Looking Down On Others
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Chapter 421: Looking Down On Others

If the timings of the sightings were accurate, then Li Yuan was not the murderer! Fang Mingsan confirmed once more, Did you two really see that man in the picture?

The watchman and beggar dropped to their knees at his questioning, bringing their bodies as close to the floor as possible as they stuttered, Lord Justice, what weve said is true, we wouldnt dare lie! Well swear to the heavens; if we lied, then well receive divine punishment and be struck by lightning!

You need to know your position. This is the yamen; if you dare speak untruths, youll be locked up in prison and receive paddles as punishment!

This citizen wouldnt dare lie, the watchman replied. The beggar likewise had never been brought to the yamen his entire life, and his legs turned to jelly as he cried out Have mercy, Lord and This one did not lie over and over again.

The yamen runner quickly added, Lord, Teacher Ji, Ive already asked around. Everyone said that this night watchman is an honest one and wouldnt lie.

Only then did Fang Mingsan nod with satisfaction. He turned to consult Ji Yunshu, Teacher Ji, what do you think? Since Li Yuan isnt the murderer, havent we come up to another dead end? What should our next step be?

Ji Yunshu contemplated, indicating for the yamen runner to first bring the night watchman and the beggar away. She then turned to Fang Mingsan, Chang Shiliangs time of death is definitely accurate he did die within the hour of the rat. Since Li Mingzhou has Miss Changs testimony, and Li Yuan the night watchmans and beggars testimonies, both of them have had their names cleared. But, the fact remains that Li Yuan did indeed enter Chang Estate that night, supported by that ink stain on his clothing. The murderer had not yet left Chang Estate at midnight, and Li Yuan did see Chang Shiliang being hung from the tree, so he definitely did come into contact with the murderer.

Then

Hows Li Yuan doing? she asked next.

Fang Mingsan was unsure, so he could only look at Constable Zhang, who answered on his behalf, They said that Li Mingzhou had already looked for a physician, but he isnt sure himself when Li Yuan will return to normal, so I think well have to wait and see.

Wait and see? Its already Day Four! We cant wait blindly. Since Li Yuan has seen the killer, we need to make sure that hes ready for interrogation by tomorrow morning. He might know what the killer looks like.

Li Mingzhou has already said that Li Yuans condition is pretty unstable. He might return to normal tomorrow, or in half a month, and he cant be certain if Li Yuan will even remember what he did during an episode.

This was indeed a tough situation, but its Day Five tomorrow if Li Yuans condition doesnt improve by tomorrow, Jing Rong would make her leave Yuzhou City with him. Then wouldnt she be unable to investigate this case any further? She tapped her forehead in the midst of her monologue how could she forget about Mo Ruos existence? He was the godly physician! She hastily added, Do you know where are the hot springs Advisor Wen brought His Highness and Master Mo to?

Constable Zhang hesitated, It should be the Lunar Retreat Advisor Wen has been there countless times.

Constable Zhang, Ill have to trouble you to inform Master Mo to hurry to Li Estate before dawn breaks. Li Yuan needs to come back to his senses before tomorrow.

Constable Zhang nodded, only to have Ji Yunshu stop him again as he was about to leave, Hold on, youd better lead the way. Ill head over with you.

Teacher Ji, its already nightfall. You havent properly rested in the last couple of days. You should remain here. Ill head over myself and make sure Master Mo goes to Li Estate personally.

If only you went, he wouldnt even lift a finger.

Why not? Constable Zhang scratched his head.

Ji Yunshu sighed, Because hes the famous godly physician. Hmm? So what? So hes arrogant and full of himself! He wouldnt treat just any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Constable Zhang did not know Mo Ruos quirks well enough, so it was normal for him to find it strange, but he knew better than to prod further and began to lead the way. As they stepped out of the yamen, his path was blocked by Zhang Xinlan, who came running into his arms, Big Brother! Wheres Lingyang? She was holding several scrolls in her hands as she tiptoed to face Constable Zhang.

Constable Zhang was confused. Xinlan? What are you doing here at this time of night?

Of course Im here for Lingyang. He promised me seven days ago that hed teach me how to write, but when I brought my scrolls to his residence the other day, I waited for him all day. He wasnt even back at midnight! I had some spare time today, so I intended to wait for him at his residence like last time, but just in case he didnt return, I decided to come straight to the yamen to look for him. She held up her scrolls to his face.

Constable Zhang was speechless, Stop fooling around. The yamen is busy, and so is Advisor Wen. He doesnt have time to teach you how to read and write now. Wait till this case is over, maybe then.

Nope, I must see him today. Ill go inside to look for him myself.

Zhang Xinlan ducked under Constable Zhangs arms and beelined for the yamen gates, only to be dragged back by Constable Zhang. Enough, Xinlan. Advisor Wens not inside at the moment. Hes gone to Lunar Retreat.

Zhang Xinlan questioned, Whats he there for?

What do you think?

Oh, I know! He must have gone to the hot springs. Why didnt he call me? Ill head there now.

Zhang Xinlan was dragged back by Constable Zhang again. Why wouldnt you listen? How many times have I said that were on a case now? Stay at home and stop fooling around. Cant you see Teacher Ji is here with me? Dont humiliate your own brother.

Hmm? Zhang Xinlan only just noticed Ji Yunshu; this person had made a fool of her before Advisor Wen the previous time there was no way she would forget that. She scoffed huffily at Ji Yunshu, laser beams shooting out of her fiery eyes. The person personally invited by Lord Fang really is different, huh, even the airs they put on are different. Dont look down on others just because you have some talent.

Did you fry your brain? The one looking down on others is you. Ji Yunshu ignored Zhang Xinlans words. Constable Zhang, we dont have much time to lose. Lets hurry over.

Understood, Teacher Ji. Please head up the carriage first, Ill be with you shortly. Ji Yunshu nodded. Zhang Xinlan, on the other hand, threw a tantrum and stomped her feet. She squeezed into the carriage, insisting that they travel together.

Throughout the journey, Constable Zhang sat outside at the reins, while Ji Yunshu and Zhang Xinlan sat inside. Zhang Xinlan scanned Ji Yunshu from head to toe, making no attempts to hide her disapproving frowns nor derisive snorts of laughter. Ji Yunshu sat cross-legged opposite her, leaving Zhang Xinlan to her antics. Zhang Xinlan was the first to break the silence, I heard from my Big Brother that youre an amazing person who has solved many difficult cases, is that true?

Ji Yunshu made no response.

Whichever way I look at it, youre just an ordinary scholar without any extraordinary talents. It must have been luck for you to solve those cases, no?

Again, silence.

In my opinion, youre going to fail this time. Its been so many days, but you havent got a clue as to who the culprit is, only guessing and suspecting others without solid conclusions. This time, Lord Fang has trusted the wrong person.

Still no reply. Amidst her chatter, Ji Yunshu was evaluating her as well. No matter how brash and uncouth Jing Xuan was, she knew her place, but this fellow was quite the contrary who gave her such confidence? Her eyes were practically at the top of her head as she looked down on others. To compare this situation to its modern counterpart, it was like an uncultured, rich man who visited a tiny department of another company, only to be ignored by the lowest-ranking programmer. Or, someone pulling in a five-figure salary being looked down upon by a part-timer at a high-end store drawing three-thousand dollars per month. Ji Yunshu occasionally felt that these people should be eliminated from society.