Bone Painting Coroner

Chapter 97 - Another Case Begins

The letter ascertained Jing Rong's doubts. Jing Yi, does our bond of blood and flesh really mean nothing to you compared to the throne?'

Lang Po added, "I would not have thought that Prince Yi would resort to something like an assassination to prevent you from going back to the Capital."

An accurate enough analysis, thought Jing Rong.

He squinted and looked at the droplets of water running down the eaves.

"That case at the Imperial Duke Mansion, it was Lord Qing who asked for a reexamination of the evidence by kneeling down at the front of the Nanzhe Gate for three days and three nights. He even pointed out three points of contention within the file report. Father finally decided to reconsider the case, and it has fallen down on my shoulders. Jing Hua might be the crown prince, but Jing Yi has vied for the position of heir to the throne for a long time already. If I happen to solve this case, then I will surely receive favor from father. If something... were to happen to Jing Hua, in order to be able to replace him, Jing Yi would need to get rid of me first."

"But Prince Yi is not only plotting for your demise, he's also targeting Miss Ji. The best thing we can do right now is to bring Miss Ji back to the capital. Prince Yi wouldn't dare to overstep his boundaries there. We can also keep an eye on Miss Ji's safety this way."

Jing Rong frowned, "Jing Yi is surely worried about the help Ji Yunshu can provide if she returns to the Capital with me. It is unlike him to leave any loose ends."

Lang Po reflected for a moment and proposed, "Your Highness, Prince Yi has tried to prevent you from going back to the Capital for several times now. Why don't we report it to the Emperor?"

"Tell my father?" Jing Rong raised the ball of paper in his hand, "With this?"

"Your Highness, Lu Jiang gave us a pretty extensive description. Prince Yi did send a group of his subordinates from the Capital, and the Shiban poison was produced by this person called Yan Weiyi, who is also connected to Prince Yi. Do we need anything more than that?"

More? Jing Rong had a cold smile, "Father has always been a distrustful person. If I go and accuse Prince Yi without irrefutable proof, he'll think that I am slandering him for the sake of the throne."

Father has always been full of suspicions. He'll be on his guard at even the slightest signs of abnormality. He would rather cut down an innocent person than risk letting anyone get away. It is a trait typical to emperors, and in that sense, Jing Yi is most similar to him.

Night fell, and with it, a thick fog slowly descended on the city. It was exceptionally cold, but that did little to slow down the many thoughts which ran through the heads of those who had trouble sleeping.

The next morning, Lord Wei and Madame Wei made it back home. Wei Yi woke up very early to go greet them, while Ji Yunshu readied herself to do so too. Inside the hall, Ji Yunshu was about to give a curtsy to Madame Wei, but the latter stopped her midway.

She led her to sit down on a chair and gently tapped her hand, "Yunshu, how are you? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?"

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt Wei. I feel a lot better now."

"It is good then. We were both worried sick for you. You look a lot better now, so I can rest assured," said Madame Wei.

Ji Yunshu smiled back at her, touched by the display of compassion. Lord Wei turned his head toward Wei Yi and asked, "Yi'er, have you been causing any trouble the past two days?"

Wei Yi shook his head and made a hand gesture, "Dad, I didn't cause any trouble. I listened to you and took good care of Shu'er."

"Good. From now on, you should treat Yunshu even better, okay?"