Chang Yiyans testimony dramatically altered the direction the case was heading in; everyone involved in the investigation thus far fell deep in thought at her words if what she had witnessed were true, then werent all their leads thus far rendered useless?

With Chang Yiyans and Li Mingzhous statements, Fang Mingsan could only order his release, as well as Miss Yuyins. Ji Yunshu made the trip personally to deliver the news, but Yuin instead questioned, Why am I being released so suddenly?

Did you want to remain here? Ji Yunshu replied, Its not out of the blue. Your bosom buddy, Li Mingzhou, helped vouch for your innocence.

Mingzhou? She was startled, her hands covering her bracelet instinctively.

Her actions were not lost on Ji Yunshu. You dont have to hide it; we already know everything, otherwise, we wouldnt let you go.

Yuins chest tightened. How did you find Mingzhou?

Mingzhou, Mingzhou every sentence she spouted from the moment they spoke began with his name. Fortunately, Ji Yunshu had plenty of patience to spare. He went to excavate Chang Shiliangs grave in the middle of the night and was arrested. He was brought back here to the yamen for questioning, and told us everything.

He dug up his coffin?

Ji Yunshu nodded. He said it was because he wanted to retrieve that jade ring of his from Chang Shiliangs hands.

Realisation dawned upon Yuins face, before she lowered her head, seemingly baffled about something as she spoke no further. Ji Yunshu carefully observed her every expression, etching all of them into her memory. By the time the two of them left the prison, the morning sun was already peeking through the clouds.

Once Yuin left, Ji Yunshu returned to the yamen. She took a short nap in her room before looking for Mo Ruo. Mo Ruo was relaxing and having his wine in the yard. As soon as he saw her, he asked, Wasnt Teacher Ji busy with interrogations through the night? Dont you need to rest? What a superwoman! I take my hat off to you!

Of course she was there for a reason. Have you discovered what that stain on those clothes is?

Not yet.

You cant identify it?

Thats not it, he replied.

Ji Yunshu was frustrated. Then what is it? Its already the third day today, if I still have nothing, then

Why are you so impatient? Dont you have two more days?

Its not your life at stake of course youre not worried! Ji Yunshu dabbed at the sweat on her brow haplessly.

Mo Ruo languidly pulled out a sheet of paper from his sleeve as he handed it to her, Theres a medicinal herb mixed into that stain. Youre lucky I know what that herb is its the Eclipta prostata, or false daisy, and it has many medicinal properties. Its good for clotting blood, reducing inflammation and heatiness, and

Get to the point.

Ink.

Hmm?

Mo Ruo shrugged his shoulders as he took another gulp of wine, You were the one who told me to get straight to the point, thats what I did.

Hey, hey, hey, cant you set that attitude right, brother? Itll be difficult to continue playing this game if you act this way. Ji Yunshu waved her hand, Fine, take your time.

Mo Ruo closed his eyes as he recounted, The false daisy is one of the commonest herbs that practically anyone can buy; those who cant afford it can just harvest some from the mountains its everywhere, but they usually grow on cliffsides, so its still a challenge to harvest it. His voice faded away as his wine jar began to slip away from his fingers. His body began to sway as he continued, But, that stain on Old Master Changs clothes was made by ink, a kind of ink that contains the extract of false daisy.

What does this all mean?

The false daisy is not just a medicinal herb, but can also be used to stabilize ink. Those who have some experience with calligraphy will add this to their ink; if you were to get your ink from a well-known calligraphy store, false daisy would already have been mixed in.

Ink stains? Ink that was mixed with false daisy?

Mo Ruo stretched lazily. Thats the extent of my knowledge. Figure the rest out yourself. He entered his room for his nap.

Ji Yunshu pondered for some time, before looking for Jing Rong. She hoped that, after hearing her report, he would secretly send some men to the Chang Estate and Li Mingzhous Estate to search for such an ink. However, Jing Rong was still resting in bed; he had been up in the hills arresting Li Mingzhou, then interrogating him he was exhausted! Jing Rong turned over, saying, This Princes subordinates are not made of steel. Theyve hurried the entire journey here, then spent the last two days working on this case theyre tired as well. When theyve rested sufficiently, theyll go.

This is an urgent matter!

But this Prince needs to sleep. He drawled, turning, this time, to face her directly, Why not ask Fang Mingsan? Cant you have him bring his men to the Chang Estate?

Ji Yunshu wore her worry on her face. She spoke by his bedside, Im worried that stain is the key to solving this case. If Lord Fang were to do so, the murderer would surely destroy the evidence if he catches even the slightest wind of Lord Fangs movements. This was why I never once mentioned that ink stain on those clothes to Lord Fang.

Then how are you so sure that ink stain would be connected to the murderer?

Did you forget? Miss Chang told us that day at the mourning hall Old Master Chang hated filth. If that ink stain was already there when Old Master Chang was still alive, he would definitely wash it out. There are two possibilities: one, he has such ink in his estate and his clothes were dirtied accidentally when he was knocked unconscious by the murderer, but if the Chang Family doesnt use such ink, then the second possibility is left the murderer left that stain whilst he was going in for the kill.

Jing Rong did not hide his laughter, Would there be anyone who would carry ink around at all times?

There are all sorts of strange people in this world! If there were such a person, he or she would be considered strange indeed. This would help narrow our search, making our investigation much easier.

Fine! Jing Rong was curious, Then why investigate Li Mingzhou as well?

Why so many questions! Ji Yunshu took a deep breath in, before continuing patiently, Although Li Mingzhous statement was completely logical and was supported by Chang Yiyans account, he may have been absolved of the crime, but he must not have told us everything. In fact, he might not even have mentioned it at all. Thus, even if he really was not the murderer, he might know something useful. As for Yuins ghost act in retaliation of her mistreatment, it feels too forced a story. Its as if this entire case were submerged in deep waters; I can see every detail clearly, but it feels like a fog is obscuring it at the same time. Strange! It was the first time she had ever come across such an unusual case!

Jing Rongs gaze darkened at her conclusion, but he turned over again, This Prince understands what youre trying to say, but no matter how urgent, people need time to breathe. Ill send someone in two hours. True, you would need to breathe even if you wanted to hang yourself!

Ji Yunshu did not want to make things more difficult than they already were. As she left, Jing Rong grabbed onto her arm. He pulled her towards himself under the covers, holding her tightly in his arms. She was shocked momentarily, only reacting once she felt herself up against his firm chest. She pushed him away. What are you doing? Therere people outside.

What are you afraid of? Theyre our people.

You Let go of me first.

No way. He clutched her even tighter, whispering right next to her ear, his lips touching the flesh of her earlobes, Are you that impatient? Cant you even try to persuade this Prince? If you had asked just one more time, this Prince would have sent men to investigate immediately. You little troublemaker, where has your usual mule-headed persistence gone?

Youre the mule-headed one! She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Didnt you say that they needed rest? I was just taking what you said into account.

When did you become this obedient?

Stop messing around. Let me go first. If other people were to see this, theyd say were having a cut-sleeve affair. 1

Jing Rongs mesmerising eyes widened, Emperor Han Ai had his beloved Dong Xian, this Jing Rong has Yunshu. If this anecdote were to spread, itll be known as a fairy tale to all.

Ugh! The corners of Ji Yunshus mouth twitched! Please, youre not Emperor Han Ai, and Im not Dong Xian, okay? 2

Just then, a shadow dropped to the ground just before the doors in their room, the silvers in the figures hand rolling to the ground with a clang. Large eyes peered at those two lying in bed, shimmering with tears.

1. , literally cut-sleeve, was a term used to refer to homosexual affairs of the past, because of the two historical figures (see below for more). Legend has it that the Emperor Han Ai had to attend morning court one day, but Dong Xian was still lying on his sleeve, so the Emperor had his eunuch cut his sleeve off so he wouldnt wake his (male) lover. More here (in Mandarin, unfortunately): https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%91%A3%E8%B4%A4

2. To cut a long story short, Emperor Han Ai, the thirteenth Emperor of the Han Dynasty, was so fond of his male lover Dong Xian, that he gave him ultimate wealth and ultimate power. The two of them were always together, whether in court or in bed, but were not great rulers. When Emperor Han Ai passed away, Dong Xian committed suicide shortly after. More here (in Mandarin, unfortunately again): https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%91%A3%E8%B4%A4