Original and most updated translations are from volare. If read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft.
But today was an unusual day, not only did Ji Lingzhi choose to show up, Ji Wanxin also happened to be here as well.
Ji Yunshi stared at Ji Lingzhi’s back as she ran away, knowing that serious troubles would soon ensue if she allowed her to tell everyone about what had happened.
Ji Wanxin, with a habitual frown on her face, approached her timidly.
She worried about Ji Lingzhi’s wounds, but also cared for Ji Yunshu. “Yunshu, there’s no need for you to worry about Lingzhi or to run after her, just leave it to me and focus on what you have to do.”
“Thank you sister,” said Ji Yunshu.
“We’re family, aren’t we?” answered Ji Wanxin with a sincere look.
Ji Yunshu nodded and said, “The Ji Mansion may be big, but you are the only one who thinks of me as family.”
These words were spoken out with a voice which revealed a mixture of feelings: bitterness, happiness and even fear.
Ji Wanxin gave a gentle tap to Ji Yunshu’s hand and said, “I know that you’ve gone through a lot here since you were born and it’s natural for you to be resentful. After all, not everyone could have endured what you endured. I’m actually quite envious of your resilience and strength.”
Ji Yunshu smiled but did not reply back.
“I’ll leave you and go keep an eye on Lingzhi then. What she says could cause a lot of trouble if she gets her way, I’ll try to keep it off your back for the moment!” said Ji Wanxin.
“Thanks,” replied Ji Yunshu with a nod.
Ji Wanxi walked away with small steps, and a few coughs were audible even after she became a silhouette in the distance.
“What a shame, such a gentle soul, but plagued by disease,” thought Ji Yunshu.
At that moment, Luan’er bit her lips and said, “Miss, has the fourth miss gone to inform master and the old madame?”
“Of course she did.” Ji Yunshu inwardly replied.
But this was the least of Ji Yunshu’s worries right now. She went back into her room, changed into her masculine outfit and quickly left for the yamen.
When she arrived, the two runners standing outside the yamen greeted her with a large smile.
“Teacher Ji, what a pleasant surprise!”
It was as if she was taking a casual walk into the yamen.
Ji Yunshu did not even raise her eyes to look at them. As she moved, her blue robe flew behind her, and the large sleeves fluttered back and forth to the rhythm of the cold winter wind. The light frown on her face conveyed seriousness without being staid, and her visage as a whole was enigmatic without being devoid of charisma, epitomizing her beauty and elegance.
Bright you were in your sweetheart’s eyes.
From each journey’s wear,
These lines of poem would indeed be a perfect fit for her!
The two runners looked at each other and thought, “How weird, Teacher Ji isn’t his usual self…”
To their surprise, Ji Yunshu walked past them, straight to the large drum at the entrance of the yamen2, took the drumstick and struck the drum vigorously.
Bong! Bong!
The two runners were still numb with shock as the seventh and last strike of the drum echoed through the yamen.
Ji Yunshu put the drumstick back to where it was, looked at the two, and said with seriousness, “The drum has been struck, is no one going to advise lord Liu?”
One runner finally gained enough composure to answer her as he moved back, “Yes, yes, yes,” and ran toward the inner part of the yamen.
Ji Yunshu followed him into the yamen.
Magistrate Liu was seated under a small pavilion which was erected in the courtyard, sipping his tea slowly. Everything should’ve hinted at a relaxing atmosphere and the enjoyment of a good time, but instead, he looked nervous, with an ingratiating smile hanging on his lips and trembling hands which were unable to settle down.
The source of this anxiety was Jing Rong, who was seated in front of him.
Jing Rong had a rather comical posture as he tried to drink his tea while a sling hung from his neck, keeping his injured arm in place.
Jing Rong had arrived two hours ago under the pretext that he wanted to have tea with the magistrate and discuss a few things.
“What is wrong with him? Why is he telling me tales of his adventures over the past year? An old monk who went back to secular life? A fight between a dog and a pig? A woman sentenced to live with pigs because of infidelity? Pfffft, I’ve seen much more than that! I’ve seen flowers blossom out of a rock and blood gush out of trees!” thought the magistrate.
Ultimately, he did not even dare to miss a single word coming out of Jing Rong’s mouth. He listened carefully, but his attention waned as drowsiness assaulted his mind time and time again.
“Milord…!” yelled a runner as he broke into the courtyard.
“My savior!” thought the magistrate; he was looking forward to go preside over a case instead of being tortured by Jing Rong.
The runner panted as he approached, and said, “Milord, Ji, Ji…”
“What chicken3 ?”
“Not a chicken,” answered the runner with a gesture. “It’s Teacher Ji, he4 struck the drum!”
Seven strokes signified a case of utmost importance.
The magistrate stood up in shock and stared at the runner, “What? Teacher Ji is striking the drum? Why?”
“I wouldn’t know sir, he says that there’s something urgent that requires you to open the law court.”
“Um…” the magistrate looked at Jing Rong and awaited his permission.
Jing Rong’s striking eyes and brows contorted into a frown and he clasped the cup he held tighter between his fingers.
“That guy is finally here… He left me to sleep in such a desolate place last night, and didn’t even bother to stay to explain things to me in person. Is he that eager to get away from me?” thought Jing Rong.
He nodded and said, “Go, I’ll be behind you. Don’t tell him I’m here.”
“Of-of course, your highness,” answered the magistrate promptly.
Liu Qingping left for the main hall while holding the corners of his robe with his hands.
Ji Yunshu stood in the main hall as she awaited for the magistrate to take his high seat.
Magistrate Liu sat down, and habitually reached for his gavel to strike the table and call for order. He paused as he was about to reach the gavel and remembered that it was Ji Yunshu who had struck the drum.
“Phew, almost made a stupid mistake,” thought the magistrate.
He looked at Ji Yunshu and asked in a perplexed voice, “Yunshu? Why are you here? Did someone treat you badly?”
Ji Yunshu knelt down on the floor and answered, “Milord, your humble servant is here to decry an injustice which has just transpired.”
Her act surprised everyone: there was no way she needed to kneel, given that she knew just about everyone working at the yamen.
In contrast to Ji Yunshu, the magistrate stood up and said hurriedly, “Yunshu, come on, stand up! It’s cold on the floor.”
Ji Yunshu did not budge and said with a very serious voice, “Milord, your humble servant is here to decry an injustice.”
“What injustice?” asked the magistrate with hesitation.
“Your humble servant wants to accuse someone,” said Ji Yunshu.
“Who?” asked the magistrate.
“The person is called Ji Yunshu.”
“What?”
‘What insane thing was she spouting?’ The magistrate rubbed his ears with his fingers, as if he wanted to make sure that he did not hear anything wrong.
Jing Rong, who had been hidden in the corridor behind the hall, was also surprised. What was going on exactly?
“But it should be interesting, shame I didn’t bring a snack to the show,” thought Jing Rong.
The magistrate pointed at Ji Yunshu with his trembling finger, and said, “Can you… repeat what you just said?”
Ji Yunshu looked at him and said, “I’m here to accuse the painter of the yamen Jin Yunshu, who was reckless in his deductions, resulting in the wrongful imprisonment of two people.”
No one in the yamen knew what exactly was going on. Was the case at the Zhou Mansion not closed, and the culprits already behind bars with a confession? The case report had also been filed and sent to ministry and only needed a formal approval.
“What’s going on?” thought the magistrate, a question that echoed throughout the minds of everyone in the yamen.
Magistrate Liu swallowed some saliva and said, “Yunshu… can we stop playing around?”
“Who’s playing around?” answered Ji Yunshu.
Grenn’s Rants Corner
Did you enjoy the Labor Day Bonenza? Bonus chapter coming up soon and I’ll explain the answer for the BPC’s trivia question. 🙂