Chapter 53 – The Yin Yang Corpse (1/2)

Quietness was restored to the pavilion. The aroma of the tea seemed to have changed noticeably, from a distinctive, pleasant smell to something full of bitterness.

Jing Rong returned to his seat, raised his hand, and knocked on the surface of the table with his finger joints.

Is he hinting her to take a seat?

‘No, I think it’s better if I keep standing.’

“This humble one is fine standing.”

“I’m not telling you to sit down,” Jing Rong seemed like he wanted to swallow Ji Yunshu whole. He knocked at the table again and said, “What I wanted to say, is that the tea’s lukewarm, and I’m asking you to pour me another cup.”

‘Hey, you aren’t handicapped are you? Shouldn’t you at least be able to do that by yourself?’

“I have an injury on my hand, and it pains me when I try to raise my arm. Teacher, you wouldn’t have so quickly forgotten about that, would you?” asked Jing Rong, who seemed to guess what she was thinking about.

“…”

‘Yes… I really did forget about it. Well, it’s not my fault that he removed his bandages, and it seems like he’s already fully recovered.’

Jing Rong was quite unhappy at the expression of surprise on Ji Yunshu’s face.

‘He seemed so patient and kind with Wei Yi, so why does he treat me with such a glacial attitude.’ Jing Rong thought as he grew more irritated.

“I am thirsty, so could you hurry up, Teacher?”

Despite wanting to roll her eyes in contempt at Jing Rong, Ji Yunshu obeyed him. As she went forth to pick up the tea kettle and was about to pour some tea into an empty cup, Jing Rong raised his palm to interrupt her.

“You know what, I don’t feel like drinking tea after all,” said Jing Rong.

“Then, prince, what do you desire?” asked Ji Yunshu.

“My shoulders are a little sore. Teacher, you seem to have an intricate knowledge of human anatomy. As such, could you apply some of your knowledge and find the best spot for a comfortable massage?”

‘Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.’

Ji Yunshu placed the kettle and the cup back onto the table, and answered, “Prince, my hands serve the dead, and I’ve never used them on the living, you may want to reconsider.”

Jing Rong felt a chill run down his spine and frowned in discontentment.

‘Ha! What will you say to that!’ thought Ji Yunshu with some satisfaction at her brilliant retort.

What he said next surprised her.

“I have reconsidered. Please apply some strength when massaging. I have quite the sore shoulder today,” said Jing Rong.

‘You little… Ugh, I give up.’

Ji Yunshu circled around Jing Rong and raised her arm, in doing so, she inadvertently stretched the part of her back through which her fresh wounds ran. She bit her lips and held in a scream.

As she extended her pale fingers and rested them on Jing Rong’s shoulders, ready to start the massage, Jing Rong suddenly grabbed one of her hands and pulled her over so that she faced him. Jing Rong stood up and held her hand with one hand, while he deposited his other hand on her thin waist.

“Ugh!” Ji Yunshu screamed in pain as she was dragged over.

This violent movement caused the scab on her back to reopen and bleed. She could feel the blood seeping into her clothes and staining them.

Jing Rong did not expect such a violent reaction on from her. He halted his movements for a split second and let go of Ji Yunshu, who instinctively reached for her back. Her lips looked pale as ever as she reached for her back with one hand.

Jing Rong eyes were burning; he frowned with severity and asked, “What happened to your back?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Let me see,” said Jing Rong, who seemed very worried.

“There’s no need for that,” answered Ji Yunshu as she stepped back and simultaneously wiped away the cold sweat which pearled on her forehead. She lowered her head and said, “This humble one is here to report on the case of the five burnt corpses.”

“There’s no need to report on that, Lang Po has already informed me on the matter. Let me see your back,” insisted Jing Rong, who had a worried and distressed expression on his face. He reached out for her hand before an answer could be provided.

Ji Yunshu took another step back and was now almost out of the pavilion.

“If not about the burnt corpses, then allow me to say a few words about the case of Lin Capital then,” proposed Ji Yunshu.

Upon hearing “Lin Capital”, Jing Rong paused for a little.

But…