Chapter 54 – The Skeleton’s Examination (1/2)

A yin yang corpse? What was a yin yang corpse? The puzzlement was visible on everyone’s face.

Jing Rong was like a curious child. While he was concerned about the injuries on Ji Yunshu’s back, it did little to stop him from inquiring about the human remains that they had just discovered, “A yin yang corpse? What’s that? Why would a body be buried under this tree?”

Ji Yunshu crouched and started to explain, “This humble one isn’t able to ascertain the cause behind a body being buried under this big tree. However, a yin yang body is merely a term referring to an intersex person. In other words, the deceased is someone who possessed both male and female reproductive organs!”

‘’Huh! Such a thing actually exists? Is it a monster?‘’

The statement surprised everyone once again. It was the first time they had heard about such a thing.

Jing Rong was bewildered as he observed the pile of bones. ‘After just glancing at it and touching it a few times, he was able to determine that this skeleton belonged to a yin yang person. Teacher Ji, you’re really awesome!’

“How did that person die?” Jing Rong inquired.

Ji Yunshu didn’t reply for a moment as she was busy wrapping her handkerchief around her hand. Next, she turned the skeleton over and found a thin silky fabric which had yet to completely rot, covering the skeleton’s chest.

She carefully peeled it off, exposing 24 intact rib bones to the light of day.

Gently brush off the remaining dirt on the bones, she began to carefully examine their state and found fine cuts along the ribs, leading her to a single conclusion.

“The deceased should be in his forties and was stabbed to death with a knife, a sword or at least an object with a sharp edge.”

“Are you certain?” Jing Rong narrowed his eyes

Ji Yunshu pointed at the remains and declared, “The shoulders and rib bones showed no less than 22 scratches. Those scratches could only be caused by a sharp object stabbing through the flesh and penetrating deeply to the bones. My initial judgment told me that the murderer should be at least a head taller than the victim. Moreover, in normal circumstances, only four to five stabs in the right place would be enough to kill someone, but for the deceased’s body to present more than 20 stabs and each of them reaching the bones, what reason would have pushed the murderer to crazily stab the victim so many times?”

Jing Rong understood as soon as he heard her explanation, so did everyone else.

Ji Yunshu untied her handkerchief. She turned to Jing Rong with a stern look, “Your Highness, are you dispatching anyone to notify Lord Liu?”

‘What are you doing by being so idle, instead of notifying the yamen of this homicide?’ thought Ji Yunshu.

When Jing Rong heard her, he immediately sent one of his subordinates to the yamen.

Within the time it would take to brew a cup of tea, Magistrate Liu had led a group of runners to the Grand Canal Manor. He was about to clasp his hand and greet Jing Rong when the latter stopped him, “No need for empty greetings. Dealing with this case is more urgent.”

“Y-y-yes your Highness…” After stammering a few words, Magistrate Liu retreated next to Ji Yunshu. He observed the skeleton nestled under the tree before asking Ji Yunshu, “Yunshu, what did you discover about this skeleton?”

Ji Yunshu was calm in appearance. “First, let’s bring that skeleton to the autopsy room. As for the specifics, I still need to examine it in detail before declaring myself.”

“Can the portrait of this skeleton be drawn out in a few days? I will post it and hopefully someone will come to claim it.”

“I’ll need time to draw the portrait. In the meantime, find some people to bring the remains back to the yamen. I absolutely don’t want to overlook a clue, so it’s best if they also the surrounding soil back too. I’ll go to the yamen tomorrow for the examination.

The wounds on her back were becoming exceedingly painful and she could barely endure it!

“Good then. Let’s do it like this.”

The magistrate was very cooperative. He waved his hand and a few runners came forward with a big white fabric. They then spread it besides the remains and started to cautiously move everything on it, afraid that any abrupt movement might damage the skeleton.

It kept them busy until the afternoon.

After each piece of the skeleton was properly collected, Magistrate Liu would hurriedly return to the yamen while Ji Yunshu planned to go back home.

As she passed in front of Jing Rong, she stated, “Prince, I’m afraid that we will have to seal the access to the vicinity of this tree. If anything urgent requires my presence, this humble one will come right away.”

“Rest assured. I’ll let people cordone this area off and forbid people from approaching it.” He replied in a straightforward manner.

“Many thanks, your Highness.” Her voice rolled out from her gradually paling lips.

The day was nearing its end and as the sun ended its course in the horizon, the trailing obscurity reached Ji Yunshu’s face, covering the sick pallor on her thin lips.