"The prince's name is Little Goldfish, courtesy name Donkey—isn't that amusing!"
The old clerk's hand trembled, drawing a thick black line across the half-filled paper.
Chu Chu continued with undiminished enthusiasm, "The prince must adore small animals—why else would he have such a name? My grandfather always said people who love small animals are kind-hearted and even-tempered..."
Just as the old clerk was breaking out in cold sweat, three sharp taps echoed from behind the screen.
This was the prearranged signal from the two lords to immediately cease the conversation. The old clerk felt instant relief.
The three taps were urgent and loud enough for Chu Chu to notice. She turned toward the screen, "What was that noise?"
"Donkey—I mean, the wind! It's just the wind..." The old clerk flustered about, "Alright, alright... I'm done with the questioning, completely finished... You, you should return now. Tomorrow at noon sharp, you'll be executed at the Ministry of Justice entrance—No! I mean check the announcements, check the announcements..."
"The results won't be posted until tomorrow?"
"Yes, yes yes... They'll only be posted tomorrow. You should go back now... There are other candidates waiting for their exams. Go on, go on..."
Chu Chu secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, she'd been cautious last night and hadn't immediately taken up the innkeeper's offer of free lodging that even paid her—tonight would be the perfect time to use that place!
"Thank you, Your Honor!"
"Don't mention it—No! I mean, you're welcome, you're welcome..."
Only after Chu Chu's skipping footsteps faded into the distance did Jing Yi and Xiao Jin Yu emerge from behind the screen. The old clerk immediately knelt before Xiao Jin Yu, repeatedly begging for forgiveness.
Jing Yi chuckled as he helped the old clerk up, "Don't worry. I'd have to die first before it's your turn. Since you're waiting anyway, go fetch the girl's corpse examination records from the west examination room. By the time you return, it might actually be your turn."
Without pondering the truth behind Jing Yi's words, the old clerk kowtowed and scurried out.
When only the two remained in the room, Jing Yi crossed his arms while observing Xiao Jin Yu's composed expression. "So, will you take her on?"
Only he could discern whether the perpetually impassive Xiao Jin Yu was suppressing anger or deep in thought.
Before Jing Yi spoke, Xiao Jin Yu had been contemplating—afterwards, he was furious.
Xiao Jin Yu's brow furrowed as he coldly retorted, "How many times must I say—do not involve me in matters concerning women."
This wasn't just among Xiao Jin Yu's top ten taboos—it was also one of the few vulnerabilities Jing Yi had identified in his seemingly impervious mind.
"Who's involving you with women? I'm discussing a coroner! What were you thinking about?"
Xiao Jin Yu faintly felt warmth spreading where Chu Chu had touched his face earlier.
Jing Yi's lips curved slightly, "Why is your face red?"
"Hot."
Jing Yi smiled meaningfully, "Where exactly is hot?"
"Everywhere..."
Jing Yi burst into uncontrollable laughter before Xiao Jin Yu realized how he'd been led into the trap. He glared, but before he could speak, the old clerk timely rushed back in, breathlessly clutching two documents.
Still wearing his nearly dislocated jaw from laughter, Jing Yi took the corpse manifest from the old clerk and solemnly examined it. "Come, let's see what our distinguished coroner from an official family, literary household, and generations of loyalists has discovered in her examination..."Jing Yi's understanding of corpse examination paled in comparison to his familiarity with the renowned beauties of the capital's famous establishments. Snatching the corpse manifest was merely for show—he intended to skim it briefly, pick out a few phrases, and tease Xiao Jin Yu further. Yet, in this perfunctory glance, his eyes inadvertently landed on the most critical lines.
The smile on Jing Yi's face froze instantly, and he hurriedly looked toward Xiao Jin Yu.
The face that had been flushed like a ripe cherry moments ago was now pale with a faint bluish tint.
"You..." Jing Yi began, but meeting Xiao Jin Yu's warning gaze, he quickly composed himself and changed his tone. "You should go attend to your matters first. If anything comes up, I'll have someone send word to you."
Xiao Jin Yu gave a slight nod, pushed his wheelchair out the door, and offered no response to the old clerk kneeling in farewell.
Though Xiao Jin Yu often wore a cold expression, he rarely displayed discourtesy toward others.
"Lord Jing, is Prince An..."
Jing Yi didn't answer, his expression unusually grave. He glanced at the desk and said, "Copy what you just recorded and give it to me."
"Just... write it exactly as the girl said?"
"Word for word. You should know Prince An's memory, right?"
"Yes, yes..."
☆、6 Jujube Ginger Soup (Six)
It was still early when Chu Chu left the Ministry of Justice, so she wandered idly through the capital's streets to pass the time.
The exam was over, but she felt even more anxious now than before it began.
She didn't think she had performed poorly, but in all three sessions, she had been dismissed before finishing. She remembered her Seventh Uncle saying before the exam that if you were sent out midway, it could mean either your answers were so excellent that further testing was unnecessary, or they were so terrible that the examiners deemed it a waste of time to listen further.
Chu Chu refused to believe the skills she had honed since childhood could be that abysmal. Yet, as people said, capital officials were well-versed in grand affairs, and she found it even harder to believe her modest abilities could impress them to such an extent.
The more she recalled the examiners' expressions, the more her heart drummed with unease.
If she failed this exam, she would have to find another way into the Six Doors. But if she truly failed, wouldn't that prove her skills were insufficient for the Six Doors in the first place? What other methods could there be?
If she couldn't enter the Six Doors...
"Excuse me..."
Chu Chu's wandering thoughts were abruptly summoned back by a moderate voice. Startled, she halted and realized a tall man leading a horse had appeared beside her at some point, staring intently at her small floral bundle.
Chu Chu immediately leaped back, pulling the bundle to her chest and clutching it tightly, her eyes wide as she glared at the man. "What do you want?"
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