Chapter 5

Originally, Jin Shu had planned to drink a few extra cups and pretend to be drunk—just to escape the tragic fate of footing the bill. But as she listened to the manager and Li Jin chatting back and forth, she kept drinking, forgetting to pace herself. She ended up drinking too much. By the time she regained consciousness, she opened her eyes to find herself in a strange room, on a strange bed. She sat there in a daze, instinctively lifting the blanket to check underneath.

Her coroner’s black robe had been removed—by whom, she didn’t know—but thankfully, the white undershirt was still intact. She reached up to feel: her chest bindings were also untouched.

Good. Her identity as a woman hadn’t been exposed.

She got up and looked around the room, pausing when she saw a freshly laundered set of clothes folded neatly nearby.

The outfit looked slightly different from the coroner’s robe she’d worn yesterday.

Knock knock. A familiar voice came from outside: “Sis, are you awake?”

Jin Shu froze, walked over, and cracked the door open.

Seeing only Jin Rong outside, she relaxed and let him in. “Didn’t I tell you? Outside the house, you have to call me ‘Brother.’”

Six-year-old Jin Rong grinned at her usual spirited demeanor. “You scared me yesterday! You got so drunk that big brother had to carry you back to Lord Liu’s residence.”

As Jin Shu turned to pour water, he cheerfully followed her to the table and asked, “Sis, are you getting married?”

Pfft! The water she’d just sipped sprayed out before she could swallow.

Jin Shu wiped her mouth and glared. “You’re too young to be saying nonsense like that. That man is Prince Jing’s armed bodyguard—if we’re not careful, he could take both our lives.”

Jin Rong tilted his head in confusion, resting his chin on the table. “But that big brother didn’t have a sword. He was really nice—he even taught me to read at noon. And those new clothes you’re wearing? He gave them to you.”

Jin Shu froze.

“But the guy next to him in black did have a long sword. He looked terrifying.”

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Jin Shu stood for a long time before slowly setting down her cup and taking a deep breath. It felt like she was standing on an execution platform, drawing her final breath—her mood was unbearably heavy.

No. She had to find Liu Cheng’an and tell him she couldn’t do this job. If this kept up, both their heads would be on the chopping block.

“Rong’er, while you’re here at Lord Liu’s, listen to Madam Liu.” She dressed quickly, tightening her waist sash. “I’m going to find Lord Liu. Be good, okay?”

She smiled and gently stroked Jin Rong’s cheek.

In truth, the boy wasn’t her biological brother. That winter, Jin Shu’s parents were killed by bandits. After burying them, she had planned to travel alone once spring arrived. But in the dead of winter, a ragged, pregnant woman knocked on her door.

Having worked as a forensic expert for over a decade in her past life, Jin Shu couldn’t bear to turn her away. She helped deliver the baby.

The woman had a difficult labor. After giving birth to the boy, she used her last strength to hand Jin Shu a white jade pendant and whispered, “Please take care of Rong’er,” before passing away.

From that moment on, Jin Shu—just fifteen years old—became both mother and father to the boy, raising him with everything she had. Fortunately, she still remembered much from her previous life. With her forensic skills, she secured a position at the Dingzhou magistrate’s office.

Until one day, the head of the Six Gates Bureau—Prince Jing himself—descended from the heavens and shattered her peaceful life.

As Jin Shu passed through two courtyard gates toward the study, she saw Liu Cheng’an beaming with excitement, hurrying from the front yard. Seeing her, he waved eagerly. “Ah! Master Jin! We found her!”

He held up a sheet of paper, eyes gleaming. “Just as you said—she was a courtesan. The madam at the brothel said she’s been missing for five or six days.”

Hearing this, Jin Shu momentarily forgot what she’d come to say. She took the paper and scrutinized it.

Then Liu Cheng’an noticed her outfit and asked, surprised, “Master Jin, why are you wearing a Six Gates coroner’s robe today? It fits you quite well.” He suddenly realized what that meant. His face turned pale. “You’re going to work for the Six Gates Bureau? You can’t!”

He lowered his voice urgently. “To join the Six Gates, you have to verify your identity. If you go, your secret will be exposed.”

But Jin Shu remained calm, not even looking up. “Of course I’m not going. Rong’er needs to study. I’ve already spoken to the teacher. If I leave, what happens to him?”

She closed the paper. “But honestly, Lord Liu, I can’t handle Prince Jing. He doesn’t follow the rules. Maybe you should assign another coroner to assist him.”

Even Liu Cheng’an, with over a decade of experience, couldn’t handle him.

“I tried last night. But for some reason, Prince Jing insists—he won’t accept anyone else. And…” Liu Cheng’an hesitated, brows furrowed. “Master Jin… do you know how much silver you spent at Lianxiang Pavilion last night?”

Before Jin Shu could respond, he added awkwardly, “Even if you sold your old house, it wouldn’t cover it.”

Jin Shu stood there, mouth agape. “Lord Liu, shouldn’t entertaining Prince Jing be covered by public funds?”

“He said he wanted you to treat him. Anyone else wouldn’t do.”

Unbelievable. Jin Shu flared up, pacing the courtyard with her hands on her hips. “How could he do this? I thought he was serious about solving the case—I’ve helped in every way I could. How could he treat me like this?”

“No house, no money. Rong’er starts school next month, and the teacher’s fees aren’t cheap!” Her heart ached. Eyes red, she wiped away a tear.

Around the corner, Li Jin had watched the whole scene. Usually cold and unmoved, he frowned slightly when he saw her wipe her eyes.

“…Was I too harsh?” he asked Zhou Zheng beside him.

Zhou Zheng looked away, coughed, and reluctantly shook his head. “Your Highness was thinking of her future. Not too harsh.”

Li Jin felt reassured. He strolled out and stood at the study door, looking down at the pair. “Awake?”

Jin Shu had her back to him. Liu Cheng’an gave an awkward smile and patted her arm, urging her to compose herself.

“Since you’re awake, take me to the fishery,” Li Jin said with a faint smile.

“I’m not going.” Jin Shu didn’t turn around. Her three words made Liu Cheng’an’s knees go weak.

Seeing her stubborn stance, Li Jin walked up with interest. “If we catch the culprit, I’ll pay for the meal.”

“But if we don’t…” He didn’t finish the sentence. He flicked his sleeve and walked off with a smile.

Watching this infuriating “idle prince,” Jin Shu took a deep breath. Liu Cheng’an coaxed and nudged her, and after a long pause, she reluctantly followed. Her fists clenched with every step.