Yu Mingyue sighed, feeling even more pity for this Li Shi, a woman truly burdened by misfortune.
"Since you and your husband kept this matter secret, how did your mother-in-law find out?" Yu Mingyue asked.
Li Shi shook her head. "I don't know either."
"Do you have any evidence to suspect your mother-in-law of poisoning? And why were those poisoned pastries not mentioned in the case files?" Yu Mingyue had only seen in the files that Zhang Changsheng died of poisoning, but the cause was not specified.
"I have no evidence. Those pastries were overturned the day I was arrested. If my mother-in-law refuses to admit it, no one can prove anything," Li Shi's voice grew softer, her hard-won hope extinguished once more.
She knew no one could save her, that she was beyond saving. Li Shi sank to the ground in dejection.
"Then how are you so sure it was the pastries that were poisoned?"
"It must have been the pastries, there was nothing else. My mother-in-law wanted me dead. It's me, I'm a jinx, I'm the one who caused this." Li Shi's emotions completely broke down, her gaze unfocused.
"Li Shi, Li Shi, calm down." Yu Mingyue noticed something amiss with Li Shi.
"I'm a jinx, it's all my fault. I killed my husband, I killed Brother Zhang. I deserve to die, I deserve to die..."
Li Shi's cries of distress alerted the bailiffs, who rushed over. "Your Excellency, are you alright?"
Yu Mingyue shook her head. "What's wrong with this Li Shi?"
The bailiff gestured to his head. "She seems a bit mentally unstable, it happens every so often..."
"Have you called for a physician?"
The bailiff smiled sheepishly. "Your Excellency, Li Shi is a death row inmate, we cannot call for a physician."
"Please summon a physician to examine Li Shi."
"This... I cannot make that decision."
"I know, I won't put you in a difficult position. I will discuss this with your superior."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
...
After leaving, Yu Mingyue returned to the post station arranged by the county yamen. Du Rui and Song Yumíng had also returned.
"What progress have you made on your end?" Yu Mingyue asked.
Du Rui took a sip of tea. "I was just about to report on this. I met Li Shi's mother-in-law today. The old woman is not in good health. When she heard I was from the capital investigating her son's case, she grabbed my hand and nearly knelt down, tearfully claiming Li Shi poisoned her son to death. She seemed truly pitiful..."
Song Yumíng remained silent, not speaking. Yu Mingyue watched him for a long time, but he still didn't open his mouth. "What about you? What's the situation?"
Song Yumíng shook his head. "No situation."
"What do you mean, 'no situation'?"
"This Zhang Changsheng was a kind and honest man. The neighbors all praised him. He rarely had feuds, and even arguments were uncommon. His blacksmithing skills were excellent. Ever since he and his wife opened their blacksmith shop in the county, people nearby bought their goods. Their marital relationship was also good, and they spoke highly of Li Shi."
"I do have some news today," Du Rui said. "Li Shi's mother-in-law claimed that Li Shi was not carrying Zhang Changsheng's child."
Yu Mingyue and Song Yumíng both looked calm. Du Rui, however, stopped drinking his tea. "Why do you both look like you already knew?"
Song Yumíng raised an eyebrow. "I have a friend who happens to be in Furong Town."
"What other news have you uncovered? Tell us quickly," Yu Mingyue urged.
"It's still hard to say. It's all speculation. Let's wait for news from that side. If all else fails, I'll go there myself."
"Could it be related to Li Shi's ex-husband?"