There is a god in the sky

Chapter 281 The City God Temple Turmoil 8

By the time Shen Lan finished dissecting the last corpse, it was already dark outside.

Ji Zeqian was pale and had already vomited several times.

Not every corpse's internal organs were intact when opened. One victim had been stabbed in the back in the abdomen, causing his intestines to spill out. Another had his stomach opened, emitting an unbearable stench.

He truly admired Miss Shen's ability to face these situations without changing her expression.

At the same time, a sense of awe for Shen Lan arose in his heart, which made it impossible for him to feel any pity or love for her.

Shen Lan took the records and several bags of food to find Xiao Ji.

Ji Zeqian took his leave and went home. Before leaving, he said to Shen Lan, "Miss Shen, you will definitely become the most outstanding coroner in the Great Xi Dynasty!"

He already knew that the Emperor had appointed Shen Lan as an eighth-rank coroner, a position that no coroner in the entire country could ever reach in their lifetime.

Shen Lan smiled and said, "Perhaps one day, being a coroner will no longer be a lowly profession, but will become a skill that many people want to learn."

"If only that were true. None of my other uncles and brothers wanted to inherit the family business. Only I learned this craft from my grandfather because I really love it."

Of course, it's also because I'm useless. I don't want to study or practice martial arts, and I've accomplished nothing, so this is all I can do.

If one day in the future, even coroners can become eighth-rank officials, then many people will be eager to learn the profession.

In this era, it is extremely difficult to transcend social classes and become an official.

Many people study hard their whole lives but never become a minor official of the eighth rank, while learning to be a coroner does not require studying; all that is needed is enough courage and patience.

After parting ways with Ji Zeqian, Shen Lan went to the yamen to see Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji had not returned yet; it was unclear whether he was waiting for Shen Lan or busy with official duties.

Upon seeing Shen Lan enter, he pointed to the food on the table and said, "There's still quite a bit of dinner left from home. Would you like some?"

Shen Lan had little appetite, but she hadn't eaten in a long time.

"Okay, I'll go wash up."

When she felt that her hands and clothes were clean, she came back and saw Xiao Ji setting the table.

Several dishes were laid out on the small round table, all of which were her favorites. A man in an official's uniform carefully served her rice and soup. How could she not feel warm?

"Come on, eat quickly."

Shen Lan went over and sat down. Seeing him return to his desk, she asked, "Has the master eaten?"

"Of course, what time is it? You should eat quickly."

Shen Lan ate a few mouthfuls of rice and then asked, "Why doesn't the master ask me what I've gained?"

"Eat first!" Xiao Ji glanced at her sternly.

Shen Lan stopped talking. The food tasted bland, even though it was her favorite dish.

"I heard that coroner Ji is assisting you. How is he doing?" Xiao Ji asked without looking up.

"Very good. He is very meticulous and courageous. He is a very good assistant."

For Ji Zeqian's age, Shen Lan was very satisfied that he had done this much.

Her assistants in her previous life were all at least college graduates, but none of them were as meticulous as Ji Zeqian in their work.

Xiao Ji was silent for a while, then said, "It seems you have a good impression of him, so why don't you agree to the marriage with the Ji family?"

"Sir, please don't joke around. You should know best why I refused."

Xiao Ji put down the official documents and walked over. Seeing that she didn't have a good appetite, he simply ate a few more bites with her.

"Why not let go of the past and live your own life instead?"

Shen Lan glanced at him and answered firmly, "That's not what I want. Why are you acting so strangely today, sir?"

Xiao Ji peeled two shrimp for her and put them in her bowl.

Because he knew that the person Shen Lan visited at the Crown Prince's residence was Master Liao Chen, who was also her childhood playmate.

She cares about him so much; perhaps one day they will do something suicidal.

"I want to break off the engagement with the Zhao family. What do you think?" Xiao Ji suddenly dropped a bombshell, startling Shen Lan so much that she dropped her chopsticks.

She asked blankly, "Sir, did you take the wrong medicine today?"

Is that inappropriate?

"Of course it's inappropriate. You two were engaged when you were young, and after so many years of relationship, both families are already preparing for the wedding. Do you think it's appropriate for you to break off the engagement now?"

Of course it's not appropriate.

Putting aside Zhao Xuan's age, if her engagement is broken off, she will definitely not be able to find a good marriage in the future.

It is said that the relationship between the two families will definitely break down because of this incident. This is not just a matter between two individuals, but between two families.

"My lord, why would you think that?"

Xiao Ji stood up, his back to her, and said, "I have found out that what happened at the Crown Prince's residence today was indeed orchestrated by Consort Wei, and Zhao Xuan was also involved."

Shen Lan was not surprised.

"Miss Zhao has disliked me for a long time. After the album incident, she behaved herself for a long time. I didn't expect she was preparing a big move."

“I don’t like her like this,” Xiao Ji said bluntly.

"Has she ever done anything this outrageous before?"

"of course not."

Before he was transferred to another post, the two rarely met, but they never had any unpleasant incidents because of outsiders.

When he was transferred to a post outside the capital, Zhao Xuan even sent him two beautiful maids, but he refused them.

He thought Zhao Xuan was a cheerful and generous woman, but he didn't expect her to care so much about Shen Lan.

Xiao Ji had thought a lot about it today. Perhaps he did have some shortcomings in his conduct, which was why she misunderstood him.

He knew he couldn't bring himself to completely sever ties with Shen Lan, or even drive her out of the capital.

If we absolutely have to give her an explanation, it seems the only way is to break off the engagement.

Shen Lan suddenly reached out and hooked her arm around Xiao Ji's neck, leaning close to him and staring at him.

There's no denying that this man is charming.

Even though she had met many outstanding men in her past life, she still thought Xiao Ji was very good.

He possesses the refinement of a nobleman, outstanding physical appearance, a sharp mind, and the emotional intelligence to assess situations.

It's not surprising that she would fall for a man like that.

But Shen Lan had never actually developed romantic feelings for him. Even if she had admired or been attracted to him, it was only temporary and unconscious.

Why does Miss Zhao see me as a rival in love? Does she think I'm good enough for you?

Shen Lansong let go and shook her head helplessly.

Her background is a major flaw.

In a feudal dynasty with clear class distinctions, a chasm separated her from Xiao Ji.

"How did you discover this, sir?" The Crown Prince's affairs should be difficult to investigate thoroughly.

Xiao Ji snapped out of his reverie, reached up and touched the back of his neck, and replied with a complicated expression, "I intercepted a letter that was being sent from the Crown Prince's residence to the Zhao residence."

He placed the letter in front of Shen Lan, which was tantamount to placing her in a higher position than his fiancée.

Shen Lan originally didn't want to watch it.

But she was curious about what was written in the letter that made Xiao Ji, who was always self-disciplined and kept his promises, consider breaking off the engagement.

The letter was very simple, just a few words. It thanked Zhao Xuan for her suggestion and expressed her apology for not being able to keep Shen Lan in the Crown Prince's residence.

Although the letter did not mention Shen Lan's name, given what happened at the Crown Prince's residence, even a fool would know who these "she"s referred to.