“On the corpse?!” Madam Jiang exclaimed in surprise. “What evidence could still be on the corpse? The coroner from the magistrate’s office has already examined it. They sent their findings to our manor – the coroner confirmed the deceased was beaten to death.”
Qin Wan frowned. “The coroner has confirmed the cause of death?”
Madam Jiang nodded. “Yes, they have. They said his ribs were broken, and with broken ribs, the internal organs would be pierced. They said the deceased certainly died from this.”
A flicker of light passed through Qin Wan’s eyes. “Did the magistrate’s coroner perform an autopsy?”
Madam Jiang’s eyes trembled, almost doubting what she’d heard. “What? An autopsy?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes. When I saw the deceased being carried in earlier, his body appeared intact, not like one that had undergone an autopsy. The magistrate’s coroner hasn’t performed an autopsy yet, has he?”
Fear arose in Madam Jiang’s eyes. “Au-autopsy? Why would an autopsy be needed?”
As a noble lady, Madam Jiang was frightened by ordinary deaths, let alone the idea of cutting open a body. She stared at Qin Wan’s serious expression, momentarily stunned. If even she found it frightening, how could Qin Wan discuss it so calmly?
“Broken ribs can be detected by touch by a physician or experienced coroner. However, whether the internal organs were pierced cannot be determined by touch alone. To confirm the true cause of death, only an autopsy will suffice.”
Madam Jiang’s eyes widened. “Autopsy… this… the prefecture’s coroner didn’t perform one…”
After a brief pause, Madam Jiang asked, “Wan’er, how do you know all this?”
Qin Wan replied with composure, “As healers treat all illnesses, they naturally understand better than ordinary people how someone dies. A person may have many injuries, but only one or two wounds are usually fatal or ultimately lead to death. Only physicians and experienced coroners can distinguish this – ordinary people cannot tell.”
In Great Zhou, coroners were all men and belonged to the lower class. A noble young lady like Qin Wan would have no opportunity to interact with them. Fortunately, Qin Wan’s medical expertise made it perfectly normal for her to understand the causes of death.
However, physicians and coroners were different, and Qin Wan couldn’t rashly propose examining the corpse herself.
Madam Jiang suddenly understood. “I see. You mean we should have the prefecture’s coroner perform an autopsy?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, only an autopsy can determine exactly how the deceased died.”
Madam Jiang nodded slightly, contemplation showing in her eyes. Though she was a woman of the inner courtyard, she was not without judgment or insight. After careful consideration, she found Qin Wan’s words reasonable and called Lu Yun over to give some instructions.
Moments later, Lu Yun entered the side hall while Madam Jiang led Qin Wan and the others to the rear warm chamber.
After a brief wait, Yue Qiong strode in. “Madam, why do you want to summon the coroner?”
Madam Jiang glanced at Qin Wan and related everything Qin Wan had said to Yue Qiong. As he listened, his eyes grew increasingly bright, and his gaze toward Qin Wan became more and more impressed and appreciative. Quickly, Yue Qiong made his decision. “I’ll send someone to fetch the prefecture’s coroner right away!”
Qin Wan felt relieved and also gained admiration for the Anyang Marquis’s family. Not only were they grateful, but Yue Qiong was loyal and valiant, Madam Jiang gentle and virtuous, and though she hadn’t interacted much with Yue Ning and Crown Prince Yue Jia, neither seemed to be of poor character. Such a family was worth helping to uncover the truth.
After sending someone to fetch the coroner, Yue Qiong summoned Yue Jia. “Your second brother hasn’t returned yet, and we’ve had no word from those sent to search. Send more people to look for him. If they can’t find him, let Prefect Huo treat him as a fugitive!”
Just as Yue Jia left, Yang Xi entered from outside. “Marquis, Young Master Wei is requesting an audience outside, asking if he can help?”
Young Master Wei? Qin Wan’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
Madam Jiang, being closest to her, explained, “He’s Miss Song’s cousin. After last night’s incident, the Song family’s wedding escort party has temporarily remained in Jinzhou, staying in the manor’s east courtyard – partly to investigate the case, and partly because our manor wishes to show some comfort.”
Qin Wan suddenly remembered – he was the youth who had led the wedding procession!
So he was Miss Song’s cousin…
Yue Qiong showed slight surprise and quickly said, “Please invite him in—”
When Wei Yanzhi entered, his face still showed signs of exhaustion. He had already been tired from the long journey escorting the bride, and with Song Rou’s death, he was barely maintaining his composure. Though he had washed and changed into new robes, he still appeared dejected.
“Greetings to the Marquis, Madam, and Your Highness the Crown Prince. I heard the manor’s Second Young Master has left and cannot be found. Would you like Yanzhi to help search?” Wei Yanzhi bowed with cupped hands, his bearing still properly upright and courteous.
Yue Qiong waved his hand. “Worthy nephew should rest well today. How could we need your help?”
Wei Yanzhi sighed. “My mind is unsettled and I cannot rest. I might as well help the manor with something.”
Everyone understood his troubled heart. Yan Chi stepped forward and put an arm around his shoulders. Though Wei Yanzhi was tall and sturdy, standing together he was half a head shorter than Yan Chi. Yan Chi spoke in a clear voice, “Brother Wei, please accept my condolences. If you feel stifled, you could walk around Jinzhou City. If that’s not enough, the manor has a training ground where you could exercise.”
Wei Yanzhi served in the Capital Patrol, so he was also a military officer. Yan Chi’s suggestion was quite fitting.
Wei Yanzhi quickly nodded. “Yes, while walking around the manor, I noticed the training ground and was thinking of that myself.”
Yue Qiong sighed. “These past two days the manor has had many affairs, and we’ve been remiss in our hospitality. Please understand, worthy nephew. The Imperial Princess is unwell, and Qing’er… Once this matter is settled, I’ll have Jia accompany you to lift your spirits.”
Wei Yanzhi immediately waved his hands. “No, no, no. I merely have trouble untying this knot in my heart – it’s a small matter. The Marquis need not concern himself with me. I only hope for a quick resolution to Xiao Rou’s death, so I can give my uncle an answer.”
Wei Yanzhi’s arrival made the room’s atmosphere even heavier. Just as Yue Qiong was about to offer more words of comfort, Yue Jia ran in with a delighted expression. “Father, Mother, the Prefect has arrived, and Second Brother has returned with him!”
Yue Qiong was startled, and Madam Jiang also showed surprise. They hurried out together, and as soon as they exited, they saw Huo Huaixin coming from behind the screen wall with two yamen runners and Yue Qing.
“Qing’er—” Upon seeing Yue Qing, Madam Jiang couldn’t help calling out.
Yue Qing’s face showed utter despair. He approached Madam Jiang but pressed his lips together without speaking. Madam Jiang looked between Huo Huaixin and Yue Qing. “Qing’er, how did you come back with the Prefect?”
Huo Huaixin’s short, stout body was wrapped in a dark cloak, his small eyes showing traces of regret and sympathy. “Madam, the Second Young Master turned himself in at the yamen half an hour ago!”
Hearing this, Madam Jiang’s eyes immediately reddened. “Qing’er—”
Yue Qing held Madam Jiang’s hand and looked at Yue Qiong. “Father, Mother, I’ve thought it through. Since the person died because of me, I can only turn myself in and take responsibility. I’ve already written my confession at the yamen.”
Once a confession was written, it meant admitting guilt and could lead to sentencing. Though Yue Qiong had earlier urged Yue Qing to turn himself in, when the moment came, his face also paled. If Yue Qing was sentenced, even if he didn’t die, his life would be ruined.
Madam Jiang could no longer hold back her tears. Seeing this, Huo Huaixin sighed. First Miss Song’s case, and now Yue Qing killing someone – the Anyang Marquis Manor’s involvement in two murder cases was a severe blow. “Marquis, the Second Young Master has explained everything clearly and signed his confession. He should be imprisoned immediately, but considering the Imperial Princess and Madam would surely want to speak with him properly, I plan to give the Second Young Master two days’ grace. The day after tomorrow, I’ll come to take him away.”
Madam Jiang let out a sob, and pain showed in Yue Qiong’s eyes. Because of Qin Wan’s words, they still harbored doubts about the case, even thinking Yue Qing might have been wronged, but they never expected him to turn himself in and even sign a confession!
Given this, the case was concluded, and anything else would be futile.
Huo Huaixin sighed deeply. Not only did Yue Qing and Yue Jia come from outstanding backgrounds, but they were both young talents who would likely follow in the Anyang Marquis’s footsteps and hold military power. They had bright futures ahead, yet one was ruined because of a craftsman.
Just as Huo Huaixin was about to comfort Yue Qiong, a cool voice suddenly rang out from the back of the crowd.
“May I ask the Prefect, when the cause of death hasn’t been determined, how can you be so certain the Second Young Master beat someone to death?”
Huo Huaixin frowned and looked toward the back of the crowd. There, in the manor’s dim, graduated lamplight, stood a young lady of noble bearing and beautiful countenance.
Her clear yet sharp gaze met his, making even Huo Huaixin’s heart tremble.
Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?”