Qin Wan looked at Yan Qi with composure and curtsied, “Greetings, Prince Cheng.”

Given Qin Wan’s current prestigious status and the Empress Dowager’s deep affection for her, even Yan Qi dared not treat her carelessly. He scrutinized her briefly, then glanced at Bai Feng beside her, asking coldly, “What are you doing?”

Caught red-handed by Yan Qi’s entrance, Qin Wan had no way to deny it. After a moment’s contemplation, she replied straightforwardly, “Naturally, I’m examining the corpse.”

Yan Qi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “You’re examining the corpse? You’re not a coroner, how can you conduct an examination here? Who authorized this? Does Yan Chi know about this? Does Father Emperor know? Does the Crown Prince know?”

Qin Wan smiled wryly at his words, “Prince Cheng has so many questions, which should I answer first?”

Yan Qi snorted, “You’re not an official coroner, and this case is of great importance. How dare Yan Chi let you examine the corpse?”

Yan Qi recalled Yan Chi’s explanation to Yan Huai, unsure whether Yan Huai had been deceived or if he knew the examiner was Qin Wan. However, he was certain that the person he’d seen at the mortuary previously was undoubtedly Qin Wan. At the time, he’d only thought the slight figure was a small-built man, never considering the examiner might be a woman. Given both the current era and the history of the coroner profession, there has never been a female coroner. So it wasn’t surprising he hadn’t considered it – anyone would find it unthinkable!

Reflecting on this, Yan Qi felt a surge of anger stuck in his chest. He had been deceived! Deceived by Yan Chi and this young girl! Yan Qi clenched his fists, staring silently at Qin Wan.

Bai Feng stood nervously to the side, “Prince Cheng—”

Yan Qi waved his hand to stop Bai Feng’s words. Qin Wan showed no signs of panic, speaking calmly, “Prince Cheng, the case is what’s crucial now. Does it matter who examines the corpse?”

Yan Qi looked at Qin Wan with an ambiguous smile, suddenly feeling he couldn’t quite figure out this young girl. Setting aside how a young girl had learned forensic examination skills, if she was the one at the mortuary at that time, what about the Meng family case?

Yan Qi felt that too many things in the capital had happened without his knowledge, which was intolerable to him. Just as he was thinking this, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the tent again. Qin Wan’s gaze fixed, expecting the arrival to be Yan Chi, but when the tent flap lifted, the person who entered was Liu Yun!

Liu Yun entered the tent, startled to see Yan Qi, and even more shocked upon seeing Qin Wan. His eyes widened, “Why is Prince Cheng here?! And why is Ninth Young Lady here as well?! Wasn’t this supposed to be a corpse examination?!”

Prince Cheng, seeing Liu Yun’s reaction, said coolly, “Ninth Young Lady is the examiner.”

At these words, Liu Yun’s face showed even more disbelief!

“What?! Ninth Young Lady is the examiner?!”

Liu Yun looked at Qin Wan, who offered no denial, then at the haughty Yan Qi, and immediately furrowed his brows, “Why is Ninth Young Lady examining the corpse?! Are there no reliable coroners in the entire military camp? If you need an examination, fine, I’ll provide one, but this is no child’s play! The Emperor demanded the murderer be found within three days, and you let Ninth Young Lady examine the corpse?! Are the Emperor and the Crown Prince trying to delay time?”

Bai Feng wanted to speak but hesitated. Qin Wan gave him a look to stop him, though he didn’t understand why.

Qin Wan replied composedly, “Third Prince’s words are mistaken. The Emperor and Crown Prince take this case extremely seriously. Having me examine the corpse is not merely for show, and my examination is not unreliable!”

Liu Yun looked Qin Wan up and down. He knew she could treat illnesses, but he never imagined she could examine corpses!

Seeing Qin Wan standing properly beside the corpse without any fear, though Liu Yun had hidden doubts, he still felt it inappropriate. He frowned deeply and said, “Then please, Ninth Young Lady, come with me to see the Emperor. I want to ask him if he authorized you to examine the corpse, and I want to know what other exceptional skills you possess besides treating illnesses!”

Liu Yun turned around, lifting the tent flap with one motion, “Ninth Young Lady, please—”

Bai Feng was extremely anxious, but Qin Wan gave him a reassuring look before walking out. Seeing this, Liu Yun and Yan Qi followed. Just outside the tent, they saw Yan Chi hurrying over. Seeing Yan Qi and Liu Yun there, Yan Chi realized Qin Wan’s identity had been exposed. However, looking at Qin Wan, her expression showed no panic; instead, her eyes held a glimmer of light when looking at Yan Chi, as if Yan Qi’s arrival had aligned with her plans.

Understanding this, Yan Chi did not attempt to stop them. Liu Yun said, “Now that the Crown Prince is here, let’s all go confront the Emperor together! Crown Prince, why didn’t you mention earlier that the examiner was Ninth Young Lady?!”

Yan Chi remained silent with cold eyes, and Liu Yun dared not be more impertinent, immediately striding toward Yan Huai’s main tent.

With several nobles and Qin Wan walking together, and Liu Yun still fuming with anger, the scene immediately caught the attention of nearby guards. The guards passed the word, and by the time Qin Wan entered Yan Huai’s tent, news had reached the Empress Dowager.

Chen Mama finished reporting to the Empress Dowager, who exclaimed in surprise, “What? That Western Liang Third Prince is picking on Ninth Girl?”

Chen Mama nodded, “Yes, Empress Dowager, he stormed angrily toward the Emperor’s tent!”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately stood up, “Come, let’s go see what that boy is up to!”

Chen Mama hurriedly supported the Empress Dowager as they walked out. Just outside the tent, they saw Empress Zhao Shuhua bringing Crown Prince Yan Che to pay respects. Seeing them, the Empress Dowager said impatiently, “No need for formal greetings, Ninth Girl is being bullied, I must see what’s happening…”

Zhao Shuhua didn’t know what had happened, while Yan Che frowned slightly with unease. Yan Che quickly said, “Mother Empress, then let’s go see what’s happening?”

Zhao Shuhua hurriedly took the Empress Dowager’s hand as they went toward Yan Huai’s main tent.

Just as they reached the tent entrance, they heard voices from inside. Liu Yun was saying angrily, “Does Your Majesty’s entourage truly have no one capable of examining corpses?! Why must Ninth Young Lady do the examination?!”

The tent flap lifted as the Empress Dowager entered with a stern face, demanding, “What’s this about having Ninth Girl examine corpses?!”

Seeing the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Crown Prince arrive, Yan Huai’s composed expression slightly changed. He quickly rose, saying, “Mother, why have you come?”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, “Continue with your business, I’ll just listen. I hear Ninth Girl is being accused of wrongdoing?”

Yan Huai quickly had seats arranged while smiling bitterly, “It’s not wrongdoing.”

After the Empress Dowager sat, she continued, “But I heard the Third Prince mention examining corpses when I came in. What’s this about corpses? Did Ninth Girl examine corpses?”

Yan Huai hesitated to speak, while Liu Yun smiled and said, “Empress Dowager doesn’t know? In General Fu’s case, Crown Prince Yan Chi had Ninth Young Lady examine the corpse…”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes widened as she turned to look at Yan Chi. In her mind, corpse examination was something only coroners did, and coroners were of low status. How could Yan Chi have Qin Wan examine corpses?!

“Yan Chi, what’s going on? Are there no other people in the camp now? Having Ninth Girl help with treating illnesses is one thing! But how could you have her examine corpses?!”

Yan Chi’s lips tightened, unsure how to answer. Seeing that this matter could no longer be hidden, Yan Huai smiled bitterly and said, “Mother, we didn’t choose Ninth Girl because we had no choice. It’s because Ninth Girl’s skills in examining corpses and solving cases are exceptional. No one in the camp can match her, and even in Lin’an City, none can surpass her.”

The Empress Dowager was first concerned for Qin Wan, but hearing Yan Huai’s words, her heart jumped in shock, “Your Majesty, what do you mean? Has Ninth Girl examined corpses before?!”

Qin Wan had already accomplished great deeds, and saving the Empress Dowager was just one of them. Now that things couldn’t be hidden anymore, Qin Wan would face who knows how much criticism for this matter. He looked at Qin Wan, “Ninth Girl, how do you wish to answer the Empress Dowager?”

At this point, what else could be said?

Though it was unavoidable, Yan Huai still wanted to see Qin Wan’s attitude.

Qin Wan raised her head, her gaze clear and sharp, “Naturally, I should answer truthfully.”

“Answer truthfully?” Yan Huai’s voice deepened, “Have you considered the consequences?”

Qin Wan nodded, “This commoner knows the consequences.” After a slight pause, Qin Wan continued slowly, “However, this commoner believes that while coroners may be of low status, their work seeks justice for the dead, establishing fairness and righteousness for heaven, earth, and the common people. In criminal cases, their role is as important as the chief officials of the Ministry of Justice who try cases. How can such an important position be shunned by society merely because it involves touching the bodies of the dead? Previously, this commoner’s thinking was narrow, but now this commoner understands clearly. Physicians save lives and are respected by all; coroners speak for the dead, investigate clues to clear wronged souls, and catch criminals to uphold justice – shouldn’t they also be respected by all? If so, what about this commoner’s previous actions cannot be told to the world?”

She paused briefly before continuing, “This commoner has not only done no wrong but has accomplished meritorious deeds. Since this is so, why should there be hesitation and concern?! The ancients said that those who serve in court should establish principles for heaven and earth, secure the welfare of the people, continue the lost teachings of past sages, and establish peace for all generations. Though this commoner is a woman, I too have the heart to support heaven and stand on earth. If men can be coroners, why can’t women?”

Though Qin Wan’s voice wasn’t passionate, every word carried an unyielding spirit. She stood straight as bamboo, emanating an unbending pride. This simple speech stunned everyone in the tent!

Yan Huai looked at Qin Wan with deep concentration for a moment before suddenly laughing. Meanwhile, Liu Yun came to his senses and looked at Qin Wan with confusion, “Why does Ninth Young Lady speak such grand words? After all, Ninth Young Lady is just a woman. How could you have learned the art of examining corpses? How many bodies have you examined, how many cases have you handled?”

Liu Yun’s words echoed the doubts of others who didn’t know the full story. Zhao Shuhua looked at Qin Wan’s profile with skepticism, raising an eyebrow. She knew clearly that Qin Wan was the daughter of the Qin family, who had merely returned to the capital from Jinzhou. What could be so remarkable about this young girl that she spoke with such righteous fervor?

Yan Qi narrowed his eyes, not daring to underestimate her. He had already felt his knowledge was lacking, and hearing Qin Wan speak this way, he felt even more strongly that there was much he didn’t know, especially after seeing the admiration on Yan Huai’s face.

Meanwhile, Yan Che looked at Qin Wan, also feeling shocked.

He only knew that Qin Wan had helped him solve the serial rape and murder case in Lin’an City, but didn’t know about her previous experiences. He knew she had contributed to the Meng family case, but had she handled other cases before these?

Thinking this, Yan Che looked at Yan Chi, who had known Qin Wan the longest.

After a moment of silence in the tent, Yan Huai finally spoke with deep meaning, “Third Prince need not be anxious. Having Qin Wan help examine the corpse should reassure you. The serial cases in Lin’an City, and the murder case in the Meng family – were all solved with Qin Wan’s help in examining the corpses. Not only that, but the Qin family case in Jinzhou, and the famous doctor murder case at Cloud Mist Mountain in Yuanzhou – all had their truths uncovered through Qin Wan’s examination and investigation. Furthermore, even the great gold robbery case in Yuzhou was solved when Qin Wan helped examine the corpses, revealing that the murderer from back then had become a wealthy local power. These are all Qin Wan’s achievements. Concerned for her reputation, We have not yet rewarded her for these contributions. Now that you all question her abilities, We shall let you know just how remarkable Qin Wan is!”

After Yan Huai finished speaking, everyone in the tent was shocked!

Liu Yun only heard these strange case names and didn’t know how complex these cases were, but Yan Che and Yan Qi were different, and even Zhao Shuhua and Empress Dowager knew roughly what these cases entailed!

The Jinzhou and Yuanzhou cases were one thing, but the Yuzhou case had dragged on for over ten years!

This old case was connected to an old grudge of the Northwestern Army – whether it was solved or not had major implications. No one had imagined that this case would also solved with Qin Wan’s help. The Empress Dowager finally came to her senses and quickly looked at Yan Chi, “Yan Chi, the gold robbery case was under your jurisdiction. Was it Ninth Girl who helped?”

Yan Chi turned around and nodded, “Grandmother, it was indeed Ninth Young Lady. At that time, the Yuzhou prefecture’s coroner had gone elsewhere to examine a corpse. In the emergency, the Ninth Young Lady stepped in to help. Later, the case was solved thanks to Ninth Young Lady.”

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, “Ninth Girl, why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Her tone carried both blame and tenderness. Qin Wan lowered her eyes, “Previously, this commoner thought this matter would mostly invite criticism, so I worked quietly without publicity. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager reached out to Qin Wan, “Good child, come here…”

Qin Wan stepped forward to the Empress Dowager’s side. The Empress Dowager, who had once harbored heroic military ambitions in her youth, now looking at Qin Wan, not only didn’t find her involvement with these matters inauspicious but felt Qin Wan’s image suddenly grow more magnificent, “You’re so young, yet capable of such great deeds. Ninth Girl, I truly failed to recognize a pearl before my eyes!”

Before Qin Wan could speak, Yan Huai had already said, “Previously, due to Qin Wan’s status, this matter was unknown to all. Now that it has been revealed, We cannot fail to reward her previous merits. Qin Wan, have you thought it through?”

Qin Wan turned around, “Your Majesty, wait until this case is solved before rewarding me.”