Huo Ning emerged from the funeral home drenched in cold sweat. Night had fallen, and an eerie wind swept through the building. He had no desire to linger there a moment longer. To prevent Song Rou’s corpse from decaying too rapidly, the modest funeral home was filled with ice blocks. Despite this, after several days, the side hall where Song Rou lay was overwhelmed with the stench of decay…

“Whew… This is unbearable, it’s revolting!”

Huo Ning brushed his sleeves as if attempting to rid himself of the mortuary stench.

His servants Fei Quan and Nan Feng – one holding an incense ball and the other a fan, both fumigating and fanning – watched him with deep concern.

Both Fei Quan and Nan Feng were named after ancient zithers, as Huo Ning, being fond of refinement and musical arts, had named all his attendants after musical instruments. He also had two personal maids named Du You and Lü Qi.

“Young Master is working too hard, making another special trip here. If Madam knew, she would be heartbroken. Young Master, let’s return to the mansion quickly. Let Lü Qi assist you with bathing, then have a bowl of Du You’s specially prepared purifying soup.”

Fei Quan spoke with genuine concern, though his fear was equally evident. He had tried his utmost to avoid looking at the corpse, but even the few accidental glances he caught had nearly frightened his soul from his body. He couldn’t comprehend why his Young Master had suddenly decided to involve himself in Master’s case.

Huo Ning coughed lightly and swatted away the incense ball in Fei Quan’s hand. “Keep that away! That’s what the courtesans at Spring Fragrance House use. Why would you use such a thing on me?!”

Fei Quan smiled bitterly, “Young Master, only this can mask the odor on you. Though the fragrance may be a bit vulgar, it’s still preferable to your current state!”

Already dizzy from the mortuary stench, Huo Ning now felt his stomach churning from the pungent powder fragrance. He glared at Fei Quan, “Your Young Master is a man of dignity, what use has he for such things?! Away with you!”

He stepped forward but didn’t depart, instead gazing down the long street.

Fei Quan sheepishly tucked away the incense ball while Nan Feng stepped up beside Huo Ning and looked around. “Young Master, what are you waiting for? It’s growing dark, shouldn’t we return to the mansion?”

Huo Ning snorted, “I’m waiting for someone!”

Nan Feng and Fei Quan exchanged glances, and Nan Feng asked in surprise, “Who might Young Master be waiting for?”

“I’m waiting for Coroner Xu. We agreed he would conduct another examination today.”

Nan Feng and Fei Quan trembled with shock. Fei Quan could barely speak, “Young Master, you… you’re going to observe Coroner Xu’s examination? Young Master, does Master know of this? Does Madam know?”

Huo Ning lifted his chin, “Mother need not know of men’s official business. As for Father… I’ll inform him once I have results.” He turned to glare at them, “You two, keep your mouths sealed!”

Fei Quan and Nan Feng’s faces fell as they tearfully agreed.

Just then, a thin figure appeared running at the end of the long street.

Xu He was of medium height but extremely thin. Like a slender bamboo pole, he carried a large case of tools that made his running appear labored and awkward. Watching him, Huo Ning’s brows furrowed deeply. Since the death of the old coroner at the Prefect’s Office six months ago, this new coroner had taken his place. The new coroner had previously worked in a small county office under Jin Zhou’s jurisdiction and was said to have handled few cases. Seeing him struggle just to run while carrying his case, Huo Ning doubted his competence.

Huo Ning sighed. There were no other options. Coroners were considered lowly officials who relied on skill and experience. Given Xu He’s youth and limited case experience, his abilities were questionable.

If only the old coroner hadn’t died of illness.

As Huo Ning pondered this, Xu He arrived, out of breath.

“Young Master, I… I’ve arrived…”

Huo Ning glanced at him impatiently, raising his chin. “Why are you so late?!”

Xu He bent over and smiled apologetically, “This humble one was organizing old documents at the Prefect’s Office, which caused the delay. Young Master, shall we begin the examination now?”

Huo Ning exhaled, glancing at the dim funeral home, thoroughly reluctant to enter.

“You go in and examine. I’ll wait here.”

Xu He’s lips trembled at these words. Though lanterns could be lit inside, he felt uneasy about entering alone in the growing darkness. Yet as he considered this, an image flashed through his mind – a figure even more delicate than himself, standing composed and steady before dissected corpses.

Xu He straightened his chest, “Very well, please wait, Young Master…”

With that, he walked toward the dark main hall.

Huo Ning raised an eyebrow, “Interesting. He appears timid and weak, yet shows unexpected courage.”

Fei Quan sighed, “Young Master, he is a coroner after all. They deal with the dead regularly. To them, seeing pale corpses must be like looking at pork…”

Huo Ning kicked at Fei Quan, “Watch your words! With just a wall between us, you dare compare it to pork… Beware she doesn’t visit you tonight.” As he spoke, Huo Ning gritted his teeth to suppress the rising acid in his stomach.

Fei Quan, startled by Huo Ning’s words, covered his mouth and repeatedly bowed toward the inner hall, “This humble one was wrong, so wrong, I shouldn’t speak carelessly, please don’t visit me, please don’t…”

Ignoring Fei Quan, Huo Ning looked at Nan Feng, “Go see what he’s doing.”

Though Nan Feng was reluctant, Huo Ning’s sharp glance compelled him to enter.

Nan Feng went in quickly and returned even faster, gasping for air before reporting, “He’s burning medicinal herbs. The smell inside has lessened considerably. I observed that Coroner Xu has a complete set of tools and appears quite professional. Young Master, there’s hope!”

Huo Ning nodded, “That’s more like it. At least the office hasn’t wasted resources on him!”

Nan Feng continued fanning as the three stood at the funeral home entrance, each with different expressions as they watched the last light fade from the sky. Half an hour later, footsteps sounded from within.

Fei Quan and Nan Feng were startled and turned to see Xu He emerging with his case, his face pale.

Huo Ning hurriedly asked, “Well? Did you discover any new clues?”

On the cool autumn night, Xu He wiped cold sweat from his brow and said grimly, “Young Master, basically it’s still… well, still the same as before… Time of death was five days ago, cause of death is…”

“Enough, enough!” Huo Ning waved his hand to interrupt, “I’ve read your report dozens of times! But what’s written there is something any outsider could determine. Miss Song was decapitated, so naturally that’s the cause of death, and the time of death is the day she arrived in Jin Zhou. As a professional coroner, can’t you find anything useful for the case?”

Huo Ning was extremely impatient. Many days had passed, and this was his first time so focused on an official matter, yet despite days of investigation, there were no results. This left him frustrated and agitated!

Xu He looked ashamed but continued steadily, “This humble one’s skills are inadequate. Young Master, please don’t be angry…”

Huo Ning, already irritated, grew even more vexed seeing his demeanor!

“It’s been five days since the incident. Besides these facts that everyone knows, the Prefect’s Office hasn’t uncovered a single piece of unknown information. Miss Song’s head must be found. If people from the Duke’s mansion come to hold Prefect Yue accountable, you’ll be the first to face severe punishment. As a coroner, you’ve contributed nothing. I truly don’t know what use you are…”

Huo Ning was furious, seemingly venting his anger on Xu He. But as Xu He listened and nodded with shame and humility, Huo Ning felt like he was punching cotton, leaving him feeling powerless. Just as he was too frustrated to continue berating him, Xu He suddenly raised his head, “Young Master, to solve this case, we might need to invite an expert to help—”

Huo Ning started, “What expert?”

Xu He’s eyes flickered as he lowered his head. Both Yue Qiong and Huo Huai Xin had instructed him not to reveal Miss Qin’s examination of the corpse. However, facing Huo Ning and for the sake of solving the case, he still mentioned it. Yet he couldn’t speak too directly – whether to invite the expert or whether they could secure their help wasn’t his decision to make. But if they didn’t try, the case might remain stagnant for ten days or half a month.

Taking a deep breath, Xu He cautiously said, “There’s an expert in Jin Zhou City who knows how to examine corpses. The Prefect knows this person. Young Master, since you’re eager to solve the case, perhaps you could ask the Prefect.”

Hearing this, Huo Ning’s eyes immediately brightened. As a coroner, Xu He would naturally know about retired old coroners. He frowned and snorted, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

With those words, he immediately strode down the long street with his two servants.

Xu He stood in the cold, gloomy wind at the funeral home entrance and exhaled.

He had heard rumors while entering and leaving the Prefect’s rear courtyard about the Ninth Miss of the Qin family jumping into the river because of Huo Ning. He wondered what expression this proud Young Master would make if he knew this expert was none other than the Ninth Miss of the Qin family.