HomeCoroner's DiaryChapter 184: A Fight Between Nobles Leads to Death

Chapter 184: A Fight Between Nobles Leads to Death

Upon entering Lin’an City, it was already late. Qin Yan rode his horse next to Qin Wan’s carriage and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Before Qin Wan could reply, Qin Shuang already complained, “I’m truly quite hungry.”

Qin Yan smiled from outside, “Would you like to go to Zui Xiang Tower?”

Qin Shuang immediately lifted the curtain with a “swoosh” and asked excitedly, “What’s Zui Xiang Tower?”

Qin Yan smiled but before he could answer, his attendant Cheng Hu couldn’t help saying, “Sixth Young Lady, Zui Xiang Tower is one of the top restaurants in the capital. Their Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish is the best in the city.”

Since returning to the capital, Qin Yan’s attendants had changed from Zhou Huai to several of his trusted men, with Cheng Hu being one of them. Cheng Hu had an upright and lively appearance that immediately made people feel at ease. Upon hearing about the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish, Qin Shuang’s mouth watered, and she eagerly looked at Qin Yan, “Third Brother will take us there?”

Qin Yan smiled at Qin Shuang, then glanced at Qin Wan inside. Seeing that Qin Wan seemed indifferent about going, he nodded and then ordered the Qin family guards behind them to return and inform Madam Hu.

Qin Shuang was overjoyed, feeling that coming out with Qin Wan was the right decision.

As the guard rode off to deliver the message, Qin Yan led the remaining few people and two carriages north along the city’s main road. Qin Shuang knew Qin Yan wanted to show them around, and she felt grateful. Soon, the carriages neared the capital’s bustling market area. Qin Shuang lifted the curtain to look outside, seeing crowds of people shoulder to shoulder, while shops and stalls on both sides of the street were already selling New Year goods. The prosperous capital was right before their eyes, with the festive New Year atmosphere growing stronger. While Qin Shuang was excitedly chatting with Qin Wan, Qin Wan’s thoughts weren’t focused on the capital’s liveliness.

After another half hour, the Qin family carriages slowly stopped in front of a three-story restaurant. As soon as the carriages stopped, a waiter from the restaurant came forward to greet them, “Greetings to Young Master! It feels like it’s been eight hundred years since we’ve seen Young Master—”

These words revealed that Qin Yan was a regular customer here. Qin Yan wasn’t standoffish with servants, and after dismounting, he instructed, “I’ve brought two sisters for a meal. We need your best private room on the third floor.”

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately complied. Some led the horses, others held open curtains – everything was handled with utmost care.

Qin Shuang happily got down from the carriage, and the waiter, upon seeing her, repeatedly offered greetings. Qin Wan was the last to exit the carriage, and when she appeared, the curtain-holding waiter was momentarily stunned, taking until Qin Wan was almost at the door to react. He hurriedly offered greetings and led Qin Yan’s group inside and upstairs. Though it wasn’t yet mealtime, the main hall was already full. When Qin Wan’s group entered, various gazes turned toward them. Qin Yan quickly stepped forward to shield Qin Wan and Qin Shuang, and the three siblings went directly to the third floor.

“Young Master, please enter—”

After reaching the third floor and turning left, they walked about ten steps to reach a private room. The waiter was respectful and enthusiastic. When Qin Wan’s group entered, they saw the room was decorated with exceptional elegance. Being street-facing, the half-open windows offered an excellent view. When the waiter was about to pour tea, Qin Yan said, “That’s enough, you may go. Someone here will serve us. Just bring the dishes according to my usual order.”

The waiter complied and left, closing the door.

Once the waiter left, Qin Shuang completely relaxed. While having Wan Qing prepare tea, she asked, “Third Brother, do you come here often?”

Qin Yan nodded and walked to the window, pushing it completely open. “The taste here is indeed the best in the capital. You’ll know once you try it. If you like it, you can come often in the future.”

Since leaving Jin Zhou, Qin Yan has been very attentive to Qin Wan and Qin Shuang. Originally, he wasn’t bad to Qin Xiang either, but after the Hundred Herbs Garden incident, Qin Xiang became someone who disregarded propriety and faced Qin Yan’s mind. He had intended to teach Qin Xiang a lesson, but unexpectedly, Qin Xiang herself began growing distant from them. As a result, Qin Yan’s affection for this sister diminished, while he grew closer to Qin Shuang and Qin Wan. Qin Wan needed no explanation, and though Qin Shuang might not be greatly useful and was impulsive and outspoken, her straightforward and lively nature made outings with her quite entertaining.

Qin Shuang looked at Qin Yan with both reverence and eagerness to please. “Third Brother is so good to us. This is my first time eating at such a fine place. Thank you, Third Brother.”

Seeing Qin Shuang like this, Qin Yan felt quite pleased. However, when he glanced at Qin Wan, she remained expressionless.

Qin Wan wasn’t particularly interested in food, and at this moment, she was only thinking about Qin Yan’s earlier departure.

Besides meeting the Prefecture Magistrate, Qin Yan also met Li Mu Yun. Why did he need to meet Li Mu Yun?

Just as she was pondering this, she noticed Qin Yan’s gaze on her. Sure enough, Qin Yan asked, “What’s wrong, Ninth Sister?”

Qin Wan shifted her gaze and decided to ask directly, “Third Brother when you went to see the Prefecture Magistrate earlier, was it about the case in the city?”

Qin Yan showed slight surprise, “So that’s what you were thinking about. Indeed, I thought you might be more interested in these matters.” He paused, then shook his head with a smile, “But it wasn’t about the city’s case. I currently hold no official position, so I can’t get involved in cases.”

Qin Wan maintained a neutral expression, “Then has there been any progress in the city’s case?”

Qin Yan’s smile faded, “I don’t know the details, but the murderer hasn’t been caught yet, that’s for certain.” Then he added, “So if you want to go out these days, come find me. Don’t go out alone under any circumstances.”

Qin Wan nodded, unsure how to continue asking. She couldn’t say she had seen Li Mu Yun – Li Mu Yun was the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicature and Revision, a third-rank official in charge of criminal cases throughout the realm. How could a young girl like her claim to know and recognize him?

Moreover, even if Li Mu Yun had come, the Prefecture Magistrate’s meeting with Qin Yan might not necessarily be about the city’s case.

Since Qin Yan said he didn’t know, he probably truly didn’t know the details.

Seeing Qin Wan still deep in thought, Qin Yan decided to say, “Ninth Sister, now that you’re in the capital, just focus on being a young lady of the Marquis’s household. Those bloody matters have nothing to do with a young lady like yourself. Ah, that day when I saw you performing an autopsy at the Marquis’s mansion, I felt… if you hadn’t been sent to Jin Zhou back then, you probably wouldn’t have gotten involved in such things.”

Qin Yan’s eyes darkened slightly as he spoke, his tone full of pity, as if he felt Qin Wan had suffered a great injustice by performing such tasks.

Qin Wan looked at Qin Yan’s expression and felt slightly moved, but then gave a bitter smile, “It’s not a problem. Those who study medicine have to see blood when treating people with severed limbs anyway, it’s the same thing.”

“How can it be the same? Dead people are inauspicious.”

Qin Yan spoke earnestly, and Qin Wan’s lips moved, wanting to say something but holding back, unsure what to say. She instinctively looked toward Qin Shuang, who was nodding vigorously in agreement. Qin Wan sighed, feeling somewhat warmed by their concern.

“I understand this principle, don’t worry. I don’t want to deal with dead people all the time either, but if I encounter situations where I’m needed in the future, I won’t stand idly by.”

Qin Yan finally smiled, “Ninth Sister’s thoughts are indeed different from other young ladies.”

Before Qin Wan could respond, there was a knock on the private room’s door, and a waiter called from outside, “Young Master, your dishes are ready.”

Qin Yan gestured for Qin Wan and Qin Shuang to be seated, then called for the waiter to enter. Two waiters came in carrying a large tray with several dishes that looked, smelled, and presumably tasted excellent. After the waiters arranged everything and brought a pot of plum wine, they withdrew. Qin Shuang had been hungry for a while, and being in front of Qin Yan meant she didn’t need to be reserved, so she immediately started using her chopsticks.

Influenced by Qin Shuang, Qin Wan and Qin Yan also began eating. As a regular customer, Qin Yan explained the history of each dish, and the three siblings enjoyed their meal pleasantly. After a while, there was another knock on the door, and this time the waiter brought in Zui Xiang Tower’s “signature dish” – Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Qin Shuang’s eyes lit up as she looked at the large bowl of fragrant soup, and she couldn’t wait to try it once the waiter left. Qin Wan watched her with amusement. The delicious food, combined with the growing sibling closeness between her, Qin Shuang, and Qin Yan, helped dispel much of the gloom Qin Wan had felt after paying respects to Master and Madam Qin—

Just as they were enjoying their meal, suddenly, several faint angry shouts rang out!

Both Qin Wan and Qin Yan were quick to react. Qin Yan put down his chopsticks, “Stay here, don’t move. I’ll go take a look.”

Qin Wan nodded, and Qin Yan left the room. Qin Shuang, having finished her meal and tea, wiped her lips, had another cup of tea, and then curiously listened to the commotion outside. As she listened, the noise grew louder and louder.

“What’s going on? Why hasn’t Third Brother returned?”

Qin Yan had only said he’d go look, and if it was an unrelated matter, he would have returned immediately. However, he had been gone for quite a while. Qin Wan frowned slightly, “Let’s go take a look too.”

Qin Shuang was already restless, and upon hearing this, immediately went out with Qin Wan.

The two turned right after leaving the room and had just reached the stair railing when they froze. The main hall, which had been full of guests, was now empty except for two groups facing off against each other. One group wore gray brocade robes, led by a white-robed young man who wore a cold smile and showed signs of intoxication. This young man had narrow eyes, now showing a hint of vicious killing intent as he looked contemptuously at those opposite him.

The group facing him wore deep blue brocade robes, led by a man in lake-blue martial attire. He was tall and straight, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He stood properly upright, chin slightly raised, with anger flashing in his eyes. Not only did he stand straight and proper, but the people behind him, though all showing anger, also stood perfectly straight, immediately reminding Qin Wan of military warriors.

The two groups seemed to have already fought once, as the hall’s tables and chairs were all overturned.

The waiters and workers hid to the side, not daring to approach. Someone who appeared to be the manager kept bowing and pleading, “Sirs, please show mercy. You both came to dine, why destroy the harmony—”

Qin Wan’s gaze swept across the scene. She saw that the white-robed man’s side had fifteen or sixteen people, including three or four richly dressed young men besides the white-robed leader, with the rest being gray-clothed attendants. The blue-robed man’s side had only half as many people, but the six or seven men behind the blue-robed leader were all strong and straight-backed, clearly not ordinary guards.

Despite the manager’s continuous pleas, neither side showed any sign of backing down. Suddenly, the white-robed man gave a cold laugh and said mockingly, “I never expected the son of the Supporting State General to be so formidable upon his return, making us common folk afraid to even eat. The Northern Garrison Army is indeed impressive, truly frightening—”

The white-robed man’s expression was exaggerated and his tone sarcastic, full of mockery and provocation that immediately made people dislike him. What surprised Qin Wan more was that this was the same person they had encountered when entering the city yesterday.

Just as this thought settled, the blue-robed man let out a cold laugh, “Feng Zhang, if you’re not satisfied, speak with your fists. Stop this sarcastic nonsense. As the heir to Duke Zhong’s household, with the Duke outside and Prince Cheng and Noble Consort Su inside, no one dares to control you even if you walk sideways, so why make such grandiose claims here?! Be a real man, not a worthless drunk!”

Feng Zhang… Qin Wan’s heart stirred, so he was indeed surnamed Feng…

Hearing these words, Feng Zhang gave another series of cold laughs, “Fists? Even if Duke Zhong’s household is powerful, it can’t compare to the Crown Prince and Empress’s influence. Moreover, the Zhao family has a hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops. If Young Master Zhao is displeased, how could Duke Zhong’s household fight against a hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops? Forget it, forget it, what is Duke Zhong’s household compared to your Supporting State General’s mansion…”

Feng Zhang waved his hand as he spoke, “You all saw that? In the future, when you meet the Zhao family’s eldest young master, walk around him. Duke Zhong’s household fears no one except the Supporting State General’s mansion. We don’t have their hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops—”

As Feng Zhang spoke, he ordered his men to retreat. Zhao Jing frowned deeply upon hearing this, “The Zhao family is the Zhao family, the Empress is the Empress, and the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Feng Zhang gave a light laugh, “The Northern Garrison Army is surnamed Zhao, and the Empress is also surnamed Zhao, do I need to say more?”

Zhao Jing clenched his fists tightly, “You were already disrespectful to my father earlier, and now you dare to speak like this? The Northern Garrison Army is Great Zhou’s Northern Garrison Army, it is His Majesty’s Northern Garrison Army. Bringing up the Empress, what are you implying?”

Feng Zhang smiled lazily, “In court, who doesn’t know what’s going on with your Zhao family’s Northern Garrison Army— If you don’t believe me, go out and ask around, ask them if what I’m saying is true or not… This Northern Garrison Army has taken the Zhao surname, how is it still Great Zhou’s Northern Garrison Army—”

With the topic turning to the Empress and Crown Prince, even the Zui Xiang Tower’s manager didn’t dare mediate further. The surrounding servants wished they were deaf and couldn’t hear anything – who would dare engage with Feng Zhang’s words? Zhao Jing’s fists made cracking sounds as he clenched them tight. Looking at Feng Zhang’s face full of provocation and arrogance, he finally couldn’t hold back. He pointed and shouted, “You worthless scoundrel, spewing filth from your mouth! Attack them—”

As these words fell, Feng Zhang let out another cold laugh. Seeing Zhao Jing’s men charging forward, the drunken look on his face instantly disappeared as he took three steps back. “You asked for this fight.” A sinister expression flashed across his face as he ordered, “Beat them! Beat them hard!”

In an instant, the tense situation erupted into chaos. The warriors behind Zhao Jing were all military men, but they had come unarmed. They charged forward with bare fists. Though Feng Zhang’s gray-robed attendants weren’t as strong or tall as the men in blue, Qin Wan, watching from the third floor, could see a cold glint flash from their sleeves as they met the charge – they had come prepared with hidden weapons!

Just as she was thinking this, a muffled cry rang out. The two groups locked in combat froze and turned around. They saw a gray-robed attendant’s short dagger buried deep in a blue-robed warrior’s chest!

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