“He left with a young man?” Yan Qi’s brows furrowed deeply.

“Yes, the servants reported that he left with a young man dressed in white,” the attendant replied.

Hearing the attendant’s words, Yan Qi’s eyes darkened. Today was already the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, with only two days remaining. He had anticipated that the Crown Prince’s faction would make some move in these final days, and it proved to be as he expected.

“Where did they go?” Yan Qi suddenly asked again.

The attendant quickly responded, “We don’t know yet. Our people are following them, and will report immediately if there’s any news.”

Yan Qi nodded, his eyes deep in thought for a moment before suddenly asking, “The Fourth Young Master of the Marquis Manor hasn’t returned yet, has he?”

The attendant confirmed, “Not yet. Currently, only Young Master Qin is the only young master present at the Marquis Manor.”

“Then… have there been any other guests at the Marquis Manor these days?”

The attendant shook his head, “None that we can see openly, but we don’t know about anyone hidden.”

Yan Qi gave a cold laugh. This hidden element was exactly what he feared. His people had already destroyed several key pieces of evidence. In these final days or two, what could Zheng Baishi discover? And if the Marquis Manor wanted to help the Crown Prince, what kind of person would they find to turn the tide?

After pondering for a while without reaching any conclusions, Yan Qi recalled his speculation from yesterday.

Could it be that the Marquis Manor had found someone to take the blame as the murderer?!

At this thought, Yan Qi’s eyes immediately darkened. Indeed, it wasn’t impossible, and who would suspect the Marquis Manor’s involvement?

As Yan Qi was thinking, the attendant soon returned with new information.

“Master, Young Master Qin has taken someone to the Funeral Home in the South of the city!”

“The Funeral Home?!” Yan Qi immediately stood up, unable to remain seated. He looked at the attendant with furrowed brows, “Are you certain? They went to the Funeral Home? How many people in total?”

“Young Master Qin went with that young man, but Magistrate Zheng and Loyal and Brave Marquis are also there.”

Yan Qi’s eyes immediately darkened. What kind of major event would require both Magistrate Zheng and Marquis Qin Shu to be present?

“Keep a close watch on them, see when they come out!”

The attendant left with his orders, and Yan Qi stood for a moment before sitting down again. The Crown Prince was clearly facing defeat, could he still turn things around? Yan Qi’s brows furrowed deeper – he would absolutely not give the Crown Prince any chance to recover.

…

…

The winter morning’s cold wind cut to the bone. Qin Wan hadn’t worn a cloak when she left today, and even sitting in the carriage, she felt her hands and feet growing cold. When she lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, she saw that today’s sky was overcast, seemingly portending snow. Qin Wan narrowed her eyes – it seemed this New Year would be extremely cold.

“Father and Magistrate Zheng are waiting at the Funeral Home. Just examine the bodies as you usually would, there’s no need to be nervous.”

Qin Yan offered reassurance, and Qin Wan turned to ask, “What kind of murder case is this? You mentioned earlier that there was more than one death?”

Qin Yan’s lips tightened slightly, hesitating for a moment. “I couldn’t tell you earlier, but now that you’re going to examine the bodies, I shouldn’t keep it from you. In this case… all the victims were women. Three have died so far, and before death, they were all… they were all raped. The first death was a month and a half ago, the second was a month ago, and the most recent was half a month ago.”

Qin Wan’s heart trembled, but she understood why Qin Yan had concealed this. Her brows furrowed as her expression grew serious.

A month and a half, a month, half a month – even the most recent body was from half a month ago. The longer the time, the more the bodies would decompose, and with decomposition, there would be very little evidence to examine. Qin Wan’s brows knitted tightly together.

Qin Yan sighed, “I heard from Magistrate Zheng that all three young ladies were in their teens, and all were engaged. The earliest was to be married after New Year in early spring, and the latest by summer next year. Yet at such a crucial time, something like this happened.”

Qin Wan’s heart sank again. “Is there anything else known?”

Qin Yan shook his head, “That’s all I know. Previously, this case had no connection to the Marquis Manor, so neither Father nor I paid much attention to it.” His expression turned solemn, “This case falls under the Crown Prince’s jurisdiction. The Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to solve it before New Year’s Eve, but it’s already the twenty-ninth of the twelfth month, and the case won’t be solved. Yesterday, Magistrate Zheng and Minister Li of the Court of Judicial Review came to the Marquis Manor and brought up this matter again. I spoke hastily and recommended you. Ninth Sister, do you blame me?”

Qin Yan had clearly wanted to help the Crown Prince out of his predicament. Qin Wan understood and shook her head, “How could I? You know me, I’ve always had some interest in these matters. Examining corpses is like practicing medicine to me – the only difference is that medicine helps the living while examining corpses helps the dead. Helping their spirits rest in peace is also a way of accumulating virtue and blessing.”

Qin Yan relaxed slightly, “That’s well said. I just wanted to be honest with you. Don’t feel pressured – it doesn’t matter whether you can find anything this time or not.”

Qin Wan nodded, falling silent for a moment. The carriage moved slowly forward, and after about the time it took to drink two cups of tea, the carriage gradually came to a stop.

“We’re here—”

Qin Yan got out of the carriage first. When Qin Wan emerged, Qin Yan helped steady her. Qin Wan looked up, and her expression showed a hint of recognition – she had been to this Funeral Home in the South of the city before.

Compared to the Funeral Home in Jin Zhou, this South City Funeral Home in the capital appeared particularly spacious and grand. However, being a place where the dead were kept, no matter how magnificent the buildings might be, no one would like such a place.

This Funeral Home was located in the southeastern corner of the South City, considered the most remote area of the entire imperial city. The surrounding area was inhabited by poor people, and on the street where the Funeral Home stood, there were hardly any decent houses, let alone inhabitants.

At this moment, the long street in front of the Funeral Home was desolate, with only two guards standing at the entrance, apparently waiting for Qin Yan and Qin Wan. As soon as they arrived, the guards came forward, “Young Master, the Magistrate, and the Marquis are waiting inside.”

Qin Yan nodded and walked up the steps with Qin Wan.

After taking just two steps, Qin Wan instinctively looked back. Qin Yan, noticing this, also paused and turned, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Qin Wan stared at the path they had come from without speaking. Somehow, she had just felt as if someone was watching them.

However, now she could only see a deserted, desolate street. Qin Wan shook her head, “Nothing.”

Qin Yan nodded, and they entered the main gate of the Funeral Home together.

Although the buildings here were more spacious and grand than the Jin Zhou Funeral Home, upon entering, that characteristic chill of a place housing the dead still hit them. After walking a few more steps inside, the pungent smell of incense became even stronger.

Qin Wan walked slowly, looking at the desolate courtyard before her with a somewhat dazed expression.

Although since coming to the capital, her father had rarely let her participate in corpse examinations, there was still that one time when her father had brought her here.

More than two years had passed in the blink of an eye, yet this Funeral Home hadn’t changed at all.

After passing through the main gate and the desolate, bleak courtyard, before they even entered the main door, Qin Wan could see five or six people standing inside.

Seeing them arrive, the people inside came out to meet them.

Qin Shu came out first, followed by Zheng Baishi with four others. Their gazes all fell on Qin Wan simultaneously.

Qin Yan stepped forward, “Father, Magistrate Zheng, this is who I mentioned last night.”

Qin Shu looked Qin Wan up and down for a moment, then nodded and turned to look at Zheng Baishi. Zheng Baishi’s eyes showed traces of surprise. When Qin Yan had mentioned this last night, he had expected someone older, but he hadn’t anticipated that Qin Wan would appear to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. Zheng Baishi narrowed his eyes, and upon closer inspection, the surprise in his eyes grew even stronger.

“Greetings, Your Excellence—”

Qin Wan bowed like a young man to Zheng Baishi, who nodded in response, pausing for a moment before turning and saying, “This is the coroner from the magistrate’s office, Fang Bo, and this is Captain Zhang Yang from the magistrate’s office. They will assist you.”

Qin Wan looked up and saw that Fang Bo was an elderly man over fifty with graying hair. Seeing her look his way, Fang Bo smiled kindly at her. Qin Wan nodded, then turned to look at the Chief Captain Zhang Yang of Lin’an Prefecture. As she looked, Qin Wan’s expression suddenly changed slightly – for some reason, she felt this Zhang Yang looked strangely familiar, yet she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before. Collecting herself, Qin Wan bowed to Zhang Yang as well.

Zhang Yang was in his twenties, wearing a dark official uniform with a long sword at his waist. He was tall and straight-backed, with proper features, sword-like eyebrows extending to his temples, and particularly sharp black eyes. Standing there, he naturally exuded an air of dignified steadiness. At this moment, he was looking at Qin Wan with slight scrutiny, and when Qin Wan bowed, he merely nodded slightly without speaking.

Behind Zhang Yang were two more captains, one over thirty and slightly plump, the other also in his twenties, tall and thin, with eyes quite actively examining Qin Wan…

Having called in an outsider to examine the corpses, these yamen officials were probably all harboring investigative thoughts.

Qin Wan wasn’t bothered and just looked at Zheng Baishi, “Your Excellence, may we begin?”

Zheng Baishi smiled, “Of course. The bodies are stored in the back. If you have any questions, just ask Fang Bo and Zhang Yang.” Then he looked at Zhang Yang, “Zhang Yang, lead the way—”

Zhang Yang nodded and turned toward the back hall.

The Funeral Home was divided into front and back halls. The front hall, free of items related to the dead, was where officials received guests, while all the bodies involved in official cases and unclaimed bodies were kept in the back hall.

Zhang Yang walked in front, followed by Zheng Baishi and Qin Shu, with Qin Yan and Qin Wan third in line, and the two yamen runners at the rear, while the initial two guards remained outside.

At the entrance to the back hall, there was another person waiting. He was a man over forty wearing gray clothes that were quite old, with his black hair streaked with gray and loosely hanging behind his head. Most notably, there was a scar the size of a wine cup over his left eye. With only his right eye remaining, his gaze was bright, and upon seeing Zhang Yang enter, he quickly said, “Captain Zhang, everything is prepared.”

Zhang Yang nodded and stepped forward to lift the curtain to the back hall.

As the curtain was lifted, a strange smell mixing vinegar and incense wafted out. Zhang Yang held the curtain open first for Zheng Baishi and the others to enter. After Qin Wan and Qin Yan had also entered, he followed them in.

Upon entering the back hall, they saw wooden boards propped up on benches throughout the space. One could imagine that normally, corpses would be laid out on these boards. At present, the boards in the hall were empty, with no bodies displayed. At the far end of the hall stood a tall statue of Guanyin, with offerings and incense placed before it. On either side of the Guanyin statue were two small doors. Zheng Baishi explained, “Unclaimed natural death bodies are placed outside here, while bodies involved in official cases are generally stored further inside to prevent interference with investigations.”

Zheng Baishi was explaining this to Qin Shu, then pointed to the right door, saying, “This way.”

Soon, Zheng Baishi led everyone through the right door.

Upon entering the room, a piercing cold made everyone shiver. Qin Wan stood at the doorway and saw that the back window was open, with ice basins of various sizes placed around the room. Three bodies lay on four wooden boards, each covered with white cloth. The ghostly white shrouds combined with the room’s dim lighting sent chills down one’s spine, yet Qin Wan walked in.

“Captain Zhang, please briefly explain how the case occurred. Which is the first body?”

Qin Wan’s voice was clear and measured. Qin Shu watched her with brightening eyes, while Zhang Yang stepped forward with a solemn expression, “It’s the body before you, Miss. She was the first victim, killed a month and a half ago.”

Qin Wan nodded, and Fang Bo, perhaps considering Qin Wan’s young age, stepped forward to lift the shroud.

As the shroud was lifted, a corpse with a severely swollen face and abdomen, covered in purple bruises and protruding eyes, was revealed to everyone. The body was still clothed, but despite this, it had swollen so much that obvious feminine characteristics were no longer visible. Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly as she stepped forward, while Qin Yan felt his breakfast threatening to come back up.

Compared to the ugly, swollen corpse, Qin Wan in her white clothing appeared even more elegant and refined. Everyone expected that if she didn’t vomit on the spot, she would at least hesitate with nausea, but to their surprise, Qin Wan’s expression didn’t change at all, showing no trace of disgust or disdain.

Fang Bo’s lips curved into a kind smile, seemingly quite satisfied with this young person’s performance. He set the shroud aside and brought out a small wooden box.

Qin Wan nodded in thanks to Fang Bo, then took two Su He Xiang pills from her sleeve and placed them in her mouth. She also took out some purifying incense and handed it to Zhang Yang, “Please, Captain Zhang, help light this—”

Though Zhang Yang carried himself with dignity, he rarely smiled and maintained a serious demeanor without speaking much. He looked at the purifying incense in Qin Wan’s hand before taking it and lighting it in the corner.

As the fragrance spread, the room’s atmosphere indeed changed.

Fang Bo smiled slightly, “So this young master knows medicine as well—”

Qin Shu smiled, “Yes, she hasn’t studied the coroner’s arts, but examines corpses through her medical knowledge.”

Fang Bo nodded and stepped aside. As Lin’an Prefecture’s veteran coroner, Fang Bo was very confident in his skills, but now, with someone else suddenly arranged to examine the bodies, he showed no displeasure, instead watching kindly to see what Qin Wan might discover.

Qin Wan rolled up her sleeves and took out a pair of protective gloves from her other sleeve pocket. After putting them on, she opened the box Fang Bo had provided, looked inside briefly, and took out a small knife and a horsehair brush. Then she bent down to begin examining the corpse, starting with the swollen, purple, and grotesque face.

While examining, she asked, “Would Captain Zhang please explain how the crime scene was discovered, and the victim’s situation?”

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow, instinctively glancing at Zheng Baishi, who smiled and nodded. Only then did Zhang Yang speak, “The first victim was discovered under the Yushui River bridge pier in the south of the city. The location was very secluded – passersby couldn’t see it from the road, one would need to climb over the riverbank railing to spot it. The person who reported it was a boatman who earned his living by rowing tourists on the Yushui River. When our people arrived, the victim was already dead. Later we learned she was the second daughter of the Zhang family from the south of the city. They said she had gone out the previous evening to buy vinegar but never returned. The next day, they were thinking of reporting it when the officials found them first.”

Zhang Yang’s voice was strong and clear, speaking steadily word by word. Qin Wan listened while examining from the head down to the chest. When Zhang Yang finished, she asked no more questions. She dispassionately lifted the shroud from the body and examined from the swollen chest and abdomen down to the beginning of the legs. Her gaze remained calm. After looking everything over, she used the small brush to sweep away the moldy green skin that was about to peel off, then carefully examined the wounds beneath the skin.

Her movements were delicate, her hands extremely steady, like a craftsman carving jade. Seeing her like this, Zhang Yang’s brows furrowed tightly, while beside him, both Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi wore complex expressions. Qin Yan wanted to look but dared not look too much, and somehow, Qin Wan’s solemn stillness, so different from her usual demeanor, strangely made his heart grow cold – if a young lady wasn’t afraid of such a horrifying corpse, what in this world could frighten her?

The room was quiet except for the sound of breathing. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea in this grinding silence, Qin Wan finally straightened up. She had been bending over for so long that sweat was visible on her forehead, but when she spoke, her voice remained steady and serious, “The victim has crescent-shaped subcutaneous wounds on the neck, accompanied by severe subcutaneous bleeding. Additionally, there are small hemorrhage points on the eye membranes, indicating the victim died from strangulation by the perpetrator. Furthermore, there are contusions on the victim’s buttocks, back, back of calves, and heels, suggesting she was dragged during the incident…”

Speaking thus, Qin Wan looked at Zhang Yang, “Did Captain Zhang find anything else at the crime scene?”

Zhang Yang shook his head, “No.”

Qin Wan nodded and asked again, “Did Captain Zhang only search around the Yushui River?”

Zhang Yang nodded, “Yes, after discovering the body, we immediately searched around the Yushui River but found no suspicious persons or items. When we questioned her family, her father said she had taken an earthenware jar for vinegar when she left in the evening, but we searched the area and found no jar.”

Qin Wan immediately said, “Because the victim wasn’t killed by the Yushui River.”

Zhang Yang frowned, “How can you tell?”

Qin Wan turned to look at the wounds on the body that were almost covered by lividity, “Of all the victim’s wounds, only the neck wounds show severe subcutaneous bleeding. The other contusions, including those on the inner thighs, show no signs of subcutaneous bleeding. This alone proves these wounds were inflicted after death, and the victim was also violated after death. Moreover, the killer likely strangled her first, then took her to the bridge pier after death.”

Zhang Yang was startled, “You can determine pre- and post-mortem wounds just like that?”

Qin Wan nodded, “Yes.”

Zhang Yang looked at Fang Bo, whose smile had faded and brows were slightly furrowed. “I’ve heard of this theory before, but didn’t know if it was true, this…”

Qin Wan explained, “It’s simple logic. Fang Bo, if you were to cut this corpse now, it wouldn’t bleed. When people are alive, wounds heal, but not after death, and even bleeding is different from when alive.”

She then looked at Zhang Yang, “Where else did Captain Zhang search?”

Zhang Yang quickly replied, “We also searched around the girl’s home and the grain shop where she was going to buy vinegar, but that day the shop was closed. The owner had left the capital for stock two days earlier and returned two days later, so he had no opportunity to commit the crime. Thus, we don’t know where the girl went last. We also asked at grain shops further away, but none had seen her. After that, we had no more leads…”

Qin Wan pondered briefly, “If death had just occurred, the body would still bleed when injured, but I see no blood scabs under any of these contusions. I suspect this girl was strangled first, then hidden somewhere until deep in the night, when the killer took her to the Yushui River to commit the crime. These contusions…”

Qin Wan spoke while bending down to look carefully again, “They look like marks from being dragged up and down steps.”

She shook her head, “Too much time has passed, the decomposition marks are covered by lividity and green discoloration, I can’t be certain right now.” She walked to the second body, “Let’s examine the other two first.”

This time Qin Wan lifted the shroud herself from the second body, revealing another female corpse with a swollen face and body. Qin Wan looked it over briefly, then began examining it as she had the first body. Throughout the process, she never looked at Qin Shu or Qin Yan, completely immersed in the body and the case. After a moment, she said, “Please, Captain Zhang, tell me about this one.”

Zhang Yang, after observing her for this while, no longer dared to underestimate Qin Wan, and spoke solemnly, “The second body was discovered in an abandoned house in the southwest. Ten years ago, a widower lived alone in that house. After he died, the house fell into disrepair, and now it’s just ruins. The body was discovered by a night watchman. He had a dog that caught the scent and ran in, leading to the discovery of the body.”

“The victim’s family lived in the southwest part of the city, with only an elderly mother and an older brother. When we found their home, her mother said she had gone out in the evening to deliver dinner to her brother, who was an apprentice at a medicine shop in the south of the city. She never returned after that. Later, her brother confirmed that she had delivered the food and that his sister had left for home alone. He had stayed at the medicine shop that night to keep watch and hadn’t returned home. When he came back early the next morning, he learned his sister was missing, and then came the tragic news.”

After Zhang Yang finished, Qin Wan showed no reaction, so he simply continued, “The crime scene wasn’t in the same direction as either the medicine shop where her brother worked or their home. We suspected she was either abducted by the perpetrator on her way home, or someone she knew took her in another direction before killing her. Including the first victim, we investigated people they knew, but discovered both girls knew very few men and weren’t the type to go somewhere privately with men.”

Thinking for a moment, Zhang Yang added, “After this girl’s death, we suspected it might be the same perpetrator. We conducted extensive searches and brought in several suspects, but none proved to be the killer. We thought there were only these two cases, but unexpectedly, another person died half a month ago.”

As Zhang Yang spoke steadily, Qin Wan had just finished examining the second body. Her pace had quickened somewhat. After the examination, she placed the shroud over the body and turned to the third corpse.

As she lifted the shroud, a somewhat fresher corpse appeared before everyone.

Being winter and with many ice basins specially prepared, the low temperature naturally slowed decomposition. However, the first two bodies had been dead too long and had inevitably decomposed. Only this most recently discovered body hadn’t yet swollen, though the purple lividity and greenish discoloration covering it were still shocking to behold.

Qin Wan rested for a few breaths before bending down again to carefully examine every wound on the body.

Since this corpse wasn’t severely decomposed, Qin Wan examined it with particular thoroughness.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang continued, “The victim was discovered in a dark alley not far from the city gate. That alley sees very little traffic, with only the night soil collectors passing through each morning. A night soil woman discovered the body. While the first two victims’ families lived in the southeast and southwest of the city respectively, this third victim wasn’t from the city at all, but from Hao Family Village outside Lin’an. She had come to the city that day to buy New Year’s goods but never made it back. At first, we only investigated her identity within the city, not thinking to look outside. It wasn’t until three days after her death when her family reported to the authorities that we learned her identity.”

“Do these three victims have anything in common?” Qin Wan suddenly asked.

Zhang Yang replied, “Two were sixteen and one was seventeen. Their looks were average, from ordinary families. In terms of appearance, personality, and dress, they had nothing in common. However, coincidentally, all three girls were engaged to be married. When we first discovered this point, we thought it might be someone who knew them and harbored hatred toward soon-to-be-married women, but these three families didn’t know each other, and strangers wouldn’t normally know about a girl’s engagement. Yet our investigation found no one familiar with all three families, especially since this third victim lived outside the city and didn’t come to Lin’an regularly. After inquiring, we found she had no close acquaintances in Lin’an. Logically, the killer couldn’t have had so many opportunities to learn her movements and find a chance to strike—”

By this point, Qin Wan had begun examining the third female corpse’s thigh area. With a room full of men, they all averted their gaze, except for Fang Bo who watched her examination method. Soon after, Qin Wan straightened up again.

Seeing this, everyone assumed she had finished examining all three bodies. Zheng Baishi looked directly at Qin Wan, “Well?”

Qin Wan shook her head, “I need to perform an autopsy on this body.”

At these words, everyone was stunned. Though Qin Wan was brave, for someone her age to perform an autopsy was extraordinarily surprising. Even Fang Bo showed astonishment…

Only Qin Yan raised his chin slightly to look at Qin Shu for a moment as if to say, “Didn’t I tell you so?!”

“An autopsy? Young… young master, you want to perform an autopsy?”

Qin Wan nodded, “The first two bodies are too old, their internal organs decomposed and their stomachs empty. An autopsy would be meaningless. But this third victim might be worth trying.” Then she looked at Zheng Baishi, “Your Excellence, may I?”

Zheng Baishi snapped out of his daze and quickly nodded, “Yes, of course!”

Qin Wan nodded, then glanced at everyone in the room, “Those who feel uncomfortable may wait outside.”

Zheng Baishi hesitantly looked at Qin Shu, who smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Your Excellence, I’m fine.”

Hearing this, Zheng Baishi also laughed, “If the Marquis is fine, then I certainly am too.” He looked toward Qin Yan and the others, “If you can’t handle it, you may wait outside—”

Qin Yan wouldn’t leave, and the two yamen runners standing behind hadn’t moved either. Meanwhile, Fang Bo would naturally stay, and Zhang Yang would certainly not withdraw at this moment. Thus, no one in the room moved.

Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “Very well, but if anyone feels unwell, they may leave at any time.”

After speaking, she took out a sharper knife, turned around, and first felt the corpse’s abdomen with her hand. Then, following the gap she had found, she cut down…

“Urgh—”

A retching sound suddenly rang out. At the same time, the cut flesh pulled apart with a bloody red color. Qin Yan had thought he could hold it together, but he hadn’t expected someone behind him to retch. This sound immediately triggered the acid he had been desperately holding back, and almost without hesitation, Qin Yan turned and walked out.

Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi stood with faint smiles as they heard another yamen runner also leave. They exchanged glances – before them was Qin Wan performing an autopsy, and outside were the sounds of intermittent vomiting. They were fortunate that they, as older men, could hold their composure.

While Qin Yan and the others fled in disarray, Fang Bo stood calmly, soon asking, “Has the young master performed autopsies before?”

Without moving her eyes, Qin Wan replied, “A few times.”

Fang Bo asked further, “How did the young master dare to try?”

With a composed expression, Qin Wan said, “I previously read an ancient text that explained many methods of opening skulls and chests to treat illnesses. I wanted to try it then but didn’t dare. Later I thought, while I couldn’t try on the living, I could on the dead. The person was already deceased, so there was no risk to life, and dead people have the same bones and vessels as the living, plus they don’t struggle in pain. It was the perfect way to practice. Thus, I had the idea to perform autopsies. Later, I read several texts on criminal cases and inadvertently learned the coroner’s arts.”

Fang Bo’s eyes brightened as he listened, “This medical learning method of young master’s is something I’ve never heard of, but it seems remarkably effective. If only…” He trailed off, then sighed, “What a pity.”

Zhang Yang’s brows were tightly knitted. Fang Bo was Lin’an Prefecture’s most experienced and senior coroner, yet in Zhang Yang’s many years as captain, he had rarely seen Fang Bo perform autopsies. Now, this young fellow was performing one right away, clearly showing great skill – so why did Fang Bo say it was a pity? As he thought this, Zhang Yang clenched his teeth harder. The smell in the room was growing stronger, and acid was rising in his stomach, but in front of so many people, he absolutely couldn’t lose composure.

After Fang Bo’s sigh, Qin Wan didn’t respond. Soon, Fang Bo saw her frown, “What is it, young master?”

Without looking up, Qin Wan said, “The stomach is empty.”

Before Fang Bo could speak, Zheng Baishi asked, “Then… is there no hope?”

Qin Wan shook her head, “No, food enters the stomach, and undigested portions enter the intestines…”

As she spoke, Zheng Baishi saw her hands slowly moving lower. When she cut something, an even more unbearable stench than the stomach’s acidic smell spread out. In an instant, even Qin Shu’s expression changed several times. Soon after, Qin Wan said, “Captain Zhang, please bring a bowl.”

Zhang Yang was stunned – a bowl? Where would he find one?

Just then, he noticed several oil lamp bowls in the corner. He brought one over and placed it beside Qin Wan. Before long, Zhang Yang watched as Qin Wan scooped up something that looked very much like night soil into the oil lamp bowl. Seeming to know that Zhang Yang and the others couldn’t stand it much longer, Qin Wan worked quickly. Soon the bowl was full, and as she cleaned the corpse’s wound, she said, “Please help sift through what’s in the bowl.”

Zhang Yang looked at the bowl of unidentified matter with furrowed brows, pressed his lips together, and carried it outside.

Meanwhile, Zheng Baishi exhaled deeply, “Marquis, shall we step outside for a moment?”

Qin Shu laughed heartily, “Yes, yes, otherwise these old bones won’t hold up—”

They walked out together, and once outside, both took several deep breaths. They exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. Qin Yan approached resignedly, “Father, Your Excellence, is it finished?”

Zheng Baishi nodded, “This round should be done. Let’s wait to hear what she says.”

Qin Yan’s face was pale as vegetables, and the two yamen runners nearby were weak-kneed from vomiting. Seeing only Qin Shu’s father and son standing close by, Zheng Baishi lowered his voice, “This young master is quite extraordinary, not only in skill but in appearance and temperament. If dressed as a woman, the entire capital would surely turn to look…”

Qin Shu and Qin Yan were startled. Qin Shu laughed directly, “I knew we couldn’t fool an old fox like you!”

Seeing this, Qin Yan also smiled, and Qin Shu instructed him, “Go get some water for Wan’er to wash her hands…”

As Qin Yan accepted the order, the one-eyed funeral home guard took him to fetch water from the backyard. Meanwhile, Qin Shu said softly, “She’s my second brother’s daughter, my niece. Brother Baishi, please don’t let others know.”

When Zheng Baishi heard this, he was extremely surprised, “What? She’s a young lady from the Qin family?!”

Qin Shu felt some satisfaction from Zheng Baishi’s surprise and began to smile. Just as he was about to nod, the guard from outside suddenly strode in, “Your Excellence, Marquis, it’s terrible – Prince Cheng has arrived with his men!”

Zheng Baishi’s expression jumped, “Prince Cheng?!”

“Yes, Your Excellence. Prince Cheng brought people, saying a thief from his mansion ran into the funeral home. He wants to come in to arrest someone – they’re about to force their way in—”

Zheng Baishi’s expression changed dramatically as he exchanged glances with Qin Shu, both their eyes showing alertness.

Why would Prince Cheng suddenly appear at this time?! What thief running into the funeral home? They had followed Qin Yan here!

Qin Shu had just asked Zheng Baishi to keep Qin Wan’s identity secret, but at this moment, Prince Cheng had arrived?! What could they do? Once Prince Cheng arrived, nothing could be concealed… A young lady examining corpses – what would that mean for the yamen’s rules? Moreover, if news of Qin Wan examining corpses spread, it would surely ruin her reputation!

Just then, Qin Wan walked out from the small door. Having heard the attendant’s words, she instinctively asked, “Prince Cheng?”

Qin Shu was extremely anxious, and Zheng Baishi’s forehead was beaded with sweat. He had just been full of admiration for her, but if this matter dragged a young lady into trouble, that would be unacceptable—

As everyone in the room was wondering how to hide Qin Wan, the half-closed door of the back hall was suddenly pushed open.

Prince Cheng, Yan Qi, wearing a silver brocade robe and followed by about twenty guards from his mansion, entered the back hall grandly. His gaze swept across everyone, immediately landing on Qin Wan in her white robe and protective gloves. Yan Qi gave a half-smile, “Oh? When did this funeral home become so lively?!”

As Yan Qi was a royal prince, even Qin Shu had to kneel in greeting. Qin Yan, returning with water, was shocked to see Prince Cheng and could only kneel as well.

Qin Wan pressed her lips together, lowered her gaze, and knelt, silently trying to become just a shadow.

“Greetings to Your Highness, Prince Cheng—”

Yan Qi walked a few steps inside, standing before Zheng Baishi, his gaze lifting to rest on the top of Qin Wan’s head.

“What are Magistrate Zheng and the Loyal and Brave Marquis doing here…”

Zheng Baishi said steadily, “Your Highness knows of the recent cases in the capital. The Marquis is here to inquire about the case’s progress.”

“Oh? Criminal matters don’t seem to fall under the Marquis’s jurisdiction.” As Zheng Baishi was about to speak, Prince Cheng suddenly spoke harshly, “Moreover, this case is under His Majesty’s attention. How can there be unauthorized persons in such an important place as the funeral home?!”

Zheng Baishi’s lips moved, and Yan Qi gave a cold laugh, “Don’t tell me this is a new clerk from the yamen. This Prince can easily verify who has come from the yamen. If Magistrate Zheng dares to lie to my face, that would be most inappropriate.”

Zheng Baishi’s words were thus suppressed, and everyone’s expression changed slightly, knowing Yan Qi had come prepared.

Seeing Zheng Baishi’s expression, Yan Qi became more certain that Qin Wan’s identity couldn’t bear scrutiny. He gave another cold laugh, “Guards, arrest this lawless youth who has privately entered the funeral home and interfered with official business—”

As his gaze fell, Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi spoke simultaneously, “Your Highness, you cannot—”

Yan Qi had achieved his goal and asked with a smile, “Oh? Why not?”

Zheng Baishi was extremely anxious, “Because… because she is… she is…”

As Zheng Baishi stammered incomprehensibly, Yan Qi’s eyes filled with satisfaction. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly a low, elegant, and arrogant voice came from behind.

“She is my person, Fourth Brother. You are mistaken.”