Half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the side entrance of the Meng Manor.
Yan Chi and Li Muyun had left the Meng Manor earlier, and arrangements had already been made inside. As they got off the carriage, they saw several black-clothed guards standing at the side entrance. Qin Wan glanced at the guards and recognized them as the ones who had beaten Feng Zhang a few days ago. Upon seeing Qin Wan, they bowed respectfully.
Yan Chi said, “The manor has been cleared. Magistrate Zheng and Captain Zhan are also inside. Let’s go in.”
Qin Wan nodded and followed behind Yan Chi with Fu Ling.
After entering the gate, they saw that the Meng Manor’s corridors and paths were extensive and interconnected, appearing even larger than the Marquis Manor. Qin Wan remarked, “The Meng Manor is quite vast.”
Li Muyun caught up from behind and explained, “The Meng Manor houses four branches of the family. Their compound consists of two residences merged, with each branch occupying space equivalent to half of an ordinary manor.”
Qin Wan glanced at Li Muyun and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Yan Chi continued, “Apart from the gardens and inner lake, the residences of the four family branches are divided. The First and Second Branches are in the eastern mansion, while the Third and Fourth Branches are in the western mansion. The inner lake where the incident occurred lies between the two mansions.”
Qin Wan nodded as Yan Chi led her along the corridor toward the east.
“The deceased’s body is being kept in the side courtyard of the Second Branch.”
Following the corridor eastward, they only encountered a few more black-clothed guards but saw none of the Meng Manor’s servants, showing that Yan Chi had arranged everything meticulously.
After walking for about half an incense stick’s time, they arrived at a side courtyard.
Black-clothed guards stood at the courtyard entrance and immediately bowed upon seeing Yan Chi.
Yan Chi nodded and led Qin Wan into the courtyard without a word.
Upon entering, they saw Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang standing before the main door. Seeing Yan Chi and Li Muyun return with Qin Wan, both came forward to greet them, “Your Highness, Official Li, Ninth Miss—”
Qin Wan curtsied, and Magistrate Zheng smiled at her, saying, “We must trouble Ninth Miss again, though this time His Highness is the lead investigator, so he will be the one owing you a favor.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. “Ninth Miss’s reputation now precedes her; this is indeed a significant favor.”
Qin Wan lowered her eyes and replied, “It is my fortune that Your Highness and the officials value my assistance. I only hope I can be of help.”
Yan Chi walked straight inside, saying, “Come in.”
Qin Wan followed into the room and saw it was decorated with funeral offerings, appearing to be a half-prepared mourning hall. Noting Qin Wan’s expression, Magistrate Zheng explained, “The mourning hall was originally fully prepared, but when the young master of the Meng family reported to the officials, it was partially dismantled.”
Qin Wan nodded, her eyes immediately going to the funeral bed in the room.
On the bed lay a body covered with white cloth, undoubtedly the deceased.
Qin Wan glanced at Fu Ling, “Light the incense.”
Having seen several dead bodies by now, Fu Ling had grown much more composed. Moreover, following Qin Wan for these past months, she had been influenced by Qin Wan’s calm demeanor and was no longer the impetuous young maid she once was.
At Qin Wan’s command, Fu Ling went to the corner to light the purifying incense.
Qin Wan put on her protective gloves and walked to the funeral bed to lift the white cloth.
As the cloth was removed, it revealed the grayish face of a man in his forties.
The man had died on the first day of the month, and today was the fourth. Though almost three days had passed, due to the cold winter weather, the body showed no obvious signs of decay, with only a slight odor of death. Qin Wan bent down and began examining the body carefully.
Yan Chi spoke from the side, “His name is Meng Jin, forty-two years old, the Second Master of the Meng Manor. Earlier, the coroner from Lin’an Prefecture examined him and said he indeed drowned, with no obvious signs of injury or struggle on his body, making it unlikely that he was murdered.”
As Yan Chi spoke, Li Muyun and Zheng Baishi gathered around.
Zhan Yang stood behind Zheng Baishi, while Fu Ling kept watch by the door.
Qin Wan first examined Meng Jin’s head, then checked his ears, nose, and mouth before proceeding downward. As she unfastened his funeral clothes, she asked, “Why wasn’t this reported to the officials immediately, instead of waiting until after the mourning hall was set up?”
Magistrate Zheng explained, “The one who reported it was Meng Jin’s son, Meng Wei. Initially, Meng Wei also thought his father’s death was accidental. However, on the afternoon of the second day, after the mourning hall was set up, his Fourth Uncle, Meng Hui, came to pay respects. During the memorial, Meng Hui spoke some disrespectful words about Meng Jin, which led Meng Wei to insist that his father had been murdered.”
Qin Wan looked up, “What did Meng Hui say?”
Magistrate Zheng looked toward Zhan Yang, who then said, “Meng Hui said Meng Jin had done too many evil deeds and deserved to die, calling it karmic retribution. Meng Wei tried to strike Meng Hui but was held back.”
Though Qin Wan was only called to examine the body, everyone seemed to trust her implicitly. Not just Yan Chi, but even Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang answered whatever she asked.
Qin Wan listened, a thoughtful look crossing her eyes, before continuing her examination.
Although Meng Jin’s body had been changed into new clothes, his skin still showed the grayish wrinkles characteristic of water immersion. Qin Wan carefully examined Meng Jin’s neck and chest, finding no injuries. As she looked lower, she suddenly discovered a faint purplish bruise near his navel. Her brows furrowed immediately, but she set aside her questions for the moment and continued examining the deceased’s hands, feet, and other areas. Only after completing the full examination did she straighten up.
“The deceased’s chest and abdomen are swollen, with traces of white foam remaining in the nose and mouth, confirming drowning as the cause of death. Moreover, there are no fatal injuries anywhere else on the body.” She paused and pointed to the stomach area, “Except here—look, there’s a very faint horizontal purplish bruise, as if from an impact.”
The area Qin Wan indicated was where the waistband would be. Magistrate Zheng noticed it and said, “This bruise might not prove anything. On the evening of the first day, there was an argument during the family dinner, and Meng Jin had a physical altercation with Meng Hui. Could it have happened then?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Besides this, the deceased has three damaged areas on his left fingers, appearing to be scratched from grabbing something. Additionally, there’s a bruise on the back of his head at the occipital region, though it’s not severe and shows no subcutaneous bleeding. Injuries of this degree would only cause pain, not unconsciousness.”
Zhan Yang said, “We investigated the inner lake area and found many ancient rocks with uneven surfaces. If the deceased fell nearby or grabbed at something while falling into the lake, it could explain the scratches. As for the bruise on his head, since it wasn’t severe enough to cause unconsciousness, ruling out someone knocking him out and throwing him in the lake, could it have been from hitting something as he fell into the water?”
Qin Wan didn’t contradict Zhan Yang and Magistrate Zheng’s speculations. She was here to examine the body and only needed to report what she observed.
She continued, “These are two points of suspicion. There’s a third: the distribution of lividity on the body is uneven.”
At this, everyone looked at Meng Jin’s body. Qin Wan removed his funeral clothes, revealing his pale skin with faint lividity. She explained, “This is the most crucial point. In drowning victims, because they’re immersed in cold water, blood flow is extremely slow, and due to water movement, the body isn’t static whether floating or submerged. Therefore, drowning victims develop livid slowly and faintly. However—”
Qin Wan laboriously turned Meng Jin’s body, “Look here—the lividity on the right side of his chest and right arm is notably darker than elsewhere. In typical drowning cases, whether face-up or face-down, lividity rarely concentrates on the body’s sides. I don’t know what the deceased experienced when he died, but the lividity tells me that for some time after death, he wasn’t floating face-up or face-down, but slightly on his side—a position highly unlikely to occur in water.”
Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang exchanged glances. Zheng Baishi said, “When the case was first reported, our yamen officers questioned Meng Wei, who said his father was found floating near the ancient rocks by the shore. Could it be that he struggled while drowning in his drunken state, and the water current and rocks caused his body to turn sideways?”
Qin Wan nodded, “That’s possible.” She adjusted Meng Jin’s funeral clothes and asked, “For a family like the Mengs, they surely won’t accept an autopsy, right?”
Zheng Baishi gave a bitter smile, “Indeed. Not only do they reject an autopsy, but even though Meng Wei reported the case, he still wants to give Meng Jin a grand funeral. He instructed us not to disturb a single hair on his father’s head during the examination. He even begged Official Meng to pressure the Ministry of Justice. Though Official Meng hasn’t said anything, this case has already shocked both the court and common people, with His Majesty inquiring twice about it.”
Though the Second Branch of the Meng family held no official positions, with Meng Wei refusing an autopsy, the authorities couldn’t force one.
Qin Wan covered Meng Jin with the shroud again, “Without an autopsy, this is all we can determine.”
Li Muyun looked at Qin Wan and asked, “Then does Ninth Miss believe Meng Jin was murdered?”
Qin Wan’s eyes darkened momentarily as she considered, then lifted them with determination, “I cannot conclusively determine if it was a homicide, but the suspicious points I mentioned, especially the last one, lead me to believe murder is more likely. An autopsy might provide further clues, but without one, the officials will have to investigate other aspects.” She then asked, “Might I see the lakeside where the body was discovered?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Of course, I’ll have it arranged.”
Just then, a black-clothed guard entered, “Your Highness, Meng Wei is here!”
Yan Chi frowned, and the others raised their eyebrows. Zheng Baishi asked, “Why has he come at this hour?!”
The guard replied, “Meng Wei learned someone was examining the body and demanded to enter.”
Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed. Zheng Baishi glanced at him and said resignedly, “Your Highness and Ninth Miss, please wait. I’ll see what Meng Wei wants—”
Yan Chi nodded, and Zheng Baishi left with Zhan Yang.
Soon, Meng Wei’s shouts could be heard from outside, “Magistrate Zheng, I’ve placed such trust in you, yet you won’t even let me witness the examination! My father had some friendship with you—how can you be so heartless? I’ve said it was Fourth Uncle who killed him! Fourth Uncle resented Father for refusing to divide the family property and accused him of embezzling money from all branches. Then when the business failed before the new year, he claimed Father had squandered all our assets. That night, he even said Father would face retribution soon. Right after their argument, Father died—if not Fourth Uncle, then who?!”
Meng Wei’s voice was extremely loud, filled with anxiety and grief that made it difficult to rebuke him. After some inaudible words from Zheng Baishi, Meng Wei continued in a tearful voice, “Magistrate Zheng, you’re Lin’an’s upright official. I trust you’ll find evidence to arrest Fourth Uncle. I dare not deceive you—Father died in the manor, and Fourth Uncle was the only one who wished him harm.”
After apparently consoling him for some time, Zheng Baishi returned with a bitter smile, “The Second Master was indeed an acquaintance of mine, which is partly why this case is being jointly investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review. Meng Wei insists Meng Hui killed his father, but our inquiries show Meng Hui was in his courtyard that night.”
Qin Wan frowned, “He claims Meng Hui killed his father because he believed his father embezzled family funds and was deceived, but with the family business now in ruins, what benefit would Meng Hui gain from Meng Jin’s death?”
Li Muyun said, “With Meng Jin dead, if Meng Hui pushes for family division again, the First Branch can’t stop it. The family would have to split.”
Qin Wan felt something wasn’t quite right—murder just for dividing the family?
Shaking her head, she sighed, “It seems I haven’t been much help this time.”
Yan Chi stepped forward, “I’ll show you the lake and then escort you back. Magistrate Zheng and Official Li can handle things here.” He turned to Zheng Baishi, “Magistrate, since this case involves the family property, perhaps investigating the Meng family’s business affairs might yield some clues.”
Zheng Baishi quickly nodded, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I’ll look into it immediately.”
Yan Chi nodded and led Qin Wan out.
After they left, Zheng Baishi looked at Meng Jin’s body and sighed, “What a pity we can’t perform an autopsy. Brother Meng, don’t blame me if we can’t solve this case.”
He turned to Li Muyun, “What do you think, Official Li?”
Li Muyun nodded, “She’s indeed extraordinary, though I haven’t yet seen the case-solving abilities you mentioned. She’s calm, intelligent, and meticulous, able to diagnose illnesses through pulse-taking and symptoms while also analyzing corpse markings to determine their causes. Her reputation is well-deserved.”
Though Li Muyun’s words were praise, they lacked genuine amazement. Zheng Baishi smiled helplessly, “That’s because you haven’t seen her perform an autopsy. You view her as a physician, so today’s examination seemed merely like someone unafraid of death who happens to be clever. But consider—for a young lady to dissect a corpse, that’s truly astounding. Even for a man, it would be remarkable. You’ve just seen too many criminal cases to be impressed anymore.”
Li Muyun’s lips tightened, his eyes momentarily deep, “Since she’s so capable, remember to call me next time you request her help.”
Zheng Baishi smiled, “With the Court of Judicial Review overseeing this case, we’d have to include you anyway.”
Meanwhile, Yan Chi led Qin Wan out of the courtyard and headed west along the corridor. They still only saw a few black-clothed guards and no other manor residents.
Qin Wan asked, “Did you send away all the manor’s people?”
Yan Chi nodded, “You’re in women’s clothing today. If they saw you, it would require unnecessary explanations.”
Qin Wan sighed, “It’s a pity we couldn’t perform an autopsy.”
“Don’t feel you haven’t helped. Lin’an’s experienced coroner examined the body too. He noticed the injuries but missed the lividity anomaly you pointed out.” Yan Chi pointed ahead, “The inner lake is there.”
Qin Wan looked where Yan Chi indicated and saw the lake in the distance. It was about the same size as Half Moon Lake at the Qin Manor in Jin Prefecture. Ancient rocks formed artificial mountains along the shore, and despite winter, lush plants flourished. As they walked closer, the winter lake appeared like a mirror reflecting everything around it.
Up close, besides the verdant plants, various ancient rocks formed scenic arrangements along the shore. A corridor encircled the lake, with plum trees growing beyond it. Looking out, red plum blossoms hung over the water, creating an extraordinary scene. Such landscaping must have cost considerable money, demonstrating the Meng family’s wealth and explaining the property disputes.
Qin Wan walked closer along the corridor and saw the ancient rock formations extended into the lake. Though the corridor formed a complete circle, there were four or five points where one could access the lakeside. Even if Meng Jin feared water, it was possible he could have accidentally fallen in while drunk. As a breeze rippled the water’s surface, creating glittering waves with undercurrents below, Zhan Yang’s speculation seemed plausible.
Thinking this, Qin Wan sighed. She always paid special attention to murder cases, and having come here, naturally wanted to help, but it seemed she still couldn’t be certain.
“Captain Zhan’s speculation is possible. The lividity only suggests a higher likelihood of murder but cannot completely confirm it.” Qin Wan’s voice deepened slightly, “Did Meng Wei mention what he and his father discussed that night?”
Qin Wan had already overstepped by asking to see the lakeside, so she refrained from exploring further. At her question, Yan Chi replied, “We asked. Meng Wei said they’d been discussing how to recover the family’s losses those few days. That night at the family banquet, after Meng Jin was mocked by Meng Hui and they nearly fought, he spent a long time comforting his father.”
As Qin Wan listened, she didn’t notice anything unusual, but Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed as he said, “When questioned, Magistrate Zheng, Official Li, and I were all present. Though Meng Wei’s account showed no obvious flaws, I sensed he was concealing something.”
Qin Wan quickly looked at Yan Chi, “Why?”
Yan Chi explained, “He appeared nervous while speaking, and his eyes were particularly evasive. Later when I mentioned this, the others suggested it was just excessive grief. When we questioned him again, his story remained consistent.”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “Without witnesses at the time, we can’t verify this. We can only choose to believe him.”
Yan Chi caressed Qin Wan’s palm, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I heard that when my mother was just born, a Daoist priest cast her fortune. The reading said she would face a great tribulation in her life, one involving matters of the heart. That’s why my grandmother named her ‘Shou Xin’ (Guard Heart).”
After Yan Chi finished speaking, Qin Wan unconsciously gripped his hand tighter.
Though Qin Wan didn’t know the details, it was true that the Rui Prince’s Consort had died young. Moreover, rumors claimed the Rui Prince had killed her. Qin Wan dared not ask about the specifics, but the Consort’s death was certainly related to the Rui Prince, seemingly fulfilling the priest’s prophecy.
Sensing Qin Wan’s concern, Yan Chi smiled again. Instead of continuing about his mother, he said, “I have an aunt, my mother’s elder sister. When she was born, the priest’s reading said her heart would be too heavy with thoughts, and she might be confined within boundaries. My grandmother named her ‘You Xin’ (Follow Heart).”
Lu Shou Xin… Lu You Xin…
One meant to guard one’s heart, the other to follow it.
Qin Wan instinctively asked, “What about that aunt?”
Hearing Qin Wan refer to her as ‘aunt,’ Yan Chi’s smile deepened but soon faded slightly. He sighed, “My maternal grandfather had only my grandmother his whole life, and she bore only two daughters. My mother married my father, the Prince, while my aunt remained with the Lu family. Now she manages the entire Lu household. Though she’s only a year older than my mother was, she has never married.”
Qin Wan’s heart clenched listening to this. Though she didn’t know how Yan Chi’s aunt lived now, she could imagine the burden of the entire Lan Prefecture’s Lu family resting on a woman’s shoulders. Now at least forty years old and still unmarried, she had indeed fulfilled the priest’s prophecy—trapped within the Lu family for life.
Qin Wan sighed, “Haven’t you seen her in a long time?”
With his mother gone, Yan Chi might have transferred some of his longing for his mother to this aunt. However, after Qin Wan’s question, Yan Chi gave a bitter smile, “You might not know, but the Lu family of Lan Prefecture was a great clan of the previous dynasty. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, they had a clan rule that… men could not serve as officials, and women could not marry into official or royal families. For years, the Lu family only married into other scholarly families, until my mother—”
He paused with another bitter smile, “So for all these years, though the Lu family is my maternal family, I’ve only seen my aunt twice. Once was at my mother’s tenth death anniversary, and again last year at her twentieth, when my aunt came to Beijing to visit mother’s tomb.”
Qin Wan’s heart grew cold hearing this. Though she’d lost both parents, she’d at least had their love for over ten years. But Yan Chi lost his mother shortly after birth, and his father… seemed distant from him.
Seeing her reaction, Yan Chi smiled and tightened his embrace, pulling her closer with his chin resting on her shoulder, “My aunt harbors much resentment toward my father, but she’s good to me. Knowing I’ve suffered in the military, she sends handmade shoes, socks, and tonics to Shuo Xi every year. Though I rarely see her, I respect her like a mother.” He looked down at Qin Wan, “It’s a pity you weren’t there last year, or I could have introduced you.”
Qin Wan laughed softly. Usually, she would disagree, but this time she softened her voice, “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, won’t there?”
Yan Chi nodded, kissing the top of her head twice.
The carriage continued its unhurried pace. Having embraced Qin Wan, Yan Chi was reluctant to let go, so she leaned against him. For a moment, the Meng family case, the Empress Dowager’s illness, and her still unclear path to justice were all temporarily set aside. After about half a bowl of tea’s time of comfortable nestling, the carriage gradually slowed.
Qin Wan withdrew from Yan Chi’s embrace and lifted the curtain to look outside. “We’re here—”
Having left late, it was now dusk. As the carriage came to a stop, Qin Wan saw the mansion situated in the middle of this quiet residential lane. The residence had only two courtyards, with modest gate frames. Having been uninhabited for years, with locks on the main gate, it had an air of age about it.
Yan Chi asked, “Do you have any plans for the house?”
Qin Wan thought for a moment and said, “Though I live in the Marquis Manor, there are times when it’s inconvenient. Also, today I met my old steward—his son is married and lives in the south of the city, while he lives alone on an estate outside the city. I thought perhaps I could fix up this small residence for him to live in. Then if I need anything, I’d have another place to stay.”
The Marquis Manor had too many inconveniences. While Qin Wan genuinely considered the old steward, she had her thoughts as well.
Hearing this, Yan Chi sighed, “You treat your servants so well; that old steward must be very loyal.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Indeed. I haven’t had the chance to discuss it with them today. I’ll find them tomorrow to talk about it.” As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously turned northwest.
Having lived in the capital for three years, while she wasn’t familiar with every area, she knew her neighborhood well. The former Shen Manor was in Willow Lane, just two streets away from this Copper Coin Lane.
Qin Wan leaned against the carriage window. Yan Chi couldn’t see where she was looking and said, “That’s good. The location is nice, closer to the Rui Prince Manor than the Marquis Manor—much more convenient.”
Qin Wan’s thoughts returned, and she laughed. The Rui Prince Manor was outside the western Imperial City, indeed closer to here than to the Marquis Manor. But surely he didn’t think she was making these arrangements for secret meetings? Thinking this, she lowered the curtain, “That’s all for today. I came to confirm the location; tomorrow I’ll discuss arrangements with the father and son.”
At Yan Chi’s command to return to the Marquis Manor, the carriage began moving again. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Yan Chi said, “By the way, did you know this place is very close to Shen Yi’s mansion?”
Qin Wan’s heart jumped violently, “What?”
Yan Chi continued, “Only two streets apart.” His tone darkened, “After the incident before the new year, the Shen Manor somehow caught fire. Now it’s just ruins.”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed deeply. First, their family was ambushed, then their house burned down.
How could she believe there was no conspiracy behind this?!
Her father’s case was tied to Prince Jin’s case—what secrets did Prince Jin’s case hold?
The death of palace consorts, and the struggle for succession—were they related?
Qin Wan’s brows remained furrowed. The death of Consort Jin hadn’t affected either the Crown Prince’s or Prince Cheng’s factions, so it didn’t seem… At this point, Yan Chi took both her hands in his, “Why are your hands so cold?”
Qin Wan came back to herself but asked, “Does Prince Jin have any trusted followers still alive?”