Most furnishings in the Jin Prince Mansion had been collected by the imperial household, leaving the rooms bare and empty. The skeletal remains were now placed in a side room of the main courtyard.
When Qin Wan reached the doorway, Magistrate Zheng was speaking with Li Muyun, “Brother Li, if the person truly died between June and August last year, the Jin Prince Mansion wasn’t empty then. How did someone die here?”
Li Muyun frowned, “If so, we’ll need to reinvestigate everyone from the Jin Prince Mansion.”
Magistrate Zheng asked, “Brother Li, do you think this person belonged to the Jin Prince Mansion?”
Li Muyun smiled bitterly, “If not someone from the mansion, how did they enter? The mansion wasn’t sealed then, and after sealing it would’ve been even more impossible.”
Magistrate Zheng hesitated slightly, “If that’s the case, will His Majesty allow an investigation?”
Qin Wan entered and said, “Didn’t Magistrate Zheng just say we should investigate normally?”
Magistrate Zheng gave a bitter smile, “This morning we only knew skeletal remains were found in the Jin Prince Mansion, not when the person died. His Majesty didn’t say anything then. However, if the investigation leads back to last June through August, the common people will surely bring up last year’s events again. Then—”
Having imperial taboos publicly discussed again would certainly not be good.
Zheng finished speaking and looked at Li Muyun, “I must report this to the palace and hear His Majesty’s thoughts first.”
Li Muyun nodded, “Indeed we should, as this isn’t an ordinary case.”
At these words, Qin Wan’s heart sank. She knew the Jin Prince’s case wouldn’t be easy to touch.
Qin Wan watched Magistrate Zheng before her, fingering her sleeve pocket. Just as she was about to speak, Zheng sighed, “The Jin Prince’s case, from start to finish, was handled very strictly. Bringing up the old case now—I fear we won’t be able to investigate.”
Li Muyun’s expression grew somewhat grave, “Brother Zheng should first visit the palace to hear His Majesty’s thoughts, lest we handle things incorrectly—”
Speaking thus, Zheng turned to look at Qin Wan, seeing she seemed about to say something, and asked, “Does Young Miss have any insights?”
Qin Wan’s lips moved slightly, then she shook her head, “Both masters speak reasonably. I’ve completed the corpse examination, and my findings are what Magistrate Zheng has seen. If this case can be investigated further, I’ll come examine it again. If not, I naturally won’t say more.”
Magistrate Zheng nodded, about to speak again when a yamen runner rushed in with a changed expression, “Master! Trouble! Many commoners have gathered outside, seemingly having heard that you, Master Li, and the Young Miss are here. They all want to know if the mansion is haunted and who died!”
Qin Wan immediately frowned. The Jin Prince Mansion was surrounded by noble family residences—where had these commoners come from?
The runner continued, “Many people say this mansion has been haunted for some time. They claim many have seen ghost fire inside. They didn’t know why before, but now that yamen officials are here, they’ve all gathered to watch.”
Li Muyun and Zheng exchanged glances, Li saying, “This seems problematic.”
The more onlookers gathered, the harder it would be to suppress the case. Without an explanation, there would be even more private speculation among the people.
Magistrate Zheng sighed, handed the examination report to Yang Zhan, and headed toward the mansion gate with several runners. Qin Wan frowned—with crowds blocking the way, it would be difficult for them to leave later.
Li Muyun glanced at Qin Wan, “What does Young Miss think?”
Qin Wan looked at Li Muyun, unsure of his meaning. Collecting herself, she asked, “What does Master Li think?”
Li Muyun smiled, seemingly aware of Qin Wan’s deliberate evasion, shaking his head, “This case is truly difficult. The Jin Prince’s case can’t be touched—even after a year, it’s still untouchable.”
Qin Wan considered, “Since Master Li brings it up, I’m curious. Although the Jin Prince committed crimes, there are precedents of princes being tried normally. Why was the Jin Prince’s case special?”
After a pause, she added, “Wasn’t Master Li the chief judge in the Jin Prince’s case?”
Li Muyun’s smile faded slightly, “Indeed, I concluded that case. As for why it can’t be touched, Young Miss has spent time in the palace and should understand somewhat—in Da Zhou, palace matters are beyond the law.”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, looking stunned, saying nothing.
Li Muyun glanced again at the skeleton in the room, “Whoever this skeleton belonged to, it won’t significantly affect anyone now. Not investigating is the safest choice.”
Qin Wan snapped back to awareness, smiling slightly, “Master Li, as Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, such words are better kept to yourself.”
Li Muyun turned to face Qin Wan, “Young Miss has an unyielding spirit, rivaling any man. I merely remind Young Miss that to help the common people, one must understand worldly affairs and human hearts. Otherwise, what Young Miss wishes to accomplish may be difficult to achieve.”
Qin Wan only smiled silently, and Li Muyun said no more.
Soon, another runner rushed over, “Master Li! Trouble! There’s conflict at the mansion gate—Magistrate Zheng has been struck! Please come quickly!”
Li Muyun’s expression changed drastically, “Magistrate Zheng was struck?!”
Li Muyun strode quickly toward the gate. As Qin Wan moved to follow, Li turned back saying, “Young Miss, stay here.”
Bai Ying stood nearby, quickly moving to protect Qin Wan.
Li Muyun left without looking back. Qin Wan was bewildered—Zheng was a third-rank imperial official, who would dare strike him!
“Bai Ying, go see—”
Bai Ying hesitated, “Young Miss, I must protect you.”
Qin Wan shook her head, “I’m not alone here. Go look, and if the situation is bad, immediately find the nearby patrol guards. They discovered the body last night—their people must still be around!”
Bai Ying bit her lip but finally turned to go.
Qin Wan stood in the doorway as an autumn breeze blew through the hall, creating an eerie atmosphere. The two guards at the door looked uneasy, but Qin Wan remained composed. She fingered her sleeve pocket again, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Li Muyun said palace matters were beyond the law—if so, she would have to take risks.
Bai Ying left quickly and returned quickly, “Young Miss! The patrol guards have arrived!”
About a cup of tea’s time had passed since Zheng left, and the patrol guards were indeed quick!
“There was conflict outside. Magistrate Zheng’s forehead was bloodied by a blow. The yamen people fought with the commoners. The patrol guards were nearby and came when they heard the commotion. They’re now stopping the chaos, and several ringleaders have been arrested. Magistrate Zheng is back inside now.”
After Bai Ying’s report, Qin Wan hurried toward the gate. Halfway there, she saw Magistrate Zheng being supported back by a runner. The left side of Zheng’s face was covered in blood, looking particularly frightening. He held a handkerchief pressed to his forehead, his whole body trembling as he walked.
Qin Wan quickly went to meet him, “Magistrate Zheng, how are you feeling?”
Seeing Qin Wan approach, Zheng pointed to the corridor railing. The runner immediately helped him sit down. Zheng let out a long breath, his face pale with anger, “Truly troublesome commoners! This is—”
In his many years as an official in the capital, Zheng had never encountered such violent civilians!
Qin Wan quickly took two pills from her sleeve and gave them to Zheng, “Magistrate, these are calming pills. Take them first and let me look at your wound—”
Zheng took the pills and removed the handkerchief. Qin Wan saw a One Cun long gash. Though such a wound elsewhere would be minor, its location in the temple made it look particularly alarming. Qin Wan took out her own handkerchief, tore it with a rip, tied a knot, and seeing the length was sufficient, immediately bound it around Zheng’s forehead.
The bandage was for stopping the blood. Though head wounds were often bound this way, Zheng was an imperial official still wearing his Third-Rank crimson official robes, making the sight somewhat comical.
Those present naturally dared not laugh. Qin Wan said, “Master, please calm yourself. Anger rushing to the heart impedes blood clotting. I have no medicine now and can only roughly bandage it. Master should seek treatment and apply medicine soon.”
Zheng raised a hand indicating it was fine, “The gate is still blocked—we can’t leave. Young Miss doesn’t know, but those commoners outside…”
Managing the capital’s administration for years, Zheng had never encountered such a situation. His anger naturally couldn’t be quelled quickly. The runner who had supported Zheng inside said, “Those people… They’ve heard too many ghost stories. Master went out to explain and disperse the crowd, but someone accused the officials of concealing things, saying the Jin Prince’s mansion harbors vengeful spirits and that more than one person died inside. The more they spoke, the more agitated everyone became. Master got angry and rebuked them, but the commoners dared to argue back. Someone threw a stone at Master…”
Now Qin Wan understood how Zheng was injured. Naturally, after Zheng was struck, the runners wouldn’t be lenient. Conflict quickly erupted, escalating the situation. Fortunately, the patrol guards were nearby.
“Master, please calm yourself. With the patrol guards here, the chaos should soon be controlled.”
Qin Wan could only offer such consolation. Zheng covered his forehead, unable to vent his anger in front of Qin Wan, only sighing repeatedly. After a moment, Li Muyun strode in from outside, someone following behind. Qin Wan looked carefully—who else but Qin Ye!
“Fourth Brother? Why are you here?”
Qin Ye said, “I had people nearby. How is Magistrate Zheng?”
Zheng waved indicating he was fine. Qin Ye continued, “The main troublemakers have been arrested and the others dispersed. Magistrate Zheng can now seek treatment…”
Zheng felt today’s events were both embarrassing and strange. He sighed again, stood, and walked out. Soon Yang Zhan returned, and Zheng instructed, “Watch this place, continue searching the mansion generally, but don’t enter rooms randomly. I’ll get treatment and change clothes before seeing His Majesty. Going to the palace like this might disturb His Majesty.”
The group escorted Zheng out. After Zheng left, Li Muyun said, “Brother Zheng is going to the palace, and I must return to the Court of Judicial Review. Fourth Young Master, please trouble yourself to escort Young Miss home, lest she encounter more troublemakers.”
Even without Li Muyun saying so, Qin Ye would have done this. After Li Muyun left, Qin Ye said, “Ninth Sister, get in the carriage, I’ll escort you.”
Qin Wan laughed, “Fourth Brother, you’ve just arrested people—attend to your duties first.”
Qin Ye smiled, “The people have been sent to Lin’an Prefecture. We’re free. I’ll escort you to prevent trouble.”
Qin Wan had no choice but to enter the carriage. Qin Ye rode alongside on horseback. Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain, “Fourth Brother, are there ghost stories about the Jin Prince Mansion?”
Qin Ye paused slightly, then nodded, “Indeed there are such tales.”
Qin Wan was stunned briefly, then asked, “Do you know when they started?”
Qin Ye considered, “Should have been around May or June. If you want to know the exact time, I can have people investigate thoroughly?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “No need, I was just asking.”
Qin Ye grunted in acknowledgment and said no more. Qin Wan lowered the carriage curtain and fingered her sleeve pocket again.
Having said he’d escort Qin Wan home, Qin Ye indeed accompanied her to the Marquis mansion gate before leaving. Qin Wan thanked him, but Qin Ye casually waved and left. Qin Wan quickly entered the mansion. Upon returning to Pine Breeze Court, she finally took out what was in her sleeve pocket. Her usual empty fragrance sachet now contained four or five black particles covered in soil.
The particles were only rice-grain-sized, and easily missed in soil by ordinary people. But Qin Wan, skilled in medicine, recognized them instantly as Wu Fan Zi, effective for calming nerves, stopping coughs, and treating palpitations, insomnia, chronic cough, and other ailments. This normally grew in deep mountain forests—not something that should appear in the Jin Prince Mansion!
Ju Ling watched Qin Wan staring at the small black grains, unsure what was wrong. About to ask, she was pulled back by Bai Ying, who shook her head. Ju Ling didn’t press further, asking softly, “What is that?”
Bai Ying quickly said, “Young Miss found it under the corpse.”
Ju Ling started, instinctively feeling it inauspicious. However, seeing Qin Wan’s serious, heavy expression, she dared not say anything. “What’s wrong? Is the case hard to solve? Who was the dead person?”
Bai Ying continued shaking her head, “We don’t know who it was yet. As for solving the case… this case might not need solving.”
Ju Ling was completely bewildered, not understanding why a case wouldn’t need solving…
Qin Wan came back to herself, carefully putting the black grains back in the sachet and tying it securely. She entered her inner chamber. Wu Fan Zi shouldn’t appear in the Jin Prince Mansion—was it brought by the killer? By the victim? Qin Wan had had the chance to reveal this but had changed her mind at the last moment.
If the Jin Prince’s case was beyond the law, she need not follow justice and righteousness.
Because she knew this skeleton in the Jin Prince Mansion might be the key to unlocking the mystery of the Jin Prince case! She would let this case develop according to her wishes!