“The act of cutting out hearts and livers is nothing but witchcraft and evil practices, a perversion of corpse mutilation. The second branch attempted to poison Liang Chenzhong, so they don’t have this tendency,” Zhu Yan said. “Think carefully. Slow poisoning is meant to be undetectable. If the second branch intended to kill quietly, why would they make such a spectacle of killing, digging a pit, and burying the body at Ximing Temple, a place frequented by people and valued by His Majesty? Wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?”
Wu Taiming handed her the token: “But this matter also has its doubts. Of the two sons of the Liang family’s main branch, they value the eldest legitimate son more. Why would the second branch kill Liang Chenzhong, who was unlearned and had no chance of inheriting the family business? It might be a personal grudge. Look at how the main branch couple reacted today—examining the corpse immediately and leaving at the sight of poison. There must have been long-standing resentment.”
Zhu Yan pondered.
The panting Lu Chuichui straightened up: “If that’s the case, I can make inquiries for you. Recently, Fengle Ward has reported several missing person cases. Chief Clerk Huang asked Nalan Xin and me to go there and check the situation. We can ask the constables and civilians about the Liang family matter while we’re at it.”
Scribes held the lowest position in the Ministry of Justice, having to run errands, investigate cases, and serve tea. Even the newly recruited female scribes were treated the same, if not given more work because of their gender.
Thinking about spending most of her day off on the case, only to return and process countless case files on the Ministry of Justice’s desk, Lu Chuichui could barely straighten her back.
In contrast, although Zhu Yan’s work was demanding, she didn’t have to do any other miscellaneous tasks.
Just as she was about to jokingly complain about whether the Director favored Zhu Yan, even assisting her in investigating against His Majesty’s wishes, Zhu Yan asked, “If the Director’s token is lost carelessly, he’ll be implicated.”
Zhu Yan looked at Wu Taiming: “Why are you helping me, Director?”
Wu Taiming glanced at her, his face showing an awkward expression: “Don’t tell anyone about my mistress.”
Lu Chuichui immediately widened her eyes: “Mi… mistress?”
Wu Taiming gave Lu Chuichui a displeased look, indicating that she had spoken too loudly.
“I haven’t had any children with that mistress. I merely pity her. After some time… I’ll send her away. Don’t tell your mother. I don’t want my wife to know. This token was given by the Minister. It allows you to move about at night without being stopped and to immediately summon constables if needed. It’s meant for senior officials of the Ministry of Justice to facilitate investigations. Don’t lose it under any circumstances.”
Madam Jin had a straightforward temperament and friends all over. If Zhu Yan told her, by tomorrow, Madam Wu would surely be beating Wu Taiming into a pig’s head while returning to her maiden home to discuss divorce.
Knowing that Wu Taiming lived with a tigress at home, Zhu Yan smiled slightly and agreed.
Only then did Wu Taiming return reassured. Lu Chuichui was scared out of her wits. Seeing Zhu Yan about to leave, she hurried to catch up, wanting to ask, but suddenly understood the situation.
“It’s that little yellow flower!”
“The needlework was delicate, the pattern gentle, and it was embroidered on the inside of the sleeve, intentionally hidden from view,” Zhu Yan said. “I’ve told you many times before, but you treated it as passing remarks. Otherwise, why would you do so many useless things?”
Lu Chuichui regretted immensely, wringing her hands: “You know my mind isn’t quick. How could I understand when you spoke like that? By the way, where is this place—wait, wait, wait! Isn’t this the small courtyard borrowed by the coroners for autopsies? At this hour, do you still want to examine the corpse? Aren’t you hungry? I want to eat, Sixth Young Lady…”
As soon as she stepped through the door and saw the corpse of a woman in brocade clothes and jade bracelets lying on the wooden bed, her face rotting and covered in maggots, Lu Chuichui jumped back out the door with a start, clinging to it and wailing.