There are hundreds of professions in the world, each with its specialties. Though Qin Wan used her identity as a physician to perform coroner’s work, while ordinary people might be deceived, she dared not be careless before the perceptive Yan Chi.
“Investigation?” Qin Wan’s tone was puzzled. “What investigation?”
Qin Wan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her jade-like face showing complete bewilderment. Yan Chi watched her, his phoenix eyes narrowing. “If not for your intervention yesterday, how could the Magistrate have found the culprit so quickly?”
Qin Wan seemed to suddenly understand. She looked up at Yan Chi, her bright eyes clear and transparent. “I don’t know about the investigation. I merely stated what I observed based on my medical knowledge and made some guesses.” Qin Wan blinked. “Isn’t this something anyone could do?”
“Something anyone could do?” Yan Chi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Then why couldn’t the coroner at the magistrate’s office do it?”
Qin Wan lowered her gaze, her cool fingertips tracing over Yan Chi’s tanned skin where the bloody wound had been cleaned. “Coroner Xu is quite young and probably hasn’t had proper training. Without expertise, one naturally can’t accomplish much.”
A cold light flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. “I wasn’t aware that other physicians routinely cut open bodies, nor that they could understand wounds on dead bodies so well that they could determine the weapon used just by looking.”
Qin Wan put aside the bloodied cotton and applied the hemostatic paste to Yan Chi’s new wound. “My father had some reputation and quite a collection of books. Among them was a miscellany written by Hua Ci, a great medical expert from the previous dynasty.”
“The book specifically covered external injuries, not only how to treat them but also described one hundred and eight types of wounds he had seen. In the end, it detailed thirty-six ways people could die—from illness, sudden death, drowning, hanging, falling… each with descriptions. Among these thirty-six types of death, it explained which circumstances still allowed for rescue and which were beyond help. Naturally, it included treatment methods for those that could be saved.”
After a slight pause, Qin Wan continued solemnly, “This book was entirely different from other medical texts, breaking new ground. It would serve better as a manual in criminal courts. Therefore, it wasn’t widely circulated at the time. My father was fortunate to obtain it through his acquaintance with Hua’s descendants. I gained immensely from reading it.”
Hua Ci’s fame was real, and he had indeed written many medical texts revered by later generations. Qin Wan was certain that Yan Chi, though accomplished in warfare, wouldn’t be so well-versed in medical literature.
Though this answer seemed flawless, Yan Chi gave a light laugh.
“Shen Yi’s ‘Revised Records of Washing Away Injustice from the Court of Judicial Review’ not only covered coroner’s examination and investigation techniques but also included his experience in handling thousands of cases during his fifteen years in office, including how to judge whether suspects were lying through their behavior and demeanor.”
Qin Wan didn’t understand why he mentioned this, but when she looked up, Yan Chi smiled at her and said, “Someone who knows how to detect lies naturally knows how to avoid such tells when lying. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Qin Wan’s back stiffened, but she shook her head. “That’s not true. While habits can be developed over time, it’s extremely difficult to change one’s instincts. For example, right now, Your Highness speaks casually as if uninjured, but your pale complexion, purple lips, and cold sweat reveal the pain you’re experiencing through these natural, instinctive reactions.”
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan’s clear, deer-like eyes, almost convinced by her composed demeanor. Yet doubt lingered in his heart. He had conquered battlefields and maneuvered through court politics, but before this jade-like young girl, he found himself at an impasse. Yan Chi looked away, but deep interest rose in his eyes.
Though the supreme art of war was to subdue the enemy without fighting, the usually decisive Yan Chi was willing to take a step back this time.
Qin Wan, unaware of Yan Chi’s schemes, felt relieved thinking she had passed this test.
“Don’t mention Shen Yi in public anymore,” Yan Chi suddenly spoke.
Qin Wan’s hands paused, her eyes darkened, but her voice remained casual as she asked, “Why is that?”
Yan Chi turned to look at Qin Wan. She was slender, and even sitting, she barely reached his height. As she leaned forward with her head lowered, he could see her beautifully curved swan-like neck. After a moment’s contemplation, Yan Chi spoke words he shouldn’t have: “Shen Yi was involved in a major case in the capital. He’s now been executed as a criminal.”
Qin Wan’s heart ached, her throat tightened, but her voice remained confused and puzzled. “I’ve heard something about this, but… everyone says Official Shen was upright and strict in his duties. What crime did he commit?”
Yan Chi frowned. “This case involves princes and imperial consorts. It’s taboo in the capital, and even here in Jin Zhou, you shouldn’t ask too much. Just remember my warning.”
Qin Wan felt as if an iron block was lodged in her chest, but she quickly nodded. “Yes… I wouldn’t dare comment on imperial and court matters.”
“Imperial and court matters?” Yan Chi gave a derisive laugh, his mockery obvious, but said no more.
Qin Wan knew she couldn’t learn more details from Yan Chi and quickly changed the subject, focusing on the serious wound on his back. She had cleaned the blood, but the old wound had reopened multiple times and was festering. To heal it, she would need to remove the rotted flesh.
“Your Highness’s back injury is severe, with a serious infection, I’m afraid—”
“I know. Do what you must.”
Having fought in battles, Yan Chi was no stranger to injuries. His back alone bore three scars. Qin Wan nodded briefly, but her gaze fell on the nearby tray, which had all the necessary items except a knife.
“You’re not carrying the Han Yue I gave you?”
Yan Chi spoke again, his tone surprisingly stern. Qin Wan started, not understanding his displeasure, and hurriedly said, “Of course I am, but the Han Yue is Your Highness’s—”
“I gave you Han Yue for medical use. What are you waiting for?”
Though Yan Chi’s tone had softened slightly, it remained harsh. Qin Wan had wanted to say the Han Yue was his and should be returned, but his response left her speechless.
Taking Han Yue from her sleeve, having used it once before, Qin Wan now handled it skillfully. After sterilizing it with alcohol, she picked up some anesthetic powder. “Your Highness, please take two pills—”
Yan Chi turned, saw what she held, and frowned. “That won’t be necessary!”
The injury was too severe, and removing the rotted flesh would cause massive bleeding. The process would be slow, and the pain unimaginable. Qin Wan worried Yan Chi might faint, but seeing his serious, uncompromising expression, she had to give up.
Qin Wan lowered her head and swiftly brought down Han Yue. The cold blade precisely cut into the infected area, and fresh blood soon flowed down Yan Chi’s back.
Yan Chi kept his back straight, making no sound, though cold sweat poured from his temples.
The room was quiet except for their breathing. Just when Qin Wan thought Yan Chi wouldn’t speak through the unbearable pain, he suddenly spoke in a deep voice.
“The Shuo Xi frontier stretches a thousand li. When war breaks out, we often leave camp for months. During long-distance raids, medicine is scarce. If we become accustomed to anesthetics, we wouldn’t be able to endure injuries when they’re unavailable. That’s why I’ve never used them for my wounds.”
Qin Wan’s eyelashes trembled upon hearing this, and a wave of warmth surged in her heart. She had never been to the frontier battlefields and didn’t know the ways of war, but just hearing this revealed the hardships of Shuo Xi. Yan Chi was only twenty-two this year. Most princes and nobles his age lived luxuriously in the capital, unable to leave its splendor and wealth. Only he had fought in Shuo Xi for twelve years.
This strong body, so young yet covered in horrific scars, was painful to see. It was said that one’s body, hair, and skin were gifts from parents that shouldn’t be damaged carelessly. If his mother saw these wounds, how heartbroken would she be?
Qin Wan gritted her teeth, forcing away the pain of remembering her father’s case. Her gaze focused, and her movements became even more precise. She held her breath as her fingers moved quickly. Even so, by the time she finished cleaning all the infected tissue, Yan Chi’s forehead was covered in dripping sweat. Qin Wan swiftly applied the hemostatic paste, her gaze darkening as she saw his tightly clenched fists at his sides.
“Your Highness’s injury is very severe. You must avoid water for a month and refrain from martial arts. If the wound reopens, you’ll have to endure today’s pain again. Moreover, since the wound reaches the bone, if it becomes infected again, it could affect your internal organs.”
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. Though his face was pale and covered in cold sweat, his gaze remained deep and clear, seemingly unmoved by her words.
Qin Wan frowned, knowing that Yan Chi must be accustomed to injuries and had lost his fear of them. She spoke severely, “If Your Highness develops chronic problems, you might never return to the battlefield!”
Looking at Qin Wan’s serious face, Yan Chi’s eyes gradually brightened, like a crescent moon emerging from deep waters, gleaming with enchanting gentleness. After a moment, his lips curved into a smile. “What if I say no?”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed tighter. In her long medical practice, though she hadn’t opened her clinic, she had helped many patients with her master and all had followed medical advice. Who had ever been so arrogant and discourteous?!
She angrily said, “If Your Highness won’t comply, then don’t let me treat your wounds again!”
Yan Chi’s smile grew wider, and despite his sweat-covered face, he laughed. “Then I shall entrust my injuries to Ninth Young Lady from now on.”
Qin Wan was stunned, and before she could react, Yan Chi continued, “Naturally, I won’t let the young lady treat me without compensation. Gold and silver would be too crude. I have something here that shall serve as your doctor’s fee.”
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi’s bright eyes, then turned to see Bai Feng entering with a black ebony box. Looking at the box, Qin Wan felt something wasn’t quite right…