Chapter 33 : A Suspicious Case
33: A Suspicious Case
"On the corpse?!" Jiang‑shi was taken aback. "What evidence could still be on the corpse? The yamen coroner has already examined it. The examination report was even sent to the Marquis's residence. The coroner said the deceased was indeed beaten to death."
Qin Wan frowned. "The coroner has already determined the cause of death?"
Jiang‑shi nodded. "Yes, he has. He said the ribs were broken. When ribs break, the internal organs can be pierced. He said the deceased must have died for that reason."
A faint light flickered in Qin Wan's eyes. "Did the yamen coroner perform an autopsy?"
Jiang‑shi's eyes widened, almost doubting her own hearing. "What? An autopsy?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes. Just now, when I saw the deceased being carried in, his body appeared intact, not like one that had undergone an autopsy. The yamen coroner likely hasn't performed one yet, correct?"
Fear rose in Jiang‑shi's eyes. "Au… autopsy? Why would an autopsy be needed?"
Jiang‑shi was a noblewoman. The death of an ordinary person was frightening enough, let alone cutting a body open. Facing Qin Wan's utterly serious expression, she was momentarily stunned. Even she found it terrifying. How could Qin Wan ask about it so calmly?
"Rib fractures can be felt by a physician or an experienced coroner. However, determining whether the internal organs were pierced cannot be done by touch alone. To ascertain the true cause of death, only an autopsy can provide that."
Jiang‑shi's eyes widened further. "An autopsy… this… the prefectural yamen's coroner did not perform one…"
After a slight pause, Jiang‑shi added, "Wan'er, how do you know these things?"
Qin Wan replied with calm composure. "A physician treats a hundred ailments and naturally understands better than an ordinary person how someone dies. A person may have many injuries, but only one or two are truly fatal or ultimately caused death. Only a physician or an experienced coroner can distinguish this. Ordinary people cannot."
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, coroners were all men and belonged to the lowly jian class of undertakers. A noble young lady like Qin Wan would have absolutely no contact with such matters. Fortunately, Qin Wan was skilled in medicine. For a physician to understand the cause of human death was perfectly normal.
However, physicians and coroners were ultimately different. Qin Wan could not rashly propose conducting the autopsy herself.
Jiang‑shi understood. "So that's it. You mean we should have the prefectural yamen's coroner perform an autopsy?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes. Only an autopsy can determine exactly how the deceased died."
Jiang‑shi nodded slightly, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes. Though she was an inner courtyard woman, she was not without insight or opinion. Upon careful consideration, she felt Qin Wan's words made sense. She then called Lüyun over and gave a few instructions.
A moment later, Lüyun entered the side room. Jiang‑shi led Qin Wan and the others to a rear warming chamber.
After waiting a short while, Yue Qiong strode in. "Madam, why summon the coroner?"
Jiang‑shi glanced at Qin Wan and relayed everything Qin Wan had just said to Yue Qiong. As Yue Qiong listened, the light in his eyes grew brighter. His gaze toward Qin Wan became increasingly filled with admiration and appreciation. Soon, Yue Qiong made a decision. "I'll send someone immediately to summon the prefectural coroner!"
Qin Wan felt a sense of relief. She also felt a sense of appreciation for the Anyang Marquis's family. Setting aside their gratitude for her earlier help, Yue Qiong's character was loyal, upright, and forthright. Jiang‑shi was gentle, graceful, and virtuous. Though she hadn't interacted deeply with Yue Ning or the heir-apparent, Yue Jia, up close they didn't seem like people of poor character. Such a family was worth her effort to help them investigate the truth.
The person sent to find the coroner had already departed. Yue Qiong then summoned Yue Jia. "Your second brother still hasn't returned. The people sent out haven't reported back either. Send more men to search. If he can't be found, have Prefect Huo treat him as a fugitive!"
Just as Yue Jia left, Yang Xi entered from outside and reported, "Marquis, Young Master Wei is outside requesting an audience. He asks if he can be of assistance."
Young Master Wei? Qin Wan's eyebrows raised slightly.
Jiang‑shi, being closest to her, explained. "He is the cousin of the young lady from the Song family. After the incident last night, the Song family's wedding entourage temporarily stayed in Jinzhou. They are currently residing in the East Courtyard of the Marquis's residence. Partly to assist with the investigation, and partly as a gesture of condolence from the Marquis's household."
Qin Wan immediately remembered, the young man who walked at the front of the wedding procession!
So he was the Song young lady's cousin…
Yue Qiong showed a trace of surprise and hurriedly said, "Quickly, invite him in."
When Wei Yanzhi entered from outside, the weariness on his face had not yet faded. He had traveled a long distance with the wedding procession and was already exhausted. Coupled with Song Rou's death, he was barely holding himself together mentally. Although he had washed and changed into a new robe, he still looked utterly dejected.
"Greetings to the Marquis, Madam, and to His Highness. I heard the Second Young Master of the Marquis's household left the residence and his whereabouts are unknown. Does Yanzhi need to help search?" Wei Yanzhi saluted with hands clasped. His movements were still upright and proper.
Yue Qiong waved a hand. "Nephew, you should rest properly today. There's no need for you to help."
Wei Yanzhi sighed. "My mind is uneasy. I cannot rest. It would be better to do something for the household."
Everyone understood his state of mind. Yan Chi stepped forward and clapped a hand on his shoulder. Wei Yanzhi was originally tall and well-built, but standing together, he was actually half a head shorter than Yan Chi. Yan Chi's voice was clear and resonant. "Brother Wei, please moderate your grief. If you feel stifled, you can walk around Jinzhou City. If that doesn't help, there is a training ground within the Marquis's residence. You can go practice some drills."
Wei Yanzhi served in the capital's patrol battalion, so he was considered a military officer. Yan Chi's suggestion was quite fitting.
Wei Yanzhi quickly nodded. "Yes. When I was walking idly around the residence earlier, I saw the training ground. I was thinking the same."
Yue Qiong sighed. "These past two days, there have been many matters in the residence. Please forgive any neglect, Nephew. The Grand Princess is unwell, Qing'er is… After this matter is settled, let Jia'er accompany you to relax."
Wei Yanzhi immediately waved his hands. "No, no, no. Yanzhi is merely troubled by a knot in his heart. It's a minor matter. The Marquis need not worry about Yanzhi. Yanzhi only hopes for an early resolution to Little Rou's death. Only then can I give a proper account to my uncle."
Wei Yanzhi's arrival made the atmosphere in the room even heavier. Yue Qiong was about to offer a few more words of consolation when Yue Jia ran in, his face alight with surprise. "Father, Mother, Prefect Huo has arrived! Second Brother has returned with Prefect Huo!"
Yue Qiong was startled. Jiang‑shi also showed surprise. The two went out one after the other. Just outside the door, they saw Huo Huaixin, followed by two yamen constables and Yue Qing, striding in from behind the screen wall.
"Qing'er…" At the sight of Yue Qing, Jiang‑shi couldn't help but call out.
Yue Qing's face bore the look of someone whose sorrow was greater than death itself. He came to Jiang‑shi's side and pressed his lips together without speaking. Jiang‑shi looked at Huo Huaixin, then at Yue Qing. "Qing'er, how did you return with the Prefect?"
Huo Huaixin's short, stout frame was wrapped in a dark cloak. His small eyes held a trace of regret and sympathy. "Madam, the Second Young Master came to the yamen to turn himself in half an hour ago!"
Hearing this, Jiang‑shi's eyes immediately reddened. "Qing'er!"
Yue Qing took Jiang‑shi's hand and looked at Yue Qiong. "Father, Mother, I have thought it through. Since the man died because of me, I can only turn myself in and take responsibility. I have already written my confession at the yamen."
Once a confession was written, guilt was admitted, and sentencing could follow. Although Yue Qiong had earlier told Yue Qing to turn himself in, at this moment, his face also paled. If Yue Qing were convicted and sentenced, even if he didn't die, his life would be ruined.
Jiang‑shi could no longer hold back her tears. Seeing this, Huo Huaixin sighed. First the case of the Song young lady, and now Yue Qing beating someone to death. The Anyang Marquis's household being involved in two homicide cases was a devastating blow. "Marquis, the Second Young Master has already given a clear account. The confession has been signed and sealed. He was to be imprisoned immediately. However, considering that the Grand Princess and Madam would certainly wish to speak properly with the Second Young Master, I planned to grant him a grace period of two days. The day after tomorrow, I will come to take him."
Jiang‑shi sobbed. Yue Qiong's eyes also filled with pain. Because of Qin Wan's words, they had still harbored doubts about the case, even feeling Yue Qing might have been wronged. They never expected Yue Qing would go and turn himself in, and even sign a confession!
Since that was the case, the matter was settled. Anything else would be futile.
Huo Huaixin sighed with deep regret. Yue Qing and Yue Jia not only came from an outstanding family, but both were also exceptional young talents. In the future, they were highly likely to follow in the Anyang Marquis's footsteps and hold military power. They had bright futures ahead, now ruined because of a craftsman.
Huo Huaixin felt it was a great pity. He was about to offer some comfort to Yue Qiong when, unexpectedly, a clear, cold voice rang out from the very back of the group.
"I dare to ask His Honor the Prefect, since the cause of the deceased's death has not yet been determined, how can you be so certain it was the Second Young Master who beat him to death?"
Huo Huaixin frowned, looking toward the back of the crowd. There, under the dim, flickering lamplight of the Marquis's residence, stood a young girl of noble bearing and striking beauty.
Her clear, sharp gaze met his, sending a sudden chill straight to Huo Huaixin's heart.
Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"