Chapter 34 : I Will Examine the Corpse
34: I Will Examine the Corpse
Huo Huaixin looked at Qin Wan. He had never known there was another young lady in the Anyang Marquis's residence.
Moreover, this young girl had the quality of a secluded orchid and a face like the bright moon. She was no ordinary young lady from a common family. Considering that many distinguished guests from the capital had come for the Marquis's wedding festivities, Huo Huaixin frowned. Could she be a princess or young mistress from the capital who had come?
"Prefect Huo, this is the Ninth Young Miss of the Qin family."
Huo Huaixin's eyebrows twitched. The Qin family, Ninth Young Miss…
He knew of the Qin family and was quite familiar with its head, Qin An. However, he had only met the Qin family's Fifth and Sixth Young Misses. He had never met this Ninth Young Miss, the orphaned daughter of the Second Household who had come to reside with the Jinzhou Qin family…
Wait… Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes slightly.
This Ninth Young Miss… could she be the one from half a month ago, for whom the mourning hall had been prepared, yet who had come back to life?!
Being among the few official noble families in Jinzhou City, such private matters tended to spread. Although he didn't concern himself with the affairs of inner courtyards, this matter had been brought up by his own wife, Lady Yuan.
For no other reason than Lady Yuan saying this Ninth Young Miss had a fate so ill it had overcome her parents, and that the cause of that strange incident before was actually this Ninth Young Miss's infatuation with their son, Huo Ning. Since Huo Ning had no interest in her, she had jumped into the lake.
This Ninth Young Miss was someone the entire Loyal and Valiant Marquis's household overlooked. Lady Yuan not only looked down on her status as an orphan but also detested her fate. At the time, she had worried the incident would blow up and damage Huo Ning's reputation.
Back then, he had asked a few more questions. Lady Yuan had said this Ninth Young Miss had no talent, no virtue, no looks, was timid and cowardly, with not a hint of noble bearing. At a young age, she was shameless, jumping into a lake over a matter of private affection. Such a person, unfit for refined society, dreaming of becoming the daughter-in-law of the Prefect's household, was utterly delusional.
Huo Huaixin's heart gradually tightened. Lady Yuan was wrong. And wrong by a great margin.
"So it is the Qin family's Ninth Young Miss…"
After a slight pause, Huo Huaixin straightened his back. For some reason, thinking that Lady Yuan said this Ninth Young Miss had jumped into the lake for Huo Ning, a faint, secret sense of delight actually arose in his heart. Considering this, Huo Huaixin frowned again. Yesterday, at the Marquis's wedding banquet, he seemed to have heard that the Grand Princess had summoned a young girl to accompany her the entire day…
A look of puzzlement appeared in Huo Huaixin's eyes. "Why is Ninth Young Miss here?"
Despite her grief, Jiang‑shi still remembered to speak for Qin Wan. "Prefect should know that several days ago, Mother went out and fell ill, fainting by the roadside. It was Ninth Young Miss who saved her then. Today, with this incident, Mother's condition became critical. It was also Ninth Young Miss who entered the residence to help diagnose and treat her. Mother's illness is not a matter of a day's work. Ninth Young Miss will stay in our residence for a couple of days."
A bright light flared in Huo Huaixin's eyes. There was a separation between inner and outer households. While handling official duties, he had indeed heard that the Grand Princess had been saved by someone, but he hadn't known it was Qin Wan!
Huo Huaixin's tone softened, taking on a sense of an elder's appreciation for a favored junior. "So… the 'Little Medical Immortal' people have been talking about these past few days is Ninth Young Miss? I truly never imagined Ninth Young Miss, at such a young age, has already achieved such mastery…"
Yan Chi frowned. This Prefect Huo had a decent record in governance and was considered fair and strict as an official. But the changes in his expression over these few moments convinced Yan Chi that he knew the rumors about Qin Wan jumping into the lake for Huo Ning.
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. He could tell at a glance what Huo Huaixin was thinking…
This man had navigated officialdom for many years and was most adept at weighing advantages and disadvantages. The look in his eyes when he regarded Qin Wan already held satisfaction and appreciation. Coupled with Qin Wan's current connection to the Anyang Marquis's residence, wasn't it natural for him to have some plans?
"Exactly. Qin Ninth Young Miss is a distinguished guest of the Marquis's residence. She saved my aunt, and is also a benefactor of the Marquis's household and the Yan clan."
As soon as Yan Chi spoke, Huo Huaixin felt a twinge of apprehension.
Being a benefactor of the Marquis's residence was one thing, but the Yan clan was the entire imperial family. Although the Grand Princess's status was indeed noble, why would this Prince Rui's son so casually elevate Qin Ninth Young Miss to such a high position?
Huo Huaixin hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. Yan Chi gave him no chance. "Prefect Huo has not yet answered Ninth Young Miss's question. Why, when the cause of the deceased's death is not yet determined, are you so certain it was the Second Young Master who beat the man to death?"
Huo Huaixin immediately collected his thoughts. He hadn't forgotten that this Qin Ninth Young Miss was questioning his conclusion of the case.
Clearing his throat slightly, Huo Huaixin said gently, "Ninth Young Miss is unaware. The yamen coroner examined the body immediately. The deceased Lin Daxing was indeed beaten to death. Why did he vomit blood only after the Second Young Master left? That's because Lin Daxing's injuries were all internal. Broken ribs piercing internal organs, it's a common occurrence."
After a slight pause, Huo Huaixin added with particular concern, "Speaking of such matters will likely frighten Ninth Young Miss. It's better not to listen."
Jiang‑shi and Yue Ning, listening beside them, felt their eyebrows twitch. The Prefect was greatly underestimating Qin Wan!
Huo Huaixin wore an amiable, kindly expression. Qin Wan, however, took a step forward. "Without performing an autopsy, how can you prove the deceased died from pierced internal organs? The human body has five viscera: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys. Which part of Lin Daxing was pierced?"
The gentle smile on Huo Huaixin's face froze. Facing Qin Wan's clear, sharp gaze, he was momentarily speechless.
The human viscera… you couldn't see them. How was he supposed to know which part was pierced?
"Ninth Young Miss, regardless of which part was pierced, it was caused by the Second Young Master beating the man. Does that need further investigation?"
Qin Wan's frown deepened, her expression turning stern. "Errors in adjudication often stem from mistakes at the very beginning. If Your Honor does not emphasize thorough examination, it can lead to biased judgment and wrongful convictions…"
Huo Huaixin frowned as if stepping on a sore spot. "Ninth Young Miss is young and does not understand criminal justice. Under my hand, there has never been a wrongful case. This case has both witness and material evidence. Even the Second Young Master himself has confessed. What further examination is needed?"
For an official, reputation was paramount. If Huo Huaixin wished to continue rising, he absolutely could not allow himself to be associated with the term "wrongful case."
Qin Wan's frown tightened further. Dark clouds seemed to churn in her eyes. She pressed her lips together before saying, "In the third month of the two hundred and thirty-fifth year of the Great Zhou calendar, the then Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Shen Yi, compiled the book Corrections to the Washing Away of Wrongs, Court of Judicial Review Edition. The book states: In legal matters, nothing is weightier than capital punishment; in capital punishment, nothing is weightier than the initial facts; in the initial facts, nothing is weightier than examination. When an official adjudicates a case, it is not a matter of obtaining a confession and hastily concluding. This case has many unclear details. Even such an important clue as the cause of the deceased's death has not been determined. How can Your Honor rashly conclude the case?"
Qin Wan's back was straight as a sword, her words falling with the weight of a hammer. This version of her was vastly different from her usual self, though coolly resilient, she appeared gentle, graceful, and elegant. Here, her edge was exposed, her presence imposing. Even Huo Huaixin was forced to take a step back under her questioning.
"You!" Huo Huaixin's face flushed red. Unable to refute, he could only say, "Don't you mention Shen Yi! Shen Yi, as Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, himself committed fraud, shielded the guilty, deceived the Emperor, and caused the death of his entire family! Taking his words as maxims is simply ridiculous!"
Qin Wan's gaze suddenly sharpened. Her fists clenched tightly. Under Huo Huaixin's clearly somewhat guilty gaze, a lump seemed to block her throat, hard as iron. All because she knew her father was wronged, yet could not cry out a single word of injustice for him.
A surge of tears rushed to her nose. Qin Wan gritted her teeth hard to hold them back.
No. She must not cry. Her father was watching her. These people… these people were merely ignorant fools unaware of the truth. The case in the capital had already been concluded, involving the imperial court. She could not publicly defend her father.
From the moment she came back to life, she knew this was a dark path she must walk alone. The words in her heart, the anger and hatred, no matter when or where, could not be spoken to anyone.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Wan's face turned deathly pale. "Qin Wan is merely a common woman. I do not know whether Shen Yi committed fraud, shielded the guilty, or deceived the Emperor. I only know that this book, Corrections to the Washing Away of Wrongs, Court of Judicial Review Edition, is Shen Yi's painstaking work, a criminal justice classic that can leave a name in history. In its time, this text was printed and distributed by the Imperial Academy's Literary Hall and issued to prefectural yamens throughout the land. I do not believe Your Honor has not read it."
Huo Huaixin still could not speak. He stared at Qin Wan, dumbfounded, never expecting a young girl like her to know so much.
Yes, he had read it. Not only read it, but studied it thoroughly, even memorized parts.
Back then, he had just been promoted to Prefect, filled with passionate ideals to establish purpose for heaven and earth, to give the common people a livelihood. But now was different.
Huo Huaixin felt both ashamed and angry. He turned and vented his anger on the coroner, Xu He, standing behind him. "Xu He, what is the matter with you?! Why didn't you examine the corpse thoroughly?!"
Xu He had heard the entire dispute. Now, he fell to his knees with a thud. "Your Honor, Xu He's experience is still shallow. To this day, I have not yet performed an autopsy… Besides, Your Honor has never required me to perform one…"
Huo Huaixin kicked Xu He. "Don't talk nonsense! What do we keep you in the yamen for? Can't you even handle such a small matter?!"
Huo Huaixin's loss of composure was excessive. Qin Wan, looking at Xu He, who appeared to be only around thirty, shook her head inwardly.
In the field of coroners, Xu He was still too young. The accuracy of an examination depended entirely on the depth of practical experience. Moreover, autopsies were inherently highly difficult. Without specialized instruction and opportunities to practice, how could he dare to attempt it?
Qin Wan looked at Huo Huaixin's flustered and exasperated appearance and let out a light laugh. "Your Honor the Prefect, please calm down. Saying all this is merely because Qin Wan feels Your Honor has been too hasty in concluding this case." She paused slightly. "If Qin Wan can prove this case is not so simple, what will Your Honor do?"
Huo Huaixin turned, widening his eyes at Qin Wan. "You? How can you prove it?"
Qin Wan's smile was faint. "Your Honor first say, if Qin Wan can prove it, what will you do?"
Huo Huaixin puffed out his chest. At his age, he was actually provoked into a temper by Qin Wan. "You say! Whatever you say goes! I'd like to see what abilities Ninth Young Miss has!"
Qin Wan's smile remained light and shallow. Her eyes were clear and bright, reflecting the residence's brilliant lamplight, like a deep spring filled with fallen stars. "I wouldn't dare ask Your Honor to do anything major. How about copying that Corrections to the Washing Away of Wrongs, Court of Judicial Review Edition ten times?"
Copy a book?! And copy Shen Yi's Corrections to the Washing Away of Wrongs, Court of Judicial Review Edition that he had just ridiculed?!
Huo Huaixin's face burned as if on fire. Yet he had already spoken the words. At this point, how could he go back on them?
"Fine! As you say! Then how will you prove it?!"
Qin Wan's smile faded. Her gaze suddenly turned deep and somber.
She looked at Huo Huaixin, her voice like a blade. "I will examine the corpse."