Chapter 35 : The First Autopsy (Part 1)
35: The First Autopsy (Part 1)
As soon as Qin Wan finished speaking, Huo Huaixin and the others instantly widened their eyes.
Qin Wan wanted to perform an autopsy? She was just a young girl. Although she practiced medicine, she had probably seen a dead person only a few times. How could she perform an autopsy?
Not only Huo Huaixin, but even Jiang‑shi and Yue Qiong stared with wide eyes.
They had only thought Qin Wan was meticulous and highly skilled in medicine, which led to her earlier questioning. But no one expected her to propose conducting the autopsy herself. Jiang‑shi stepped forward. "Wan'er, you don't have to do this. You're just a young girl. How can you…"
"Madam need not worry." Qin Wan's voice softened. "This matter concerns whether the Second Young Master has been wronged. Moreover, the truth of the matter should not be casually concluded."
Jiang‑shi was about to say more, but Qin Wan continued, "May I trouble Madam to prepare one Suhexiang Pill, three qian of musk, two liang each of Asarum, Spikenard, and Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, and one liang each of Atractylodes Rhizome, White Atractylodes Rhizome, and Licorice Root. Also, some salt and vinegar."
Qin Wan gave clear instructions, her expression calm and confident. Seeing her demeanor, Jiang‑shi's eyes reddened. Qin Wan was not acting impulsively; she was determined to help Yue Qing!
"Wan'er, you…"
Qin Wan reassuringly squeezed Jiang‑shi's hand, then turned to Yue Qiong. "Marquis, may I trouble you to keep Wei Wu and the others steady, then move the corpse elsewhere. A clean, well-lit place will suffice."
Yue Qiong seemed to want to say more, but seeing Qin Wan's resolute gaze, he finally nodded.
Beside them, Yue Qing already knew Qin Wan was the one who had saved the Grand Princess. Though he hadn't yet grasped why Qin Wan was helping him, his eyes were filled with gratitude. According to Qin Wan's meaning, might there still be a chance for his situation?
Yue Jia and Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan, their expressions grave. Yue Ning stepped forward. "What else is needed?"
Qin Wan's gaze shifted thoughtfully. "I also need someone to assist with recording."
Upon hearing this, Yue Ning immediately lifted her chin. "I'll do it!"
Qin Wan hesitated a moment. "Young Princess, I'm afraid…"
Yue Ning detected the hint of doubt in Qin Wan's tone and immediately frowned. "What? I'm not capable?"
Yue Ning had practiced martial arts since childhood. Her nature was forthright and her self-esteem strong. She was no ordinary delicate young lady. It was just facing a dead person, wasn't it? Though she hadn't been on a battlefield, she wasn't afraid of corpses. What couldn't she do?
The corner of Qin Wan's lips curved slightly. "Alright then. I'll trouble the Young Princess."
After speaking, Qin Wan glanced at Huo Huaixin, who still looked shocked and doubtful. She stepped forward directly, bypassing Huo Huaixin and walking to Xu He's side. "Master Xu, may I borrow your instrument case?"
Xu He was still kneeling on the ground. He stared at Qin Wan, whose beauty resembled autumn orchids, too stunned to react for a long moment. "Young Miss… Young Miss intends to perform an autopsy? Does Young Miss know that an autopsy requires cutting a person open…"
"I know." As she spoke, Qin Wan glanced at the wooden case he carried. "May I borrow it?"
"Of course, of course!" Xu He hastily handed over the case.
Qin Wan took it and opened it. Her brow furrowed slightly. The Jinzhou Prefectural Yamen was the highest official office in Jinzhou Prefecture. The instruments in Xu He's case were quite complete. However, all the items were brand new and gleaming, clearly indicating they were seldom used.
Qin Wan scanned them and gave a slight nod. But when she saw a pair of cotton protective gloves, she frowned.
"What is it? Is there something wrong with this item?" A voice suddenly spoke. Qin Wan turned to see Yan Chi standing beside her, looking down at her, concern in his eyes.
Qin Wan shook her head. "It's nothing."
Yan Chi frowned. "These protective gloves don't suit your needs?"
Qin Wan hadn't expected Yan Chi to notice. She pressed her lips together for a moment before saying, "This material isn't waterproof. During the autopsy, it's likely to be soaked by the corpse's fluids and harm the hands."
Yan Chi's brow furrowed deeper. He looked at Qin Wan intently but said nothing.
Qin Wan stood up and was about to pick up Xu He's case when Yan Chi lifted it before her. Yan Chi raised his chin slightly, indicating Qin Wan should go first. Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi, feeling a slight surprise in her heart.
A woman involved in criminal justice matters, and personally dissecting a decaying corpse… This Prince Rui's son showed not a trace of astonishment or disgust?
Qin Wan didn't dwell on it. Over here, Yue Qiong had already moved the corpse to a side room in the rear courtyard used for storing weapons.
The side room was about five zhang square, brightly lit. By the time Qin Wan arrived, all the requested medicinal ingredients were prepared.
Qin Wan first asked Yan Chi to set down the case. She lit the musk, spikenard, Sichuan lovage rhizome, and others, then steeped the atractylodes rhizome, white atractylodes rhizome, and licorice root in water. She asked Yue Ning to drink some with her, then both placed a Suhexiang pill and a pinch of fine salt in their mouths. Only then did she walk to the center of the room, to the long table holding the corpse.
Outside the door, not only had the Yue family followed, but even Huo Huaixin and Xu He had come. Huo Huaixin still couldn't believe a delicate young girl like Qin Wan could perform an autopsy. At this moment, he asked Xu He, "Why is she doing all this?"
Xu He watched Qin Wan's every move with shining eyes. "Ninth Young Miss is truly an expert. Lighting the spikenard and such is to ward off foulness. Taking the fragrant pill and the atractylodes water is to dispel the stench of the corpse and guard against corpse poison."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Wan lifted the cloth covering Lin Daxing's face.
Her expression was focused and solemn. For a moment, a silent, sacred solemnity spread through the room.
"Please wait outside. I ask the Young Princess to assist with the record."
The night was deep. Although the room was brightly lit, a dead body lay within. Ordinary people wouldn't dare approach, yet Qin Wan not only approached but was about to perform an autopsy. Now she was asking everyone to leave.
Jiang‑shi hesitated for a few moments, then led Yue Jia and Yue Qing outside. Yue Qiong also walked outside. But Huo Huaixin and Xu He didn't move. Their gazes shifted, and they retreated to the window. To ensure air circulation in the room, the window lattice was half-open. From here, Huo Huaixin could clearly see Qin Wan's every move. Seeing this, the Yue family members also gathered around.
Jiang‑shi and the others had never seen a corpse examination, let alone a young lady like Qin Wan conducting one!
The surroundings were so quiet you could hear a pin drop, only the occasional crackle of the lamp in the corner breaking the silence. Qin Wan knew Huo Huaixin and the others were watching. But she understood their curiosity and skepticism, so she simply let them be.
She only glanced at Yue Ning. "Is the Young Princess ready? Every word I say must be recorded."
Yue Ning nodded, her expression stern. Qin Wan lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on Lin Daxing's pale, bluish face.
"Deceased Lin Daxing, male, height approximately five chi, six cun…"