Chapter 40 : The True Culprit Revealed, Ghosts Seeking Life
40: The True Culprit Revealed, Ghosts Seeking Life
"Young Miss, how do you know how to perform autopsies?" Having held it in all night, Fuling finally asked. Last night, she had wanted to get to the bottom of it, but Qin Wan was simply too exhausted. Seeing that, Fuling only felt heartache and naturally refrained from asking.
Qin Wan set down the spoon she was using for porridge, picked up a silk handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth, then said, "As a physician, capable of treating a hundred ailments, naturally one can also assist in examining corpses. Could I just watch the Second Young Master be wronged?"
Fuling pursed her lips. "But… but if others knew Young Miss had touched a dead person, what would happen… Besides, examining corpses is what coroners do. Coroners are of lowly status. How could Young Miss…"
Qin Wan stood up. "What does touching a dead person matter? I'm someone who has lain on a coffin bed."
Fuling was instantly at a loss for words. Seeing Qin Wan's composed demeanor, she felt she needn't worry too much.
Qin Wan wore the sky-blue damask dress embroidered with a hundred flowers and entwined vines that Jiang‑shi had sent last night. The skirt flowed gracefully, the gauze thin as mist, as if cut from the verdant spring mountains or a patch of clear azure sky. It complemented Qin Wan's jade-like beauty, making her appear exceptionally pure and lovely.
"Don't worry. Only a few people know about this. Outside, they only know I practice medicine. They won't know I helped examine a corpse." The sky was still early. Qin Wan pushed open the window lattice, seeing the courtyard's scenery as even more elegant and pleasant.
Qin Wan paused, then suddenly turned to look at Fuling. "Would you like to learn medicine with me?"
Fuling was stunned, staring at Qin Wan dumbfounded.
She was merely a servant. Although determined to follow Qin Wan, she never expected to gain anything from her beyond food and clothing. She was vaguely aware of Qin Wan's extraordinary medical skills but never imagined she would teach her.
"This servant… why would Young Miss think of teaching this servant medicine?"
Qin Wan felt somewhat apologetic toward Fuling. She was not Qin Wan, yet now she was Qin Wan, undeservedly receiving this little maid's loyalty, while the maid didn't know her mistress had long since passed away.
In this world, it was extremely difficult for women to survive. If something happened one day, she didn't want this little maid to hang herself for her sake again. Teaching her medicine served two purposes: first, she wouldn't have to hide everything from her in the future; second, having a skill was always good.
"Our life as mistress and servant is difficult. Before, my nature was too soft, and I couldn't think things through properly. Now, I don't want to be bullied anymore. Practicing medicine to save people accumulates virtue and also provides a means to establish oneself."
Fuling's eyes immediately reddened. "Young Miss… alright. Whatever Young Miss says, Fuling is willing to learn!"
The corner of Qin Wan's mouth curved slightly, a dimple faintly appearing on her right cheek. "That's good then. From simple to difficult. Learn as much as fate allows."
Fuling nodded repeatedly. Just as she was about to speak, footsteps sounded outside. Qin Wan turned to see Lüyun hurrying over. "Ninth Young Miss, the Grand Princess has woken up. Please come quickly!"
Qin Wan's expression turned serious. She immediately went out; she had been waiting for news from there.
Hurrying along, in less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she arrived at the Grand Princess's Wooden Hairpin Flower courtyard. Jiang‑shi, Yue Qiong, and the others were all there. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, they quickly made way. Qin Wan had no time for formalities and went straight to the Grand Princess's bedside.
On the bed, the Grand Princess's eyes were slightly open. She was clearly awake.
"Your Highness the Grand Princess?"
Qin Wan's voice softened as she gently called near the Grand Princess's ear. The Grand Princess's eyelashes fluttered slightly, her lips moving, but no words came out. Qin Wan examined the Grand Princess's pupils, checked her pulse, then probed the wound before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Marquis, Madam, Her Highness the Grand Princess's wound shows no sign of festering. Her pulse has also stabilized. This time, it's likely successful. However, we must not neglect her going forward. Her Highness's complete recovery will be very difficult."
Qin Wan's words reassured everyone. Jiang‑shi couldn't help but immediately clasp her hands together in prayer to the Bodhisattva.
The day before yesterday, Yue Jia's wedding had just been disrupted. Yesterday, the Grand Princess fell critically ill, and Yue Qing was accused of murder. The entire Anyang Marquis's residence could be said to be in deep trouble. Yet in just one night, aside from Yue Jia's wedding still being a heartache, the latter two matters had passed without major incident. And all of this was due to Qin Wan's efforts alone.
"Her Highness the Grand Princess waking is a good sign. However, Her Highness needs quiet rest. Marquis and Madam can rest assured."
Qin Wan added another sentence. Seeing the Grand Princess drift back into drowsy sleep, everyone withdrew. After taking a few steps out, Yang Xi hurried in from outside. "Marquis, Prefect Huo has arrived. Prefect Huo says the truth of Lin Daxing's case has been uncovered. He requests the Marquis, Madam, and the young masters and misses to go listen to the case. Prefect Huo specifically asked for Ninth Young Miss to go as well."
Yue Qiong and Jiang‑shi exchanged a glance. Jiang‑shi quickly took Qin Wan's hand and headed toward the front courtyard.
Arriving at the front courtyard, Huo Huaixin was indeed waiting. A night had passed, and Huo Huaixin still wore the formal attire from the previous night, but it was now covered in wrinkles. Huo Huaixin himself had dark circles under his eyes and a stubbled jaw, clearly having stayed up all night!
Seeing Yue Qiong and the others arrive, Huo Huaixin hurriedly clasped his hands. "Marquis, Madam, last night, with Ninth Young Miss's assistance, I returned to the yamen and immediately reinvestigated the case. Now the murderer has been found!"
Huo Huaixin didn't even sit down. Though tired and dejected, his eyes were exceptionally bright.
Yue Qing couldn't help but ask, "Who is the murderer?"
Huo Huaixin frowned, looking at Qin Wan. "The murderer is precisely Wei Wu, whom Ninth Young Miss discovered was lying!"
Everyone exclaimed in surprise. Huo Huaixin continued, "That Wei Wu, after returning to the yamen, initially didn't know what had happened and still insisted it was the Second Young Master. I first left him aside and separately interrogated the other men. After much questioning, some of their testimonies didn't match up. It turned out they hadn't discovered Lin Daxing together; Wei Wu discovered him first. It was also Wei Wu who agitated for everyone to help seek justice for Lin Daxing, saying the compensation money from the Anyang Marquis's residence would be shared with them later!"
Huo Huaixin had uncovered the truth overnight, which could be considered not letting everyone down. His speech finally carried more confidence than the previous night.
"Upon hearing this, I immediately knew Wei Wu definitely had a major problem. While interrogating Wei Wu, I sent people to search his home. This search uncovered a bloodstained garment. Moreover, questioning the others revealed that although Wei Wu was a foreman, he had previously done pile-driving work. The tool he commonly used was indeed an iron hammer. I presented the bloodstained garment along with everyone's testimonies and Ninth Young Miss's autopsy report. Once placed before him, Wei Wu couldn't maintain his cover, and all his flaws were exposed. Interrogated until this morning, he confessed completely!"
Yue Qing frowned. "So it was really him who killed Lin Daxing?"
Huo Huaixin nodded. "Exactly. That day, after the Second Young Master beat Lin Daxing, Lin Daxing wanted to buy bruise medicine but had no money, so he went to foreman Wei Wu to demand his owed wages. This Wei Wu was a heavy drinker who often deducted his workers' money. That day, he had just spent all his money on wine. How could he give any money?
"Lin Daxing had always known about this habit of his. He immediately exposed him and started cursing, even saying he would report him to the city defense captain. Wei Wu panicked. During a scuffle with Lin Daxing, he swung his hammer and struck. Lin Daxing vomited blood and died on the spot. Wei Wu was terrified but remembered Lin Daxing had just fought with the Second Young Master not long before. So he framed the Second Young Master."
Huo Huaixin said all this in one breath, his face showing both the satisfaction of catching the true culprit and a hint of smugness. Although he had nearly wronged Yue Qing, solving the entire case overnight was quite swift and decisive.
The facts of the case were now clear, giving an account to the Yue family and Qin Wan. Jiang‑shi's expression showed disgust. "That Wei Wu, seeking justice for Lin Daxing, I thought he was righteous. Who would have thought he was the murderer!"
Yue Jia and Yue Ning also looked convinced. Qin Wan's expression, however, showed no surprise. She had already guessed.
The wickedness in people's hearts was something ordinary, good-hearted people couldn't imagine. Consider Wei Wu and Lin Daxing: they were not relatives, yet Wei Wu dared to confront the Anyang Marquis's residence for him. Either he sought profit, or he wanted to cover something up. Only a very slim possibility was fighting for a brother's injustice. But coincidentally, she had discovered he lied. How could a person of upright conduct lie?
"This time, a wrongful conviction was nearly made. Fortunately, there was Ninth Young Miss. Ninth Young Miss, rest assured. The bet Huo made with you will certainly be honored. I'll go back and copy the book. Now that the case is concluded, Huo can finally be at ease. Otherwise, I would truly be ashamed before the Marquis."
Yue Qiong patted Huo Huaixin's shoulder. "Brother Huo is open and aboveboard. Since this case is already solved, let's not dwell on it. Lin Daxing's death, ultimately, is not unrelated to Qing'er. Let Qing'er handle the aftermath and compensation."
Yue Qing hurriedly clasped his hands in salute. "That's exactly right. Your Honor, rest assured. I will certainly take full care of Lin Daxing's mother."
This outcome could be considered quite satisfactory. Huo Huaixin clasped his hands again. "The Marquis's great virtue is admired by Huo. Since everything is clarified with everyone, Huo will take his leave first. Having not slept all night, and needing to go to the mortuary this afternoon, I bid farewell now."
Yue Qiong quickly frowned. "Going to the mortuary… is it for the Song family's young lady…"
Huo Huaixin nodded. "Exactly. Speaking of which, this case is the most difficult to handle. The Marquis understands. Huo won't say more. Marquis, rest assured. If there's any news, I will naturally inform the Marquis's residence first."
Huo Huaixin saluted again and turned to leave. Qin Wan frowned and asked, "The Song young lady's case… there are no leads at all?"
Yue Qiong turned and sighed. "None. Logically, if the killer murdered inside the bridal sedan, there should at least be traces left. But that sedan had no mechanisms, and not even extra bloodstains were left. It's as if the Song niece's head was taken away into thin air…"
Jiang‑shi's expression changed several times. "Could it be a ghost seeking life!"
Taking a living person's head inside a bridal sedan in full view of everyone, yet leaving no traces, it was both brutal and beyond ordinary human capability. It indeed seemed like a ghost seeking life. But did ghosts truly exist in this world?
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. Something more terrifying than ghosts… was people.