Chapter 44 : Treating the Wound, Consultation Fee
44: Treating the Wound, Consultation Fee
There are a hundred professions in the world, each with its own specialization. Qin Wan used the name of a physician to perform a coroner's duties. Ordinary people might be deceived, but facing Yan Chi, who had keen insight, Qin Wan dared not be careless.
"Deduction?" Qin Wan's tone was puzzled. "What deduction?"
Qin Wan's elegant brows furrowed slightly, her jade-like face a picture of confusion. Yan Chi watched, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. "If you hadn't intervened yesterday, how could the prefect have found the culprit so quickly?"
Qin Wan seemed to realize, looking up at Yan Chi, her clear eyes transparent as water. "Qin Wan does not know what deduction is. I only spoke of what I saw based on the medicine I've learned, then made conjectures." Qin Wan blinked. "Isn't this something ordinary people can do?"
"Ordinary people can do this?" Yan Chi's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Why couldn't the yamen coroner do it?"
Qin Wan lowered her gaze, her slightly cool fingertips brushing over the wheat-colored muscles of Yan Chi's body. The bloody, mangled wound was cleaned. "Coroner Xu is young and presumably hasn't had specialized instruction. With unrefined skills, naturally he cannot accomplish it."
A faint light flickered in Yan Chi's eyes. "I didn't know other physicians casually cut people open, nor that they could understand the wounds on a dead body so well. With just a glance, they can determine the weapon that caused the injury."
Qin Wan placed the blood-stained cloth aside and applied the prepared hemostatic ointment to Yan Chi's new wound. "My late father had modest talent. Previously, he collected many books. Among them was a miscellaneous collection written by the great medical master Hua Ci of the previous dynasty.
"The book specifically wrote about external injuries. It not only described how to treat external wounds but also detailed the appearances of one hundred and eight types of trauma he had seen. At the end of the book, it noted thirty-six ways a person could die from illness, sudden death, drowning, hanging, falling… each described in detail. Among these thirty-six ways of death, it further detailed under what circumstances rescue was still possible and under what circumstances a person was beyond saving. Naturally, for those that could be saved, it also described the treatment methods."
She paused slightly, her tone solemn. "This book is completely different from other medical writings, taking a unique approach. Placed in the context of criminal justice, it is a model for study. Because of this, the book was not widely circulated in its time. My late father was fortunate to befriend a descendant of the Hua family and obtained this book. Reading it benefited Qin Wan greatly."
Hua Ci's reputation was real. He had indeed written many medical texts revered as treasures by later generations. Qin Wan was certain that Yan Chi, who roamed battlefields, was not at a level where he would be thoroughly versed in medical literature.
This answer seemed flawless, but Yan Chi gave a light laugh.
"In Shen Yi's Corrections to the Washing Away of Wrongs, Court of Judicial Review Edition, besides writing about coroners' autopsy and deduction techniques, he also wrote about his experience in interrogating suspects from the thousands of suspicious cases he handled during his fifteen years as an official, how to determine if a suspect was lying through their demeanor and behavior."
Qin Wan didn't understand why he said this. When she looked up, Yan Chi smiled at her and said, "A person who knows how to judge if others are lying can naturally also avoid these telltale signs when lying themselves. Am I right?"
Qin Wan's back stiffened slightly. Yet she shook her head. "Not necessarily. Habits can be formed over time, but it's extremely difficult to change one's instincts. For example, right now, Your Highness talks and laughs as if nothing is wrong with your body. But Your Highness's face is pale, lips purplish, forehead sweating, these instinctive, natural reactions can still expose the pain Your Highness is enduring."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan's deer-like, crystal-clear eyes. He was almost moved by her calm and composed demeanor. But deep down, he still had doubts. He had strategized on battlefields, captured cities and lands, planned both inside and outside the court. Yet before this young girl of jade-like age, he couldn't advance an inch. Yan Chi withdrew his gaze, but a strong interest rose in his eyes.
Though the best military strategy is to attack the enemy's plans, in the past, when he could fight fiercely, he never delayed. But this time, he was willing to retreat in order to advance.
Qin Wan had no idea of Yan Chi's schemes. She felt relieved in her heart, thinking she had passed this hurdle.
"In the future, don't mention Shen Yi in front of others." Unexpectedly, Yan Chi spoke again.
Qin Wan's hand paused, her eyes darkening, but her voice remained ordinary as she asked, "Why is that?"
Yan Chi glanced at Qin Wan. She was slender. Even sitting, he was taller than her. At this moment, she leaned forward, head bowed. He could see the exquisitely beautiful curve of her swan-like neck. Yan Chi pondered for a moment, then spoke words he shouldn't have. "Shen Yi was involved in a major case in the capital. Now he has been executed as a criminal official."
Qin Wan's heart ached, her throat tightening. But her tone was naive and puzzled. "Qin Wan has heard some rumors about this matter. But… but people in the streets all say Lord Shen was a very upright and strict official. What crime did he actually commit?"
Yan Chi frowned. "This case involves imperial princes and consorts. It is already a taboo in the capital. Although we are in Jinzhou now, it's still best not to ask too much. Just remember my earlier advice."
A hard lump of iron seemed to block Qin Wan's chest, making her uncomfortable. She hurriedly nodded. "Yes… the imperial family and court… Qin Wan naturally wouldn't dare to comment rashly."
"The imperial family and court?" Yan Chi let out a derisive laugh, the mockery evident, but he said no more.
Qin Wan knew she couldn't probe for details from Yan Chi, so she quickly stopped mentioning it, focusing instead on the severe wound on Yan Chi's back. She had cleaned the blood, but the wound was old and had reopened multiple times, developing festering. To heal this injury, the festering had to be removed.
"Your Highness's back injury is severe, the festering serious. I'm afraid…"
"I know. Proceed as you see fit."
Yan Chi fought battles abroad; injuries were unavoidable. Just on his back alone, three scars remained. Qin Wan nodded, but her gaze fell on the tray beside her. It was prepared with all necessary items, except a knife.
"You didn't bring the Cold Moon I gave you?"
Yan Chi spoke again, his tone actually carrying a hint of sternness. Qin Wan's mind jolted, not understanding why he was displeased. She hurriedly said, "Of course I brought it. It's just that Cold Moon is Your Highness's…"
"I gave you Cold Moon precisely for you to use in treating people. What are you waiting for?"
Yan Chi's tone softened a fraction but still held a stiff interrogative edge. Qin Wan had intended to say Cold Moon was his possession and she wanted to return it. Blocked by him like this, she couldn't say it.
Taking Cold Moon from her sleeve, having used it once before, Qin Wan was now adept. After soaking it in wine, Qin Wan picked up the anesthetic powder beside her. "Your Highness, please take two pills."
Yan Chi turned his head. Seeing what Qin Wan held, he frowned. "No need for that!"
The injury was too severe. Cutting away the rotting flesh would inevitably cause profuse bleeding, and the process would be slow. The pain was imaginable. Qin Wan had been worried Yan Chi couldn't bear it and would faint. But seeing Yan Chi's serious, uncompromising expression, she had to give up.
Qin Wan lowered her head. The Cold Moon in her hand swiftly sliced down. The blade, gleaming with a cold light, accurately cut into the festering area. Soon, fresh blood flowed down Yan Chi's spine.
Yan Chi's back remained straight. He didn't make a sound, but cold sweat streamed from his temples.
The room was so quiet only their breathing could be heard. Just as Qin Wan thought Yan Chi, in unbearable pain, wouldn't speak, he suddenly spoke in a deep, somber voice.
"The Shuo Xi cold plains stretch for thousands of li. When battles start, we often have to leave camp for months. During long marches, medicinal supplies are scarce. If one gets used to using anesthetic powder regularly, then when injured, one won't be able to endure. Therefore, I have never used such things for the injuries on my body."
Hearing this, Qin Wan's eyelashes trembled. A surge of warmth suddenly rose in her heart. She had never been to the border battlefields, nor did she understand the harsh reality of war and bloodshed. But just listening, she understood the hardships of Shuo Xi. And Yan Chi was twenty-two this year. Most noble sons like him lived in gold and jade, inseparable from the capital's luxury and wealth. Only he had fought in Shuo Xi for twelve years.
This sturdy body, so young, was already covered in scars, a pitiful sight. It was often said that the body, hair, and skin are received from parents and should not be lightly damaged. If his mother saw the injuries on his body, who knows how heartbroken she would be.
Qin Wan gritted her teeth, forcibly dispelling the pain and gloom brought on by mentioning her father's case. Her gaze sharpened, and her hands immediately became even more skillful. She held her breath, her fingertips moving swiftly. Even so, by the time she finished cleaning all the festering, the fine sweat on Yan Chi's forehead had condensed into droplets. Qin Wan quickly applied the hemostatic ointment. Seeing Yan Chi's tightly clenched fist at his side, her gaze darkened.
"Your Highness's injury is very severe. For nearly a month, it must not come into contact with water, and you must not engage in martial arts again. If the wound reopens, you will have to endure today's pain again. Moreover, this injury is deep enough to reach the bone. If festering recurs, it could easily damage internal organs."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. Even though his face was deathly pale and cold sweat streamed down, his eyes remained deep and clear. Because of this, he seemed unmoved by Qin Wan's words.
Qin Wan frowned, knowing that someone like Yan Chi, accustomed to injuries, likely had no fear. She immediately said sternly, "If Your Highness is left with lingering effects, I'm afraid you may never be able to return to the battlefield!"
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan's serious face, a light gradually brightening in his eyes, like a crescent moon slowly rising from the deep sea, imbued with captivating tenderness. After a moment, the corners of his mouth actually curved into a smile. "What if I say no?"
Qin Wan's frown deepened. She had studied medicine for a long time. Though she hadn't opened a clinic, she had followed her master in saving many patients. The patients she encountered all followed the physician's instructions diligently. Who was this arrogant and rude?!
She immediately said angrily, "If Your Highness refuses, then don't ask Qin Wan to treat Your Highness's injuries again!"
The corners of Yan Chi's mouth curved higher and higher. Then, actually, with sweat covering his face, he laughed out loud. "Then Yan Chi's injuries, from now on, will be entrusted to Ninth Young Miss."
Qin Wan was stunned, not yet reacting when she heard Yan Chi continue, "Naturally, Yan Chi won't let you treat me for nothing. Gold and silver are too crude. Here is one item to serve as your consultation fee."
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi's brilliantly shining eyes. Turning her gaze, Bai Feng, who had been guarding outside, walked in holding a black sandalwood box. Looking at the box, Qin Wan felt something wasn't quite right…