Chapter 58 : Autopsy Yields No Results, Seeking Help from an Expert
58: Autopsy Yields No Results, Seeking Help from an Expert
Huo Ning walked out of the mortuary covered in cold sweat.
It was late, the mortuary filled with eerie winds. He didn't want to stay a moment longer.
To slow Song Rou's corpse from decaying too quickly, the crude mortuary was filled with ice blocks. Even so, after several days, the side hall holding Song Rou reeked of putrefaction...
"Whew... truly unbearable. Too disgusting!"
Huo Ning patted nonexistent dust from his sleeves, as if trying to brush the stench of death off himself.
His attendants, Feiquan and Nanfeng, one holding incense beads, the other a folding fan, one fumigating, the other fanning, both looked at him with eyes full of pity.
Feiquan and Nanfeng were both names of ancient famous zithers. Huo Ning enjoyed elegance and dabbled in music. His attendants were all named after zithers. He also had two personal maids named Duyou and Lüqi.
"Young Master truly works too hard, specially coming here again. If the Mistress knew, she'd surely be heartbroken. Young Master, let's return to the manor quickly. Have Lüqi attend to your bath, then drink a bowl of Duyou's decoction to dispel misfortune."
Feiquan's voice was earnest. His concern for Huo Ning was genuine, but his own fear was also real.
He tried his best not to look at the corpse, but even a glance from the corner of his eye nearly scared his soul out. He truly didn't want to stay in this place a moment longer. He didn't know what had gotten into his young master, suddenly wanting to manage his father's case.
Huo Ning coughed lightly twice, brushing away the incense beads in Feiquan's hand. "Take that away! This stuff is used by the courtesans at Spring Fragrance Pavilion. Why are you fumigating me with it?!"
Feiquan smiled bitterly. "Young Master, the smell on you, only this can cover it. This scent may be a bit garish, but at least it's better than the smell on you!"
Huo Ning was already dizzy from the stench of decay. Now smelling this strong, pungent perfume, his stomach churned with acid reflux. He glared at Feiquan. "Your young master is a man who stands tall between heaven and earth. What use is this stuff?! Get lost!"
With that, he walked forward a few steps but didn't leave. Instead, he peered down the long street in the distance.
Feiquan sheepishly put away the perfume beads. Beside him, Nanfeng also stepped forward, following Huo Ning's gaze. "Who is Young Master waiting for? It's getting dark. Aren't we returning to the manor?"
Huo Ning snorted coldly. "I'm waiting for someone!"
Nanfeng and Feiquan exchanged a glance. Nanfeng asked in surprise, "Who is Young Master waiting for?"
"I'm waiting for Xu He. I agreed with him. He's coming to examine the corpse again today."
Nanfeng and Feiquan's eyes widened with shock. Feiquan stammered, "Young Master... you... you're going to watch Coroner Xu perform the autopsy? Young Master, does the Master know about this? Does the Mistress know?"
Huo Ning lifted his chin. "Mother doesn't need to know about men's official business outside. As for Father... I'll tell him after I get results." He turned his glare on them. "You two, keep your mouths shut tight!"
Feiquan and Nanfeng pouted, their faces mournful as they assented.
As his words fell, a thin figure appeared at the end of the long street, jogging over.
Xu He was of medium height, extremely thin. On his bamboo‑like frame hung a large case of instruments. He ran with a dragging, labored gait. Huo Ning watched Xu He, his brows tightly knitted. Ever since the old coroner at the prefectural yamen died of illness half a year ago, this new coroner had replaced him. This new coroner had previously served in some small county yamen under Jinzhou. Rumor had it he hadn't handled many cases. Moreover, seeing how he struggled just running with a case on his back, he was likely unreliable.
Huo Ning sighed. But there was no other way. Coroners were lowly servants, a trade relying on skill and experience. This Xu He was so young and hadn't handled many cases. It was easy to imagine his level of expertise.
If only that old coroner hadn't died of illness.
Huo Ning sighed inwardly. Meanwhile, Xu He, panting heavily, ran over.
"Young Master, this humble one... this humble one is here..."
Huo Ning gave him an impatient glance, lifting his chin. "Why are you so late?!"
Xu He bent at the waist, smiling obsequiously. "This humble one was sorting old documents at the yamen this afternoon, that's why I was delayed. Young Master, shall we begin the autopsy now?"
Huo Ning exhaled a breath, glancing back at the dim mortuary. He truly didn't want to go in.
"You go in and examine. I'll wait here."
Hearing this, Xu He's lips twitched. By now, the sky was almost dark. Though they could light lamps inside, being alone in there was still a bit frightening. As he thought this, a figure flashed through Xu He's mind. That figure was even more slender than him. Yet standing before a disemboweled corpse, she had been so composed and steady.
Xu He straightened his chest. "Alright. Please wait a moment, Young Master..."
With that, he walked toward the dim main hall.
Huo Ning raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Looks timid, shrinking, and weak, but quite courageous."
Feiquan sighed. "Young Master, he's a coroner. Coroners are in this line of work. They've seen too many dead people. Right now, looking at that pale corpse is probably like looking at a piece of pork. Why would he be afraid..."
Huo Ning lifted his foot and kicked at Feiquan. "Nonsense! Separated by a wall, you compare it to pork... Be careful it comes looking for you tonight." As he spoke, Huo Ning gritted his teeth, suppressing the acid rising in his stomach.
Feiquan, frightened by Huo Ning's words, hastily covered his mouth and bowed repeatedly toward the inner hall. "This humble one was wrong, this humble one was wrong. Shouldn't have talked nonsense. Don't come find me, don't come find me..."
Huo Ning ignored Feiquan, looking at Nanfeng. "You go take a look. What's he doing?"
Nanfeng was utterly unwilling, but Huo Ning's sharp glance swept over like a knife. He had no choice but to go in.
Nanfeng went quickly, returned even faster. As soon as he stepped out, he gasped for breath in large gulps, then said, "He's lighting medicinal herbs. The stench inside has lessened quite a bit now. I saw Coroner Xu's instruments are complete, quite professional. Young Master, there's hope!"
Huo Ning nodded. "That's more like it. At least the yamen isn't feeding him for nothing!"
Nanfeng kept fanning with his fan. The three stood at the mortuary entrance, watching with varied expressions as the last bit of light faded from the horizon. After about half an hour, footsteps sounded from inside.
Feiquan and Nanfeng jumped, hurriedly turning to look. They saw Xu He emerge, carrying his case, his face slightly pale.
Huo Ning quickly asked, "How is it? Found any new clues?"
In the cool autumn night, Xu He wiped cold sweat from his forehead, his face pained. "Young Master, basically still... um... still the previous findings... Time of death was five days ago. Cause of death is..."
"Enough, enough!" Huo Ning waved a hand, cutting him off. "I've read your autopsy report a hundred times! But what it says, any outsider could know. Miss Song's head is gone, of course that's the cause of death. Time of death, naturally the day she arrived in Jinzhou City. You, a coroner with specialized skills, can't find a single useful clue for the case?"
Huo Ning was extremely impatient. It had been many days. This was the first time he had focused so intently on a major official matter. But after days of study with no results, he felt immensely frustrated and anxious!
Xu He wore a look of shame, still speaking unhurriedly. "This humble one's skills are lacking. Young Master, please don't be angry..."
Huo Ning was already irritable. Seeing him like this made him even more furious!
"It's been five days since the incident. Besides what everyone knows, the yamen hasn't found a single piece of information others don't know. Miss Song's head must be found. If Duke Song's household people come to hold Prefect accountable, you'll be the first severely punished. As a coroner, you've accomplished nothing. Truly don't know what use you are..."
Huo Ning vented his frustration, somewhat taking it out on Xu He. But Xu He listened while nodding with shame and humility, making Huo Ning feel like punching cotton. Just as he was full of annoyance, too lazy even to curse, Xu He suddenly looked up. "Young Master, to solve this case, I'm afraid we need to ask for help from an expert…"
Huo Ning was startled. "What expert?"
Xu He's eyes flickered, lowering his head. Yue Qiong and Huo Huaixin had both instructed him not to reveal Qin Wan's autopsy. But facing Huo Ning, for the sake of solving the case, he still brought it up. However, he couldn't speak plainly. Whether he could ask, whether he could get her, wasn't up to him. But if he didn't try, this case might have no progress for ten days to half a month.
Taking a deep breath, Xu He said cautiously, "There is an expert in Jinzhou City who knows autopsy. The Prefect knows this person. If Young Master is eager to solve the case, perhaps go ask the Prefect."
Hearing this, Huo Ning's eyes immediately brightened. Xu He was in the coroner's trade, so naturally most likely knew about some retired old coroners. He frowned and snorted coldly. "Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
With that, he immediately strode onto the long street with his two attendants.
Xu He stood at the mortuary entrance, the cold wind eerie, and let out a breath.
The rumor that the Qin manor's Ninth Young Miss jumped into the lake for Huo Ning, he had heard bits of when entering and leaving the prefect's residence. If this proud young master knew this expert was precisely the Qin manor's Ninth Young Miss, what expression would he have?