Chapter 59 : She Will Be Willing to Help
59: She Will Be Willing to Help
"Father!"
Huo Ning rushed straight into Huo Huaixin's study, sweating profusely.
"Father, we need an experienced coroner."
Huo Huaixin looked up from his desk, somewhat slow to react. "What?"
Huo Ning gasped for breath. "Xu He said you know a skilled autopsy expert in Jinzhou City. He told me to ask you. Father, since you know, why haven't you invited them to perform the autopsy?"
Huo Huaixin's dazed expression gradually gave way to realization. He sniffed. "What's that smell on you?"
After a couple of sniffs, Huo Huaixin frowned. "You went to the mortuary?"
Huo Ning wiped sweat from his face. "Five days. Although we know the cause of Miss Song's death, we don't know how she was killed. We haven't found the murder weapon. We haven't found Miss Song's head. Father, seeing you anxious makes your son anxious too. So I went to the mortuary again just now and called Xu He to have him re‑examine the corpse."
Huo Huaixin was stunned for a moment, then stood up, looking Huo Ning up and down. Gradually, his eyes brightened. "Ning'er, you... you've truly matured. Your father is very pleased."
Huo Ning twitched the corner of his mouth. "So, Father, do you truly know an autopsy expert?"
Huo Huaixin's eyes flickered. Qin Wan's figure floated through his mind. Glancing at the eager Huo Ning, Huo Huaixin cleared his throat. "I know, I know. But... but it's not easy to invite."
"How is it not easy to invite? Retired and unwilling to act again? Or wants money?"
Huo Ning asked directly. Huo Huaixin didn't know how to answer. Qin Wan's status indeed shouldn't be tainted with criminal investigations and autopsies. Moreover, her current relationship with the Anyang Marquis's estate was very close. Even if he wanted to invite Qin Wan, he would need to consult the Anyang Marquis.
"It's not unwillingness to act, nor money, but..."
Huo Huaixin felt somewhat awkward, frowning as he walked out from behind the desk.
"Then what is it? This case is so difficult. Since that person knows autopsy, they must be in the coroner's trade. If they want money, we'll give money. If they want something else, we can also think of a way. To solve the case, we must try. Besides, wouldn't that person themselves feel injustice seeing someone die unjustly and the murderer hard to find?"
The existence of the coroner's trade was precisely to investigate the truth of every murder case. If, as Huo Ning said, the person to invite was a retired coroner, that would be one thing. But it wasn't...
"It's not that simple. That person's status is noble. They are not a coroner."
"Huh?" Doubt appeared in Huo Ning's eyes. "Not a coroner, yet knows autopsy?"
After a moment's thought, Huo Ning still said, "Even if it's hard to invite, Father could still try. Maybe if we invite them, they'll come? If it's inconvenient for others to know, Father can make some arrangements."
Huo Huaixin had been unable to eat or sleep properly for days because of Song Rou's case. He already vaguely had this idea in his heart. Now, with Huo Ning's urging, he was even more inclined. However...
Huo Huaixin turned to look at Huo Ning. Should he tell him that expert was Qin Ninth Young Miss?
"What's wrong? Is Father still hesitant?"
Huo Huaixin wasn't hesitant. The corners of his lips moved. "Do you know..."
Huo Ning felt Huo Huaixin's gaze was somewhat strange, though he couldn't pinpoint how. Just as he was about to ask again, Huo Huaixin turned away. "I'll arrange this matter. You don't need to worry about it."
Huo Ning's heart settled somewhat, knowing Huo Huaixin would invite that expert. But his curiosity grew. "Father, who exactly is this expert you mentioned?"
Huo Huaixin raised his brows slightly, suddenly saying, "A couple of days ago, I had your mother visit the Qin manor."
Huo Ning was stunned, not understanding why Huo Huaixin suddenly brought this up. Mentioning the Qin manor, Huo Ning naturally immediately thought of Qin Wan. Displeasure appeared on his face. "Why did Mother go to the Qin manor? Your son remembers Mother used to look down on the Qin manor."
Hearing this, Huo Huaixin shook his head. "Forget it. I'll go to the Anyang Marquis's estate. Don't worry about this matter."
With that, he called a servant in, instructing him to prepare a carriage.
Huo Ning was full of questions. "Father, shall I go with you?"
Huo Huaixin shook his head. "It's late. Go back to the inner residence." After speaking, he put on his outer cloak and walked out.
Huo Ning stood where he was, an inexplicable sense of unease arising in his heart.
In the Anyang Marquis's estate's outer study, Yue Qiong looked solemnly at Yan Chi. "So Your Highness thinks His Majesty will soon appoint a Crown Prince?"
Yan Chi nodded. "Prince Jin's case is already settled. In the capital, those to be imprisoned are imprisoned, those to die are executed. After this round of purges, the situation will be renewed. His Majesty will likely appoint a Crown Prince at this time."
Yue Qiong gave a slight nod. "Those who previously favored Prince Jin formed their own faction. No matter who is appointed as the new Crown Prince, the court will at least have a tripartite balance. For His Majesty, that is indeed the best outcome."
The corners of Yan Chi's lips curved slightly. "The current Emperor is most skilled at balancing. I'm sure the Marquis understands."
Yue Qiong nodded, then suddenly said, "Who does Your Highness speculate His Majesty will appoint?"
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, his deep eyes unreadable. "Prince Cheng and Prince Yong have the greatest chance. The Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, and Seventh Prince are also possible. It depends on what situation His Majesty wants. Prince Cheng and Prince Yong were enfeoffed as princes in their youth, have powerful maternal clans, and had many followers even as princes. If His Majesty chooses one, the court situation will lean toward stability. Among them, Prince Yong is the Empress's legitimate son. The voice for appointing the legitimate heir is loudest in the court, so his chances naturally increase."
He paused, then changed tack. "However, His Majesty is in his prime. He might also appoint the younger Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, or Seventh Prince. They are still young. His Majesty wouldn't have to worry about the Crown Prince's faction becoming too powerful and seizing power, nor about maternal relatives growing too strong. But if so, Prince Cheng and Prince Yong would likely be dissatisfied, inevitably causing waves in the court."
Yue Qiong's eyes showed admiration. Though Yan Chi had been at the border for years, he saw the court situation very clearly. "No matter what choice His Majesty makes, as military officers, staying out of the game at this time is the wisest."
Yan Chi's eyes flickered with a trace of mockery, though he nodded on the surface. Just as Yue Qiong was about to speak further, Yang Xi entered. "Master, Prefect Huo has arrived."
Yue Qiong hurriedly stood. "Quickly invite him in."
After Yang Xi left, Yue Qiong looked at Yan Chi. "I wonder if there's progress on the case."
Yan Chi's gaze sharpened, also looking toward the door. Soon, Huo Huaixin strode in.
"Greetings to the Marquis. Ah, Your Highness is also here. My respects to Your Highness."
Yue Qiong quickly stepped forward. "Brother Huo, no need for formalities. What brings you here? Is there progress on the case?"
Huo Huaixin wore a bitter smile. "Marquis, this humble official has come to ask for the Marquis's help."
Given Yan Chi's noble status and his knowledge of Qin Wan's autopsy skills, Huo Huaixin decided to speak plainly in his presence.
Yue Qiong looked slightly surprised. "What does Brother Huo need help with? Speak directly."
Huo Huaixin's lips tightened slightly. He clasped his hands. "This case has seen no progress for a long time. This humble official particularly remembers Qin Manor's Ninth Young Miss's autopsy and deduction abilities in the Lin Daxing case. So I wish to ask the Marquis to act on my behalf and once again request Ninth Young Miss's help with the autopsy."
Yue Qiong was taken aback. "Have Ninth Young Miss perform another autopsy? Ninth Young Miss's status being what it is, I'm afraid..."
Yue Qiong's thoughts aligned with Huo Huaixin's. Huo Huaixin smiled bitterly repeatedly. "These past few days, besides investigating the case, this humble official has been copying books. Now, truly having no other way, I thought of asking Ninth Young Miss for help. Ninth Young Miss's skills are superb, and she has a righteous, just heart. She will surely understand my sincere intentions. I only ask the Marquis to inquire on my behalf. If Ninth Young Miss refuses, I will never mention this matter again."
Yue Qiong felt somewhat awkward. "Brother Huo, you really... Last time, Ninth Young Miss generously assisted, voluntarily proposing the autopsy. Now she's not at the Marquis's estate. How can I bear to go find her again? Moreover... even if Ninth Young Miss has a just heart, I am of her father's generation. How can I lower this old face to ask a young girl to engage in such criminal investigation matters again..."
Huo Huaixin knew everything Yue Qiong said. But if he didn't ask Qin Wan, how could he solve the case?
Huo Huaixin bowed deeply, almost kneeling to Yue Qiong. "Marquis, this humble official could go ask myself, but I'm afraid Ninth Young Miss wouldn't give me this face. That's why I've come to beg you..."
Yue Qiong hurriedly went to support him. "I understand your difficulties, Brother Huo. But even if I were to step in, the Ninth Young Miss might still be unwilling to help."
"She will be willing to help." Unexpectedly, Yan Chi, standing to the side, suddenly spoke.
Yue Qiong and Huo Huaixin both froze, turning to look at Yan Chi's confident expression.
Yan Chi continued, "If it would be awkward for the two of you to take the lead, I could make a trip instead."