Coroner's Diary

As soon as they entered through the side gate, Fuling looked Qin Guan up and down. "Miss, are you alright?"

Qin Guan curved her lips into a smile. "I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"

Fuling let out a long sigh of relief and instructed the young maid Huan'er who was following nearby, "Quick, go to the main gate and tell your sister Baiying that our young lady has returned..."

Huan'er acknowledged and hurried off. Fuling then glanced toward the direction outside the gate. "Miss, has the Crown Prince returned?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Why are you waiting here?"

Fuling quickly explained, "Earlier, the heir apparent was here too, but someone from the palace came just now, so he went to the main courtyard. He said you would be brought back soon, so I waited here while Baiying waited at the main gate, since we didn't know which way you'd come."

Qin Guan made an understanding sound. Qin Yan had been quite thoughtful, anticipating they might use the side entrance.

"Alright, did Third Brother say what I should do after returning?"

Fuling shook her head. "He didn't mention anything. We can send someone to inform the main courtyard later. The person from the palace hasn't left yet."

Qin Guan nodded. She didn't know why the palace had sent someone, but it was better not to get involved.

Thus, the two headed toward Pine Breeze Courtyard. When they reached the fork in the path not far from the courtyard, they found Baiying and Huan'er already waiting there. Seeing Qin Guan approach, they hurried forward to pay their respects. Fuling then instructed Huan'er to go to the main courtyard to announce their return.

After Huan'er left, Baiying immediately asked, "Is the young lady well?"

Qin Guan nodded. "The Crown Prince has returned. There was a minor issue today that he helped resolve."

Baiying's eyes lit up slightly as she sighed in relief. "That's good, that's good."

Qin Guan said no more and went straight back to Pine Breeze Courtyard. The sky had been overcast when she left in the morning, and now layers of gray clouds piled up at the horizon while the cold wind grew increasingly fierce. Qin Guan felt certain it would snow tonight and instinctively tightened her collar, quickening her pace. Upon returning to Pine Breeze Courtyard, she went directly to her inner chamber to change her dress. No sooner had she changed than Qin Shuang arrived in her courtyard.

"Where did you go this morning?"

Qin Shuang stared wide-eyed at Qin Guan, not wanting to miss any subtle change in her expression. Qin Guan gave her a somewhat mysterious look. "I went to help the prefectural office with a corpse examination—"

Qin Shuang froze, her eyes widening in shock. "What? Corpse examination?! Didn't Third Brother take you out?"

Qin Guan nodded. "It's true that Third Brother took me out."

Qin Shuang looked puzzled. "But didn't Third Brother say... he wouldn't let you do these things? Besides, this is the capital. Aren't there coroners here? Why would they need you to..."

"I went to assist." Qin Guan took a sip of tea and replied briefly. Since Qin Shuang knew about her ability to conduct corpse examinations, she didn't deliberately hide it from her.

Fuling chimed in from the side, "Isn't it simple, Sixth Young Lady? Surely others aren't as skilled at corpse examinations as our young lady."

Qin Shuang thought for a moment and found Fuling's reasoning plausible. Her eyes shifting mischievously, she seemed to recall something. "Is it about that case? The one that recently emerged in the capital..."

Qin Guan nodded. "Exactly that case."

Hearing this, Qin Shuang grew interested. "What did you find out? Can they catch the murderer?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "I only handle the corpse examination. It's up to the prefectural officers to find other clues. I merely determined how the victims died and whether there were any traces left by the murderer."Qin Shuang then asked again, "How did they die? Now that I think about it, I still don't know what kind of case this is."

Qin Guan looked at Qin Shuang for a moment before shaking her head, "It's better if you don't know."

Qin Shuang was slightly surprised, "Why? Is it a particularly brutal case?"

Qin Guan nodded, "And all the victims are women."

Qin Shuang instinctively tightened her grip on her collar, "Alright then, alright. I'd rather not know after all."

The room was warm and cozy, offering much comfort compared to the morning's running around. Sipping hot tea, Qin Guan felt some soreness in her back, yet the thought of Yan Chi made her physical discomfort seem to fade away. Qin Shuang studied Qin Yan for a moment, "Why do I feel there's something different about you now? Have you found crucial evidence already?"

Qin Guan looked at Qin Shuang with confusion, unsure what she meant by "different." Qin Shuang explained, "You're smiling, and you seem so relaxed and gentle—quite unlike your usual serious self."

Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat at Qin Shuang's words, but she quickly responded, "We did find some clues. If the constables search thoroughly, we might uncover more useful evidence."

Qin Shuang made an "oh" sound, then suddenly said, "Did you know? Someone from the palace came earlier."

Qin Guan smiled slightly, "I did hear about it. Why?"

With some excitement, Qin Shuang said, "Why? That's someone from the imperial palace! I never imagined we'd ever be this close to the palace. Why do you think they came to the Marquis' residence?"

Qin Guan replied casually, "Perhaps it's related to the New Year's Eve banquet."

Qin Shuang immediately stared intently at Qin Guan, "What New Year's Eve banquet? How do you know about that?"

Qin Guan's heart tightened at the question, realizing she had been careless. Given Ninth Miss's usual disposition, she probably wouldn't know such things. But... but Ninth Miss did grow up in the capital after all.

"Every year during New Year celebrations, Uncle and Aunt would enter the palace. It seems there's always a banquet held there."

Qin Shuang showed no suspicion, only surprise, "They actually go to the palace for New Year's dinner? Oh my, I wish I could go someday too..."

Qin Guan smiled faintly. Officials could indeed bring family members, but usually only their wives and children. It was highly unlikely that she and Qin Shuang would ever get to enter the palace. As she thought this, Qin Guan's mind drifted to her previous experience entering the palace. To this day, she still remembered the towering palace walls and the long, deep Palace Road. She was certain Qin Shuang wouldn't like that place.

"Regardless of anything else, the palace has numerous strict etiquette rules. You wouldn't enjoy it."

Qin Shuang snorted lightly, "But it's still the imperial palace! Even just to see the spectacle would be wonderful."

Qin Guan offered a faint smile without responding. After exchanging a few more words with Qin Shuang, Hu Shi suddenly arrived at Pine Breeze Courtyard with her attendants. Hu Shi was accompanied by Granny Yu, who was followed by several maids carrying food boxes—they had come to bring Qin Guan her lunch. With a beaming smile, as if to reward Qin Guan, Hu Shi said, "Guan'er, your third brother mentioned how exhausted you must be today. These dishes were freshly prepared by the kitchen after hearing of your return. This soup has been simmering since morning. Since Shuang'er is here too, you sisters can have your meal together."Qin Guan felt Hu Shi was being exceptionally warm, while Qin Shuang watched Qin Guan with deep contemplation in her eyes. Hu Shi had always treated them decently, but her sudden fervent attention toward Qin Guan surely meant Qin Guan had done something...

As Qin Guan and Qin Shuang took their seats, Hu Shi beamed while watching the servants arrange the meal. "Guan'er, you must eat well—and Shuang'er too. Your aunt still needs to prepare for tomorrow's New Year's banquet, so I'll take my leave now."

Qin Guan and Qin Shuang rose to express their thanks, and Hu Shi departed with frequent backward glances.

The moment Hu Shi left, Qin Shuang widened her eyes at Qin Guan. "What's going on?"

Having only eaten breakfast in the morning, Qin Guan felt quite hollow and hungry, so she simply sat down and picked up her chopsticks. "It's just as I told you earlier—perhaps because I helped out a bit today."

Qin Shuang studied Qin Guan for a few more moments before suddenly shifting to sit beside her. Then, while using her chopsticks to serve dishes to Qin Guan, she fawned obsequiously, "I knew it—sticking with you is always the right move."

...

...

In Prince Cheng's residence, Yan Qi frowned deeply at his most trusted subordinate, Zhong Yuan. "You're saying they entered Prince Gong's royal residence and never came out? And then Prince Gong's Heir left too?"

Zhong Yuan nodded. "That's what our scouts reported. Not long after they went in, the guard came out alone, drove the carriage away, and left. Our people saw clearly—only the guard emerged. Then, after another half-hour, Prince Gong's Heir came out with two others and left on horseback. Throughout, there was no sign of Prince Rui's Heir or the person in white."

Yan Qi's brow furrowed fiercely. "How is that possible?! Old Seventh must have gone to the residence to see Old Eighth. If Old Eighth left, how could he still be there? Don't tell me he stayed to listen to Princess Consort Gong lecture on Buddhism?"

Zhong Yuan hesitated briefly. "Master, actually... that possibility can't be entirely ruled out."

Yan Qi lifted his foot and kicked Zhong Yuan. "Lecture on Buddhism?! Have you lost your mind? Old Seventh is a Demon King who kills without blinking—talking Buddhism with him is a joke you're telling me?!"

Seething with rage, Yan Qi left Zhong Yuan too intimidated to argue. Zhong Yuan grimaced and said, "But where could Prince Rui's Heir have gone? After Prince Gong's Heir departed, our men watched for over half an hour more, and no one else came out."

Yan Qi's frown tightened. "Old Seventh must have slipped away long ago. You useless lot!"

Cursing vehemently, Yan Qi then let out a light chuckle. "Old Seventh probably ditched them on purpose. Hah, he may have hidden that person well, but I've figured it out—that person's identity is likely anything but ordinary."

Having accompanied Yan Qi to the Mortuary Temple, Zhong Yuan narrowed his eyes. "How so?"

Yan Qi looked at him. "Didn't you find that young man somewhat peculiar?"

Zhong Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head. "This subordinate stood at the back and didn't get a clear look at their face."

A cold glint flashed in Yan Qi's eyes. He hadn't seen Qin Guan's face clearly either, but recalling the silhouette in the dim light, he felt something was off. "That person gave me the impression of an underdeveloped man, very young in appearance, with a strong feminine aura. Strange, very strange..."

Zhong Yuan's expression shifted. "Then, Master, should we continue having our men keep watch on the two heirs?"Yan Qi narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Seventh Brother just returned and I heard he handled his duties quite well. As for Eighth Brother, he's always been reckless. If things escalate accidentally, Father Emperor would discover my meddling." He paused briefly. "Never mind Seventh and Eighth Brothers for now. Keep close watch on the magistrate's office—see what they've been doing these past two days. I refuse to believe a half-grown child could enable the Crown Prince to turn the tides single-handedly."

He let out a cold laugh. "Watch them tightly! Also, investigate any connections between Loyal Marquis Manor and the Eastern Palace. I never expected Seventh Brother would align himself with Loyal Marquis Manor."

Zhong Yuan hurriedly responded, "Your Highness, since we failed last time, could Prince Rui's Heir possibly..."

Yan Qi shook his head. "He couldn't know. I've realized even if he remains unharmed, Father Emperor intends to keep him in the capital. This gives Zheng Zhixin an opportunity in the Northwest Frontier Army."

Mentioning this finally drew a faint smile across Yan Qi's face.

...

...

Night had fallen when a figure hurried into the side hall of the Eastern Palace.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Crown Prince."

Zheng Baishi knelt in deep reverence. Not far before him, Yan Che sat behind a writing desk, his features flickering in the lamplight. "Minister Zheng, please rise."

Yan Che's voice remained warm. As Zheng Baishi stood, a slight smile touched his lips. Noticing this, a glimmer sparked in Yan Che's eyes. "Minister Zheng visiting at such an hour—has the case progressed?"

Zheng Baishi nodded immediately. "This humble official came precisely to report that this morning we identified a direction for the investigation. Inspector Zhan led a thorough search this afternoon, and just moments ago, we located where the third victim was last seen. We've now gathered numerous clues about her movements. Continuing this trajectory will soon reveal all locations she visited that day."

Yan Che's eyes brightened. "Oh? Progress at this juncture?"

His tone brimmed with pleasant surprise. Zheng Baishi nodded earnestly. "Indeed. I came to reassure Your Highness. Though His Majesty demanded the case be solved before New Year's Eve, with this breakthrough we can pinpoint the killer's range by tomorrow. Solving the case is now within reach."

Yan Che stood and emerged from behind the desk. "Well reasoned. Minister Zheng, how did you uncover these new clues?"

At this question, subtle ripples stirred in Zheng Baishi's gaze. "Well... we owe much to Loyal Marquis's assistance."

"Loyal Marquis?" Yan Che expressed mild astonishment. "How so? Explain quickly."

Zheng Baishi's smile deepened. "It appears Loyal Marquis keeps an extraordinary individual in his service—not only skilled in medicine but also versed in corpse examination. This morning, this person reexamined the victims' bodies and uncovered fresh evidence. Following these clues, Inspector Zhan located where the victim last dined. When we showed her portrait there, witnesses confirmed recognizing her..."

Yan Che raised his eyebrows. "An extraordinary person in Loyal Marquis's service?"Zheng Baishi nodded but did not elaborate immediately. His relationship with the Crown Prince was that of subject and sovereign, just as the Loyal Marquis and the Crown Prince were also subject and sovereign. Although Zheng Baishi believed the Loyal Marquis Manor would not conceal anything from the Crown Prince, since the Crown Prince was still unaware, it was best to let the Loyal Marquis reveal the truth himself. Thinking this, Zheng Baishi’s smile deepened. "Indeed, if Your Highness has any doubts, you may ask the Loyal Marquis directly when the time comes."

Yan Che understood Zheng Baishi’s implication and did not press further. Besides, he had numerous matters to attend to and was only concerned with whether the case had progressed, not the specifics of how it had advanced. Yet, at this critical moment, the sudden glimmer of hope stirred a mix of excitement and agitation in him. "I had no idea he had such a remarkable person by his side," Yan Che remarked, then added, "Had I known earlier, I would have asked him sooner. Why wait until now?"

Qin Shu was not involved in judicial affairs, so Yan Che could not blame him for recommending someone too late. Hearing this, Zheng Baishi chuckled and said, "Your Highness may not be aware, but this remarkable person has only recently arrived in the capital. Even if you had asked the Marquis earlier, he likely would not have had a solution."

Yan Che was not usually one for curiosity, but Zheng Baishi’s words piqued his interest. "What do you mean by that, Zheng Qing? Was this person recently taken under the Loyal Marquis’s wing?"

Recalling Qin Guan’s appearance, Zheng Baishi deliberately kept the mystery alive. "Your Highness’s assumption is not far off. There’s no need to rush—sooner or later, you will meet this person."