After lunch, Qin Guan took a short nap in the afternoon due to lingering soreness in her back, only to sleep for a full two hours. By the time she woke, dusk had fallen, and as she had anticipated, a light snow was whispering down from the sky.
Fuling stoked the Earth Dragon to burn hotter and lit a stove in the room, filling the space with spring-like warmth. Qin Guan half-opened the window and sat by it, watching the snowflakes drift like fine white sand outside.
"Miss, be careful not to catch a chill…" Fuling advised, but Qin Guan shook her head with a smile. "It's fine. The room is so warm with the stove lit—a bit of fresh air is just what we need." She shifted to sit sideways. "Such snowy weather is perfect for gathering around the stove and brewing tea."
Fuling chuckled. "Of course, if that's what you'd like, Miss. But tomorrow is New Year's Eve—you should be thinking about the celebrations instead."
"New Year's Eve…" Qin Guan murmured softly, her eyes dimming slightly. It was a time for family reunions, and every household in Lin'an would be gathered together, yet she…
Seeing her expression, Fuling understood her thoughts. "Miss, are you thinking of the master and mistress?"
Qin Guan sighed, her gaze lowering. Fuling said, "It's natural to miss the master and mistress during the New Year. Even though seven years have passed, and I must admit I can hardly recall their faces clearly, I know they were the kindest masters in the world. Not just them—you're the kindest mistress too. It's my great fortune to serve you, Miss. Tomorrow, let's ask the madam for some spirit money and hold a memorial for the master and mistress in the courtyard."
A faint smile touched Qin Guan's lips. "You're very thoughtful. Very well."
Just as she finished speaking, the courtyard gate creaked open. Both Qin Guan and Fuling looked up in surprise as Baiying hurried toward the entrance. Soon, Qin Yan's voice echoed from outside, and moments later, he appeared at the doorway.
"Ninth Sister, come with me to the main courtyard," Qin Yan said as he stepped inside. Qin Guan rose from the daybed. "What's the matter?"
Qin Yan, without a cape, brought a chill with him as he entered. "Lord Zheng has arrived."
Qin Guan was momentarily startled. "Has there been progress in the case?"
Qin Yan nodded. Seeing this, Qin Guan immediately turned to Fuling. "Fetch my cape."
Fuling quickly draped the cape over Qin Guan and found an umbrella. Leaving Baiying to wait in the courtyard, Fuling held the umbrella and accompanied Qin Guan outside. Qin Yan walked beside her, unfazed by the swirling snow, and remarked, "I heard you'd returned earlier, but I was tied up with visitors from the palace and had to go to the magistrate's office this afternoon. Were you alright today when the Crown Prince brought you back?"
Qin Guan thought of Yan Chi again. "I'm fine. His Highness took me on a detour to shake off Prince Cheng's men."
Qin Yan nodded. "At noon, someone from the palace delivered gifts from the Empress. Mother will likely send some things your way tomorrow—she saw a few pieces of jewelry and said they'd suit you well."
Qin Guan quickly replied, "That's not necessary. Aunt has already bought me many things."
Qin Yan smiled. "It's the New Year—just accept what's given. Everyone else is receiving gifts too."
Hearing this, Qin Guan said nothing more. Qin Yan continued, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, but Father and Mother have to go to the palace. We'll wait at the estate for their return before having the evening meal. Ninth Sister, how did you celebrate the New Year back in Jinzhou?"Hearing this, Qin Guan's smile turned bitter. How else could Ninth Miss be faring?
"She's just getting by as usual. Third Brother, aren't you going to the palace anymore?"
Qin Yan sighed slightly. "There are numerous rituals tomorrow evening, and I don't really want to go. But the palace attendants delivering the feast invitations won't arrive until tomorrow morning, so we'll see then..."
Qin Guan suddenly understood—the attendants who came at noon had nothing to do with the New Year's banquet.
As the siblings conversed, they soon arrived at the main courtyard's study. Qin Yan quickened his pace to open the door. Fuling remained outside while only Qin Guan followed Qin Yan inside. Upon entering, they saw both Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang in the room.
Zheng Baishi had long recognized Qin Guan as a woman, but Zhan Yang had not. When Qin Guan entered, Zheng Baishi's smile deepened, while Zhan Yang stared at her for a moment before his eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
"Uncle, Lord Zheng." Qin Guan curtsied, then turned to Zhan Yang. "Zhan Butou."
Qin Shu nodded and gestured toward a seat for Qin Guan. Meanwhile, Zhan Yang continued staring dumbfounded at Qin Guan, seemingly unable to believe she was the youth who had assisted them with the corpse examination that day.
Noticing Zhan Yang, Qin Shu looked at him with amusement. Zheng Baishi also observed Zhan Yang for a few moments before laughing heartily. "Marquis, you may not know this, but Zhan Yang has served me for years, and this is the first time I've seen him so flustered. You've met him several times—he's never been like this before..."
Qin Shu chuckled. "It seems Wan Yatou has startled him."
Only after hearing their remarks did Zhan Yang manage to regain his composure with great effort. He moved his lips but couldn't speak.
That day, when he learned an outsider was coming to conduct the corpse examination, he had been somewhat skeptical. But when clues were indeed discovered, he could only feel admiration for the slender Qin Guan. When Zheng Baishi brought him today, he only mentioned finding the person who had helped them that day—not that they were visiting a young lady of the Qin family. How could he have imagined that the calm, composed person conducting the autopsy was actually a woman?!
"Your subordinate... truly didn't expect this."
After a long pause, Zhan Yang finally managed to utter these words, prompting another round of hearty laughter in the room.
Zheng Baishi said, "I've told you many times—don't focus all your energy on official matters. Now, with Ninth Miss's appearance, you still couldn't recognize her as a woman? Have you ever seen such a handsome young man before?"
Zhan Yang's typically stern face showed a conflicted expression. When he first saw Qin Guan, he hadn't particularly noticed her beauty, but now recalling it, the male-attired Qin Guan did seem much more handsome than other young masters.
"Brother Zheng, don't pretend to complain while actually boasting. Zhan Butou is your right-hand man—if he were frivolous, you'd surely be lamenting..." Qin Shu laughed, coming to Zhan Yang's defense. Hearing this, Zhan Yang immediately straightened his expression and firmly grasped the long sword at his waist, his posture becoming as rigid as a warrior statue.
Zheng Baishi also chuckled. "That's true."Speaking seriously, Zheng Baishi said, "Ninth Miss, I came today to tell you that based on the clues from your corpse examination, Zhan Butou has already led a search around the West Market during the day. This search indeed uncovered a small restaurant whose owner recognized the deceased. He said the deceased ate a bowl of fish congee there at noon that day and caused a commotion when a fishbone got stuck in his throat halfway through the meal. Because of this, the owner had a particularly strong impression of the deceased. The restaurant owner also mentioned that the deceased was in an extremely good mood that day and, despite the incident, was very understanding and didn’t make a fuss. The owner had intended to waive the meal cost, but the deceased insisted on paying. Additionally, the restaurant owner handed over a sachet, claiming it was left behind by the deceased."
Qin Guan was slightly surprised. "A sachet?"
Zheng Baishi nodded. "Exactly, a sachet containing a few copper coins."
Qin Guan nodded but didn’t press further. Zheng Baishi’s visit surely wasn’t just to report the search process and results—there must be some issue he needed her help to resolve...
Sure enough, Zheng Baishi soon continued, "However, the owner didn’t know where the deceased went afterward. We then searched extensively around the restaurant but found no further traces."
Qin Guan frowned. In other words, there was still no strong evidence related to the killer.
"So, Your Excellency means..."
Zheng Baishi sighed. "That’s why I’ve come—to ask you to help us think of other directions to investigate."
Qin Guan’s brow furrowed slightly. "From the corpse examination that day, we could only deduce that the killer’s mentality is unusual. Additionally, we know the body disposal site might have steps, and then there’s the location where the third victim appeared before death." As she spoke, she seemed to recall something. "By the way, have you searched the areas circled by the Crown Prince that day?"
Qin Guan looked at Zhan Yang as she spoke. Meeting her gaze, Zhan Yang immediately straightened his back. "We did. The Crown Prince suggested that since the killer is familiar with the terrain in different directions, he’s likely located near the center of those areas. That way, he wouldn’t have to cross the entire imperial city to dispose of the bodies at night. So, we also went to the central area he circled today, but after asking around, no one remembered the deceased. As for the steps you mentioned, we checked that too. The area is a bustling part of the southern city, with many two-story shops along several streets. We questioned people shop by shop today, but no one recalled the deceased or exhibited any suspicious behavior..."
Hearing this, Qin Guan’s heart sank. Suddenly, she asked, "Where is that sachet?"
At this question, Zheng Baishi turned and exchanged a glance with Zhan Yang. Both looked somewhat troubled. Zheng Baishi spread his hands. "The sachet only contained a few copper coins. After returning to the yamen today, it was left there. We didn’t bring it with us when we came."
Qin Guan frowned upon hearing this. "I was thinking there might be some traces left on the sachet..."
Zheng Baishi perked up. "In that case, let Zhan Yang go back and fetch it. Miss Qin is meticulous—perhaps you’ll notice something we missed..."
Zhan Yang immediately acknowledged the order, cupped his hands in salute to Qin Shu and the others, and left.The man moved so swiftly that Qin Guan couldn't react in time. Yet, considering the sachet might indeed hold clues, she let it pass. "The third victim's clothing has gone missing. Though the sachet may not bear the killer's traces, it's still worth examining. I only regret troubling Zhan Butou to make this trip."
Zheng Baishi waved a hand. "No trouble at all. He's accustomed to braving wind and rain, and this case has dragged on too long. He's the type to forget food and sleep when solving crimes. We should be thanking you, Miss Qin."
Qin Guan repeatedly demurred, "I dare not claim such credit." Zheng Baishi then asked her with a gentle smile, "Miss Qin, did you learn corpse examination through medical studies? Weren't you afraid when you first began? Most young ladies wouldn't dare look at a dead body."
Qin Shu chuckled upon hearing this. "Brother Zheng, I asked her the same question."
Zheng Baishi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How did Miss Qin respond?"
Qin Shu laughed heartily and glanced at Qin Guan. "She recited a Buddhist verse to me... 'The Bodhi is not a tree, nor the bright mirror a stand.' Brother Zheng, ponder this—what meaning do you find in it?"
Zheng Baishi first stared blankly, then his eyes lit up with brilliance. "'The Bodhi is not a tree, nor the bright mirror a stand'... Excellent, truly excellent! For one so young to comprehend such profound Buddhist teachings! No wonder you showed no fear upon seeing the corpse that day, even daring to request an autopsy..."
He gazed at Qin Guan with deep admiration. "You may not know this, Miss Qin, but after you performed the autopsy, Old Fang lamented repeatedly after you left. He said it was a pity you weren't born male, or you'd surely become a great official in criminal justice. Though he served as a coroner for many years, he believed you surpassed him."
Qin Guan offered a faint smile. "I merely rely on my medical training. I wouldn't dare compare myself to Old Fang."
"Don't be modest." Zheng Baishi waved his hand, his tone both admiring and nostalgic. "Do you know who you remind me of?"
Qin Guan's heart instinctively tightened. "Someone I remind you of?"
Zheng Baishi parted his lips as if to speak, then hesitated. Noticing this, Qin Shu gave a light cough. Zheng Baishi glanced at him and changed tack. "I recalled an old friend of mine. He too showed extraordinary talent in the path of coronership from a young age. Coincidentally, he also possessed medical skills—not on par with master physicians, but he integrated medicine into his coroner's work..."
Qin Guan's spine stiffened slightly, her faint smile barely maintained under Zheng Baishi's gaze. Unhurried for her response, he continued, "When I first met him, I was truly astounded."
After a long pause, Qin Guan's constricted throat finally relaxed. She asked softly, "Then... why not seek his assistance now, Sir?"
Zheng Baishi sighed, a bitter smile flashing across his face. "He later... later passed away. Otherwise, we wouldn't be struggling so much now... Ah..."Qin Guan's heart pounded like thunder as she observed the regretful expression on Zheng Baishi's face. She was certain Zheng Baishi was referring to her father. His tone carried profound admiration and deep sorrow over her father's death—did this mean he might also believe her father was wronged? Furthermore, did he know the inside story of the incident?
A sudden surge of determination welled up in Qin Guan's chest. She hurriedly asked, "He's gone? How could he be gone?"
Zheng Baishi smiled bitterly and exchanged a glance with Qin Shu, seemingly unwilling to continue the topic. Waving his hand, he said, "It's an old matter from years past. Better not to speak of it, better not to speak of it..."
Disappointment flooded Qin Guan's heart. She wanted to press further, but Zheng Baishi had already shifted to asking how she had studied the medical Path. Suppressing her emotions and expression with great effort, Qin Guan repeated her previous explanation. Thus, the conversation drifted further and further from what she wished to discuss. After another hour passed, Zhan Yang returned through the snow!
The moment he entered, Qin Guan keenly noticed something amiss in Zhan Yang's expression. The next instant, she saw him announce with a grave face, "Sir, Marquis, Miss Qin... the sachet... has disappeared!"
Zheng Baishi frowned. "Disappeared? Wasn't it stored in the evidence hall?"
Zhan Yang looked extremely solemn. "This subordinate remembers clearly placing it there, but when I went back to retrieve it just now, it was gone... I searched the entire evidence hall..."
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes as she studied Zhan Yang's expression. "If I recall correctly, that young lady's clothing also went missing before. And now, this sachet has vanished into thin air..."
Her words hung in the air, and the expressions of everyone in the room shifted dramatically.
OpenNovel