Qin Guan, having changed into men's clothing, arrived at the Meng residence with Yan Chi just after 7:30 AM, entering once again through the side gate.
The winter morning cast a cold and desolate atmosphere over the Meng estate. Qin Guan wore a deep blue cape with its hood drawn up, a disguise that effectively concealed her identity.
Walking along the corridor, they soon encountered Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang approaching from the opposite direction.
Qin Guan removed her hood and bowed in greeting. Yan Chi immediately asked, "How is the situation?"
Zheng Baishi hurriedly replied, "The Meng family members have been kept away. Ninth Miss may proceed."
Yan Chi glanced back at Qin Guan, and the two followed Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang toward the scene of the incident.
As they walked, Yan Chi explained, "Meng Wei hanged himself. He was found dangling from an ancient willow tree by the inner lake, less than ten steps from where Meng Jin's body was discovered."
Qin Guan frowned. Hanged? Could Meng Wei truly have taken his own life by hanging?
Zheng Baishi continued, "By the time he was found, the body was already cold. The household was in a panic and rushed to report to the authorities. Coincidentally, Zhan Yang and I were already heading to the Meng residence and came straight here upon hearing the news."
As they spoke, the group approached the inner lake. From a distance, over a dozen guards in black robes stood scattered around the area. Further away, constables from the magistrate's office were restraining the Meng family servants. Qin Guan scanned the scene and noticed Meng Zhou, Meng Hui, and others among the onlookers. Lowering her gaze, she followed Yan Chi and the others directly to the lakeside.
Having visited the lake multiple times before—including just yesterday when she had inspected the area several times—Qin Guan needed only a glance to assess the surroundings. In her line of sight stood a nearly century-old willow tree closest to the lake, its gnarled branches twisting in all directions. The thick trunk required two people to encircle it. In the depths of winter, the ancient tree stood bare, its leafless branches stretching wildly outward. From one particularly thick horizontal branch hung an ordinary hemp rope, while Meng Wei's body had been taken down and laid on the ground near the railing.
Qin Guan first approached Meng Wei's body to examine it. He was dressed in the same navy blue robe she had seen him wear yesterday. His clothing remained orderly, and his eyes were closed, but bruises were visible on his cheeks and exposed wrists. His face was pale with a bluish tint, his lips purple, and a deep, dark bruise was evident around his neckline.
Qin Guan pulled open Meng Wei's collar for a closer look and frowned.
Zheng Baishi asked anxiously, "Ninth Miss, what is it?"
Without answering directly, Qin Guan inquired, "How did he sustain these injuries?"
Zheng Baishi sighed bitterly. "Not just the visible ones—there are more bruises on his body. They're all from the Family Law punishment he received yesterday."
Qin Guan vividly recalled the previous day's scene: Meng Zhou preparing to administer Family Law, followed by Meng Wei's defiant outburst and heated argument with Meng Hui. Her expression firming, she stated, "The knot on the rope does suggest possible suicide by hanging, but a thorough examination is necessary. Move him to the side courtyard where Meng Jin is laid out. I need to inspect him carefully."
Zheng Baishi nodded and promptly instructed Zhan Yang to move the body. Qin Guan stood up and stepped aside, glancing back at the rope still hanging from the ancient willow. As she lowered her gaze, she noticed the muddy soil beneath the tree.
Her eyebrows raised in sudden interest, and she quickly walked over to investigate.The ancient willow stood too close to the lakeside, exposing a patch of muddy soil beneath its roots. At this moment, the footprints in the mud appeared somewhat chaotic, yet upon closer inspection, it was evident they all belonged to a single person.
Noticing Qin Guan examining the footprints, Yan Chi approached and said, "Only the centermost footprints were left by Meng Wei. The rest belong to others. The cleaning maid discovered Meng Wei this morning. Initially, she dared not touch anything and reported to Meng Zhou. When Meng Zhou arrived, he found only one set of footprints in the mud below—all leading toward the tree, none returning. That’s why they concluded Meng Wei committed suicide."
Zheng Baishi also stepped forward. "After the snow melted a few days ago, this patch of mud never dried completely, so footprints remain clearly visible. By the time we arrived, Meng Wei had already been taken down."
With footprints only leading toward the tree and none returning, it superficially seemed as though Meng Wei had indeed taken his own life in despair. Qin Guan nodded. "I’ll examine the body first."
Yan Chi replied, "I’ll accompany you."
After instructing Zheng Baishi, he went with Qin Guan to the side courtyard where the body had been placed earlier.
Guards stood watch at the courtyard entrance, and inside, an eerie silence prevailed. Upon entering, they saw constables had laid Meng Wei’s body on a long table inside the room, while Meng Jin’s body remained on the bier.
With both father and son’s bodies in the same room, Qin Guan felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow. She approached Meng Wei’s body, first checking his head, face, ears, and nose for injuries before unfastening his collar.
Once the collar was opened, the marks on Meng Wei’s neck became starkly visible.
Yan Chi stepped closer. "Earlier, you mentioned the rope knot suggested hanging?"
Qin Guan nodded, her gauntlet-clad hand tracing the marks on Meng Wei’s neck. "The rope marks lie below the hyoid bone and between the throat cartilages. The deepest part of the mark is flat, while the sides slant upward and fade. The depth is greatest where the force was strongest, shallower on the sides. There’s no bleeding within the groove of the mark, but minor bleeding appears at its upper and lower edges. Combined with his pale complexion and faint hemorrhaging in the eye membranes, it does resemble death by hanging."
She then moved to Meng Wei’s feet, lifting his robe to reveal distinct cadaveric spots on his calves and the tops of his feet. Frowning slightly, Qin Guan said, "The manner of death is undoubtedly hanging. Whether it was suicide requires further examination." With that, she began unbuttoning Meng Wei’s shirt to conduct a full-body inspection.Yan Chi instructed Bai Feng to stand guard at the door while he alone accompanied Qin Guan inside the room for the Corpse Examination. As he watched Qin Guan examine the corpse, Yan Chi said, "I sent someone to investigate the internal affairs of the four branches of the Meng family. The wife of the eldest branch passed away from illness long ago. The wife of the second branch is Meng Jin's second wife, which is why she appears particularly indifferent. In contrast, the third branch has faced more than its share of hardships. The master of the third branch died of illness five years ago. He originally had two sons—the eldest was exceptionally bright, excelling in both literary and martial arts from a young age, but he died of illness at the age of twelve. Now, only the second son, Meng Ziyi, remains. This Meng Ziyi has suffered from a stutter since childhood and once injured his left arm after falling from a horse. After the third master's death, the third branch was left with only orphans and widows. The third wife has a weak disposition, and with Meng Ziyi's chronic illness, the third branch has become dependent on the family. Fortunately, Meng Ziyi later married a wife."
Yan Chi's account aligned with what Meng Yao had said, proving that Meng Yao had not deceived her. Qin Guan listened patiently while carefully examining the wounds on Meng Wei's body. Yan Chi continued, "As for the fourth branch, Meng Hui has long been discontent after years of suppression by the second branch. It's true that he previously owned two shops—one has since closed, and the other is still operating but is struggling to make ends meet. Meng Hui had previously sent people to cause trouble at several restaurants managed by the second branch, nearly escalating the matter to the authorities."
Qin Guan listened and asked, "If it's not about fighting over the family fortune, what other reasons do you think there could be?"
Yan Chi replied, "The second wife's situation is quite unique. She has been married into the Meng family for ten years but has not borne any children and has had a strained relationship with Meng Jin from the start. So, I sent someone to investigate her background, and indeed, we found something."
Qin Guan paused her work and turned to look at Yan Chi. "What did you find?"
"This second wife is the daughter of a wealthy gentry from Luozhou. Before her marriage, she was already betrothed. She married Meng Jin because her childhood sweetheart and fiancé suddenly died. Seeing his daughter without a marriage prospect, the wealthy gentry, who had dealings with the Meng family, found an opportunity. At that time, Meng Zhou was already a fifth-rank official in the court, and the Meng family's business was moderately successful. The gentry thought it advantageous to marry his daughter into an official family in the capital and forced the marriage."
Qin Guan frowned upon hearing this. "So, all these years, the second wife has been longing for her former fiancé?"
"That's entirely possible. However, this reason alone wouldn't drive her to kill Meng Jin. Besides, she has been married into the Meng family for so long. Even if Meng Jin was involved in the incident back then, she wouldn't have waited until now to take action."
Qin Guan then said, "What if she only recently learned the truth about what happened back then?"
A slight smile curved Yan Chi's lips. "That's why I've already sent someone to investigate the events of that year. It will take about three days to get the results."
Hearing this, a glimmer of shrewdness flickered in Qin Guan's eyes. She and Yan Chi had always been in sync since their time in Jinzhou, and now, their understanding of each other was even more profound. Luozhou was the closest city to Lin'an, but it still took over a day to travel there. Even under the best circumstances, a round trip would require about three days.
"In the case of Meng Jin's death, the second wife is indeed a plausible suspect. After all, judging solely by the reactions after Meng Jin's death, the most suspicious individuals in the entire Meng family are the fourth branch's Meng Hui and her."Speaking, Qin Guan frowned as she looked at Meng Wei's body covered in wounds. "There are no fewer than dozens of injuries large and small on him. Who was it that struck him yesterday?"
Yan Chi promptly replied, "It was Meng Zhou and Meng Hui."
Qin Guan then nodded and said, "Most of Meng Wei's injuries are from clubs, but there are also irregular bruises. We need to ask in detail and make a record to see who struck which parts, the more detailed the better." As she spoke, Qin Guan added, "Help me prepare some rice vinegar."
Yan Chi nodded and walked to the courtyard gate to give a few instructions. Meanwhile, Qin Guan straightened up and frowned.
When Yan Chi returned and saw Qin Guan's grave expression, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Qin Guan stared at Meng Wei's expression and said, "Do you think he is the type to commit suicide?"
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't seem like it." He continued, "I also had someone investigate Meng Wei's character. He was born to Meng Jin's first wife. Because his mother died early, the Old Madam of the Meng family especially doted on him. Later, Meng Jin also cherished this son dearly and even handed over the family business to Meng Wei. Meng Wei had an impulsive temperament and a hot temper; he frequently beat and scolded employees in the shops under his management and was quite arrogant and domineering outside. When Meng Jin encountered trouble, Meng Wei wanted, first, to cover up the fraud they had set up; second, to find that key; and third, genuinely to seek justice for Meng Jin. Yesterday, when he was punished under Family Law, Meng Hui even threatened to expel him from the Meng residence. Yet, by evening, he was still sending people to search for that key, which clearly shows he had no intention of suicide."
"His close aides said that after being beaten, he lay down all afternoon and had medicine applied to his wounds. Then, as dusk fell, still determined to find the key, he ordered people to search again. Late at night, when servants reported they still hadn't found it, he got dressed and got out of bed, saying he would search himself. Originally, two servants followed him, but they separated in the garden. The two servants searched around but found nothing and didn't see Meng Wei in the courtyard. When they returned to Meng Wei's quarters and he wasn't there, they intended to look for him. However, last night, Meng Zhou sent someone to check on Meng Wei, and the two servants, wanting to cover for him, insisted that Meng Wei was asleep. After that, the servants didn't dare to wander around and waited in the courtyard for Meng Wei. Who would have thought they waited all night without him returning, until this morning when Meng Wei was found hanged."
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. "The thought of suicide either comes when one truly reaches a dead end, or when a person is usually too self-pitying, or another case is when someone spoiled from childhood is too fragile and can't handle a sudden blow, choosing suicide. But from what I saw yesterday in court, he argued his case quite forcefully and didn't seem like someone who couldn't bear the blow of his father's death. As for expelling him, he probably knew that Lord Meng wouldn't actually do it."
After saying this, Qin Guan exchanged a glance with Yan Chi. "But if Meng Wei was murdered, then who is the one who harmed him?"
Speaking of Meng Jin, the one who harmed him could still be the Second Madame, but what about Meng Wei?
Even if there were hidden circumstances in the marriage back then, would the Second Madame also consider Meng Wei an enemy?
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. "As far as I know, the Second Madame has lived alone in one courtyard for many years. Although Meng Wei didn't treat the Second Madame as a mother, he never did anything greatly disrespectful and still referred to her as 'Madame' in front of others."
Qin Guan frowned deeply. "If Meng Jin was killed, there must be some significant stakes involved."While they were speaking, Bai Feng entered the courtyard holding the rice vinegar he had found. "Master, Ninth Miss, the rice vinegar is ready."
Qin Guan hurried forward to take it, then walked to Meng Wei's side and carefully applied the rice vinegar to his body. Meng Wei has too many chaotic injuries, mostly bruises. In such circumstances, it's inevitable that some deep bruises might not be visible. Applying vinegar will help reveal any hidden injuries. Then we can compare them with the testimonies of Lord Meng and Meng Hui to determine which wounds were inflicted later."
Naturally, this was Qin Guan's area of expertise. Just as she finished applying the vinegar, Zheng Baishi strode into the courtyard with Zhan Yang. "Your Highness, Ninth Miss, Lord Meng insists on witnessing the corpse examination. We've held him off for quite some time, but we can't stop him any longer."
Zheng Baishi added, "Ninth Miss is dressed in men's clothing today. Should we let them in?"
Qin Guan frowned. Yan Chi glanced at her briefly. "Did Miss Meng visit the Marquis' residence yesterday?"
Qin Guan nodded, this being precisely the issue troubling her.
Yan Chi took a deep breath. "You stay here and conduct the examination. Bai Feng will remain to assist you. I'll handle the outside." With that, he led Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang out, closing the door behind them.
No sooner had the door shut than Meng Zhou entered with Meng Hui and others.
Yan Chi's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his voice turning cold. "As a court official, Lord Meng, with consecutive deaths occurring in your own residence, have you forgotten even how to cooperate with the official investigation?"
Clad in elegant black robes, Yan Chi stood with a stern expression, his chilling tone imposing. Meng Zhou felt his heart skip a beat.
Seeing Yan Chi present, Meng Zhou had no choice but to suppress his urgency. He then said bitterly, "Your Highness, it's not that this official disregards rules, but... we truly never expected Meng Wei to hang himself. This morning, before we could properly examine Meng Wei, the authorities cordoned him off. After all this time, we deserve some explanation about what exactly happened."
As he spoke, Meng Zhou continued, "This official recalls that official corpse examinations aren't confidential matters. Having everyone present would allow for a fair judgment. Your Highness, although Meng Wei committed wrongdoings, he was still someone we watched grow up. His sudden death..."
Meng Zhou's tone was mournful. Yan Chi lifted his chin slightly. "Meng Wei's death is not ordinary. Everyone in the Meng residence is under suspicion. Why should we allow you to gather and watch?"
Meng Zhou was taken aback. "Your Highness means... Meng Wei was murdered?"
Yan Chi stood unmoving before the door. Though alone, he held a formidable presence, as if one man could block ten thousand. His gaze swiftly swept over the group, noticing that Meng Hui only showed surprise without any signs of panic.
"Whether it was murder remains undetermined. For now, I must ask you: yesterday, when you carried out the family law punishment on Meng Wei, how exactly did you proceed? What instruments were used? And where did you injure him?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhou's expression changed, and Meng Hui widened his eyes. "Your Highness, we only struck him with sticks according to family law. We didn't harm him severely."
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Meng Hui for a moment. Suddenly, he noticed the bruise on the back of Meng Hui's hand. His voice turned icy. "How did you get that bruise on your hand?"
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