Coroner's Diary

After leaving Yan Huai's main tent, Qin Guan first escorted the Empress Dowager back before coming to find Yan Chi.

Earlier, Yan Chi had gone to the Northern Wei envoy's tent but hadn't finished his investigation when he received news of Yan Qi's provocation, causing him to return midway. Now, Yan Chi was waiting for Qin Guan to arrive so they could go to the Northern Wei envoy's tent together. Since everything had been exposed, there was no need for concealment anymore. Meanwhile, Yan Qi and Yan Che walked out side by side.

Yan Qi remarked, "I never expected the one who helped the Crown Prince last time was actually Ninth Miss. The Crown Prince is truly blessed with such fortune."

Yan Che narrowed his eyes slightly. "Prince Cheng, watch your words. Whether Ninth Miss is practicing medicine to save lives or conducting corpse examinations to solve cases, both are virtuous deeds that accumulate merit. You'd better not project your shady thoughts onto Ninth Miss."

Yan Qi chuckled. "The Crown Prince is quite protective of Ninth Miss..."

Yan Che responded with a cold laugh, refusing to engage further with Yan Qi, and turned to leave with a flick of his sleeve.

Yan Qi stood still for a moment, a chill flickering in his eyes as if he had thought of something.

When Qin Guan found Yan Chi, he was speaking with a guard. Seeing Qin Guan approach, Yan Chi waved the guard away. Qin Guan walked up to him and asked, "How is the investigation going?"

Yan Chi looked at her with a deep gaze, not answering immediately. After a moment's thought, Qin Guan said, "Don't worry, this situation isn't entirely bad. I can handle it. I've also made plans for when we return to Lin'an City."

"What plans?" Yan Chi asked, his eyes fixed intently on her.

Qin Guan's lips moved slightly, but she couldn't find the right words. Yan Chi glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, sighed. "This situation not only isn't bad but actually suits your intentions, doesn't it?"

Qin Guan hesitated, "Yan Chi—"

Yan Chi raised his hand to stop her from explaining further and asked directly, "Is this related to that unfinished wish of yours?"

Qin Guan had always said she had an unfulfilled wish but had never been willing to tell Yan Chi what it was. Yet she had once asked him what one should do when facing something as difficult as scaling the heavens. Yan Chi knew she was referring to her own unfinished wish. Given Qin Guan's character, she would never want today's matter to escalate, nor would she care for the Emperor's rewards. But today, she had suggested receiving the reward only after solving the Northern Wei case. Though Yan Chi didn't know what Qin Guan truly wanted, he somehow felt that what she intended to do was closely connected to corpse examination and case-solving.

Their eyes met, and Qin Guan could only nod. "Yes."

That simple affirmation was enough to make Yan Chi's heart sink. For Qin Guan to act this way, even making her forensic techniques public, she must be seeking something significant. But what could she possibly ask the Emperor for?

Seeing the deep complexity in Yan Chi's eyes, Qin Guan stepped forward. "Don't worry, I know my limits."

Standing outside together, Yan Chi's expression remained profound. After watching Qin Guan for a long moment, he finally stepped aside. "We've found someone with injuries, fresh ones. Come with me to examine and determine the wounds."

As Yan Chi moved aside from the path before them, Qin Guan suddenly felt he was also making way for the path she needed to walk. No one knew what she intended to do, but Yan Chi must have vaguely guessed. Yet he suppressed his questions and let her proceed.Qin Guan's heart was filled with complex emotions, yet she didn't hesitate as she walked forward. Arriving at the Northern Wei envoy's tent, when the curtain was lifted, she saw seven or eight Northern Wei warriors standing inside. Two of them had their front garments open, faintly revealing blue-purple bruises on their chests and arms. Looking closely, Qin Guan recognized one of them as Xu Chang.

"Lift your clothes and roll up your sleeves," a Great Zhou soldier shouted from the side.

Xu Chang and the other man immediately complied. Yan Chi brought Qin Guan closer, and after careful examination, she said, "These are indeed fresh injuries, likely sustained within the last six hours."

As she spoke, Qin Guan frowned deeply. These wounds were from last night, matching the timing of the perpetrator's actions. But why did both men have injuries? If there were two people involved, how could Fu Desheng have escaped?

Yan Chi asked coldly, "How did you two get these injuries?"

Xu Chang glanced at the man beside him, who immediately showed a look of shame.

"Speak for yourself!" Xu Chang snapped coldly.

The warrior beside him lowered his head and said, "Last night... after the Crown Prince came to inspect, I saw Vice Captain Xu and the others leave, so I secretly drank some hidden liquor... When Vice Captain Xu returned, he was furious. I was drunk and not in my right mind, so I got into a fight with him..."

Qin Guan examined their wounds. "What did you use to fight?"

"I didn't use anything," Xu Chang said. "He grabbed a stick by the entrance. These injuries on me were all from him."

As he finished speaking, the other warrior knelt on the ground. "I've already realized my mistake—"

Xu Chang frowned slightly. "Crown Prince, since the Crown Prince hasn't awakened yet, I don't want this matter to escalate. Please help us keep it quiet."

Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan, who nodded. Yan Chi then said, "This is a Northern Wei matter. I naturally have no authority to interfere."

With that, he led the group out of the tent. Once outside, Yan Chi said, "I observed that the injuries are fresh, and the wounds on the two men differ. What do you think?"

Qin Guan frowned. "They are indeed fresh wounds, consistent with what the warrior said about them occurring last night. So, there's nothing unusual about their injuries."

Yan Chi's eyes darkened. "Then we're back to having no leads." Just as he finished speaking, he added, "By the way, when you instructed the medicine boy to fetch new medicine from the storage yesterday, was anyone else present?"

Qin Guan thought for a moment. "Not really. At the entrance, there were only the guards you assigned and two Northern Wei guards, but I didn't recognize those two. Why do you ask?"

Yan Chi explained, "Last night, the medicine boy left on his own, while the guards outside were reassigned. I suspect the perpetrator knew in advance that the medicine boy would be away at that time. Otherwise, merely reassigning the guards wouldn't have been enough—they'd also have to ensure the medicine boy inside was gone to avoid detection."

A light dawned in Qin Guan's eyes. "That makes sense. Should I identify those two guards for you?"

Yan Chi nodded. "I'll take you around. Remember which ones they are and let me know."Qin Guan responded, and Yan Chi took her to inspect the Northern Wei warriors' tents once more. Xu Chang and the others assumed it was part of the ongoing investigation and did not grow suspicious. Only after exiting the main tent did Qin Guan inform Yan Chi, "The two tall, slender men standing against the left wall of the second tent—I’m certain they were the ones guarding the entrance earlier."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chi immediately dispatched men to keep watch on the two. He was about to say more to Qin Guan when Tuoba Wu came rushing over from the direction of Tuoba Hong’s tent. "Qin Guan! I saw my elder brother’s finger move!"

Tuoba Wu’s voice was loud and urgent. At his words, Qin Guan thought Tuoba Hong might be waking up.

She tugged at Yan Chi’s sleeve. "Quick, let’s go see—"

Qin Guan hurried back to the tent. Upon entering, however, she found Tuoba Hong still lying unconscious. Tuoba Wu followed her in and insisted, "I really saw his finger twitch just now. I’m not lying."

Checking the pulse, Qin Guan replied calmly, "I never said you were."

She focused intently, then withdrew her hand after a moment. "It was likely just a random movement. Though his finger moved, there are still no signs of him waking. His pulse is stronger than a few days ago, but it remains somewhat weak."

The hope that had lit up Tuoba Wu’s eyes dimmed instantly. Waiting outside, Yan Chi deduced the outcome when Qin Guan did not emerge for some time. Soon enough, she stepped out with a grave expression.

Yan Chi asked, "Is he close to waking?"

Qin Guan almost shook her head instinctively but met Yan Chi’s gaze. A sudden realization flashed through her mind, and she quickly nodded. "Yes, he is indeed close to waking. His pulse is much better than before. He may wake tomorrow…"

…

…

Tuoba Hong’s condition showed improvement once more. Overnight, news spread that Qin Guan was skilled in forensic techniques and had solved the Gold Heist Case. The camp was crowded and full of gossip; any news traveled fast. By the next morning, the entire camp knew of Qin Guan’s deeds.

Reactions varied—some sighed in admiration, some scorned and belittled her, while others could not understand why a woman would engage in such a lowly occupation as a coroner. As Qin Guan walked through the camp, hushed discussions arose from all sides.

"That’s the Qin family’s Ninth Miss…"

"Indeed, it’s her. I heard she not only knows medicine but also performs corpse examinations and helped solve a major case."

"She’s a favorite of the Empress Dowager. How could she practice forensic techniques? All coroners are base commoners without exception. For a noble young lady from a marquis household to do such filthy work…"

"Who knows? The ways of the wealthy are truly baffling."

Qin Guan walked through the camp with Fuling, the murmurs around them drifting in and out of earshot. Fuling frowned and snorted softly. "What do these people know? My lady’s thoughts are far beyond ordinary minds! Her aspirations are no less than any man’s. They’re all common folk, only fit to gossip behind her back."

Qin Guan remained unperturbed and reassured her, "It’s all right. I expected this long ago. That’s partly why I kept it quiet before. In the end, we’re all just ordinary people."

Fuling sniffed. "Even if we’re all ordinary, my lady is different. She can do things they cannot. She has helped so many people—could any of them do the same?"Patting Fuling's shoulder, Qin Guan smiled and said, "Alright, everyone has their own opinions, and others think differently from us. We can't stop people from talking, so let's just pretend we didn't hear it."

Fuling pouted, still feeling indignant. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had already entered the medicine room.

As soon as she stepped inside, two medicine attendants immediately came forward to greet her. Qin Guan followed Tuoba Hong's prescription to pick up new medicine and was about to leave when a thought struck her. She asked, "Before the incident the night before last, did anyone else come to the medicine room?"

The two attendants exchanged glances and shook their heads. One of them replied, "Ninth Miss, the Crown Prince has already sent someone to ask. There were no suspicious people or unusual occurrences that entire day."

After the incident in the medicine room, the two attendants were anxious and fearful, worried about attracting any suspicion.

Qin Guan hadn't suspected them in the first place. Hearing this, she nodded and didn't press further. Yan Chi must have already asked every possible detail. She was being overly sensitive. With this thought, she turned to leave. Just as she reached the doorway, she heard one of the attendants ask from behind, "Is the bruise ointment for Deputy Captain Xu ready?"

The other replied hurriedly, "Ah, I forgot! I'll prepare it right away."

Qin Guan turned back. "Bruise ointment for Deputy Captain Xu?!"

The first attendant nodded. "Yes, Deputy Captain Xu said he was injured and needed bruise ointment."

Recalling Xu Chang's numerous injuries, Qin Guan asked, "Did he come to ask for it today?"

The attendant shook his head. "No, it was last night when we were at the medicine storage. Deputy Captain Xu had been injured earlier during a martial arts contest, then sustained minor injuries during the grand hunt, and later followed Lin Zhang to search for Crown Prince Tuoba. It seems he has quite a few wounds, so he came for the ointment."

Qin Guan nodded and walked out without saying another word.

Earlier, she had indeed noticed that Xu Chang had many old injuries. It wasn't surprising—he had represented Northern Wei in the martial contest against generals from three kingdoms, participated in the grand hunt, and later joined Lin Zhang in searching for Tuoba Hong. But how had Xu Chang gone to the medicine storage to find the two attendants? Had he first come to the medicine room and, finding them absent, gone to look for them? Or...

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Qin Guan quickly called Fuling. "Go tell Baiying to relay exactly what the attendants said to the Crown Prince. I'm returning to Crown Prince Tuoba's tent."

Fuling nodded and immediately turned to leave. Qin Guan stood still for a moment before continuing forward. But after taking just two steps, for some reason, she suddenly felt an unsettling sensation of being watched, as if needles were pricking her back.

She halted abruptly and swiftly turned to look behind her, only to find the camp path empty. Qin Guan pursed her lips. It was strange—she rarely experienced such a feeling, yet when she turned around, no one was there.

The hour was still early, and the morning camp path was quiet and deserted. Looking further into the distance, she saw rows upon rows of military tents stretching into the horizon. As she gazed, an inexplicable chill crept into her heart. Steadying her breath, she quickly turned away and hurried north along the main camp road. Soon, she caught sight of Tuoba Hong's main tent, but when she looked closely, she noticed that the Northern Wei guards on duty had been replaced by Xu Chang and another soldier.Seeing Qin Guan approach, Xu Chang and another person showed great respect. After all, Qin Guan was the one who had saved Tuoba Hong. Qin Guan nodded to them and was about to enter the tent when she paused and said, "Deputy Captain Xu Chang."

Startled by the sudden call, Xu Chang quickly turned around and asked, "What instructions does Ninth Miss have?"

Qin Guan smiled slightly. "I noticed earlier that besides your new injuries, you also have old bruises. Would you like some ointment for contusions?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chang's smile widened. "Thank you for your concern, Ninth Miss. Actually, I already went to your medicine storage to ask for ointment the night before last, around dusk. The young attendant there said he would deliver it to me." He chuckled heartily. "Though it's been a day and I haven't seen it yet, it's no matter. Please focus on caring for our Crown Prince. I'm tough-skinned and can handle it—perhaps it'll arrive later."

Xu Chang spoke frankly, without any intention to conceal. Qin Guan remarked, "Oh? So you went to the medicine storage?"

Xu Chang thought for a moment and shook his head. "Not the medicine storage. It should have been your medicine storage. I originally intended to go to the clinic, but a comrade of mine said the clinic staff had gone to the medicine storage to fetch supplies today, so the clinic would surely be empty. So I asked for directions and went to the medicine storage instead."

Qin Guan recalled the two tall, lean figures and nodded without further comment.

Upon entering the main tent, Qin Guan felt something was amiss, though she couldn't pinpoint it immediately. Tuoba Wu, noticing her arrival, hurriedly said, "I think my brother's wound has started to heal. A layer of scab just fell off, and there was no bleeding."

Hearing this, Qin Guan quickly stepped forward. She had long intended to examine the injuries on Tuoba Hong's back, but his wounds were severe and critical, so she hadn't dared to move him these past few days. With this in mind, she first inspected Tuoba Hong's wounds, changed the dressings, and then carefully turned him over. After repositioning him, she took the nearby alcohol and wiped several bruises on his back.

Having been bedridden and immobile for days, some of Tuoba Hong's injuries were either healing or showing slight signs of festering. Qin Guan meticulously treated and examined each one before reapplying ointment to his back. Once she finished and had Tuoba Hong lie down again, her gaze returned to the bruise on his waist. For some reason, compared to the injuries on his back, this particular bruise appeared unusually dark...