Coroner's Diary

On the evening of the second day, just as Qin Guan had predicted, Tuoba Hong was indeed able to speak. The pillow beneath his head was propped a little higher, and a faint trace of color finally returned to his deathly pale face.

Tuoba Wu was recounting the events of the past few days to him. "...Because we were always guarding you, Xu Chang couldn't find an opportunity. Qin Guan even said you were about to wake up, so Xu Chang must have grown anxious. At the time, I had no idea he was the murderer and even let him sit outside as a guard. Later, the heir apparent pretended to suspect the Northern Wei warriors who had earlier served as guards and had them monitored. Xu Chang wanted someone to take the blame for him and also wanted to create chaos, so he made those two men escape."

"That very night, the two men actually fled. The heir apparent feigned pursuit, causing an uproar in the camp, and then set up an ambush in the pharmacy. Sure enough, they caught Xu Chang attempting to poison the medicine—and it was a lethal poison that kills upon contact with blood!"

Tuoba Wu's face was filled with anger as she spoke. "I never expected it would be Xu Chang. Crown Prince, you held him in such high regard! During the confrontation later, I heard the Crown Prince say he was Tuoba Qi's man!"

Tuoba Hong was slightly surprised. "Fourth Brother?"

Though he could speak, Tuoba Hong was still weak, and his voice was hoarse. To avoid straining him, Tuoba Wu tried not to let him talk too much and continued telling the story from beginning to end. Tuoba Wu nodded.

"Exactly. The Crown Prince said that back when Xu Chang was framed in the army and about to die, Tuoba Qi saved him. Since then, he has been working for Tuoba Qi. Saving someone's life is a greater debt of gratitude than merely promoting them. On this trip to Great Zhou, Tuoba Qi wanted something to happen to you here. With Fifth Brother also present, if anything happened to you, Tuoba Qi would be the only one in Northern Wei capable of stirring up trouble. By the time we returned, he might already have become the new Crown Prince of Northern Wei..."

As she spoke, Tuoba Wu glanced back at Tuoba Rui, who was standing nearby. "Fifth Brother has also been very dedicated and hardworking. When we searched the mountains for you overnight, it was Fifth Brother who led the way."

Tuoba Hong looked at Tuoba Rui with gratitude. "Thank you for your hard work, Fifth Brother."

Tuoba Rui sighed. "We are all brothers, and we're not in our own land. Naturally, we must stand united."

These words were very much in line with Tuoba Rui's character. He was not particularly close to Tuoba Hong, but in a foreign land, he could not allow harm to come to his own family.

Tuoba Hong was still deeply moved. Tuoba Wu grasped his hand and said, "Crown Prince, it's a good thing you woke up, or else Tuoba Qi's treacherous plot would have succeeded! These past few days, I've been blaming myself. If only I hadn't made you angry!"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Hong weakly curved his lips into a faint smile. "It's nothing. Actually, while I was unconscious, I could sometimes hear you and Ninth Miss talking. I couldn't make out Ninth Miss's words clearly, but your voice is familiar to me, so I could understand some of it."

Tuoba Hong spoke very slowly, pausing to catch his breath. "I know you've had a hard time these days. I don't blame you, Brother. Through this ordeal, your temperament has matured, and I am very happy."

Tuoba Wu now felt nothing but contentment. Even if Tuoba Hong scolded her again, she would not be upset. In the past, she had taken his love and indulgence for granted, but when she saw him hovering between life and death, she finally realized how important this Crown Prince was to her."But this time, the one we should thank most is Qin Guan." Speaking of Qin Guan before Tuoba Hong, Tuoba Wu felt somewhat embarrassed again. "I've already apologized to her again. This time, it's all thanks to her for saving you. Later, she also took care of you tirelessly alongside me. Otherwise, we truly would have been separated by life and death."

Tuoba Hong nodded, "I know, we must properly thank her."

Tuoba Wu smiled, "Not only is she skilled in medicine, but she also knows how to conduct corpse examinations. It turns out she solved several major cases in Great Zhou. She contributed significantly to uncovering Xu Chang's involvement, and the Emperor of Great Zhou even granted her the title of noble lady!"

A glimmer of light appeared in Tuoba Hong's eyes, "You said... corpse examination?"

"Yes! You didn't expect that, did you? Neither did I!"

Thinking this, Tuoba Wu's thoughts deepened further. She originally thought Qin Guan's medical skills were remarkable enough, but never imagined she could also perform corpse examinations. When she heard this news, she was stunned for a long time before coming to her senses, then suddenly realized - she always knew Yan Chi wouldn't casually like just anyone! Qin Guan was no ordinary beautiful noblewoman!

"She even requested an honorary position from the emperor within their court, so she can continue assisting the authorities with corpse examinations."

Tuoba Wu's tone was full of admiration, clearly showing she no longer held any reservations about Qin Guan.

As soon as she finished speaking, a guard outside reported, "Your Highness, Ninth Miss and the Crown Prince have arrived!"

Delighted, Tuoba Wu immediately said, "Please show them in quickly!"

With the case solved and Tuoba Hong awake, the Great Zhou guards outside the main tent had been withdrawn, leaving only a few Northern Wei guards. When Qin Guan and Yan Chi entered the main tent, they saw Tuoba Hong's complexion had improved significantly. Qin Guan performed a curtsy and first checked Tuoba Hong's pulse before smiling, "Your Highness has already recovered halfway. However, the injury was quite severe - you'll need at least half a month of rest before moving freely. Until then, you must be very careful."

Tuoba Hong coughed lightly and nodded, "I haven't yet thanked Ninth Miss properly. For this life-saving grace, Tuoba Hong will certainly repay you in the future."

"You're too kind. That Your Highness could wake up is half due to your own strength. With such a severe injury, most people wouldn't have survived."

Tuoba Hong's lips curved slightly, his gentle gaze resting on Qin Guan.

Previously, Tuoba Hong had already found Qin Guan extraordinary in demeanor. Now learning she had saved him and discovering she was not only skilled in medicine but also in corpse examination, he felt both astonished and impressed. "No matter how modest Ninth Miss is, the fact remains that you saved my life. This I will not forget. Without Ninth Miss's intervention, no matter how much I could endure would have been useless."

Qin Guan smiled without responding. Tuoba Hong then looked at Yan Chi, "I must also thank Crown Prince Yan this time. Crown Prince Yan has been very attentive."

Tuoba Hong was an extremely refined and elegant person. Combined with the fact that the culprit was from Northern Wei, he didn't even harbor any resentment toward Great Zhou, feeling all the more that Yan Chi and Qin Guan's efforts were particularly commendable.

However, Yan Chi said, "Besides visiting Your Highness, we came because we learned you can speak normally now. We'd like to ask what exactly happened that day. With Xu Chang dead, we cannot learn the details of that day's events."Tuoba Hong still found it somewhat strenuous to speak too much. Upon hearing this, he nodded and said, "That day, Fifth Brother and I led the others along the way, ascending the mountain from the upstream direction. As we went further, we gradually moved toward the center and ventured deeper. Later, seeing that it was getting late, we decided to split up to search for prey, planning to send word once we found something. I was originally walking alone, but before long, I heard noises behind me. When I turned around, I saw Xu Chang following me. I was very surprised to see him approach, but before I could ask any questions, I saw him aiming an arrow at me. The distance was too close, and I was on horseback, so I couldn’t dodge in time."

"I was hit by the arrow and fell to the ground. Everything went black before my eyes. Moments later, I saw Xu Chang dismount and walk toward me, seemingly to check my injuries. As he approached, my vision darkened again. I only felt him poking me with his longbow, as if checking whether I was dead. At that point, I was already unable to move. He probably thought I was dead, and I lost consciousness completely..."

Yan Chi frowned. "Did he not apply any bait to your body?"

Tuoba Hong shook his head. "I was already dazed and groggy. I could feel him testing me with the bow, but I have no idea what happened after that."

"Did Your Highness the Crown Prince wake up again afterward?"

Tuoba Hong was about to speak. "I woke up that night. It was raining, and I found myself at the bottom of a cliff. I was confused and tried to move but couldn’t. I called out a couple of times but soon lost consciousness again."

Tuoba Hong’s injuries were severe. Although he didn’t fall into a coma immediately afterward, he couldn’t stay fully conscious either. Yan Chi listened and nodded. "I understand. Your Highness, rest well and recover. I’ll take my leave now."

Tuoba Hong nodded. Qin Guan added, "The medicinal soup will be brought to Your Highness shortly." With that, she also took her leave.

Tuoba Wu watched Qin Guan and Yan Chi leave together and curled her lips disdainfully.

Tuoba Hong was aware of Tuoba Wu’s feelings for Yan Chi. Seeing this, he coughed lightly. "You and Heir Apparent Yan..."

Tuoba Wu snorted and turned around. "What are you talking about, Crown Prince Brother? I don’t know what you mean."

Tuoba Hong blinked, momentarily unsure of her meaning. Could it be because he had opposed it earlier?

Thinking this, he sighed. "I’m not against you liking Heir Apparent Yan. I just think you shouldn’t be rash or abrupt. If you truly like him..."

Tuoba Wu glared. "Crown Prince Brother! What liking or not liking? I could never like someone as cold and unfeeling as him! Earlier... I was just curious about what the young commander of the Northwest Frontier Army was like!"

Tuoba Hong was half-convinced, but her tone was firm and resolute...

He looked at Tuoba Wu, feeling somewhat bewildered.

...

...

"The Crown Prince lost consciousness, so naturally, he wouldn’t know all the details."

Qin Guan spoke while looking at Yan Chi. "Do you feel something is amiss?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "Not exactly. Xu Chang is undoubtedly the culprit, but in legal documents, every detail must be clear and precise."

Qin Guan understood this even more clearly, and she also had a question in mind. "Do you remember the drawing I gave you, the one depicting the injuries on the Crown Prince’s body?"

Yan Chi nodded. "It’s still in the strategy tent.""To this day, I still don't understand what caused it. I went to check the meeting tent yesterday afternoon—all the items seized from Xu Chang's quarters were piled there, and I found nothing suspicious."

Whether useful or not, all of Xu Chang's belongings had been confiscated. Qin Guan examined each item meticulously but found nothing that could have created that particular mark. This was precisely why Yan Chi sought detailed explanations today. However, Tuoba Hong hadn't witnessed the entire process, and with Xu Chang dead, there was no one left to confront. It seemed this mystery would remain unsolved.

"This question will have to be set aside for now. With Xu Chang dead, there's no one to verify the truth. Since the culprit has been captured anyway, there's no need to dwell on this detail."

Qin Guan thought for a moment and nodded. "That makes sense."

The case had dragged on for many days, and it hadn't been easy to resolve. Moreover, Yan Huai, seeing the case closed, only wanted to resume the spring hunt arrangements and had no intention of prolonging the matter. Though it was already dark outside, the deafening beats of drums and gongs from the square suggested some new competition was underway...

Just as this thought crossed Qin Guan's mind, a young guard came running over. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince requests your presence at the front—"

A questioning look flashed in Yan Chi's eyes, and the guard quickly added, "There's a horse race happening on the field ahead. The Crown Prince wishes for Your Highness to join him in watching. His Highness said you're skilled in horsemanship and wants you to judge who rides best!"

With the Crown Prince's invitation, Yan Chi couldn't easily refuse. He turned to Qin Guan. "Would you like to come along?"

The square ahead would undoubtedly be filled with men at this moment, making it inappropriate for Qin Guan to go. She curved her lips into a slight smile and shook her head. "Your Highness should go. You've been working hard these past few days—it would be good for you to rest early later."

Yan Chi's gaze softened. He nodded and followed the guard toward the front.

Qin Guan stood where she was, watching Yan Chi disappear into the distance before turning to head toward the Empress Dowager's tent.

Meanwhile, in Tuoba Hong's quarters, Tuoba Wu let out a yawn. Having cared for Tuoba Hong for several days, she was utterly exhausted. Though Tuoba Hong had just taken his medicine and fallen asleep, she couldn't bring herself to leave, still worried.

Seeing this, Tuoba Rui said, "Elder Sister, you should go back and rest. I'll keep watch here."

Tuoba Wu looked at Tuoba Rui with some unease—he was young and inexperienced in caring for others.

Tuoba Rui scratched his head. "There's not much to attend to right now with Eldest Brother. Having someone nearby is enough. Don't worry, I won't fall asleep. You've been looking after Eldest Brother for days—you must be completely worn out."

Tuoba Wu considered this and found it reasonable. "This incident seems to have made you more mature."

Tuoba Rui grinned, shedding his usual careless and arrogant demeanor.

After giving a few more instructions, Tuoba Wu turned and left the tent.

Suddenly, Tuoba Rui was the only one left in the tent. The faint sounds of drums and gongs from the distant training ground drifted in. Tuoba Rui sat down, his light-colored eyes fixed calmly on Tuoba Hong.

The tent fell into deep silence. The dim lamplight cast shifting shadows across Tuoba Rui's face, half illuminating his youthful spirit and half veiling him in gloomy depth. He stared at Tuoba Hong as if in a trance.

It had never occurred to him that Qin Guan would possess forensic techniques.

When Qin Guan entered carrying the medicinal soup, she was met with Tuoba Rui's deep and gloomy expression. Her steps faltered, her hands unconsciously tightening their grip—the medicine packet in her hands emitted a soft rustle.Tuoba Rui turned around, a trace of cold sternness still lingering on his face. When he saw it was Qin Guan, the corners of his lips finally lifted as he stood up. Seeing Qin Guan curtsy in greeting, Tuoba Rui said, "Why has Ninth Miss come? Why didn't they announce your arrival?"

Qin Guan stepped forward, "The guards stationed here day and night have grown accustomed to my visits."

She handed over the medicine package in her hand, "This is a blend of calming and sleep-inducing spices and herbs I prepared. Now that the Crown Prince has regained consciousness but his wounds haven't fully healed, he must be having trouble sleeping. Place these in the incense burner over there and use them like incense powder."

Tuoba Rui accepted it with a smile, "You've gone to great trouble, Ninth Miss."

Qin Guan shook her head, "It's my duty. How quickly or slowly the heir apparent recovers from his injuries depends on these coming days."

"Very well, rest assured Ninth Miss, I will follow your instructions."

After Tuoba Rui finished speaking, Qin Guan should have taken her leave, but she glanced around the tent and asked, "Where is Her Highness the Princess?"

"My elder sister has been caring for the Crown Prince for many days. Seeing how exhausted she was, I had her return to rest first. Tonight I will look after elder brother."

Qin Guan nodded, glancing at the sleeping Tuoba Hong, "Then I shall take my leave now."

Tuoba Rui inclined his head in acknowledgment, yet Qin Guan's steps seemed to hesitate. She turned away extremely slowly, for some reason feeling an inexplicable chill in her heart from the sight of Tuoba Rui sitting by Tuoba Hong's bedside moments earlier.