When Qin Guan was once again summoned to the palace, Tuoba Hong was already able to get up and move around. Though it was mid-spring, he was wrapped in a thick cloak, and his entire body still appeared rather frail...
"The previous prescription focused on gentle nourishment. Today, I will write another one for Your Highness the Crown Prince to use."
After Qin Guan finished writing the prescription, Tuoba Hong repeatedly expressed his gratitude, "I have been recuperating for quite some time now and have improved significantly. However, since the injury is near the heart, it has truly troubled you, County Princess. The Third Prince of Western Liang is already preparing to return to his country, and we can no longer delay. Once I finish the medicine from this prescription, we must set off as well."
Qin Guan was slightly surprised, "Your Highness, it would be best to recuperate a bit longer before departing. The journey to Northern Wei will take a month, and the fatigue may cause your injury to relapse or even leave lingering effects."
Tuoba Hong smiled wryly, "We have been away for almost three months now. It truly isn’t appropriate to stay much longer."
As the Crown Prince of Northern Wei, Tuoba Hong naturally did not have the same freedom as others. Qin Guan understood this and did not press further. Tuoba Wu then said, "So, Qin Guan, we must trouble you to prepare a few more prescriptions for us to take on the road. My elder brother only trusts you now. If not for knowing your unique status, he would have even considered taking you to Northern Wei."
Qin Guan chuckled at this, "If it’s about writing prescriptions, I can only provide a few for Dietary Supplement. I won’t know His Highness’s condition on the journey, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to prescribe randomly."
Tuoba Wu nodded, "That’s fine too. In any case, we appreciate your efforts."
Hearing this, Tuoba Hong asked, "County Princess, have you ever considered traveling elsewhere?"
Qin Guan was momentarily puzzled, "Traveling elsewhere?"
Tuoba Hong explained, "There are several highly respected physicians in Northern Wei. If you were to meet them, it would likely greatly advance your medical skills. By then, it would be a wonderful achievement for you to become a master in your field."
Qin Guan’s smile deepened, "Northern Wei is too far. If they were in Great Zhou, I might be able to visit them."
Tuoba Hong did not press further and dropped the subject. Tuoba Wu then pulled Qin Guan aside to write the prescriptions.
After finishing, Qin Guan took her leave. Tuoba Wu supported Tuoba Hong as they walked to the door to see her off. Once Qin Guan had left, Tuoba Hong pointed to the flowerbed outside and said, "Let’s take a walk—"
Tuoba Wu helped him toward the corridor. After a few steps, Tuoba Hong asked, "What do you think of Yongci County Princess?"
Tuoba Wu paused, her expression growing complicated, "Elder Brother, Yongci County Princess is indeed remarkable, but she is not of royal blood..."
Tuoba Hong’s lips curved slightly, "Yet she holds the title of County Princess. In the past, it wasn’t unheard of for noblewomen, once enfeoffed, to marry into other nations. Moreover, she is highly regarded by the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess, making her no different from a royal princess."
Tuoba Wu’s smile grew increasingly strained. If she didn’t know about Qin Guan and Yan Chi, it would be one thing, but she did. How could she let her brother seek to marry Qin Guan and break her and Yan Chi apart?
She simply couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing...
"Brother, even so, Qin Guan herself would not be willing to go to Northern Wei. Even if it were to become the Crown Princess, she would refuse. She sought a nominal position in the Ministry of Justice of Great Zhou and is now assisting the Lin’an Prefecture with Corpse Examinations. Do you really think she is the type to disregard everything for fame and fortune..."
Tuoba Hong sighed, "That’s precisely why I find it regrettable."
Tuoba Wu glanced at him, "Elder Brother, don’t tell me you’ve already developed feelings for her."Tuoba Hong smiled. "Not exactly, I just find the princess's temperament quite to my liking."
Tuoba Wu also sighed. "Before things go further, you should abandon this thought. If it's truly for state affairs, then seek to marry Princess Yan Zhen. If it's for yourself, return to Northern Wei and marry someone you genuinely care for. Nowadays, our nation doesn’t necessarily need a marriage alliance with Great Zhou to maintain stability. Great Zhou won’t turn hostile just because we refuse the alliance. I’ve heard that Liu Yun of Western Liang requested some military equipment from Great Zhou and offered a few borderland mines in return. If needed, we could follow Western Liang’s example—perhaps open our southern borders for trade between the two nations. Wouldn’t that also foster friendly relations?"
Tuoba Hong smiled approvingly. "You’ve considered all this. Your suggestions are feasible, but what could bring two nations closer than a marriage alliance? Even if I seek Princess Yan Zhen’s hand, there’s no guarantee it will be granted."
Tuoba Wu shook her head. "Not necessarily. I find the Empress’s attitude rather peculiar—she seems to support this. Isn’t it the Empress’s arrangement for Princess Yan Zhen to visit you so frequently?"
Tuoba Hong fell silent for a moment before responding, "In that case, I’ll give it a try."
Tuoba Wu could tell that Tuoba Hong didn’t truly love Yan Zhen; his actions were solely for Northern Wei’s sake. She felt a pang of sympathy, but as the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, state affairs would always come first for him.
Thinking of Tuoba Hong’s intention to propose to Yan Zhen, Tuoba Wu decided to seek out the princess and gauge her feelings. Yan Zhen’s heart seemed pure and simple—having someone like her marry into Northern Wei would be far better than wedding someone with ill intentions.
As Tuoba Wu stepped out of their palace gate, she had only taken a few steps when she sensed something amiss. She looked up and saw a figure seated on the rooftop of a nearby corridor. Dusk had begun to settle, darkening the sky, and the person sitting there wore a vibrant red robe, their sleeves fluttering gracefully in the wind.
Tuoba Wu frowned—that was the very spot where she and Tuoba Hong had just been speaking!
She gathered her breath, scaled the rockery by the wall, and ascended to the roof. Approaching Yan Li, she asked, "Your Highness, what are you doing here? And how long have you been sitting here?"
The palace where Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Hong resided was located in the northwest corner of the Inner Palace. Though remote, it stood taller than the quarters of other consorts. Yan Li had been there for some time; while his posture seemed carefree, his expression carried a touch of melancholy. The fading twilight cast a lonely glow on his profile, accentuating his solitude.
At Tuoba Wu’s question, Yan Li leaned back and gazed at the last sliver of light on the horizon. Following his gaze, Tuoba Wu felt a slight tremor in her heart. She had reason to believe Yan Li hadn’t intentionally stationed himself there to spy on or eavesdrop on their conversation—because the scene before her was too profoundly moving to be mere coincidence.The last glimmer of daylight lingered at the horizon, neither fully set nor wholly present, casting a gauzy twilight over the thousand-layered palace complex. The Great Zhou, with its formidable national strength, boasted palaces even more expansive and majestic than those of Northern Wei. Row upon row of upturned eaves stretched from beneath their feet toward the horizon, seemingly endless. Witnessing this scene, Tuoba Wu felt something unlock within her heart—she saw the prosperity of Great Zhou, the shifting tides of imperial power, and in an instant, grasped her own insignificance…
Suddenly, Tuoba Wu recalled her two years of longing for Yan Chi, and then thought of his cold indifference toward her. She let out a soft laugh, exhaled deeply, as if breathing out all the unrequited affection of those two years.
She was no longer in a hurry to find Yan Zhen. Lifting her skirts, she sat down beside Yan Li.
"This place is quite ideal. If it weren’t for my brother and me staying here, no one would likely find you."
This palace had been opened specifically for the Northern Wei delegation this time. Once they departed, it would stand empty, and Yan Li would have even more freedom and ease here alone!
When Yan Li remained silent, Tuoba Wu continued talking to herself. "Your Great Zhou is truly prosperous—even these palace halls seem to stretch beyond sight. The Northern Wei palace is only half as large as yours, no, perhaps even smaller."
Seeing that Yan Li still did not respond after a long while, Tuoba Wu turned to look at him. After a few moments, she smiled. "So you carry heavy thoughts too. I thought the heir apparent was as carefree and cheerful as he appeared. But what troubles you? I know about your family affairs. Say what you will, but you’re still alive and well—isn’t that enough?"
A faint smile touched Yan Li’s lips. "Do you know what that place is?"
He pointed toward a location. Tuoba Wu followed his gaze and saw it was part of the outer court—a palace situated along the central axis, the most imposing and awe-inspiring of all. She smiled. "Isn’t that the Emperor’s Chongzheng Hall?"
Yan Li narrowed his eyes abruptly. "Tell me, what kind of person sits inside there?"
Tuoba Wu raised her brows slightly, unsure why he asked such a question. The one in that hall was the Emperor of Great Zhou—the Emperor of Great Zhou… profound and inscrutable, a master of imperial strategy. "Naturally, someone fit to be emperor. Why do you ask?"
Yan Li’s expression grew even more profound. "And what kind of person is fit to be emperor?"
Tuoba Wu chuckled at this. "Naturally… someone who can endure trials. The Crown Prince is loyal, diligent, virtuous, and talented, yet this time he was nearly undone by the other two. To sit on that throne, unless one has extraordinary luck, one must truly cut through thorns and brambles. Or perhaps, one must be ruthless and merciless—like my fourth and fifth imperial brothers. If the Crown Prince had died in Great Zhou, the throne would surely have gone to one of them."
Night had fallen, and the evening breeze carried a slight chill, yet it felt refreshing against their faces. Tuoba Wu turned her gaze to Yan Li. "You’re just a prince’s heir apparent—why dwell on such thoughts? Don’t tell me you aspire to sit on the imperial throne?"
Tuoba Wu spoke with utter directness, so much so that Yan Li let out a soft, derisive laugh. "It’s not entirely impossible."
Tuoba Wu was astounded. They were speaking alone, with no one around, which had made her bold. Moreover, she was discussing Great Zhou’s state affairs, which had nothing to do with Northern Wei. Yet she never expected Yan Li to respond like this!You must remember we're in the palace! With such words, the Great Zhou Emperor could easily have him executed! After all, he is the son of a convicted official!
Seeing Tuoba Wu stunned, Yan Li burst into loud laughter, "Hahahaha! Scared you, didn't I?"
Tuoba Wu stared blankly at Yan Li for a long moment before finally giving a helpless twitch of her lips. "You really dare say such things. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to the Great Zhou Emperor? Instead of coveting the throne, you should find something proper to do. I've heard all about it - you, the Crown Prince, have attracted numerous censures from the imperial censors..."
Ever since Yan Li had teased Tuoba Wu at Weishan, she had made some inquiries about him. Through these inquiries, she came to understand just what a dissolute character he was!
A hazy smile played on Yan Li's face as he leaned back, stretching his long legs straight out. With one hand cushioning his head, his dark eyes gazed at the completely darkened sky when he suddenly said, "Lie down."
Tuoba Wu raised an eyebrow, thinking that sitting here chatting with him was already giving him enough face - lie down?! Although she wasn't particularly concerned with propriety, she was still a woman after all, not to mention her attendants were waiting below.
Seeing Tuoba Wu remain motionless, Yan Li suddenly reached out and impatiently pulled her down.
Pulled into lying down, Tuoba Wu's back hit the glazed tiles with some pain. Just as she was about to curse, her eyes fell upon the vast sky. Her breath caught instantly - the expansive firmament, the brilliant Milky Way, countless stars twinkling as they brightened and dimmed. Tuoba Wu felt dazed, as if suddenly transported back to the snowy plateaus of Northern Wei.
Her anger forgotten, Tuoba Wu suddenly felt that Yan Li was somewhat special - both unique and deeply complex. So complex that she couldn't see through him. What exactly lay beneath this seemingly dissolute and unrestrained exterior?
This was the best spot for viewing Chongzheng Hall, and also the best for stargazing. So what did his heart truly hold - Chongzheng Hall, or this vast, star-filled galaxy?
Although the glazed tiles beneath were somewhat uncomfortable, Tuoba Wu soon relaxed. The gentle breeze swept across the rooftop, and all the tangled thoughts in her heart were cleansed by the magnificent starry river. With her mind at ease, she watched the sky for a while, seeing star after star emerge until the originally dim firmament glittered brilliantly. She remembered the stargazing methods Tuoba Hong had taught her in childhood and began examining each star carefully. Yan Li lay motionless beside her, silent. Tuoba Wu paid him no mind, and after watching until her eyes grew tired, she closed them.
Tuoba Wu had no idea when she fell asleep. When she woke feeling chilly, she found herself alone. Quickly pushing herself up from the tiles, she discovered Yan Li's robe draped over her. The robe had grown cool in the night breeze but now carried her body warmth. Clutching the garment, she felt momentarily disoriented.
When exactly had Yan Li slipped away?
Descending from the roof, Tuoba Wu asked her long-waiting attendants, "Did you see when the Crown Prince left?"
The attendants below looked completely bewildered. "Your Highness, what attendants?"
Tuoba Wu was slightly surprised - clearly Yan Li had left without being seen. Noticing the robe in Tuoba Wu's hands, the attendants expressed their astonishment, "Your Highness, this is..."Tuoba Wu glanced at Yan Li's robe, shook his head, and turned to go inside. By this time, she naturally had no intention of going anywhere else.
...
...
By the time Qin Guan emerged from the palace, it was already quite late. She had treated Tuoba Hong and then visited the Empress Dowager, who had kept her for conversation, delaying her departure.
Upon returning to the Marquis residence, Qin Guan noticed carriages parked outside. Fuling, who accompanied her, asked, "Miss, do we have guests?"
Qin Guan shook her head, paying it no mind, and went straight into the residence.
She had intended to return to Pine Breeze Courtyard, but as she passed the main courtyard, Qin Yan's voice called out from behind.
"Ninth Sister, you're back!"
Qin Guan turned around. "Third Brother, I just returned from the palace. What is it?"
Qin Yan smiled. "I've been waiting for you for a while. Come to the study."
Remembering the carriages outside, Qin Guan asked, "Has someone come?"
Qin Yan chuckled. "The Crown Prince and Lord Zheng are here regarding a case."
Qin Guan's heart tightened, her expression turning serious. Watching this, Qin Yan couldn't help but laugh. Since returning from Mount Wei Hunting Grounds, his sister had become another legend in the capital—stories of how she solved the Northern Wei envoy's mysterious case, how she was enfeoffed as a princess. Though commoners hadn't witnessed it themselves, they described it vividly as if they had. Of course, there were also unpleasant rumors; even Qin Yan had heard them in the Imperial Guards and nearly gotten into arguments. But seeing Qin Guan now, he knew she paid no attention to either praise or criticism.
Following Qin Yan to the study, they found Crown Prince Yan Che and Zheng Baishi inside. The Crown Prince sat in the seat of honor, with Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi on either side. They beamed when Qin Guan entered.
After exchanging greetings, Zheng Baishi said, "We've been waiting for you, Princess." His Highness is here to inquire about the case. Today, he came with me to visit the Marquis residence, thinking that since you performed the Corpse Examination, you should hear this as well."
Only a day had passed since Yan Che's visit to the yamen, and Zheng Baishi hadn't expected him to follow up again. However, given that Yan Che had been reprimanded by the Emperor, it made sense for him to take the case seriously. Coming to the Marquis residence was also Yan Che's idea. Zheng Baishi thought of Qin Chaoyu becoming the Crown Princess and found it unsurprising, though normally Yan Che should be avoiding such appearances.
Qin Guan knew Yan Che was here for the case and asked, "Are there new clues?"
Zheng Baishi nodded. "We've found a suspicious person."Noticing Qin Guan standing in a subordinate position, Yan Che said, 'Please take a seat, princess.'""
Qin Guan bowed slightly and sat down. Zheng Baishi continued, "He's an apprentice from a painting studio, mainly responsible for carving seals. A few days ago, he argued with Wu Qian. Wu Qian had him carve a personal seal, agreeing to pay twenty taels of silver, but Wu Qian used the seal for several days without paying. The apprentice went to demand payment, confronting him at Phoenix Perch Tower. We learned this from people at Phoenix Perch Tower. Coincidentally, this person couldn't account for his whereabouts that night. Zhan Yang has taken him in for questioning and should have news by today."
Qin Guan was slightly surprised. "If that's the case, then this case might be straightforward."Zheng Baishi nodded, "The person who carved the seal must be skilled with a blade. This individual is also a cultivator of the Path, and surprisingly, despite his youth, he had set up an altar at home. To this day, Wu Qian's silver has not been paid. When Zhan Yang and his men went to find him that day, the man was still cursing Wu Qian. Although he did not admit to being involved in Wu Qian's death, his resentment toward Wu Qian was genuine."
A glimmer of hope arose in Qin Guan's heart. If the killer of Wu Qian was truly this seal carver, then the matter would be much simpler to resolve, and no one else would fall victim...
Qin Shu added, "Earlier, I heard from subordinates that this case was quite complex, even involving some old case. I’m at the Ministry of Revenue all day, but I also heard you went to the Ministry of Justice's Celestial Prison. If this person is the murderer, then the case is solved!"
Zheng Baishi sighed, "I too wish this person were the culprit, but we cannot be certain."
Qin Guan nodded, "Although he is skilled with a blade, we must clarify the details—how he attacked Wu Qian that day and where the murder took place."
Qin Shu remarked, "Since this person cannot account for his whereabouts at the time of the crime, his suspicion is quite high."
Zheng Baishi smiled wryly, "Matters of criminal justice are unpredictable. Sometimes these individuals cannot clearly explain their own affairs and end up misleading the authorities. Zhan Yang sent people to investigate. The third young master of the Wu family was also alone in the mansion that night, with no one to vouch for him. Your Ladyship may recall, when we visited the Weiyuan Earl's residence that day, the third young master was deeply grieved by his younger brother's death. But upon further investigation, it was revealed that this third young master had once severely beaten Wu Qian, indicating some enmity between the brothers."
Qin Guan asked, "What was the reason for the fight? Does this third young master follow the Path?"
Zheng Baishi sighed helplessly, "When questioned, the third young master was evasive and unwilling to answer. As for following the Path, there is no evidence of it, so we cannot take action against him for now."
One death had unraveled many grudges, but who was the true murderer?
Yan Che had last visited the Marquis residence during the New Year, and now that he was here, it was only natural not to dwell solely on the case. Soon, the conversation shifted to other topics. While Zheng Baishi was discussing the tea the Marquis residence had gifted him for the New Year, Yan Che turned to Qin Guan and asked, "Your Ladyship brought the Ninth Prince's bird back. How is it faring?"
Qin Guan had not expected him to remember this matter and replied honestly, "Not well. Since bringing it out, it seems displeased with the food in the residence. It has been eating very little these past few days and appears listless."
Yan Che's expression remained unchanged as he said, "You could try feeding it a mixture of soybean flour and mung bean flour with minced fresh shrimp."
Qin Guan was taken aback, and not just her—Zheng Baishi, Qin Shu, and Qin Yan were equally astonished. The Crown Prince, lofty and devoted to state affairs, how could such words about soybean flour and mung bean flour come from his lips?
After speaking, Yan Che seemed to realize his own impropriety and added, "There are birds kept in the palace as well. I happened to see this once."
Qin Guan quickly composed herself and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will have the servants try it when I return."
Yan Che nodded and turned to ask Qin Shu about other matters at the Ministry of Revenue. Upon hearing the discussion shift to state affairs, Qin Guan rose to take her leave. As a young lady, it was not proper for her to remain constrained in such company, so Qin Shu allowed her to depart first.Qin Guan returned to Pine Breeze Courtyard with Fuling and instructed, "Go find some soybean flour and mung bean flour, then fetch some fresh shrimp. Mince them, mix with the flour, and feed it to the goldfinch."
Fuling was surprised that Qin Guan had come up with such a recipe, but quickly went to carry out the task.
These items weren't hard to find. Within one shichen (two hours), the goldfinch was already eating. The little creature, who hadn't eaten much for several days, quickly finished the small portion Fuling had prepared, leaving her astonished. She immediately sent Ban Xia and others to prepare more while reporting to Qin Guan. Upon hearing this, Qin Guan first went to check on the goldfinch. Seeing it was indeed as Fuling described, she felt relieved. Yet soon, a strange sensation arose in her heart—Yan Che's remedy was remarkably effective!
Though doubts surfaced, Qin Guan couldn't fathom the reason. Had Yan Che kept finches before? Suppressing her curiosity since she couldn't ask him directly, she set the thought aside. Early the next morning, just as Qin Guan was preparing to visit the Meng residence to see Meng Yao, Zhan Yang arrived at the Marquis' estate.
Accompanied by Qin Yan to the Pine Breeze Courtyard, Qin Guan knew something was wrong the moment she saw Zhan Yang—his expression was far too grave.
Sure enough, Zhan Yang announced immediately, "County Princess, there's been another death. The Prefect sent me to fetch you."
Qin Guan took a deep breath. Just yesterday, she thought the culprit in Wu Qian's case had been caught and the killings would stop. Yet clearly, things weren't that simple.
"Alright, wait a moment. I'll change and go with you!"
Changing into a simple dress, Qin Guan ordered Baiying to prepare her corpse examination tools before following Zhan Yang out. A carriage awaited outside the estate. Qin Guan boarded while Zhan Yang rode alongside on horseback.
As they traveled, Zhan Yang explained, "The body was discovered by the moat in the western city. The victim's tongue was torn out, and all ten fingers severed."
Qin Guan's heart tightened. The first was the Skin-Peeling Hell, now the Tongue-Pulling Hell—this mirrored the old case almost exactly. She instantly recalled the third victim from back then: the Icy Hell. Whether the killer was imitating or was the original perpetrator, they would undoubtedly continue. This made the investigators more anxious than even the Emperor's wrath!
The first victim died in the southern city, the second in the west. Within the imperial capital, areas closer to the palace were heavily guarded, but the moat skirted the city's edge. Their carriage wove through streets heading west until crowds blocking the path forced them to halt. Peeking through the curtain, Qin Guan saw the road impassable. Decisively, she declared, "Lead the way, Zhan Butou. We'll walk."
Her stern demeanor silenced Zhan Yang's objections, earning his deeper respect. He ordered two constables to clear a path while shielding Qin Guan as they approached the scene.
"Look, someone's coming! Why is there a young woman?"
"Could she be the legendary Yongci County Princess—"
"The one skilled in medicine and corpse examination?"
Protected within their escort, Qin Guan's noble status was evident. As her achievements leading to her title were widely known, onlookers quickly guessed her identity, murmuring excitedly. Zhan Yang remained stern-faced while Baiying vigilantly guarded Qin Guan, fearing the crowd might jostle her in their fervor."Oh, she truly is a figure like the Medicine Immortal—"
"Indeed, so the rumors were true after all..."
"But why would a perfectly fine young lady engage in corpse examination? That's a lowly task, the work of coroners!"
"It's baffling. A girl as ethereal as a celestial being should stick to healing and saving lives. Yet she insists on examining corpses, facing the dead every day—it's terribly inauspicious. How can a young lady withstand such sinister energies?"
"Did you know? It seems Yongci County Princess has lost both her parents..."
Qin Guan heard all these discussions clearly, yet her expression remained unchanged. She had chosen this path and was bound to face such remarks. Usually, she stayed indoors and avoided hearing them, but now that she was out in public, it was unavoidable.
"Official business! Make way, make way—"
The closer they got, the more crowded the commoners became, to the point where even two bailiffs couldn't clear a path. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Everyone, make way! Yongci County Princess is here to examine the corpse—"
This loud cry startled those who hadn't realized Qin Guan's arrival, causing them to turn and look. Those at the back surged forward, while those at the front were pushed toward Qin Guan and her companions. Soon, the crowd forced Qin Guan to retreat repeatedly. As more people gathered, Baiying grew anxious. "Miss, we can't get through. Let's turn back."
Qin Guan hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this and had no choice but to take a few steps back.
"Where is Yongci County Princess?! They say her medical skills are divine, and her corpse examination techniques surpass even the most skilled coroners. Is she here to help the authorities solve the case—"
"Where is Yongci County Princess—"
The name Yongci County Princess had been circulating in the capital for days, but the commoners had never seen her. Upon hearing of her arrival, they grew excited and agitated. Qin Guan continued to retreat, but the people behind also surged toward them. In no time, Qin Guan and her group were trapped midway, unable to advance or retreat...
Just as they were caught in this dilemma, a loud shout suddenly rang out from the direction Qin Guan had come from!
"Prince Rui's heir has arrived—"
The cry carried far, instantly silencing the surrounding clamor.
"Who is Prince Rui's heir?"
"It's that Demon King who used to fight in the Northwest Frontier Army—"
Someone in the crowd whispered these words, and in an instant, the tide of people surging toward Qin Guan retreated. In the direction she had come from, the commoners moved to both sides, clearing a straight path. At the end of this path, Yan Chi and his retinue sat on horseback. As the crowd parted, Yan Chi's gaze immediately fell on Qin Guan.
He cracked his whip and galloped forward. Seeing his imposing demeanor, the surrounding people retreated further to the sides, as if afraid of being struck by his whip. Qin Guan watched as Yan Chi rode swiftly to her side. Before she could react, she felt him lean over abruptly, his arm tightening around her waist. The next moment, she was lifted into the air and settled in front of him on the saddle.
He had actually pulled her onto his horse—
Seated before Yan Chi, Qin Guan instinctively gripped his arm as he wielded the whip with one hand and held the reins with the other. To the onlookers, this scene unfolded before their eyes, but they had no time to ponder the impropriety of such close contact between a man and a woman.The reputation of Yan Chi, the Demon King, had long been prominent in the capital. Clad in a striking black robe and sitting imposingly atop his horse, his imposing presence instinctively struck fear into the hearts of the common people, leaving them no room for other thoughts. Yan Chi gave them no opportunity to gossip either. With a crack of his whip, he spurred his horse forward, charging ahead with Qin Guan!
His speed was relentless, showing no regard for the crowds, as if he cared nothing for their safety. The people quickly scrambled out of the way, no longer daring to shout or block the path.
The chaos erupted suddenly. Zheng Baishi, who had been worried about Qin Guan, was taken aback to see Yan Chi burst through the crowd with her. Relieved to find Qin Guan unharmed, Zheng Baishi soon found the sight of Yan Chi holding her rather ambiguous—
Fortunately, Yan Chi reined in his horse upon arrival and dismounted.
He reached out as if to lift Qin Guan down, but she swiftly grabbed his wrist, using it as support to dismount on her own.
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, then steadied her with a reverse grip, releasing her only once she was firmly on her feet.
Zheng Baishi observed this scene, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Yan Chi...
"Crown Prince, Lady Qin—" Zheng Baishi stepped forward to bow.
Yan Chi nodded. "Where is the deceased?"
Yan Chi had been at the Ministry of Justice when he received the news and rushed over. The ministry was farther away, so he arrived later than Qin Guan, only to find her trapped by the crowd!
Thankfully, nothing had happened to Qin Guan today—otherwise, he would not have been so lenient.
Now, the case was the priority. Zheng Baishi turned and said, "This way, please follow me, Crown Prince and Lady Qin!"
This was a residential area near the moat, much better than the southern part of the city. The victim lay on the riverbank. Zheng Baishi led the two along a stone-paved path until they reached a set of steps descending from the road to the moat. At this time of year, the water in the moat was shallow, with large patches of mud along the shore. The deceased lay at the base of the embankment—a spot difficult to notice unless someone was standing directly opposite.
Guards surrounded the body, but due to the nearby residences, crowds had gathered on both sides of the moat. Ignoring the onlookers, Zheng Baishi explained plainly, "A passerby on the opposite bank discovered the body this morning. At first, they thought it was a drunkard who had fallen, but it turned out to be a corpse. After the discovery, the crowd gathered, and since the victim was closest to a teahouse here, the owner sent a servant to report it to the authorities."
As they spoke, the group reached the body. It was clear that the corpse had not been disturbed.The deceased was a tall, slender man who appeared to be in his thirties, lying face up with his mouth twisted open and filled with bloody foam. Dried bloodstains covered the corners of his lips, chin, and the front of his robe, creating a gruesome sight. His clothing was ordinary, suggesting he came from a common background. His hands were unnaturally bent at his sides, all ten fingers severed and scattered haphazardly on the ground. Covered in blood, they barely resembled human digits.
Though less horrifying than the first victim who had been skinned alive, the blood-soaked body and severed fingers still made for a shocking scene. Most onlookers were merely curious spectators, with only a few men daring to look closely at the corpse. Qin Guan glanced at the body a few times before scanning the surroundings, her expression stern as if searching for someone.
Yan Chi asked, "What are you looking at?"
Qin Guan replied quietly, "Some murderers enjoy returning to the crime scene afterward. First, to check if they've left any clues that could incriminate them, and second, to derive twisted satisfaction from watching the officials investigate. Typically, they feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment."
After she spoke, Yan Chi also surveyed the surroundings. However, considerable time had passed since the incident—even Zheng Baishi had been there for nearly half an hour. The crowd was large, everyone's expression different, making it difficult to identify anyone suspicious just by looking.
Finding nothing after a few glances, Qin Guan crouched down to begin her examination. She put on her gauntlets, first pinching the deceased's chin and confirming the tongue was missing. The victim's face was purplish-blue, his mouth filled with thick, bloody foam. After a moment's thought, she pried open his eyelids and observed scattered bleeding spots on the eyeballs.
Frowning, Qin Guan said, "The victim died of suffocation from bleeding after having his tongue torn out."
In broad daylight, she couldn't remove the deceased's clothing, let alone perform an autopsy. After briefly examining his limbs and checking his garments, she noted, "There are friction marks on his calves and the heels of his shoes, indicating he was dragged." She glanced at the descending steps nearby. "Go check—there might be traces on those steps."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zheng Baishi quickly directed a constable to investigate. Just then, Zhan Yang and Baiying arrived. Zheng Baishi repeated what Qin Guan had said, and Zhan Yang nodded. Qin Guan added, "The time of death was likely after midnight last night, meaning he's been dead for about four hours now. Rigor mortis has begun in the limbs, and cadaveric spots have mostly appeared on his back. This is probably where he was killed." Picking up one of the severed fingers, she examined it and remarked, "The victim's fingernails were very clean and neat."Qin Guan picked up the ten fingers one by one and handed them to a constable. The constable, no longer young, trembled as he received the fingers. Qin Guan glanced at him before turning to examine the deceased’s clothing. "The victim’s index and ring fingers show calluses, likely from long-term writing. There are ink stains on his sleeves, suggesting he was either a clerk, an accountant, a scholar, or perhaps a teacher. Moreover, it’s highly probable he lived nearby…"
Yan Chi remarked, "This is a residential area. The Garrison Battalion patrols pass through here at night. If the victim wasn’t from this area, the killer wouldn’t have specifically brought him here to murder him."
Qin Guan nodded—this was precisely her point.
Zheng Baishi added, "We’ve already sent people to inquire, but no leads yet."
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud, mournful wail suddenly erupted from the riverbank!
"My husband—oh, my husband—!"
Hearing this, Qin Guan immediately looked up and saw a plainly dressed woman descending the riverbank steps, tears streaming down her face. She rushed down the steps, stumbled upon seeing the body on the ground, and collapsed forward. A nearby constable hurried to help her up, but she crawled desperately toward the deceased on her hands and knees. When she reached him, her grief intensified, and she threw herself onto the body, wailing uncontrollably.
Qin Guan and Yan Chi exchanged glances. Zheng Baishi stepped forward and asked, "Are you his…?"
The woman’s eyes were red from crying. She looked up at Zheng Baishi briefly before continuing to sob and clutch the deceased’s arm. A constable rushed up from behind and reported, "Sir, I was just going door-to-door in the residential area asking if anyone was missing. This lady overheard and immediately ran here, saying her husband hadn’t returned all night and she was worried…"
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