Coroner's Diary

"Fire in the East Market?!" Zhan Yang's brow twitched. "Bad! The killer is making a move in the East Market! Quick, let's go!"

With Zhan Yang's command, his heart tightened. They had waited here for so long without any movement, yet unexpectedly, the killer had chosen the more conspicuous East Market to strike. Was this fire an accident or murder?

"Give me your horse—"

The constable dismounted immediately and handed the reins to Zhan Yang. With a crack of his whip, Zhan Yang surged ahead toward the East Market. After galloping for no more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he spotted flames mixed with thick smoke billowing into the sky from the direction of the East Market in the west. The starless, moonless night, dark as ink, made the fire appear even more startling.

Zhan Yang whipped his horse several times, and the animal, stung by the pain, sped up. When he reached the main street of the East Market, he was shocked to find that the fire was exactly where Zhang Daoshi had stood during the day. Zhang Daoshi had been in the middle of the East Market's long street, surrounded by rows of taverns, teahouses, and shops. Now, a two-story building was ablaze. Zhan Yang reined in his horse sharply as he approached, and a nearby constable rushed over to him. "Boss! Something's happened!"

Dismounting, Zhan Yang saw at once that the fire was at a shop called the Jade Rinsing Workshop. It was well past midnight, and the East Market street was deserted, but the fire had clearly been burning for some time, drawing out the night-staying servants and workers from nearby taverns and teahouses. The street was lined with shops side by side, and a fire in one could easily spread to others, so no one dared take it lightly once the blaze started.

With the constables from the magistrate's office and those who had rushed over, there were about twenty or thirty people in total. Most had brought buckets and basins from their own shops to fight the fire. The flames were contained from spreading to either side, but the Jade Rinsing Workshop was badly burned. Clearly, the fire had started from the back, where the blaze was fiercest, though the storefront still stood.

Zhan Yang frowned. "What exactly happened? Weren't you supposed to be keeping watch?"

The constable on duty looked pained. "Boss, we waited until midnight, and there wasn't a single movement around here. We all thought the killer must have gone to your side, or maybe he noticed us and didn't act. Just as we were discussing whether to go find you, this shop suddenly caught fire. Our view was blocked from where we were standing, so we only saw it after the fire had started. By the time we got here, it was too late. The shop's main door was locked at the time..."

Zhan Yang furrowed his brow. "So we still don't know if there's anyone inside?"

The constable nodded. "Right, we don't know yet. But others say this shop sells jade, and they're afraid of theft at night, so usually the shopkeeper stays overnight. When we broke the door down just now, we didn't find anyone, but we're not sure about the backyard. It was already a sea of flames back there."

Zhan Yang waved his hand. "Never mind that for now. Put out the fire! Organize everyone to fight the fire!"

Zhan Yang had arrived first at the East Market, and soon, the other constables caught up. Leading them all, Zhan Yang worked to extinguish the blaze, and by daybreak, the fire was finally put out.The fire in the East Market had significant repercussions. Early the next morning, the shopkeepers, managers, and assistants who arrived first gathered around to watch. After all the embers inside and outside the fire scene were extinguished, a constable suddenly rushed out from within!

"Boss, someone was burned to death..."

Zhan Yang's heart sank, and he hurried into the fire scene. The back of the shop was mostly destroyed, the jade display shelves reduced to ashes, with jade pieces of all sizes scattered across the floor. Several beams in the backyard had collapsed from the fire, causing the entire roof to cave in. In the corner of the side room in the backyard, a charred human figure lay curled up. The fire had raged all night, and this person, hiding in the fiercest part of the blaze, was now unrecognizable—completely blackened by the flames, with limbs burned down to the bone. The constables exchanged uneasy glances. Could the arsonist have set the fire right under their noses?

"Go ask the people outside if anyone knows the owner of this shop. Send someone back to the yamen to inform the Prefect."

The constables obeyed and soon brought in two plainly dressed youths in their late teens. "Boss, these two are apprentices at this shop. The shop mainly sells jade accessories. They said the manager was guarding the shop last night, and they left at Xu hour. The manager's home is in the nearby Anle Quarter—we've already sent someone to notify them."

Zhan Yang nodded. "Were there any flammable items in your shop?"

The two apprentices exchanged glances and shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.

Zhan Yang asked again, "Did your manager have any enemies or conflicts with anyone?"

They looked at each other once more and shook their heads.

Seeing they seemed frightened, Zhan Yang waved his hand and pointed to a constable. "Take them outside for questioning."

After the constable led the apprentices away, Zhan Yang rubbed his temples, staring wearily at the charred ruins of the shop.

...

...

Knowing that Zhan Yang and the others had planned to make an arrest the previous night, Qin Guan rose early the next day. Her first action was to send a household guard to the prefect's yamen. Before she could finish her breakfast, the guard returned.

"Miss, there was a fire in the East Market last night. The entire yamen was fighting the flames all night, and there's no news of the culprit being caught. Zhan Butou hasn't returned to the yamen yet..."

Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. "Did anyone die in the East Market fire?"

The guard hurriedly replied, "That's still unknown. When I arrived at the yamen, Lord Zheng had already rushed to the East Market. Only a few minor officials remained—everyone else was gone."

Qin Guan nodded and dismissed the guard, her heart racing. If Zheng Baishi had gone personally, someone must have died.

She finished her meal hastily, changed clothes, and left the Marquis residence. Upon reaching the East Market, she easily located the fire site without needing to ask. As she stepped out of the carriage, she saw Zhang Daoshi sighing in front of the burned-down shop.

Qin Guan approached. "What are you looking at, Zhang Daoshi?"

Zhang Daoshi turned and, seeing Qin Guan, quickly bowed in greeting before saying, "I'm examining this shop. When I came yesterday, I sensed something amiss here. I had my suspicions at the time, but I never imagined something would actually happen."

Qin Guan also glanced at the shop. What could have been discerned about it yesterday?Qin Guan didn't understand what Zhang Daoshi was referring to, and Zhang Daoshi had no intention of elaborating. Soon, Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang emerged from the house. The two hurriedly bowed to Qin Guan, who then said, "I heard something happened here, so I came to see. Well, have you found anything? Who is the deceased?"

Zheng Baishi glanced at Zhan Yang, who promptly replied, "The deceased is Wang Shouchang, the shopkeeper of this store. It appears to be arson—we found pine oil in the back alley. The fire started in the rear courtyard, where there's a small lane. Last night, when our men were on guard here, they didn't watch that alley. The perpetrator likely entered from the back to set the fire."

As he spoke, Zhan Yang seemed somewhat self-reproachful. "I thought the culprit would strike elsewhere, so I took the men to guard that spot. But I never expected... his target was actually here... It's my fault."

Qin Guan shook her head. "There are countless ways for a murderer to kill, and just as many to evade you. By now, he must know the authorities are investigating with full force, so he'll naturally find alternative methods."

She then turned to Zhang Daoshi. "Master, if the killer committed this murder to set up an altar as well, then being burned alive is..."

"That's the Blazing Hell," Zhang Daoshi knew what Qin Guan was asking. "The Blazing Hell is the fourth layer of the Moon Worship Sect's Seven Hells, specifically for punishing those who commit arson and evil deeds."

Qin Guan looked at Zhan Yang, who quickly said, "We haven't looked into that yet. The Wang family hasn't arrived either. We're currently searching the scene to see if we can find anything."

Qin Guan then asked, "Where is the body?"

Zhan Yang showed a hint of reluctance. "Your Highness, the body can't be examined—it's been burned to a skeleton. It's better if you don't look."

After all, Qin Guan was just a young girl, and Zhan Yang felt somewhat protective of her.

Qin Guan smiled. "It's fine, I'm not afraid. I'll go take a look. Even if we can't find many clues, at least we can verify if the deceased matches the shopkeeper you mentioned."

Zheng Baishi then said, "Zhan Yang, take Her Highness inside."

As he spoke, Zheng Baishi admired Qin Guan greatly, feeling even more regretful that she was a woman.

In the past, Qin Guan had always been meticulous in her corpse examinations. Now, despite her higher status, she remained just as diligent in these matters—a quality far surpassing many officials.

The body had been moved from the corner and placed in the open space of the rear courtyard. As soon as Qin Guan entered, she saw the rather gruesome corpse—charred black, with limbs burned down to the bones. Step by step, she approached and examined it carefully. "It is indeed a man, about five feet tall, likely over forty years old."

Zhan Yang nodded. "That's right, we already confirmed that earlier."

Qin Guan then looked around the surroundings. The building was mostly wooden, and now, in early summer, it had become extremely dry. Even a small spark could have ignited it, let alone pine oil.The rear courtyard wall was scorched black, and the gate had collapsed onto the ground, burned to ruins. Unfazed by the filth on the ground, Qin Guan stepped over it and walked out. Beyond the courtyard gate, she found a narrow alleyway. Though cramped, the alley branched out in all directions, connecting to the main streets and lanes of the Eastern Market. Even if Zhan Yang had stationed guards here—which he hadn’t—the murderer would likely have found a way through. Qin Guan, accompanied by Baiying, followed the alley eastward until they emerged onto another main street. By this hour, the street was already bustling with people, all ordinary commoners dressed in simple attire.

The murderer, fully aware that the authorities had begun investigating, had chosen to kill again—even with constables patrolling nearby. This person must have reached a state of utter madness and fearlessness.

After circling the area and finding nothing unusual, Qin Guan returned to the shop. There, she saw an old madam, accompanied by two women and several attendants, wailing loudly outside the burnt shop. Zhang Daoshi stood watching nearby, while Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang attempted to console them. Baiying tugged at Qin Guan’s sleeve. "Miss, best not go over just yet."

Qin Guan paused. The old madam, leading the group, was not only weeping on the ground but also clutching at Zhan Yang’s robe, demanding an explanation from the authorities since the constables had arrived the previous night. Her behavior was rather unruly and abrasive. Qin Guan sighed, and Baiying suggested, "Miss, perhaps we should wait until Lord Zheng and Zhan Butou have finished their inquiries."

Qin Guan nodded. Yet, having come this far, she had nowhere to wait. Besides, investigating the victim’s circumstances wouldn’t be resolved quickly—

Baiying offered, "Would you like to stroll around the area, Miss?"

Qin Guan smiled wryly. "I’m in no mood for that now."

"Qin Guan—" Just then, someone called her name from the crowd.

Turning, Qin Guan was surprised to see Yue Ning, who had appeared out of nowhere. She hurried over, and Yue Ning jumped down from her carriage, glancing toward the charred shop. "Has something happened again?"

Qin Guan nodded. "What brings you here?"

Yue Ning sighed. "I went to the Marquis’s estate to find you, but they said you’d left. Then I heard about the incident in the Eastern Market and came looking for you. Are those the victim’s family?"

Though standing at a distance, Yue Ning had spotted the women weeping on the ground. Qin Guan confirmed, "The victim was the shopkeeper, burned to death in the fire…"

Yue Ning sighed again. "There’s no use staying here. Come with me to the Ink-Stained Painting House."

Yue Ning had intended to buy paintings there last time but encountered Feng Zhang, which delayed her plans. She continued, "My father is leaving soon, and I need to hurry and get the paintings."

Upon hearing this, Qin Guan immediately perked up. "Foster Father is returning to Jinzhou?"

Yue Ning nodded. "Yes, the day after tomorrow."

Qin Guan sighed. "I haven’t visited the estate these past few days, so I didn’t know. In that case, I’ll accompany you and pick out a gift for Foster Father as well..."Qin Guan abandoned her own carriage and boarded Yue Ning’s, and the two of them headed together toward the Ink-Stained Painting House. The carriage had not traveled far when Qin Guan caught a glimpse of a familiar figure through a gap in the curtain. Frowning, she quickly lifted the curtain again to look, but this time, she could only see a receding back among the crowd.

“What’s wrong? Did you see someone you know?”

By then, the carriage had already passed the person, and Qin Guan could only see the figure’s back. She replied, “It looked a bit like the third son of the Earl of Weiyuan’s family, but I might have been mistaken…”

Wu Qian had been dead for several days, and Qin Guan had only visited the Earl of Weiyuan’s residence once. She hadn’t expected to encounter the third son on the roadside. What was he doing here?! Qin Guan felt a flicker of doubt in her heart, but it was not appropriate to turn back and ask, so she suppressed the thought for the time being.

The carriage emerged from the East Market and headed straight for the Ink-Stained Painting House. Upon arriving, a servant immediately came forward to greet them. “Greetings to both Your Highnesses. Master Ning is upstairs. Please wait in the private room while I inform him of your arrival.”

Qin Guan and Yue Ning, familiar with the place, went up to the second floor. Just as they were about to enter the private room, Yue Ning’s sharp eyes caught sight of the central courtyard in the rear through a corridor window. The painting house had two sections: the front served as the shop, while the back was a courtyard. At that moment, under the veranda of the central courtyard, Ning Buyi stood with an elegant woman.

Ning Buyi was already in his twenties, so it was not unusual for him to have a female confidante. However, at that moment, for some reason, whatever Ning Buyi had said seemed to have moved the woman to tears, her head bowed as she wept.