"On the corpse?!" Jiang Shi was startled. "What evidence could there be on the corpse? The coroner from the yamen has already examined it, and the examination report was sent to the marquis's residence. The coroner said the deceased was indeed beaten to death."
Qin Guan frowned. "The coroner has already determined the cause of death?"
Jiang Shi nodded. "Yes, it's been confirmed. They said the ribs were broken, and when ribs break, the internal organs can be punctured. The coroner concluded that this must have been the cause of death."
A faint light flickered in Qin Guan's eyes. "Did the yamen's coroner perform an autopsy?"
Jiang Shi's eyes widened as if she couldn't believe what she heard. "What? An autopsy?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Yes. When I saw the deceased being carried in earlier, the body appeared intact, unlike one that had undergone an autopsy. The yamen's coroner likely hasn't performed one yet, has they?"
Fear crept into Jiang Shi's expression. "An... autopsy? Why would they need to do that?"
As a noblewoman, Jiang Shi was already unsettled by death, let alone the idea of dissecting a body. She stared at Qin Guan's composed face, stunned. If even she felt afraid, how could Qin Guan ask about it so calmly?
"Broken ribs can be detected by physicians or experienced coroners through palpation. However, determining whether the internal organs were punctured cannot be done by touch alone. To confirm the true cause of death, an autopsy is necessary."
Jiang Shi's eyes widened further. "An autopsy... This... The yamen's coroner hasn't performed one..."
After a brief pause, Jiang Shi added, "Guan'er, how do you know about such things?"
Qin Guan replied with unshaken composure, "Physicians treat all kinds of ailments, so naturally, they understand how a person dies better than ordinary people. A person may sustain many injuries, but only one or two are fatal or ultimately lead to death. Only physicians and experienced coroners can discern this—ordinary people cannot."
In the Great Zhou dynasty, coroners were all men and belonged to the lowest social class. For a noble young lady like Qin Guan, it would have been impossible to interact with them. Fortunately, Qin Guan was skilled in medicine, and it was perfectly normal for a physician to understand the causes of death.
Yet, physicians and coroners were fundamentally different, so Qin Guan couldn't rashly propose performing the examination herself.
Jiang Shi suddenly understood. "I see. So, you're suggesting we have the yamen's coroner perform an autopsy?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Yes. Only an autopsy can determine the true cause of death."
Jiang Shi gave a slight nod, her eyes thoughtful. Though she was a woman of the inner chambers, she was not without insight or judgment. Upon reflection, she found Qin Guan's reasoning sound and immediately called Lü Yun over to give instructions.
Moments later, Lü Yun entered the side hall, while Jiang Shi led Qin Guan and the others to the rear Warm Chamber.
After a short wait, Yue Qiong strode in. "Madam, why do you wish to summon the coroner?"
Jiang Shi glanced at Qin Guan and relayed everything she had said. As Yue Qiong listened, his eyes grew brighter, and his gaze toward Qin Guan became increasingly admiring. Soon, he made a decision. "I'll send someone to fetch the yamen's coroner immediately!"
Qin Guan felt reassured and was also impressed by the Anyang Marquis's family. Beyond their gratitude, Yue Qiong was upright and bold, Jiang Shi gentle and virtuous, and though she hadn't interacted deeply with Yue Ning or the heir Yue Jia, they didn't seem like people of poor character. Such a family was worth her effort to help uncover the truth.The men sent to fetch the coroner had already departed. Yue Qiong then summoned Yue Jia again. "Your younger brother still hasn't returned, and there's no word from those sent to find him. Dispatch more men to search. If he can't be found, let Governor Huo treat him as a fugitive!"
As soon as Yue Jia left, Yang Xi entered from outside and reported, "Marquis, Young Master Wei requests an audience, asking if he can be of assistance."
Young Master Wei? Qin Guan raised her eyebrows slightly.
Jiang Shi, being closest to her, explained, "He's the cousin of Miss Song. After last night's incident, the Song family's wedding entourage temporarily stayed in Jinzhou. They're currently lodged in the East Courtyard of the Marquis's residence—partly to assist with the investigation, and partly as a gesture of comfort from the household."
Qin Guan suddenly remembered—the young man who had led the wedding procession!
So he was Miss Song's cousin...
Yue Qiong looked slightly surprised and quickly said, "Please invite him in—"
When Wei Yanzhi entered, the exhaustion on his face was still evident. Having traveled a long distance for the wedding procession, he was already worn out. Coupled with Song Rou's death, he was barely holding himself together. Though he had washed up and changed into fresh robes, he still looked utterly dejected.
"Greetings, Marquis, Madam, and Crown Prince. I heard that the Marquis's second son has left the residence and gone missing. Would it help if I joined the search?" Wei Yanzhi bowed, his demeanor still upright and courteous despite his weariness.
Yue Qiong waved a hand. "Nephew, you should rest today. There's no need for you to trouble yourself."
Wei Yanzhi sighed. "My mind is too unsettled to rest. I'd rather be of some use to the household."
Everyone understood his grief. Yan Chi stepped forward and clapped a hand on his shoulder. Though Wei Yanzhi was tall and sturdy, he stood half a head shorter than Yan Chi. Yan Chi said heartily, "Brother Wei, my condolences. If you feel stifled, you could take a walk around Jinzhou. If that doesn't help, the residence has a Martial Arts Field where you can train."
Wei Yanzhi served in the capital's patrol battalion and was a military man himself, so Yan Chi's suggestion was fitting.
Wei Yanzhi nodded quickly. "Yes, I noticed the Martial Arts Field while walking around the residence. I had the same thought."
Yue Qiong sighed. "The household has been preoccupied these past two days. Please forgive any neglect, Nephew. The Grand Princess is unwell, and Qing'er... Once this matter is resolved, let Jia accompany you to clear your mind."
Wei Yanzhi immediately waved his hands. "No, no, it's just a personal matter weighing on me. Please don't trouble yourself over me, Marquis. I only hope Xiao Rou's death can be resolved soon, so I can give my uncle some answers."
Wei Yanzhi's arrival cast a heavier pall over the room. Yue Qiong was about to offer more words of comfort when Yue Jia rushed in, his face alight with excitement. "Father, Mother, the Prefect has arrived! Second Brother has returned with him!"
Yue Qiong froze, and Jiang Shi also looked surprised. The two hurried out, only to see Huo Huaixin striding through the spirit wall with two yamen officers and Yue Qing in tow.
"Qing'er—" At the sight of Yue Qing, Jiang Shi couldn't help calling out.
Yue Qing wore an expression of utter desolation. He stepped forward to Jiang Shi's side but remained silent. Jiang Shi glanced at Huo Huaixin, then back at Yue Qing. "Qing'er, how did you return with the Prefect?"
Huo Huaixin's short, stout frame was wrapped in a dark cloak, his small eyes tinged with regret and sympathy. "Madam, the Second Young Master turned himself in at the yamen half an hour ago!"
At these words, Jiang Shi's eyes reddened instantly. "Qing'er—"Yue Qing held Jiang Shi's hand and turned to Yue Qiong. "Father, Mother, I've made up my mind. Since the person died because of me, I must turn myself in and take responsibility. I've already written my confession at the prefecture office."
Once the confession was written, it meant admitting guilt and sentencing could proceed. Although Yue Qiong had initially urged Yue Qing to surrender, his face now paled at this moment. If Yue Qing were convicted, even if he didn't face execution, his life would be effectively ruined.
Jiang Shi couldn't hold back her tears. Witnessing this, Huo Huaixin sighed. First, there was Miss Song's case, and now Yue Qing had beaten someone to death. Marquis Anyang Manor being entangled in two homicide cases had dealt a severe blow to its vitality. "Marquis, the Second Young Master has already given his full account and signed the confession. He was supposed to be taken to prison immediately, but considering that the Grand Princess and Madam would surely wish to speak with him properly, I thought to grant him two days' grace. I will come to take him away the day after tomorrow."
Jiang Shi sobbed, and Yue Qiong's eyes also filled with pain. Based on Qin Guan's words, they had still harbored doubts about the case, even suspecting Yue Qing might have been wrongfully accused. Yet, they never imagined Yue Qing would turn himself in and even sign a confession!
With matters settled thus, any further action would be futile.
Huo Huaixin sighed deeply. Both Yue Qing and Yue Jia not only came from distinguished families but were also outstanding young talents. They were likely to follow in Anyang Marquis's footsteps, wielding military power—a bright future ahead. Yet, all was ruined because of a craftsman.
Feeling nothing but regret, Huo Huaixin was about to console Yue Qiong when suddenly, a cool, composed voice rang out from the back of the crowd.
"May I ask, Prefect, how can you be certain the Second Young Master beat the deceased to death when the cause of death hasn't even been determined?"
Frowning, Huo Huaixin looked toward the back of the crowd. There, under the dim, flickering lanterns of the manor, stood a young girl of striking beauty and noble bearing.
Her clear yet piercing gaze met his, sending a chill down Huo Huaixin's spine.
Narrowing his eyes, Huo Huaixin asked, "Who are you?"
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