As soon as Qin Guan finished speaking, Huo Huaixin and the others instantly widened their eyes.
Qin Guan wanted to conduct a corpse examination? She was just a young girl—though she practiced medicine, she had likely seen few dead bodies in her life. How could she perform such a task?
Not only Huo Huaixin, but even Jiang Shi and Yue Qiong were stunned. They had initially questioned her only because they thought her meticulous and highly skilled in medicine, but no one expected her to propose examining the corpse herself. Jiang Shi stepped forward, "Guan'er, you don’t have to do this. How could a young girl like you—"
"Madame, there’s no need to worry," Qin Guan replied gently. "This matter concerns whether Second Young Master Yue Qing has been wronged. Besides, the truth shouldn’t be hastily concluded."
Jiang Shi wanted to say more, but Qin Guan continued, "Please prepare a Scent Pill of storax, three qian of musk, two liang each of asarum, spikenard, and Sichuan lovage, one liang each of atractylodes, white atractylodes, and licorice, as well as some salt and vinegar."
Her voice was steady, her expression calm and confident. Seeing her like this, Jiang Shi’s eyes reddened—Qin Guan wasn’t acting impulsively. She was determined to help Yue Qing!
"Guan'er, you—"
Qin Guan reassuringly squeezed Jiang Shi’s hand, then turned to Yue Qiong. "Marquis, please ensure Wei Wu and the others remain under control, then have the body moved elsewhere. Any clean, well-lit place will do."
Yue Qiong hesitated, but under Qin Guan’s resolute gaze, he finally nodded.
Nearby, Yue Qing had already realized Qin Guan was the one who had saved the Grand Princess. Though he hadn’t yet grasped why she was helping him, his eyes brimmed with gratitude. If things went as she said, might there still be hope for him?
Yue Jia and Yue Ning watched Qin Guan intently, their expressions solemn. Yue Ning stepped forward, "What else do you need?"
Qin Guan’s gaze shifted. "I’ll need someone to record the findings."
Yue Ning immediately lifted her chin. "I’ll do it!"
Qin Guan hesitated briefly. "But, Princess, I fear—"
Hearing the doubt in her tone, Yue Ning frowned. "What? You think I can’t?"
Yue Ning had trained in martial arts since childhood—she was bold and proud, not some delicate maiden. So what if it was a corpse? Though she’d never been to battle, she wasn’t afraid of the dead. Was there anything she couldn’t handle?
A faint smile touched Qin Guan’s lips. "Very well, then I’ll trouble you, Princess."
With that, she glanced at Huo Huaixin, who still looked shocked and doubtful, then walked past him straight to Xu He. "Master Xu, may I borrow your tool kit?"
Xu He remained kneeling on the ground, staring in astonishment at Qin Guan, whose beauty rivaled autumn orchids. It took him a long moment to respond. "Young... Young Lady, do you mean to perform an autopsy? Do you know that requires cutting open the—"
"I know," Qin Guan said, eyeing the wooden case slung over his shoulder. "May I borrow it?"
"Of course, of course—" Xu He hastily handed it over.
Qin Guan took it, opened it, and frowned slightly. The Jinzhou Prefectural Office was the highest authority in the region, and Xu He’s kit was well-equipped—yet every tool inside was brand new and gleaming, clearly seldom used.
After a quick scan, she nodded slightly. But when she spotted a pair of cotton gauntlets, her brow furrowed again.
"What’s wrong? Is there an issue with them?" A voice spoke up beside her. Qin Guan turned to see Yan Chi standing there, looking down at her with concern in his eyes.
She shook her head. "It’s nothing."Yan Chi frowned, "Does this hand guard not suit your liking?"
Qin Guan hadn't expected Yan Chi to notice. After a brief hesitation, she replied, "This doesn't block moisture. During the corpse examination, it would likely allow putrid fluids to damage my hands."
Yan Chi's brows knitted tighter as he gazed intently at Qin Guan without speaking.
Qin Guan stood up and was about to lift Xu He's case when Yan Chi picked it up first. Tipping his chin, he motioned for Qin Guan to lead the way. She looked at him, mildly surprised in her heart.
For a woman to be involved in criminal investigations, even personally dissecting a rotting corpse—yet Prince Rui's Heir showed not the slightest surprise or disgust?
Qin Guan didn't dwell on it. Meanwhile, Yue Qiong had already moved the corpse to the weapons storage room in the rear chamber.
The side room was about five zhang square, brightly lit. When Qin Guan arrived, all the medicinal ingredients were prepared.
She first asked Yan Chi to set down the case. Then she lit musk, spikenard, and Sichuan lovage, while steeping atractylodes, white atractylodes, and licorice in water. She invited Yue Ning to drink the infusion with her, then both took a Scent Pill and a pinch of fine salt before approaching the long table at the center of the room where the corpse lay.
At the doorway, not only the Yue family had followed, but even Huo Huaixin and Xu He. Huo Huaixin still couldn't believe such a delicate young girl like Qin Guan could perform a corpse examination. He asked Xu He, "Why is she doing all this?"
Xu He watched Qin Guan's every move with shining eyes. "Ninth Miss is truly an expert. Burning spikenard and such wards off foulness. Taking the Scent Pill and atractylodes water prevents corpse poisoning and dispels the stench."
As he spoke, Qin Guan lifted the cloth covering Lin Daxing's face.
Her expression was focused and solemn, instantly spreading an air of silent reverence through the room.
"Please wait outside. I'll need the Commandery Princess to assist with recording."
The night was deep. Though the room was brightly lit, there was still a dead body present—something ordinary people wouldn't dare approach. Yet Qin Guan not only approached but was about to examine the corpse, now even asking everyone to leave.
After some hesitation, Jiang Shi led Yue Jia and Yue Qing out. Yue Qiong also stepped outside, but Huo Huaixin and Xu He remained. With a glance, they retreated to the window. The lattice was half-open for ventilation, giving Huo Huaixin a clear view of Qin Guan's movements. Seeing this, the Yue family members gathered around too.
Jiang Shi and the others had never witnessed a corpse examination, let alone one performed by a young lady like Qin Guan!
The silence was so profound one could hear a pin drop, broken only by the occasional crackle of the corner lamps. Qin Guan knew Huo Huaixin and the others were watching, but aware of their curiosity and skepticism, she let them be.
She simply glanced at Yue Ning. "Is the Commandery Princess ready? Every word I say must be recorded."
Yue Ning nodded solemnly. Qin Guan lowered her gaze to Lin Daxing's pallid face.
"Deceased Lin Daxing, male, approximately five chi six cun in height..."
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