Coroner's Diary

Lu Jingcheng was actually dead!

Qin Guan’s heart was struck with shock, while Fuling and Baiying beside her gaped in horror, their faces pale with disbelief.

“How could he have died?” Qin Guan frowned. “What happened?”

Bai Feng shook his head. “That’s still unclear. I only heard that a physician was summoned to examine his injuries last night, and afterward, he was left alone in his room. This morning, when the servants went in to change his dressings, they found him already cold.”

Qin Guan instinctively rose to her feet, took two steps toward the door, then halted.

It was inappropriate to seek out Lu You Xin at this moment. Who knew what chaos was unfolding over there? Until it was clear whether Lu You Xin could control the situation, she must not show herself. Her identity could not be revealed—one misstep, and things would become truly unmanageable.

Qin Guan turned back and sat down again. “Go and investigate further! The other branches of the family are staying in that courtyard now. This incident must have stirred up a storm. See if Aunt can handle it, and report back to me immediately if anything changes—”

Bai Feng acknowledged the order and hurried off toward the East Courtyard.

At that moment, the East Courtyard of White Deer Isle was in utter turmoil. The main gate of the expansive Green Pine Garden stood wide open, and from the central chamber came the sound of heart-wrenching sobs. Two middle-aged men in luxurious robes stood at the doorway, their faces a mix of shock and fear, too hesitant to step inside. Several servants in blue attire knelt in a row, but the courtyard was filled mostly with servants dressed in crimson short coats.

Lu You Xin stood in the center of the courtyard and commanded, “From this moment on, no one in this courtyard is permitted to take a single step outside.”

At her words, the two men at the doorway frowned, clearly displeased.

One of them spoke up, “Second Sister, what are you doing? Jingcheng has died so suddenly—such a major matter must be reported to the authorities immediately.”

The speaker was the third elder of the Lu family, Lu Bohong. As soon as he finished, the fourth elder, Lu Boyou, chimed in, “Yes, Second Sister, what are you trying to do…”

Before Lu You Xin could respond, a shrill, furious scream erupted from inside the room.

“Lu You Xin! You venomous woman! It must be you who killed my son!”

Amid the cries, a tear-streaked middle-aged woman rushed out of the room. This was Fang Shi, Lu Jingcheng’s birth mother.

Stumbling and staggering, Fang Shi hurried out, and the moment her eyes fell on Lu You Xin, they blazed with overwhelming fury. Lifting her skirts, she charged toward Lu You Xin, her expression so ferocious it seemed she intended to strike her. “You vicious woman! I’ll fight you to the death—”

Before Fang Shi could reach Lu You Xin, Huang Momo and another momma seized her, restraining her firmly. Enraged by this, Fang Shi swung a slap toward Huang Momo’s face. But having lived a life of comfort and ease, how could she match the strength of Huang Momo and the others? Huang Momo applied a hidden force, easily subduing her. “Second Madam, you may speak carelessly, but you cannot make baseless accusations. Our young lady left here last night and never returned—how could she have harmed the Fourth Young Master? Until the truth is uncovered, how dare you slander our young lady like this?”

Held fast and unable to move, Fang Shi’s struggles only left her disheveled and disgraced, her hair in disarray and her appearance a mess."It's her! Who else could it be but her? She's long held a grudge against our second branch! She has no son of her own! Yet she stubbornly refuses to let Jingcheng inherit the family business, watching the vast Lu family fall into ruin! Yesterday, over a mere visitor, she tried to drive Jingcheng out! What kind of vicious aunt is she?! Jingcheng was always in excellent health, and last night's injuries were minor—she must have had him killed!"

"You venomous woman! No wonder no one wants you! No wonder you have no children! This is heaven's punishment for your wickedness!"

"Your entire first branch—not a single decent—"

A sharp smack cut Fang Shi off mid-curse as Lu Youxin strode forward and delivered a heavy slap across her face!

"Say that again?"

Fang Shi, nearly delirious with rage, was stunned by the blow. After a dazed moment, she snapped back to reality, tears streaming as she prepared to fight with her life on the line. "You dare hit me! You dare! I'll say it—your first branch is full of scum, your sister died early—"

Lu Youxin's brow furrowed, and she raised her hand to land another resounding slap on Fang Shi's face!

This blow whipped Fang Shi's head to the side, blood quickly seeping from the corner of her lips. Her eyes blazing, she turned back and spat, "Your first branch—"

Lu Youxin narrowed her eyes and without hesitation delivered a third slap to Fang Shi!

The third strike swollen the other side of Fang Shi's face. Her head lolled, ears ringing, and this time she remained silent for a long while.

Lu Youxin stared coldly at Fang Shi. "Go on. Let's see if your mouth is tougher than my slaps."

Fang Shi gasped, blood now trickling from both corners of her mouth. Just then, another figure rushed out from inside—Lu Jingcheng's father, Lu Boyong. His face streaked with tears, he leaned against the doorway, watching the scene in anguish. "Youxin, what are you doing?! Jingcheng's remains aren't even cold, and you abuse his mother like this?! He was our only son, dead under mysterious circumstances today. I insist on bringing in the authorities to get to the bottom of this—"

Lu Youxin turned a cold gaze to Lu Boyong. "No one reports this to the authorities."

Lu Boyong froze, then roared in fury, "Why not?! Was his mother right? Did you really harm Jingcheng?"

Lu Youxin sneered at this. "What is Lu Jingcheng in my eyes? Why would I bother sending someone to kill him?!"

Her words were blunt, showing no mercy to the second branch. Enraged, Lu Boyong fumed while Fang Shi wept and cursed. Lu Youxin declared, "The Lu family is already struggling to survive, and now this happens. If we report it recklessly, our Mining Industry will be lost for sure."

At this, Fang Shi's eyes reddened with fury. "You vicious woman! At a time like this, you still care about the Lu family's business!Lu Youxin sneered, "Oh?" Isn't that why you came—for the Lu family's wealth? If you hadn't been so greedy, tagging along and shamelessly overstaying your welcome, would your son have met this end?! Instead of cursing me, reflect on yourselves! You raised your son into a useless glutton, and now that he's dead for no reason, you blame me. It seems you've forgotten who truly leads the Lu family!"Lu Youxin's words left Fang Shi and Lu Boyong momentarily speechless. But Fang Shi, after all, was sharp-tongued. As soon as she regained her composure, she turned to Lu Boyong and shouted, "Master! Are you just going to stand by and watch our son die here under such unclear circumstances?!"

Lu Boyong snapped out of his daze and immediately strode toward the courtyard gate. "I don't believe you! I'm going to report this to the authorities right now!"

Halfway there, Lu Youxin coldly commanded, "Escort Second Master into the house!"

Upon hearing this, the servants rushed forward. Four or five of them swiftly subdued Lu Boyong, some grabbing his arms, others his legs, and in an instant, they lifted him off the ground. Lu Boyong was so enraged he nearly fainted. "Lu Youxin! How dare you! How can you treat a human life so lightly?! If Jingcheng wasn't killed by you, why are you so guilty?! You... you wretched woman... What are you trying to do?! Imprison us?!"

Seeing Lu Boyou and the others standing helplessly at the door, Lu Boyong roared, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, what are you standing there for?! With such a major incident, are you just going to let her do as she pleases?! Jingcheng grew up before your eyes too!"

Lu Boyou and the others were indeed at a loss. They had come for the family fortune and to cause trouble for the fifth branch—they never expected something like this to happen!

Hearing Lu Boyong's words, Lu Boyou stepped forward and said, "Youxin, this matter, you..."

Lu Youxin stared coldly at the two of them. "What? Do the two of you want to report this to the authorities? Once the authorities arrive, not only will the Mining Industry be lost, but even our business in Jianzhou will likely go up in smoke. Once word gets out, who would dare do business with our family?! If that happens, don't even think about getting a single share of the Lu family's fortune, Third and Fourth Branches!"

Lu Youxin's words were sharp and direct, leaving Lu Boyou and the others hesitating. She knew these people all too well. Their purpose in coming to Jianzhou was to fight for the family fortune. Now that the second branch's son was dead, the other branches were probably overjoyed—why would they genuinely help the second branch?!

Lu Boyong was carried into the room, still cursing and shouting. Outside, Fang Shi saw that Lu Boyou and the others were immobilized by Lu Youxin's words. Her expression changed abruptly, and she lunged at them, clawing and hitting. "You! It was you who killed my son! It was you! You were afraid Jingcheng would outshine your own sons—it must have been you!"

Fang Shi had been quiet for a while, so Huang Momo and the others had let their guard down. With a sudden, violent struggle, she broke free. In a few quick strides, she reached Lu Boyou and the others, raising her hands to scratch their faces. Like a madwoman, she acted recklessly. A sharp cry rang out as a long, bloody gash appeared on Lu Boyou's face! Lu Boyou covered his face and stumbled backward, while Lu Bohong hurriedly tried to pull Fang Shi away. "Second Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, what are you doing?! How could it be us?!"

Hearing this, Fang Shi slapped Lu Bohong across the face. "Do you think I don't know?! None of you have good intentions! You all wanted Jingcheng dead so he wouldn't compete with you! My Jingcheng... Give me back my Jingcheng's life! Give me back my Jingcheng's life..."Fang Shi had seized people and struck them, then grabbed Lu Bohong's collar while weeping and pushing him. Even though Lu Bohong had no desire to lay hands on a woman, he was now utterly enraged. With a forceful shove, he sent Fang Shi sprawling to the ground and angrily shouted, "What are you all standing around for? Restrain the Second Madam! She's lost her mind now!"

Lu Bohong, at his advanced age, had never been slapped before, especially not in front of so many people. His face flushed crimson with fury. Meanwhile, Lu Boyou fared even worse—not only had he been struck by a woman, but his face now bore a long gash, utterly ruining his appearance!

Clutching his face as he stood up, he pointed at Fang Shi and roared, "You shrew! A true shrew! We pitied you after Jingcheng's death, but never expected you to slander others like this! I think Youxin is right—we shouldn't report this to the authorities yet. First, summon a physician to determine how Jingcheng died. If it was from illness, so be it. If not, the murderer is likely among us in this estate. Find the culprit, and you can deal with them as you see fit, but involving the officials would bring disgrace upon our entire family!"

Fang Shi wailed and cursed, now directing her venom at Lu Youxin and the two masters. Huang Momo and several others stepped forward to restrain her. Gnashing his teeth, Lu Bohong spat, "Exactly! That's the way it should be! Even in such circumstances, you can't falsely accuse us without evidence! Look at yourself—you're a disgrace to the Lu family's reputation!"

Lu Youxin watched the scene unfold with calm composure. Every member of the Lu family harbored selfish motives; after years of covert and overt strife, she had suffered countless losses. By now, she feared no confrontation with them, though Jingcheng's death had taken her by surprise!

With the Lu family currently embroiled in turmoil, and Yan Chi and Qin Guan staying here, she was the one who least wanted any disorder.

Yet, out of nowhere, Jingcheng had died inexplicably!

Though this nephew had grown increasingly worthless with age, she had held and cherished him when he was a babbling toddler. Even as he strayed down crooked paths later, she never wished for his death. After all, they shared the same family name; she had genuinely hoped the younger generation would produce someone of promise. Had that been the case, matters like adoption might not have been out of the question. Sighing, a wave of regret and melancholy washed over her.

Lu Youxin glanced at Lu Bohong, then at Lu Boyou. Outwardly, neither appeared guilty, but these individuals were masters of deception, and she couldn't be certain they were innocent. Steeling herself, she commanded, "Confine the Second Master and Second Madam in the side chamber. Do not touch the Fourth Young Master's room yet. Huang Momo, take the people who attended to the Fourth Young Master and interrogate them about what happened last night! Leave no one unaccounted for—everyone who entered this courtyard yesterday must be questioned."

As she issued these orders, footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard. A middle-aged couple approached, accompanied by a young man.

Turning, Lu Youxin said, "Fifth Brother, Fifth Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"

The newcomers were none other than Lu Boyi, the master of the fifth branch, his wife Hong Shi, and trailing behind them, their eldest son—the nineteen-year-old Ninth Young Master of the Lu family, Lu Jinghe.The three of them had clearly arrived belatedly, their faces filled with urgency and panic. Before even entering the gate, they could hear Fang Shi's hysterical wailing and cursing. Upon stepping into the courtyard, they were met with the chaotic and disheveled scene before them. Lu Boyi stepped forward and asked, "You Xin, what happened? How did Jingcheng meet with such a tragedy?"

Lu Boyi looked pale and frail, supported by Hong Shi. After the mine disaster two months ago, he had been overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety, which led to his sudden illness. In recent days, as the other branches of the family had been causing trouble, he followed Lu You Xin's instructions—partly to recuperate and partly to avoid the conflicts with the other branches—and moved with Lu Jinghe to the relatively secluded Green Bamboo Courtyard. He rarely visited this side, which was why he had received the news last.

Lu You Xin sighed, watching as Huang Momo and others escorted the still weeping and cursing Fang Shi to the side room. "I don't know how such a thing could have happened. We're already in a difficult situation, and this incident only adds to the family's troubles. Fifth Brother, your health is poor—you should return first. I will handle this matter properly."

Lu Boyi looked at the disheveled state of Lu Bohong and the others with confusion. Lu Boyou approached and said sarcastically, "Fifth Brother, you should hurry back. Second Brother and his wife have gone mad. This matter is indeed sudden—anyone would struggle to bear it. But we wouldn’t falsely accuse anyone. They first claimed that You Xin sent someone to kill Jingcheng, then said that Third Brother and I were responsible, accusing us of fearing Jingcheng would compete for the family inheritance. How absurd!"

He pointed to his face and added, "See this? Second Sister-in-law scratched me. Third Brother even got slapped by her. It’s truly..."

Lu Boyi was utterly astonished. His two elder brothers, who usually carried themselves with extreme dignity and authority, were now visibly injured... For a moment, Lu Boyi was at a loss for words. Noticing only Lu Bohong and the others in the courtyard, he asked, "Where are Jingxiu and Jingyun?"

Lu Bohong replied, "The two of them went to Jianzhou City together early this morning. They left before learning about what happened here."

Lu Boyi nodded. Meanwhile, Lu You Xin frowned and said, "I recall that yesterday, all of them came to see Jingcheng, didn’t they?"

Lu Bohong nodded, then suddenly paled and said, "You Xin, you’re not suspecting them, are you?"

At this, Lu Boyou also grew displeased. "You Xin, you’re overthinking it. They had plans to go to Jianzhou City for drinks—it was arranged long ago!"

Lu You Xin smiled faintly, though not without irony. "I was merely asking. After all, we must get to the bottom of Jingcheng’s death."

Lu Boyou snorted. "Fine. Since you refuse to report this to the authorities, as the head of the family, you must provide a clear explanation. Otherwise, Second Brother and his wife will never let this go..."