Coroner's Diary

"Gold and jade bone-renewal balm?" Xu He's eyes widened. "This is medicine?"

Qin Guan nodded, bringing the examination report closer to her nose for a careful sniff, confirming her judgment further. "It is indeed the Gold and jade bone-renewal balm. This medicine is a miraculous remedy from the Medicine King Sun's lineage, priceless and hard to obtain. The unpleasant odor you mentioned comes from one of its ingredients called the golden-headed centipede. Originally a poisonous insect, it's captured, processed with copper, steeped in vinegar, ground into fine powder, and then used in medicine with remarkable effects—though its smell is rather offensive. This medicine promotes blood circulation, relieves pain, reduces swelling, and mends bones and tendons. It's a miraculous remedy passed down through the Medicine King's lineage for centuries, rarely available in the market. Only the underground black market or a personal visit to the Medicine King Valley of the Sun family might yield a small quantity."

Hearing Qin Guan effortlessly explain such intricate pharmacology—all unfamiliar to him—Xu He's eyes lit up with admiration. "Ninth Miss truly has exceptional medical skills, recognizing this at a glance. But if this medicine is so rare, how did it end up in the hands of a petty thief? Could it have been stolen as well?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "Unlikely. This medicine isn't easily obtained, and even if one did acquire it, it would be used for severe injuries. It's not something that could just be casually stolen. Moreover, among the items in your case, only this examination report carries the scent..."

As she spoke, Qin Guan opened the examination report booklet. It was a volume stitched together from dozens of hemp paper pages, recording every corpse examination of Song Rou from the first to the most recent. Frowning slightly, she continued, "It doesn't make sense. Although this medicine has a strong odor, it wouldn't leave a lingering scent from mere contact. The person must have held the report for a long time to leave such a trace. A petty thief wouldn't be so fascinated by your examination report while ignoring the pouch containing your personal silver. Why would they be so enamored with just this report?"

"Perhaps the report was their target all along."

A striking, commanding voice interjected. Qin Guan turned to see Yan Chi approaching from the direction of the estate gate. He strode forward, his attire still the deep black of night. His gaze first landed on Qin Guan, then swept over the examination report in her hands before he walked directly to her.

Xu He, along with Lu Xiu and Fuling nearby, hurriedly bowed in greeting. Qin Guan also gave a slight curtsy. Yan Chi stopped, took the examination report from Qin Guan's hands, and gave it a sniff. His eyes darkened slightly as he glanced at Qin Guan before nodding. "It is indeed the Gold and jade bone-renewal balm. I used this medicine once a year ago and still remember its distinctive scent."

Yan Chi didn't ask Qin Guan how she recognized the scent, knowing she would have a flawless explanation ready.

Qin Guan frowned slightly. She knew the properties of this medicine best. Though miraculous, it was not only exorbitantly expensive but also reserved for severe injuries. The golden-headed centipede and golden leech in the medicine were both toxic, requiring additional mild antidotes to counteract their effects. The treatment itself was agonizing. This indicated that a year ago, Yan Chi had suffered grave injuries, severe enough to damage his bones and tendons.

Though she understood this clearly, Qin Guan didn't voice it or ask why Yan Chi had entered from outside the estate gate. Instead, she said, "Does Your Highness believe that person was after the examination report in this case?"

Yan Chi nodded. "I only caught half of the conversation earlier. Was this case stolen from you?"Xu He looked somewhat intimidated by Yan Chi and quickly nodded in response. "Exactly. My box was stolen at the market that day, and I was at a complete loss when I happened to meet Ninth Miss. She generously gave me silver, but unexpectedly, this morning, the thief returned my box. Not only did he not take my personal savings, but everything inside was untouched."

Yan Chi frowned. "Which day was it?"

Xu He blinked. "The same day Ninth Miss went with us to the Mortuary Temple."

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, and Qin Guan also felt a stir in her thoughts. She suddenly asked again, "You mentioned that your examination report bundle was stolen before. Try to recall—which day was the first theft?"

Xu He immediately concentrated, and before long, his eyes lit up. "Ah! I remember now—it was the first time we went to the Mortuary Temple! I had been carrying my box that day, but after my shift, there were still many official documents left to copy, so I put the examination report and the documents in a bundle to take home. On the way back, my bundle was stolen."

He continued, "That was the first corpse examination. My report hadn’t been bound into a booklet yet—just two loose sheets. Fortunately, my memory is good, so I rewrote and replaced them afterward." At this point, Xu He looked uneasy. "Afraid the Prefect would hold me accountable, I didn’t report it. There were only a few dozen copper coins in my bundle, so I thought it was just an ordinary thief."

Xu He’s eyes widened. "Ninth Miss, are you saying the same thief was behind both incidents?"

Qin Guan and Yan Chi exchanged a glance. Perhaps seeing certainty in Yan Chi’s eyes, Qin Guan nodded. "Very likely. The first time, he saw nothing important in the bundle, so he didn’t return it. The second time, he stole your livelihood, so he gave it back. This person isn’t an ordinary thief—he was likely after your examination report, knowing your identity as a coroner."

Narrowing her eyes, Qin Guan added, "Right now, the biggest case in Jinzhou is Miss Song’s. Even ordinary citizens know the yamen runners are constantly going back and forth to the Mortuary Temple for her case. This person couldn’t have been unaware. Clearly, he was targeting Miss Song’s case—pretending to be a thief because he wanted inside information."

Yan Chi picked up the thread. "The Gold and Jade Bone-Renewal Balm can reconnect bones and tendons. Someone who needs bone and tendon reconnection, has the money to buy the balm, and is so fixated on Miss Song’s case—who could that be?"

He then looked expectantly at Xu He. Xu He’s expression turned serious, and his eyes slowly widened. "Young Master Wei! The Young Master Wei the Prefect has been searching for across the city!"

Yan Chi withdrew his gaze, but Qin Guan nodded. "We’ll likely need to ask the Prefect to step out for a moment."

Xu He was too excited to contain himself, his chest heaving. "Alright! Please wait here, Ninth Miss!" With that, he turned and hurried into the front courtyard.

Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi and finally asked, "How is Your Highness’s injury?"

Yan Chi gazed at her deeply. "You’re the physician I paid for. You should be asking yourself."Qin Guan was momentarily at a loss for words. Just then, Xu He emerged with Huo Huaixin in tow. Huo Huaixin wore an expression of bewilderment as he questioned Xu He, "What nonsense are you spouting about Young Master Wei appearing? How can you make such wild claims..."

Xu He gave a bitter smile. "If you don't believe me, Prefect, surely you'd believe Ninth Miss and His Highness? You can ask Ninth Miss yourself—it's difficult for me to explain clearly right now..."

Noticing Qin Guan and Yan Chi standing outside, Huo Huaixin immediately put on a cheerful face. "Your Highness Yan Chi, Ninth Miss... What was Xu He just saying? Has Young Master Wei appeared?"

Qin Guan glanced around. Lu Xiu, quick-witted as ever, moved aside to stand guard. Only then did Qin Guan slowly recount what she had just discussed with Xu He. Huo Huaixin's eyes grew wider with each word, and by the time she finished, they were as round as copper bells!

"So... so Young Master Wei really entered Jinzhou City? Not only that, but he also took the Examination Report from Xu He and is following Miss Song's case?!"

Qin Guan nodded. "That's the current working theory."

Huo Huaixin slapped his hand excitedly. "Ha! This is too good to be true! Who'd have thought he'd deliver himself to our doorstep? I assumed he'd fled at the first sign of trouble—I was even considering posting notices in neighboring counties! But if this is the case, catching him will be easy! We'll just visit the Mortuary Temple again and use Xu He as bait to lure him out!"

Having handled many cases, Huo Huaixin knew how to set a trap once he identified Young Master Wei's focus. What had seemed like searching for a needle in a haystack now felt like a case that could be cracked within two days, thanks to Qin Guan's deduction about the medicinal scent on the Examination Report.

"I can't thank you enough, Ninth Miss. That single clue about the medicine scent has solved my most pressing problem. Once this case is closed, I'll host a banquet in your honor!" Huo Huaixin bowed deeply, his gratitude sincere.

Qin Guan sidestepped the gesture. "You flatter me. These are merely my conjectures—success depends on your arrangements, Prefect. I hope you solve the case swiftly."

Huo Huaixin thanked her profusely again. Qin Guan then said, "I must go see the Grand Princess now, so I won't take up more of your time. Please excuse me." She curtsied and turned toward the Grand Princess's courtyard.

Yan Chi added, "Prefect, you may carry on with your duties."

As the two prepared to leave, Huo Huaixin clasped his hands and bowed repeatedly, watching them depart with visible delight. Once they were gone, he energetically ordered Xu He, "Go fetch Captain Qi—no need for further questions. We're heading to the Mortuary Temple immediately. I suspect Young Master Wei has been monitoring our office's movements all along!"

At his command, Xu He complied without delay. Soon, Huo Huaixin led his team from the prefectural office toward the Mortuary Temple in high spirits.

Meanwhile, Qin Guan and Yan Chi walked leisurely toward the Grand Princess's courtyard.

"Does Your Highness find anything unusual?" Qin Guan asked.

Yan Chi tilted his head to look at her. Today, she wore a smoke-blue pleated Ru skirt, and from his angle, he could admire her nearly flawless profile. "What do you mean by unusual?"

He posed the question, but his gaze remained fixed on her face."Did Young Master Wei chase all this way just to kill Song Rou? Even if he killed Song Rou due to some dispute or misunderstanding, he made no attempt to conceal or remedy it, and still pursued relentlessly. If I were him and committed a crime without wanting to surrender, I'd surely think of ways to exonerate myself—at the very least, establishing an alibi."

"Speaking of which, besides sending me news from the capital, my people also reported on this Young Master Wei and other matters concerning the Wei household. That day, I did show the report to the Prefect, but at the time, the Prefect hadn't yet begun suspecting Young Master Wei, so he likely didn't pay much attention to it."

Yan Chi gazed intently at Qin Guan, only shifting his eyes away lightly after finishing his words.

Qin Guan turned to him. "Oh? Would Your Highness care to elaborate?"

Curious, Qin Guan also fixed her eyes unwaveringly on Yan Chi. Sensing her gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered in his eyes. "Young Master Wei's name is Wei Qizhi. He is the legitimate son of the Duke's daughter and the Wei family head. As the eldest legitimate son, he was naturally doted on at home. In his childhood, there were even rumors of strengthening ties through marriage with the Duke's household. But later, as the Wei family declined, the Duke's household gradually looked down on them. This eldest son, aware of his maternal grandfather and uncles' attitudes, was too proud to associate with them and even openly defied them several times—incidents witnessed by servants and uncovered by my investigators."

"It's true that Young Master Wei had a passion for music, but he didn't persist long before developing an obsession with taming prized horses, spending extravagantly on the pursuit. Moreover, his habits were rather peculiar—he refused to use lacquerware in his quarters, insisting on porcelain instead. Additionally, he is indeed left-handed. Rumor has it that because of this, he was often cursed as a child, developing horrifying red patches on his skin, which only improved after he switched to using his right hand."

"Wei Yanzhi is the second-born son of a concubine. His birth mother passed away five years ago, and six years prior, he was taken in by the main wife's household. He was close to Wei Qizhi, studying together as children. Whatever Wei Qizhi did, Wei Yanzhi followed—when Wei Qizhi tamed horses, Wei Yanzhi prepared the saddles; when Wei Qizhi took up music, Wei Yanzhi learned the craft of making qin zithers; when Wei Qizhi sought to join the patrol battalion, Wei Yanzhi trained alongside him. However, Wei Qizhi's pride later led him to reject the Duke's household's intervention on his behalf, and in the end, it was Wei Yanzhi who entered the patrol battalion."

"Rumor has it that Wei Qizhi fell out with Wei Yanzhi over this. Servants in the Wei household witnessed Wei Qizhi striking Wei Yanzhi, who never fought back. The entire Wei family praised the second young master, and even the Duke's household wished he were the biological son of their daughter. As for Wei Qizhi's broken leg—it was his own maternal uncle who broke it. Over this, the Duke's daughter even threatened to hang herself. Yet, for the sake of Song Rou's marriage, the two families maintained a facade of harmony. These matters were known only to a few trusted servants."

Yan Chi spoke at a measured pace, and as Qin Guan listened, her footsteps unconsciously slowed. A path that usually took only a quarter of an hour now saw them barely two-thirds of the way through after the same time. Lu Xiu and Fuling trailed far behind, not daring to disturb their masters' conversation. From a distance, the two figures appeared perfectly matched—their auras in harmony. Though they had known each other for barely half a month and were hardly close, they moved with the natural ease of old friends.What was even stranger was that the intimidating, overbearing aura of Prince Rui's heir, known as the Demon King, inexplicably dissipated when he stood beside Qin Guan. Though he remained peerlessly noble, Qin Guan's own refined elegance—like autumn orchids in spirit—not only held its own against his presence but complemented it perfectly, creating an increasingly pleasing sight as they walked side by side.

After hearing Yan Chi's words, Qin Guan's eyes darkened slightly. "So it seems Young Master Wei's identity isn't as troublesome as thought. While his status does have its inconveniences, he handles everything impeccably. The Wei family head must be quite satisfied with him."

Yan Chi nodded. "Exactly. The Wei patriarch treats both sons equally, even praising him more. However..." He paused, his tone turning thoughtful. "No one is perfect—perfection is always a facade. I still have my doubts. If time hadn't been so tight, I could have had my people investigate more thoroughly."

Qin Guan pondered briefly. "It's true no one is flawless. I only hope Young Master Wei acts naturally. If he harbors resentment yet maintains a flawless exterior, his heart must be suffering greatly."

She then looked at Yan Chi. "Is Young Master Wei truly cursed?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "I don't believe in curses, but it's an open secret in the Wei and Duke's households. Even longtime servants know of it, so it likely did happen."

"Most curses and supernatural tales are man-made. The Wei family was once an influential official clan—outsiders like us can't possibly grasp all its intricacies." Qin Guan's tone carried a hint of cool detachment.

Yan Chi turned to her. "Has Ninth Miss witnessed much infighting among noble families?"

The question startled her. "Not at all. But just observing Qin Manor—whether the Loyal Marquis Manor in the capital or the third branch in Jinzhou—such things are common. It's easy to infer."

Yan Chi studied her with a deep gaze, smiling slightly without speaking.

Qin Guan's heartbeat quickened. Speaking with Yan Chi was never as effortless as with others—his sharpness surpassed ordinary people's, and she never knew when he might see through her. Just as she thought this, she looked up and saw Grand Princess's courtyard nearing. Relieved, she quickened her pace.

Qin Guan was right—Yan Chi's perception was keen. Naturally, he noticed her urge to retreat. His lips curved, his demeanor growing even more spirited. He was gradually learning which questions unsettled her. Though he hadn't yet found the answers he sought, at least he now had a clear direction.

Entering the courtyard, Qin Guan saw Grand Princess wasn't seated inside today. Supported by Jiang Shi and Yue Ning, she was taking small steps in the yard while Yue Qing stood nearby, reading aloud from a travelogue. Hearing footsteps, Yue Qing noticed Qin Guan, immediately set the book down, and hurried over.

"Ninth Miss, why did you take so long? Lu Xiu left nearly half an hour ago!"

Seeing Yue Qing's eagerness, Grand Princess paused and exchanged a glance with Jiang Shi. While Jiang Shi remained composed, Grand Princess's eyes darkened. "Wan Yatou, come here quickly..."Before Qin Guan could respond to Yue Qing, she hurried over to pay her respects. Jiang Shi helped her up, "It's good that Wan Yatou is here. Accompany Mother for a walk while I go check on the front courtyard."

"Please go ahead, Madam," Qin Guan quickly moved to support the Grand Princess.

Jiang Shi left with a smile. The Grand Princess glanced at Yue Qing, then at Yan Chi, "How did you all meet?"

Yan Chi curved his lips, "As I was returning to the manor, I saw Ninth Miss hesitating at the front courtyard gate, so we came together."

"Oh?" The Grand Princess raised her brows and looked at Qin Guan, "No wonder you took so long. Did you run into Governor Huo in the front courtyard?"

Qin Guan nodded. Meanwhile, Lu Xiu couldn't help but interject, "Old Madam wouldn't know, but today Ninth Miss helped the Prefect with another major task! Just listening nearby shocked me beyond words!"

The Grand Princess's eyes brightened as she pointed to the stone bench in the courtyard covered with a soft cushion. Yue Ning and Qin Guan helped her sit down. The Grand Princess looked at Lu Xiu, "What happened? Tell me."

Lu Xiu stepped forward and vividly recounted how Qin Guan and Xu He met, how they discussed the box, and how they identified the scent on the Examination Report as the Gold and Jade Bone-Renewal Balm. "Ninth Miss deduced the identity of the thief just from this balm and by asking about the last time Coroner Xu lost something. Now Governor Huo has left to set a trap. Old Madam, how could Ninth Miss figure all this out so quickly? She even recognized the medicine instantly!"

The Grand Princess's expression brightened further, "Do you think Wan Yatou is as dull-witted as you? Her medical skills are superb—of course she'd recognize that medicine." She then gazed at Qin Guan admiringly, "You truly are a little bodhisattva, helping people wherever you go. This time, Governor Huo must thank you properly for solving the case. If he doesn't, I'll hold him accountable!"

Qin Guan smiled faintly, "It was just a coincidence, not intentional. When I met Coroner Xu on the street earlier, I hadn't realized any of this. Besides, these are trivial matters, hardly worth the Prefect's gratitude."

The Grand Princess shook her head, "That's not true. This case involves both Marquis Anyang Manor and Duke Song's household—neither can be slighted. He's more anxious than anyone. You've relieved his pressing worries—that's certainly worth proper thanks!"

Yue Qing also chimed in, "Ninth Miss is truly remarkable. Not only is her medical skill outstanding, but her mind is also incredibly sharp. To deduce so much just from the scent of medicine—if she were a man, she could surely pursue a career in criminal justice and become a righteous official for the people!"

"You flatter me too much, Second Young Master. I was merely fortunate to stumble upon it."

Qin Guan lowered her eyes, her tone appropriately reserved as she replied to Yue Qing with polite formality. The Grand Princess noticed this, her gaze dimming slightly. Unaware, Yue Qing took a step closer, "Ninth Miss mentioned reading many works on criminal justice before. Apart from Lord Shen's books, what else have you read? Have you come across those popular detective storybooks?"

Qin Guan kept her eyes downcast, "Aside from Lord Shen's works, I've read some miscellaneous texts, all hardly worth mentioning. I've also glanced at a few of those storybooks the Second Young Master mentioned—just to pass the time."Yue Qing's eyes lit up with even greater interest. "What a coincidence! I usually enjoy reading these as well. Just the other day, I picked up about a hundred illustrated editions of Judge Bao's cases from the bookstore. The stories in them are all incredibly fascinating. If Ninth Miss enjoys this genre, I can have someone pack them up for you to take back to Qin Manor for entertainment later?"

Qin Guan's gaze flickered slightly as she pressed her lips together. "Thank you for your kind offer, Second Young Master. Reading such illustrated books was more of my childhood preference. I don't read them much these days. Recently, I've been studying several medical texts and likely won't have the leisure time."

The Grand Princess sighed inwardly in her heart and shot Yue Qing a reproachful glance. "You rascal, don't you dare disturb Wan Yatou's medical studies. At such a young age, she's already achieved so much—she's bound to become a master in the future. Don't distract her with those frivolous storybooks. Keep them to yourself if you want to play around." Then, feigning helplessness, she added, "Look at Wan Yatou—so dedicated to her proper pursuits. Weren't you supposed to join the military? Lately, you've been visiting the barracks less often..."

Yue Qing scratched his head in disappointment, though his face still wore a bright smile. Lord Bao was a famed minister of the previous dynasty, renowned for solving countless extraordinary cases and earning a sterling reputation as the "Blue Sky"—a title so prestigious that even today, any official hailed as such by the people would consider it a great honor. He had only heard a few tales of Lord Bao's cases before and wasn't particularly keen on them. But recalling that Qin Guan had once enjoyed such stories, he had gone out of his way to scour bookshops, even paying exorbitant prices for rare, out-of-print editions. He had intended to present them as treasures, only to find that the lady had long since moved on to new interests—interests he couldn't even begin to fathom. Was he supposed to take up medicine now?

Clearing his throat, Yue Qing said, "Lately, Grandmother hasn't been well, and there's been much to attend to at home. Once things settle, I'll resume my usual visits to the barracks. As for those books, I found them quite entertaining. If you're curious, Grandmother, would you like me to recount them for you?"

The Grand Princess couldn't help but laugh. "You rascal, telling stories to your grandmother... I'm too old for those convoluted tales. Just read me some travelogues or miscellaneous anecdotes—let me see the landscapes of Great Zhou I've never visited. And don't worry, I'm much better now. You should go to the barracks as you ought—no delays."

Yue Qing nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I'll go tomorrow."

Shaking her head in resignation, the Grand Princess turned to Yan Chi. "Xiao Qi, how's your injury? With autumn here, the north grows colder by the day. Why not stay in Jinzhou until you're fully healed? No need to rush back and suffer."

Yan Chi smiled warmly. "The wound is already healing. No need to worry, Aunt. Of course, I'll wait until I'm fully recovered before returning to the capital. I've long admired the reputation of the Yue family's army in Jinzhou and haven't had many chances to visit the barracks. In a few days, I'll go and see for myself—then I can rest easy."

Qin Guan's eyes widened in shock. Hadn't Yan Chi said he would leave in seven days? By her count, that would be tomorrow or the day after. Yet now he wasn't leaving? Was it because of the Grand Princess, or had he planned this all along?

Stunned and slightly irritated, she glared at Yan Chi, but he avoided her gaze. Realization dawned on her, and she stared at him in disbelief. He had lied to her on purpose!

Her brow furrowed tightly as she studied Yan Chi's composed demeanor, utterly baffled. Why would he do this?

Even if he hadn't claimed he'd leave in seven days, she would have still devoted herself wholeheartedly to his treatment. But by insisting on that deadline, he had not only pressured her into using aggressive prescriptions but also kept her preoccupied with preparing his medicine every day upon returning home. This was just...Qin Guan felt somewhat annoyed. Remembering the medicine she had prepared for Yan Chi still tucked in her sleeve, she resolved not to give it to him after all. Even physicians had their pride. She had been working tirelessly these past few days, far beyond the usual scope of medical care, yet this man still mocked her—not only that, but he also distrusted her, all because she had asked one less question...

"The Yue Family Army hasn't fought in years. You know how it is—without the pressure of war, relying solely on routine drills, morale inevitably wanes. You came from the Northwest Frontier Army, so naturally, the Yue Family Army can't compare to yours."

The Grand Princess sighed, speaking candidly in front of Yan Chi. Having served in the military for years, Yan Chi would discern the true state of the Yue Family Army the moment he stepped into their camp. Even if she praised them to the skies now, the reality would be plain to see once he arrived.

Yan Chi, however, shook his head. "I’ve already visited their camp. Though my stay was brief, I could see the Yue Family Army still maintains its elite discipline. The Northwest Frontier Army may be fierce, but in terms of military structure, it likely falls short of the Yue Family Army’s thoroughness. These past few days, I’ve left my trusted officers in their camp precisely so they can learn from their discipline and order."

The Grand Princess chuckled. "Soldiers train hard to fight enemies. Military structure aside, your Northwest Frontier Army’s clear rewards and punishments are what truly matter. Bordering the Rong invaders, neither your soldiers nor generals can afford to slacken."

At these words, Yan Chi’s eyes darkened slightly, and he joked, "The Northwest Frontier Army has been stationed in the west for over a decade. We ought to have some rules—lest one day we’re recalled to the capital and treated like barbarians..."

The Grand Princess’s brows twitched. "Recalled to the capital?!"

Yan Chi shook his head. "Just a jest, Grand Aunt. Don’t take it seriously. Speaking of which, with the southern regions so peaceful now, the Yue Family Army has little opportunity to prove itself. I wonder if His Majesty will reassign them to a new post..."

Shifting the topic back to the Yue Family Army, Yan Chi engaged the Grand Princess in further discussion. Though Qin Guan knew little of military affairs, she sensed something amiss in Yan Chi’s earlier tone. Could there be changes afoot for the Northwest Frontier Army? Since ancient times, military power had been the imperial court’s greatest concern. Any upheaval in the army would inevitably stir turmoil in the court. Recalling Yan Chi’s injuries, Qin Guan couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry for him...

Yet, as quickly as the thought arose, she dismissed it. Matters of military power and court politics were far beyond her reach. Her mind settled, but a sense of helplessness crept in. Not only were such affairs distant, but even the capital itself remained remote. And without returning to the capital, what she sought would remain forever out of reach.

After a while longer, the Grand Princess began to show signs of fatigue. Qin Guan and Yue Ning helped her to her chambers, and only after checking her pulse to confirm her well-being did they take their leave.

Once outside the Grand Princess’s courtyard, Yue Ning, remembering their agreement from the previous day, eagerly asked, "Has the thing you soaked lost its color yet?"

Qin Guan nodded. "It had already faded by the time I left this morning."

Yue Ning’s eyes lit up. "Let’s go, let’s go to Qin Manor! I want to see what it is!"

Yue Qing, who had accompanied Qin Guan out, quickly interjected, "What is it you want to see, little sister?"Qin Guan was about to answer when Yue Ning suddenly pulled her aside. "Second Brother needn't concern himself. This is a matter for us girls," she said, then turned to Yan Chi. "We'll also need to borrow the Crown Prince's guards once more to escort us to Qin Manor."

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Qin Guan produced a medicine bottle from her sleeve. Handing it to Fuling, she addressed Yan Chi, "This is Your Highness's wound medicine. Apply it slowly for half a month, and your injury will surely heal without issue." She emphasized the word "slowly" with particular weight.

A spark of amusement flashed in Yan Chi's phoenix eyes as he accepted the medicine from Fuling. He instructed Bai Feng behind him, "Escort the Princess and Ninth Miss safely to Qin Manor."

"Yes, this subordinate understands," Bai Feng replied respectfully.

Yue Ning hastily pulled Qin Guan out of the residence and into the carriage. Once inside, she said, "After returning yesterday, I thought about it—that thing seemed more like thin silk gauze. Silk gauze is made from cotton and linen, the thinnest being as delicate as cicada wings. But such material is usually used for clothing embellishments, shawls, or silk flowers. How could it have ended up in Song Rou's stomach?"

Qin Guan pondered briefly, realizing Yue Ning's description matched better than Fuling's. She shook her head. "There must be a reason behind this. The stranger the object, the more significant the reason. We'll examine it more closely when we return."

Yue Ning nodded but added, "Based on your earlier deduction, Young Master Wei is likely about to fall into Governor Huo's trap. Once he's caught, they only need to find out where he hid Miss Song's head, and the case will be closed."

Qin Guan smiled. "Right now, my investigation into this object isn't to help the Prefect solve the case."

Yue Ning pouted. "I know, I know—you're determined to get to the bottom of this!"

Initially reserved, Yue Ning had now become as lively as any girl her age. The two chatted and laughed throughout the journey, and before they knew it, they had already arrived at Qin Manor's gates.

Entering the manor together, Yue Ning hurried ahead of Qin Guan into Orchid Isle Courtyard. "Hurry, where did you put it—"

Seeing Yue Ning's rare display of impatience, Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh. "Why the rush, Princess? It's in the inner chamber."

Yue Ning paused, realizing her own odd behavior. "It's such a trivial matter, yet I feel like we're unraveling some bizarre case, as if we're searching for the most crucial piece of evidence."

Qin Guan's smile deepened. "I think the Princess should just move Second Young Master's storybooks into her own quarters and see how the real Judge Bao solves strange cases..."

Yue Ning shot her a sidelong glance. "My second brother prepared those for someone else."

Qin Guan merely smiled without responding and went to the inner chamber to retrieve the white porcelain cup, bringing it to the Warm Chamber. As soon as she set it down, Yue Ning lifted the lid and exclaimed, "Ah! I guessed right!"

Qin Guan leaned in to look. The previously blackened mass had now turned gray, and if left to soak longer, it might have lightened even further. The tightly wound clump had begun to loosen, its outermost layer fraying slightly but still revealing an extremely thin texture, much like silk gauze.Qin Guan didn't answer immediately. Instead, she went to fetch a dry bamboo tray and a pair of extremely fine silver chopsticks. Carefully, she picked up the scattered "silk gauze" from the water and laid it flat on the tray. She repeated this process until the tray was covered with fragments of the "silk gauze." Putting down the chopsticks, Qin Guan pinched a piece between her fingers, kneading it thoughtfully. Suddenly, her brows furrowed again. "No, this doesn't seem like silk gauze..."

Yue Ning asked doubtfully, "Then what is it? I can vaguely see the texture of cotton and linen..."

Qin Guan continued shaking her head. "Silk gauze usually contains some satin, but this has none. This... it seems more like paper!"

Unable to resist, Yue Ning also pinched a piece. After a moment, she said, "But I feel it's tougher than paper. Paper would disintegrate after soaking in water for so long, let alone inside a person's stomach..."

Though Yue Ning didn't understand medical principles, she knew that paper would be "digested" in the stomach.

Qin Guan shook her head. "It's been a while, but you must know that some paper is extremely resilient—even comparable to silk gauze. It's just more expensive than ordinary hemp or bamboo paper. However... there are many types of such expensive paper."

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly brightened. "Besides, if it's paper, it makes sense. Song Rou wouldn't have eaten paper for no reason. There must have been something incriminating written on it, and she swallowed it to prevent others from discovering it."

Yue Ning found this reasoning plausible and nodded. "Could it be that Young Master Wei wrote something to her? Wasn't she killed in the birch forest? Maybe Young Master Wei sent her a letter, luring her out under some pretext—perhaps to convince her to elope? Then, when Song Rou refused, they argued, and he accidentally killed her?"

Qin Guan nodded slightly. "That's possible. Young Master Wei traveled thousands of miles to come here—he must have had a purpose. Perhaps he and Song Rou truly loved each other, and he wanted to take her away. But Song Rou felt she couldn't escape her family and wanted to refuse..."

Yue Ning's eyes sparkled. Having her speculation affirmed by Qin Guan gave her a sense of accomplishment!

After speaking, Qin Guan turned back to examine the remaining residue in the white porcelain cup. "After days in Song Rou's stomach and with her body beginning to decay, even if there were writing on it, it would be unrecognizable now. What a pity..."

Yue Ning wiped her hands. "What's there to pity? Knowing what it is should be enough. Did you really think this could change the case?"

Qin Guan smiled wryly and nodded, also wiping her hands. But just as she turned away, something flashed at the corner of her eye. Startled, she looked back at the fragments of paper spread on the tray. "Your Highness, look—what is this?"

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Good morning! It's snowing here today—for the first time, I didn't go out to play in it because it's too cold~o{＞_＜}o~ Is it snowing where you are? Lastly, as usual, I’m asking for your monthly votes—today is the last day of double points! Love you all! Please, please, please~ vote!

Recommendation: My friend Xiao Wuyu's novel The Thief-Catcher Princess

In public, she’s prim and proper, gentle and harmless. At night, she transforms into a master thief, stealing gold and jade.

Whoever provokes her—she steals from them!

Elusive as a shadow, agile as a cat—who can solve the string of thefts she leaves behind?

——◆——

Under the cover of night, she robs the prince's mansion. Single-handedly, she plunders the national treasury.Fearless to raid the imperial tomb, yet unwittingly stole a heart.

Clever and cunning, with handsome men in hot pursuit.

This is her—the nimble-fingered, quick-eyed Sky Thief who commands a band of robbers.

【Mini Theater】

"My beloved consort is the Sky Thief, sharp-eyed and swift-handed, never making a mistake. No wonder she managed to steal something I guarded so fiercely."

"Don’t falsely accuse me—what did I steal from you?"

"One inch inward from the fourth rib on the left side of my chest."