Coroner's Diary

Wu Shu's heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the prison corridor before Qin Guan slowly turned around.

Beside her, Yue Ning and Huo Huaixin had already turned in disbelief, while Xu He was so shocked he nearly dropped the case files in his hands. Apart from Qin Guan, the other three could hardly believe what they had just heard.

Wei Qizhi wasn’t the one involved with Song Rou?! He had willingly taken the blame for this scandal?

Yue Ning was the first to step forward, unable to hold back. "What did you say? Your master and Miss Song never had an improper relationship? Then why was he beaten and crippled by the Duke’s household?"

Wu Shu sobbed violently, wiped his tears, and stood up.

"That day, Miss Song came to see my master, saying she needed his help. Though my master held a grudge against the Duke’s household, he was always kind to Miss Song. When he agreed to help, she confessed that she had fallen for someone else, but her aunt had discovered it. In her panic, she gave my master’s name..."

"My master thought it absurd, but Miss Song kept weeping and pleading, so he reluctantly agreed. Later, when he asked who the man truly was, she only cried and refused to answer. Within two days, the Duke’s men stormed in, beating him without explanation. Proud and stubborn, my master already despised the Duke’s household, and since he had promised Miss Song, he didn’t clarify the truth. He intended to confront her, but her wedding date approached, and word came that she had fallen gravely ill. Meanwhile, my master was recovering from his injuries, so he never got the chance to demand an explanation. By the time Miss Song left the capital as a bride, my master still wanted answers—and feared the man she protected might be a scoundrel. That’s why he followed her here..."

Wu Shu’s voice was hoarse but filled with utmost sincerity, tears streaming as he spoke, pouring out all of Wei Qizhi’s grievances and wrongs. Taking a deep breath, he suddenly knelt and raised a hand to the heavens. "Every word I’ve said is true. If I’ve lied even once, may I be struck by lightning and die a wretched death!"

Then, with a resentful glare at Huo Huaixin, he continued, "My master was already wronged beyond measure, but the greatest injustice came here in Jinzhou—murder! My master would never kill anyone, least of all Miss Song! A man of unyielding pride, who refused even the Duke’s arranged post in the patrol battalion—how could he tarnish his name and lose a leg for Miss Song, only to chase her down and murder her?"

Wu Shu, a grown man, now wept with eyes red as a rabbit’s. Under other circumstances, it might have seemed comical, but his words were firm, brimming with indignation, enough to make even Yue Ning’s heart tremble.

"If your master truly is as you say... then his devotion to Miss Song was indeed profound. But—how can we know whether your words are true? Who can prove your master wasn’t Miss Song’s lover?"

Wu Shu froze, momentarily at a loss. "How—how am I supposed to prove that? Just ask around! Miss Song often visited the Wei residence as a child, but in recent years, she rarely came. If my master and Miss Song were truly involved, why would she stand by while he feuded with the Duke’s household?"Yue Ning frowned deeply. "Your explanation makes sense, but you could have made all this up. So tell me, if your young master isn’t Miss Song’s beloved, then who is?"

Wu Shu looked even more aggrieved. "How would I know? My young master barely interacted with the young miss, let alone someone like me." As he spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up. "Ah! I remember someone! The second young master! He might know—isn’t he staying at Marquis Anyang Manor as part of the bridal escort? Prefect, why don’t you ask him? He visited the Duke’s residence more often than my young master and was probably closer to the young miss. Why haven’t you questioned him?"

Just as Huo Huaixin was about to speak, Yue Ning blurted out bluntly, "We already did. He was the one who told us why your young master’s leg was broken. Even some servants from the Wei and Duke’s households know about it. What else do you want us to ask?"

Despair returned to Wu Shu’s eyes. "In the end, you just want us to prove everything. But... why? We have nothing to do with this case. Why must we keep proving ourselves?"

Huo Huaixin snorted coldly. "Because all the evidence points to your master as the prime suspect!"

Wu Shu pressed his lips together, his face a mix of humiliation and resentment, yet he couldn’t muster a strong rebuttal. Clenching his fists, he silently shed tears. "My young master may be a bit unconventional, but how could he kill anyone? Now his leg is broken—he’ll never ride horses again, never serve in office. And if you falsely accuse him of this crime..."

As Wu Shu muttered through his tears, Huo Huaixin glared. "Watch your words! Who’s falsely accusing anyone? You can’t prove your innocence, and all our evidence points to your master—"

Wu Shu stared at Huo Huaixin, inwardly cursing the corrupt official a thousand times over. Instead, he turned pleading eyes to Qin Guan and Yue Ning. "Young ladies, merciful bodhisattvas, kind-hearted souls—please uphold justice for my young master. He may have a wild reputation, but he bore the disgrace for the young miss. He suffered such humiliation and injustice, yet even when his leg was broken, he never betrayed her..."

Yue Ning, already harboring doubts because of Qin Guan’s words, was further unsettled by this unexpected twist. Uncertain, she suddenly realized Qin Guan had been silent for a long time.

Turning, Yue Ning nudged Qin Guan and whispered, "What’s wrong? Why aren’t you questioning him? What are you thinking about?"

Qin Guan’s pensive expression hardened slightly as she looked at Wu Shu. "How long have you served your young master?"

Wu Shu hurriedly replied, "Seventeen years, my lady. I was chosen as his page since childhood."

Qin Guan nodded. "Does your young master favor his left or right hand now?"

Wu Shu thought for a moment. "Both, equally. He wields a sword with his right hand, writes with his left, and uses either for eating or other tasks."

"Did your young master bring any weapons on this trip?"

Qin Guan’s gaze sharpened, and Wu Shu nodded. "Yes, he brought his usual sword."Qin Guan turned to look at Huo Huaixin, who straightened up and said, "The sword is a short one, and naturally, there's no bloodstain on it, but it is indeed very sharp."

Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, a faint glimmer in her eyes. "If the one involved with Miss Song wasn't Young Master Wei, then the direction of this case is completely different. The Prefect should re-examine the case."

A trace of bitterness appeared on Huo Huaixin's face. The case had already been delayed for over ten days. If there was still no resolution, not only would it become harder to investigate as time passed, but it would also be difficult to explain once officials from the capital arrived. Now that they had finally caught the prime suspect, if they were to completely overturn their previous deductions, wouldn't they have to start all over again?

Huo Huaixin glanced at Wu Shu. "Does Ninth Miss believe what he says?"

Qin Guan also swept a glance at Wu Shu. Under her gaze, Wu Shu immediately looked at her pleadingly and raised his hand as if to swear an oath. But Qin Guan had no intention of listening further and withdrew her gaze. "This case already had many questionable points. Now that there's a new development, it's only natural to re-examine it. We identified Young Master Wei largely based on two key pieces of evidence: his involvement with Miss Song and being left-handed. Now that we know the one involved with Miss Song wasn't Young Master Wei, relying solely on the left-handedness makes it hard to conclude he's the prime suspect. We still lack the most direct evidence."

Huo Huaixin widened his eyes at Qin Guan, while Wu Shu nodded vigorously beside them. His eyes shone as he looked at Qin Guan, as if seeing a savior. Up until now, even Yue Ning had been questioning Wei Qizhi with skepticism. Qin Guan was the first to suggest re-evaluating the case.

"But..." Huo Huaixin's eyes darted around anxiously. "But what Second Young Master said... his words seem more credible..."

Qin Guan met Huo Huaixin's gaze. "Why is that?"

Huo Huaixin opened his mouth but found he couldn't actually articulate why he trusted Wei Yanzhi. Qin Guan, however, curved her lips slightly. "Because Second Young Master is the one who escorted the bride and has been cooperating with the Prefect in the investigation since the incident. The Prefect feels he has been very diligent and believes he must be unrelated to the case. If he had something to hide, he wouldn't be so calm and thorough. The Prefect thinks he doesn't seem like the murderer or someone with ulterior motives, so he trusts him in this case out of goodwill."

Huo Huaixin's eyes widened further, and he nodded. "Exactly so."

Qin Guan sighed. "But suspects can lie. The Prefect thinks they're the ones lying, but perhaps it's someone else? Or perhaps the Prefect, to avoid further complications and close the case quickly, intends to stick to the theory that Young Master Wei is the killer despite the doubts?"

Huo Huaixin's eyes flickered briefly. "Of course not!" After a brief pause, he added, "In that case, this case may indeed need to be re-examined. As for them, let's keep them detained for now..."

Qin Guan nodded. Wu Shu's eyes lit up instantly. He shuffled back on his knees and kowtowed repeatedly to Qin Guan and the others. "Thank you, merciful ladies, thank you, just lord..."Hearing the words "upright official," Huo Huaixin felt slightly relieved. However, Wu Shu then added, "This young lady just mentioned that it was the second young master who claimed the eldest young master and the cousin were involved in an affair? I wonder... if Your Honor could arrange for the second young master to visit our eldest young master once? The two of them are as close as brothers. Since we’re confined in prison and can’t act freely, we only hope the second young master could come see us. If the eldest young master tells him the truth, he will surely help us!"

At these words, Qin Guan’s brow twitched.

Indeed, Wei Yanzhi should know Wei Qizhi had been captured. Had he expressed any intention to visit his elder brother?

Qin Guan turned her gaze to Yue Ning, who hesitated before saying, "The Wei family’s second young master... is still ill. I didn’t see him when I left home today, so I don’t know what he’s thinking..."

Qin Guan’s brow twitched again, and she turned back to Wu Shu. "Are the second young master and your master truly as close as brothers?"

Wu Shu nodded. "At least, that’s how it seemed to us servants... The second young master grew up eating and studying alongside our master. Even as adults, he followed our master in everything. The only time they ever had a falling out was over the matter of joining the patrol battalion. Our master knew the Duke’s family looked down on the Wei household and refused to accept their favors, but the second young master did..."

A flash of insight struck Qin Guan. "The second young master studied and practiced calligraphy with your master since childhood? Did he ever find it strange that your master was left-handed as a child?"

Wu Shu stared blankly at Qin Guan, puzzled by her question.

"No, it wasn’t strange. When the second young master saw our master writing with his left hand as a child, he learned to use his left hand too. Later... after that rumor spread, the master’s father gave strict orders to the tutor to correct his habit. By the age of seven or eight, our master’s left-handedness was finally changed..."

Qin Guan’s expression shifted abruptly. Her eyes narrowed, her brows furrowed, and her face took on an intensely focused look. Yet, flickers of light danced in her gaze, as if her mind were racing through rapid thoughts.

Yue Ning, curious, asked, "What’s wrong?"

Qin Guan suddenly lowered her gaze and fixed Wu Shu with a piercing stare. "The rumor you mentioned—was it about your master being cursed for using his left hand? And that he developed red rashes because of it?"

Wu Shu looked startled. "How did you know—"

Qin Guan’s eyes brightened, and she leaned in slightly. "Does your master dislike lacquerware?"

Wu Shu nodded, his face frozen in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected Qin Guan to know so much.

Qin Guan straightened abruptly and turned to Huo Huaixin. "Prefect, that day at the Marquis’s residence, where is the testimony about the Wei family’s eldest young master that you had the Song family guards write?"

Huo Huaixin was taken aback and glanced at Xu He, who replied, "That... that testimony was only half-written. Later, when Ninth Miss offered her plan, Your Honor led everyone away from the Marquis’s residence. Since the unfinished testimony wasn’t needed, it was left behind. Right now... we don’t know where it is..."

Qin Guan frowned. Yue Ning quickly asked, "What’s the matter? Why do you need the testimony?"

Qin Guan lifted her chin slightly. "I want to confirm whether something I’m thinking is correct..."

Yue Ning pressed, "What is it?"

Qin Guan met her gaze, her eyes gleaming. "I’ll tell you once I can confirm it."Yue Ning sighed, "What should we do now that the confession is gone?"

Qin Guan's lips curved into a faint smile as she suddenly strode toward the exit, "Let's go find His Highness Chi!"

Once Qin Guan left, Yue Ning naturally followed. Seeing this, Huo Huaixin also hurried after them. Wu Shu, noticing that everyone was about to leave, cried out in panic, "My lord, my lord! Are you going to send my young master back to prison first...?"

Huo Huaixin waved impatiently, "Xu He, go and have him taken down."

Xu He acknowledged the order, but Qin Guan had already walked far ahead. Huo Huaixin nearly had to jog to catch up, "Ninth Miss? What exactly are you trying to confirm? How is it related to the case?"

Qin Guan paused mid-step, "If this is confirmed, the Prefect will know who the murderer is!"

After a brief hesitation, she turned to face Huo Huaixin, "Prefect, did you ever suspect the Second Young Master Wei before?"

Huo Huaixin was taken aback but nodded, "Indeed, I did." Then, as if recalling something, he added, "Come to think of it, there's something you don't know yet. On the night someone pretended to be a ghost to scare you, when we went to the East Courtyard, the Second Young Master claimed he was practicing calligraphy. Later, you told me that the stain on the Wedding Gown was from pine-soot ink. Based on this, I initially suspected the Second Young Master. However, he isn't left-handed, and ink stains are quite common. Moreover, after he later revealed the matter between the Eldest Young Master and Miss Song, I shifted my suspicion to the Eldest Young Master... Could it be...?"

Qin Guan hadn't known this detail. Hearing it now, her expression grew even more resolute, "Good, I understand now. Please wait a moment, Prefect. If my suspicions are confirmed, I will inform you immediately."

Huo Huaixin nodded, wanting to ask more, but Qin Guan had already turned and hurried away.

......

......

Once outside the yamen, Qin Guan swiftly headed toward the carriage. Yue Ning chased after her, asking, "Where are you going?"

"To the Marquis Manor! To find His Highness Chi!" Qin Guan answered decisively, already climbing into the carriage. Seeing her urgency, Yue Ning didn't dare delay and quickly boarded as well.

The Marquis Manor's carriage driver cracked the whip, and the carriage sped straight toward the western part of the city.

The journey from the yamen to the west was still some distance away. Yue Ning asked suspiciously, "Have you thought of something?"

A light flashed in Qin Guan's eyes, "I remembered something I overlooked earlier!"

Seeing her excitement, Yue Ning also perked up. Qin Guan's discovery was bound to change the course of the case. Thinking this, Yue Ning urged the driver to go faster. The carriage picked up speed, and in less than half an hour, they arrived at Marquis Anyang Manor.

The moment the carriage stopped, Qin Guan stepped out. Yue Ning followed closely behind, saying, "His Highness Chi must still be in Pine Garden right now! Follow me—"

Qin Guan knew where Pine Garden was, but Yue Ning led her through the shortest route. The two took winding corridors and shortcuts through the manor's courtyards, and soon, Pine Garden came into view. Before they could approach, Bai Feng suddenly emerged from the gate. Spotting Qin Guan and Yue Ning, he was momentarily surprised before quickly bowing, "Greetings, Princess, Ninth Miss..."

Yue Ning stepped forward, "Where is your master?"

Bai Feng glanced at Qin Guan, "My master is inside."

Yue Ning nodded, "We have something to discuss with him..."

Bai Feng understood, "Princess and Ninth Miss, please come in. My master is currently writing a letter to the capital."

He stepped aside to let them pass. Qin Guan nodded and followed Yue Ning inside.Qin Guan had been to Pine Garden before. Following Yue Ning straight to the main house, she had just reached the doorway when Yan Chi emerged from the Warm Chamber to one side, clad in a dark black robe. "What's happened?"

Since Yue Ning and Qin Guan had come together, it was certain something was amiss. As soon as he spoke, Qin Guan stepped forward and said, "Last time, Your Highness's men sent news from the capital regarding the Duke's residence and the Wei family. Today, I came because I recall Your Highness mentioning that the letter you received contained very detailed information. I was wondering if that letter is still available—could I take a look at it?"

Yan Chi raised his brows slightly, studied Qin Guan for a moment, then turned. "Come in."

Exchanging a glance with Yue Ning, Qin Guan followed Yan Chi into the Warm Chamber. Though called a Warm Chamber, it was actually a small study. Just as Bai Feng had said, there was an unfinished letter on the desk. Qin Guan and Yue Ning stood near the entrance as Yan Chi walked behind the desk, opened a drawer beneath it, and swiftly retrieved a letter.

Yan Chi approached without asking Qin Guan why she needed it and simply handed it over.

Qin Guan took it, feeling the weight in her hand, and steadied herself. She deftly opened it and pulled out the letter inside—a lengthy one, just as Yan Chi had described, meticulously detailing the affairs of the Duke's residence and the Song family. Qin Guan read carefully, of course, focusing most on the parts concerning Wei Qizhi and Wei Yanzhi.

Seeing Qin Guan absorbed in reading, Yan Chi walked back behind the desk, added a few strokes to the unfinished letter, then stamped it with his seal before folding and sealing it. "Bai Feng—"

Bai Feng entered from outside, and Yan Chi instructed, "Send this out at the fastest speed."

Bai Feng acknowledged and left with the letter.

Yue Ning watched leisurely before asking, "Your Highness, aren’t you going to ask why she wanted to see the letter?"

Yan Chi simply took a seat behind the desk. "It must be for Miss Song’s case. Young Master Wei has been captured..." He glanced at Yue Ning’s short boots. "You’ve been to the magistrate’s office?"

Yue Ning arched a brow. "How did Your Highness know?"

Yan Chi replied matter-of-factly, "Your boots are stained with black moss. That kind of moss is most commonly found in dungeons."

Yue Ning looked surprised, and even Qin Guan glanced up at Yan Chi briefly.

Yue Ning sighed in admiration. "Your Highness is as sharp as a needle..."

Yan Chi curved his lips slightly but said nothing. Yue Ning then continued, "We did go to the magistrate’s office and saw Wei Qizhi and his servant. Both had been tortured but refused to confess. Moreover... Wei Qizhi’s servant claimed that the one involved with Song Rou wasn’t Wei Qizhi, but someone else whose name Song Rou refused to reveal. Wei Qizhi only agreed to take the blame because Song Rou begged him tearfully. He came to Jinzhou to question her about who that person was. On the night Song Rou died, Wei Qizhi was at Shili Temple—but he didn’t kill her."

"It wasn’t Wei Qizhi who was involved with Song Rou?" Yan Chi seized the most crucial part of her words, narrowing his eyes. "In that case, this case needs to be reconsidered."

Yue Ning glanced at Qin Guan, who was still reading the letter, and added, "Indeed. Earlier, when she examined the corpse at the Mortuary Temple, she brought back a clump of filth, didn’t she? Later, she discovered it was actually Gilt-traced Paper."

Yan Chi raised a brow. Yue Ning asked, "So Your Highness knows of Gilt-traced Paper?"

Yan Chi nodded. "A type of Gold-flecked Paper, with a distinctive fragrance..."

Yue Ning smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Exactly. She even knows how the Gilt-traced Paper is made. Whatever remained in Song Rou's stomach must have been ingested on the day she went to Shili Temple. Most likely, someone wrote a letter on this paper, which she read and then swallowed because it was inconvenient to dispose of. Considering she was killed in the birch forest, this letter must be connected to her murder."

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, a glimmer of light flickering in their depths as he watched Qin Guan. She was still intently reading the contents of the letter, her serene profile illuminated by a lively sparkle at the corner of her eye. Yan Chi knew she must have found what she was looking for!

After finishing her words, Yue Ning noticed Yan Chi hadn't responded. She looked up to see him staring fixedly at Qin Guan. Though inexperienced in matters of the heart, Yue Ning had seen her parents and other couples and recognized the look of someone in love. With this realization, her brow furrowed as she observed Yan Chi.

"I've got it—"

While Yue Ning was lost in suspicion, Qin Guan suddenly set the letter down. She looked up at Yue Ning and Yan Chi, her eyes filled with certainty.

Yue Ning hurriedly asked, "What is it? What did you miss?"

Qin Guan glanced at the letter again. "I overlooked Wei Qizhi's preferences. For this, I must thank His Highness Chi!"

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Qin Guan placed the letter on the nearby table and spoke calmly, "That day, Your Highness mentioned news from the capital. At the time, everyone had just learned that Young Master Wei was involved with Miss Song, and it was almost certain he was the murderer. So, no one paid close attention to these details."

She then turned to Yue Ning. "You know best, Princess, that what was found in Song Rou's stomach was Gilt-traced Paper."

Yue Ning nodded, and Qin Guan looked back at Yan Chi. "When I first discovered the paper was Gilt-traced, I felt I had missed something important but couldn't recall what. Just now, in the prefecture's dungeon, Wei Qizhi's servant repeatedly mentioned his habits and preferences, and it suddenly came back to me!"

"What did you remember? Hurry up and tell us!"

Yue Ning had been tormented by Qin Guan's "missing something" for two days and couldn't wait any longer.

Qin Guan smiled and quickened her speech. "Earlier, Your Highness told me that Wei Qizhi was naturally left-handed from childhood but trained himself to use his right hand later. You also mentioned that when he was very young, his left-handedness was considered a curse, and he often broke out in red rashes. Just thinking about it is horrifying."

She tapped the letter beside her. "I just reviewed it again carefully. Wei Qizhi stopped suffering from the rashes around seven or eight years old. Before that, he sought medical help many times without success, and the curse became a widespread belief. Once labeled as cursed, anyone would be deemed unlucky. I imagine this is one reason the Duke's household dislikes him."

"But do curses truly exist?" Qin Guan's faint smile faded, her expression turning serious. "When Your Highness mentioned it before, I felt something was off, but without examining all the details, I couldn't be sure. Now, I understand the cause of Wei Qizhi's rashes. Though I haven't tested it, I've deduced the reason."Yue Ning frowned skeptically. "I don't believe in curses either, but then why does he have those red patches?"

"Lacquer." Qin Guan parted her cherry lips and uttered the word emphatically. At the same moment, Yan Chi's brows knitted together, while a glimmer of realization flashed in Yue Ning's eyes.

Seeing their expressions, Qin Guan nodded. "Lacquer is ubiquitous in this world, and no one considers it poisonous. Yet for a very few people, it is indeed toxic. His Highness Yan Chi told me that Wei Qizhi dislikes lacquerware. After reading the letter, I learned that Wei Qizhi's chambers are mostly furnished with gold, silver, and jade artifacts, and he cannot stand the smell of lacquer. Though 'cannot stand' is vague, when connected with Wei Qizhi's strange 'curse,' it reminded me of two cases I've seen before—individuals covered in inexplicable red patches with no cure, only to later be diagnosed with lacquer poisoning. As a child, Wei Qizhi likely couldn't pinpoint the cause of his patches, but over time, he instinctively avoided lacquerware. If he dislikes lacquerware so much, why would he use Gilt-traced Paper, which is made with gold lacquer?"

Her voice grew firm. "The Gilt-traced Paper found in Song Rou's stomach has nothing to do with Wei Qizhi."

Yan Chi's pupils contracted, and Yue Ning couldn't help sitting up straighter. Qin Guan had just explained two key points: first, the so-called "left-handed curse" and why Wei Qizhi avoided lacquerware; second, she had circled back to Song Rou's case—Gilt-traced Paper was made with gold lacquer and wood pulp, carrying a faint lacquer scent. How could Wei Qizhi have used it?

Yue Ning looked at Qin Guan with admiration but then hesitated. "But... how do we verify this?"

Qin Guan smiled slightly. "That's the simplest part. Apply raw lacquer to Wei Qizhi's arm and observe whether any reaction occurs."

Yue Ning nodded. "Even if this proves the Gilt-traced Paper isn't connected to Wei Qizhi, it still doesn't entirely absolve him in Song Rou's death... After all, he is left-handed."

Qin Guan shook her head. "The left-handed theory originated from that night when someone pretended to be a ghost to frighten me. The Gilt-traced Paper, however, is the most direct evidence left inside Song Rou's body. That single sheet witnessed the entire process of her murder. In many cases, a single critical clue can open an entirely new path to the truth."

Yue Ning studied Qin Guan. Today, she wore a jade-colored pleated long skirt with a broad-sleeved pea-green overcoat and a matching silk shawl draped over her shoulders. Her usual grace and elegance were now accentuated by an extraordinary brilliance as she meticulously analyzed the case. Her eyes sparkled like a clear spring studded with gemstones, and her words carried a decisiveness starkly different from her usual demeanor. This commanding presence softened her usual gentle serenity, and Yue Ning suddenly felt a pang of regret—how had she ever mistaken Qin Guan for nothing more than a delicate, pampered young lady from a wealthy family, as fragile as a lotus in the wind?

"As for the left-handedness, the letter helped me again." Qin Guan tapped the letter beside her. "Earlier in the dungeon, Wei Qizhi's servant mentioned that Wei Yanzhi and Wei Qizhi were close as brothers, studying and practicing calligraphy together in their youth. Wei Yanzhi even learned to write left-handed like Wei Qizhi. But what I read in the letter contradicts the servant's account somewhat."

Yue Ning frowned. "How so? Did the servant lie?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "No, he didn't lie. He merely... embellished the truth."Yue Ning's eyes were filled with confusion, while Qin Guan's gaze deepened slightly. "There are two children in the family—one legitimate, one illegitimate. The illegitimate son excels in every way and understands brotherly respect. The legitimate son, though without any bad habits, has an innate 'flaw'—yes, it can be called a flaw. Wei Qizhi's left-handedness made him the subject of much criticism. Later, the red patches on his skin even sparked rumors of a curse. Perhaps Wei's father merely felt regret, but what about the mistress of the Wei household?"

Yue Ning was taken aback. "How does the mistress come into this?"

Qin Guan picked up the letter and waved it. "This says that Wei Qizhi's mother—the young lady from the Duke's residence—when he was still a child and before he had changed his habits, once forced Wei Yanzhi to practice writing with his left hand. If Wei Yanzhi refused, she would scold or beat him lightly, and in severe cases, she would lock him alone in his courtyard, forbidding him to leave."

As Qin Guan recounted the secrets of the Wei household, her eyes flickered toward Yan Chi. Back then, Yan Chi had claimed he was investigating the affairs of the Wei and Duke's residences in the capital on behalf of the Grand Princess. But Qin Guan hadn’t expected the information he obtained to be so detailed—even uncovering events from over a decade ago. She couldn’t help but wonder if Yan Chi had planted spies in the Wei and Duke's residences.

Setting aside her thoughts, Qin Guan continued, "A child naturally left-handed was forced to use his right hand, while another child, naturally right-handed, could just as easily be forced to use his left."

Yue Ning gasped. "You mean... Wei Yanzhi can also use his left hand?"

Qin Guan nodded. "This happened over ten years ago, and the Wei mistress concealed it very tightly. Few know about it now, so no one realizes Wei Yanzhi can use his left hand. On the contrary, when it comes to left-handedness, everyone only thinks of Wei Qizhi. If the killer left clues pointing to a left-handed person, wouldn’t that immediately direct suspicion toward Wei Qizhi?"

Yue Ning nodded repeatedly, finding Qin Guan’s reasoning impeccable. "So... you suspect Wei Yanzhi now?"

Qin Guan set the letter down, her lips pressing together slightly. "You’ve seen Wei Qizhi’s condition yourself. Combined with these deductions, I currently believe he has nothing to do with Song Rou’s death. Someone deliberately left these clues to lead us toward Wei Qizhi. Moreover, the killer likely didn’t expect me to find the Gilt-traced Paper in Song Rou’s stomach—they probably didn’t account for this layer."

"The killer isn’t Wei Qizhi, and neither was he the one involved with Song Rou. You heard what Wei Qizhi’s servant said—Wei Yanzhi was closer to the Duke’s residence and had more contact with Song Rou. Could it be that Wei Yanzhi was the one involved with her? Song Rou was skilled in the qin, and Wei Yanzhi was also quite familiar with qin music. According to this letter, Wei Qizhi once enjoyed the qin as well, but that was six or seven years ago. Afterward, he developed a passion for raising and training horses. In contrast, Song Rou’s love for playing the qin was a constant.""That night by Lishui Lake, Wei Yanzhi said he recognized the qin melody because Wei Qizhi played it daily. But Wei Qizhi's daily qin practice was six or seven years ago. The piece 'Seagulls Forget Cunning' depicts lovers retreating to live carefree lives like seagulls in the mountains. To play a piece, one must understand its meaning. Since this song is about love, and Wei Qizhi was only fourteen or fifteen back then—likely without any romantic interests—why would he play it daily? Only someone with a beloved, yearning for a reclusive life together, would adore this melody..."

Yue Ning's eyes brightened. "So the one who played it was Song Rou?"

Qin Guan nodded. "That's the most plausible explanation. Additionally, Wei Yanzhi had the means to impersonate a ghost. He knew Song Rou had a second Wedding Gown, whereas Wei Qizhi couldn't even meet Song Rou, let alone visit the Duke's residence during that period. How would he know about the second gown?"

"Wei Yanzhi knew, and he was familiar with the wedding procession's arrangements, making it easier for him to act. He was also the only one who'd seen my first Corpse Examination. Perhaps fearing my involvement in Song Rou's case, he tried to scare me off from investigating further at the Marquis's residence."

After a pause, Qin Guan continued, "Then there were the rumors, originating from the East courtyard, also aimed at driving me away. Later, by Lishui Lake, someone tried to harm me—likely his doing. Remember, before that day, we encountered Wei Yanzhi in the residence? He mentioned wondering how Song Rou was at the Mortuary Temple. Unprepared, I replied she was fine. That likely revealed Governor Huo had already asked me to examine her body there. Fearing I might uncover something, he tried to kill me by the lake..."

Qin Guan smiled faintly. "As for the later arson at the Mortuary Temple..."

"Wei Yanzhi was there that night! Only our small group knew you planned to conduct an autopsy the next morning!" Yue Ning interjected excitedly. "Having witnessed your skills, he decided to burn down the temple outright!"

Qin Guan nodded. "Exactly."

Yue Ning's chest rose and fell rapidly, her excitement palpable. "Everything falls into place now! His guilt seems undeniable! Though he and Wei Qizhi appear as close brothers, and he was raised by the legal wife, the disparity in their status remains vast. If something happened to Wei Qizhi, he'd become the Wei family's sole heir, finally gaining genuine recognition from both the Wei patriarch and the Duke's household."

Yet Yue Ning frowned. "But these are just our deductions—plausible, but without concrete evidence. During our duel, he didn't even hint at being ambidextrous."

Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. "He likely left no obvious traces. For evidence, there's only one way..."

"What way?!" Yue Ning pressed eagerly, more animated than Qin Guan. To her, Wei Yanzhi seemed an unlikely murderer—which made her all the more desperate for confirmation.

Meeting Yue Ning's urgent gaze, Qin Guan replied, "Find Song Rou's head."