[Ancient Romance] "The Coroner's Wife" by Qing Xian Ya Tou [Complete + Extras]
Everyone told Chu Chu that as a young woman, she couldn't have both a husband and criminal cases! Chu Chu would pout and retort, "Who says so? If I can win over Prince An who oversees the judicial system, I'll have everything!"
The Prince needed someone to solve cases, Chu Chu needed someone to be her husband. The Prince didn't mind Chu Chu's humble origins and straightforward temper, Chu Chu didn't mind the Prince's cunning nature, poor health, and numerous rules. Perfect, settled, done deal~!
Chu Chu (licking lips while gazing): Wang Ye, I'm hungry.
Prince An (calmly reviewing files): You can eat... after solving this case.
Spoiler: This is a HE story about how the nation's highest judicial official accidentally gets completely devoured by an innocent, passionate young coroner~ With cases and romance guaranteed, Ya Tou's works promise laughter and reliable updates~
Public Notice: Ya Tou's mission is to entertain through storytelling. The setting is fictional, references are often unreliable, so don't overanalyze or personally imitate. Remember, remember...
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Chapter 1: Jujube Ginger Soup (Part 1)
"No legal matter is more serious than capital punishment; no capital punishment depends more heavily on initial evidence; no initial evidence relies more crucially on examination."
— Song Ci "Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified: Preface"
Capital City.
Six Doors.
From the moment Chu Chu left home and boarded her fourth uncle's dilapidated ferry in Chu Shui Town, to hitching a ride on Farmer Luo's donkey cart, to encountering various strangers who either gave her directions or directly offered her rides after leaving Zizhu County - whenever people asked where she was going, she would always straighten her back and proudly announce these five words: Capital City, Six Doors.
She reached the capital relying on these five words, but once in the capital city, she simply couldn't find Six Doors no matter how hard she tried.
People she asked on the street would either laugh or wave dismissively upon hearing "Six Doors." Only two people actually gave her directions - one led her to the main entrance of the Ministry of Justice, the other directed her to Songhetang. She only discovered it was a medical clinic after peeking inside - apparently people thought she had mental problems!
Chu Chu stomped her feet in frustration. Weren't capital city folks supposed to be knowledgeable and worldly? How could they not know about such a famous place as Six Doors!
Even if they hadn't heard of it before, hadn't she described it clearly enough? Facing south with three entrance bays, six black-lacquered doors in total, two stone lions guarding the entrance, two officers standing guard under the doors, and a dark wood plaque above bearing the gilded characters "Six Doors."
Not only did she know exactly what Six Doors looked like, she could even recite all the legendary stories of the Nine Great Arresters of Six Doors word for word.However, Mr. Dong had only mentioned that the Six Doors was located in the capital but hadn't specified exactly where in the capital.
Initially, she thought such a renowned place would be easy to find once she arrived—just ask around. So, she hadn't brought much money for the journey. Along the way, she encountered several storms, which delayed her progress. Now, with the little money she had left, she could barely afford two bowls of noodles in a place like the capital. If she couldn't find the Six Doors before nightfall, she had no idea where she would sleep that night.
If only she hadn't rushed out in such a hurry and had asked Mr. Dong for clearer directions!
Just as Chu Chu was inwardly regretting her haste, she suddenly spotted a man in deep red official robes emerging from the alley up ahead. He carried a large blade, stood tall and straight, and walked with a firm stride—almost exactly like the Divine Detective Mr. Dong had described. Her heart leaped, and she dashed after him.
Catching up to the man from behind, Chu Chu completely forgot all the formalities Mr. Dong had taught her—how to clasp her hands, how to bow. Instead, she grabbed his arm and blurted out, "Divine Detective, I need to go to the Six Doors!"
Only after saying this did she get a clear look at the man she was holding onto: a fair-skinned, handsome young man in his twenties, more like a scholar than a Divine Detective. He stared back at her, clearly startled.
Chu Chu's face flushed with embarrassment as she hastily released his arm. She was about to explain that she had mistaken him for someone else when the scholar regained his composure. Seemingly reading her thoughts, he smiled faintly and said, "I'm no Divine Detective, but I do work at the Six Doors. What brings you there?"
Hearing that he not only knew of the Six Doors but was also part of it, Chu Chu's spirits lifted instantly. She raised her head proudly and declared, "I'm going there to make a living too."
Noticing the scholar's smile widen, she quickly added, "I know—there are women in the Six Doors too!"
The scholar nodded earnestly, still smiling. "Of course there are. Women sweep the front courtyards, serve in the central courtyards, and wash clothes and cook in the rear courtyards. Plenty of women work there."
Chu Chu's face turned red with frustration. "That's not the kind of work I mean! I want to be a coroner—a coroner at the Six Doors!"
The scholar paused briefly, shifting the blade from his left hand to his right. Freed up, he patted her shoulder gently, his expression still amused as he looked at her near-teary face. "Don't worry... First, tell me your name."
"Chu Chu—as in 'graceful and charming.'"
The scholar chuckled softly. "And your family name?"
"Chu is my family name. My full name is Chu Chu. It's easy to remember and pleasant to hear. There are five girls in my town with the same name."
He nodded seriously. "It really is quite lovely. How old are you?"
"Seventeen." Remembering something important, she hurriedly added, "I've been watching my father perform corpse examinations since I was three. By seven, I was assisting him. I know everything my father and brother know. My father says I have more talent than my brother, and everyone in the county knows it."
The scholar's smile remained, though he furrowed his brow slightly. "Which county?"
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