"The deceased bears thirteen stab wounds: four on the arms, six on the legs, two on the abdomen, and one on the chest. Each wound measures between one and one-and-a-quarter inches, with clean incisions and no obvious enlargement. The fatal wound is located on the left chest, piercing the heart—a through-and-through stab, approximately one inch long. Judging by the cross-section of the wound, the weapon appears to be a double-edged blade."
The chilling air of the ice-filled cold storage was palpable. Rows of coffins lined up in perfect formation made it hard to suppress a swallow. Even the oil lamps flickered violently without any breeze, as if sensing the oppressive gloom. Inside one coffin lay a man with a withered face, stiff as a board. A pair of delicate hands meticulously examined and measured each wound, while a cold, detached female voice narrated the findings in chilling detail, making the atmosphere all the more eerie.
"The cause of death was rupture of the heart and major thoracic vessels, resulting in severe internal bleeding. The lungs were compressed and collapsed, causing a mediastinal shift, which led to respiratory and circulatory failure."
Upon locating the fatal wound near the heart, Zhuo Qing extended her hand and said, "Throwing knife."
A junior clerk busied himself fetching the throwing knife, then gripped his brush tightly. It was unbearably cold—how much longer would the examination last? After a moment of comparison, Zhuo Qing whispered, "Dan Yulan, come take a look."
Dan Yulan stepped beside her. She placed the throwing knife parallel to the heart wound and slowly brought its cross-section close for comparison. The wound was notably wider than the blade's cross-section—a discrepancy he had already noticed during the autopsy, prompting him to consult her.
"The myocardial wound is considerably larger than the weapon's cross-section. Does this mean the heart wound wasn't caused by the throwing knife?" he asked.
Zhuo Qing shook her head, replying coldly, "It's inconclusive. The cold storage's temperature wasn't low enough, and the body was delivered too late; some organ autolysis has already occurred. Moreover, injuries caused by double-edged weapons can sometimes exhibit wound enlargement."
Not low enough?! The clerk flexed his stiff fingers while admiring the woman's composure behind him. Draping a thick cloak over her, he wore only a thin outer robe himself and had stood in the ice cellar for nearly half an hour without showing any discomfort. How could she not be cold?
Zhuo Qing returned the throwing knife to Dan Yulan and asked curiously, "Why do you suspect this wound wasn't inflicted by this throwing knife?"
"There are thirteen such wounds on the body, yet only twelve throwing knives were found at the scene. This wound appears to be caused by a throwing knife, but both the force and location differ markedly from the others."
The other wounds were clearly shallow and situated on limbs—non-lethal areas. Yet this single blow struck directly at the heart with such force it pierced the body. Zhuo Qing concurred that this was indeed peculiar.
Clad in Lou Xiyan's cloak, Zhuo Qing felt no chill. She glanced at Lou Xiyan behind her and resolved to thank him properly. When he returned in the afternoon, he informed her that Yan Hongtian had confirmed the truth: it was indeed the negligence of the Haoyue official that caused the mix-up. Qingfeng had already returned to the palace and was granted the title Qingpin; she was no longer under house arrest.
Upon hearing she was free, she hurried to the judicial bureau. He accompanied her all the way. Zhuo Qing felt somewhat embarrassed that he had waited foolishly in the ice cellar for half an hour.
Removing her gloves, Zhuo Qing said, "That is all the information we can glean from the corpse for now. Let's step outside."
The three left the ice cellar. Lou Xiyan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Chief Dan, we wish to see Qian Jing. Is that possible?"
Zhuo Qing was momentarily taken aback. She had intended to visit Qian Jing herself tomorrow, yet Lou Xiyan had spoken first.
"Of course. Please, follow me."
As Lou Xiyan oversaw the Ministry of Justice, Dan Yulan had no reason to refuse.
The mortuary was not far from the prison. Approaching the prison gate, they saw a man and woman quarrelling with a junior official. Spotting Dan Yulan, the official visibly relaxed and hurried over.
"Chief Dan, the General's residence sent word that they wish to see the prisoner. How should we proceed?"
Before Dan Yulan could answer, a commanding male voice rang out, "Chief Dan."
Su Yu caught sight of Lou Xiyan behind Dan Yulan and furrowed his brow, though he respectfully addressed, "Minister Lou."
What was Lou Xiyan doing here? Lou Xiyan nodded lightly in greeting. Unlike Su Yu's clear surprise, her expression remained unreadable.
Dan Yulan cupped his hands in return, "General Su Yu."
Su Yu stepped forward. Though his voice was moderate, his military bearing made his words imposing. "The deceased was the General's lieutenant. I request that this case be tried publicly. I trust Chief Dan will have no objection?"
Dan Yulan remained composed, replying calmly, "Certainly. Impartial justice is the cornerstone of my duties. General Su, you are welcome to attend."
With so many "concerned" parties, this case promised to be anything but straightforward.
Dan Yulan and Su Yu led the way. The woman beside Su Yu lingered behind, waiting for Zhuo Qing. Gu Yun stood energetically nearby. Zhuo Qing smiled, "You really are a person of action."
She harbored no doubt—this was quintessential Gu Yun.
Unfazed by Zhuo Qing, Gu Yun's sharp eyes boldly scrutinized Lou Xiyan from head to toe, a faint smile playing on his lips as he softly asked, "Lou Xiyan?"
Before her stood a young woman, or perhaps a girl, her jet-black hair loosely tied with a blue ribbon, flowing freely behind her—not in the typical elegant bun of women nor the topknot of men. Her simple azure gown hugged her slender figure tightly, imparting neither frailty nor weakness.
A singular woman.
Lou Xiyan responded gently with a nod, "That's me."
"Qing Mo," Gu Yun introduced himself, silently scoring the man before her: handsome, refined, tall, and dignified—in short, wealthy, powerful, and charismatic. She gave him a ninety-nine.
The woman's gaze was unwavering, piercing as if delving straight into one's soul. Such eyes demanded courage to meet.
Meeting Gu Yun's scrutiny, Lou Xiyan smiled graciously and inquired, "Has Miss Qing's health improved?"
That afternoon, she was still carried into the mansion; now, radiant and spirited—was Qingling's healing arts truly so miraculous, or was there more to it?
"Thank you for your concern. Much better now," Gu Yun replied calmly, without a hint of panic.
After walking some distance, Zhuo Qing noticed Gu Yun had fallen behind, engrossed in lighthearted conversation with Lou Xiyan. Su Yu, scowling, glared at her and muttered, "Enough chatter! Are you coming or not?"
After rushing him to the prison the moment she woke, now she leisurely chatted with others?
Gu Yun nodded slightly to Lou Xiyan, then approached Su Yu. Passing by, she suddenly delivered a swift punch to his abdomen, immediately retracting her fist and continuing forward nonchalantly.
Su Yu clutched his stomach, cursing under his breath but obediently following.
Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing exchanged amused glances and followed behind, though Zhuo Qing's eyes betrayed a hint of helplessness, while Lou Xiyan's flickered with thoughtful contemplation.
Through a corridor, the last cell contained a lean man reclining on a stone bed, legs crossed and lightly swaying. A dry blade of grass dangled from his lips as he exuded utter leisure, as if resting on a plush bed rather than cold stone.
The cell door opened and the group entered. Thankfully, the cell was spacious enough to avoid crowding.
Qian Jing rose and sat cross-legged, laughing heartily as he surveyed the newcomers.
"Why so lively tonight?"
His gaze swept across Zhuo Qing's face, flickering with a trace of suspicion before quickly vanishing.
"Qian Jing, what exactly happened last night? Why were you at Yang Lu's residence, and what led to your altercation? You'd better tell the truth about the entire sequence of events."
Glancing askance at the solemn Dan Yulan, Qian Jing, grass dangling from his mouth, replied impatiently, "I've said it many times. I went to his house because I accidentally bumped into his wife outside Wanli Bank. He wouldn't let it go and a quarrel ensued. During the scuffle, I noticed he was carrying a large wad of silver notes and a badge. A lieutenant general's monthly salary can't be that much; I suspected he was corrupt. I started tailing him secretly, but he caught me at his home. We barely exchanged words before fighting broke out. I only threw knives in self-defense—I never intended to kill him. I have no idea how his chest got stabbed! That's the whole story."
He seemed unwilling to elaborate further unless pressed.
Dan Yulan continued, "Besides you and Yang Lu, who else was in the room?"
"His wife, and a thin man."
Dan Yulan looked to the officer beside him.
The officer responded immediately, "My lord, the man is Li Zhi, a guard stationed at the East Gate, longtime acquaintance of Yang Lu. He is honest but fond of gambling and remains unmarried."
Dan Yulan asked, "After Yang Lu fell, did anyone approach the body?"
Qian Jing frowned thoughtfully before answering,
"I don't remember clearly, but no one should have touched it."
The prisoner's casual attitude was unsettling.
Lou Xiyan looked at Qian Jing quietly, then abruptly smiled and said, "If you believe you're innocent, there's no need to worry. The truth will come out."
Gu Yun's voice was suddenly sharp, "But the truth is hard to tell when so many people are involved."
The atmosphere tightened.
Dan Yulan said, "We will investigate further."
Lou Xiyan bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Gu Yun looked at Zhuo Qing and said with a teasing smile, "Chief Dan, can we count on you to bring justice?"
Zhuo Qing nodded firmly.
As they exited, Su Yu muttered, "If only the truth were so simple."
The night deepened. The mysteries of the stabbing lingered in the cold air.