Volume One, Chapter 19: Searching the Marquis’s Residence

Inside the forensic examination room of Jingzhao Prefecture, the air was thick with the acrid scent of chemicals. Three female corpses lay in the center of the room; their faces appeared unnaturally pale and chilling under the flickering, dim candlelight. Even Chen Lin, a seasoned investigator with years of experience, could only glance briefly before turning away.

Next to the bodies stood an elderly coroner with white hair and beard, accompanied by another distinguished-looking older man dressed in plain clothes. Chen Lin, unfamiliar with the latter but sensing his extraordinary bearing, inquired, “Who is this gentleman?”

“My lord, this is Doctor He from the Imperial Medical Bureau, summoned by His Highness Prince Tang at the young marquis’s request. I only just learned this myself,” the clerk whispered.

“Doctor He, an honor to meet you,” Chen Lin bowed respectfully while pondering the young marquis’s meticulousness. Every detail was carefully considered and every possible backdoor sealed. Knowing that poison was the key to the case, he had even arranged for someone from the palace to oversee the autopsy.

“What is the situation?”

The coroner stepped toward a woman known as Madam Lü, presumably a respectable housekeeper of the marquis’s estate. Though aged, she was well kept and retained some grace from her youth, but her face was distorted in death by the agony she suffered.

“This woman died from poisoning,” the coroner pointed to a faint black mark at the corner of her mouth. “There are clear signs of poisoning here, and black spots under her fingernails indicate blood stasis caused by the toxin.”

Chen Lin nodded and then glanced at another corpse brought in earlier that morning, whose cause of death had already been examined. “Is it the same poison?”

“Indeed, my lord. Both victims were killed by the same toxin.” The coroner fiddled with various bottles and handed one to Chen Lin. “This should be the poison—an extremely potent one.”

“Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. The symptoms match perfectly. Doctor He has also confirmed this.”

“As for this one,” the coroner turned the corpse’s face to the side and pointed to a wound on the back of the head, “this elderly woman was thin and frail from chronic illness. There are no other external injuries, so it seems she accidentally fell and hit her head.”

Chen Lin paced the examination room like an ant on a hot pan—too hot to walk left, too hot to walk right, and standing still was even worse.

The coroner continued, “My lord, Doctor He and I have a slight disagreement about this elderly woman’s death. In my view, she died from shock after the fall—given her age and frailty, she wouldn’t have lived long regardless. But…” he glanced surreptitiously at Doctor He, “Doctor He believes the fall itself was fatal.”

Upon hearing this, Doctor He smiled faintly. “Entrusted by His Highness, I must present my judgment. As the coroner said, at advanced age, even minor incidents can be deadly.”

“Furthermore,” the coroner added, “Doctor He raised a point: this poison is highly aggressive and causes visible symptoms immediately after death. Since the first woman’s body was taken home by her family that morning, any suspicion should have emerged that day. Why then was no official report made until some time later?”

“What is Doctor He’s insight on this?”

“Not so much insight as conjecture. Perhaps the household had already been bribed with silver to keep quiet on the day she died. Maybe after the money ran out and the family’s demands went unmet, they resorted to legal action. My lord, you could investigate whether the mother and daughter received money from that family. If not, it’s possible—” Doctor He paused, “someone used this woman to test the poison without the second concubine or the fifth young lady’s knowledge or consent. Otherwise, why would anyone invite trouble upon themselves?”

Hearing this, Chen Lin understood that Doctor He was softening his stance on the old woman’s death, effectively offering Jingzhao Prefecture some leeway, while clearly outlining the stakes involving the marquis’s household. The man was from the Imperial Medical Bureau but spoke with the voice of Prince Tang.

“Thank you for your advice, Doctor He,” Chen Lin said with a slight bow.

Not everything should be fully exposed. The marquis’s affairs were already reaching the ears of the highest authorities. Though Chen Lin cared little for offending a powerful military commander like the Marquis of Peace and Tranquility, he had no desire to be caught in a divine struggle.

The one who tied the knot must untie it. Since the marquis’s household was involved, it was only fitting for them to handle the matter. Chen Lin, an outsider, had no need to play the vanguard.

“The coroner has completed the autopsies on two bodies. Both were poisoned by the same toxin. This case is complicated and requires thorough investigation. Bring Dongqing and Peilan; search the residence.” Chen Lin’s tone was grave as he addressed the main hall.

At this, Qin Weishu’s face suddenly changed. She stood abruptly. “Sir! Search the residence?”

The grand Marquis of Peace and Tranquility’s estate being subjected first to interrogation and then a search by Jingzhao Prefecture was unprecedented. Such a scandal would ruin not only the fifth young lady’s reputation but also that of the household matron. If the residence were truly searched, and someone reported it to the court, the marquis’s family would be disgraced.

If the marquis were to ask, “That day you were at Jingzhao Prefecture, yet you watched Chen Lin search the residence?”

One question like that would expose her as incapable of managing the household.

“Master Chen,” Wen Yunmu rose politely. “I also think searching the residence is inappropriate. The incident occurred in the inner chambers, and at this late hour, such a blatant search would disturb the women of the household. The Marquis of Peace and Tranquility has never faced this situation since his ennoblement. If you must search, you should report to the court and obtain imperial authorization. Otherwise, not just anyone can enter the marquis’s home.”

Wen Yunmu glanced at Qin Weishu, who looked as dark as ink and as cold as still water—clearly skeptical that he shared her position.

Indeed, he did not.

“So, madam and the young marquis say no to arresting anyone, no to searching the residence. How then should I, the magistrate, proceed?”

“Of course, not a search per se. I wish to invite you, sir, and His Highness to visit the marquis’s residence as witnesses. A small group can inspect the fifth young lady’s quarters to see if there are any anomalies. This would help clear her name.”

Saying “not a search” was effectively the same as a search.

Qin Weishu knew this well. Since Wen Xuqing dared to suggest inviting Chen Lin over, it meant the fifth young lady’s chamber was already prepared. If she refused now, Chen Lin would likely launch a full-scale search.

“Mother,” Qin Weishu looked up at Wen Xuqing, who wore a solemn expression and spoke coldly, “As long as Second Mistress Zhao remains inside Jingzhao Prefecture, the marquis’s reputation suffers. If this situation drags on, it will only ruin the ladies’ honor in the household. Mother, please reconsider.”

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside. An aggrieved voice cried loudly in the main hall, “My wife died unjustly! The marquis’s concubine poisoned the servant! This is blatant murder!”

Another shouted, “The Jingzhao Prefecture officials killed my eighty-year-old mother! Murder! You scoundrel! How dare you frame my benefactor, the fifth young lady of the marquis’s household! I’ll beat you to death!”

“Hey, hey, someone’s about to be killed! Officers, do something!”

“Guards!” Chen Lin’s face darkened like a wet rag on a stove. “The one who shouted first, slap them!”

The constable hesitated. “My lord, which one?”

“Whichever one yelled first, hit them.”

“Yes, sir.”

With several slaps, the hall fell silent.

Qin Weishu’s fingers tingled; she realized Chen Lin was punishing the agitators she had arranged, and that the search was a deliberate pressure tactic knowing she dared not resist.

Inside the inner hall, not a single person stood on her side.

Since when? What had changed? That morning everything seemed fine, yet now Chen Lin had turned against her?

“Master Chen,” Ye Chuiyun finally spoke after a long silence, rising from his chair and slowly walking to the door. He glanced back at Chen Lin. “I am tired. Whether you go or not, search or not, give me an answer. If not, I will return to the residence.”

Chen Lin’s gaze landed on Qin Weishu. Through clenched teeth, he said, “We must gather evidence, but the residence cannot be searched. Madam, what do you suggest I do?”

Qin Weishu nearly bit through her own teeth.