As Hua Yao had said, Lan Heng was busy with the thorough investigation of the Beichuan Gang case. The Anping Marquis Mansion case was originally assigned to Zhong Li and Lu Wu Xie. Due to Zhong Li's mistake, the case was transferred to Xu Qing.
Upon hearing that the case had changed hands, Lu Wu Xie was the first to volunteer to investigate the murder of Zuo Teng.
Zhong Li, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, entrusted someone to deliver the autopsy report of Madam Nian, the First Madam of the Anping Marquis Mansion, to Xu Qing. She then cradled Zhong Wu You and led Hua Yao into the inner hall of the Dali Temple to study forensic science.
Hua Yao was quick-witted. In just two days, she had already gained a preliminary understanding of the human body.
Linking arms, they walked and chatted, preparing to head to the autopsy room for practical application. Fan Ren, appearing from somewhere, blocked Zhong Li's path.
"Zhong... Temple Official." He seemed to have run very fast and was somewhat out of breath.
Zhong Li glanced at him, her brows slightly furrowed, and asked, "What is it?"
Fan Ren cast a look at Hua Yao, who stood beside Zhong Li. Seeing her glaring at him, he knew that Miss Hua was not to be trifled with. He shifted to the side and said, "Temple Official Zhong... Lord Lan... requests your presence at the Anping Marquis Mansion."
Upon hearing Lan Heng's name, Zhong Li's eyebrows slightly rose. Before she could voice her confusion, Hua Yao interjected, " Wasn't Lord Lan in Jinzhou again, investigating the remnants of the Beichuan Gang? How is he at the Anping Marquis Mansion?"
Hearing this, Fan Ren's face turned crimson, and he stammered for a long time, unable to offer any explanation.
Zhong Li watched him, letting out a cold laugh, "I suspect it is your Lord Xu who is looking for me, isn't it?"
With that, she pulled Hua Yao around him and pushed open the door to the autopsy room.
At this moment, Fan Ren grew anxious. He stepped forward a few paces, attempting to grab Zhong Li's sleeve.
Zhong Li reacted swiftly. The moment his hand touched her sleeve, a scalpel was already pressed against Fan Ren's neck.
Fan Ren broke out in a cold sweat.
"Let me tell you, since Xu Qing has taken this case, investigate it properly. Such messy little tricks are not something a Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple would do," Zhong Li scoffed.
Fan Ren wore a pained expression, looking at Zhong Li with a mournful air.
Zhong Li withdrew the scalpel and was about to walk into the room when Fan Ren, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, knelt before her with a 'plop.' "Temple Official Zhong, I was wrong last time. I apologize. Lord Xu truly needs your help now. Otherwise, the official position he has worked hard for years might be lost. Temple Official Zhong!"
As he spoke, he repeatedly kowtowed to Zhong Li.
Zhong Li turned to look at him. After a long while, she called the wet nurse who cared for Zhong Wu You and said, "Lead the way."
Hearing this, Fan Ren nodded repeatedly and walked out of the Dali Temple.
Hua Yao watched Fan Ren's retreating figure and said indignantly, "Is Li'er being too soft-hearted?"
Zhong Li smiled and shook her head, "Are you talking about being soft-hearted to one of the most stone-hearted people in the Dali Temple?"
"Then why did Li'er agree to him?" Hua Yao asked.
"Xu Qing is from the Dali Temple. His actions do not solely represent himself. Now that Lan Heng is absent, if something happens to the Dali Temple, and he returns to be punished by the Emperor, will you be happy?" Zhong Li asked.
Hua Yao shook her head rapidly.
"Furthermore, Xu Qing's character is beyond reproach. It is truly rare for him to have a subordinate as loyal as Fan Ren," Zhong Li added.
"Fan Ren! Annoying person!" Hua Yao snorted coldly.
The Anping Marquis Mansion was not far from the Dali Temple. The carriage traveled on the streets for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before arriving.
As Zhong Li alighted from the carriage and before she could step into the Anping Marquis Mansion, she heard Chang Ji's irate scolding.
"Idiot, moron! I truly don't know how someone like you became a Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple. Not only are you worlds apart from Lan Heng, but you are also filth compared to that female coroner!"
"Yes, Your Lordship is absolutely right." Xu Qing's obsequious reply could be heard.
"Hmph! You say my wife committed suicide. I ask you, why would she commit suicide? What was the reason? Why was there bleeding from all seven orifices when she fell from the rockery? Speak!"
"This..."
"Where is the autopsy report? Did you conduct an autopsy? Bring the report for me to see."
"This..."
"Where is the report? I recall that your Temple Official Zhong personally conducted the autopsy on Madam's body. Did she not give you the report?"
"She did give it to me, but..."
"But what?"
"Replying to Your Lordship, the report was accidentally lost by this subordinate."
"What?"
...
"Your Lordship, whether the report is present or not is not important. This subordinate also has a copy of the Anping Marquis Mansion's madam's autopsy report in my mind." Just as the Anping Marquis was about to lose his temper and slap Xu Qing, Zhong Li walked in quickly.
The Anping Marquis narrowed his eyes, looking at the woman opposite him. After a moment's thought, he said, "I wondered who it was. It turns out to be Temple Official Zhong."
Zhong Li nodded and bowed to Chang Ji.
"You say you have a copy of the autopsy report in your mind. Then I ask you, my wife fell from the rockery and died from the fall, so why was there bleeding from all seven orifices?" the Anping Marquis asked.
Zhong Li glanced at Xu Qing. Seeing Xu Qing's legs begin to tremble at the question, she sighed helplessly and explained, "The autopsy report for the First Madam did clearly state death by fall. However, 'death by fall' does not solely refer to death caused by a severe head impact leading to a fractured skull, but also encompasses other reasons."
"What reasons?"
"Internal bleeding or fatal injuries to internal organs after the fall leading to death. After death, the body's mouth, eyes, ears, and nose will exhibit varying degrees of bleeding." Zhong Li said.
"Yes, yes, that's the reason." As soon as Zhong Li finished speaking, Xu Qing quickly agreed.
The Anping Marquis frowned and shot Xu Qing a glare.
Xu Qing quickly lowered his head, daring not to speak further.
"Alright, since you say so, then I ask you, was my wife's death accidental, a suicide, or a murder?" the Anping Marquis asked again.
Zhong Li blinked her long eyelashes twice and replied, "All of them."
"All of them?" The Anping Marquis's tone rose.
Zhong Li took a deep breath and answered, "The accidental death is self-evident, as the First Madam accidentally fell while climbing the rockery. Suicide is also possible, but the probability is extremely low. The rockery is only about one zhang high. This subordinate has never seen death in such a manner so far. As for whether it was the act of others..."
She said, glancing around, "This subordinate has not completed the examination of Madam's body, so I dare not speak carelessly. Moreover, having seen so many cases, I know there are people who stage scenes to look like accidents. Therefore, I cannot give the Anping Marquis a definitive answer."
"If that is the case, when can you provide a definitive answer?" The Anping Marquis's anger noticeably lessened upon hearing Zhong Li's explanation.
Zhong Li pondered for a moment and said, "If nothing unexpected occurs, one day should suffice. If there are other complications, it will depend on the complexity of the case."
"Alright, then this matter will be handled by Temple Official Zhong..."
"Your Lordship, this case is under my charge. For you to..."
"Hm?" Xu Qing, hearing the Anping Marquis preparing to hand over the case to Zhong Li, his usually humble demeanor vanished. He stepped forward, intending to question the decision, but was glared back by the Anping Marquis.
"Firstly, His Majesty intended for Temple Official Zhong to investigate this case. Secondly, the deceased is my wife. Do I not have the right to permit anyone into my household?" the Anping Marquis retorted.
Hearing this, Xu Qing's thin lips parted, but he remained speechless. He knew the Anping Marquis was being unreasonable. How could the victim's family choose the investigators? However, given the Anping Marquis's status, he dared not overstep.
Just as he was reluctantly agreeing, suppressing his inner unwillingness, someone entered from outside the Anping Marquis Mansion.
"Your Lordship!"
Everyone looked towards the newcomer, who turned out to be Lin Jin.
The Anping Marquis also recognized Lin Jin and said, with his hands clasped behind his back, "What is it, Young Master? Have you come to visit?"
Lin Jin cupped his hands and said, "My Young Master heard that Your Lordship's case is stalled and came to inquire. Seeing the lively scene in your mansion, he decided to impose upon you another day. However..."
He said, looking at Xu Qing, "He wishes to borrow someone from the Anping Marquis."
The Anping Marquis followed Lin Jin's gaze towards Xu Qing and waved, indicating for him to take the person away. In his eyes, this kind of good-for-nothing was useless anyway.
Lin Jin cupped his hands, turned, and walked to Xu Qing's side, saying, "Lord Xu, the Young Master requests your presence."
Xu Qing glanced at the opulent carriage parked outside the Marquis Mansion, pursed his lips, appearing somewhat reluctant. He could only steel himself and step forward.
Zhong Li followed Xu Qing's retreating figure and looked towards the carriage. The carriage curtain was not pulled back, so she could not see Lu Wu Xie's face, only Xu Qing wiping the sweat from his brow, nodding incessantly, and bowing obsequiously.
"Tsk," Hua Yao walked to Zhong Li's side and nudged her shoulder, saying, "The Young Master must have heard that you were being bullied and came to support you."
Zhong Li withdrew her gaze and pursed her lips, remaining silent.