Chapter 67 Autopsy

As an obstetrician and gynecologist in modern times, Li San Niang naturally took anatomy classes during her student days. Silos are very precious, and every medical student cherishes each class.

However, clinical doctors who treat patients and save lives are different from forensic doctors who perform autopsies to find the truth.

Not to mention that this spans thousands of years, and there is a difference in consciousness between the coroners of Chang'an and modern forensic doctors.

Therefore, after arriving at the house where Wu Silang's body was kept, Li Sanniang was puzzled by Wu the coroner's actions.

It was one thing that there were no special clothes, masks, or hats, but the fact that they still had to perform a ritual before dissecting the corpse was truly puzzling to Li San Niang.

However, considering the prevailing atmosphere at the time, it is not entirely unreasonable to completely disregard it.

Watching Wu, the coroner, take out a leather package resembling a book from the side, and unfold it, revealing various knives inside.

Only then did Li San Niang realize that this person was a truly professional coroner.

Just as Wu, the coroner, was about to undress, Li Sanniang interrupted him, "Wait."

Wu, the coroner, had just made up his mind to perform the autopsy in front of everyone, but he was scared back by Li San Niang's shout.

"Does Madam Li have any further instructions?"

Li San Niang realized that she had spoken too loudly. "Please forgive me, Coroner Wu. I was just being a bit overly dramatic."

Zheng Shilang, who was standing nearby, looked at Li Sanniang and said, "If Li Sanniang is scared, she should just leave the room."

Li San Niang quickly bowed and said in a very fast voice, "It was San Niang's fault. I did not mean to interrupt Wu the coroner."

Because I was quite intelligent and had keen senses from a young age, my father was very fond of me and would take me to see doctors when I was young.

As soon as I entered this room, I caught a faint fragrance, but I didn't pay it any mind. I figured I'd been in a lot of contact with the young ladies at the banquet today, and maybe I'd picked up some of their scent.

But as I followed Coroner Wu to Wu Silang's body, the fragrance became even clearer.

Those present felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing Li Sanniang's words. Pointing to Wu Silang's corpse, Li Sanniang continued, "Therefore, before the autopsy, could you allow me to lean closer and sniff it carefully, so that I can confirm whether this faint fragrance is truly present? Di Shaoqing, I feel that this detail is extremely important to this case."

Di Shaoqing agreed, and with Di Shaoqing's nod, Wu the coroner stepped aside with his tools. Li Sanniang simply folded her handkerchief into a triangle to cover her mouth and nose, came to the body, circled it once, and finally stopped at Wu Silang's waistband. "Di Shaoqing, Zheng Shilang, the fragrance is clearest here. Please, Wu the coroner, come forward and search this area carefully."

Having received permission from Vice Minister Zheng, the coroner Wu put down his tools and, surprisingly, took out a pair of thin film gloves and put them on.

Li San Niang, watching from the side, found it quite novel. After all, she had asked her father if there was any material that could be used to make gloves that fit the skin. Her father had mentioned that sheep intestines could be used, but the process was complicated, difficult to make, and expensive. They were mostly used by government coroners, and only when investigating poisoning cases.

Doctors who treat and save lives usually take direct action.

They watched as Wu the coroner put on his gloves, stepped forward, tore open the waistband on Wu Silang's body, and carefully searched him inch by inch. He then found a small amount of grayish-white powder inside.

Wu, the coroner, carefully poured the powder onto the paper that Su Qi had kindly provided for recording the notes. He first checked for permission from Zheng Shilang and Di Shaoqing before handing it to Li Sanniang.

Li San Niang took it, held it about two fists' distance from her nose, and took another sniff. That was the smell!

"Minister Di, Minister Zheng, although Third Sister has studied medicine since she was young, she has mostly treated illnesses and is not proficient in medicine. Please find a pharmacist who understands medicine to take a closer look."

Li San Niang handed the powder to one of her assistants who had stepped forward, then returned to her original position and stood to the side with Xu Jingzhen.

"Minister Zheng, should I, Old Wu, still perform an autopsy?"

Wu, the coroner, was somewhat helpless. Since Li San Niang had found clues that he had not discovered, and since there was something wrong with the powder, was there any need to continue the autopsy?

The final decision was made by Di Shaoqing. Since we've come this far, let's proceed with the dissection.

Apart from the pale-faced assistant who was taking notes, everyone present, including Li San Niang herself, watched Wu the coroner perform the dissection with normal expressions. When the stomach was opened, it was completely empty!

The Ministry of Justice had interrogated Wu Silang's four servants before, piecing together the facts that Wu Silang had spent the night in Pingkangfang, slept until an hour before the banquet, and then dismissed them before going to the bamboo grove to meet Rou Niang in secret.

If someone were to poison someone, it would likely be through food. In such a short time, there would inevitably be residue in the stomach, even though the stomach would be empty at this point.

In other words, Wu Silang must have been out having fun in Pingkangfang last night, drinking and eating, and digesting it all in one night. He then came to meet Rou Niang in secret the next day, and he didn't eat anything before the meeting.

Therefore, the key to the problem lies in the grayish-white powder that Li San Niang found earlier.

Wu, the coroner, was left alone to stitch up Wu Silang's body, his body covered in blood and gore. The group then returned to the room where they had questioned Li Sanniang. It was getting dark, and it was time to light the lamps.

Just as he sat down, the deputy who had gone to ask the pharmacist returned. He whispered something in Di Shaoqing's ear, and Di Shaoqing listened and nodded.

Before they could finish speaking, another person arrived at the door. It was another group of people who had interrogated the servants in the Liangguo Duke's mansion who had been in contact with Wu Silang that day, and they came to report back.

Li San Niang felt that she had just touched the edge of the truth.

Just as Li San Niang was about to hear the truth, Xu Jingzhen, who was standing next to her, stood up and respectfully said to Di Shaoqing and Zheng Shilang, "It seems that Di Shaoqing and Zheng Shilang have already found out the truth. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."

"It's time for Third Sister to go home. Please, Lord Di, allow Third Sister to return home." Li Third Sister said, bowing respectfully. Compared to hearing the truth, her life was more important.

After reading the servants' statements brought by his deputy, Di Shaoqing nodded and said to the two men with a hint of guilt, "I was too hasty today. It is thanks to your help that the case has been solved so quickly. You should go back to your original guest quarters first, and then go back to your respective homes with the ladies and gentlemen."

Finally, Li Sanniang and Xu Jingzhen each signed the testimony recorded by their deputy, pressed their fingerprints with red clay, and were then sent back to the guest courtyard.

On the way out, Xu Jingzhen made a point of carefully telling Li Sanniang her name and where she came from.

After hearing that he came from the Duke of Ying's family, Li San Niang finally understood why she thought he had an outstanding temperament.

As a matter of etiquette, since the other party had introduced themselves, Li San Niang naturally also said her own name and where she lived.

"However, we are just ordinary people, and we are very grateful for Mr. Xu's help today." Li San Niang should accept this favor.

"Of course, of course. As long as Madam Li doesn't resent me for meddling."

Upon returning, she was met with Gao Ya Hui's questions. She made up an excuse to brush it off, as Li San Niang really didn't know how to tell Gao Ya Hui the truth, so she could only make excuses to avoid the question.

A moment later, a maid came and said a few words of comfort, explaining that she had been negligent in front of the distinguished guests and asked for their forgiveness, and that she would escort everyone home.

Together with Gao Ya Hui, and following the little maid carrying a lantern to light the way, they finally left the Liangguo Duke's Mansion after many twists and turns. Only when they stepped out of the Duke's Mansion did Li San Niang's heart truly settle down.

Outside the gates of the Duke of Liang's mansion, carriages and servants were bustling about, all coming to pick up their young masters and ladies.