Xiao Qingyin agreed and left after giving Qin Wenjun a follow-up examination.

The medicine was prepared and delivered by Baibaozhai, as Qin Wenjun's illness requires constant medication.

Before leaving the Jingzhao Prefecture, Xiao Qingyin specifically sought out the Jingzhao Yin to ask him for the autopsy results.

The Prefect of the Capital showed it to her.

Upon seeing the sign that read "Suspected head injury caused rupture of cerebral blood vessels," Xiao Qingyin's heart sank.

This result is very unfavorable to Qin Wenjun.

Whether it's manslaughter or self-defense, it's not easy to get away with it without being found guilty.

Especially if the plaintiff persists in their attack.

After thinking for a moment, she returned to the Qin family's courtyard house with Yi Shuihan and inquired about Ma Laosan's situation from Aunt Li.

"Old Ma's father died long ago, and he had no brothers or children, only a wife."

Aunt Li replied.

"There's also a bunch of drinking buddies who frequent brothels. Pan, his wife, often argues with him about it."

Therefore, if Lady Pan had not pursued the matter, Qin Wenjun would likely have received a lenient sentence.

Xiao Qingyin pressed further, "What kind of person is Pan?"

Aunt Li curled her lip, revealing a hint of disdain: "A sharp-tongued, shrewish woman who loves to stir up trouble and flaunt her charms."

"How so?"

Aunt Li explained it to her in detail.

"...A few days ago, the Qian family next door knocked over the beans we were drying and didn't clean them up. I complained a bit, and she overheard and told them that I had been cursing and swearing for a long time, saying they were morally corrupt and deserved to be childless. The Qian family was really hurt and cut down the persimmon tree in front of our house..."

"She would often dress up seductively and lean against the door, waiting for some man, but behind her back she would gossip about Tianci's mother, saying that she had an affair with some random man and had a bastard child... Ugh, her mouth is as sharp as a knife."

"Does she know that Ma Laosan is after Qin Shi?"

"How could I not know? She was the one who started it all along, saying that Tianci's mother was seducing her man and that she was throwing foot-washing water into Tianci's house every day."

Xiao Qingyin frowned. Given Pan's personality and her hostility towards Qin Wenjun, it seemed difficult to persuade her not to pursue the matter.

But she still wanted to give it a try.

We can't let the little one grow up without his mother.

The rooms in the east wing belong to Ma Laosan's family. Because it was the scene of a murder, it had been cordoned off.

Xiao Qingyin asked around among the neighbors, but none of them knew where Madam Pan had gone. She could only wait until she returned to the mansion to have someone inquire further.

When they left the courtyard house, they were accompanied by a little tail.

Why did you bring Tianci along?

Xiao Qingyin asked about the coldness of the Yi River.

The little guy had promised to stay home obediently, but Yi Shuihan lured him away.

"Yi Wu gave me a box of glass marbles. I was getting bored playing by myself, so I asked him to come and keep me company."

Yi Shuihan appeared carefree and oblivious.

Xiao Qingyin, however, sensed his concern; he was worried that the little guy would be uncomfortable being alone.

But she didn't expose him, and said, "Then let him stay a few more days. I'll teach you some fun pinball games."

Yi Shuihan immediately pestered her to teach him.

Xiao Qingyin taught the two children, one big and one small, all the marble games she knew. The two children had a great time playing them at the Marquis's residence.

I've been calling them for dinner for ages.

It took Yi Wu a lot of effort to find the Pan family.

“She was at her godmother’s house. When I told her I wanted to mediate, she immediately kicked her out and threatened that she would make Qin pay with her life.”

Xiao Qingyin frowned.

Pan's relationship with Ma Laosan didn't seem very close, and her insistence on Qin paying with her life was likely out of jealousy.

I can only go there in person tomorrow to see if I can persuade her to let it go.

However, she did not expect that the next day, before she could even go to see Madam Pan, news came from the yamen that Madam Qin's case had been decided.

He was sentenced to death.

She was utterly astonished.

They immediately rushed to the Jingzhao Prefecture to inquire. The Jingzhao Prefect spread his hands and said helplessly, "The plaintiff presented evidence that Ma Laosan had been harassing her for a long time. In order to eliminate future troubles, she specially planned this, which constitutes intentional murder. She herself also signed and fingerprinted it."

How is that possible!

Xiao Qingyin was quite perceptive; she could tell that Qin Wenjun wasn't lying.

Why would she sign and put her fingerprint on something she didn't do?

Xiao Qingyin immediately said, "I want to visit him in prison."

The Prefect of the Capital refused.

"Qin has been sentenced to death and will be executed on a later date. No one will be allowed to visit him in prison."

Xiao Qingyin gave the Prefect of the Capital a deep look.

She had only suspected something was amiss before, but after the Prefect of the Capital refused, she knew there was definitely something fishy going on.

Qin Wenjun was definitely tortured.

The so-called signature and fingerprint are nothing more than a forced confession.

She said coldly, "Lord Cui is truly a skilled official," and then turned and left.

Yi Shuihan chased after her and asked, "Wife, shall we go home?"

"We'll go home later; let's go to Dali Temple first."

What are you going to Dali Temple for?

"Save people."

Cases sentenced to death must be reviewed by the Dali Temple. If she wanted to overturn Qin Wenjun's case, she could only ask the Dali Temple to interrogate her.

Yi Shuihan obediently followed her to Dali Temple.

She was received by a vice minister of the Dali Temple. After hearing her purpose, the vice minister immediately checked the case file submitted by the Ministry of Justice.

However, no case involving the Qin family was discovered.

"I'm sorry, Miss Xiao, our temple has not yet received the files."

"It's probably because the Jingzhao Prefecture just finished delivering the verdict and hasn't had time to submit the case file yet. Could you go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to get it?"

The temple official shook his head: "The case files are submitted from the bottom up, so we can't rush them. If there really is such a case, it will definitely be sent over in a couple of days, and then we will review it."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!