After bidding farewell to Hua Hanyun and his apprentice, Shen Yao and Su Yan returned to the yamen, where they analyzed the case in the study.
As soon as she sat down, Su Yan began to tell Shen Yao about her suspicions about the case, "Lord Shen, you said that the murderer poisoned and killed all the male members of the Zhao family over the age of thirty, so why did he also take away the victim's hand?"
Furthermore, I observed that the villagers of Pear Blossom Village seemed to know the deceased had been murdered, yet they never considered reporting it to the authorities. Instead, they secretly buried the person without informing the government. I felt that the situation in Pear Blossom Village was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Shen Yao nodded in agreement. "Today I think the village chief and the head of Lihua Village might know something, but they are deliberately hiding it. What's strange about the murderer is that he only targeted men over thirty years old in the Zhao family. If the murderer had hatred for the Zhao family, why did he spare the women and children?"
"If this murderer is utterly depraved, having killed fifty-six people but not women or children, this is the first time I've ever seen such a killer."
"No matter what, the most urgent task is to find out the source of the poison."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan sighed deeply, "With just the two of us, one of us is good at autopsies and the other is a natural fighter, but if we're looking to investigate poisons, without a poison expert, it'll take forever."
Although Su Yan came from a family of doctors, she went astray from a young age and had no interest in medicine at all. Instead, she followed her senior uncle around and learned autopsy. She was also completely ignorant of toxicology. If her father, Su Ci, were still alive, finding the source of the poison would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
"We don't understand, but some people do."
"who?"
"Wang Ruofu, Si Zhi of Dali Temple."
Speaking of Wang Ruofu, Su Yan was no stranger to her. She was an orphan adopted by her master. From a young age, she and her master learned autopsy from each other. Later, she learned medicine from her own father. They were childhood sweethearts who grew up together.
Su Yan never expected to hear a familiar name again.
Shen Yao saw that Su Yan froze on the spot after hearing Wang Ruofu's name, her thoughts drifting to the ends of the earth.
"Do you know Wang Ruofu?" Shen Yao pressed.
Su Yan snapped out of her daze, smiled to ease the awkwardness, and explained, "How could I not know the famous Wang Ruofu? She was the first woman in Daliang to become a Sizhi (a high-ranking official), and she has always been the goal I admire and strive to emulate."
"But sir, when did you meet Wang Sizhi? Could it be that you like her?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao's expression suddenly turned cold, and his tone was very stern, carrying a warning: "There is no romantic relationship between me and Wang Sizhi. We are just colleagues. Don't try to spread rumors about me. If I find out, I will not let you off easily."
As soon as she finished speaking, Su Yan immediately covered her mouth. She hadn't expected Shen Yao to be so clueless about romance.
Her senior sister is so beautiful! Every man who knows her senior sister falls head over heels for her. How can that damned Shen Yao be so celibate?
Seeing Shen Yao's serious expression, Su Yan suddenly had the idea to tease him. She revealed a meaningful smile, moved her stool, and sat down next to him.
She leaned half her body on the table, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at him with a smile.
Shen Yao felt uncomfortable under Su Yan's gaze. "What?"
"Lord Shen, were you hurt by Wang Sizhi?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao reached out and grabbed Su Yan's ear, pulling her away from him. He said in a deep voice, "My relationship with Wang Sizhi is completely innocent. What on earth is going on in your head, Su Yan?"
"Lord Shen, I understand men... Don't worry, I won't spread your sad story around. After all, a dazzling woman like Wang Sizhi wouldn't be interested in a blockhead like you, Lord Shen."
“Su Yan…” Shen Yao was so angry at Su Yan’s words that he gritted his teeth.
Su Yan knew when to stop and immediately smiled apologetically, "Lord Shen, don't be angry. It was my fault for being so careless with my words. I promise to keep my mouth shut."
Shen Yao felt that Su Yan was becoming increasingly unruly in front of him, but at the same time he found it strange that he always let her off easily whenever Su Yan made him angry.
Sulking, Shen Yao ignored Su Yan and took out a pen and paper to write a letter to Wang Ruofu in silence. But the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and even his hand was trembling as he picked up the pen.
Su Yan also discreetly ground ink for Shen Yao, and was surprised to see that Shen Yao had written such beautiful slender gold script.
I never expected that Shen Yao, this fierce and dull-witted guy, would have such beautiful handwriting.
"Lord Shen, do you think Chief Justice Wang will come to help us investigate the case?"
"Even I am not entirely certain, but I'll treat it as a last resort."
The day after the letter was sent, Wang Ruofu appeared at the county government office.
The reason for the speed was that Wang Ruofu had left Chang'an three years ago and was ordered to review difficult and complicated cases in various places. He happened to arrive in a neighboring prefecture, which was not far from Yangliu Town. He rode at full speed and arrived in a short time.
Upon hearing the news, Su Yan rushed over. When she finally saw that elegant and graceful figure, Wang Ruofu was standing with her back to her, her temperament as elegant and refined as an orchid, and as serene as a chrysanthemum.
Su Yan almost burst into tears.
Wang Ruofu turned around and saw Su Yan staring at her with red eyes, which made her look completely bewildered.
"Young man? We've met before?"
Su Yan forced back her tears and shook her head. "No... This is the first time I've seen someone so beautiful. She's like a fairy from heaven. I'm so nervous."
After speaking, Su Yan's lips trembled. She dared not acknowledge her senior sister. First, she could not explain what had happened to her. Second, the massacre of the Su family seemed to have involved the imperial court, and she did not want her senior sister to be in danger.
Hearing Su Yan's praise, Wang Ruofu smiled so broadly he could hardly close his mouth. "Young man, you have such a sweet tongue, just like an old friend of mine. I like it. What's your name?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, my name is Su Yan, and I am a coroner from Chang'an County."
"So you are Su Yan."
Su Yan was surprised. Her senior sister seemed to know her. "Does the Chief Justice know me?"
“Although I have not been in Chang’an for many years, I have heard that you have solved a lot of long-standing cases in Chang’an. I think highly of you~ Do you have any ideas about working in the Dali Temple in the future…” Wang Ruofu stepped forward and patted Su Yan’s shoulder, his eyes showing no sign of appreciation.
Before Su Yan could answer, Shen Yao's sarcastic voice rang in her ears, "Oh... the magistrate has just arrived at the county office and he's already trying to poach my people... isn't that a bit too underhanded?"
"So it was the famous Shen Yidao. I'm so eager to find talent, I had to strike first."
Wang Ruofu and Shen Yao are the same age, but judging from their conversation, their relationship doesn't seem to be as good as one might imagine.
Su Yan was very puzzled as to how Shen Yao had managed to invite his senior sister.
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