Acquitted?
“We can divide the existing clues into three paths.” Xie Chengnan casually pulled out a few straws from the dry grass he was lying on and laid them out on the ground. “The first is the Liu residence: Master Liu went to Renjitang in the suburbs three days ago—what do you think he was doing going so far away instead of going to the main branch which was right in front of him?”
"Perhaps it's to avoid being noticed? He has a reason for not going to the main hall, or a reason that he absolutely has to go to that branch hall."
Lin Yi recalled Liu Yuanwai's strange behavior at the government office that day, and became even more convinced that this matter was inseparable from him. "It's just that he currently has no motive for murder, and we don't have any more evidence to point to him."
“Who says there isn’t?” Xie Chengnan raised an eyebrow, seemingly confident. “The second clue—someone in Renjitang has been having close contact with Madam Liu, suggesting a possible affair.”
He phrased it euphemistically, but Lin Yi knew that Xie Chengnan would never have spoken of something that was merely based on hearsay.
Can you confirm who it is?
“Duan Wenjin, the son of the new head of the main hall,” Xie Chengnan said.
"Before that trip to Xinglin Medical Clinic, he was the one who took Madam Liu's pulse."
"How do you know their relationship isn't just a simple doctor-patient one?" Lin Yi knew Xie Chengnan wouldn't lie about something like this, but he was still curious about how Xie Chengnan knew such a secret. Xie Chengnan certainly didn't seem like the type to eavesdrop on gossip.
"Don't worry about that, the source is absolutely reliable." Wan Muchun's intelligence is trustworthy. Yao Niang may seem frivolous, but the information she gets her hands on is always true and reliable. However, he doesn't want Qiu Qing to know about Wan Muchun's affairs yet.
Lin Yi wisely stopped asking questions. "So, Master Liu learned about Madam Liu's affair with someone else, suspected the child wasn't his, and thus cruelly murdered her, killing both mother and child?"
Before Xie Chengnan could answer, Lin Yi continued to mutter to himself, "So the Renjitang person you saw outside the government office last time must have been this Duan Wenjin, or perhaps he sent him to investigate because he was worried about Madam Liu's safety. But it seems that Renjitang is innocent... But how did Master Liu know and become so certain that the child in her womb wasn't his?"
Lin Yi pondered without success; the clues seemed to have run dry again, and the most crucial question remained unresolved—what was the cause of her death?
Xie Chengnan spoke up at that moment: "The key is to find out what Madam Liu ate or came into contact with besides the prescription from the clinic. That is, the third clue—" He handed Lin a stack of papers, "This morning, the Qiu family sent someone to deliver this."
Lin Yi took the four stacks of papers, unfolded them, and found that it was the prescription he had copied earlier. Attached to this were eight or nine more pages, densely packed with information on the properties of each medicine involved in the prescription, as well as possible incompatible herbs, ingredients, and methods of use.
Lin Yi's heart stirred slightly. She had seen it in Qiu's study; it was Qiu Baekje's handwriting.
The prescription she wrote involved more than twenty medicinal herbs, a number that even the Imperial Physician couldn't possibly list in detail with just a glance. Moreover, this matter involved human lives, and given the nature of the Imperial Physician Qiu, he would surely compare and consult extensively, carefully considering every detail to ensure there were no errors or omissions.
But she clearly had someone deliver the prescription just yesterday.
A strange taste suddenly rose from the back of Lin's tongue.
If only these things truly belonged to her.
If it weren't for the fact that he only possesses these things because he is now Qiu Qingye, it would be wonderful if Lin Yi could also have these things.
The emotions came on inexplicably, and Lin Yi knew that now was not the time to be sad and conflicted, so he suppressed them.
—She is Qiu Qingye. Perhaps the original owner never cherished these things, which allowed her to obtain this opportunity.
Xie Chengnan took out a pen and ink from the bottom of the food box. "Why don't you take a look and see if there's anything here that matches her death?"
Lin Yi took the paper and pen, and without thinking, copied down all the possible combinations.
Xie Chengnan watched her write.
Lin Yi had actually practiced her handwriting for a long time. She had studied calligraphy with the dean when she was young, although for a short time, but fortunately she had laid some foundation. Her simplified characters were already elegant and beautiful, and after coming here, she realized that the difference between simplified and traditional characters was the biggest weakness, so she deliberately practiced them, even practicing according to Qiu Qingye's handwriting.
However, time was too short, and the penmanship and strength that I had long been accustomed to could not be changed in a short time. I only learned the basics of traditional characters, and I let go of the differences between my handwriting and the original owner's. Going from simplified to traditional characters is already a significant increase in difficulty, so why make things harder for myself?
Moreover, Qiu Qing has never been fond of writing, so no one probably noticed these details.
But at this moment, Xie Chengnan was intently watching her write, which made her feel a little guilty.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yi asked tentatively.
"It's nothing, I just think your handwriting is very beautiful."
"...Thank you." The handwriting was beautiful, but she couldn't remember it all, which sometimes led to mistakes in the strokes of some difficult characters.
Xie Chengnan noticed it, but did not correct her.
After quickly noting it down, Lin Yi pointed to a few names and showed them to him: "This one, and this one, they're both possible."
Xie Chengnan didn't really understand these things, but he still wrote down those medicinal herbs.
After writing it down, there was nothing more to do. But he had no intention of leaving and remained sitting next to Lin Yi.
Lin looked at him, thinking he still had something to say.
Xie Chengnan simply sat beside her, silent and still. Anyone who didn't know better would think he had suddenly become immersed in the dark and damp atmosphere of the prison.
After a short while, Xie Chengnan finally spoke: "We don't have direct evidence. What we have now is not enough to overturn the case. Moreover, this only shows that Master Liu had a motive, and there are still some doubts."
"I don't think things are that simple." Xie Chengnan's voice softened, as if he didn't want her to worry, and he added, "Maybe I'm overthinking it, but in any case, you and they will be able to go home soon."
Lin Yi had no doubt about this. Regardless of the truth, as long as these doubts were presented to the prefect, the most suspicious party would no longer be the Xinglin Medical Clinic. This would make the prefectural government's investigation much easier. Judging from Yue Mingzhang's appearance, he seemed quite perceptive and would surely re-examine the case following the clues.
After Xie Chengnan left, Lin Yi continued studying the medicinal properties. The body had already been buried, and even though she had now acquired enough knowledge to solve the case, her "golden finger" (a special ability or special skill) was completely useless.
Since the opening of Xinglin Medical Clinic, she has cured many patients thanks to the pharmacopoeia index provided by the system. However, even with such a powerful tool, there are always limitations.
She suddenly realized that if she really couldn't go back to her original world, she couldn't rely too much on the system if she wanted to settle down here.
Only by truly relying on herself can she change that predetermined ending and fate.
Lin Yi never lost track of time when she was studying. She was engrossed in her study and looked up to see Xie Chengnan returning.
Lin Yi looked blankly at him and the two jailers following behind him, and noticed that Xie Chengnan's expression was somewhat strange.
"I'm taking you home. The case has been solved."
"It's broken? So fast!" Although Xie Chengnan had said they would be released soon, this was too fast. It was probably as if Xie Chengnan had just walked from the prison to the main hall of the government office.
...
Two hours ago.
As dawn broke, Yue Mingzhang summoned everyone from the Liu family for questioning.
Grandma Liu's attitude remained as firm as before, but her energy and spirit were much weaker. When asked something, she could only weakly reply with a few words, her frail eyes holding a stubborn light.
According to the servants of the Liu family, she has been arguing with her son a lot these days and is currently on a hunger strike.
As for Master Liu, for some reason, he had changed his attitude. If he had hesitated and was somewhat afraid when he spoke up for the Qiu family that day and intended not to pursue the matter, he was much colder and more hard-hearted today, showing no interest in anything asked of him.
However, in Yue Mingzhang's view, such an attitude only made him seem like he was trying to cover up his true intentions.
Everyone in the Liu household was summoned, but no useful information was obtained. The clerk of the prefectural government advised him that the matter was likely caused by the inadequate treatment at the Xinglin Medical Clinic, and that no one had done it intentionally.
Yue Mingzhang, however, always felt that he had overlooked something.
"Are all the people from the Liu family here?"
"What else can we do? Your Excellency is leaving the murderer unpunished, but the entire Liu family is here. What else do you want to interrogate?" Old Mrs. Liu was old, and Yue Mingzhang specially asked someone to bring her a soft stool. As she spoke, she tapped the stool leg with her cane.
"Who used to serve Madam Liu?"
A young maid had just raised her head, clearly wanting to say something, but was immediately silenced by a glare from Master Liu, who turned his head and lowered his head like a quail.
Yue Mingzhang walked slowly to the girl.
The tall shadow cast upon her was so great that it blocked out all the sunlight.
The shadow lasted only a moment, because Yue Mingzhang squatted down and asked in a calm voice, "Are all the people from the Liu family here?"
The little maid's body trembled even more violently.
The clerk, ever astute, urged from the side, "Speak! The master is asking you a question! You dare not lie in the slightest!"
"Reporting to...Reporting to my lord, I did not see Chun Chan."
Yue Mingzhang narrowed his eyes: "Who is Chun Chan?"
"Chun Chan has always served the Third Madam, but I didn't see her."
Since Yue Mingzhang left his seat, Master Liu, whose face had been ashen, spoke up to explain: "My wife and youngest son have passed away. She had nothing to do in the mansion, so I sent her back to her hometown."
"Are there any witnesses?" Yue Mingzhang asked.
“No one can testify, but I signed a contract with her,” said Master Liu, taking out a thin piece of paper from his sleeve. “This is Chun Chan’s handwriting.”
After reading the document, Yue Mingzhang handed it to the clerk. "Go and investigate." He then walked up to Liu, the wealthy man, and asked, "You've always carried the indenture with you?"
Master Liu trembled slightly. "I signed it this morning, and after signing it, I just casually put it away and forgot to put it away." At this moment, his attitude was no longer as tough as before.
"This morning?"
"……yes."
Yue Mingzhang used the action of turning around and walking back to his seat to cover up his cough. After drinking a cup of hot tea and catching his breath, he said, "Then they shouldn't have gone far. Send someone to chase after them."
Before the person was found, Yue Mingzhang did not announce the release of the person. The Liu family members knelt and waited in the hall, prostrating themselves on the ground, showing how great the prefect's official power was.
Yue Mingzhang frowned and scanned the room with his eyes, then suddenly sensed something was wrong.
He spoke in public, his usually clear voice now somewhat hoarse: "Lead another team to search the Liu residence, paying attention to secluded places where people could easily hide, and search carefully."
"Yes!" The head of the guards accepted the order and led his team out.
Upon hearing this, the cold sweat on Master Liu's forehead finally broke out and dripped down.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com