After many twists and turns
"Absurd!" The man stood up.
"Xu Lanxin, do you know what you're saying?"
"I understand, please grant my request, sir." Lan Xin immediately knelt down, her head lightly touching the ground, and did not get up.
But it depends on how that person chooses to act.
“If we were to actually perform an autopsy on you, an unmarried woman like you, your reputation would be ruined in an instant.”
Black leather official boots came into view, and a plain gold belt outlined his lean and narrow waist.
A different color appeared in that person's eyes—surprise, shock tinged with a hint of inquiry.
Lan Xin was not afraid of his probing. She looked up at him and their eyes met.
He uttered each word clearly.
"My lord, I believe that life is more important than innocence, which is something that cannot be seen or touched. If I were to die unjustly and without a clear explanation, would you be at peace with yourself?"
"If you are afraid that I will falsify the documents, you may arrange for a coroner and yamen runners to be present."
The man turned around and sat back down at the desk, looking at her for a long while.
"Take her down to examine the body, and have a coroner and constables guard her."
Lanxin bowed gratefully.
The plaintiff next to her was not having it, wailing like he was in mourning. Lan Xin glanced at him, but rarely paid him any attention, and followed the yamen runners downstairs.
She knew he could definitely handle it.
Lan Xin once again stepped calmly and composedly into the courtroom, accompanied by majestic music.
The maid who was testifying glanced at her, then looked down at the ground. She took in all the details of the scene in the courtroom, including the woman's determined attempt to pounce on her.
The people outside the hall had vanished; it turned out this man wasn't bad at all.
“My lord, I have obtained the test results,” Lanxin stepped forward and bowed.
"Before the results are announced, may I ask a few questions?"
"allow"
She glanced at the maid whose eyes flickered slightly, and although it was only for a moment, she still caught it.
Lanxin walked up to her.
"Xiao Cui, let me ask you, when did you arrive at the crime scene?"
"戌时"
Was I holding the knife upright or backwards at the time?
Seeing her blank expression, Lanxin understood.
He walked quickly to the man's desk and took one of his calligraphy brushes.
The guard next to him said something insolent and tried to stop him, but he stopped him with one hand.
Lanxin nodded to express her gratitude.
He turned around and stood in front of the desk, using a brush to indicate the direction to hold the knife.
"The young lady was holding the knife backwards at the time."
"Was there any blood on me at the time of the incident?"
"Miss, you have all the clothes in your hands."
"Is it on your face?" Lan Xin quickly asked.
"It seems not."
"It either exists or it doesn't. What do you mean by 'seems like'? Does it actually exist?"
"No, no," the maid replied hastily.
Lan Xin sneered inwardly, thinking, "Such cowardice."
"Manager Li, you said I went to your shop to buy a knife five days ago. What color and style of clothes was I wearing? Did I wear a veil?"
What did they say to you? Besides me and my maid, are there any other customers in the shop?
What did I do that made a lasting impression on you and made you remember me?
A barrage of questions caused his hands to clench repeatedly in disarray.
Lan Xin continued to step forward: "How did you find out about this murder case? Why did you come to testify so early the next morning? And how could you so coincidentally know that it was your family that sold the knife that caused the murder?"
The shopkeeper, flustered and bewildered, could only prostrate himself before the man and stammer, "My lord, everything I have said is true. I would never dare to speak falsely! Please, sir, see the truth."
"Bang!" The man slammed his gavel.
“Answer her question.”
"My lord, it's been too long, no, I don't quite remember. Well, I just happened to be passing by and saw them conducting a trial. No one notified me to come."
Lan Xin chuckled mockingly. This acting was really clumsy; it wasn't even as good as what she saw on TV.
Two sheets of paper covered in writing were held high in front of her.
"Sir, this is the autopsy report."
"This report was written down by the yamen runners based on my oral account, and the coroner was present to testify that it was false."
"Based on the fatal wound on the body, Niu Da was killed by a single stab wound on his left chest, with the blade pointing downwards. The fatal wound was a puncture of the aorta, causing him to bleed to death."
"If the aorta is damaged, blood will gush out."
“Apart from my back, the hem of my clothes and my hands, there was no blood on my face despite the close-range assassination.”
"Based on Niu Da's height, the angle of the knife wound, and the location of the spray as described by the constables at the crime scene, the murderer's height was estimated to be approximately six feet five inches."
"May I ask, sir, do you think I am six feet five inches tall?"
Lan Xin covered her head with her palm, gesturing self-deprecatingly.
"Where is the coroner? Is Xu Lanxin's examination result accurate?"
"Reporting to you, sir, I am ashamed. This autopsy is far beyond what a young lady can do. Your knowledge far surpasses that of a lady."
However, we found constables of different heights and had them demonstrate the procedure several times as Miss Xu described. The results matched Miss Xu's account: the murderer was over 6 feet tall.
"Sir, can you prove my innocence?"
Lan Xin stepped forward, looking at him with a mixture of seeking praise and anticipation.
The man's lips curled slightly, a very subtle movement, which she unfortunately caught.
He was decisive, immediately slamming his gavel: "After examination by the coroner, the witness testimonies are insufficient, and Xu Lanxin is innocent."
"Furthermore, the maid Xiao Cui and the blacksmith shop owner Li are suspected of giving false testimony and will be detained! Court adjourned!"
With a resounding thud of the gavel, this farcical lawsuit came to an end.
Outside the Dali Temple gate, the sun was almost directly overhead.
The temperature was scorching, and the heat penetrated the skin, dispelling the chill of the night. Only then did Lanxin feel completely relaxed.
"Girl, girl."
The urgent calls forced Lanxin, who was stretching her arms, to look in the direction of the sound.
A girl dressed in lake green ran through the crowd, took her hand, and smiled sweetly.
"Young lady, are you alright?"
"I begged you, madam, sob sob."
Before she could say two words, large, pearly tears started falling from her eyes, and she started crying.
Lan Xin was stunned for a moment. Whose fault was this whining?
I'm afraid if I ask, I'll be found to be inconsistent with the original person. Feudal superstition is unacceptable.
"Don't cry, I'm fine!"
Feeling a pang of pity, Lanxin used her sleeve to wipe her wound.
"Let's go back!"
The streets were bustling with activity, lined with shops on both sides, with vendors shouting loudly from their stalls, and people dressed in traditional clothing moving among them.
The hem of her dress was being tugged by a 4.5-year-old girl with two buns in her hair, carrying a flower basket, looking up with her big, bright eyes.
"Sister, let's buy a flower."
Lanxin took the little hand that was tugging at her skirt and squatted down.
"Little baby, you're so cute!"
Not content with just words, she was so charmed by the little girl that she even reached out and pinched her cheek.
A figure in crimson flashed by, caught in the corner of her eye. Lan Xin stood up and met her gaze.
After nodding in acknowledgment, the maidservant beside him took some silver and handed it to the little girl, then whispered a few words in her ear.
The little girl ran over and timidly tugged at the man's clothes. Faced with the adorable creature, the dignified adult in the hall was somewhat at a loss for words.
Seeing him in a daze, the little girl simply threw the flower basket into his hand and ran away.
I suddenly find him really cute, why is that?
Lan Xin silently mouthed "thank you," then turned and went home with her maid.
The house faces north and has very poor lighting; even the midday sun cannot penetrate it, and the interior is very damp.
This room was different from the one she had entered; it was quite simple, with a table and chairs, a single bed with a coarse cloth curtain, and a wardrobe, but the door was drooping as if it pitied her.
According to Xiaoxi, the maid who accompanied her, this was the temporary accommodation arranged by the madam.
Oh right, that glamorous woman that night wasn't this body's mother. Her own mother passed away early, and her father outwardly observed three years of mourning before remarrying, but the younger sister, whom she called the second young lady, was the same age as her.
If you say there's nothing fishy going on, who would believe you?
She saw her stepmother's naive and hypocritical performance that night very clearly.
Hiding behind the white lotus flower, the cheap younger sister, who looked heartbroken, had a smug look in her eyes that could be seen from a distance. This matter was probably related to her.
The original owner of this body was probably a model woman under the ancient precepts for women, humble and obedient.
She cannot be too different from the original owner yet.
While she was in a daze, she heard Xiao Xi calling her name.
"Miss, Miss, wake up! The master has sent someone to tell you to come to Yilan Garden."
The room had darkened; it seemed to be evening, and Father had come home from work.
The last rays of the setting sun fell on the green tiles, and a few bare goldenrain trees in the courtyard, with only a few leaves clinging to their branches, swayed in the summer evening breeze.
After passing through the lakeside corridor and several moon gates, we finally arrived at Yilan Garden.
Yilan Garden, the residence of Bai Lian's stepmother Feng Wanqing, is nothing short of a paradise compared to her dilapidated little courtyard.
The various precious orchids in the courtyard were dyed amber by the sunset, and the air was filled with a delicate and sweet fragrance.
The landscaping is exquisite, and it's clear that it's maintained by professionals.
The laughter of the group stopped abruptly as she stepped through the door.
The warmth of the moment was gone, and everyone wore different expressions.
The teacup slammed hard against the table with a 'thud'.
"After doing such a disgraceful thing, how dare you come back?"
The father looked furious, while the stepmother beside him smiled and took a few graceful steps to stand next to Lanxin, seemingly affectionately taking her arm and pulling her forward.
“My lord, since the eldest sister has returned home safely, please forgive her.” After saying that, she released her wrist, walked to Xu Yingshan’s side, and tugged at his sleeve.
“The eldest sister is usually well-behaved and proper. Even if she makes a mistake, it is only a minor one. This secret affair must have been caused by that scoundrel who seduced her.”
Considering she is young and this is her first offense, and she is approaching marriageable age, it's understandable that her heart might be stirred by romantic feelings. My lord, please forgive her this time.
The act of covering her mouth and shaking her sleeve made Lan Xin feel nauseous.
Thank you so much, auntie. Can you please stop putting on a show?
Indeed, those who are pampered are fearless, while those who are not loved live on thin ice.
Lan Xin pinched herself secretly, forcing out tears, and knelt down.
“Father, I am always very careful at home. As the eldest daughter, I am always careful in my words and deeds to set an example for my younger siblings. How could I do such a despicable thing?”
A yellow figure strode over and knelt down beside her.
"Father, please forgive my sister. She didn't mean it. I'm willing to take the punishment for her."
"Get up. She made a mistake; why should you kneel?"
Xu Yingshan pointed at Lanxin: "Tonight you will kneel in the ancestral hall, and tomorrow you will go to Miaoyue Nunnery to calm your mind and recite scriptures for half a year. After you return, your mother will choose a husband for you."
You two white lotuses, just you wait, I'll deal with you when I get back!
Saying more now is pointless; the more you say, the more mistakes you'll make.
"Yes, Father."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com