Chapter 157 - 156: Assisting with the Autopsy (Second Update)

Chapter 157: Chapter 156: Assisting with the Autopsy (Second Update)

Xu Jing heard this and didn’t think much of it.

In her view, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for criminal cases, and the jurisdiction differs from that of the Ministry of Justice. Xiao Yi and Zhao Liulang are on good terms, so knowing Zhao Shaohua was brought in, it’s normal for him to check on the situation. Who would have thought he’d end up getting involved too?

After all, outsiders entering must take the poison given by Mrs. Yu. Who in their right mind would take such a risk? This obviously troublesome task had to be passed on to someone else.

Yet Xiao Yi seemed too easy-going, just coming in when asked.

Zhao Shaohua, who knew the intricacies of officialdom better, looked utterly disappointed. "The people from the Ministry of Justice are clearly bullying you! Yanci, you usually seem so clever. How come you’re so foolish this time?"

Xiao Yi replied in a calm voice, "It’s no trouble. It’s just a minor task. Mrs. Yu’s request isn’t unreasonable. Besides, Changyu is very worried about you."

As he spoke the last sentence, his eyes fleetingly glanced over Xu Jing.

Zhao Shaohua was momentarily speechless, unable to voice any reproach.

Xiao Yi’s meaning was clear. Part of his reason for coming was her, and she also felt she couldn’t ignore this gesture.

The others were delighted upon seeing Xiao Yi.

Aside from Xiao Yi’s exceptional abilities, his identity as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice made everyone feel secure!

Keep in mind, their panic stemmed not only from having their lives in Mrs. Yu’s hands but also due to another reason—none of them here knew how to properly investigate a case!

Mrs. Yu’s request felt to them like asking to scratch an ear with a razor — they were amateurs! But for Xiao Yi, it was just part of his daily work!

Guo Liuyun couldn’t help but express joy, "Vice Minister Xiao, we feel at ease now that you’re here! I suddenly feel we might indeed find the real culprit who killed Zhen."

Jiang Erlang, upon seeing Xiao Yi, kept staring at him until he seemed to confirm his presence. He then vaguely smirked with a quiet "heh."

It was quite unexpected to have such a serendipitous gain on this trip.

Even Mrs. Yu hadn’t anticipated that Xiao Yi would personally come but was undoubtedly pleased with his arrival and said calmly, "Since Vice Minister Xiao is here, I’ll leave the investigation entirely in his hands. Everyone, cooperate well with him."

After speaking, she turned to Xiao Yi and said, "If you need anything in this residence, just let me know anytime."

Xiao Yi nodded with no pretense, called for a servant to bring a chair, sat down, and instructed Xu Jing and the others to return to their breakfast stools before starting to inquire about the progress of the case.

Xiao Yi didn’t need to tiptoe as Xu Jing did, and each of his questions hit the mark. Under his guidance, the group quickly relayed what they had deliberated and analyzed the previous night to Xiao Yi.

Before coming in, Xiao Yi had already thoroughly understood the case, knowing what it was like half a year ago. After listening to everyone’s account and reading the day-by-day records from Zhao Shaohua, he quickly formed some hypotheses in his mind.

No wonder they had these servants brought in.

Though Xu Jing maintained a low profile throughout, barely speaking, when recounting last night’s events, everyone frequently referenced her. Xiao Yi didn’t have to think hard to realize this group of outsiders could analyze to such an extent largely owing to someone’s covert influence.

He couldn’t help but subtly smile to himself.

He knew that in whatever circumstance, she wouldn’t let herself fall into a disadvantageous position.

Mrs. Yu, who hadn’t retreated to her room, sat listening to Xiao Yi’s inquiries. When she heard that most people suspected Wu Youbing the most, she gave Wu Youbing a chilling glare, with a clear intent to kill in her eyes that was enough to make one’s blood run cold.

Xiao Yi slightly raised an eyebrow at her, looking thoughtful.

It wasn’t hard to understand why Mrs. Yu had murderous intent towards Wu Youbing, but when most suspected him as the culprit, she showed no sign of surprise.

This was worth pondering.

After finishing his questions, Mrs. Yu saw Xiao Yi with his eyes slightly lowered as if deep in thought and couldn’t help asking, "Vice Minister Xiao, are you planning to interrogate these newly arrived servants next?"

Xiao Yi looked up at her and said, "Mrs. Yu, before the interrogation, I’d like to discuss something with you."

Mrs. Yu was slightly surprised.

However, seeing that a dedicated investigator of such rank dared to come in, Mrs. Yu felt grateful and respectful, so she nodded without hesitation, "Of course, no problem."

Seeing Xiao Yi wanted to speak privately, she led him to the small room where she usually rested.

The people left behind exchanged confused looks, unable to guess what Xiao Yi wanted to discuss with Mrs. Yu.

Xu Jing couldn’t help her heart racing, full of excitement and surprise.

She guessed what Xiao Yi wanted to do.

In about a quarter of an hour, Xiao Yi and Mrs. Yu came out. Xiao Yi’s expression was as usual, but everyone was surprised to see Mrs. Yu’s face was much darker than when she’d gone in, her brow furrowed and lips tightly pressed as if wrestling with something.

Yet, as she approached them, her expression solidified, clearly having made a decision.

Xiao Yi wasted no time and stated his intention directly, "Mrs. Yu has gone to great lengths to preserve Wang Wuniang’s body, which is immensely beneficial for the investigation. Therefore, I plan to perform an autopsy next."

An autopsy?!

So, he intended to perform an autopsy!

Conducting an autopsy is standard procedure in investigations, but where would they find a forensic doctor here?!

Could Vice Minister Xiao be planning to conduct the autopsy himself?

Not impossible, as Vice Minister Xiao, who dealt with cases for years, surely studied autopsies too!

Yet, Xiao Yi suddenly said, "Though I have some knowledge of autopsies, I’m not a professional forensic doctor. I heard there’s a doctor inadvertently tangled in this case who knows more about the human body. I hope she can assist me with the autopsy."

After finishing, his eyes, unreserved and direct, fell onto Xu Jing.

This request sounded peculiar at first but, on reflection, made sense.

Although they could summon a forensic doctor from outside, given the time it would take to go back and forth, since Vice Minister Xiao was knowledgeable about autopsies and with a doctor present, there was no need to bring an additional person in.

Zhao Shaohua quickly said, "Doctor Xu is here because of my involvement, so I must first ask if she’s willing."

Not every doctor would want to engage in the lowly and filthy task of performing an autopsy.

If Doctor Xu was unwilling, she had to adamantly respect Doctor Xu’s wishes.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Shaohua, Xu Jing was more than willing, having hoped for this for some time. With her lips slightly upturned beneath her veil, she stepped forward and said, "It was sheer luck that brought me here, presenting me with a fate with Wang Wuniang. If there’s anything I can do for her, I should embrace it unstintingly."

Mrs. Yu couldn’t help but give her a long, deep look, "Please, follow me, Vice Minister Xiao and Doctor Xu."

Then, she led them toward the waterside room.

The only one who knew Xu Jing’s true identity, Xu Ya, was incredulous, her eyes wide with disbelief, feeling that the current events were even more mysterious than the death of Wang Wuniang!