Chapter 44 - 43: I Won’t Let Miss Xu Suffer a Loss (4th Update)

Chapter 44: Chapter 43: I Won’t Let Miss Xu Suffer a Loss (4th Update)

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Could it be there’s something unspeakable about the cause of death?"

"No."

Chen Hu shook his head, saying, "It’s just that we don’t know how to say it, because so far, we still haven’t found the cause of death of the deceased!"

Xu Jing’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Xiao Yi.

Can’t find the cause of death? Is this a joke? So many people have died, and yet the cause of death hasn’t been found!

Xiao Yi met Xu Jing’s gaze and said, "Indeed. I reviewed past officials’ records on this case, but couldn’t find any clues regarding the cause of death. The officials before were also straightforward in their records, stating that the cause of death couldn’t be found.

And in the Western Capital case, the deceased had a special status, even the Holy Emperor was very concerned and specifically invited several well-known forensic doctors from Great Chu to conduct an autopsy, but they still couldn’t find the cause of death."

Xu Jing said, somewhat ironically, "And what about the deceased in these recent cases in Anping County? Did you only have Wu Wuzuo conduct the autopsies?"

It wasn’t that she looked down on Wu Wuzuo, but in Xu Jing’s view, Wu Wuzuo’s skills were completely inadequate.

If Wu Wuzuo were here and heard Xu Jing’s disdainful tone, his fragile heart would surely shatter.

"When I first came to Anping County, I brought forensic doctors with me. About half a month ago, those forensic doctors conducted the autopsies for that case,"

Xiao Yi said, "But those forensic doctors were transferred from other government offices. They all have their own responsibilities and can’t always assist me. After they finished the autopsies, I sent them back temporarily.

After the case three days ago, I already had people urgently call those forensic doctors back, but the nearest ones are in the Western Capital and won’t arrive until tomorrow morning at the earliest."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly and suddenly sighed, "Vice Minister Xiao, it seems I got the short end of the stick in this collaboration."

Initially, she proposed collaborating with him hoping to quickly catch the culprit and have Xiao Yi ensure her and the Cheng Brothers and Sisters’ safety before catching the culprit.

However, catching the culprit and solving cases were his responsibilities, and protecting the safety of ordinary people even more so. In this collaboration, Xu Jing could provide him with some help, but that didn’t mean she had to be deeply involved.

Xiao Yi glanced at Xu Jing, not confused by her seemingly out-of-nowhere comments, his dark eyes calm, "Is Miss Xu volunteering to help us with the autopsy?"

He didn’t really believe her earlier modest claims.

Now seeing Xu Jing show this intention, he wasn’t surprised.

"What else? You’ve said that those forensic doctors already examined the earlier bodies and didn’t find the death cause. Do you expect they’ll find it if they examine them again?"

Xu Jing’s lips pressed slightly, sneering, "If the government can’t solve the case, then I’ll have to do it myself."

The culprit was already targeting her; he dared set up a trap to provoke her, who knows what he might do next?

Xu Jing couldn’t tolerate such a significant danger lingering around her.

Chen Hu, on the side: "..."

Miss... Miss Xu, modesty, modesty...

Even if Vice Minister Xiao seems more tolerant in front of you than usual, there’s no guarantee he won’t be triggered by you...

Xiao Yi frowned slightly, his dark eyes looking deeply at Xu Jing. He seemed to chuckle softly, "I recall saying before, Miss Xu, if you’re not careful with your words and actions, you might bring trouble upon yourself."

Xu Jing gave him a sidelong glance and chuckled lightly, "Does Vice Minister Xiao think I’m not telling the truth?"

Xu Jing didn’t know why she behaved so brazenly in front of him; maybe because when they first met, he saw her at her most arrogant, so she knew there was no use in trying to hide it intentionally.

Besides, he needed her help now. He specifically came from the Capital City to this small county to investigate this case, indicating there’s a reason behind the case that requires him to solve it quickly.

Her slightly arrogant attitude was insignificant compared to solving the case, right?

Most importantly, she inexplicably felt this man, like his appearance, was upright and serious; he wouldn’t target someone over minor things.

The woman’s smile was bright, her cloud-like hair and misty locks, her fragrant cheeks and snowy skin, her eyes curved like two crescent moons, the smile not as bright as before, carrying a hint of cunning and challenging defiance in it.

No longer like a cat, but like a fox.

Xiao Yi paused slightly, looking at her intently for a moment before withdrawing his gaze, standing up, "Even if the government is incapable, it can still protect you and the Cheng Brothers and Sisters, come, let’s go to the morgue.

In this collaboration, I’ll do my best to ensure Miss Xu doesn’t suffer a loss."

If he continued arguing, he felt she might really lead him around.

Is this... a hasty retreat?

Xu Jing chuckled softly, standing up and leisurely following Xiao Yi.

Unbeknownst to her, Chen Hu on the side was so shocked he couldn’t close his mouth, his eyes suddenly filled with endless admiration.

Did he see it wrong? Miss Xu... forced Vice Minister Xiao to back down?

Tsk tsk tsk, Vice Minister Xiao shows the potential of being henpecked!

Walking behind Xiao Yi, Xu Jing asked, "Why couldn’t so many forensic doctors determine the cause of death?"

Xiao Yi glanced at her sideways, saying, "Those forensic doctors, like Miss Xu, could see at a glance that the wounds on the deceased were postmortem injuries. Apart from those wounds, there were no other potentially fatal wounds or marks on the deceased.

They also examined if the deceased died from poisoning. These were experienced forensic doctors; besides the silver needle test, they had other methods for testing.

Yet after trying every method, no poisonous substances could be detected in the deceased’s body. After Peng Shian last time, I had Wu Wuzuo replicate Miss Xu’s method on the corpse from half a month ago. Though the mice showed some discomfort after eating rice balls taken from the corpse’s throat, they didn’t die.

So I concluded that the discomfort in the mice was more due to the corpse’s gases than poison."

The corpse from half a month ago...

Now it’s July, the height of summer; in such a season, a corpse can form a giant view in just two to three days, unless stored in a refrigerator.

But obviously, in such ancient times, where are there refrigerators? Finding ice to slow down the corpse’s decay is quite remarkable!

Rice balls taken from such a corpse would be at a level worth complaining about as a workplace injury.

Even mice have their dignity!

Xu Jing silently reproached a certain man with a glance, "You’re right. Decaying corpses produce a lot of gas, commonly known as corpse gas. Inhaling them would make anyone uncomfortable, let alone mice."

She said, calling Chen Hu, who was following her, to bring some things over.

Soon, they arrived at the county government’s morgue.

The morgue wasn’t big, seemingly a small courtyard corner of the county government repurposed, with two rooms in the yard.

Before even reaching the courtyard, an unbearable sour stench wafted up to their noses, worse than a hundred rotten eggs mixed.

Even Xu Jing frowned slightly, "You’ve held the deceased’s body for half a month, and the family had no objection?"

After all, ancient customs stressed putting the deceased to rest.

Xiao Yi entered first, "Half a month ago, the deceased was a teacher at a local private school. He once passed the Scholar exam in his youth and was always dedicated to his students, quite reputable in the county.

Half a month ago, one of his students fell severely ill. The student lived outside the city, and he went to visit him during his day off. Unexpectedly, he went missing on his way back and was murdered.

His family couldn’t accept this, and they requested the county government to find the culprit and bring him to justice. For this, they’re willing to delay the burial."

He suddenly paused, turning to see Xu Jing had stopped, a flicker in his dark eyes, "What, is Miss Xu afraid?"