The Powerful and Favored Coroner Imperial Concubine

Chapter 84 : Visiting the Prison, a Major Reversal!

84: Visiting the Prison, a Major Reversal!

"Wow! The murderer's been caught!" Fuling exclaimed in a hushed, delighted voice. Seeing Qin Wan's deeply somber expression, she asked, "What's wrong, Young Miss? Shouldn't we be happy that the Wei family's eldest young master has been captured?"

Qin Wan clutched the letter tightly, slowly turning and walking towards the main room, her brow furrowing deeply with each step.

After a few paces, she suddenly stopped. "No. This won't do."

Fuling looked at Qin Wan with concern. "What is it, Young Miss? What won't do?"

Qin Wan shook her head, a resolute look forming between her brows. "Go. Go instruct the gatekeepers to prepare a carriage."

Fuling was startled. "Young Miss is going out?"

Qin Wan nodded. "Yes, I need to go out. Quickly."

Fuling, cowed by Qin Wan's stern demeanor, nodded and ran out. Meanwhile, Wantao had already carried the charcoal brazier out from the Orchid Nursery, locked the courtyard gate, and was standing at a respectful distance, looking somewhat in awe. Qin Wan had no mind to pay her any attention at the moment; she just read the letter once more.

Soon, Fuling returned. "Young Miss, it's been arranged. Are we leaving now?"

Qin Wan nodded and, without even entering the room, headed back out the courtyard gate.

Exiting the courtyard, Qin Wan went straight to the western side gate. At the entrance, a carriage was indeed waiting.

Qin Wan paused briefly in thought. "We'll drive it ourselves."

Fuling's eyes darted. After these past few days, she had grown considerably more perceptive and naturally understood Qin Wan's meaning. "Alright, this servant will drive. I just won't be as steady as Guard Bai."

Qin Wan glanced at Fuling's slight frame. Though somewhat uneasy, she could only nod in agreement for now.

The carriage was an ordinary lacquered one, still looking quite new from the outside. Qin Wan got in, and Fuling took her seat on the driver's perch. "Young Miss, please hold on tight. This servant has driven a carriage before, but it's been a long time, my hands are out of practice..."

"Just go slowly," Qin Wan said. "To the prefectural yamen."

Fuling was taken aback, not having expected Qin Wan to go to the yamen. She thought for a moment, then flicked the reins.

"This servant knows where the yamen is!"

The carriage started moving slowly. It was indeed not as steady as when Bai Feng drove, and the speed was much slower. However, that meant little to Qin Wan. Inside the carriage, her expression was profoundly dark.

Wei Qizhi had been captured. Yet, today's visit to the marquis's estate had only deepened the sense of strangeness in her heart.

Wei Yanzhi's illness, the filth on the iron clamp... everything had unfolded as anticipated, yet Qin Wan still felt something was off.

Fuling put all her effort into driving. Having learned how to drive a carriage in the past, she managed to regain some proficiency after a bumpy first half of the journey. However, her strength was ultimately limited, and the carriage moved far slower than when Bai Feng drove. But with Qin Wan inside, she dared not speed.

Thus, proceeding at this leisurely pace, they eventually arrived before the yamen.

"Young Miss, we're here. What are we doing here?"

Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain. "Go and speak to the yamen constable on duty. Say you've come to find Coroner Xu, and that we're from the marquis's estate."

Fuling nodded, straightened her appearance, and went.

Qin Wan waited quietly inside the carriage. It wasn't that she wanted to borrow the marquis's name, but this was, after all, the prefectural yamen. Without mentioning the marquis's estate, they likely wouldn't be able to see Xu He quickly.

Fuling went quickly and returned just as fast. "Young Miss, that constable brother went in to find Coroner Xu. He asked us to wait a moment. Young Miss, was there something wrong with that letter? Why were you so anxious to come see Coroner Xu?"

It was a natural question for Fuling to ask. Qin Wan thought for a moment and said, "There are still some doubts in my mind regarding this case. Although Young Master Wei has been captured now, it's still too early to conclude he is definitely the murderer."

Fuling's eyes widened. "What? Could Young Master Wei not be the murderer?"

Qin Wan neither nodded nor shook her head. "It's too soon to say."

Fuling pursed her lips and said no more. Since the incident at the lake, the changes in her young miss had grown more and more pronounced. By now, she could scarcely imagine what her young miss might be thinking. So perhaps it was best not to ask further.

A short while later, Xu He strode out from the yamen gates.

Seeing Fuling, Xu He knew it was Qin Wan who had come. He jogged over. "Why has Ninth Young Miss come?"

He bowed towards the carriage compartment, then stepped closer. "Did Ninth Young Miss see the letter?"

Qin Wan had already lifted the curtain of the carriage window. She nodded. "I saw the letter. That's precisely why I came." As she spoke, she glanced towards the yamen's main entrance. "Under what circumstances was the Wei family's eldest young master captured?"

At this question, Xu He's eyes lit up. "It was exactly as Ninth Young Miss said. Yesterday, this lowly one went to the mortuary with the prefect. We didn't actually examine the body, just pretended to linger for a moment before leaving. At the time, we didn't notice anyone following us. But just a short while ago, when this lowly one left the yamen and went to that noodle stall by the street with my case, the same place as the other day. Sure enough, someone tried to snatch it! Constable Lin, whom the prefect had assigned to follow me, apprehended the man immediately."

Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. "Was his leg injured?"

Xu He nodded. "Exactly. His left calf is broken, and it's still bandaged. Although he's a trained fighter, he was no match for the number of men Constable Lin brought. They subdued him instantly. He's in the prison now. The prefect is interrogating him!"

He paused, looking at Qin Wan. "Did Ninth Young Miss come to the yamen just to learn this?"

Qin Wan's gaze was deep and thoughtful. She looked at Xu He but didn't know how to voice her thoughts. After a moment of silence, she asked, "If Young Master Wei refuses to confess, does the prefect intend to use torture? Also, did he come alone, or did he bring people with him?"

Xu He considered this. "Normally, severe torture wouldn't be used. However, this is a murder case, and a critical one at that. If... if Young Master Wei refuses to cooperate, I'm afraid torture might be employed. This lowly one doesn't know yet if he came alone or with others. But from his appearance, he looked utterly haggard, his robes seemingly unchanged for days. Most likely, even if he brought people, it wasn't many. The prefect is interrogating him now. We'll have to wait for the prefect to finish to learn more."

Qin Wan knew the yamen's procedures. For such a critical case, naturally, no outsiders would be allowed during the interrogation.

Qin Wan nodded. Xu He suddenly hesitated, then asked, "Does Ninth Young Miss have some thoughts that are inconvenient to voice? Does Ninth Young Miss perhaps still have doubts about this case?"

Qin Wan did trust Xu He. "There are indeed some unresolved questions. But we can wait until after the prefect's interrogation. Though the man is captured, concluding the case won't happen in an instant. We can discuss it later."

Xu He nodded. "Once the interrogation is complete, the prefect will certainly inform the marquis's estate and Ninth Young Miss of all the statements."

Qin Wan nodded again. "Very well, that's all for now. You may go about your duties."

Xu He cupped his hands in a bow and turned to leave.

Fuling watched Xu He depart, then looked back at Qin Wan with confusion. "Young Miss, where do we go now?"

Qin Wan lowered her gaze, her entire person shrouded in a heavy, despondent gloom. She murmured, "Back to the manor."

Fuling acknowledged and drove the carriage back to the Qin residence at a leisurely pace.

Inside the carriage, Qin Wan's face bore a trace of dejection. She herself couldn't clearly articulate why she had rushed over in such haste. Wei Qizhi had just been captured; his statements weren't out yet. Yet she had a vague feeling she was missing something, though she couldn't pinpoint what. For now, she had no direction. With Wei Qizhi's confession still pending, she had no choice but to wait.

Although this case had nothing to do with her personally, many of the clues from the autopsy had been provided by her. It was her clues that had pointed the finger at Wei Qizhi. With unresolved doubts, she felt uneasy. Moreover, her father had never handled a wrongful case in his career; she likewise did not wish for any injustice in a case she had been involved with. If it wasn't Wei Qizhi, then who could it be?

Qin Wan pondered this the entire journey back. When the carriage returned to the Qin manor, even the gatekeepers were surprised.

Qin Wan had left in a hurry and returned just as quickly. She had departed looking anxious but came back somewhat listless. Qin Wan's status was different now. When she entered the gate, several gatekeepers didn't dare breathe too loudly.

Entering the manor, she went straight back to Tinglan Pavilion. The servants in the courtyard, including Wantao, hadn't expected Qin Wan to return so soon either. Qin Wan entered the main rooms and went directly to her small study. She ground ink and began practicing calligraphy, not uttering a word. Seeing this, Fuling didn't dare ask more questions, merely prepared tea and stood by attentively.

Whenever Qin Wan was troubled, she would practice calligraphy. Only then could her mind settle. She had gone to the marquis's estate in the morning and returned close to afternoon, then went out again. The day was already late. By the time she finished her practice, night had fallen outside.

"Young Miss, it's dark already. You should have your evening meal first."

Fuling's voice was concerned. Qin Wan thought for a moment and put down her brush.

The evening meal was also simple. As Fuling served the dishes, she said, "What's troubling you, Young Miss? I've never seen you practice calligraphy for so long."

Qin Wan finished eating slowly and deliberately before speaking. "There are still many puzzling aspects to this case that I can't figure out for the moment. For now, we can only wait until tomorrow to see if we can obtain Young Master Wei's confession."

"But Young Master Wei said the one who had an affair with Miss Song was the Wei family's eldest young master, and only he is left-handed," Fuling said after thinking carefully, looking at Qin Wan with confusion.

Qin Wan rinsed her mouth and walked to the warm chamber. "What if Young Master Wei lied?"

Fuling was astonished. "Young Master Wei lied? He didn't... seem the type..."

Qin Wan sat down and casually picked up a book. "There are a thousand types of people in this world. One type is exceptionally skilled at concealment and pretense. Even when lying, others cannot detect it. Of course, I'm just giving an example. This case still has variables. Unless Young Master Wei confesses to all the details... At the moment, what I cannot figure out doesn't mean others cannot. Perhaps he employed a very clever method."

"As for what you said about left-handedness..." As Qin Wan spoke, Yan Chi's figure suddenly flashed in her mind. "There are indeed people in this world who can use both hands with equal skill. Such individuals tend to be more intelligent than ordinary people. It's possible that among the Song family's escort guards, there was someone who usually uses their right hand but is actually ambidextrous, and then used their left hand during the crime to conceal this."

Fuling listened, her heart pounding. "Hearing you say that, Young Miss, this servant suddenly feels anyone around could be a villain."

Qin Wan neither affirmed nor denied this. "That possibility inherently exists. However, one must still believe there are more good people in the world."

Fuling nodded. Qin Wan handed her a booklet. "Study the medicinal herbs listed here first. You might already recognize some. You must memorize the properties and characteristics of these herbs."

Fuling's eyes lit up. She knew Qin Wan was going to start teaching her!

...

...

With matters weighing on her mind, Qin Wan slept rather fitfully that night. The next morning, she rose early as usual and took a walk in the courtyard. She was just about to have breakfast and then go to the marquis's estate, but halfway through her meal, Yue Ning arrived at her door!

"You haven't even finished breakfast yet? Do you know Wei Qizhi has been captured?"

Yue Ning had visited twice before and was now quite familiar with Qin Wan's small courtyard. Moreover, her relationship with Qin Wan had grown very close, so she sat down casually, accepted the tea Fuling offered, and asked Qin Wan.

Qin Wan nodded. "I know. Coroner Xu informed me."

Yue Ning nodded. "I only learned of this last night. Knowing you'd also be curious about how Wei Qizhi killed Song Rou, I came to find you first thing. Let's go to the yamen and see!"

Qin Wan put down her bowl and chopsticks, wiping the corners of her mouth. "Go to the yamen?"

Yue Ning affirmed. "Yes, to the yamen. The news came last night, saying Wei Qizhi hasn't given a full confession yet. If we go today, we're sure to hear the crucial parts."

Qin Wan blinked. Although the prefectural yamen was an important government office, Yue Ning, with her status as a Princess, would have no difficulty entering... Indeed, having status made things easier!

Qin Wan originally wanted to know the details. Given her own status, it wasn't appropriate for her to go inside the yamen, and she hadn't considered it. But with Yue Ning coming to her door, she was naturally willing to go with her. A thought struck her, and Qin Wan felt a surge of agitation. She immediately went to change her clothes and left with Yue Ning. As they walked, she added, "It seems there were problems during the interrogation."

Yue Ning glanced at her. "Hmm? Why do you say that?"

Qin Wan said seriously, "Wei Qizhi was captured yesterday afternoon. From yesterday afternoon until evening, there were two shichen. If Wei Qizhi had confessed, the news the marquis's estate received last night wouldn't have been like that."

"So, Wei Qizhi must be stubbornly refusing to admit guilt?" Yue Ning's tone was questioning yet carried a note of certainty.

Qin Wan shook her head. "We don't know yet. Let's go and see."

The two went out. Yue Ning had come in the marquis's estate carriage, so Qin Wan naturally rode with her to the yamen. As the carriage started moving, Yue Ning said, "You had many doubts before. I thought about it after returning, and indeed, it's hard to explain. For instance, him pretending to be a ghost to scare you. With the marquis's estate heavily guarded, how did he get in? And how did he get Song Rou's wedding dress!"

Yue Ning sighed. "I'm afraid only he can tell us these things."

Qin Wan didn't respond. There was another possibility: the one who pretended to be a ghost to scare her wasn't Wei Qizhi at all...

This time, the driver was from the marquis's estate, so the speed was naturally faster than when Fuling drove. Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the yamen. Yue Ning and Qin Wan alighted one after the other. Yue Ning strode towards the yamen entrance. At the gate, the constables on duty stepped forward and raised a hand to stop Yue Ning and Qin Wan. Lüqi, who followed Yue Ning, frowned. "You dare stop the Princess of Anyang Marquis's household?"

The constables were taken aback, exchanged glances, and quickly lowered their hands. They knelt and bowed in succession. One of them said, "Please wait a moment, Princess. This lowly one will go in and inform the prefect immediately!"

Yue Ning nodded with an "mm." In front of unfamiliar people, Yue Ning was unsmiling and aloof, exuding the imposing aura of a high-ranking Princess. Watching from behind, Qin Wan couldn't help but curl her lips slightly.

Soon, Huo Huaixin strode out to greet them. "I was unaware of the Princess's esteemed visit. Huo has failed to welcome you properly..."

Although Yue Ning was a junior, her status demanded respect, which Huo Huaixin had to show.

Yue Ning showed some respect towards Huo Huaixin. "I apologize for disturbing you, Prefect. I heard you have captured the Wei family's eldest young master. I brought Ninth Young Miss today because we wish to hear how far the case has progressed. This case concerns the marquis's estate, and Ninth Young Miss has contributed greatly to it. I trust you won't mind?"

Huo Huaixin had been up most of the night. His face was stubbled, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. Hearing this, he dared not say much. Moreover, given the current situation, Qin Wan's presence might actually be beneficial. Huo Huaixin laughed heartily and gestured to the side. "Naturally, naturally. Princess, please come in. Ninth Young Miss, please as well."

Entering the yamen gates, Huo Huaixin led Yue Ning and Qin Wan along a side corridor. As they walked, he said with a bitter smile, "Even if the Princess hadn't come, I was about to send someone to the marquis's estate. I thought once we caught Wei Qizhi, this case would be clear and straightforward. But... who could have guessed this Wei Qizhi would be so stubborn!"

Huo Huaixin let out a long sigh. "I interrogated him for half the night yesterday and couldn't get a single useful word out of him!"

Yue Ning frowned. Qin Wan's eyes darkened even more profoundly. "Prefect, what did Wei Qizhi say?"

As they spoke, the group passed the main hall and entered the inner offices behind it. Outside the door of a reception side room, Huo Huaixin stopped. "The Princess and Ninth Young Miss are of noble stature. There's no need to visit the prison cells. The case statements and records can be brought here momentarily. Please, rest here for a moment."

Yue Ning and Qin Wan nodded. Once inside, Huo Huaixin continued, "That Wei Qizhi says he did indeed follow Song Rou to Jinzhou. However, because he was injured, he also traveled by carriage, not much faster than Song Rou's party. Moreover, he departed three days later than Song Rou. Despite hurrying, he couldn't catch up. When they reached Ten Li Temple, Song Rou's party was indeed there too. But he claims he did not go to see Song Rou."

Huo Huaixin scoffed. "Does the Princess and Ninth Young Miss believe that? He thinks this statement clears him of suspicion, but it actually reveals a major flaw. He was at Ten Li Temple at the same time. Who else could have committed the murder besides him?"

Qin Wan frowned. "Then what weapon did he use? And where did he hide Song Rou's head?"

Huo Huaixin smiled wryly. "Naturally, we couldn't get that out of him. I haven't figured it out either. He came with only one servant named Wu Shu. They entered Jinzhou a day later. They learned of Song Rou's murder even before reaching Jinzhou. After arriving, they stayed at the Fulai Inn in the eastern part of the city. That Wu Shu has also been apprehended, and he likewise says nothing. We searched the inn but found nothing. I suspect they must have disposed of all evidence before entering Jinzhou city."

Yue Ning quickly asked, "What about pretending to be a ghost to enter the marquis's estate and scare people? And setting the mortuary on fire?"

Huo Huaixin shook his head. "He admits to nothing! We used torture late last night, and he still wouldn't admit it."

No wonder Huo Huaixin didn't want them going to the prison. Besides the prison being unsuitable for them, he probably also didn't want them to see Wei Qizhi's condition after torture. Qin Wan knew that in yamen interrogations, various methods were typically employed. Her father disliked using severe torture to extract confessions, but when dealing with particularly vicious criminals, sometimes violence had to be met with violence.

"Did he say why, since they came to Jinzhou, they didn't go find Wei Yanzhi?"

Qin Wan's tone was cold and solemn. Hearing her question, Huo Huaixin's spirits inexplicably lifted. "He did. He said he didn't go because he was afraid of damaging Song Rou's reputation. I questioned him based on what Wei Yanzhi said about that incident. He admitted it. And, he was indeed left-handed in the past. Now he can use both hands. Also, his leg... it really was broken by Duke Song and his maternal uncle..."

Qin Wan's brow immediately furrowed tightly. "Then did he explain his purpose in coming to Jinzhou this time?"

Huo Huaixin also frowned, unconsciously stroking his chin. "This point also puzzles me greatly. He said he followed just to see what kind of family Song Rou was marrying into, whether they would mistreat her. He also said he truly wanted to see Song Rou but had no opportunity. The escort guards for the bridal procession were too numerous. As the bride, Song Rou was protected in the very center. He had no way."

"Those are obviously lies. If he couldn't even see her, then killing her and taking her head would be even more impossible," Yue Ning said, crossing her arms. "This Wei Qizhi is a trained fighter. His mental fortitude must be stronger than an ordinary person's. Prefect, you'll likely have to expend considerable effort. However, relying solely on torture always carries a sense of forcing a confession."

Huo Huaixin sighed twice in succession. "Yes. But he has no witnesses. That Wu Shu is his servant, so of course he'll speak in his master's defense. Wu Shu's testimony cannot be trusted."

Qin Wan thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Prefect, could you allow us to see Wei Qizhi and Wu Shu?"

Huo Huaixin's lips twitched. "Ahem, Ninth Young Miss, the prison is a filthy place. How could I let two delicate young ladies like yourselves go in there? If the marquis were to hold me accountable, I couldn't bear the responsibility..."

Qin Wan frowned and looked at Yue Ning. Receiving Qin Wan's gaze, Yue Ning immediately lifted her chin. "Is my father the type to confuse right and wrong? I am the one who wants to go in; it has nothing to do with you, Prefect. You're merely worried we'll see Wei Qizhi after torture. But I've practiced martial arts since childhood and understand yamen procedures. I certainly won't speak ill of you for it."

Huo Huaixin wore an awkward, embarrassed smile. Just then, Xu He walked in carrying a volume of case records. "Sir, the records you requested have been brought!"

Huo Huaixin sighed inwardly. "Hold onto them for now. The Princess and Ninth Young Miss wish to see the prison."

Xu He was startled. "The prison, that place..."

He stopped mid-sentence. Yue Ning was forthright by nature, and Qin Wan wasn't even afraid of autopsies; would she fear the filth and blood of a prison?

Xu He stepped aside with a gesture. "Princess, Ninth Young Miss, this way, please."

Huo Huaixin also said, "If the Princess and Ninth Young Miss wish to see, then please do. This way..."

Qin Wan and Yue Ning stood and followed them out.

Huo Huaixin and Xu He led the way. Behind them, Yue Ning tilted her head and asked Qin Wan quietly, "Why suddenly want to see the prison? Interrogating prisoners is their expertise. We probably can't help much."

Now that torture had already been used on Wei Qizhi, were the two of them really going to watch them torture someone?

Qin Wan shook her head slightly. "We'll know once we see."

A person with strong mental fortitude who has committed a crime, knowing that confessing means certain death, might indeed withstand severe torture and stubbornly refuse to admit guilt. But what if Wei Qizhi wasn't lying?

Qin Wan didn't know the scene inside the prison, so she wanted to see for herself.

Following the side room deeper into the yamen, they soon arrived at a dimly lit corridor. A constable hurried forward from the distance. Seeing Huo Huaixin leading two young women, he was momentarily stunned. Huo Huaixin waved his hand. "Have the men inside make themselves scarce."

With this order, the constable understood that Yue Ning and Qin Wan were persons of status and immediately turned back.

By the time Qin Wan and Yue Ning reached the prison entrance, not a single constable was in sight.

The Jinzhou Prefectural Yamen's prison was naturally more secure and solid than an ordinary county jail. The cells were underground. Yue Ning and the others descended along a sloping corridor. Before long, they saw the interior of the prison. As Huo Huaixin had said, it was indeed somewhat unsuitable for the two of them. Yue Ning covered her nose and mouth. Turning her head, she saw Qin Wan strolling along as calmly as if she were in her own backyard.

Turning left at a fork, they soon arrived at a windowless interrogation room.

Lamps were lit in the four corners of the dark room. Against the far wall stood a large wooden frame. At that moment, a shirtless man was hanging from the frame. The man's bare upper body was covered with livid whip marks. Below his left shoulder was a distinct square scar, clearly from a burn. The man hung his head low, seemingly having fainted. Disheveled black hair obscured his face, but the partially visible features vaguely reminded Qin Wan of Wei Yanzhi. The two brothers actually shared about a thirty percent resemblance...

Huo Huaixin coughed uncomfortably. "We didn't use the most severe torture. But he couldn't withstand it and passed out."

Yue Ning frowned. "Using torture is your affair. We won't interfere."

Huo Huaixin breathed a sigh of relief. If the two young ladies couldn't stomach the scene and later accused him of extracting confessions by torture, it would be unfortunate. Fortunately, these two were quite sensible.

Qin Wan observed Wei Qizhi's injuries. While not subjected to the most extreme torture, the whip marks alone numbered in the dozens if not hundreds. Such prolonged pain and torment could wear down a person's willpower tremendously. When a person's spirit is alert, they might have sufficient defenses to avoid revealing the truth. But when worn down by pain and exhaustion to the point of delirium, they are highly likely to say whatever is asked, or at the very least reveal flaws, even if not the whole truth.

Was Wei Qizhi's mental fortitude truly formidable to a terrifying degree? Or was it that he truly hadn't killed Song Rou?

Her gaze dropped to Wei Qizhi's leg. Even unconscious, his left leg was bent at an awkward angle. If Qin Wan guessed correctly, Huo Huaixin had probably targeted his leg injury during the torture.

Qin Wan examined carefully. Seeing she was only looking and not doing anything else, Huo Huaixin said with a forced chuckle, "This place reeks and is truly unsuitable for the Princess and Ninth Young Miss to linger. Once you've seen enough, let's go out."

Qin Wan naturally didn't truly intend to interrogate Wei Qizhi herself. This was, after all, official yamen business. Her coming here was already overstepping. Qin Wan nodded. Seeing her attitude, Yue Ning also gave an "mm" of agreement.

Huo Huaixin sighed in relief. But at that moment, the unconscious Wei Qizhi suddenly stirred.

His lowered head lifted slightly. His eyes were half-open, and he mumbled something.

Qin Wan immediately stepped forward slowly. Seeing this, Yue Ning also leaned closer.

"No... I didn't kill her..."

"I didn't... It wasn't me..."

Yue Ning frowned. "Hey, if you say you didn't kill her, then where were you that night at Ten Li Temple? Find a witness. Your servant's word doesn't count..."

Yue Ning threw in a question, but unexpectedly, Wei Qizhi fell silent again.

Yue Ning bent to look at him. "Hey, Wei Qizhi?"

Qin Wan pulled Yue Ning back. "No need to ask. He hasn't woken up. He was just talking unconsciously in his dream."

Yue Ning uttered an "oh," inevitably somewhat disappointed. However, a deep pensiveness appeared in Qin Wan's eyes. She tugged Yue Ning's sleeve, and they walked towards the door together. Only then did Huo Huaixin truly relax. "He's been saying that all along. It's not credible..."

Qin Wan paused. "Words spoken unconsciously are more credible than those spoken consciously."

Huo Huaixin blinked. Qin Wan said no more, released Yue Ning, and walked straight out the door.

"In... justice... Injustice..."

Qin Wan had already taken two steps out, but a weak, strained cry came from the narrow prison corridor.

Qin Wan stopped and turned towards the source of the sound.

Huo Huaixin looked somewhat embarrassed. "Haha, Ninth Young Miss, pay it no mind. In prisons, many cry injustice..."

Yue Ning raised an eyebrow. "Someone cries injustice. Could it be you've wronged someone, Prefect Huo?"

Huo Huaixin smiled bitterly repeatedly. "Certainly not, Princess misunderstands. The one crying injustice is Wei Qizhi's servant. He's been crying out for a long time. His words carry no weight..."

Hearing this, Yue Ning's interest was piqued first. "I'll go take a look."

"Injustice... It's unjust..."

Yue Ning followed the sound about a dozen steps deeper into the prison. Before long, she saw, in a cell on the left, a young man in tattered clothes, disheveled hair, leaning against the prison bars, weakly crying injustice.

His robes were torn by whip lashes, and his face bore bruises. It was clear Huo Huaixin had also tortured him. He appeared to be around the same age as Wei Qizhi, in his early to mid-twenties. His injuries weren't as severe as Wei Qizhi's, and since he wasn't strung up on a frame, he had a chance to catch his breath. Not only had he not fainted like Wei Qizhi, but he could also cry out.

Qin Wan followed from behind and stared at him for a moment. Her gaze shifted and landed on another robe in a corner of the cell. That robe was also covered in bloodstains, but Qin Wan clearly saw that the robe was originally a pale blue color, exactly the same shade as the robe worn by the person she and Yue Ning had seen spying on them that day!

Qin Wan frowned. "Are you Wu Shu?!"

Her voice was particularly cold and stern. Wu Shu had been leaning there with closed eyes, moaning. Startled by the voice, he immediately turned around. Seeing two young ladies suddenly appear outside his cell, Wu Shu was momentarily stunned...

"Did your master secretly spy on the Qin residence?"

Qin Wan's voice was icy and intimidating, yet carried a strange, compelling force. Wu Shu blurted out, "Yes..."

As soon as the word left his mouth, Wu Shu snapped back to his senses. He was a household servant of the Wei family and had seen many noble and powerful figures in the capital. Judging by Qin Wan and Yue Ning's bearing and seeing Huo Huaixin accompanying them respectfully, he immediately realized Qin Wan and Yue Ning were persons of significant status. Wu Shu scrambled to his knees and began kowtowing frantically towards Qin Wan and Yue Ning!

"Young ladies, merciful ladies, please save my young master! My young master is wronged! I beg you, save my young master..." Though young, Wu Shu was of age, but now he spoke through sobs, his eyes reddening.

Qin Wan wouldn't be moved by such pleas. She asked again, "Did your master secretly spy on the Qin residence?"

Wu Shu looked up, tears streaking his face, and met Qin Wan's somber gaze. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded, sniffling. "Yes... Because my master said he saw a young lady going to the mortuary with people from the yamen... He wanted to know how our young miss died, so he followed that young lady to the Qin residence in the east of the city..."

Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. "Why do you say your young master is wronged?"

Wu Shu cried even more miserably. "My young master is definitely wronged! Although my young master has a bad temper, how could he kill anyone? My young master and our young miss grew up together as children. Later, my young master even broke his leg for our young miss. This time, he followed because he was afraid something might happen to her. Who knew our young miss would truly meet with misfortune? My young master was heartbroken over this and wanted to investigate the truth. But... young ladies, my young master was truly framed! After we arrived in Jinzhou, we did nothing! We never went to Anyang Marquis's estate! And the wedding dress... where would we have seen it..."

Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. "That night at Ten Li Temple, does anyone have evidence for you?"

Wu Shu nodded, but then, as if remembering something, shook his head. "We stayed at a small inn. My young master's leg was injured. We retired early that night. How could we go kill someone? But the prefect said that's not enough proof. We need someone who can prove we didn't leave the inn the entire night. But how can we prove that? When it's late, everyone's asleep..."

Qin Wan sighed. Huo Huaixin was right. They needed someone who could prove they never left the inn all night.

Huo Huaixin stepped forward. "The Princess and Ninth Young Miss have heard. No witnesses. And they happened to be at Ten Li Temple. His master is left-handed. The one who had a relationship with Miss Song is also his master. There are too many points of suspicion!"

"What kind of paper does your master usually use for writing letters?"

Qin Wan suddenly asked another question. Wu Shu was taken aback before answering, "He uses... Huzhou bamboo paper, Taizhou xuan paper..."

Qin Wan frowned. "What about on your journey south? Didn't your master write anything?"

Wu Shu was stunned again. "We just bought the most ordinary hemp paper..."

Yue Ning knew about Gilded Paper. Hearing this, she frowned slightly. "Your master doesn't use Gilded Paper?"

Wu Shu wiped his tears. "My master has no such preferences. We were traveling in haste. Why would he specially buy any particular paper?"

Qin Wan frowned. Yue Ning also found it puzzling. Huo Huaixin, standing to the side, didn't yet understand the connection to paper. Qin Wan explained, "Prefect, do you remember that lump of filth taken from the mortuary?"

A flash of understanding crossed Huo Huaixin's eyes. "So it was... paper?"

Qin Wan nodded. Huo Huaixin then said, "Please explain in detail later, Ninth Young Miss. There's no need for you and the Princess to listen to him further here. All the statements are in the case records. Ninth Young Miss can review them outside."

Hearing Huo Huaixin say this, Qin Wan also felt it reasonable and turned to head towards the exit. Seeing this, Yue Ning followed.

Seeing their party about to leave, Wu Shu clung to the prison bars and cried out with all his might, "Merciful ladies! My young master is truly wronged! My young master followed with good intentions. How could he kill our young miss..."

"Our young miss died under strange circumstances. My young master was also investigating the cause..."

Wu Shu wailed. Yue Ning listened, feeling somewhat unable to bear it. Qin Wan, however, remained unmoved. Seeing their footsteps not slowing in the slightest, Wu Shu grew increasingly desperate. "My young master truly cared for our young miss. How could he kill her!"

Yue Ning pursed her lips. More than just cared, they even had a child together!

"Prefect! My young master is truly wronged!"

Wu Shu's cries echoed in the prison corridor. Huo Huaixin felt his ears ringing with annoyance and couldn't help but retort impatiently, "You've said this a thousand times. Of course your young master cared for Miss Song! Otherwise, why would he commit such an improper act? Your young master broke his leg because of it. Perhaps he held a grudge, or perhaps he wanted to rekindle the affair. In short, your young master had motive to kill Miss Song!"

Huo Huaixin finished angrily and strode after Qin Wan and the others.

Wu Shu watched them walk further away, despair filling his heart. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and shouted, "What if the one who had the affair with our young miss wasn't my young master?! What if my young master willingly bore this stain on his reputation for our young miss?!"

Qin Wan seemed to have been waiting for this moment. She was the first to halt her steps but did not turn around.

Meanwhile, all of Wu Shu's grief surged forth. He collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly. "My young master bore the stain for our young miss and even lost a leg... He followed from afar, traveling a thousand li... Why... why frame him for murder now... Why treat him like this?! Heaven is unjust! Heaven is unjust..."