Suicide? Lou Xiyan pondered for a moment, then inquired again, "When did he die?"After a brief hesitation, Wang Bingsheng replied, "Approximately two hours ago."That cannot be right! Judging solely from the livor mortis, the deceased had been dead for at least ten hours! Standing outside the cell, too far from the body, Zhuo Qing could not determine the cause of death. Besides, speaking rashly might bring trouble upon herself. Glancing at Lou Xiyan, who was intently staring at the corpse, Zhuo Qing decided to test the waters with a subtle provocation.
"How peculiar!" Zhuo Qing exclaimed feigning surprise. "This man truly had fortune—before committing suicide, he was still able to wash up and don fresh clothes and shoes. What's strange, however, is that although he changed into new attire and footwear, he did not bother to comb his hair!"
At her words, everyone turned to look at the body. Indeed, his clothes were pristine and impeccably neat, his shoes spotless. In stark contrast, his hastily tied hair was disheveled. Aside from these anomalies, how could a prisoner locked up for two months possess a brand-new set of clothes?
Wu Zhigang barked loudly, "What about the night watchmen from last night?"A medium-built, quiet junior officer stepped forward nervously and whispered, "It was me and Liu Wu.""What happened? How did he come to have a fresh set of clothes?"The officer replied timidly, "Reporting to Your Excellency, last night the Lin family's steward, Li Ming, came to visit Lin Bokang. He said Lin hadn't been able to wash for several days and asked to bring a clean set of clothes. Seeing their close master-servant bond and that he only brought clothes, we allowed him in. But he stayed inside for only the duration of a burning incense stick before leaving."
An incense stick's length was tight for murder. Lou Xiyan, who had remained silent, murmured, "After Li Ming left, did you check if Lin Bokang was still alive?"
Although Lou Xiyan did not sound angry, the junior officer dared not meet his gaze and nervously recounted the night's events:"When Li Ming arrived, a fierce storm raged outside. A large branch from a tree near the prison gate was blown off by the wind and smashed onto the door. We were busy clearing the branches. After a while, Li Ming came out and even helped us carry the debris before leaving. Our clothes were soaked, and after changing, it was late at night, so we did not patrol the cells until just now when Your Excellency came to fetch the prisoner and discovered he was dead."
"What a bunch of fools!" Wu Zhigang slammed his palm on the officer's hat. These idiots were making a fool of him in front of the Chancellor! If the Chancellor thought this was how he managed the prison, his official career would be ruined!
Lou Xiyan paid no mind to the outburst and said sternly, "Summon Li Ming."Li Ming was the last person to see Lin Bokang alive; he must know something."Yes, sir." The junior officer hurried away.
The corpse lay rigidly on the floor, somewhat chilling to behold. Wu Zhigang quickly flattered, "Your Excellency, the corpse has been examined. The prison's gloom is heavy—please rest in the main hall first and avoid being tainted by the ill fortune."
Lou Xiyan turned and caught Zhuo Qing, whose eyes remained fixed on the body, pausing just outside the cell. Lou Xiyan suddenly asked, "What do you say?"
Asking a youth such a question seemed almost ridiculous, yet Lou Xiyan's intuition told him the boy might offer a different perspective.
Zhuo Qing hesitated, fully aware the cause of death seemed suspicious but restrained by professional ethics from intervening hastily. With a sigh, she answered, "I want to take a closer look."
"Presumptuous!" That odd youth had already caused a scene in the hall and now dared enter the cell. Just as they prepared to throw him out, Lou Xiyan smiled pleasantly, "Let him in."
Once Lou Xiyan spoke, even Wu Zhigang dared not object. Years in officialdom had taught him to recognize favor when he saw it; clearly, the Chancellor held this young man in high regard.
Zhuo Qing entered the cell and crouched beside the corpse, briefly glancing at the ligature marks around the neck. She parted the deceased's hair with her fingers to examine the head carefully. After some moments, she lifted the neck to inspect its back, then paused, pressing lightly on the corner of the lips, where a faint trace of saliva trickled.
Just as she suspected, Zhuo Qing grasped the dead man's arm and gently flexed it—there was no bending; rigor mortis was evident. Rolling up the sleeve revealed lividity and some crisscrossing scars, apparently old wounds, confirming torture during interrogation.
Zhuo Qing's meticulous inspection appeared as mere fussing and mystification to Wu Zhigang, who had no patience to watch. Seizing the moment, he offered his analysis to Lou Xiyan:
"Your Excellency, in my humble opinion, since it has been verified as suicide, Lin Bokang must have planned this in advance. That's why he asked Li Ming to bring clean clothes—to use the sash to hang himself."
Lou Xiyan smiled faintly but remained silent, his gaze fixed solely on Zhuo Qing. Wu Zhigang was left deflated.
Zhuo Qing, however, did not disappoint, casually tossing out, "What if it's not suicide?"
Not suicide? Lou Xiyan's smile broadened, having known the boy would provide a pleasant surprise.
Wu Zhigang was stunned. Wang Bingsheng was the first to react, barking, "Nonsense!" Who was this upstart, daring to challenge their findings openly before the dignitaries? He pointed at the neck of the corpse, glaring at Zhuo Qing, asserting with certainty, "If he had been hanged postmortem, the ligature marks would be white, not purplish-blue! The limbs hang naturally, and the scorch-like marks on the feet are the strongest proof of death by hanging! If you don't understand, don't speak recklessly."
Ignoring the clamor, Zhuo Qing bowed her head slightly and whispered, "Blue-eyed one, come here and assist me."
No assistant was truly inconvenient.
Blue-eyed? Mo Bai hesitated briefly, then came over and knelt beside her. Following her instructions, he gently turned the corpse onto its side.
That Mo Bai would aid her surprised Lou Xiyan. Unlike the cold exterior of Jing Sa, Mo Bai's chill came from within. What power did this youth wield to command him?
Lou Xiyan watched Zhuo Qing's focused silhouette leisurely, anticipating the performance she was about to unfold.
Being utterly disregarded, especially as an obscure nobody!
Wu Zhigang swallowed his irritation and was about to scold when Zhuo Qing, examining the back of the corpse, asked calmly, "If he was first strangled unconscious, then hung from the beam, would the corpse show the same markings?"
"Th-That..." Wang Bingsheng was at a loss for words.
Before he could think further, Zhuo Qing lifted her head slightly and said coldly, "I ask you—yes or no?"