In the sunlight streaming into the room, Yao Shu lifted a bone from the left foot and compared it with one from the right. “Although the bones of both feet are similar in size, careful observation shows the joints of the right foot are more worn than those of the left. The leg bones are symmetrical, ruling out any deformity such as uneven legs. The killer likely did this to make Master Chen believe that Chen Suqing was already dead.”
Coroner Zhou stroked his beard as he listened carefully, nodding from time to time. With his years of experience, he judged Yao Shu’s examination to be correct.
“And furthermore,” Yao Shu continued, “this unidentified female corpse must have been engaged in heavy labor for years. The wear on her knees and wrist joints is severe, and her lumbar vertebrae show signs of bone growth. She was likely malnourished, lacking calcium, and accustomed to carrying heavy loads.”
“Based on this deduction, we can narrow the scope of her identity. Tomorrow, have someone retrieve the missing persons registry from around 3 years ago. Perhaps we can identify her,” Fu Xiujin said, tapping the table and casting Yao Shu an approving glance.
With progress made on the bones, Zhao Shaobai arrived with good news. He strode into the autopsy hall, waving a booklet. “I’ve checked the five men Master Chen listed. Two of them had no alibi on the day of the crime: Fu Kang, the young master of the pastry shop, and Chen Zhinen, the young master of the brocade shop. And Chen Zhinen was the most ardent pursuer of Chen Suqing.”
In just half a day, a case that had been stagnant for three years suddenly advanced. Yao Shu cursed the prefecture in her heart—how had they failed to notice the bones didn’t match? So much time wasted. No wonder Fu Xiujin despised Prefect Pei.
When they returned to Fu Xiujin’s study, Fu Kang and Chen Zhinen had already been waiting nervously for half an hour. Seeing Fu Xiujin enter with a stern face, both men stood at once to salute, their hands fidgeting in unease.
“Your Highness, I didn’t kill anyone. Yes, I pursued Chen Suqing, but my family isn’t short of money—I had no reason to kill her. If anyone were desperate for money and infatuated with her, it would be that steward from the charity hall. And if I wanted women, I could find plenty in the pleasure quarters. It wasn’t me.” Chen Zhinen blurted out his defense before anyone questioned him.
He was tall and pale, with dark circles under his eyes. As he spoke, he kept sneaking glances at Yao Shu, his gaze filled with lust, making her feel sick.
Fu Xiujin sat calmly in the grand chair, lifting his eyelids to cast a cold glance at Chen Zhinen. At once, Chen Zhinen shrank back, silent as a cicada in winter.
“It’s not him,” Yao Shu said, despite her disgust. “His body is weakened from indulgence. He’s too frail. Severing the left foot required considerable strength—the cut was clean, done in a single stroke. He doesn’t have the power to do that.”
“See, Your Highness? It wasn’t me. This young lady has sharp eyes. May I ask your name and where you live?” Chen Zhinen grinned shamelessly, drooling like a toad.
“Zhao Shaobai, I don’t recall unrelated people being allowed to linger in the Court of Judicial Review.”
Fu Xiujin’s voice was cold as the underworld. Zhao Shaobai immediately summoned guards, who dragged Chen Zhinen out in short order.
“Don’t worry, Coroner Yao. With your connection to His Highness, Chen Zhinen wouldn’t dare harass you.” Zhao Shaobai whispered beside her. Yao Shu glanced at Fu Xiujin and met his gaze. Like schoolchildren caught chatting in class, they quickly looked forward, pretending not to know each other.
“Fu Kang, you are now the only one without proof of innocence.” Fu Xiujin turned his attention to the remaining suspect.
Fu Kang hesitated, then glanced outside as if gathering courage. “I… actually had an alibi. I was at Tingyu Tower, drinking tea with my father’s concubine.”
Fu Xiujin said nothing more. Yao Shu was puzzled—why hadn’t he mentioned this earlier? She looked to Zhao Shaobai, who smirked. “He was having an affair with his father’s concubine. When I questioned him, he didn’t dare admit it in front of his father.”
Now, both suspects were cleared, and the case was at a standstill again.
Fu Xiujin and Zhao Shaobai sat down to review the files. Yao Shu was about to return to the autopsy hall when inspiration struck. “Zhu’er said Chen Suqing was kidnapped on her way to buy new rouge. A man wouldn’t normally pay attention to cosmetics, yet the killer knew to ambush her there. Investigating the rouge shop might yield clues.”
Fu Xiujin agreed.
The shop was on a busy street, and the alley where Chen Suqing was taken was just around its first corner. Zhao Shaobai questioned locals but found nothing, so the three went inside to ask.
The shop boy greeted them cheerfully, thinking they were customers. When Zhao Shaobai revealed his black-gold badge, the boy’s smile vanished. “What business does the Court of Judicial Review have here?” he stammered.
“Bring your manager and all the staff.”
The boy ran off and soon returned with the manager and several assistants.
The manager was a charming woman who swayed her hips and cast Fu Xiujin a flirtatious glance. “What brings Your Highness here?” she asked coyly.
Fu Xiujin ignored her, going straight to the point. “Three years ago, do you recall the kidnapping of the Chen family’s daughter? In the days before, did any suspicious men ask about rouge?”
The assistants all shook their heads. Only the manager thought for a moment and spoke.
“Few men buy rouge here—only Wang Baichuan, steward of the charity hall in the southern city. Before the incident, he often came by, even bought some rouge. I asked who it was for, and he said it was for someone like the bright moon—someone beyond his reach.”
Leaving the shop, the three realized Wang Baichuan was highly suspicious.
“Chen Zhinen mentioned that steward before. Now the shopkeeper says he often comes here. Yet Master Chen’s list of suitors didn’t include him. Strange.”