The rain was light, finely dense as it sprinkled between heaven and earth, like a mist. When the wind passed, it raised a curtain of gauze, carrying with it a refreshing fragrance of grass and trees, every single drop revealing a gentle Jiangnan demeanor.
The drizzle moistened the soil. The mountain path, seemingly flat, was not easy to traverse.
Ran Yan kept her lips pursed, stepping over the low shrubbery with a rapid pace, even Wan Lu and Ge Lan following behind found it somewhat difficult.
As they progressed, except for Wan Lu occasionally giving directions, there was no unnecessary conversation.
It wasn’t until Ran Yan saw the people in official uniforms stationed in the distance that she suddenly realized, her palms were filled with moisture, unaware if it was sweat or rain.
As the guarding government soldiers spotted the three women approaching and were about to scold them, Liu Pinrang emerged from inside, his steps quick, followed by a Government Official running along behind him, holding an umbrella.
Ran Yan gazed at Liu Pinrang in his crimson official uniform, his hair and beard graying, and his appearance soaked by the rain, suddenly reminded of her grandfather. She couldn’t help feeling a bit of sourness and helplessness. Such elders should be sitting at home, enjoying their later years with their grandchildren. She could see that Liu was not the type obsessed with power and status. Why then did he still cling to this overheated position? Was it really because an old horse still aspired to gallop a thousand miles?
"Miss Seventeen, I have been awaiting you for a long time!" Liu’s following remark dispersed all of Ran Yan’s sympathy, "You may proceed with the autopsy, and I’ll shoulder any consequences."
Ran Yan glanced at him coolly, "Last time you also assured me that the autopsy would remain undisclosed, yet before a moment had passed, everyone in Suzhou knew. I never question the character and morality of Inspector Liu, but perhaps you should investigate this person intent on ruining your reputation, hiding ulterior motives."
Liu Pinrang looked righteous and indignant, "Such a person is indeed extremely despicable. Mrs. Ran, rest assured, I will not condone such behavior."
Ran Yan nodded slightly in thanks, but deep down, she really didn’t take his words to heart. Dealing with an old fox like Inspector Liu, the principle was simple: take him seriously, and you lose.
"Let’s examine the body first." Ran Yan had no interest in squabbling over these fruitless issues with him. She and Inspector Liu had a mutually beneficial relationship. As long as Liu could meet her needs, assist her in a thing or two, it was considered giving face. If she really believed that helping with a couple of autopsies would make Liu grateful, she truly did not understand her own position!
Liu Pinrang was even less inclined to dwell on these issues. He admired Ran Yan’s self-awareness, her straightforward way of handling matters, precise and efficient. Once again regretting that she was a married woman, he hurried towards where the body lay. Ran Yan then followed him.
A shelter had been built over the body, since it was on a slope, a mud wall had been constructed on the upper side to block the runoff rainwater. Inside the shelter stood a slender man in light green official uniform, frowning as he looked down at the body on the ground.
Ran Yan recognized that the man was Judge Yu Bohao, who was in charge of the penal system.
She did not rush to greet him but instead focused her attention on the body on the ground. The body, slender and dressed in a gray wide cloth robe, was face down, its slender, pale fingers covered in mud and roots, clearly having struggled painfully before death.
Before a detailed inspection, the body should not be arbitrarily moved. Ran Yan took a deep breath and slightly bowed to Judge Yu, "I have seen Judge Yu. Could you tell me about the condition of the body? Has the identity been confirmed?"
"No need for formalities, Miss Seventeen. As I was waiting for the Forensic Doctor, I had people check the surrounding area within a sixty-foot radius and only briefly inspected the body. It appears to be a young man of about twenty, dressed as a Scholar. No specific identity has been confirmed." Yu responded truthfully.
Ran Yan immediately understood that she had been tricked by Liu, the old fox, who had clearly been waiting for her to arrive, not bringing any forensic doctor. His tale about a handsome appearance was just a ploy to lure her to voluntarily come here! If something goes wrong later, there would be no one to hold accountable—it was her own request to conduct the autopsy after all.
What further infuriated Ran Yan was that Liu had even had people dig into her and Sang Chen’s affairs, unearthing that she was treating illnesses in a brothel. Could she still keep that a secret?
Ran Yan calmed herself for a moment, comforting herself that, fortunately, Liu did not harbor any worse intentions. In someone else’s hands, the situation could have been used to manipulate her.