"What do we do now?" Liu Qingsong gathered his sleeves, staring eagerly at Ran Yan.
"Let’s wait. I guess the Government people will be here soon," Ran Yan leaned against the backrest of the rounded-arm couch, her gaze somber, "With a corpse, it should be easy. We two autopsy officers can’t possibly be trapped by such a simple ploy, can we!"
As she spoke, her voice sounded choked up, a bit hoarse. No matter what, that young woman in her prime lost her life because of her.
"Ran Yan, don’t take it too much to heart! Sometimes, it’s fate, beyond human control," Liu Qingsong felt his attempt at comfort was feeble, so he added, "Perhaps that girl has been reborn elsewhere, as a cherished pearl in the palm, a beauty admired more than any skin whitening treatment."
Ran Yan lazily glanced at him, clearly unwilling to waste more words on his wild imaginations.
"That’s right, my lady, Dou Si’niang suffered in this life, she’s bound to be reborn into a good family in the next," Wan Lu chimed in.
Liu Qingsong and Wan Lu didn’t mean the same thing, but they were both trying to comfort Ran Yan.
"I’m fine, don’t worry," the guilt in Ran Yan’s heart couldn’t be erased in a moment, but as Liu Qingsong said, sometimes fate was a cruel jester. She said, "We should think more about how to deal with this situation."
Almost as soon as Ran Yan’s words fell, there was a commotion downstairs. By the sound of it, there seemed to be quite a number of people.
Liu Qingsong stopped Ran Yan, "I’ll go. I’m familiar with the Government Office, and we can’t all go down together."
With a helpless smile, Ran Yan replied, "It would be difficult not to be all taken down. Dou Si’niang’s maid must have survived, that’s why the Government Office could find us so quickly. Do you think I have a chance to escape?"
Even if that maid had died, the Government Office would definitely conduct a search. They would be exposed eventually.
"Wan Lu, ask them to come up," Ran Yan said.
Wan Lu responded and hurried downstairs.
Then, numerous footsteps ascending the stairs echoed, and Ran Yan looked up to see the shadows cast from behind the screen. And then, in walked a man in a round-neck, bright red official uniform, as thin as Liu Qingsong, somewhat hunchbacked, with a dry face, and a wisp of a goatee on his jaw, looking to be in his fifties or sixties at a glance.
But from various subtle physical features, Ran Yan guessed he was probably only around forty. His sallow complexion, unsteady steps, unfocused gaze, plus the occasional lecherous look in his eyes, it was clear he indulged excessively in pleasures.
Flanked by Wan Lu and Ge Lan, Ran Yan rose to meet him. It was merely a courtesy on Ran Yan’s part, as a wife of a Third Rank County Marquis, she didn’t need to rise at all.
"Are you the owners of this medical hall?" The man, exuding the attitude of a high official, looked around with his hands behind his back, his gaze finally settling on Ran Yan, and his sagging triangular eyes suddenly brightened, his gaze sticking to her.
Liu Qingsong took a step forward, shielding Ran Yan, and bowed his hands, "Assistant Minister Dou, I am Liu Buqu, a doctor of the Xiao Family."
The capital and the state that served as its companion capital were called prefectures to signify their importance, with the official title of Governor and the deputy official known as Assistant Minister. Assistant Minister Dou was the title for this official, not his name.
Assistant Minister Dou, reminded by Liu Qingsong’s words, suddenly snapped back to attention. Hearing that Liu Qingsong was connected to the Xiao Family, he restrained himself. The Xiao Family had many branches, and there was more than one Xiao Family in Chang’an City. Since the other party dared to reveal their affiliation in his presence, it indicated a not-so-low status. Immediately he said, "May I ask which Xiao Family does Doctor Liu serve?"
"The County Marquis of Xiangwu," Liu Qingsong answered.
Assistant Minister Dou’s face immediately blossomed into a smile, "So it is from the Xiao Assistant Minister’s house, my respects! May I know who this lady is..."
If not for Liu Qingsong being tall, Assistant Minister Dou would almost have to stand on tiptoe to get a better look at Ran Yan.
Liu Qingsong was secretly surprised; he thought that apart from Xiao Song, no one would be interested in Ran Yan’s stoic face! The Assistant Minister’s taste was really peculiar. Criticizing inwardly, he stepped aside, "Assistant Minister Dou has quite the unique taste. This is the Lady of Duanliang."
Assistant Minister Dou was momentarily stunned; he thought she might be related to Liu Qingsong, but he didn’t expect her to be Xiao Song’s wife! His demeanor suddenly became solemn, "Upon seeing the Lady of Duanliang, I felt an overwhelming aura of nobility, please forgive my poor eyesight for not recognizing the Lady at first."
Ran Yan knelt down on the seat and said calmly, "No need for formalities, please sit."
Assistant Minister Dou hadn’t clearly inquired about the identity of the owner of this medical hall before arriving. He had rushed here following the leading maid in a hurry to arrest someone. Now, after a bit of thought, he realized that this wasn’t something he could handle. Thus, he didn’t inquire further about the case and simply stated his purpose, "I assume the Lady of Duanliang has already heard about the murder of Dou Si’niang. An autopsy officer accused that Dou Si’niang had used a facial powder from Qingzhu Medical Hall... so I intended to investigate. I didn’t expect the medical hall to belong to the Lady... this... puts me in a difficult position..."
Dou Yun was not a common merchant; his wealth could influence the entire economy of the Great Tang, and the amount of money he contributed to the national treasury and the military department each year was significant. Even though Dou Si’niang was not favored, she was still an acknowledged legitimate daughter of Dou Yun, and it wasn’t a matter that the Prefecture Governor could simply dismiss with a word or two.
"You don’t have to feel troubled, Assistant Minister Dou. Let’s handle official matters properly," Ran Yan’s voice was indifferent; she hardly had patience for this man.
Assistant Minister Dou seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, narrowing his triangular eyes with a smile as he bowed, "Thank you, Lady of Duanliang, for your understanding. But this matter is now beyond my jurisdiction. Please wait here while I immediately send someone to inform the Ministry of Justice."
"Please go ahead," Ran Yan said.
Assistant Minister Dou felt particularly relieved; he had initially thought this case would be on his shoulders, but even the heavens seemed to be helping him, let alone the connection with the Marquis’s wife. Now, he just had to hand it off to the Ministry of Justice and play a supporting role.
However... Assistant Minister Dou stroked his sparse goatee. He had never before seen a woman like the Lady of Duanliang... (To be continued. If you work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)