Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Has This Grave Been Dug Up? Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Has This Grave Been Dug Up? “Miss Liu, shall we really proceed with the excavation?” Constable Wei turned around, addressing Ya Molian and Lin Caisang.
Lin Caisang wanted to refuse, but after taking a glance at Ya Molian, she changed her mind.
They might as well dig, since they were all here. If they didn’t, this dangerous trip would be for naught.
“Alright, I’ll just order them to…”
When Constable Wei was about to issue the command, Lin Caisang stopped him.
“Constable Wei, have you asked how Third Young Master Gong was buried? Was it a formal burial with a coffin or something else?” Lin Caisang asked Constable Wei.
“What formal burial! He died from a strange disease. Where would Old Master Gong have any familial affection? He just dug a hole, wrapped the body in a straw mat, sprinkled some quicklime and buried him just like that.”
Constable Wei sneered.
“It was already quite something that they buried him in the ancestral graveyard.”
Such a thing! When they previously talked about Third Young Master Gong, Old Master Gong pretended to be quite heartbroken.
But who would have thought… indeed, all these kinship ties were nothing but fleeting clouds!
“We won’t need to dig today. Early tomorrow morning, I hope Constable Wei could speak to the Gong family. They must exhumate this grave and properly dispose of the body.” She declared solemnly.
“Miss Liu, what are you trying to say?” Constable Wei inquired.
“Constable Wei, we’re still unsure if the disease in Hongling Town is a plague. Didn’t you say earlier that upon the orders of the County Officer, the bodies of those who had succumbed to the illness were cremated for burial? But look at the Gong family now; they handled the body so irresponsibly!”
Lin Caisang spoke up.
If they couldn’t find any other source of the disease, then Third Young Master Gong could very well be the origin of the illness. He was buried here so recklessly– wrapped in a mat and buried in a hastily-dug grave. How could this spot still be considered blessed ground?
Did the Gong family believe they would still have the protection of their ancestors? Such a thought was laughable!
“I felt it was improper before, but then I thought this is, after all, the Gong family’s land. It’s not right for me to meddle too much.” Constable Wei admitted after some silence.
“Since Miss Liu has put it that way, I…”
Before Constable Wei could finish his sentence, Ya Molian, who was initially gripping Lin Caisang’s arm, had somehow moved behind the tombstone, squatting and seemingly inspecting something.
Though Lin Caisang felt apprehensive, she went over anyway.
“Look at this soil, it appears to have been disturbed, and quite recently too–today in fact.” Ya Molian grabbed a handful of dirt, bringing it closer to her under the torchlight.
“Is this fresh soil?”
Upon seeing, Lin Caisang quickly realized.
Even though Third Young Master Gong wasn’t buried so long ago, one could still tell apart soil that’s been freshly turned. This was obviously soil that’s been just disturbed.
“Has the grave been robbed?”
Constable Wei and several officers also walked over, speculating aloud as they crouched down to examine the dirt.
“Constable, this indeed is fresh soil, recently disturbed, probably not even two hours ago.” One of the officers picked up a handful of soil, speaking excitedly to Constable Wei.
“What exactly are these people trying to do?” Constable Wei’s expression darkened, he murmured in a heavy voice.
Who would disturb a dead person’s grave, let alone the grave of a person who died from some strange illness? Normally, people would rather stay away, who would recklessly approach it?