There is a god in the sky

Chapter 319 The Brothel Murder Case 7

When Shen Lan returned, she saw Shen Zhiyuan engrossed in carving.

Was this coffin custom-made?

Shen Zhiyuan answered without turning his head: "Yes, it was a believer who wanted to avoid reincarnation and hell after death, so he asked us to carve these runes all over his coffin."

"Have you seen Li Ye in Bianjing City?" Shen Lan suddenly asked him.

Shen Zhiyuan paused with his carving knife, seemingly thinking seriously for a long time. "I don't remember what he looks like. Maybe I've seen him on the road, but I don't know."

"Do you know Little Tiger?"

"This name sounds like a child's name; I don't know it."

"What's the surname of the owner of this coffin shop?"

"His surname is Wu."

Shen Zhiyuan turned to look at her, smiling as he asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Lan stared at him intently, and as she looked, the smile on Shen Zhiyuan's face froze.

He put down his carving knife, brushed the wood shavings off his hands, and walked cautiously toward Shen Lan.

"You knew already?"

Shen Lan blinked and said softly, "It's okay. Everyone has their own things to do. Whatever you want to do, I'm just worried about your safety."

Shen Zhiyuan reached out and stroked Shen Lan's hair, sighing, "We just don't want you involved; your safety is the most important thing."

"I'm not as weak as you think."

"Yes, you are very capable, but I hope you can live well, for me, for everyone, and for our whole town."

We have no future, only a worthless life to fight against fate to the very end. But you are different. You are intelligent, capable, and kind-hearted. Now you are a coroner for the government. There is no need for you to be with us.

Shen Lan thought a lot during those few short steps.

Li Ye grew up in a small temple in Jianzhou. He couldn't possibly know anyone from the Crown Prince's residence. So who were the two young men who were with him at the time?

It's understandable that Shen Zhiyuan would hide on Wanshou Street to escape the Liu family's pursuit, but his relaxed attitude and lack of restrictions on his comings and goings indicate that he is not afraid of the Liu family coming after him at all.

There must be a powerful figure behind them, and perhaps they also have a mysterious underground organization.

She initially thought it was Lin Miaoniang.

But she had already met Miao Niang. She had seen her several times from Tanzhou to Bianjing and then to the palace.

She doesn't seem like someone who's scheming.

Shen Lan stared intently at Shen Zhiyuan and said, "Li Ge has been very smart since he was a child. I once praised him, saying that he would become the top scholar in the imperial examination when he grew up. I never expected that I would still underestimate him."

Shen Zhiyuan had no doubt and asked, "You saw him in the palace?"

It turns out that Li Ge was in the palace.

Yes, she had heard Xiao Ji say that the most favored eunuch by the Empress's side was surnamed Li.

This surname is not common.

And it's such a coincidence that Lin Miaoniang thrived in the harem; she must have had the help of a benefactor.

Shen Lan lowered her head, not letting her emotions show at all.

"No, I've only heard of him. He's a favorite of the Empress and wields immense power in the harem."

You killed Zhou Ru, wasn't it for the Crown Prince's sake? What are your plans now?

The Crown Prince will not lack guards, but it will be difficult to find another guard as skilled as Zhou Ru in a short period of time.

Shen Zhiyuan said coldly, "His confinement to his residence is indeed a great opportunity for us to cut off his wings."

The crown prince was completely drunk in his residence.

If he hadn't known about Zhou Ru's death, he probably wouldn't have even left his room.

As the weather grew hotter, Zhou Ru's body was burned beyond recognition, and the wounds on his body were indistinguishable. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's waist tag hanging on his belt, the Crown Prince would not have been able to confirm his identity.

Minister Zhao led the coroners from the Ministry of Justice to examine the body, but they couldn't even tell what the murder weapon was, let alone anything else.

"Useless! You're all useless! Go and fetch Xiao Ji!"

Just as the Crown Prince finished speaking, someone whispered to him, "Your Highness, Lord Xiao has been busy investigating the deaths of the Grand Prince Consort and Young Master Huang these past two days."

Neither of these two is a minor figure; in comparison, the guards around the Crown Prince are not as important.

"I remember there was a very capable female coroner in the Ministry of Justice, personally appointed by the Emperor. Summon her to examine the body."

The subordinate thought to himself that a coroner was no important person, so he quickly went to summon someone.

Shen Lan had just returned to the Xiao family when she met the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, who had been waiting for her for a long time.

It was a coincidence that it was the same person she met on Wanshou Street.

The Grand Tutor Rong said imperiously, "The Crown Prince has ordered you to come to the palace to examine the body. Quickly bring your belongings and come with me."

Before Shen Lan could reply, she heard Madam Xiao's voice coming from outside.

"I thought it was some distinguished guest, but it turns out to be the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace."

Madam Xiao walked in, supported by her maid. Her belly was slightly protruding, and she looked more prosperous.

She said to the Chamberlain Rong with a forced smile, "Lord Rong, Miss Shen is a distinguished guest staying at my residence, and also my son's capable assistant."

It's understandable that the Crown Prince asked her to come to his residence to examine the body, but shouldn't he at least have informed my son beforehand?

Rong Zhanshi rolled his eyes and said arrogantly, "Madam is really joking. Does His Highness the Crown Prince need Chief Justice Xiao's approval to hire a coroner?"

“His Highness the Crown Prince is naturally noble, but there are always rules in this government office. Otherwise, anyone could come to my house and take Miss Shen away. When my son returns, how am I supposed to explain this to him?”

Rong Zhanshi waved his hand and said, "That's easy. I'll just send someone to the yamen to inform Lord Xiao."

Madam Xiao replied with a smile, "That's very good. We can wait for my son's reply before we go."

Rong Zhan Shi was somewhat angry. "His Highness the Crown Prince's affairs cannot be delayed. If the Crown Prince gets angry, who will take responsibility?"

Shen Lan knew who she was going to examine and was trying to come up with a plan.

The autopsy results certainly couldn't expose him, but he also couldn't find nothing at all, otherwise he'd be accused of incompetence, a responsibility he, a lowly coroner, couldn't bear.

"Lord Rong, I can go with you, but I'm missing one of the chemicals I usually use for autopsies. I need to go back to my room to prepare it. Please wait a moment."

Rong Zhanshi asked impatiently, "How long will it take?"

"About half an hour."

"What kind of medicine? The Crown Prince's residence has everything. If all else fails, the Minister of Justice is still here. Just tell me what you need."

Shen Lan shook her head. "My autopsy technique is unique and cannot be found anywhere else. If you feel you can't wait, you might as well go back and report first."

"Alright, alright, hurry up, I'll wait for you."

Shen Lan helped Madam Xiao out, saying, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll be right back."

Madam Xiao was worried that if she, a young lady, went to the Crown Prince's residence, she would be bullied and no one would come to her aid.

"Alright, be careful. I'll have someone inform Xiao Ji and have him come to the Crown Prince's residence to pick you up."