NOVPUB52: Chapter 36: Bring Someone Along
52 -36: Bring Someone Along
In the hazy dream, the asphalt road leading to the Morgue at the Medical College was flanked by thick French plane trees.
When deep autumn set in, this place became as beautiful and romantic as a scene from an idol drama.
Yet, the road was always serene, with few couples daring to wander hand in hand in front of the Morgue.
Therefore, it was one of Ran Yan’s favorite spots.
“Why choose forensic medicine?
Do you know what it feels like to have someone familiar lying on the operating table?” a magnetic voice asked.
Ran Yan looked up at him, the sunlight filtering through the dense crown of French plane trees, dappling his handsome and fair face.
He was the first person Ran Yan had ever had a secret crush on, a sentiment that lasted only a week before turning into friendship.
He was a professor’s assistant, and he had once been a forensic doctor.
Later, when a deceased’s family was dissatisfied with his autopsy result and retaliated fiercely, his only sister died from falling out of a building during this revenge.
Unable to bear the blow, he withdrew from the forensic field and took up a modest position as an assistant at the Medical College.
“Just a matter of interest.
I’ll be careful, and I’ll be strong,” Ran Yan said, looking at him with a resolute gaze.
…
“Wife!
Wife!”
Ran Yan struggled to open her eyes and immediately saw Xing Niang’s anxious expression, indicating she had been calling for her for quite some time.
She had slept for a while; dusk had already fallen, a lamp was lit inside the room, and the lanterns on the outside corridor were also ignited.
“What is it?” Ran Yan’s voice, still hazy with sleepiness, was less cold and more languid than usual.
“Inspector Liu has come to visit.
Wife, please get up quickly.
This old servant will comb your hair,” Xing Niang urged.
Inspector Liu?
Ran Yan quickly shook off her sleepiness, and sat in front of her dressing mirror with Xing Niang saying, “A simple style will do.”
Heeding Ran Yan’s wishes, Xing Niang’s fingers moved swiftly, and in no time, a cone-shaped bun was secured by a jade hairpin atop her head—simple yet elegant without compromising decorum.
Trusting Xing Niang’s skills, Ran Yan let her proceed while pondering over why Inspector Liu would come so late.
To check on Wan Lu’s injury?
Such a matter surely didn’t warrant the personal visit of an Inspector of the Fourth Rank.
After grooming and changing into a moon-white embroidered ruqun, Ran Yan headed toward the hall.
Liu Pinrang was still in his crimson official uniform, his graying beard perfectly groomed, sitting formally on the mat with his gaze lowered in thought, appearing somewhat displeased.
“Inspector Liu,” Ran Yan greeted with a slight bow before taking a seat opposite him, “Forgive my inattention for having kept the Inspector waiting.”
Liu Pinrang’s face brightened with a smile upon seeing Ran Yan, “It’s nothing.
This official came uninvited; you can’t be blamed, Madam.”
Ran Yan tensed inside.
During their conversation earlier that day, Liu Pinrang had seemed distant.
Suddenly taking on a friendly tone now made one naturally cautious, “Why have you come in person, if I may ask?”
He sighed and said, “Madam Ran is frank, so I will not beat around the bush.
To be honest, my visit today is indeed to ask a favor.”
Liu Pinrang wore both sincerity and kindness on his face, which could disarm anyone with a weaker resolve.
Ran Yan inwardly admired him but maintained her usual imperturbable expression, “Please speak, Inspector Liu.”
Liu Pinrang was slightly surprised but quickly set his mind at ease and stated his purpose, “Madam Ran must be aware of Judge Yang’s sudden death due to a hidden illness.”
Ran Yan nodded her acknowledgment; she remembered Du Xiaoqiao— the legitimate daughter of the former Inspector of Suzhou—mentioning it in the Liangfeng Pavilion within the Yin residence.
Judge Yang, just past thirty, had never been known to have any health issues but had suddenly passed away.
“I found some suspicious points in Judge Yang’s study, but after dispatching six or seven forensic doctors to examine the body, even the most famous Feng Sanxun couldn’t determine the cause of death, only speculating that it was a sudden onset of a hidden ailment.
Regarding this outcome, not only do I not believe it, but even Judge Yang’s relatives don’t believe it either.
They filed a complaint, demanding a thorough investigation into this case…” Liu Pinrang glanced at Ran Yan and continued, “Thus, I would like to invite you, Miss Seventeen, to take a look and see if you can find any results.”
There was no need for Ran Yan to ask why Feng Sanxun would come to her; there’s a saying that “paper can’t wrap fire.” Although she didn’t reveal her true face when she helped Han Shan with an autopsy the last time, she knew that an Inspector like Liu Pinrang, who wanted to know the truth, could certainly find out.
“Alright.
When will the autopsy be conducted?” Ran Yan readily agreed to his request.
Surprise flashed across Liu Pinrang’s eyes before he quickly continued, “Miss Seventeen doesn’t plan to propose any conditions?
Let alone in Suzhou, even on Jiangnan Road, there’s nothing I can’t accomplish.”
Ran Yan said indifferently, “As a lady confined to my chambers, what I worry about are but trifles, how dare I trouble the Inspector?
Since my medical skills can be of help to the government, of course, I should not shirk my duties.”
Some things needn’t be explicitly stated.
The matter that troubled her was known to all of Suzhou City.
Marrying a debauchee like Qin Silang, who wouldn’t worry?
Liu Pinrang understood her predicament; to him, this was indeed a minor issue.
Ran Wen was a man easily swayed by what he heard, and with just a little incitement at a critical moment, he would surely waver in his decision.
“I don’t want this matter to be known to others.
Let’s go to the Government Office’s morgue for the autopsy tonight; would that be suitable?” Liu Pinrang said.
Tonight?
A woman going out with a man in the middle of the night, whether or not it was dangerous, would not sound good if word got out.
Liu Pinrang seemed to be aware of Ran Yan’s concerns, “You can rest assured, I can guarantee that this outing will not be leaked and there’s no need to worry about damage to your reputation.”
“Then I must thank you, Inspector Liu.
However, I would like to bring someone with me.” Said Ran Yan, her lips curving into a smile that brought ripples to her dark, shimmering eyes.
In that moment, it seemed as if the whole room lit up.
Whether Inspector Liu was a good official was yet to be determined, but based on current judgments, he wasn’t likely to do anything sordid.
Moreover, being the legitimate daughter of the Ran family, he would have to think twice before harboring any improper ideas, so Ran Yan was not worried about any deceit in this matter.
However, worry or not, before setting off, Ran Yan still placed many items of self-defense such as poison, silver needles, and daggers on herself.
She never neglected to take any extra precautions.
Liu Pinrang greatly admired Ran Yan’s decisiveness and courage.
Initially, he was worried that she might be frightened by the corpse, but now he was quite reassured.
With everything ready, the person Ran Yan had specifically named to bring was standing in the country house with a shocked expression on his face.
If it weren’t for that, with his tall figure draped in a gray robe, he would seem quite distinguished.
“This older brother…
I’m not sure why Inspector Liu wants to see me?” After standing awkwardly for a while, Sang Chen shifted towards a Government Official standing by and asked in a lowered voice.
The small-eyed, thick-lipped official who was a head shorter than Sang Chen gave him a sidelong glance and continued to look ahead, clearly having no intention of engaging with him.
Sang Chen, with a look of aggrieved complaint, reached into the pocket of his sleeve and felt around—there were only five coins.
He knew that these officials wouldn’t divulge anything without seeing some tangible benefit, but with only five coins, he feared they wouldn’t even consider it, though that was his sustenance for seven or eight days…
Therefore, he had no choice but to abandon the idea of bribing the official and continued to stare at him with a sorrowful and tragic gaze.
After persevering for about a quarter of an hour, the official who seemed to be in a meditative trance suddenly tossed a glowering look and said coldly, “There are several brothers over there, why do you keep staring at me!
Keep looking, and I might just castrate you!”
“Ha!
I don’t think there’s a need for you to do that, this kid looks like he can’t stand up straight anyway,” another official nearby scoffed.
Even without meeting Sang Chen’s mournful gaze directly, they felt a chill down their spine, let alone being stared at directly!
Sang Chen’s face turned red with anger as he recited, “Confucius said, ‘A gentleman respects others without fault, is courteous to all, and sees all within the four seas as his brothers!’ He also said, ‘Without courtesy, one cannot stand.’ To interact with people in a respectful and courteous manner is the way of a gentleman.
I was merely asking a question—if you do not wish to answer, that is fine, but how can you utter such insults?”
The officials were taken aback as they didn’t understand his words, but they recognized “Confucius said,” and while they hadn’t received an education, they didn’t dare mock the teachings of a sage.
Subsequently, they grudgingly closed their mouths and continued to guard like wooden figures.
As Ran Yan followed Inspector Liu outside, she saw Sang Chen lecturing the officials with his neck stiffened, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
She thought to herself, this man, if he’s not being a nuisance to her, is rather amusing to watch.
