Chapter 18 – A Rather Baffling Person

Feng Huan had already changed his clothes. He was no longer wearing the purple robe that symbolized power, but an ordinary dark-blue sleeved shirt. So, despite his outstanding disposition, he was not as eye-catching as before, and people who did not know him would only think that he was a young master of a wealthy family. Zhuang Zhong was also very surprised to see that there was not a single bodyguard around him as he appeared in the small tavern alone.

“Your Highness, why are you here?”

Feng Huan sat in front of Zhuang Zhong with his chin slightly raised and said very wantonly, “Is there really any place in this capital that I cannot go?”

“How could there be such a place? I just thought that it was such a coincidence,” Zhuang Zhong choked out and laughed hollowly. In his heart, he pondered on why Prince Si Zhao had appeared here, not believing they met by chance. More importantly, how did he know that Zhuang Zhong could conduct autopsies? To come across him again in this small tavern really made Zhuang Zhong think deeply.

Feng Huan also did not respond to his words and just called for the waiter before proceeding to order the best qiongjiang1 wine available in this small tavern. When the alcohol arrived, Zhuang Zhong poured a glass of it for him with a meaningful glance. However, Feng Huan frowned instantly, “Is this the best qiongjiang wine you have here?”

When the waiter noticed Feng Huan’s rich and noble temperament, he did not dare to neglect this customer’s query and replied respectfully, “Our small tavern cannot be compared to those main taverns. This is already the best we have.”

When Feng Huan heard that, he waved the waiter away before picking up the glass and downing it. He then shook his head and said, “It is bitter and astringent despite not having been seasoned with goat marrow2 and borneol3.“

Zhuang Zhong, who was unsure of Feng Huan’s purpose of coming here, rebutted, “This tavern is for the common people, so it is normal that the best wine here will not be able to satisfy Your Highness’s appetite.”

Feng Huan snorted coldly. Although he was not very satisfied, he still stayed and drank with Zhuang Zhong.

Zhuang Zhong felt baffled, as Feng Huan still lingered around, not leaving despite disliking it. Was Feng Huan’s main purpose really him? If it was like this, Zhuang Zhong could not figure out the reason why Feng Huan was so interested in him. Perhaps it was because of his autopsy skills? However, with Feng Huan’s power, status, and temperament, he could say whatever he wanted directly, so why was he going through such trouble? As the other person was not taking any action, Zhuang Zhong also remained as he was. Since Feng Huan was here, he must have a purpose, so Zhuang Zhong would just set his mind at rest and wait.

Sure enough, after a while, Feng Huan said, “You seem to have some tricks of the trade.”

Zhuang Zhong politely replied, “Thanks for your praise but you must be mistaken4.”

Feng Huan hummed coldly. “Such a charade you had put on. On the day before, you shivered and chanted Amitabha when you saw meat. However, the next day, you were unhappy with the lack of meat and alcohol. You cannot even carry out an act properly.”

Zhuang Zhong was stunned. “I have incurred ridicule from Your Highness.”

Feng Huan was too lazy to glance at him. He just drained the glass in one gulp and asked suddenly, “What is similar between a suicide and a homicide?”

When Zhuang Zhong’s profession was being touched upon, he became serious. “This kind of question is too extensive. Without knowing the cause of death, it will be hard to give an answer. Importantly, no matter the type of evaluation, it is very inaccurate to draw a conclusion only from one person’s statement, as it is easy to make mistakes. If you want to test me, that is fine. However, if you seek to obtain an evaluation indirectly by asking me questions, you will have to forgive me for not following your orders.”

Feng Huan squinted his eyes like he was preparing for a threat. “You dare not obey this prince?”

Zhuang Zhong stood up and bowed with his hands folded in front. “It is exactly my fear of you that makes me even more cautious. It is a very hasty and irresponsible act for me to make an evaluation with only a few words. If Your Highness really desires it, you can ask me to go and examine the scene. I am willing to be at Your Highness’s disposal.”

Feng Huan’s gaze became sharper as if he wanted to pierce through Zhuang Zhong’s head. It was at this time that Zhuang Zhong remembered Feng Huan’s domineering and arrogant reputation. He quickly continued to add on, “If Your Highness does not want me to be in contact, you can order some trusted people to follow after me and learn. However, learning the skills requires quite a few years, and one would have to test it through real practices.”

Feng Huan raised his eyebrows. “From your words, it means that you currently have the skills and have had many experiences before?”

Under such extreme pressure, Zhuang Zhong almost wanted to nod and say yes. Fortunately, the words that escaped his mouth managed to make a detour, “In my dreams, Buddha…”

Bang——

Feng Huan had slammed the wine glass heavily on the table, and the harsh sound made Zhuang Zhong tremble.

When Zhuang Zhong’s heart calmed, he put on a desolate expression like he was lamenting about the common people. He shook his head back and forth, sighing, “The Buddha had said that no matter what, I cannot say anything. It is not that I am unwilling to open my mouth, but it is just that Heaven’s secrets must not be divulged.”

For a moment, Feng Huan felt that Zhuang Zhong was playing with him. Despite his young and tender age5, he was actually very smooth and evasive in dealing with people. Feng Huan then called for the waiter again and asked for another jar of wine. He pushed it towards Zhuang Zhong and said, “Drink all of this up.”

With round eyes, Zhuang Zhong stared as he asked, “Why?” This jar was not considered small, weighing about ten jin. Even if the alcohol concentration was low, and he would not get drunk, he would still be uncomfortable after drinking such a large amount of liquid.

However, Feng Huan just broke open the seal of the jar and, beyond all doubt, told him, “Drink!”

When faced with such a situation, Zhuang Zhong did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Your Highness, you should at least give me a reason to do so.”

Importantly, Zhuang Zhong did not conceal the actual situation and only omitted some information. Even the emperor cannot force the craftsmen to share their unique skills, so was Feng Huan actually planning on sending him to death through drinking alcohol?

Despite his words, Prince Si Zhao just propped his long legs on the table with arrogance and said, “This prince is happy.”

Well, this one sentence really triumphed over thousands of reasons.

Zhuang Zhong really did not know how he managed to provoke Prince Si Zhao, but he had no choice. He could only hug the jar and start drinking. Anyway, the alcohol concentration of the drink was no more than ten percent, and he was trained in drinking. According to his drinking capacity, even if he finished the whole jar, nothing bad would happen.

Zhuang Zhong adopted a vexed posture and blew into the jar, where a closer look would show the leakage to be lesser than what was swallowed. It was like performing a trick where most people would not notice and just assume that it was a normal leak. This move was performed by him before, and he was good at it cause he was terrible with cards and always lost. Usually, those that lost would have to be punished by drinking. So, without great alcohol tolerance, one would end up lying drunk under the table.

Sure enough, Feng Huan did not say a word, and Zhuang Zhong felt proud in his heart. After drinking, he wiped his mouth and placed the jar on the table with a bang in a natural and unrestrained way. He even burped. With a drunk appearance, he said, “Your Highness, forgive me, but I am drunk and am unable to keep you company. I will leave first.”

Feng Huan laughed, appearing so brilliant and dazzling that Zhuang Zhong, who was of the same gender, had to marvel and be envious of such looks. Not only was he born with noble status, but he was also handsome and extraordinary. All the good things were gathered in one person, leaving none for others. Zhuang Zhong had to admit that he was also jealous.

“You drank something that was less than twenty percent of alcohol content and pretended to be drunk. Do you take me as a fool?”

Zhuang Zhong was embarrassed that his trick was discovered. When he used to drink with those people from the Criminal Investigation Team, they did not even realize! Zhuang Zhong did not know that this person was deliberately not pointing out his trick, and he lamented in his heart about the alcohol he wasted.

Zhuang Zhong’s face fell, and he went limp on the chair. He also laid across the table and cried, “Your Highness, I am still young and cannot drink too much alcohol, as it will affect my growth. As such an important figure that attends to hundreds of important matters every day, are you here just to make trouble for this lowly one?”

Feng Huan stared at Zhuang Zhong till his scalp turned numb. He really could not guess Prince Si Zhao’s intentions.

After a long time, Feng Huan stopped staring and stood up. “The alcohol here is not good, so I will let you go this time around.”

After saying that, he left elegantly, while Zhuang Zhong was left behind speechless and choking. In the end, what was this person here for? From his words, there seemed to be a next time? Should he feel flattered by such attention? Actually, this could be considered as gaining Prince Si Zhao as a huge backer. He could use the badge of “I had a drink with Prince Si Zhao once” to deceive and mislead others in the future. Oh, that was not right. It was more like he would be able to run wild in the capital.

As if Zhuang Zhong suddenly remembered something, he yelled at Feng Huan’s disappearing figure, “Hey, don’t go! Damn, you have not paid for the drinks yet!”

Dejectedly, Zhuang Zhong touched his money pouch that felt emptier than before, feeling very depressed. When he recalled Prince Si Zhao, he could not help but grind his teeth as the drinks he ordered were the most expensive. Luckily, it was a small tavern, otherwise, he would have lost all his fortune. Even so, he still paid quite a sum of money, making him distressed.

“Brother Zhong, why are you here? I was about to go find you!”

A big man suddenly scurried in front Zhuang Zhong, scaring him. On closer inspection, he was the Lu family’s liulang6.

As soon as Lu liulang got close to him, he detected a strong smell of alcohol from Zhuang Zhong. He could not help frowning. “Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?”

“Just now, I accidentally spilled some alcohol on myself. What are you finding me for?”

Not doubting his words, Lu liulang replied, “When I turned around, you had already disappeared. As someone who did a meritorious deed, you must attend the dinner banquet tonight.”

Zhuang Zhong was surprised. “A dinner banquet tonight? Was it not said that it would be two days later?”

To be able to catch the real murderer was a happy event, as Wang Fu would not die unknowingly, comforting the spirit of the deceased. The banquet would act as a kind of ceremony to send off the dead that had died unjustly, and let those alive put down the past and live well. However, according to DaYou’s customs, there were still many things that had to be dealt with. Even if there was a banquet held, it would usually take a day or two.

Besides, although Madam Wu had doubts about Wang Fu’s death for a long time, the truth was still a big blow to her. Zhuang Zhong felt that Madam Wu needed to take this time to recuperate and calm down. If he stayed there, she would surely take care of him as, after all, he was the key figure in the investigation of this case. Zhuang Zhong also did not want to make trouble since he could not be of any help either. So that was why he greeted the first aunt and left ahead of time.

“Fourth Aunt said that today was an auspicious day, so we should have a good time and send Uncle Wang on his way.”

Hearing that, Zhuang Zhong understood and headed to the Wang’s house with Lu liulang.

As soon as Madam Wu heard that Zhuang Zhong was here, she hurriedly came out to meet him. She tightly held onto Zhuang Zhong’s hands with tearful eyes. “Zhuang Zhong, it was all thanks to you! All thanks to you! Otherwise, my husband would have died without being in peace.”

Had it not been for Madam Wu’s doubts, the legacy Wang Fu built would have been given to the white-eyed wolf, Wang Gui. Although the Wang’s family had been quarreling over the issue of establishing a successor, Wang Gui was the one with the greatest chance. Other members could only try suggesting their children, who were less than three years old, to Madam Wu. In the case that she decided to raise the child as a stepson, he would have a higher chance of inheriting everything if the affection between them was leveraged on. Meanwhile, Wang Gui’s second son was older and was unlikely to accept Madam Wu.

Actually, if it was not for this, Wang Gui’s second son would have been appointed as the successor. After all, Madam Wu was not greedy for the family property, and she desired to reunite with balang. In this case, Wang Fu would be unable to attain peace even in death.

Zhuang Zhong smiled and said, “These are the words that you would say to an outsider. Madam Wu should not say them, or I will be unhappy.”

Madam Wu wiped her tears and laughed, “Ok, ok, we will not talk about this in the future. Today, let us drink enough and send Uncle Wang off together.”

As soon as Lu Feng came into the room and saw Zhuang Zhong, he patted him heavily on the shoulder and raised his thumb. “Lad, you did well! You are really part of our Lu family, inheriting your great grandfather’s skills. Others would say that such examinations would be disrespectful to the dead, but I say that is bullshit! If there is no one to verify the truth through the examination of corpses, it will really cause those who died unjustly to be unable to achieve peace.”

Zhuang Zhong originally wanted to wait two days before making his issue clear. Now, it was just the right time to say it. “Uncle, I have something that I would like to talk to you about. Is it convenient for you now?”

The author has something to say:

PS: I saw in the comments that some people are not very familiar with Song Ci so I would like to summarize briefly here. Those that already know him could ignore this.

Song Ci is an official of the Song Dynasty. His book Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified records the identification of injuries, conduction of autopsies, bone examinations, ways to discern injuries before and after death, ways to identify and treat poisons, methods to subdue the release of poisons, and so on. He is the first forensic expert in the world to leave behind systematic works in the history of forensic studies and also recognized as the forefather of this field. More specifically, if you want to know how famous this book is, those interested can search Baidu7. Besides, the TV drama “Witness to a Prosecution”8 mentioned by most of you all had a large majority of its cases borrowed from the book itself. The three cases I have written in this book were also created in accordance with the knowledge of forensic studies found in the book too.

Moving on to the profession of “post-mortem examiner”.

The law of the Song Dynasty clearly stipulated that “when there is a complete or any lack of a jurisdictional official, county officials, assistant officials, records or supervisor among those inspecting, the county magistrate must uphold the responsibilities himself.”9

Furthermore, in the Song Dynasty, the post-mortem examiner will participate in the examination of the corpse as an assistant for the coroner. His main task was to deal with the corpse and report the injuries to those present under the instruction of the coroner.

In other words, a criminal official of a province is someone who would be responsible for supervising the prison and punishment, legal proceedings, redressing unjust cases, and cracking down on illegal officials. They are like the highest-ranking officials of the provincial judicial department. Therefore, Song Ci’s ability to conduct autopsies is not anything abnormal.

At that time, there was also no distinction between politics and punishment. The county magistrate could only contribute by cracking criminal cases. Therefore, they all attached great importance to this aspect.

If one misjudged a case due to the post-mortem examiner, the consequences will be very serious. Even if the case is overturned N years later, there is no hope of an official career as past cases had shown that the trialed officials were either executed or exiled. Hence, the cost of misjudgment is extremely high.

However, from the Yuan Dynasty onwards, the Song Dynasty system of requiring the inspection officials to be there in person for examination was changed to being a role of supervisor only. The post-mortem examiner will then be one to examine the corpse and provide written assurance, leading to current people’s impression of them in the later generations.

Also, for the sake of dramatics, this story had a combination of these two systems. Just like in “Witness to a Prosecution”, no one else besides Song Ci can conduct autopsies (the only other one who knew was the post-mortem examiner and he did not think that there was anything wrong with the corpse) ︿（￣︶￣）︿ *raises head* I had talked too much unconsciously, ORZ10, how nice it would be if all these words could be part of the main body text =.=

*Translator’s Notes:

-New Year is over but I would still like to thank all those reading or/and commenting! Translating this book has been an interesting challenge for me as it involved quite some research on my part and I am grateful for those who left their thanks (p.s. I have to say that I learned quite a lot about corpses and miscellaneous information so it was not all for naught) XD More importantly, 2020 had been a difficult year for many and I hope that it would be better for all of you in 2021! Remember to stay safe and cherish your loved ones! <3

1

The author used “琼浆酒” which refers to “good wine”. In some Chinese folktales, it was mentioned that drinking this “good wine” could make someone an immortal/deity.

2

“羊髓” literally goat marrow is a Chinese medicine that is used to treat hectic fever due to yin deficiency, wan/pallid skin, etc.

3

“龙脑”, more commonly known as “冰片” in Chinese is also known as borneol. It is used in Chinese traditional medicine and is categorized as herbs that open the orifices. Usually used to help treat conditions associated with central nervous system collapse (e.g. strokes and coma), it carries a bitter taste.

4

The author used “谬赞” which means a “false praise” if I am correct. I think in this context, the author probably meant that Feng Huan had praised him mistakenly because Zhuang Zhong was not as great as he mentioned.

5

Here, the author used “young and tender skin” (translated) but it seemed a little weird in the English context. So, I changed it to “young and tender age” as I felt that this was more understandable and similar to what the author was trying to convey.

6

Like “balang” in the previous chapters, “liulang” denotes him as the sixth in the family.

7

Baidu is a Chinese search engine like Google. It is fully in Chinese and I used it frequently to search up Chinese related stuff that one may not be able to find on English search platforms.

8

The raw title of the TV drama was “大宋提刑官” and it is a Hong Kong television series produced by TVB. It was set during the Southern Song Dynasty of Mid-Imperial China, where it tells a fictionalized account of Song Ci’s modest beginnings and the events leading to the creation of his book Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified.

9

For this part, I have to say that I am not completely sure whether I translated it well (e.g. 博 meant “book/records” but it seemed a little weird here?). This was because the author quoted it from part of the original law itself and I was unfamiliar with the terms even after attempting some research. However, I tried my best and this was what I thought the law meant.

10

“ORZ” used by the author here was meant to express frustration. It was supposed to look like someone kneeling on the ground with their head lowered: ○|￣|_. It was adapted as orz/Orz in text.