A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 25 The Mysterious Li Family

Lin Shuban listened attentively, thinking that if Mu Qingcheng missed any part, he could help her recall it, as a token of his goodwill.

As he walked, he suddenly realized that no one was around him. Lin Shuban subconsciously turned around and saw that Mu Qingcheng had fallen a few steps behind. Her eyes were empty and unfocused, revealing a sadness that he had never seen before.

Lin, the clerk, paused for a moment, then called out softly, "Coroner Mu?"

Mu Qingcheng lowered her eyes, trying her best to suppress her complicated thoughts, then stepped forward and smiled as if nothing was wrong, "It's nothing."

"The young lady is kind, but there's no need to be too sad. We in the criminal profession have seen too much life and death, separation and reunion, so we've gotten used to it."

Lin Shuban intentionally changed the way he addressed her, and his words of comfort were just right, but Mu Qingcheng seemed not to hear him at all. He casually hummed in response and continued walking forward.

"Old steward, I wonder if there are still any records of Madam's medical history in the manor?" Mu Qingcheng asked calmly, but her hands, which were hanging down, clenched tightly.

"Medical records?" The old butler was taken aback, then shook his head. "I don't know. Everything concerning the madam was handled personally by the master."

Lin Shuban followed, and although he didn't know why Mu Qingcheng was so concerned about Madam Li Mu's illness, he wouldn't let go of any opportunity to help. So he interjected, "Do you still remember the doctor who examined and treated Madam Li Mu back then?"

The old steward became even more sorrowful as he recalled the past. "My master consulted no fewer than ten doctors, and even the imperial physician Liu from the palace was invited through his connections. But the lady's illness was really difficult to cure. No matter how much medicine she took, there was no improvement whatsoever, and in the end, she passed away."

Lin Shuban handed over paper and pen, saying, "Please trouble the steward to write down the names, addresses, and clinics of these doctors, including Physician Liu."

"Yes," the old butler replied, and immediately picked up a pen to write.

Mu Qingcheng's eyes showed approval. This Secretary Lin was indeed a clever person. It should make investigating cases much easier if he worked with him.

After the old steward finished writing, Lin, the clerk, showed it to Mu Qingcheng for review, saying, "Coroner Mu, if there is a need for verification, I am willing..."

"No need."

Mu Qingcheng interrupted, saying that if there were any irregularities in Madam Li Mu's death, sending Lin, the clerk, to investigate would likely lead to dire consequences. Lin, the clerk, was oblivious and disappointed.

Mu Qingcheng turned to ask again, "Old steward, have you ever seen anyone else wear that Shu brocade garment?"

"Never."

"Have any outsiders entered or left the Li residence recently?"

"His colleagues in the officialdom all know that the master does not entertain guests, so there is no interaction between them."

"Where are your relatives and friends?"

The old steward sighed heavily and said, "After the lady passed away, the master moved all of the Li family relatives back to their ancestral home in Suzhou."

"Why?" Lin Shuban was very surprised. Compiler of the Hanlin Academy was a safe and leisurely job. Why not leave his family in the capital to enjoy a comfortable life?

The old butler shook his head. "I don't know. Master told me not to ask. He also wanted to send Miss and me back to our hometown, but Miss was unwilling. Fortunately, Miss's marriage to the Liu family was arranged, so we didn't leave the capital."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng's thoughts raced. "How long has it been since your son-in-law, Liu Pei, last visited the manor?"

"It's been about half a year," the old butler recalled, his expression somewhat complicated. "The master doesn't like the son-in-law and doesn't want to see him often."

Mu Qingcheng asked in surprise, "If you don't like it, why go through with the marriage?"

"Ah, it's a long story." The old butler's eyes welled up with tears, and he became sorrowful again. "The master has died tragically, and the young lady has lost her family to rely on. How will she live from now on?"

(End of this chapter)