Not being able to find Master Xiao, how disappointed Miss Xing must be! The corners of Ran Yan's lips lifted slightly. She brought with her a few things Tenth Master Ran bought yesterday and called Shao Ming to go with her to the city.

The first order of business after Ran Yan entered the city was to pay a visit to Provincial Governor Liu.

In the side hall, Provincial Governor Liu was originally drinking tea in a calm manner. However, hearing Ran Yan repeat Wan Lu's testimony, along with her own speculations, his expression gradually changed. In the end, he even lost control a little and threw his cup on the table, "The murderer is really cunning!"

"Why?" Ran Yan lifted her brows slightly. An ominous premonition surfaced in her heart. Before she could think further, she saw Liu Pinrang's white beard trembling while he said angrily, "Last night someone came to report, someone died at Caixiu House."

"It can't be Cui Mei?" Ran Yan was also shocked. Wan Lu being able to speak was also something that happened only last night. The murderer's response was really too quick.

The deceased appearance is too horrible to behold. Her face was badly mutilated before she was hung up." Mentioning Cui Mei, Liu Pinrang could not help frowning. When he received the news, he personally rushed to Caixiu House. Once he entered, he was met with this horrifying scene.

With his lofty position as a Provincial Governor, he was not required to personally visit the crime scene. However, he had always been cautious and prudent. Lately, murder cases happened repeatedly in Suzhou City. If he did not quickly solve the cases, he feared that his position as Suzhou's Provincial Governor would come to an end.

This position was occupied by Liu Pinrang who was from poor and humble origins. Who knew how many people were eyeing it covetously. Once something went wrong, those powerful officials in the imperial court who were from aristocratic families would immediately grab hold of it without letting go. After kicking him out, they would be able to assign a trusted aide to the position. After all, the affluence of the Jiangnan province was definitely sufficient for them to spare no effort in fighting for it.

"Please allow me to examine the body." Ran Yan originally was still thinking of a way to obtain his agreement, but this event made her feel uneasy[1]. Who knew whether the other murderer would try to kill Wan Lu to silence her again?!

Liu Pinrang's expression was a little hesitant.

Ran Yan sat up straight and said firmly, "Provincial Governor Liu, I believe that you also wish to quickly solve the case, while I too, do not wish for Wan Lu to be in danger."

Liu Pinrang looked at Ran Yan and said slowly, "Why do you insist on examining the body?"

In the Tang Dynasty, coroners merely examined the condition of the injuries and determined the cause of death. They were of no further help. Liu Pinrang's thoughts were naturally also thus.

"Leaving aside that this murderer's method of killing repeatedly contain mistakes, even if the method is air-tight, in the end there still will be one thing left behind, that is the corpse!" As a forensic doctor, she has always believed in this. "The corpse will faithfully tell us the things it experienced. Moreover, it is more honest than the living."

Liu Pinrang drank a sip of tea and commented blandly, "That is a novel statement."

Hearing his casual tone, it seemed like he did not take Ran Yan's words to heart.

Ran Yan stared at Liu Pinrang without the slightest restraint, her gaze was heavy and insistent, forcibly causing him to reveal some embarrassment despite his old man ability to maintain a poker face even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him. He coughed dryly twice, "En, this old man is interested in this saying of yours. Today you may utilise your skills and let me see how you make the dead talk!"

Ran Yan let out a sigh of relief. In the end, she still managed to obtain an opportunity. However, merely being allowed to examine the body was not enough. The moment to climb the pole[2] was now, "I have rudely visited you this time, but it is really due to pressing circumstances. Asking Provincial Governor Liu to please forgive."

Saying thus, she raised her voice and said, "Shao Ming."

Shao Ming who had long been waiting outside the door while carrying the gift immediately entered.

"I am indebted to Provincial Governor Liu's care. This child does not know how to thank you. This is a token of my appreciation for the honourable Madam[3]. Asking Provincial Governor Liu to not refuse." Ran Yan clearly knew that he would not refuse the gift but she still had to give a semblance of courtesy, giving him an excuse to rightfully keep the gift.

Liu Pinrang's carefree[4] old face suddenly burst forth in a smile. He stroked his beard and said amiably, "Seventeenth Miss is too considerate. I give thanks on behalf of my wife."

Shao Ming quick-wittedly followed Ran Yan's meaningful gaze and placed the gift on the small table beside Liu Pinrang, before respectfully backing out.

"When will it be convenient for this child to examine the body?" Ran Yan asked.

Liu Pinrang kept his gaze that was constantly hovering at the gift. He coughed dryly and said, "This old man has official business in the afternoon. The matter regarding examining the body, I am planning to be present as well. Let's set it to Wei time (1-3pm)."

Planning to be present? It seems that he has long planned for it[5]! The tip of Ran Yan's brows raised slightly, but she did not squabble about this. The time Liu Pinrang set also suited her wishes. Thus, she got up and said, "When the time comes, can the two corpses be handled however I want? After all, those two, one is a prostitute, the other is a servant"

"Two?" Liu Pinrang paused, before realising she was talking about the servant from the Yin residence. This was not a big matter, examining one or examining two was the same, thus he said, "That's fine."

Saying that, he suddenly felt that he had been duped. Originally Liu Pinran thought that Ran Yan was only talking about examining Cui Mei, but then she purposely emphasised the word "two", playing down the issue about "handling however she wants". This resulted in Liu Pinrang's attention being diverted to the latter half of the sentence and he had agreed without thinking.

Without waiting for Liu Pinrang to speak, Ran Yan stood up, "In that case, this child will take her leave."

Liu Pinrang sighed. With a helpless look, he said, "I'll comply with you. Just go straight to the mortuary at Wei time."

After coming to an agreement, Ran Yan took her leave.

Liu Pinrang stretched his neck and saw Ran Yan's silhouette disappear through the second door. Immediately, he opened the gift with a happy grin.

He thought to himself, little girl you're still too tender to fight with me.

To Liu Pinrang, autopsies were merely to gather evidence. Fengxun had already examined the corpse once, thus he was not in a rush. The thing he eyed was Ran Yan's analytical ability regarding the wounds on a corpse.

Liu Pinrang clearly knew that Ran Yan had the ability to perform autopsies. Her maidservant was injured by someone to that extent, sooner or later she would want to get involve with this case. Therefore, he was not impatient or anxious, and waited for her to personally come forward to seek his help. He was conveniently able to obtain some benefits as well.

This matter, even if Ran Yan knew the truth it was still no use. Even if she was able to endure to the end, didn't she still have to obediently help once Liu Pinrang called? At that time regardless of whether she helped or not, it would have provoked the ire of this petty old man. It would better to honestly curry favour now. Developing a good relationship with a provincial governor was always better than offending him.

The progression of this matter to the current situation was very good.

After opening the large gift box, there were 8 red brocade boxes inside, based on the outer appearance of the brocade boxes it was evident that it was worth considerable value. Liu Pinrang opened each of them. Jadeite bracelets, fine engraved nephrite pendants, gold hairpins Ran Yan said that she was giving this to Liu Pinrang's wife, but in actually inside there were many things that could be used by men, such as jade pendants, folding fans and such. Especially that blood red thumb ring, Liu Pinrang loved it so much, he was unwilling to part with it.

Liu Pinrang carefully took out the brocade box containing the thumb ring. Suddenly, he noticed that actually these brocade boxes were very shallow. Then why would the outer gift box be so deep? Placing down the brocade box, he stretched his hand to knock on the sides of the large gift box. A hollow sound was produced. Liu Pinrang was delighted and immediately took out all the brocade boxes on top. After uncovering the first layer, the splendour of the bottom was immediately revealed.

A jade sceptre[6] lay firmly on top of a large red brocade fabric. Its body was like snow or rouge, permeated with spirituality. The head of the jade sceptre was set with an entirely green Lantian jade[7]. The handle was decorated with all kinds of precious stones the size of a fingernail. Overflowing with light and colour, its brilliance awe-inducing.

This jade sceptre was worth at least forty thousand silver taels. The layer of small gifts on top were not even worth a fraction of this thing.

Liu Pinrang could not conceal his face filled with delight. He looked at it again and again, stroked it again and again, before reluctantly returning it to the gift box. At the same time, he viewed Ran Yan in a new light again. It wasn't entirely because he obtained a huge benefit. Even though he was normally very busy, he paid close attention to the affairs of each family in Suzhou City in order to understand their circumstances and facilitate his control of the overall situation. He had vaguely heard about Ran Yan's situation. Under such difficult circumstances, she was actually able to gift such an expensive gift without batting an eyelid. Indeed, she was bold and daring!

Liu Pinrang smacked his lips and thought, Ran Yan's style of conduct really suited his tastes. He muttered, "The spiritless and cowardly Ran Wen was able to birth such a daughter. No wonder everyone is fighting to marry a daughter from the Five Surnames and Seven Families."

This sentence clearly placed the credit entirely on Madam Zheng.

T/N: ahhh it's been a long time! T_T sorry for the month long hiatus... uni just started and I also moved to a new place, so it's taken awhile to adjust to the changes...

How nice to have a rich cousin willing to buy you anything... including expensive gifts for bribing officials lol

[1]"": I think RY wanted to strategicaly think of a way to obtain permission to examine the corpse, but because of her concern for WL's safety in light of CM's death, she directly asked for permission.

[2]: referring to - meaning to say good things according to the situation (fawn on someone) and do things to make the other party happy

[3]: respectful way to address the wives of others

[4]: literally means "mild clouds and light wind" and refers to good weather. But can also be used to describe the carefree and helpless attitude people have towards worldly matters after experiencing difficulty.

[5]Best I can infer is that LPR actually had already intended for her to examine the body from the start, and just pretended to be reluctant about it. Raws for anyone who is interested:

""

[6]: ruyi scepter, a symbol of power and good fortune

[7]: Lantian Jade produced in Lantian County, north of Xian in Shaanxi Province. It was one of the most charming ancient jades, for its rigidity made it easier to be carved into decorations and jewelry. The hue is uneven in colors of yellow or light green.