Chapter 4
“A man?”
Yu Baisu’s gaze shifted back and forth between me and Xu Qingzhu. “Although this county is not versed in the art of autopsy, is it not fantastical to determine gender from a mere skeleton?”
Xu Qingzhu hurriedly added, “Your honor, I too share this doubt.”
Yu Baisu waved his hand for Xu Qingzhu to step aside, then asked me, “County Sheriff Zheng, what evidence do you have to claim that the remains are male? Many guests at last night’s banquet saw the Singing Girl turn into a skeleton with their own eyes, unless someone swapped the corpse before I arrived.”
Dong Jiao did not respond, but instead turned his head slightly to glance at his son.
Dong Jingmo immediately said, “After the incident, I ordered the banquet hall sealed. The guests were questioned one by one and personally escorted home. As for the remains, I oversaw the guards myself. There was absolutely no chance for a swap. I am willing to stake my head on it.”
Dong Jingmo already holds the title of Provincial Graduate, and with an uncle serving as a high official in the court, Yu Baisu and the others dared not offend him rashly while the case remained unclear.
“Eldest Young Master, there is no need to stake your head,” I cupped my hands. “Why not hear my reasoning first?”
Dong Jingmo smiled, “I was just about to ask Lord Zheng how you are so certain the remains are male.”
I reached out, and Song Lan handed me the Corpse Examination Record.
“The human body has three hundred and sixty-five bones, corresponding to the days in a year. Male bones are white, female bones are black,” I said, flipping through the Corpse Examination Record. “From the crown to the ears and the back of the head, men have eight bones, women have six. As for the ribs, men have twelve on each side, women have fourteen.”
I walked up to Yu Baisu and presented the Corpse Examination Record, continuing, “On the wrists and the sides of the shin bones, men have ‘bai’ bones, women do not.”
Yu Baisu returned the Corpse Examination Record to me, and Xu Qingzhu quickly took it from my hands to examine it closely. Dong Jingmo also came over to look with him.
Pointing to the words on the Corpse Examination Record, I said, “The coccyx bone is shaped like a pig’s kidney, lying beneath the joints. In men, the attachment at the spine is concave, with sharp edges on both sides, forming nine apertures around it. In women, the attachment is straight, with six apertures.”
“Therefore, I conclude,” I handed the Corpse Examination Record back to Song Lan, “the body in the room is male, not female.”
“This…”
Everyone looked at each other, unsure what to say.
“Ahem, Lord Zheng’s insight is truly eye-opening.”
After a moment, Xu Qingzhu forced a smile, “I have served in Anyang for seven years and have never seen such an autopsy method. I cannot verify its authenticity at the moment, ha, ha ha.”
I smiled slightly, “Under the County Magistrate’s governance, Anyang County is peaceful-no one picks up lost items on the road, and families do not lock their doors at night. There have been no homicide cases in recent years, so it is only natural that the County Deputy Magistrate has not witnessed an autopsy.”
My words, neither soft nor hard, made Yu Baisu and Xu Qingzhu’s expressions shift, but they could not show their displeasure and seemed to be holding back with difficulty.
Dong Jingmo admired, “I never imagined there was so much knowledge in autopsy. I have truly learned something today. My respect.”
I replied, “Eldest Young Master flatters me. However, since it is a male corpse, where did the Singing Girl’s body that died at last night’s banquet go?”
“Exactly,” Dong Jingmo looked troubled. “We were guarding the place at all times and would have noticed any movement. How could someone swap the body right under our noses without us knowing?”
Song Lan could not help but roll his eyes behind me, muttering quietly, “Acting like nothing happened-who knows if you swapped it yourself? The whole manor listens to you; who would dare object?”
I pretended not to hear and nodded understandingly, “I need to question everyone who attended last night’s banquet. Eldest Young Master, please prepare a room for the interviews.”
Dong Jingmo was surprised, “County Sheriff, before you arrived, the County Magistrate and County Deputy Magistrate already questioned everyone. You still want to ask again?”
“I have already questioned them,” Yu Baisu waved his hand, and the Private Secretary came over and handed me a stack of papers. “Lord Zheng may take them back to the County Office for review.”
I glanced at a couple of pages. They were filled with vague statements-busy serving dishes and did not notice the Singing Girl, or escorting some drunken young master to change clothes and did not witness the death.
Over a dozen pages, and not a single person mentioned seeing the crime scene. Ridiculous.
I handed the papers to Song Lan to put away and cupped my hands, “No homicide has occurred in Anyang County for eight years, thanks to the County Magistrate’s capable governance. Now, with such a major case, if it is not thoroughly investigated, it may harm your reputation, Lord Yu. Next year will be the ninth year…”
The County Magistrate is evaluated every three years and transferred every nine. Next year will be Yu Baisu’s ninth year as County Magistrate of Anyang County. Whether he can be promoted depends on this. Now that a homicide has occurred, although it can be managed, there is still risk.
Yu Baisu was silent for a moment before saying, “In that case, let Eldest Young Master arrange for County Sheriff Zheng to question everyone in the manor.”
Dong Jiao’s face darkened slightly, but he did not lose his temper in public. He simply claimed old age and shock from last night, saying he needed to rest, and left the matter to Dong Jingmo, departing with his servants.