Miss Truth
Chapter 347 - 218: Hero Runs Out of Breath_2

Chapter 347: Chapter 218: Hero Runs Out of Breath_2

After a series of bone examinations, Ran Yan finally concluded, "The deceased is female, aged between seventeen and twenty-two, and had never given birth. Judging from the decay and weathering of the bones, the time of death was within the last year."

Ran Yan was struck by a thought and checked the healing level of the lower legs. Although there were slight differences, other aspects matched the rest of the body.

"We also found this item beside the skull, which suggests her death wasn’t for robbery," Xiao Song said, taking a hairpin from a box on a nearby shelf.

It was a silver hairpin, featuring gentle, slight curves. The handle was shaped like a ruyi, adorned with a red gemstone, and surrounded by over ten tiny green jade beads inlaid according to the pattern. Possibly due to contact with the decaying bones, the hairpin had a blackish-yellow tint.

"This hairpin seems like something a woman would use," Ran Yan noted.

That ruyi shape and color, unmarried women would generally not use it.

"I’ve roughly estimated the value, and this hairpin would be worth around thirty strings of cash. It was made by Pingan Building, and the selling price certainly wouldn’t be less than fifty strings," Xiao Song said, his face masked, revealing only his sparkling eyes that slightly curved in a smile.

Ran Yan continued, "The victim’s bones bear marks that look like injuries from a sharp blade. I just counted, and there are six such marks, these reached the bone, so she likely had even more injuries."

Ran Yan suddenly thought of something. Had Chai Xuanyi’s party been raided not for robbery but for a different purpose? Or was there another secret? Glancing at Xiao Song and seeing his affirming expression, she knew he had figured out this conclusion.

After all, the case had happened eight months ago; it was impossible that there were no clues found.

"Should we go and meet Chai Xuanyi and Princess Wenxi?" Xiao Song whispered closely by her ear with his head lowered.

Ran Yan was tempted, yet hesitated, "Brother ten..."

"Don’t worry, he won’t find out," Xiao Song assured, as he wrapped the hairpin with a plain cloth and placed it in a small box, "Let’s go."

Ran Yan set aside her concerns, removed her robe and other items, and followed him out of the room.

As they stepped out, Xiao Song caught her and led her into the next room. It turned out this room had doors on two sides, serving as a passage.

Exiting the passage, Xiao Song asked, "Are your wounds alright?"

"It’s nothing, just a minor injury, no need to worry so much," Ran Yan said, pulling her wrist out of Xiao Song’s hand.

Xiao Song felt somewhat disheartened, but his demeanor remained excited as he said, "Let’s go. I’ve prepared a carriage at the eastern gate."

Ran Yan acknowledged and followed him through the winding paths to the eastern gate, indeed finding a carriage already waiting there. Xiao Song had arranged everything so well, Ran Yan couldn’t help but suspect that he didn’t really need her for the autopsy and was perhaps only motivating her to pass the time.

This suspicion made Ran Yan quite uncomfortable; she was serious about her work, not merely passing time.

"If you already knew all this, why bother asking me to come for the autopsy today?" Ran Yan halted before the carriage, needing to clear up the matter because she felt uneasy.

Xiao Song sensed Ran Yan’s mood and also stopped, momentarily at a loss for words.

"If it’s just to help me pass the time, that’s completely unnecessary," Ran Yan stated sternly, realizing her tone might be too harsh since he was considering her feelings and added, "Although I appreciate the thought, I don’t like it."

"That’s not it." Xiao Song’s intention was not to help her pass the time; he just thought about how confident she appeared during autopsies, how brilliant, and wanted to include her in solving the case.

Regarding this matter, he didn’t feel the need to explain further.

"Let’s go," Ran Yan said, stepping onto the carriage first. She wasn’t ungrateful; Xiao Song had prepared everything well, and even if it was just to help her pass the time, it was thoughtfully done. Asking about it simply cleared the air and would help her know how to proceed in the future.

Xiao Song felt somewhat angry internally; despite all his efforts to treat her well, it still led to misunderstandings!

Anyone would feel uncomfortable in such a situation, let alone, Xiao Song was not a man without temper.

Thus, once they were on the carriage, a silent battle began between them—one deadly calm, the other like an erupting volcano, combining into a dreadful atmosphere that even made the coachman shiver.

Yongxing Square was close to the Government Office, but Chai Xuanyi’s residence was located in a secluded part of the square. The carriage rode jerkily, twisting and turning through the alleyways.

Once calmed, Xiao Song realized his anger had dissipated, especially with Ran Yan still beside him, he could think of nothing else but to be near her.

Xiao Song held back for a while, glancing discreetly at Ran Yan. She leaned against the carriage wall with her back to him, making it hard to tell from her partial profile whether she was still upset.

Initially reluctant to show humility, but upon noticing a slight bloodstain seeping through the white cloth on her neck, he cast aside all concerns of dignity and hurriedly said, "Yan, your wound has opened."

Ran Yan muttered, "I know."

"That’s all you have to say!?" Xiao Song said with exasperation, moving closer to her, then adopting a more conciliatory tone, "Shall we not visit Chai Xuanyi and just take you home?"

"We’re almost there, why not go?" Ran Yan turned to him, affirming, "It’s just a minor opening, it’s fine."

Ran Yan thought since Xiao Song had kindly brought her along, even if she wasn’t very useful, she shouldn’t be a burden. She despised being ineffective and causing more harm than good.

In front of Ran Yan, Xiao Song felt powerless, always uncertain of her thoughts, much like feeling the frustrations of a thwarted hero.

(To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)