When evening came, Fan Zehao returned with a face ashen. "These bastards," he declared, unable to contain his fury, "just because one person died after eating at the restaurant, they immediately declared the food unclean. They didn't even bother to investigate the cause of death, nor did they search the kitchen for anything lethal, and they wanted to pass judgment!"
Zhao Jiaqi listened, her heart sinking.
The government's arbitrary judgment was enough to tell her that Ji Shiyi was behind the scheme, with the Prefect of the Inner City, Qian Lai, acting as a shield. The incident at Tianxiang Tower was clearly a trap set by Ji Shiyi for Murong Sheng.
"And then?" She didn't believe her husband would let Qian Lai end the case like this.
Fan Zehao gulped down a pot of cold tea, his anger subsiding. He sat on a chair and sighed, "I stopped them, sealed off Tianxiang Tower, and took all witnesses and involved persons to the military camp. I've had Xudong assign men to guard them!"
The military camp?
Zhao Jiaqi admired his resourcefulness. If they were locked up in prison, these people might collude.
"Wife, I saw the deceased. His face was ashen, his lips blackened, his eyes tightly shut, and his brows furrowed. He looked like he suffered greatly before dying. The coroner said it was poisoning, a clear sign of it!"
"Brother Sheng also said the deceased was poisoned. But if it was spoiled food that killed him, how much poison would he have had to consume to exhibit such symptoms?" She couldn't fathom it.
She wouldn't dare claim expertise in other areas, but she was quite knowledgeable about the habits of flora and fauna. This was just the most rudimentary knowledge she'd learned in school. The deceased had eaten all the signature dishes, dishes she had developed herself. She was certain there was no possibility of food poisoning involved. If there were, it would have been an issue in the capital or Yulin Town, not here.
They sat in silence, both heads bowed. When Qiufen and Wangcai returned, they immediately sensed the oppressive atmosphere in the hall. Following them was a man carrying a medicine chest. Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao eyed him with curiosity.
"Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, this is a renowned physician from the East Street in the city, named Qin Sheng. His medical skills are well-known in that area, and he often provides pro bono services to the poor, earning him much respect from the common folk!"
Zhao Jiaqi wondered why Qiufen had invited this man and said all this. Meanwhile, Fan Zehao immediately instructed Qin Sheng, "Doctor Qin, the Consort has been feeling unwell recently. Please examine her and see what's wrong."
Huh? Her mind couldn't keep up with her husband's thoughts. Doctors, especially those recognized by the public, possessed genuine skill and were often kind-hearted. Tricking such a person felt wrong. Just as she was about to find an excuse to feign illness, she heard Qin Sheng's voice, "Consort, please extend your hand." His tone was meticulous, devoid of flattery, and his expression was neutral. She had no choice but to extend her hand, revealing her wrist.
A moment later, a clean white silk handkerchief was placed over her wrist, and then the doctor’s fingers rested upon it. A long while passed, and he still did not withdraw his hand. This time, not only Zhao Jiaqi grew anxious, but Fan Zehao also noticed something amiss and became uneasy.
"Doctor, have I developed some sort of problem?"
After a while, Qin Sheng calmly withdrew his hand and shook his head. "Consort, there's no need to worry. It's not a serious illness, but a pregnancy pulse. The pulse is strong and steady, and the fetus is more than two months old. Furthermore, it's twins. You must be more careful when you travel from now on!"
This was why he had taken so long to diagnose. These words stunned everyone.
"Ah?" She gasped, disbelieving that she was actually pregnant! And two months along! She touched her belly, trying to recall when her last menstruation had occurred. After much thought, she couldn't remember, but it seemed to have been on the ship?
The happiest among them was Fan Zehao. He had vaguely suspected his wife was pregnant, but he hadn't known it was twins. He couldn't stop smiling, truly proud of his capabilities.
"Doctor Qin Sheng, you are most skilled! A reward of a hundred taels!" Fan Zehao's generous reward, given so readily, showed his immense joy.
Qin Sheng accepted the reward with gratitude and prepared to leave, but Qiufen stopped him. "You cannot leave yet!"
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi looked at Qiufen in unison. Hadn't Qiufen found this doctor to examine his wife? Why wasn't he allowed to leave after the diagnosis? Fan Zehao had initially thought Qiufen to be meticulous, finding a doctor for his masters. However, he realized too late that his assumption was wrong.
Qiufen explained, "Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, Wangcai and I investigated and found that the deceased had seen Doctor Qin Sheng about a month ago. We didn't want to inquire at the clinic due to the number of people, so we brought him here!"
Now, everyone in the room, except for Qin Sheng, understood the situation. Qin Sheng, having heard about the death at the city restaurant, also began to grasp what was happening.
Wangcai immediately continued what Qiufen had left unsaid. "The deceased was named Zhuo Ping. He was a villager from Zhuo Village in Fengyuan Town, under the jurisdiction of the Inner City. His family was very poor, with elders to care for and children to raise. Even his three sons shared a small room. He was not someone who could afford forty to fifty taels for a meal!"
"Indeed, if a rural person had such money, they would have bought a house and fertile land long ago. But Zhuo Ping's family only had two mu of land, and the crops they grew each year were barely enough to eat. Where would he have gotten the money to dine lavishly at a town restaurant? Moreover, we heard that Doctor Qin had gone to Fengyuan Town for a pro bono clinic a while ago, and Zhuo Ping had attended. It's said his complexion was quite poor when he left. This must have led to Doctor Qin..." being tricked here! Qiufen didn't dare to finish her sentence, but her ambiguous words made her meaning clear to everyone!
Qin Sheng nodded, recalling Zhuo Ping. "I visit the nearby towns for pro bono clinics on the first day of each month. The last time I visited Fengyuan Town, I do remember Zhuo Ping." He added, "This person suffered from 'xiaoke zheng' (a type of wasting disease) and did not have much time left!" His brief words conveyed a great deal of information. "Ah, yes, I prescribed him a few doses of medicine. Although it couldn't cure him, it could make him more comfortable. It's just that his cousin didn't come to pick it up today, and unexpectedly, he passed away!" He shook his head with regret.
"Zhuo Ping's cousin is named Zhuo Yongxian, and he works for the Ji Residence!" Wangcai quickly provided this crucial piece of information.
At this point, the pieces of the puzzle were almost complete. Even the slowest-witted Fan Zehao could see the intrigue. He turned to Qin Sheng and asked, "Doctor, I ask you, what is the appearance of a person who has died from consuming poisoned food?"