Qin Sheng frowned, "That's difficult to say. Some poisons are very potent, acting as swiftly as a fatal blow upon contact with blood. Others develop slowly, and while not immediately lethal, they can still torment the patient. This can last from as little as an hour to several days. Of course, each ailment corresponds to a specific manner of death!"
He hadn't seen the symptoms of the deceased, so expecting him to immediately offer a correct conclusion was not the conduct of a physician!
"The face was bluish, the lips purplish, and the person died less than two hours after eating?"
"It's impossible to definitively say if it was poisoning. Sometimes, when people are dying, they experience shortness of breath, which can cause these facial symptoms!"
This back and forth, without a definitive answer, greatly distressed Fan Zehao.
"If you were to perform an autopsy, would you be able to ascertain the cause of death?" Zhao Jiaqi asked him.
The latter nodded, giving her a clear answer: "Yes!"
As long as it was possible, they would have him and Qi Xuan perform another autopsy on the deceased to determine how Zhuo Ping had died.
"For the sake of the Princess's health, Doctor Qin, please bear with us and stay in the manor for a few days to help stabilize the Princess's pregnancy. You may leave once the fetus is secure. What do you say, Doctor Qin?"
Qin Sheng understood Fan Zehao's words. Facing the Prince's sharp gaze, his emotions remained steady, "It is Qin's honor to serve the Prince and Princess!"
Being pragmatic, such a person was indeed wise!
Zhao Jiaqi gave Wang Cai a look. The latter led Qin Sheng away and handed him over to Butler Wang, emphasizing the man's importance.
Soon, Wang Cai, having completed his task, returned to the front hall. With no outsiders present, Qiu Fen and he recounted the news they had gathered from the village in detail.
"Princess, logically, Zhuo Ping was the pillar of the family. His wife should be very heartbroken. However, your servant observed that the deceased's parents were crying their hearts out, while his wife seemed... seemed relieved, eerily calm!" Qiu Fen recalled the deceased's wife, her calmness so profound it didn't seem like she had lost the person she relied on. Instead, it was as if a pet cat or dog, utterly insignificant, had died.
She hadn't even shed a single tear!
Seeing Qiu Fen's confusion, Zhao Jiaqi let out a cold chuckle. If her guess was correct, Ji Shiyi, through Zhuo Yongxian, had gotten involved with the soon-to-die Zhuo Ping. He had given him a sum of money, using his life to frame Murong Sheng.
"You two have worked hard. Go and rest. Tomorrow, Wang Cai, you will go to the pier. The moment you see Murong Sheng return, have him go directly to the county yamen!"
Wang Cai received his orders and withdrew.
Because of this vexing incident, Zhao Jiaqi had lost her appetite. But upon remembering the two children she carried, she forced herself to eat a little more than half a bowl of rice that evening for their sake.
As a result, she was too full to speak and lay in bed, rubbing her stomach. She marveled, "When I was carrying Yumeng, my appetite was poor, and I often vomited. This pregnancy, however, has been quite smooth, with no adverse reactions!"
Hearing about Yumeng, Fan Zehao instantly became alert. He propped himself up, leaned on his side with one hand supporting his head, and chatted, "Yumeng was quite a spirited child. This one of ours is more placid, but it must be hard on you!"
With two little ones in his wife's belly, he couldn't help but admire his own capabilities. However, he still harbored doubts about Qin Sheng's medical skills. He thought that once Qi Xuan arrived, he would have the old man examine her pulse.
Zhao Jiaqi cast a sideways glance at the one who spoke so kindly, "Giving birth is very painful, do you know that!"
He gave an awkward laugh. He had heard it was painful, but he couldn't experience it himself. Yet, he couldn't say this to his wife, for if he did, he might be dealt with in unimaginable ways the next moment.
So, he immediately declared, "We'll only have this one child. Whether it's a boy or a girl, we won't have any more. Deal, my love?"
Whether she agreed or not, he had already said it. What else could be done!
Zhao Jiaqi placed her hand on her small belly. In her heart, she felt the same about boys and girls; they were all her darlings. However, in this ancient era, a family without a son would be ridiculed.
The people here also placed great importance on continuing the family line, especially since Fan Zehao was an only son, and even more so as this was an posthumous child.
Even if she gave birth to three daughters, Fan Zehao wouldn't say anything, but she couldn't guarantee her mother-in-law wouldn't have other ideas.
She fell asleep with unease, her dreams filled with trivial household matters and endless chores. She even dreamt that the child she bore was missing limbs.
This scared her awake immediately. She felt her forehead and chest, both covered in sweat. Turning her head, she saw no one by the bedside. The sky outside was already bright. Her one dream had lasted all night.
After washing up and having breakfast, she settled into Yumeng's courtyard, watching the governess teach the three girls the rules of etiquette.
Fan Guangping's eldest son was practicing boxing and swordplay with Fan Zehao, growing sturdier and taller.
In the morning, under Zhao Jiaqi's watchful eye, the three young girls finally completed their preliminary lessons. She also took the opportunity to learn a thing or two, which might be useful for future diplomatic matters.
The next day, Wang Cai had been patiently waiting at the pier for two days before the travel-worn Murong Sheng finally arrived.
However, behind him was not Doctor Qi Xuan, but another person he had never seen before.
"Master Murong, why is Doctor Qi Xuan not here?" Wang Cai stepped forward, took the bundle from his hand, and casually asked.
Murong Sheng sighed in dejection, "Doctor Qi Xuan has gone to the capital. This is his star disciple; he is very skilled in medicine!"
Wang Cai scanned the star disciple a few times. He noticed the man standing tall and proud, his back ramrod straight, and rather arrogant.
He withdrew his gaze and immediately conveyed the task entrusted to him by the Princess, "Master Murong, the Princess asked me to wait here. As soon as you land, please take the doctor to the manor so he can re-examine the body. The Prince will also bring another doctor to ensure double assurance!"
Since the sister-in-law had said so, it must mean she had found some clues. Therefore, he dared not delay. He led Fei Yan, Qi Xuan's disciple, to the yamen and struck the drum to plead for justice.
Wang Cai then hurried back to the Prince's manor and recounted the events. Fan Zehao immediately led Qin Sheng to head to the yamen.
Zhao Jiaqi, seeing that she was not being taken along, immediately said, "I'm going too!"
"No, you are pregnant and should not be subjected to travel. Rest assured, I can handle this matter!"
Fan Zehao unequivocally refused her request. Nothing and no one was more important than his wife. Without ensuring her safety, he would not act rashly.
She watched helplessly as her husband led the others away. Anxiously stamping her foot, she was utterly helpless. After a long while, she called out to Gou'er, "Go find some strong and steady sedan chair bearers. I'm going to the yamen!"
The carriage was too bumpy to ride, but a sedan chair was still an option, wasn't it?
Since everyone was gone and couldn't see or touch her, she was the boss in this manor. Let's see who would dare to say anything to her.