Chapter 184: Misfortune, the Han family’s difficulties (2/2)
After clarifying her position, Han Yunxi sat down on one side. The Prefecture governor stood up while nodding his head, a complicated look flitting past his eyes. Still, he maintained a respectful smile and had someone prepare tea for the guest.
“Esteemed wangfei, be at ease. This official will definitely handle things impartially!”
“Then how far have you gone with the questioning? Tell it to us, Prefecture governor,” Han Yunxi said.
But the Prefecture governor only replied, “Esteemed wangfei, both the witness testimony and material evidence are complete. I can just about declare the criminal guilty.”
“Declare them guilty?” Han Yunxi furrowed her eyebrows.
“Doctor Li accidentally grabbed some poison and mixed it in with the cold medicine, resulting in the patient dying from poison. Although it was simply a mistake, it was still murder,” the Prefecture governor replied.
“Manslaughter? Where’s the proof?” How could Han Yunxi believe such a thing?
The Prefecture governor signaled with his eyes, and his assistant immediately presented three items with the utmost respect. One was the autopsy report, another was the summary of medicinal ingredients present in Doctor Li’s medicine, and the final one was Doctor Li’s prescription.
Han Yunxi skimmed over the items. The autopsy report stated that the victim had been suffering from a serious cold, but died from Kuigen[3] poison. The examination of the medicine had been very thorough, going through each of the three packages of medicine that Madam Chen had brought over. There were a total of 11 ingredients listed, each them used for treating colds. The only extra ingredient was Kuigen poison.
Most damning was the fact that Doctor Li’s prescription precisely included Kuigen.
As Han Yunxi read through the 11 ingredients, she seemed to have discovered something that turned her gaze complicated. Kuigen did have poison, but it was an acute poison who did double duty as good medicine. Small quantities of Kuigen, when mixed with medicinal ingredients, could cancel out its poisonous properties while strengthening curative effects. However, Kuigen wasn’t needed to treat a cold. No matter how muddle-headed Doctor Li could be, he shouldn’t be careless to the point of including it in his prescription, right?
Though she was puzzled, Han Yunxi didn’t betray her feelings as she asked, “Where’s Doctor Li?”
Doctor Li was the one who examined the patient and prescribed the medicine. He should be the chief culprit since Seventh Madame was just the owner of the medical clinic. Whatever the case, they should’ve brought him here first. Unexpectedly, the Prefecture governor said, “Esteemed wangfei, Doctor Li is already dead.”
What?
“How could this be, how did he die?” the calm Han Yunxi burst out at the news.
“While being taken into custody, he bit his own tongue and committed suicide,” the Prefecture governor replied honestly.
-o-
[1] Shuntian Prefecture (顺天府) – shuntian fu, mostly like inspired by the historical Shutian Prefecture, the office (yamen) of a local government where citizens could go to plead their grievances. Shuntian means along the lines of “following Heaven’s will, fu is a term (in this case) for a government office, but can also refer to a residence, mansion, or estate.
[2] dressed all in white – traditional color of mourning in ancient China.
[3] Kuigen (葵根) – literally “sunflower stalk,” but kui may also refer to certain herbaceous plants with big flowers.
Original Chapter Teaser:
Gu Qishao: Oi! Way to talk behind my back!
Gu Beiyue: Ah, I didn’t mean to offend–
Gu Qishao: Too bad this gentleman finds you offensive!
Han Yunxi: Hey! If you were here, we’d still tell you to your face!
Gu Qishao: *beams* Poison lass, I’ve always like that straightforward attitude of yours~
Han Yunxi: Harrughh!
Han Yunxi: Gu Qishao, aren’t you taking your double standards a little too far?
Gu Qishao: I’d say it’s far from enough! Poison lass, when will you elope with me?
Han Yunxi: I’m already married!
Gu Qishao: But I’m your ‘happily ever after~’
Han Yunxi: In. Your. Dreams!
Gu Qishao: You said that to me last time, too. Heh, am I dreamy to you?
Han Yunxi: GU QISH–
Gu Beiyue: *quickly hands Han Yunxi a tonic* Esteemed wangfei, let’s not raise our blood pressure without reason. After all, the source of your ire isn’t even in this chapter.
Han Yunxi: *huffs* Thank you for being sensible, Imperial Physician Gu.
Gu Qishao: But eccentrics are more fun!
Han Yunxi: I’ve got enough eccentricities going on in my head without it leaking into my real life, too!