Chapter 27: Partridge Sky (Part 2)
This was Ni Su’s second interrogation at the Guangning Prefecture Yamen’s Silu Prison.
But Tian Qi Zhong didn’t question her. He simply had the medicinal dregs placed before her. Ni Su examined them carefully and indeed found Chuan Wu among the ingredients.
“I never used Chuan Wu in my prescription,” Ni Su said, meeting Tian Qi Zhong’s gaze.
“We can’t simply take your word for it,” Tian Qi Zhong said. He hadn’t forgotten how she had easily discerned the presence of the talisman hidden beneath his robes during her previous interrogation. It still bothered him.
“A-Zhou, I gave you a prescription,” Ni Su said, turning to the young man kneeling beside her, his head bowed.
A-Zhou looked up, his eyes swollen like walnuts. Seeing the judicial officer looking at him, he said hoarsely, “I… I lost it while preparing the medicine for my mother…”
He met Ni Su’s gaze and added, “Even if you had the prescription, you could have omitted some ingredients!”
“I wouldn’t,” Ni Su said calmly. “As a physician, I’m meticulous with my prescriptions. I remember clearly what I used and how much.”
“You call yourself a physician?” A-Zhou bowed his head to Tian Qi Zhong. “Your Honor! She’s just a medicine woman! How can she be compared to a proper physician? If she omitted something, who would know?”
Tian Qi Zhong ignored him and addressed the white-haired physician. “Have you identified all the ingredients in the dregs?”
The physician nodded and presented the prescription he had written based on the dregs. “Your Honor, the dregs contain Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Sheng Di Huang, Bai Zhu, Zhi Gan Cao, Ren Shen, and also crushed Su Mu and Mo Yao. If it weren’t for the Chuan Wu, this would be an excellent prescription for pregnancy complications.”
Tian Qi Zhong didn’t understand medicine, but hearing that it should have been a good prescription, he felt uneasy. The coroner entered, and he beckoned him forward. “Tell me, what did you find?”
A-Zhou tensed, his lips pressed together, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.
“Reporting to Your Honor, the cause of death was indeed poisoning,” the coroner replied respectfully.
This should have been favorable testimony for A-Zhou, but both Ni Su and Tian Qi Zhong noticed the widening of his eyes.
“But whether it was Chuan Wu poisoning, we can’t be certain.” The coroner could only determine the presence of poison, not the specific type.
Tian Qi Zhong had been waiting for the constables he had sent to search Ni Su’s residence to return before interrogating her further. He finished his tea and finally saw them return. Ni Su’s medical records were placed before him.
“No Chuan Wu?” he asked the constable, comparing the records with the physician’s prescription.
“No, Your Honor. We searched her entire residence thoroughly. We didn’t find any Chuan Wu,” the constable replied.
This was strange.
Tian Qi Zhong glanced at Ni Su, then at the records and the prescription. There was no Chuan Wu in her house. How could it be in the medicine?
The old physician examined Ni Su’s records. “The Bai Shao and Sheng Di Huang were stir-fried with wine, the Bai Zhu with stove ash soil, and the Ru Xiang and Mo Yao were processed to remove the oil…”
“Is something wrong?” Tian Qi Zhong asked, confused.
“No, everything is correct.” The physician looked at Ni Su, his expression complex. He clearly didn’t trust this young woman, but as a physician, he couldn’t find any fault with her records.
He pointed at the records. “Her notes are even more detailed. Look, Your Honor, she even included dietary recommendations for replenishing blood and qi. Mu Gua and Li Yu are also correct. Li Yu is a yin tonic, beneficial for edema and lactation, excellent for pregnancy. Mu Gua is slightly cold…”
Seeing the physician rambling, Tian Qi Zhong interrupted him and was about to question A-Zhou when a group of officials entered, led by an elderly man in crimson robes and a winged hat.
“Assistant Magistrate Tao,” Tian Qi Zhong immediately stood up and bowed.
“Master Tian, why haven’t you brought this woman to the main hall for trial?” Assistant Magistrate Tao’s rheumatism was acting up in this damp weather, and his face was grim.
“Reporting to Assistant Magistrate Tao, I was waiting for my men to search her residence for Chuan Wu.”
“Did you find any?”
“No.”
Assistant Magistrate Tao hadn’t expected this answer. He glanced at the distraught young man. “Such a tragedy. I heard his father is bedridden, and now his mother is gone. A family broken just like that…”
Assistant Magistrate Tao was prone to sentimentality. He handled minor cases at the Yamen because no one else had the patience. It was rare for him to preside over a murder case.
His words made A-Zhou burst into tears.
“If there’s no Chuan Wu in her house, where did the Chuan Wu in the dregs come from?” Assistant Magistrate Tao asked. “Perhaps she only had a small amount and used it all.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Your Honor,” Tian Qi Zhong said. “No one buys Chuan Wu in such small quantities. Even if she wanted to, no one would sell it like that.”
“Then she must have hidden the rest?”
“That also doesn’t make sense. We searched her house thoroughly.”
“Then what does make sense?” Assistant Magistrate Tao asked, exasperated. “What did the coroner say?”
“Assistant Magistrate, the woman died of poisoning,” the coroner replied, bowing.
Assistant Magistrate Tao nodded. “If it wasn’t the woman’s faulty prescription, who else would poison her? What would be the motive?”
“It still doesn’t make sense…” Tian Qi Zhong stopped as Assistant Magistrate Tao glared at him. He presented Ni Su’s records and the physician’s prescription. “Assistant Magistrate, please take a look. Except for the Chuan Wu, the ingredients in her records match the dregs. I’ve also consulted a physician, and he confirmed that without the Chuan Wu, this is a good, even excellent, prescription.”
“If her medical knowledge is truly dubious, how could she use the other ingredients so precisely and only make a mistake with the Chuan Wu?”
“Master Tian,” Assistant Magistrate Tao frowned, “do we have any evidence proving her innocence? Why don’t you ask her why a respectable woman would work as a medicine woman? Haven’t you tried cases of medicine women causing deaths before? Which reputable medical family would allow a woman to learn their skills? How do you know her methods are legitimate?”
He looked at Ni Su, her back straight and stiff. “Last time, she made absurd claims at the Yamen and didn’t retract them even after being tortured. Perhaps there’s something wrong with her.”
Tian Qi Zhong sighed, seeing Assistant Magistrate Tao tap his forehead. “Assistant Magistrate, I can’t confirm her innocence, but how can we prove her guilt?”
“Find the proof!” Assistant Magistrate Tao snapped.
“Assistant Magistrate, I wasn’t making absurd claims last time, and I didn’t kill anyone this time,” Ni Su, who had been silent, spoke up, hearing the tapping. “My shop on Nan Huai Street isn’t a pharmacy. I only have some herbs drying in the courtyard and a medicine box with some basic ingredients. I don’t have Chuan Wu.”
“Are you saying he’s framing you?” Assistant Magistrate Tao asked, his gaze shifting to A-Zhou.
Ni Su met A-Zhou’s gaze. “Yes,” she said.
“I didn’t!” A-Zhou shouted.
“Bring them both to the main hall,” Assistant Magistrate Tao said, smoothing his robes, clearly intending to conduct a proper interrogation.
Tian Qi Zhong, having worked at the Guangning Prefecture Yamen for several years, knew that although Assistant Magistrate Tao was a diligent official who didn’t shy away from tedious tasks, he tended to be biased in his judgments, favoring his initial impressions.
That’s why Magistrate Yin assigned him minor cases, which also gave him extensive experience with medicine women.
Such cases were common in Yun Jing, regardless of social standing.
This wasn’t favorable for Ni Su.
And unfortunately, Assistant Magistrate Yang, who usually handled murder cases, was currently ill.
Tian Qi Zhong, seeing the constables escorting Ni Su and A-Zhou away, wondered if he should inform Magistrate Yin.
“Commander Zhou, what brings the Yin Ye Si here?” Assistant Magistrate Tao’s displeased voice came from outside.
Tian Qi Zhong looked up and saw Zhou Ting.
“I’m here on Director Han’s orders to take these two into custody,” Zhou Ting said, bowing to Assistant Magistrate Tao and presenting his token.
The Yin Ye Si had been watching Ni Su. When the incident occurred in the alley, an officer had immediately reported back.
After finishing his previous task, Zhou Ting had informed Han Qing and come to the Guangning Prefecture Yamen.
“This is a murder case under the jurisdiction of the Guangning Prefecture Yamen. Why is the Yin Ye Si involved?” Assistant Magistrate Tao asked, then remembered that Ni Su was the sister of Ni Qinglan, the victim in the winter examination case.
That explained the Yin Ye Si’s involvement. But he pointed at A-Zhou. “What about him? Are you taking him too?”
“Yes,” Zhou Ting said, without further explanation. “Director Han will send a formal report to Magistrate Yin.”
Assistant Magistrate Tao knew that Magistrate Yin would be relieved to have the Yin Ye Si handle the case.
“Then take them,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. He didn’t want to deal with this, especially with his aching leg.
This situation again.
From the Guangning Prefecture Yamen to the Yin Ye Si. But this time, Ni Su wasn’t tortured. She followed Zhou Ting into the Yin Ye Si, not to the torture chamber, but to an interrogation room.
“Chaofeng Lang sat in that chair all night,” Han Qing said, leaning back and offering a cup of hot tea to the drenched young woman.
It was Wu Shan Red Tea.
Cai Chun Xu had shared some anecdotes about her husband, including how he had mistaken the tea for blood at the Yin Ye Si.
Ni Su, holding the teacup, thought it did look like blood.
Han Qing watched her take a sip, then asked, “Are you sure you didn’t use Chuan Wu?”
Ni Su looked at the Director, remembering his ruthlessness in the torture chamber.
“No,” she replied.
Han Qing stared at her.
Silence filled the room.
After a long moment, he raised an eyebrow. “Alright. I believe you.”
To Ni Su’s surprise, she was released after only a cup of tea.
“Miss Ni, watch your step,” Zhou Ting said, seeing her unsteady gait, reminding her of the puddles in the uneven pavement.
“Commander Zhou,” Ni Su looked up at the umbrella shielding her from the rain, “did Director Han really release me because he believes I’m innocent?”
Zhou Ting couldn’t bring himself to say yes.
Han Qing wouldn’t believe her based solely on her denial. She was a lone woman, how could she be compared to Chaofeng Lang Miao Yi Yang, who had Du Cong’s protection? What did she have?
Only her usefulness.
Her value lay in her brother’s death and her status as a grieving sister seeking justice.
Ni Su didn’t know what Han Qing and Minister Meng intended to do, but they were clearly using her brother’s death for their own purposes.
Moreover, keeping her at the Yin Ye Si protected her from the real murderer.
This was how they were using her. Not because they believed her, but because they didn’t care about her innocence.
“Miss Ni, Chao Yi Song’s leg has fully recovered,” Zhou Ting said. Chao Yi Song was the officer Ni Su had treated at her clinic.
Ni Su looked at him in the rain, silent.
His evasion was an answer.
As darkness fell, Ni Su remembered Xu Zi Ling, who had risked himself by leaving her side in the alley. She ran towards Nan Huai Street.
Today’s events weren’t a coincidence.
The constables should have found Chuan Wu in her house.
Xu Zi Ling must have realized this when he heard A-Zhou’s accusation, which was why they hadn’t found anything.
Zhou Ting watched as she ran off, her figure disappearing into the rain like ink washing across a painting.
“Commander Zhou, I told you you’re not good with women,” Chao Yi Song said, handing his umbrella to a colleague and huddling under theirs. “When she asked if you believed her, you should have said yes!”
Chao Yi Song had been too far away to hear clearly, but he had guessed what Ni Su had asked.
Zhou Ting, his gaze fixed on Ni Su’s receding figure, suddenly stopped.
Chao Yi Song stumbled, raindrops pelting his face. He turned back, confused.
Zhou Ting stood tall and straight, his dark robes damp with rain. “I don’t believe her.”
“Huh?” Chao Yi Song was stunned.
“Her case hasn’t been tried. There’s no evidence proving her guilt or innocence. Saying I believe her would be a lie.”
Seeing Ni Su disappearing into the distance, Zhou Ting continued walking, passing Chao Yi Song. “Escort her back. Stay late tonight and help me interrogate A-Zhou. Consider it repayment for her treating your leg.”
Chao Yi Song remained silent.
The shop Ni Su had meticulously cleaned was now a mess after the constables’ search, muddy footprints covering the floor.
Thunder rumbled. The main hall was dimly lit. Ni Su was drenched.
“Chao Yi Song, have them clean this up,” Zhou Ting said, seeing her standing there alone, his gaze sweeping over the mess.
Chao Yi Song and the others entered and began tidying up.
“There’s no need, Commander Zhou. I can do it myself,” Ni Su said, worried about Xu Zi Ling.
“It’s no trouble,” Zhou Ting said, seeing her trembling. He handed her a cup of hot ginger tea Chao Yi Song had bought from a street vendor.
They soon finished and left, leaving a few men outside to keep watch. Zhou Ting also left, holding an umbrella.
Chao Yi Song, huddling under the umbrella, nudged Zhou Ting. “Commander Zhou, guess what I saw just now?”
“What?” Zhou Ting asked, thinking he had found a clue.
“An unfinished garment!” Chao Yi Song said with a grin, then, seeing Zhou Ting’s impassive face, added, “It looked like men’s clothing.”
Men’s clothing?
Zhou Ting paused.
“Do you think Miss Ni was making it for you?” Chao Yi Song finally asked the question that had been on his mind.
“Those fools from the Guangning Prefecture Yamen, they search like locusts,” he sighed. “The garment wasn’t even finished. It was lying on the floor with a pile of embroidery thread, covered in muddy footprints. It’s probably ruined. What a waste.”
Zhou Ting remained silent, his eyes downcast.
As darkness fell, Ni Su rushed to the back porch, lit a lantern, and called out for Xu Zi Ling, but there was no answer.
She pushed open a door.
The lantern light illuminated the dark room. She walked around the screen and saw the young man lying on the bed.
He was so still that Ni Su thought, for a moment, that even a spirit could die again.
“Xu Zi Ling!” she cried, putting down the lantern. Shimmering dust swirled around him. She saw the gruesome, bloody wounds beneath his sleeve.
The lantern light seemed to revive him. After a long moment, Xu He Xue opened his eyes, his pale lips moving. “Ni Su, can you light more candles?”
Ni Su quickly found incense and candles and lit ten of them. “That’s enough. I can see now,” he said.
Ni Su turned to him.
“It seems Commander Zhou arrived in time. You weren’t injured at the Guangning Prefecture Yamen.” He had regained some strength and tightened his sleeves, hiding his wounds.
Ni Su had assumed he had asked for more candles because of the pain, but he had been waiting for his vision to clear, to see if she had been tortured.
Even when facing the disdainful gazes and insults in A-Zhou’s courtyard, even when being called a “vile medicine woman,” Ni Su hadn’t shed a tear.
But his words made her eyes well up.
“Xu Zi Ling,” she said, her voice thick with tears, suddenly understanding how he must have felt, alone in the dark, unable to see, “I won’t order food anymore. I’ll learn to cook myself.”
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