A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 10 Winning People’s Hearts
After death, the body decomposed, turning bluish-gray, and the wounds on the body were no longer visible to the naked eye.

Mu Qingcheng first examined vital areas such as the heart and birth canal to make sure there were no nails or other objects inserted. Only then did she wet the corpse with clean water, then crushed and spread out scallions, applied them to areas where there might be wounds, and covered them with paper soaked in vinegar.

An hour later, Mu Qingcheng removed the paper, washed it with water, and found no damage.

Because of the cold weather, which might slightly affect the condition of the body, Mu Qingcheng decided to try a different method for re-examination.

She asked the bailiffs for help to dig a pit in the courtyard, heated it with firewood, placed the body inside, and covered it with the deceased's clothes. After the body was warmed by the fire, they took it out and applied paper soaked in wine and vinegar to it.

Both examinations yielded the same conclusion: the deceased had not been beaten or abused before his death.

At the navel area, the lividity was faint. The blade had wedged in along its longitudinal axis, creating a wound deeper than its length, i.e., a puncture wound. Measurements showed that the puncture site on the clothing coincided with the skin entry point. The wound was wide, with an intricate pattern, and contained blood. The wound and the surrounding skin were red, with blood clots present. Pressing on the lividity with a finger revealed contraction and tightness of the skin and flesh, with blood visible beneath the skin.

Clearly, this was an injury sustained before death. Comparing it to the amount of bleeding at the crime scene, it can be determined that this was a fatal injury.

With the cause of death clear, the next step is to determine whether it was homicide.

This is actually the most difficult part.

Because the deceased was a mother, and because of the force and depth of the stab wounds, it's easy to subjectively assume it was homicide. However, for a coroner, all possibilities must be ruled out before a conclusion can be reached.

Mu Qingcheng took a dagger and asked the midwife to make several cloth bags, stuff them with cotton, and tie them to her stomach at the same height as the bulge in the deceased's abdomen.

"Coroner Mu, are you trying to stab yourself?" The midwife asked worriedly upon seeing this.

Mu Qingcheng nodded, "Yes, we need to do an experiment." "Then you have to be careful, what if you actually hurt yourself..."

"Don't worry, I know what's going on."

Mu Qingcheng's gaze was calm, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. "Grandma Sun, thank you for your hard work today." As she spoke, she took out a tael of silver from her sleeve and stuffed it into the midwife's hand. "I heard that your grandson is sick. My income is meager, so I hope you won't mind."

Granny Sun was startled and quickly declined, "This...how can this be? I was sent by the Dali Temple to help out, and I'm receiving subsidies from the Dali Temple. How can I let the young lady spend more money?"

Mu Qingcheng's smile grew even warmer. "Grandma Sun, you're too kind. You've already finished the task assigned by the Dali Temple. It's my own affairs that have delayed you. So please accept this small token of my appreciation. Otherwise, I'll have no face to ask you for help again in the future."

"Young lady, you've come to my aid in my time of need. I will remember this kindness." Granny Sun's eyes welled up with tears as she held Mu Qingcheng's hand tightly. "If you ever need anything in the future, please just ask. As long as it's within my power, I will do it."

Outside the morgue, Song Shuyu listened to the commotion inside, his mind racing. Was this girl trying to win people over by fishing for him?

"what--"

Just as I was pondering this, a scream suddenly rang out from inside the room!
Startled, Song Shuyu didn't have time to think and roughly kicked the door open, rushing inside.

Thank you for your support, my darlings! Voting, tips, anything is welcome. See you in the next chapter!

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(End of this chapter)