Capítulo 1599: Chapter 1606: Grievances Redressed (1)
Cadaveric spots refer to the purple-red blotches that appear on the lower parts of the skin after death. These typically begin to form about 2 to 4 hours postmortem and reach the spreading phase by 8 to 10 hours. The distribution of cadaveric spots is directly related to the position of the corpse. For a body lying flat on its back, the spots appear on the occipital region, the top of the head, the back, the waist, the sides of the buttocks, and the posterior of the limbs. In contrast, for a suspended corpse like Ying Chun’s, the spots appear on the lower limbs, the lower abdomen, and the far end of the upper abdomen, mostly purple-red or dark purple-red in color.
When Cai Wei examined Ying Chun’s corpse, she deliberately invited Empress Dowager Mo to observe the depth of the cadaveric spots, then said, “Empress Dowager, you may inspect the cadaveric spots on the princess’s body as well. If her spots are deeper than Ying Chun’s, it proves that she died earlier; conversely, if they are lighter, it proves Ying Chun was already dead before the princess, and that Ying Chun is an impostor. Furthermore, I suspect the princess was injured internally by someone using inner strength. Empress Dowager, when you inspect her later, you can press the cadaveric spots on her back with your fingers. If upon lifting your fingers the spot turns white, it indicates the blood from her abdomen diffused outward after her death, unable to coagulate, instead appearing superficial. This injury was caused pre-mortem by a blow, resulting in her death through blood pooling and internal damage.”
Empress Dowager Mo listened to Cai Wei’s detailed explanation, finding it irrefutable. Leaning on Bai Zhi’s hand, she trembled as she moved toward the room where Princess Zhao Gui’s body lay for inspection.
Outside the house, although Duke Li Guo and others did not enter, they heard Cai Wei’s explanation clearly. Surprised, Duke Li Guo remarked, “Your Majesty, how is it that Her Highness knows these things that even the forensic examiners may not? Where did she learn this knowledge?”
Nangong Yiqing, aware that it came from Cai Wei’s past life studies, could not disclose the truth and instead replied, “The Empress loves reading books; she must have learned it from her studies.”
…
When Empress Dowager Mo examined Princess Zhao Gui’s cadaveric spots, she indeed found the lower body spots lighter than Ying Chun’s, while the ones on her lower back beneath the abdominal cavity were darker. Pressing on the spots with her fingers, the area turned white, matching precisely with Cai Wei’s description.
“My poor Yu’er—”
Empress Dowager Mo’s wailing echoed: “Who is the vile murderer who did this to you? Who deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces for this heinous act?”
Fei’er’s innocence was finally proven!
Those in Duke Li Guo’s Mansion rejoiced, while Cai Wei immediately sent someone back to the Mu Mansion to report the news, sparing Dad and Mom the worry. Nangong Yi also felt a sense of relief now that Fei’er’s name had been cleared, no longer subjected to his Imperial Mother’s constant harassment.
The next pressing issue was apprehending the murderer.
Who had the audacity to kill the Emperor’s legitimate sister under the Emperor’s very nose? Moreover, what was the true motive behind framing Fei’er for Princess Zhao Yue’s murder?
Cai Wei wasn’t concerned about who killed Zhao Yue; what preoccupied her was whether the murderer might repeat their actions and target someone else. This time, it was Zhao Yue—so be it—but what if the next victim were someone she cared about?
Thus, it became urgent to catch the murderer quickly to calm the chaos.
The investigation was handed over to the Temple of Dali, and by evening, the Emperor’s Sacred Carriage returned to the capital. Cai Wei and Nangong Yi sat together in the Dragon Carriage, silently holding each other. Empress Dowager Mo traveled back in her phoenix palanquin, bereaved and heartbroken. An autumn hunt had robbed her of her beloved daughter, leaving her utterly shattered.
If only she had known this would happen, she would have sent Yu’er to marry into the Xianbei tribe—it would at least have saved her life. Or perhaps, she shouldn’t have brought Yu’er here to relax; Yu’er would now be safely back in the Palace, alive and well…
…
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year. With New Year’s celebrations, festive cheer filled the Palace—except for the unresolved murder of Princess Zhao Yue. Empress Dowager Mo fell gravely ill, and Nangong Yi, devastated by his younger sister’s tragic demise, painfully involved himself in the investigation. Despite prolonged efforts, no clues surfaced. After murdering Nangong Yu, the killer disappeared entirely, vanishing without a trace…