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墨書 Inktalez
The pattern was quite special. Sang Qingxiao couldn't help but take a few more glances. This tattoo was indeed unique; was it a sunbird?
"This isn't a tattoo," she explained. "It's a birthmark unique to our Dayu Royal Family bloodline. Those with this bloodline have some part of the pattern on their bodies. I only have a small portion of it, yet you managed to notice."
Sang Qingxiao continued to ask her, noting that even though it was just a small fragment, the wings and head of the sunbird were very clear, and the expression of the bird was quite proud.
Huayang scoffed, "The reason my ancestors were able to seize the throne is largely due to this birthmark. There’s also a saying that the more complete the birthmark, the purer the imperial bloodline, which is what qualifies one to ascend to the throne."
Sang Qingxiao questioned her, "But you told me before that your father allowed the princes to harm each other."
With talk of birthmarks and struggles, which one truly represented the criteria for succession in the Dayu Dynasty?
Huayang answered, "The talk of birthmarks is mostly for the subjects to hear. Within the Dayu Royal Family, ability is still the primary focus. Coincidentally, every emperor who has won in these struggles has had a fairly complete birthmark."
Thus, the royal family had formed a method of selecting rulers based on ability, with birthmarks as a supplementary factor.
This was indeed curious. Sang Qingxiao thought of something and confirmed again: did every member of the royal family really have a birthmark?
"Yes," Huayang replied. "There’s even a set of books in the royal family that records this matter."
Sang Qingxiao quickly shared this clue with Qi Xiaomian, who then called Xing Wu separately.
Xing Wu surprisingly suggested they take another look at the corpse.
"What? Is there an issue with the birthmark?"
The deceased did indeed have a sunbird pattern—just over half of one—and it was quite clear. However, she had previously thought it wasn't significant information and had only glanced at it. Upon closer inspection, she felt it resembled a tattoo rather than a birthmark, so they needed to examine it more carefully.
"Put aside your duties; I will accompany you," Qi Xiaomian said.
The body was placed in the Ministry of Justice's autopsy room, which was filled with ice. As soon as they entered, both were momentarily stunned by the cold air and saw that the body had been dressed again.
Xing Wu was furious. "This hasn't been examined yet! Who allowed you to touch the corpse without permission? If you contaminate key evidence, how many heads do you think will be enough to chop off?"
A young apprentice guard trembled under his reprimand. "Sir, it was those people from Dayu who requested it. It reached His Majesty's ears; it was His Majesty's decree."
Xing Wu muttered angrily under his breath and approached the body with a grim expression. He gently removed the clothing to carefully examine the patterns on the corpse. To be more precise, he looked under various lighting conditions again and again before concluding that it was indeed a tattoo; he had checked other parts of the deceased's body as well and found no birthmark.
Qi Xiaomian asked him, "Is there any sign that the face has been altered?"
Xing Wu immediately felt for any signs but found none.
Qi Xiaomian instructed someone to invite members from Dayu Group over. Princess Huayang arrived shortly after. Following Qi Xiaomian's lead, Xing Wu explained the condition of the corpse to them.
The members of the Dayu Group exclaimed in disbelief, casting aside any notions of hierarchy as they gathered around the corpse to examine it closely. Qi Xiaomian stood beside Princess Huayang, noting how perfectly timed the rain had been for the princess.
Huayang blinked, "Is the Yongxin Marquis trying to thank me for providing you with clues? You're welcome, it was an unintentional act of coincidence. Who would have thought that the birthmark on my Prince would be problematic? Oh, perhaps he is not my Prince after all."
This matter was shrouded in mystery, and she requested that the Yongxin Marquis join her in verifying the facts to provide an explanation to both monarchs. "Since the princess is involved in the investigation, why stand so far away? It would be best for you to come over and help identify the truth. After all, when it comes to the birthmark of the Da Yu Royal Family, no one here knows it better than you."
Huayang frowned, trying to conceal her reluctance. Qi Xiaomian's reasoning was sound, and the members of the Dayu Group were urging her to come over. Their polite words carried an undertone that left no room for her to refuse.
Ah, this was the sorrow of being a princess; even a slightly prominent minister could command her.
Suppressing her anger, Huayang pretended to examine the corpse and concluded that the patterns on it were not a birthmark. "Where has that prince gone?"
The Dayu Group abandoned the corpse and began shouting about finding someone. Qi Xiaomian let them make a fuss, feeling relieved that the conflict between their two nations had temporarily cooled down. The Xuande Emperor's daily pressures could finally ease.
At this moment, news that the corpse was not Prince Dayu had reached the Court. When the Dayu Group brought their ruckus before His Majesty and attempted to pin the blame for the prince's disappearance on Great Jing, Mingze was furious. As the main person responsible since their entry into the country, if he allowed the Dayu Group to successfully shift blame onto him, he could hardly escape responsibility—his life might even be at stake.
Thinking of this, Mingze unleashed his fury and accused Dayu of deliberately creating a Fake Prince to incite conflict between their nations. In an instant, Great Jing Dynasty stood united like never before. Shi Yun orchestrated events from behind the scenes while Mingze bravely confronted the Dayu Group, entangling them in matters related to the Imperial Examination case and buying more time.
With Dayu Group openly stating that the corpse was not Prince Dayu, they could finally loosen their grip on investigating. Qi Xiaomian ordered an autopsy without hesitation. Xing Wu finally got his wish and excitedly worked in the autopsy room. Two hours later, he removed his examination attire and went to see Yongxin Marquis.
Before he could approach, Qi Xiaomian caught a strong whiff of decaying flesh and instinctively held his breath. Observing Xing Wu's animated expression made it difficult for him to comment on anything; he simply asked if there were any results.
"Just as I previously suspected," Xing Wu replied. "He had injuries inside him long before this incident occurred, and due to medication, his pain sensation was numbed."
Qi Xiaomian didn't want a lengthy explanation. "How were these injuries inflicted?"
"There were needles in his abdomen."
"Needles?"
Xing Wu presented a small dish filled with uncleaned needles, some still bearing traces of blood and flesh.
Qi Xiaomian frowned and leaned back slightly in surprise. "So many?"
There were indeed numerous needles, each positioned quite cleverly within him. Due to their fine size, I couldn't accurately trace their paths inside the deceased's body but could discern some details.
The killer must possess a deep understanding of medical knowledge. The points where the needles were inserted include healing points, hemostasis points, bleeding points, and balance points, all carefully calculated to regulate the amount of blood loss. There were also obstruction points that prevented the corrupted water from surging out of the victim's abdomen. And that final strike, which caused the deceased to spew forth a terrifying amount of blood, was particularly gruesome.
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