Chapter 27: Luring the Cold and Elegant Physician to Become a Coroner!

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Upon hearing Cheng Yaojin’s words, Liu Shuyi was momentarily stunned, not yet able to react. Suddenly, the frail Du Ruhui, as if drawing strength from nowhere, yanked Cheng Yaojin’s hand off Liu Shuyi’s shoulder. Normally calm and composed, Du Ruhui’s face now betrayed a rare flush of shame and irritation. He shot Cheng Yaojin a sharp glare before turning to Liu Shuyi and saying, “Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

“Huh?” Liu Shuyi nodded instinctively.

Du Ruhui exhaled deeply, his anger instantly melting into a gentle warmth. He looked at Liu Shuyi with profound approval and said, “You did very well, even better than I had expected. When one is skilled in their field, pride is inevitable—especially when one has painstakingly achieved something through great effort. You managed to see through Miaoyin’er’s trap and cleverly turned her own scheme against her, ultimately capturing her alive. That is truly remarkable.”

He praised him further: “Even if I were in your position, I wouldn’t have done better.”

Liu Shuyi hadn’t anticipated such praise from Du Ruhui and quickly responded modestly, “You flatter me, Sir Du. It was merely good fortune.”

“No! Good luck alone cannot explain your calm and rational response when you realized everything you had done was wrong. That takes true composure.”

Du Ruhui raised his hand and gently wiped away the mark left on Liu Shuyi’s shoulder by Cheng Yaojin’s heavy slap. His voice softened, “You’ve worked hard today. Leave the rest to me. Go home and rest well. At tomorrow’s court session, I will personally commend you to His Majesty.”

Du Ruhui feared Cheng Yaojin might slip and reveal his meddling behind the scenes in Liu Shuyi’s affairs. He also worried that Cheng Yaojin might discover the relationship between his daughter and Liu Shuyi and shamelessly steal a march on him before anything was settled.

Thus, after lavishing Liu Shuyi with praise and concern, Du Ruhui sent him away to avoid further complications. Liu Shuyi was unaware of the subtle rivalry between Cheng Yaojin and Du Ruhui. With the case closed and nothing more to do, he welcomed the chance to rest rather than deal with tedious afterwork.

“I shall take my leave then,” he said, bowing to Du Ruhui and Cheng Yaojin before turning to go.

Watching Liu Shuyi’s retreating figure, Du Ruhui finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was lucky that Cheng Yaojin, that rogue troublemaker, hadn’t beaten him to the punch.

Turning coldly toward Cheng Yaojin, who was still eyeing the situation with restless calculation, Du Ruhui said sharply, “General Cheng, my son and daughter have been running around all day to help your son. Is this how you repay their kindness?”

Cheng Yaojin was taken aback by Du Ruhui’s words, his old face flushing red—a rare sight. His own children had helped solve the case for Du Ruhui’s son, yet he was now trying to poach Du Ruhui’s prospective son-in-law. It did seem somewhat improper. But Liu Shuyi showed great promise, had a clean background, and was destined for greatness. He was simply too tempted.

To steal or not to steal? That was the question.

Cheng Yaojin found himself unusually conflicted.

…

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Outside the Liu Residence.

The carriage came to a halt.

Liu Shuyi jumped down and immediately turned to thank the Du siblings aboard the carriage. “Many thanks to Assistant Minister Du and Miss Du for escorting me.”

Du Gou smiled and shook his head. “We were just going the same way.”

“Just going the same way...” The phrase sounded oddly familiar to Liu Shuyi, making the corner of his eye twitch involuntarily. He wasn’t sure if the Du family’s understanding of “just going the same way” was different from his own.

He expressed his thanks again, then looked toward the cool and beautiful face of Du Ying. “Thank you, Miss Du, for your assistance today. Without your autopsy, I would never have so easily uncovered Miaoyin’er’s deceit.”

The cold and elegant forensic doctor shook her head. “Determining the time of death by examining the stomach contents was your idea. That’s not my credit.”

“And the mistaken judgment about the assault... that was my error from the start, almost leading your investigation astray. It was my responsibility. Finding the truth later was merely making up for my mistake.”

“So, Mr. Liu, no need to thank me. I have no merit here. The fact you saw through Miaoyin’er’s plot is entirely your own skill.”

Du Ying’s character matched her demeanor: calm and unpretentious, neither seeking credit nor avoiding it when deserved. She was straightforward and sincere.

Liu Shuyi admired Du Ying’s nature and smiled as he replied, “One cannot say that. Not every mortician is as conscientious as you, willing to verify past judgments.”

“Nor does every mortician enjoy critical thinking and listen to advice from someone like me, who has never encountered a corpse before.”

“Moreover, it was you who first detected the issue with the Zhao family’s mother and child’s skulls, leading me to Wutong Temple. Without you, I might never have known about it.”

“You truly helped me a great deal. What I said earlier—that you are the finest female forensic expert I have ever met—is no exaggeration.”

“For an investigator, having such an outstanding and capable forensic expert by one’s side is a rare blessing beyond measure...”

“Miss Du...” He looked into Du Ying’s eyes and suddenly stepped forward, “Can we continue to work together like this? May I continue to be so fortunate?”

Du Gou had been nodding along with Liu Shuyi’s words, but as he heard that last sentence, his heart suddenly sounded alarm bells.

He realized what Liu Shuyi intended.

He wanted to abduct his sister!

Du Gou hurriedly said, “Mr. Liu, you misunderstand. My sister only helped you this time under our father’s orders. After completing her studies, she will become a physician to heal and save lives—not a forensic expert...”

Liu Shuyi did not respond to Du Gou, his gaze remaining fixed on Du Ying.

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He knew Du Ying was no ordinary woman. Most women would obey their family’s wishes unquestionably. But Du Ying possessed a unique spirit and experiences that rendered her impervious to others’ influence.

If she wished, no one could stop her.

If she didn’t, no amount of persuasion would matter.

He waited for Du Ying’s own choice.

“I have studied medicine to heal the sick. This is also my mentor’s expectation. I cannot waste my skills,” Du Ying said slowly after a moment of thought.

Du Gou’s eyes brightened, and he exhaled deeply, clearly relieved. He had feared his sister might be tempted to become a forensic expert.

Liu Shuyi frowned slightly but was not too surprised. After all, Du Ying came from a prestigious background and had studied under the Medicine King Sun Simiao for ten years. It was perfectly natural she would not choose a profession as undervalued as forensic work.

He merely felt regretful that his stroke of luck had slipped away.

From now on, he would have to rely on the mediocre forensic experts from the Ministry of Justice to solve cases.

“However...” Unexpectedly, Du Ying’s tone shifted. She looked at Liu Shuyi, her beautiful eyes shining brightly in the lamplight of the Liu residence. “Being a forensic expert, seeking justice for the dead and uncovering the truth, is another form of saving lives. Only the lives I save there are those of the dead’s grievances and the living’s sorrows.”

“So, I will become a physician to heal patients.”

“But if you encounter a case requiring my forensic expertise, call for me—I will come without hesitation to assist you.”

Listening to her cool, clear voice felt like celestial music to Liu Shuyi’s ears.

He had never expected fate to take such a turn—just when he was ready to give up, fortune came knocking on his door.

Du Gou stared wide-eyed at his sister. “A Ying, you...”

Du Ying shook her head. “Brother, no need to persuade me. My master once said, ‘Follow your heart, do what pleases you.’ My heart tells me I want to help Mr. Liu in this way.”

Du Gou opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but seeing the determination in Du Ying’s eyes, he sighed deeply.

Taking a deep breath, his expression complex, he said to Liu Shuyi, “Mr. Liu, you must treat my sister well. Throughout Chang’an, there is no other woman besides her who would set aside societal views to do such things for you.”

Liu Shuyi’s eyes locked on Du Ying—cool and aloof on the surface, but inside burned a kind and fierce fire.

Seeing her unwavering resolve from start to finish, he nodded firmly, “Of course!”