The mind-reading coroner drove the court crazy

The next morning, at daybreak, Qin Miaoxi hurried to the Dali Temple.

She thought she was the first to arrive, but she didn't expect that as soon as she entered the door, she saw Liang Hongkai and several other yamen runners gathered together, discussing something with serious expressions.

"Why are you all here so early?" Qin Miaoxi was a little surprised and walked up quickly to ask. She rarely saw these people so active.

Liang Hongkai looked up at her, his tone a bit serious: "Coroner Qin, you've arrived just in time. We just received news of an investigation into the luxury car, and the situation is a bit complicated."

Qin Miaoxi frowned and asked hurriedly, "What did you find out?"

The bailiff took over the conversation, his tone tinged with disdain. "That carriage belonged to a prostitute named Liu Ruyan. According to investigations, this carriage was seen near the scene of Yan Xiao and Nie Kangshun's deaths. Furthermore, Liu Ruyan had also attended the poetry gathering attended by Yan Xiao and the other two."

Upon hearing this, Qin Miaoxi immediately asked, "Liu Ruyan? Have you found out any relationship between her and Yan Xiao?"

Liang Hongkai shook his head, his tone heavy, "It's still unclear. But according to the driver's confession, he didn't drive to Jinghu Lake, and although Liu Ruyan appeared at the poetry gathering, she didn't come into contact with Yan Xiao and the others."

Qin Miaoxi frowned, thinking quickly in her mind: "It seems we have to go see her."

Liang Hongkai nodded and said in a deep voice, "Indeed, Liu Ruyan is the only clue at the moment. We must find her as soon as possible and ask her clearly. However, that kind of place is full of mixed people. It would be unsafe for you, a woman, to go there."

Qin Miaoxi ignored him and said, "Master Liang, let's set off now!"

Liang Hongkai: "..."

Unable to persuade her, he ordered several yamen runners to prepare a carriage, and the group soon arrived at the brothel where Liu Ruyan was.

It was still early at this time and the brothel had not yet opened its doors to welcome guests. Only a few servants were cleaning the door.

When they saw the government officials coming, the servants immediately panicked and ran in to report.

Soon, a heavily made-up madam came out, twisting her waist, with a flattering smile on her face: "My lords, you have come so early, but do you have any instructions?"

Liang Hongkai said in a deep voice: "We are here to look for Liu Ruyan. Is she here?"

The madam's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her smile. "Oh, what a coincidence! Miss Ruyan received a guest last night and hasn't gotten up yet. How about you wait a moment while I go get her?"

Qin Miaoxi said coldly: "No need, let's go straight up to find her."

Upon hearing this, the madam immediately became anxious and hurriedly stopped them: "This...this is not appropriate, right? Miss Ruyan is a girl after all. If you officials barge in like this, I'm afraid..."

The bailiff waved his hand impatiently: "Stop talking nonsense! We are investigating a case. Can you bear the consequences of delaying our work?"

The madam was frightened by his aura and had to step aside, saying, "Yes, yes, gentlemen, please do as you please."

Qin Miaoxi rushed upstairs without saying a word and took her men.

As soon as I arrived at Liu Ruyan's door, I heard a low sob coming from inside.

Qin Miaoxi frowned and knocked on the door: "Liu Ruyan, we are from the Dali Temple and have something to ask you."

The sobbing in the room suddenly stopped. After a moment, a weak female voice came: "Please... please come in."

Qin Miaoxi pushed the door open and walked in. She saw that the room was elegantly furnished, but it felt cold and desolate.

Liu Ruyan sat on the edge of the bed, her face pale and her eyes red and swollen, obviously she had just cried.

Seeing Qin Miaoxi and the others, Liu Ruyan quickly stood up and saluted, her voice trembling, "My lords, what do you want to see you about?"

Qin Miaoxi looked her over and softened her tone, "Miss Liu, I heard that you went to a poetry gathering held by a famous scholar on the eighth day of the first lunar month. What did you do there?"

Liu Ruyan replied truthfully, "I was invited to dance the Phoenix Dance of the Nine Heavens. After the performance, I returned home and didn't stay long at the poetry gathering."

"Have you been to Mirror Lake lately?"

"Mirror Lake?" Liu Ruyan exclaimed, "I've been there. Is there anything wrong?"

"When did you go?"

Liu Ruyan pondered for a moment, her face paler than ever, and whispered, "It should have been the afternoon of the 11th! I happened to be passing by Jinghu Lake, so I went there to relax and left in less than half an hour."

"Afternoon? Haven't you been there in the evening?"

"No." Liu Ruyan said with great certainty. She gave a wry smile and said, "Sir, how can I have time for nighttime in this world?"

She was the most popular prostitute in the building, so she naturally could not leave without permission at night.

Qin Miaoxi stared into her eyes and continued to ask, "Do you know Yan Xiao and Nie Kangshun?"

Liu Ruyan shook her head in confusion, "Whose families are these two young masters from?"

"They are the candidates for this year's exams."

Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "I don't know him. These days, I've only seen regulars, not students preparing for the exam."

Qin Miaoxi exchanged glances with Liang Hongkai, and he immediately asked someone to find the madam to ask for the recent guest list.

Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of him, Qin Miaoxi took her men away.

As I walked into the hall, I heard the brothel owner's sharp shout, "Be careful, these medicines are good stuff. You can't afford to pay for them even if you smash them."

Hearing this, Qin Miaoxi immediately stopped and turned to walk to the wooden box they were carrying.

"Open!"

The madam smiled and said, "Sir, these are just some common medicines, nothing special. Didn't you ask for the guest list? I'll show it to you right away."

Qin Miaoxi interrupted her and said coldly to the others, "I told you to open it!"

The servant looked at the madam, whose smile froze for a moment before she forced a smile and said, "Since the official wants to see it, what are you still standing there for? Open it quickly!"

The madam waved her hand and signaled the servants to open the box.

As soon as the box was opened, Qin Miaoxi went forward to check it out. She saw that the box was filled with various medicinal herbs, all of which were for treating women's diseases and common tonics. It seemed that there was nothing wrong with it.

But when she peeled off the medicine on top, she found that there were large pills hidden underneath, and they were all - Budao Pills.

"Where did you get these pills?" Qin Miaoxi turned around and questioned the madam.

The madam's face changed, and she stammered, "This...this is what we bought from the pharmacy. They are just some common tonics for the girls to use to recuperate."

Qin Miaoxi sneered: "Is the Budao Pill an ordinary tonic? Can a girl eat it? You'd better tell the truth, otherwise don't blame me for being rude!"

Liang Hongkai responded: "Speak!"

The madam panicked and waved her hands quickly, "Sir, please be kind. These herbs were indeed bought from a pharmacy. We didn't know they were banned drugs!"

Qin Miaoxi ignored her and turned to Liang Hongkai and said, "Sir Liang, there's something wrong with these pills. I suspect they're related to the cases of Yan Xiao and Nie Kangshun. We must immediately shut down the brothel and thoroughly investigate the source of these pills."

Liang Hongkai nodded and immediately ordered: "Come here, seal off the brothel! No one is allowed to leave and await interrogation!"

Upon hearing this, the madam collapsed to the ground, crying, "Sir, this is unfair! We really don't know anything!"

Qin Miaoxi gave her a cold look, then turned to Liu Ruyan and said, "Miss Liu, please come with us back to the Dali Temple to assist in the investigation."

Liu Ruyan's face was pale and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She nodded and whispered, "Ruyan is willing to cooperate."