Chapter 143: Only Evidence Can Speak for the Dead.
As Xie Rong and Wang Gege slowly made their way back toward their courtyard, he could clearly feel her hand gripping his a little tighter than usual.
The warmth of her fingers had never left his palm but still... there was a faint tremble.
Xie Rong gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Is Furen all right?"
Wang Gege did not answer immediately. After taking several more steps, she suddenly came to a stop. She slowly lifted her head to look at him.
Then, without the slightest warning, she let go of his hand.
Right before Xie Rong’s puzzled expression, Wang Gege puffed out her cheeks before dropping into a crouch on the stone path.
She wrapped both arms around her knees and let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Aaaaah..." Her voice sounded pitiful. "This wife is afraid..."
Xie Rong was slightly taken aback. He had expected her to force herself to appear strong.
Instead, she honestly admitted it.
Wang Gege rested her chin upon her knees. Her lips pouted into a small frown.
"Why..." She sighed once more, "Why does this wife keep seeing corpses ever since transmi—" She immediately clamped her mouth shut. "Ahem... Ever since coming here."
She buried her face halfway against her knees before mumbling in a tiny voice, "This wife only wanted a peaceful life... not to keep encountering dead people."
Her shoulders drooped pitifully.
"I feel as though... this wife has seen enough corpses to last several lifetimes."
A faint smile unconsciously appeared on Xie Rong’s lips. He slowly crouched down before her, bringing himself to her eye level.
"Where is..." He asked softly, "the Furen who boldly claimed she could see ghosts?"
Wang Gege immediately looked up.
"Hell no—"
The words escaped before she could stop them. Her eyes widened before she hurriedly covered her own mouth.
’Again!’
After an awkward cough, she quickly corrected herself.
"This wife means..." She looked away in embarrassment, "this wife merely wished to annoy Husband’s little sister."
She rubbed the tip of her nose sheepishly, "So... this wife simply uttered nonsense." Her shoulders slumped even further. "If this wife were to truly see a ghost..." She shuddered dramatically, "this wife would probably wet her robes before even managing to scream."
The moment she finished speaking, a quiet chuckle escaped Xie Rong. It was soft and brief.
"In that case..." The corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly. "If Furen suddenly awakens the ability to see ghosts one day, please inform this husband."
He spoke with complete seriousness. "This husband has grown rather weary of investigating one corpse after another."
Wang Gege’s eyes immediately widened.
"No!" She frantically waved both hands before pointing an accusing finger at him. Her brows knitted together into a fierce frown. "This wife would much rather spend the rest of her life memorizing ancient etiquette... then see a single ghost!"
She paused before shuddering dramatically.
"No..." She shuddered, "Living people are troublesome enough. If ghosts join them... This wife might as well faint every morning."
Another quiet laugh escaped Xie Rong. He looked at the woman squatting in front of him before speaking calmly, "Then... It seems this husband will have to continue handling such matters alone."
He slowly stood up. Without saying another word, he naturally extended a hand toward her.
Wang Gege stared at it for a moment. Then she placed her hand in his without thinking.
Xie Rong gently helped her to her feet.
The moment she stood steadily, he released her hand as naturally as if the gesture required no thought at all. "Can Furen walk?"
Wang Gege nodded, "Mm."
"Good." He turned and continued walking. After taking only two steps, he noticed the footsteps behind him had yet to follow.
He paused. Without turning around, he quietly reached one hand backward and waiting.
Meanwhile, Wang Gege blinked. The corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward.
She reached out and slipped her hand into his once again.
Only then did Xie Rong continue walking. As though that small action had been the most natural thing in the world.
She reached out and slipped her hand into his once again.
Only then did Xie Rong continue walking, as though that small action had been the most natural thing in the world.
"Husband..." She broke the silence after walking for some distance. "What will happen next?"
She looked up at him. "This wife means... whenever someone dies... how is it usually investigated?"
Xie Rong remained silent for a brief moment before answering. "First... The body."
He spoke calmly, his pace never slowing, "A coroner will be summoned to examine the deceased. They will determine the apparent cause of death, estimate the time of death, and inspect the body for anything unusual."
Wang Gege nodded thoughtfully. "And then?"
"Afterward... The place where the body was discovered will be examined. Every servant who either discovered the body or had contact with the deceased before their death will be questioned."
"If a final letter was left behind..." Wang Gege’s voice was trailed before Xie Rong immediately answered.
"It will also be verified."
"Verified?" She raised her eyebrows.
Xie Rong nodded, "The handwriting... The ink... The paper and whether the contents are consistent with the deceased’s state of mind."
He paused briefly before adding, "No matter how convincing a suicide appears... it cannot simply be accepted at face value."
Wang Gege blinked, "So... Does Husband also believe Madam Liu did not take her own life?"
Xie Rong did not answer immediately. For a few moments, only the sound of their footsteps echoed along the stone path.
Then, he quietly asked, "Does Furen truly believe... that someone who fought so desperately to prove her own innocence... would suddenly choose to end her life?"
Wang Gege fell silent. Her thoughts unconsciously returned to Madam Liu.
The determined look on her face. The way she had repeatedly insisted she had been framed. The confidence with which she had spoken before everyone in his father’s study.
She had been angry, wronged and unwilling to yield. None of it resembled someone who had already given up on living.
Wang Gege slowly shook her head.
"No." She answered honestly. "I don’t."
Xie Rong gave a faint nod. "Neither does this husband." His voice remained as calm as ever. "But... Belief alone cannot solve a case. We require evidence."
He slightly tightened his grip on her hand, "Only evidence... can speak for the dead."