Chapter 590

Xiao Yin stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, his brow furrowing; indeed, Chen Zhuo had been murdered, the blame merely pinned on him.

Translation: Xiao Yin stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, his brows furrowed; indeed, Chen Zhuo had been murdered by someone, only the blame had been pinned on him.

We need to keep it concise but include all info. Let's produce: Xiao Yin stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, his brows furrowed; indeed, Chen Zhuo had been murdered by someone, only the blame had been pinned on him.

Ling Feng! Go investigate!

Translation: "Ling Feng! Go investigate!"

Prince! Gu Jiu Ling called out to Xiao Yin, raising her eyes to him and said: "Prince, there's no need to investigate; I have seen this poison before."

Translation: "Your Highness!" Gu Jiu Ling called out to Xiao Yin, lifting her gaze to him and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to investigate; I have seen this poison before."

Note: the title 'Prince' is used. So, "Prince!" Gu Jiu Ling called out to Xiao Yin... "Prince, there's no need to investigate; I have seen this poison before."

Before she crossed over, she had worked with a professor studying some special cases, and she had encountered this one.

Translation: Before her transmigration, she had once followed a professor in researching some special cases, among which she had seen this kind.

We need to keep meaning: Before her transmigration, she had once followed a professor in researching some special cases, and had seen this kind among them.

Simplify: Before her transmigration, she had once assisted a professor in researching special cases, and had seen this kind among them.

It is a special parasitic worm that can reproduce quickly, spreading throughout the body in just a few days.

Translation: It is a special parasitic worm that can reproduce quickly, spreading throughout the body in just a few days.

However, if the patient died, it would be impossible for them to die exactly at the moment Chen Zhuo struck his head and fell.

Translation: However, if the patient died, it would be impossible for them to happen to die exactly when Chen Zhuo struck his head and fell.

When she first studied this case, she merely discovered that such a parasitic worm existed, and its reproductive ability was very strong.

Translation: When she initially studied this case, she merely discovered that such a parasitic worm existed, and its reproductive ability was very strong.

She and the professor had also speculated that it might have originated from someplace in the southwest, but she never expected to encounter the potency of this gu poison in another timeline.

Translation: Earlier, she and the professor had also speculated that it might have originated from someplace in the southwest; she never expected to encounter the potency of this gu poison in another world.

Merely causing the gu poison to erupt at just the right fixed time point is somewhat difficult.

Translation: Merely making the gu poison erupt at just the right fixed time point is somewhat difficult.

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows, sitting before Chen Zhuo's corpse and falling into deep thought.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows, sat before Chen Zhuo's corpse, and fell into deep thought.

Xiao Yin did not disturb her, and Ling Feng, standing aside, felt that this scene was utterly bizarre.

Translation: Xiao Yin also did not disturb her; Ling Feng, standing to the side, felt this scene was utterly bizarre.

One stared straight at a dissected corpse, while the other gazed blankly at his own wife.

Translation: One stared straight at a dissected corpse, the other blankly gazed at his own wife.

Monsters! Both of them are monsters!

Translation: Monsters! Both of them are monsters!

Gu Jiu Ling racked her brains but could think of nothing; her expression grew grim as she lifted her gaze to Xiao Yin, smiling yet on the verge of tears.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling racked her brains but could think of nothing; her expression grew grim, she lifted her gaze to Xiao Yin, and though she was smiling, her look almost brought tears to her eyes.

"Sorry, Prince, I really did my best!"

Translation: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I really did my utmost!"

"I simply cannot find the cause; although I know Chen Zhuo was murdered, I cannot figure out why he died precisely at the moment he was knocked unconscious."

Translation: "I really can't find the cause; although I know Chen Zhuo was murdered, I simply cannot determine why he died precisely when he was struck unconscious."

Xiao Yin sighed, ignoring Gu Jiu Ling's blood-soaked state, he pulled her into his embrace and whispered, "It's fine; my reputation has never been good, so adding another charge of driving a scholar to death makes no difference."

Translation: Xiao Yin sighed, disregarding Gu Jiu Ling's blood-soaked body, he pulled her into his embrace and whispered, "It's fine; my reputation has never been good, so adding another charge of driving a great scholar to death is nothing."

"Never mind, no need to investigate further! I'll take you home first."

Translation: "Enough, no need to investigate further! I'll take you home first!"

Gu Jiu Ling had no recourse at this moment; she could only follow Xiao Yin's arrangements.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling had no recourse at this moment; she could only follow Xiao Yin's arrangements.

She first carefully stitched Chen Zhuo's corpse, wrapped it in plain white cloth, then rose and walked toward the door.

Translation: She first carefully stitched Chen Zhuo's corpse, wrapped it in plain white cloth, then rose and walked toward the door.

But the hand she had placed on his chest suddenly dropped; hearing the movement, Gu Jiu Ling had to bend over and grasp Chen Zhuo's hand, which already showed livor mortis, preparing to place it back on his chest.

Translation: But the hand she had placed on his chest slipped down; hearing the movement, Gu Jiu Ling had to bend over and grasp Chen Zhuo's hand, already showing livor mortis, preparing to place it back on his chest.

After all, he was a great scholar; meeting such an end is rather lamentable.

Translation: After all, he was a great scholar; meeting such an end is rather lamentable.

Gu Jiu Ling sighed, having just taken his hand to place it back on his chest, when her expression suddenly twitched.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling sighed, having just grasped his hand to place it back on his chest, when suddenly her expression twitched slightly.

"Huh?"

Translation: "Hmm?"

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Chen Zhuo's hand.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Chen Zhuo's hand.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Yin leaned in, and Gu Jiu Ling lifted Chen Zhuo's hand to look at him.

Translation: "What's wrong?" Xiao Yin leaned in, and Gu Jiu Ling lifted Chen Zhuo's hand to show him.

"Prince, take a look at Minister Chen's fingernails!"

Translation: "Your Highness, look at Sir Chen's fingernails!"

Xiao Yin focused his gaze and discovered that Chen Zhuo's fingernails contained some strange pale yellow powder.

Translation: Xiao Yin focused his gaze, only to discover that Chen Zhuo's fingernails contained some strange pale yellow powder.

"Chen Zhuo is the head of the Imperial Academy and a scholar who always pays attention to his appearance and loves cleanliness; he dresses properly every day, so how could he possibly have such filth under his nails?"

Translation: "Chen Zhuo is the headmaster of the Imperial Academy and a scholar; he always pays attention to his appearance and loves cleanliness, dressing properly every day—how could he possibly have such filth stuck under his nails?"

Gu Jiu Ling then took out a tool, carefully transferring the powder from Chen Zhuo's nail crevices into a test tube, and looked at Xiao Yin saying, "Prince, please stand guard while I go inside to investigate the source of this powder."

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling then took out a tool, carefully transferring the powder from Chen Zhuo's fingernail crevices into a test tube, and looked at Xiao Yin: "Your Highness, stand guard for me; I'll go inside to examine the source of this powder."

Xiao Yin's brow twitched slightly; his queen sometimes acted mysteriously, but he respected her and would always protect her no matter what she did.

Translation: Xiao Yin raised his brows slightly; his princess consort could sometimes be mysterious, but he respected her—whatever she did, he would protect her from behind.

Gu Jiu Ling took the powder she had scraped from Chen Zhuo's nail crevices to the adjacent room, placing it into the instrument there for testing.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling carried the powder scraped from Chen Zhuo's fingernail crevices to the adjacent room, placing it into the instrument in the space for testing.

Outside, Xiao Yin stood waiting, holding the Dragon Spring Sword, for a full hour, after which Gu Jiu Ling emerged from the inner chamber with a solemn expression.

Translation: Outside, Xiao Yin stood holding the Dragon Spring Sword, waiting for a full hour; Gu Jiu Ling emerged from the inner chamber with a solemn expression.

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke each word deliberately: "I know who did it."

Translation: Her voice tightened slightly as she spoke, word by word: "I know who did it."

Xiao Yin's eyes flickered slightly.

Translation: Xiao Yin's pupils flickered slightly.

The next day, news that the Chen family had lost Chen Zhuo's corpse spread instantly through the streets, leaving everyone astonished.

Translation: The next day, the news that the Chen family had lost Chen Zhuo's corpse spread instantly through the streets, leaving everyone astonished.

The students of the Imperial Academy were even more furious; they no longer cared about saving face, flocking to the Five City Military Command, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Dali Temple to file grievances.

Translation: The students of the Imperial Academy were even more furious; this time they didn't care about saving face, flocking to the Five City Military Command, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Court of Judicial Review to file grievances.

For a time the capital was in an uproar; Bai Xiaosheng suffered a splitting headache and had no choice but to reinstate Gu Kang as Vice Minister of the Dali Temple to focus on this case.

Translation: For a moment, Jing Cheng was in an uproar; Bai Xiaosheng suffered a splitting headache and had no choice but to reinstate Gu Kang as Vice President of the Court of Judicial Review to focus on trying this case.

Gu Kang had been forced to resign by the Longqing Emperor; now, through Bai Xiaosheng's hand, he returned to office, and being the regent Prince Xiao Yin's brother-in-law made him extraordinarily formidable.

Translation: Gu Kang had been forced to resign by Emperor Longqing; now, reinstated by Bai Xiaosheng and additionally being the brother-in-law of Regent King Xiao Yin, he was naturally formidable.

Given Chen Zhuo's special status, even the joint investigation of the three ministries could not clarify this case.

Translation: Chen Zhuo's status was special; this time, even the three judicial departments conducting a joint trial could not clarify the case.

Those two individuals, posing as natives of Meizhou, entered the Chen residence and, under the guise of incense‑offering guests, brazenly carried away Mr. Chen's remains.

Translation: Those two individuals, posing as people from Meizhou, entered the Chen Residence and, under the guise of incense‑offering guests, openly carried away Mr. Chen's remains.

This case is nothing short of a monumental absurdity; ordinary people find it hard to believe such a thing could happen, and for a while the entire capital of Shang Jing was in an uproar.

Translation: This case was nothing short of a monumental absurdity; ordinary people found it hard to believe such a thing could happen, and for a while the entire Shang Jing was in an uproar.

Now that the Imperial Academy lacks a leader, they have pushed Mr. Wen forward, but he is too old to preside over justice.

Translation: Now that the Imperial Academy was leaderless, they pushed Mr. Wen forward, but Mr. Wen was too old to come out and uphold justice.

These people therefore placed their hopes on Gu Kang, though his identity is ultimately that of Prince Xiao Yin's brother‑in‑law.

Translation: These people then pinned their hopes on Gu Kang, though his identity was ultimately that of Xiao Yin's brother-in-law.

At this moment, all the literati of Shang Jing hated Prince Xiao Yin, and because of this connection they also felt a certain apprehension toward Gu Kang.

Translation: At this moment, all the literati of Shang Jing hated Xiao Yin to the core; because of this connection, they also felt a few more misgivings toward Gu Kang.

Upon reflection, those officials again nominated Lin Jingyuan, the eldest son of the Lin family, to step forward and negotiate with the Ministry of Punishments and other officials.

Translation: Thinking this, those officials again nominated Lin Jingyuan, the eldest son of the Lin family, to step forward and negotiate with the Ministry of Punishments and other officials.

Lin Jingyuan was Chen Zhuo's most favored disciple; his involvement would naturally be ideal, although due to the former crown prince affair he has fallen on hard times, yet the Lin family still carries weight among scholars.

Translation: Lin Jingyuan was Chen Zhuo's most favored disciple; his involvement would naturally be best, although due to the former crown prince affair, Lin Jingyuan has fallen on hard times, yet the Lin family still carries some weight in the eyes of the literati.

Now public sentiment is inflamed, the city is in turmoil, and even the newly regent Crown Prince Bai Xiaosheng has been thrust into the spotlight.

Translation: Now public sentiment is aroused, the city is in turmoil, and furthermore the recently regent crown prince Bai Xiaosheng has been pushed onto the forefront of the storm.

Bai Xiaosheng never imagined his governance would be thwarted by a few officials; the more he thought about it, the more vexed he became, especially since Prince Xiao Yin had slipped away, leaving him alone to face the censure of the entire court of officials.

Translation: Bai Xiaosheng never imagined his governance would be thwarted by a few civil officials; the more he thought, the more vexed he became, especially since Xiao Yin had avoided the spotlight, leaving him alone to face the censure of the entire court of officials.

How could he know which lunatic beast would dare to snatch an old man's corpse in broad daylight?

Translation: How could he know which lunatic beast would dare to snatch an old man's corpse in broad daylight?

Three days have passed, yet the Six Gates of the Ministry of Punishments still have no news; outside, the officials wail in anguish, and Bai Xiaosheng hears only waves of headache.

Translation: Three days have passed, and there is still no news from the Ministry of Punishments' Six Gates; outside, the civil officials' wails shake the heavens, while Bai Xiaosheng hears only waves of headache.

He summoned Gu Kang into the palace, and shortly thereafter he saw a youth dressed in a purple official robe, wearing a half‑silver mask, slowly enter.

Translation: He summoned Gu Kang into the palace; not long after, he saw a youth clad in a purple official robe, wearing a half‑silver mask, slowly walk in.

Bai Xiaosheng did not know why, but upon facing Gu Kang he felt a faint unease and apprehension rise in his heart.

Translation: Bai Xiaosheng did not know why, but upon facing Gu Kang, a sense of uneasy apprehension welled up in his heart.

He is certainly a formidable figure in the Southern Qi bureaucracy; even speaking with him requires a degree of caution.

Translation: This is certainly a formidable figure in the Southern Qi bureaucracy; even speaking with him requires keeping three parts caution.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness!" Gu Kang knelt before Bai Xiaosheng and performed the customary subject‑ruler salute.

Translation: "Your subject pays respects to Your Highness!" Gu Kang knelt before Bai Xiaosheng and performed the rites of subject and ruler.

The mask on the man's face, caught in the daylight, took on an ambiguous play of light and shadow; Bai Xiaosheng's eyes flickered, and he smiled, saying, "Please rise, Minister Gu."

Translation: The mask on the man's face, caught in the daylight, gained a few shades of uncertain light and shadow; Bai Xiaosheng's pupils flickered, then he smiled and said, "Please rise, Sir Gu."

Gu Kang rose to his feet, standing to one side, his eyes slightly downcast, his demeanor consistently aloof.

Translation: Gu Kang rose to his feet, standing to one side, lowering his gaze slightly, his usual aloof demeanor unchanged.

Bai Xiaosheng gathered his composure and looked at Gu Kang, saying, "Minister Gu, how should we handle the Chen family case, and what are your plans?"

Translation: Bai Xiaosheng steadied himself, looked at Gu Kang, and said, "Sir Gu, how should the Chen family case be handled? What are your plans?"

Gu Kang pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "I… have no leads at present."

Translation: Gu Kang pondered for a moment, bowed, and said, "Your subject… has no clue as yet!"

Bai Xiaosheng's facial expression changed slightly.