Chapter 1490: Identity

Chen Guanlou observed the marks on the skulls repeatedly and asked, "Based on the autopsy, can it be determined that this was a homicide?"

"It is definitely a homicide!" the Ministry of Justice coroner concluded.

Chen Guanlou nodded in understanding, "Can you determine from the marks on the skull wounds whether the murderer killed on impulse or with premeditation?"

The three looked at each other and shook their heads in unison.

"My lord, it's all murder; is there a difference between impulsive killing and premeditated killing?"

"The difference is huge!" Chen Guanlou said with a half-smile, "If there are no surprises, this tall skeleton might be an official."

Ah?

The coroner was shocked.

Chen Guanlou continued, "But according to the family, the tall one is still alive, living well, and is still an official of the imperial court. You tell me, is the difference between an impulsive act and premeditation big or not?"

"How is this possible?" The coroner couldn't believe it. Doesn't this mean someone killed an official and then impersonated the official?

If this got out, it would be an earthquake in the officialdom!

Medical Official Mu was lost in thought and didn't show any other expression. After all, he was well-informed, had seen all kinds of monsters and demons, and had seen just how ugly human nature could be.

Working in the Heavenly Prison, he faced all kinds of evil people every day. To be honest, those who could maintain their conscience and bottom line for years on end, and still have the self-awareness of being human, all had very strong willpower.

More people, after witnessing all kinds of evil people, would become increasingly vicious, with their bottom lines trampled upon again and again.

It is not without reason that the identity of a prison guard is despised by the world.

There is also a reason why this profession is classified as a lowly trade. Just like those low-class people, many indeed entered this line of work out of necessity. It's just a pity that in the end, these people who had no choice became evil people, became the people they once hated the most, became the perpetrators, the abusers.

Just like those who become officials, when they are studying, they say they want to plead for the people. Once they really become officials, they are even worse than the officials who once oppressed them.

And so, the world has been getting worse day by day.

"There is nothing that is impossible. If it is impossible, it is only because you have seen too little." Chen Guanlou's expression was half-smiling, "So, can you analyze from the marks whether it was an impulsive act or long-planned premeditation?"

"This cannot be distinguished!"

"Can you distinguish it from the force of the strike?"

"No! Whether it was an impulsive act or long-planned premeditation, it was murder anyway. When they took action, in order to hit the mark in one blow, they must have used deadly force and would not give the other party a chance to counterattack."

"Makes sense!" Chen Guanlou nodded, "Then how do you explain the murder weapon? Why would it be a stone instead of another weapon? Wouldn't a stick carried on one's person work?"

"Killing someone at close range, and requiring a hit in one blow, a stone is clearly better than a stick. Hitting someone with a stick, it is very difficult to kill them in one blow, and it would give the other party a chance to counterattack. A stone is different; smash it on the head, and that's the result." The Heavenly Prison coroner pointed to the two skeletons and said so.

"What is my lord suspecting?" Medical Official Mu asked curiously.

Chen Guanlou bared his teeth and sighed, "I always thought this was a long-planned murder. But now it seems that things might not be as I thought. However, the result is the same."

"Does my lord know the identity of this skeleton?" Medical Official Mu asked again.

"I can't be sure yet. Among the relics, have you found anything that can prove the identity of the skeleton? Or some kind of mark?"

The key is still to confirm the identity.

As long as the identity is not confirmed, how can one say "Dou Anzhi" is dead?

One cannot convict someone based on Dou Shu's one-sided words.

Even though Dou Shu looks pitiful.

People can lie, and pitifulness can also be faked.

Even if she is truly pitiful, if Dou Anzhi is Dou Anzhi, then it only proves that saying: once you have a stepmother, you have a stepfather!

It's the same in ancient and modern times, at home and abroad!

Even more so, one cannot ruin someone else's future because of a word from Dou Shu.

He hates people who ruin others' futures the most.

For example, breaking a scholar's right hand; this is even more vicious than killing them directly!

For example, deliberately framing a girl to lose her innocence; the viciousness of such behavior is shameful!

Medical Official Mu came to a corner of the morgue, where all the things stripped from the two skeletons were placed on a wooden board. There were broken clothes, shoes, and socks.

It can be seen that the murder might have been carefully planned. When burying the bodies, it must have been done in a hurry, not so carefully.

Medical Official Mu rummaged through a pile of relics and finally found it: a gold ring.

"My lord, can this be used to prove the identity of the skeleton?"

Chen Guanlou stared at the gold ring, looking at its design; there should have been a gemstone embedded on it. It's just a pity that the gemstone is nowhere to be found, only the ring remains.

"How could there be a ring?"

Was the burial done so crudely?

Medical Official Mu explained: "When the short skeleton was sent over, the finger bones were in the shape of a clenched fist."

He gestured with a tightly clenched hand.

"This gold ring was discovered this way."

"It didn't fall off?"

"The people who unearthed the bodies were very experienced; they dug out the soil underneath the skeletons along with them. Therefore, when the skeletons were sent over, half of them were still embedded in the soil. It is precisely because of this that we were able to discover this gold ring."

Chen Guanlou was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Eunuch Wang Hai's people were too thoughtful and meticulous, considering every aspect. Even the skeletons were sent to the capital along with the soil.

This thoughtfulness and meticulousness, they are worthy of being Eunuch Wang's people.

"Only this ring, right?"

"Yes, only this ring."

Chen Guanlou picked up the gold ring with a handkerchief and observed it carefully.

"Can you tell the craftsmanship? I don't understand these things." Chen Guanlou thought to himself, it would be best if the ring had a mark that was not eye-catching but could truly prove the identity.

It's just that he really couldn't tell; he had never studied it.

Medical Official Mu told him, "If this ring was dropped by the tall skeleton and picked up by the short skeleton, who held it tightly in his hand and wouldn't let go even when he died, I reckon it should be able to prove the identity. If you want to know the origin of this ring, you can consult the shopkeepers or craftsmen of those jewelry shops. As insiders, they should know the origin of this thing."

Chen Guanlou nodded in understanding.

The Marquis's mansion had shops specializing in jewelry, so he could ask the Marquis's mansion directly.

He wrapped the gold ring with a handkerchief.

"The three of you have worked hard. I have ordered the kitchen to prepare a banquet. Let's go, let's go drink first."

He not only prepared a banquet but also prepared generous red envelopes.

He had always been generous, and his reputation was well-known. Therefore, the two coroners were all very happy. This time, the extra income was very satisfying, and everyone was satisfied.

Medical Official Mu was still deep in thought.

He walked at the very back and asked Chen Guanlou in a low voice, "My lord, that tall skeleton, could it really be the official surnamed Dou you mentioned before?"

"Old Mu, are you afraid?"

Medical Official Mu shook his head, "The one surnamed Dou is not worth worrying about, it's just... this is the capital after all. Once this matter is exposed, I don't know how many people will be implicated."

Even the imperial examinations from many years ago might be dug up. ===== CHAPTER 1491 =====