Chapter 89: The Crown Prince

The midnight mortuary was eerie, white banners fluttering, exuding an atmosphere of dread.

Liu Shi had kept vigil in the mortuary all day. Chen Guanlou stepped forward and whispered, “Sister, go rest for a while. More people will come tomorrow. If you don’t rest up, you won’t make it. We’ll keep watch here—you can trust us, nothing will happen.”

Liu Shi hesitated, feeling the fatigue in her body, then finally nodded. “Thank you, Chen Tou, thank you all. If not for your help, I, a mere woman, wouldn’t know what to do.”

“Don’t speak like that—it’s too formal. Go rest, Sister.”

Under the support of a young maid, Liu Shi returned to the back courtyard.

Inside the mortuary, only Chen Guanlou, Lu Datou, and Old Zhang remained.

Old Zhang stuck his tobacco pipe into his belt, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and approached the coffin.

Chen Guanlou and Lu Datou worked in tandem, bringing over candlestands for light. “Uncle Zhang, take a look!”

Old Zhang pulled out his expert skills and began the autopsy.

The details need not be spelled out. Half an hour later, he packed away all his tools, his expression grim. But he always looked like this—no one could guess his true feelings.

After finishing, Old Zhang stepped out of the mortuary.

Chen Guanlou and Lu Datou hurried after him.

“Old Zhang, tell us the truth—what’s going on? Don’t stay silent—it’s creepy as hell at this hour.” Lu Datou rubbed his arms, glancing around nervously, afraid a shadow might suddenly emerge. He pressed closer to Chen Guanlou; being side by side felt safer.

Who in this sweltering heat wanted to crowd together? Besides, Lu Datou was a chronic gambler, reeking of sweat and grime—he hadn’t bathed in days. Chen Guanlou grimaced and quietly pulled away.

“Uncle Zhang, say what you need to. It’s just the three of us—no outsiders.”

His senses were sharp—he scanned the surroundings. Only the three of them occupied the courtyard, front and back. No fourth person.

Old Zhang pulled out his tobacco pipe. Chen Guanlou, understanding, struck a flint and lit it for him.

“Old Zhang, stop acting mysterious. Is there a problem or not? Just tell us.” Lu Datou was impatient.

Old Zhang clicked his tongue twice, paused, then said, “I can only say this: Li Dahong really did drown.”

Listen between the lines.

Chen Guanlou instantly caught the implication. “You mean there’s something suspicious?”

“You say he drowned in the river?”

“Yes! The county office pulled his body out of the river—he was already dead when they found him.”

“That river in Nancheng?” Old Zhang asked again.

Chen Guanlou nodded again. “Yes, that one. The yamen runners even took us to the scene. Neighbors confirmed he was pulled from the river. Is there a problem?”

Old Zhang sighed. “I don’t know if there’s a problem. But I know one thing: Li Dahong didn’t drown in the river. You know what that river in Nancheng is like—his mouth was completely clean. No dirt, no debris from the water.”

Lu Datou turned pale.

Chen Guanlou thought: So it was true.

Lu Datou, terrified, lowered his voice instinctively. “Old Zhang, you’re sure? He really didn’t drown in the river?”

“I’ve done this for decades. I can tell the difference between drowning in river water or well water. Li Dahong’s mouth is too clean. Clearly not river water.”

River water is filthy!

Even if it looks clear, river water teems with aquatic plants and carries a strong, raw odor. And city river water? Far dirtier than rural river water. People wash clothes, rinse vegetables, bathe, dump garbage, rotting leaves, dead animals—tens of thousands of people dump everything into it. How could it ever be clean?

Old Zhang’s findings were beyond doubt.

Someone who drowned in well water would be far cleaner than someone drowned in river water. No question.

Lu Datou panicked. “What do we do now?”

Chen Guanlou fell silent for a moment. “Do nothing. Carry on as before. But from now on, keep an eye out for strangers.”

“That’s it?” Lu Datou couldn’t believe it.

Chen Guanlou’s face was grim. “What else? We’re not Six Gates agents—we’re jail guards. Li Dahong’s death is a warning: be more careful, drink less, and never go near the river after drinking.”

Lu Datou was speechless, unable to argue.

Chen Guanlou returned silently to the mortuary and burned paper money for Li Dahong.

Old Zhang pulled Lu Datou aside and whispered, “Chen Tou’s right. Jail guards should stick to jail guard duties. Don’t stick your hands where they don’t belong. This matter’s too deep—we can’t handle it.”

“Then why bother calling you in to examine the body?”

“Just to give myself closure—to find the truth. Li Dahong was first drowned in well water, then dumped into the river to fake a drunken fall. No killer, no crime. After the funeral, it’s over.”

After a long silence, Lu Datou sighed. “First Jiang Yucheng drowned, now Li Dahong. Old Zhang, do you think these two incidents are connected?”

“Don’t ask. Don’t think. Live to a hundred.” Old Zhang smoked his tobacco, his expression as still as water.

After finishing the paper-burning, Chen Guanlou stepped out of the mortuary.

With the recent lockdown, no one could return home, so they decided to keep watch together through the night.

The night was cool as water.

Chen Guanlou suddenly remembered something and asked Old Zhang offhand, “Uncle Zhang, have you ever heard the name Liu Minghui?”

Old Zhang shook his head.

Chen Guanlou had asked casually, expecting no answer.

But Old Zhang said, “I’ve never heard of Liu Minghui, but I’ve heard of Liu Mingchang.”

Huh?

“Who’s Liu Mingchang?”

“This man? His background’s significant. Liu Mingchang married a woman named Wang. The Wang family was just an ordinary household near the capital. But the Wang women had a remarkable tradition—generations of them served as wet nurses for wealthy, noble households. Decades ago, Wang married Liu Mingchang and soon gave birth to a son. At that time, the Shao Fu was seeking wet nurses. Wang was selected. Guess whose wet nurse she became?”

“Who?”

“Old Zhang, stop dragging it out—just tell us!” Lu Datou groaned.

Old Zhang still spoke slowly. “Wang was beautiful, well-dressed, always clean, and had abundant milk with great patience and care. This immense fortune fell upon her. She became the Crown Prince’s wet nurse. Before her, the Crown Prince had already changed over ten wet nurses. Wang was the longest-serving—and the last.”

Liu Mingchang naturally became the Crown Prince’s milk father. From a penniless illiterate, he transformed into a servant at the Crown Prince’s side. The Liu family soared in status, rising with the tide. But their good fortune lasted only about thirty years.”

“The Crown Prince’s milk father?” Lu Datou scratched his head. “I think I’ve heard that name before.”

“During the Liu family’s glory days, who in the capital didn’t know them?” Old Zhang smoked.

Chen Guanlou pressed on. “What happened to the Liu family later?”