Chapter 1

Early Spring, Year 210 of Great Wei. Jiangnan, Dingzhou.

Jin Shu focused intently on the corpse before her. She donned gloves, wrapped a square cloth around her face, and retrieved a sharp scalpel from a wide, flat box nearby. Dressed in black men’s attire, her sleeves tied at the wrists, she bent over and examined the body. “The corneas are completely clouded. Skin on the hands and feet peels easily. Rigor mortis has subsided. There are binding marks on the limbs. Estimated time of death: four to five days.”

She glanced up and cast a sidelong look at Liu Cheng’an, who stood pale-faced at the doorway. “Lord Liu, perhaps you should step outside.”

Hearing this, Liu Cheng’an dabbed the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. “Th-thank you, Master Jin.”

Though called “Master,” Jin Shu was in fact a twenty-two-year-old woman. She habitually dressed in male clothing, her features refined and elegant. Her mastery of the arcane “corpse whispering” technique had earned her deep respect from the Dingzhou magistrate’s office, and so they addressed her as Master Jin.

Liu Cheng’an didn’t stand on ceremony. He turned and left, promptly vomiting once outside.

A disfigured corpse and a retching official—Jin Shu had seen this scene countless times over the years. It no longer fazed her. Her hands never stopped moving. Head bowed, wrist steady, her expression was one of intense concentration. As she worked the blade with calm precision, the world outside the room seemed to fade away.

After about fifteen minutes, Jin Shu straightened up, took a clean cloth, and wiped the scalpel thoroughly.

“This girl came from humble origins. Signs of physical abuse before death. If Lord Liu wishes to confirm her identity, he might inquire at the brothels in Dingzhou.”

At the doorway, Liu Cheng’an froze. “A… brothel girl?”

Jin Shu nodded and placed the scalpel back into the wooden box.

The small room contained three beds—none for the living—and a rosewood display shelf holding five or six flat boxes. Alongside the usual tools of a coroner—knives, hammers—were two special boxes for painters.

Unhurried, she opened the painter’s box and pulled out the bottom layer: pigments sorted into small wooden compartments and a grooved mixing board. She began blending colors with a brush.

“Barely in her twenties. Her intestines show remnants of coarse gruel. Malnourished. Thin. Signs of venereal disease. Most likely a courtesan.”

She paused. “Combined with the binding marks and bruises from beatings… it could be robbery and murder, or sexual assault.”

Outside, Liu Cheng’an closed his eyes tightly, brow furrowed, and took a deep breath. It was supposed to be a warm and blossoming March, yet the chill of death seeped from the room behind him, forcing cold sweat down his back.

Only when Jin Shu finished the postmortem report, packed away the painting tools, and covered the corpse’s face with burlap did Liu Cheng’an dare to breathe again.

“Lord Liu, here’s the report.” She handed him another sheet. “The girl had a birthmark. I’ve sketched it. It might help in identifying her.”

Liu Cheng’an glanced at it and thanked her profusely. “Ah! Much appreciated, Master Jin!”

Unfolding the paper, he saw a small, crescent-shaped birthmark sketched on it.

“All’s wrapped up inside. I’ll take my leave now.” Jin Shu nodded with a smile and turned to go.

“Master Jin, wait.” Liu Cheng’an called out. “You’re skilled in corpse whispering and have a knack for solving cases. Might I trouble you to assist for a few more days?”

Jin Shu turned back, puzzled by his hesitant expression. “Lord Liu… is something troubling you?”

At this, Liu Cheng’an nearly burst into tears.

“Ah, don’t even ask. A few years ago, Prince Jing relinquished his military command and now travels to Jiangnan every spring. This year, someone told him Dingzhou’s peach blossoms in March are especially beautiful. He’s already en route—arriving in two days.”

Prince Jing, Li Jin?

Jin Shu saw his sincerity but couldn’t understand what this had to do with her, a humble coroner.

“Ah…” Liu Cheng’an sighed and glanced back at the corpse inside. His expression turned grave. “Bad luck. The body was found in the well of Peach Blossom Valley—the most scenic spot.”

He then explained everything to Jin Shu.

“Prince Jing isn’t just any royal. Years ago, he was a battlefield commander, known as the God of War. But after the borders stabilized, he voluntarily gave up his command and became a leisure prince in the capital.”

He shrugged. “Not that he’s idle. With his talents, His Majesty wouldn’t let him rest. He was given oversight of the Capital Prefecture and the Six Gates.”

At this, Jin Shu understood.

The Six Gates and the Three Judicial Offices of Great Wei were akin to the public security bureau she’d worked in during her previous life.

“At such a critical moment, this high-ranking figure drops in. If we don’t solve the case quickly, we’ll be held accountable…”

Seeing Liu Cheng’an’s distress, Jin Shu nodded.

After her parents’ untimely death, Liu Cheng’an—her father’s old friend—had helped her both financially and personally. Now that he was in trouble, she was more than willing to lend a hand.

“I understand. Don’t worry, Lord Liu.”

Relieved, Liu Cheng’an smiled and added, “Don’t worry about payment! Your monthly salary was ten taels of silver—this month I’ll give you fifteen. Consider it a gift for your brother’s upcoming school fees.”

“However…” he hesitated, “Prince Jing is said to be sharp and decisive. Your identity as a woman is a closely guarded secret. If it’s exposed, we’ll both be in serious trouble.”

Jin Shu nodded knowingly and saluted. “I understand. I’ll avoid Prince Jing.”

But Liu Cheng’an had miscalculated. While they were speaking, Prince Jing’s carriage had already arrived at the Dingzhou magistrate’s office.

Pulling back the curtain, the handsome Li Jin, dressed in pale yellow, leapt down and gazed at the sign above the entrance.

Behind him, Zhou Zheng in black robes stepped forward, hand on his sword. “Liu Cheng’an, the prefect of Dingzhou, is known for his integrity. He hasn’t been promoted in over a decade, but he’s a good official—meticulous in his investigations. The people call him ‘Liu Jingtian.’”

T/n: Jingtian taken from Bao Jingtian (Judge Bao).

Li Jin didn’t respond, but he listened. As they walked into the office, he asked quietly, “Did you get a good look at the corpse from Peach Blossom Valley?”

“I did.”

“Then… we’ll soon see if Liu Jingtian lives up to the name.”

Li Jin stepped over the threshold and locked eyes with Liu Cheng’an, who was escorting Jin Shu out. He paused, narrowed his eyes, and stood there with a faint smile.

Liu Cheng’an, walking beside Jin Shu, saw the jade pendant at Li Jin’s waist and nearly stumbled in fright.

Talk about a narrow escape!