The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor

Chapter 101 – Two Bundles of Hair

The bailiff quickly brought the baggage he found. It was a brown bag made of coarse cloth. It looked like the bag used by monks. The bailiff carried it without any cost. Obviously, its weight was not proportional to its size.

Provincial Governor Liu asked the bailiff to put the bag under the shed and the crowd gathered around. Ran Yan didn’t want to meddle in other people’s business but she couldn’t restrain her curiosity about the case and follow.

“Open it!” Provincial Governor Liu made way.

The bailiffs squatted down and began to remove the straps. Everyone held their breaths because the things in the bag might give them a lot of clues.

Ran Yan looked at the baggage without blinking.

The baggage was spread out, and the things inside were surprisingly out of everyone’s expectations. On the brown cloth, there was a large bundle of hosta flowers that were still stained with dew!

Ran Yan’s pupils constricted. “Where did you find this parcel?”

The bailiff also vaguely knew what had happened to Ran Yan, so he replied, “Just now, Provincial Governor Liu ordered us to look for pine trees and places with moss. We found a pine forest four miles south. There was a dilapidated temple in the pine forest. It may have been abandoned for a long time. The stairs were covered with moss. This cloth bag was found on the steps of the broken temple.”

Flowers like hairpins, color like jade, fragrance overflowing. This was a delicate and elegant hosta flower.

What did the hosta flower have to do with this person’s death? Did this bunch of flowers come from the hosta floral garden behind Ying Mei Nunnery?

“There are two locks of hair!” Yu Bohao pried the bundle of hosta flowers and found that there were two black strands of hair underneath. They were slightly soaked by the rain. One was tied with red silk and the other was tied with blue silk. Against the pure white hosta flower, it looked extremely enchanting and beautiful.

The ancients said that a “married couple” would also give a lock of their hair to each other as a pledge of their love. Was this cloth bag from the deceased’s? But how could there be two strands of hair in the bouquet?

It was obvious that these flowers have been plucked for less than a day. Was this bag related to this corpse?

At this thought, Ran Yan didn’t want to stay any longer. She told Provincial Governor Liu where the hosta floral garden was and brought Wan Lu and Ge Lan back to Ying Mei Nunnery.

Xing Niang was sitting on the porch, sewing her clothes absentmindedly. When she saw that Ran Yan has returned, she didn’t greet her with a smile like before. Instead, she bowed respectfully and took her clothes back to the side.

Ran Yan looked at her slightly hunched back and felt helpless in her heart. She knew that Xing Niang didn’t like her conducting an autopsy again, but what could she do? Compared to her medical skills, she was better at performing autopsies. It was really difficult for her to change her habit immediately.

Seeing that Ran Yan had returned to her room, Ge Lan walked into the corridor. She put away the umbrella and went to Xing Niang’s room.

As soon as she opened the door, Ge Lan saw Xing Niang hastily wiping her eyes. Seeing that it was Ge Lan, she heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Your body is still weak. Why don’t you go and rest?”

Ge Lan sat in front of her and spread the paper. She picked up the pen and wrote,

“You must be complaining about our Lady’s work.”

Xing Niang sighed and said, “Hai, it wasn’t easy for Miss to recover from her illness, and the bitter days have finally come to an end. However, I don’t know where she learned this skill. I originally thought that it would be a good thing to hide in the Ying Mei Nunnery, but I didn’t expect to raise Miss’s personality even more.”

As Xing Niang spoke, she felt even more uncomfortable. She looked at Ge Lan and said, “Our Miss is already a sixteen-year-old lady. Because of this matter, it would take another year and a half. It wouldn’t be a big deal to talk about marriage when she’s older, but she doesn’t know how to restrain herself. Her reputation will become worse in the future. Which family would be willing to marry her?”

Ge Lan suddenly lowered her eyes and covered the hazy mist inside. She raised her hand to continue writing:

Trust our miss. She is no longer as timid and ignorant as before. She knows what she is doing.

Ge Lan thought back to the calm and respectful attitude Ran Yan had when she saw her preparing for the autopsy this morning. It was a heart-breaking sight. Later on, although she turned her back, she heard every word Ran Yan said. This woman was indeed not her miss…

“The previous Miss was a soft person. Although her personality is a bit weak, there will definitely be countless men who will like her. Now, she’s extremely cold and quiet. She has never been gentle before, plus this reputation, alas!” Xing Niang sighed heavily.

Ran Yan raised her hand, which was about to knock on the door but froze in mid-air. She lowered them again, raised her hand to stop Wan Lu, who was about to say something, and quietly retreated.

Inside the room, Ge Lan wrote down two remarks on the paper:

The former miss could attract people’s love; unfortunately, the woman in the back of the house is treacherous. How long can we protect her?

Ge Lan’s words were powerful enough to penetrate the back of the paper. It was as if there was endless resentment, but there was nowhere to vent.

Xing Niang was stunned by these words. If it wasn’t for Ge Lan, her Miss might have been forced to death by the Gao Clan. No matter how smart Ge Lan was, she was a servant. There was always something that she couldn’t reach. Just like two years ago, once something happened to Ge Lan, her Miss couldn’t even protect herself. Even though she and Wan Lu tried their best to protect her, they were still thrown into Zhuangzi.

Ge Lan’s heart ached for her original Miss, but she also blamed herself. She had sacrificed her life to protect her, but what had happened?

No one told Ge Lan that her Miss had completely forgotten about her after she died. If Ge Lan had known about this cruel fact, she wouldn’t have thought of it.

“Xing Niang!” Late at night, Wan Lu pushed open the door and entered. She said anxiously, “Miss was standing outside the door just now. I don’t know how sad you made her feel!”

Xing Niang was slightly stunned and stood up anxiously. “I… I’m just worried about Miss…”

“Hurry up and talk to Miss. Just talk to Miss.” Wan Lu hurriedly pulled Xing Niang out of the room. She was stopped by Ran Yan when she stood outside the door and could not interrupt her. Wan Lu was already burning with anxiety. They have lived together for so many years, how could they have any grudges?

Ge Lan followed.

The three of them walked into the room together and saw the window wide open. Ran Yan was wearing a dark purple satin robe and her hair was loose. She was holding up a teapot and pouring out hot tea. Outside the window, there was a white hosta flower with green leaves reflecting her calm and beautiful face. It was fragrant and ethereal, and there was a trace of coldness from such composure. It made the three of them stunned for a moment.

Ran Yan lifted her cup and was about to drink tea when she saw the three maidservants standing near the door. She paused and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Miss… This old servant was also worried about her Miss, which is why she said those words just now… Miss, don’t take it to heart,” Xing Niang said sincerely.

Ran Yan put down her cup. In her eyes, this subject was nothing more than a small matter. Once upon a time, when others were gossiping about her, she felt that there was nothing wrong with it and walked over to the side. As a result, the group of people didn’t feel embarrassed. They hid when they saw her for half a year. Just now, she didn’t go in because she didn’t want to disturb other people’s conversation. Besides, Xing Niang said those words with good intentions.

“We’ve lived together for so many years, and I’ve already treated you as my family and elder. It’s nothing more than an elder scolding a junior. You don’t have to do this. It’s just a small matter.” Ran Yan smiled and said, “Have a seat.”

Her smile was very shallow, but it made people feel sincere, not perfunctory.

Xing Niang burst into tears and took out her handkerchief to wipe it off. She sat across from Ran Yan and said, “My Miss has really grown up. This old servant is too worried about her understanding of things. With my Miss’s talent and appearance, there will definitely be a good husband waiting for you in the future.”

Ge Lan and Wan Lu sat down together. Ge Lan’s face was faint, but Wan Lu couldn’t hide her surprise. She had grown up with her Miss and naturally knew what kind of personality her Miss had. She was sensitive and pessimistic. If it had been in the past, Xing Niang’s words would have made her Miss shed tears for half a month. That was why she had been so anxious just now. Who would have thought that she hadn’t taken it to heart?

However, Wan Lu liked this personality, so she didn’t think too much about it. She grinned and giggled. Ge Lan rolled her eyes.

Wan Lu’s mouth became flat. She didn’t even need Ge Lan to write. She could clearly see the meaning behind the eye-rolling: Silly Big Sis!

“Miss.” Outside the house, Xiao Man’s voice came. “Sang Chen has come looking for you and is waiting in the bamboo forest at the entrance of the monastery.”

Ran Yan restrained her smile and paused. She stood up and put on the satin dress. “I’ll be right back.”

“This servant will accompany you.”

Ran Yan didn’t respond and didn’t object, allowing her to follow. When she walked out of the door, she saw Xiao Man standing at the door. She was drenched and there were six or seven bamboo shoots in the basket beside her feet. She said, “It’s not safe on the mountain. Don’t go out alone these next few days.”

Xiao Man’s eyes slightly moved as she said, “Yes.”

The autumn rain was hazy, and the bamboo forest outside the monastery was washed and soaked by the rain, making it look verdant. In the light rain, Sang Chen was dressed in a clean moon-white robe with wide sleeves. He was holding an oil paper umbrella with poems on mountains and rivers. His slender figure was like a bamboo.

When Sang Chen saw Ran Yan come out, a joyous smile naturally appeared on his face. It was meaningful and clear, like dew reflecting the sun in the morning, fresh and bright.

“Miss,” Sang Chen shyly called out, and a blush appeared on his fair cheeks as he looked at Ran Yan in a somewhat awkward manner.

The veins on Ran Yan’s forehead throbbed. She thought to herself that this person was a dog-like person who didn’t say a word and would be scared out of his mind if she uttered a single word.

“I’ll pay you back.” Sang Chen took out a small blue cloth bag and handed it over.

Wan Lu looked at Ran Yan’s calm expression as if it was a sign of anger. She didn’t say that she wanted to take Sang Chen’s money. She just stood by her side and held the umbrella, looking at Sang Chen sympathetically.

“You’re a teacher. If you are teaching properly, why are you running around all day!” Ran Yan spoke in a flat voice.

Sang Chen shivered and retracted his hand in embarrassment. He replied in a low voice, “I’ve already quit my job as a teacher a few days ago. I went to the Scripture Depository of Yun Cong Temple to help copy the scriptures. It’s close to Miss’s. Hehe, what a coincidence.”

If it wasn’t for Ran Yan’s sullen face, Wan Lu would have laughed a while back. She thought to herself, Mr. Sang’s intentions are well known to everyone!

“Yesterday, a man died here. He was raped and killed by someone. He was left on the mountain slope. I went to help the government early in the morning to give an autopsy. That man is not as handsome as you. I hope the next person I see is not you.” Ran Yan was filled with anger and deliberately tried to scare him.

When she saw Sang Chen’s pale face, she felt a little more relieved. However, she heard Sang Chen’s voice, which was slightly shocked, secretly happy, shy, and had other complicated emotions, saying, “Miss thinks that I… am handsome?”

Ran Yan felt a surge of blood above her head, giving her a terrible headache. Her anger, which had just been eased, suddenly soared several times. How could she forget that this two-headed rabbit could never be measured by the thinking of a normal person?