The woman had only intended to scare people, finding even a slight cut too painful.
Thinking of the crowd around, she figured someone would surely stop her if she showed any intention of self-harm.
Who would have thought that Lu Qingwan would not only not stop her but actively suggest a more efficient suicide plan? The woman was instantly embarrassed.
She froze, dagger in hand, unsure of what to do. When she tried to look back, the two guards behind her stood like doors, completely blocking her view.
“Weren’t you going to commit suicide? Hurry up, what are you waiting for?”
Lu Qingwan was still eagerly urging her on.
The woman was flustered, but a commotion arose outside. “Who reported this to the authorities?”
A familiar voice rang out; it was Han Guang, the Prefect of Jingzhao, who had arrived personally.
Normally, such matters would be handled by the yamen’s constables. Only if the situation was truly grave would Han Guang appear.
With the Prefect of Jingzhao himself making an appearance, it was clear that Ying Yi must have used the Prince’s token.
Lu Qingwan then feigned ignorance and stepped forward. “Reporting to Your Excellency, it was this humble subject who reported the matter.”
She calmly pointed at the woman. “This woman brought a patient two hours ago. She had a smooth delivery, yet she was given a large dose of blood-activating medication.
Afterward, she trespassed into the patient’s room without cause, interfered with treatment, and falsely accused this humble subject of insulting the patient and causing her death.
This humble subject suspects she intended to deliberately kill her daughter-in-law to extort money from Bai Xing Lin. Therefore, this humble subject reported it to the authorities. I implore Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly and clear the names of this humble subject and Bai Xing Lin.
Furthermore, if the patient was indeed poisoned, the person who administered the medication to her is at least guilty of attempted murder, aren't they?”
“No, Your Excellency, it is this Lin who is slandering me. He’s the one playing the villain and accusing me first.
This woman was about to accuse him of insulting my daughter-in-law and endangering her life. I beg Your Excellency to bring justice for my daughter-in-law!”
Upon seeing the Prefect of Jingzhao arrive in person, the woman disregarded everything and rushed forward to weep and lament.
“Enough!”
Han Guang shouted, cutting off the woman’s words. “This official handles cases according to his own rules.
Divine Doctor Lin, you claim this woman intended to harm the patient. Where is the patient now, and what is her condition?”
“The patient is in the ward upstairs. Although she suffered severe bleeding and her condition was not good earlier, her life is out of danger. The accusations of this madwoman that this humble subject harmed her daughter-in-law are completely unfounded.
Instead, Your Excellency might ask an experienced physician to examine when those blood-activating drugs were taken.
Once the time of ingestion is confirmed, it will be abundantly clear who was trying to harm and who was trying to save.”
At that moment, someone from the crowd chimed in, “Indeed, Your Excellency. The physicians at the opposing Ci En Tang also have good skills. They can help determine when the patient took those blood-activating drugs!”
“Yes, yes, Ci En Tang is nearby, and their physicians are well-renowned. Such a minor matter, they can certainly help.”
The woman also chimed in, “Yes, yes, Ci En Tang is nearby, and their physicians are well-renowned. Such a minor matter, they can certainly help.”
Lu Qingwan, however, smiled. “Who doesn’t know that Bai Xing Lin and Ci En Tang have had a long-standing feud? If you let them interfere in such a crucial matter, you might as well just convict me and arrest me directly. That would be quicker.”
Hearing this, Han Guang glanced thoughtfully at the woman, then ordered, “You, take this official’s token and go to the Imperial Hospital to request Imperial Physician Wu to examine the patient.”
The constables moved at once, while Han Guang calmly asked the woman, “You, state your identity, name, where you live, and who else is in your household, in detail.”
“This, Your Excellency, it is this quack Lin who harmed the patient. Why are you questioning this humble woman?
My family are honest business people. If officials enter and exit our shop, others might think there are problems with our business and stop coming. How will my family live?”
As she spoke, the woman began to weep softly.
She continued to dally, refusing to disclose her identity or address.
Lu Qingwan turned to the shop assistant. “Where is the patient’s medical record? Has her identity information been verified?”
The shop assistant promptly brought over the medical record. Lu Qingwan opened it and directly stated the address.
“Ninth household on Gujing Lane, Pingkang Ward, West City. The parturient is named He Yuan Niang. You are Wang Yin Di. Is the information registered here all true?”
Han Guang admonished the woman from the side. “Zhang Wang Shi, you must think carefully before you speak. Lying to this official is perjury.
It is a crime punishable by law.”
“Yes, it’s true!”
Upon hearing that she would be punished by law, the woman quickly admitted it.
The constable behind Han Guang heard this and, without waiting for further instructions, ran out.
A mere woman, how much cunning could she possess? Within half an hour, Han Guang’s men had investigated all aspects of the matter.
Imperial Physician Wu, who had been summoned by the constable, also soon descended from upstairs.
Han Guang personally greeted him. “Imperial Physician Wu, how is the situation?”
“A miracle, truly a miracle!”
Imperial Physician Wu exclaimed repeatedly. “The woman took a large amount of blood-activating medication after childbirth. The amount of blood loss… even this old man would have been powerless to save her!
Prefect Han, could you allow this old man to meet the divine physician who brought about this recovery?”
Han Guang replied with a sigh, “Imperial Physician Wu, the divine physician you speak of is both far away and right before your eyes.
But you must first tell this official, when exactly did the patient take the blood-activating drug, and is she currently in mortal danger?”
The core issue of Lu Qingwan and the woman’s mutual accusations was the patient’s life or death.
As long as the woman was alive, everything else could be sorted out.
Imperial Physician Wu was surprised. “The patient gave birth around noon today and then took blood-activating medication.
However, the subsequent treatment was very successful. She is no longer in mortal danger and has already woken up. Didn’t you know?”
“Awake?!”
The woman gasped in fright.
At the same time, the constable who had gone out to investigate returned. “Reporting to Your Excellency, the address registered for this woman is indeed correct.
However, this subordinate has learned that the wine shop she mentioned and the registered address both belong to her daughter-in-law He Yuan Niang’s family.
But the daughter-in-law’s maternal family has no father or brothers, only He Yuan Niang as their only daughter. Mr. and Mrs. He, doting on their daughter, purchased property for them to live in.”
“Wicked woman!”
Someone in the crowd cursed aloud. “Their daughter gave birth to your children and raised your family, and you wanted to harm her? This is taking advantage of the fact that she has no sons to seize everything, bullying people!”
“Even ‘eating the orphaned heirlooms’ wasn’t this blatant. It’s possible she was the one who administered those drugs that caused her daughter-in-law’s hemorrhage, and then she came to extort Divine Doctor Lin. Truly shameless!”
…
The situation had taken a sharp turn. It seemed there was no need for further investigation; the matter was already clear.
Han Guang’s face darkened as he ordered, “Come, escort Zhang Wang Shi to prison. Once He Yuan Niang has recovered, this case will be tried!”
Zhang Wang Shi was escorted by the Jingzhao constables, her arms twisted, toward the yamen. Even as she exited, she anxiously peered into the crowd.