The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 652: Only One Death (1)_1

As soon as Mo Heng mentioned autopsy through abdominal examination, Ding Dalang immediately felt uneasy, and he was also very afraid of being accused of false accusation. If he were convicted of making a false accusation, then his own accusation against Pei Qin for murder would backfire, and he would have to face the death penalty for homicide.

Seeing his pale face and shifty eyes, full of fear, Pei Qin knew all too well, "Then let’s call the coroners to conduct the autopsy."

Magistrate Huang had anticipated the autopsy, and he nodded, "Summon the coroners for an examination!"

The coroners arrived promptly, all set for the autopsy.

"Anyone who commits perjury with false accusation shall be treated as an accessory to the crime. Think carefully before you speak," Mo Heng calmly reminded them.

Magistrate Huang gave Mo Heng an annoyed glance, thinking he could threaten them with his knowledge of the Great Chu’s legal code—did he think it would be effective?

Pei Qin knew that, like the Imperial Physician in feudal society, the coroners were also licensed and that breaking the law knowingly was a serious offense. She stood by and watched the coroners proceed with the autopsy.

The coroners were well-prepared and meticulously examined all of Master Ding’s wounds for any signs of poisoning, the time of death, and the cause, ultimately concluding, "There are no other injuries on the body, no signs of poisoning either. The fatal wounds are indeed the two kicks to the chest, and there is the bruise of the footprint with the impression still visible."

"Take a print of the footprint for Lady Mo to compare," commanded Magistrate Huang.

The coroners quickly took an impression of the footprints on Master Ding’s chest and brought it to Pei Qin for comparison.

"Are you certain you won’t change your lawsuit?" Pei Qin turned to ask Ding Dalang.

Seeing her mocking and coldly smirking gaze, Ding Dalang pressed his lips together, "The commoner has not made any false accusations!" but deep down, he felt very unsure and silently prayed.

Pei Qin then stretched out her foot and stepped on the impression of the footprint.

The size and the width matched perfectly.

Magistrate Huang’s lips curled slightly, "Lady Mo! Do you have anything to say now?"

Pei Qin chuckled, "Seeing these shoes of mine, what do the coroners have to say, eh?"

When the coroners were examining the body, they had some doubts about the bruising of the footprint, and now, looking at the sheepskin boots on Pei Qin’s feet, an idea flashed through their minds. Looking back at Magistrate Huang and Ding Dalang, they asked Pei Qin, "Madam, on the day you met Master Ding a few days ago, were you wearing these boots on your feet?"

"Not the ones on my feet now, but another pair of sheepskin boots, though the soles of both pairs are the same," Pei Qin smiled.

The coroners looked at Magistrate Huang again, "My lord! This case seems to have more to it."

Magistrate Huang immediately narrowed his eyes coldly, "What else is there to it? And how do you conclude that there’s more to this case? Just based on a pair of boots?"

The coroners hesitated for a moment, "The bruise from the footprint on the victim’s chest indeed matches the size of Lady Mo’s foot, but... the imprint is different."

"What’s different about the imprint?" Magistrate Huang asked coldly.

Pei Qin lifted her leg high, extending her shoe towards him, "Then let Magistrate Huang see for himself, what’s different about my shoe print!"

Magistrate Huang saw the plainly made sheepskin bootsoles on her feet but couldn’t spot anything different at first glance.

The coroners whispered a reminder, "Lady Mo’s boots have heels at the back and are hollowed in the middle of the sole, creating a disjointed combination of the front and back footprints when pressed. However, the footprint on Master Ding’s chest... is flat."

In modern times, Pei Qin had long legs and preferred wearing flat shoes and boots. But in ancient times, she found herself not growing taller, especially after getting married. Standing next to Mo Heng, he could almost lift her up by tucking her under his arm, which felt like a disadvantaged position! The town’s streets were paved with uneven cobblestones that collected water after rain and snow and mud on unpaved paths.

Thick-soled shoes were too troublesome to wear, as they felt too soft and spongy underfoot. Therefore, Pei Qin had custom-made sheepskin boots with heels in the style of small leather shoes. With these, she at least seemed a bit taller.