"Imperial Grandson, my lord, the autopsy results for Song Xiyan are in."
The coroner stepped forward and bowed. "The victim shows multiple contusions across her body and extensive missing skin and flesh. There are scars of varying depths, indicating injuries sustained over a period of time. Her heart was excised, and there are signs of a struggle. She was, in all likelihood, alive when her heart was carved out."
"There is no trace of any disease, and certainly no smallpox."
Chapter 23