"Physician Lin, you finally came." Li Fu's tone was accusatory. "Didn't you say the city lord's condition had improved a few days ago? How did he suddenly die today? Did something go wrong with your treatment?"
"Take me to see the city lord's body first. I need to perform an examination before I can determine the cause of death."
Li Fu stepped aside to let him in, but his mouth would not relent. "An examination? If it proves you treated him to death, don't even think about arguing your way out of it!"
When they reached the city lord's bedroom, several maids were kneeling on the floor and weeping. The city lord's body lay on the bed, covered by a white sheet. Lin Taichu stepped forward, lifted the sheet, and began his examination carefully.
He first checked the city lord's pulse. It had completely stopped, and the body was stiff; he had indeed been dead for some time. Then Lin Taichu examined his pupils. They were dilated. He checked his mouth and nose next, but found nothing unusual, then inspected his fingernails, which showed no purpling either.
"Did the city lord display any abnormalities before his death? For example, a bout of chest pain or any other symptoms?" Lin Taichu asked the maids beside him.
One maid sobbed as she answered, "We didn't hear the city lord cry out in pain last night. He went to sleep as usual. This morning, when I went in to bring him water, I saw him lying motionless on the bed. He didn't respond when I called to him, and when I touched him, his body was already ice-cold."
Lin Taichu examined the city lord's chest again. The places where he had previously inserted the needles showed no swelling or redness, nor any other