The Crown Prince… Prince Cheng… His Majesty…
Qin Wan listened with growing alarm. Why was His Majesty among them?
“Does His Majesty also want to move against the Northwest Army?”
Qin Wan hurriedly asked. Yan Chi frowned slightly, “His Majesty has wanted to move against the Northwest Army for some time now. But with the western frontier’s pressing matters, he had to consider the bigger picture. Now that the West is initially settled, it’s a good opportunity. His Majesty’s statement about investigating the Northwest Army – we don’t know his intentions yet. Prince Cheng has always wanted to place his people in the Northwest Army, and the Crown Prince has similar intentions. So now, the Northwest Army is truly surrounded by enemies.”
Qin Wan’s heart was already suspended high with worry. After Yan Chi’s explanation, she felt even more concerned, “How will you break this deadlock? Must you go to the Northwest Army?”
Yan Chi shook his head, “Not necessary for now. Let’s see how His Majesty arranges things. I also need to wait for news from Father.”
Qin Wan felt relieved – if he didn’t need to go to the Northwest Army, the situation wasn’t completely dire.
“That’s good. But how did the Northwest Army suddenly encounter such a major problem?”
Yan Chi’s eyes darkened, “I originally thought it was just corruption, but now it seems someone has long wanted to move against the Northwest Army, leading to this series of incidents…”
“What do you think His Majesty’s intentions are? Should we prepare early?”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly, “Preparations are certainly necessary. As for His Majesty’s thoughts, I can’t gauge them right now. The Northwest Army has long been in Father’s hands, and His Majesty has been dissatisfied with this. No emperor exists who doesn’t guard against military power. Even Father’s decade of faithful service at the western border was useless. My return last year was also Father’s concession.”
“You mean the Astute Prince sent you to the capital as a hostage?”
Yan Chi brushed aside some stray hair near Qin Wan’s ear, “Yes, my presence in the capital indeed serves as a hostage.”
Qin Wan’s heart sank further. She had heard before about how the Astute Prince’s control of the Northwest Army made others wary, but in her half year since returning to the capital, everything seemed peaceful. She had forgotten that in politics, pulling one thread affects the whole cloth – unlike investigating cases, court politics and human hearts could change overnight.
Qin Wan was skilled at investigating cases, but her understanding of court politics was limited. Moreover, with imperial power involved, what could a young woman who had never served in court do? She could only worry about Yan Chi.
“Is there currently a best solution?”
Yan Chi sighed, “Unless Father immediately resigns as Commander of the Northwest Army and returns to the capital to become an idle prince.”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “Though you say this, I know it’s impossible. The Astute Prince has guarded the borders for many years. Setting aside his aspirations and ambitions, if he leaves, the Northwest Army’s original commanders would lose his protection and likely meet tragic ends. Then morale would collapse, and if barbarians attack—”
Though Qin Wan hadn’t read military texts or understood court factions, her perspective and insight far surpassed ordinary women. That she could speak of such matters greatly pleased Yan Chi.
“You’re correct. New emperor, new officials. Once the Northwest Army changes commanders, externally, barbarians will seize the opportunity, and internally, the commanders who’ve followed Father for half their lives will mostly meet bad ends. Whoever becomes the new commander will certainly grip military power tightly. Father has worked hard his whole life – he doesn’t want to see the border lost and people suffering in his old age, nor does he want the loyal soldiers of Great Zhou to meet tragic ends. For these reasons, Father absolutely cannot easily surrender military power. Father originally wanted me to succeed him, which would satisfy both internal and external parties. But now, my succession is impossible, yet there are no other candidates.”
Qin Wan felt this situation was truly difficult to resolve. The art of emperorship lay in the emperor’s heart, and once the person in that position became suspicious, those suspicions wouldn’t easily be dispelled—
“There isn’t any good solution now?”
Yan Chi frowned, “We can only hope this provisions matter doesn’t harm the Northwest Army’s foundation. Father needs these two years to cultivate someone capable of independence. Only then can he step down gracefully.”
“But… will they give the Astute Prince this time?”
Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand and smiled bitterly, “That depends on heaven’s will.”
At this point, Yan Chi sighed, “Let’s not speak of this. Don’t worry. I have plans. As long as His Majesty hasn’t decided to kill, Father and I can naturally explain the truth.”
Qin Wan’s heart inexplicably jumped. Kill? Would His Majesty? The Astute Prince was beloved by the Empress Dowager and had rendered great service to Great Zhou. If His Majesty wanted to kill the Astute Prince, how would history record it?
This thought flashed through Qin Wan’s mind and disappeared. She didn’t plan to ask more about this matter. Yan Chi continued, “I know about the case matters. Four people have died now. The next person will likely be killed according to the Moon Worship Cult’s seven hells. Last time Taoist Zhang calculated the crime location; surely he can do so again.”
Qin Wan sighed, “Unfortunately, the killer knows the magistrate’s office is investigating. They’ll certainly be more careful next time.”
“No matter how careful the killer is, they’ll leave traces. We’ll find crucial clues.”
Qin Wan had been mentally exhausted by the case these days. She leaned into Yan Chi’s embrace, feeling somewhat helpless that she couldn’t help with his troubles. And when it came to court politics and imperial power, what kind of smokeless battlefield was that?
Yan Chi hadn’t seen Qin Wan for several days. Now she wore only a single layer as she leaned against him, with just a silk cloth between his palm and her body. When discussing serious matters it was fine, but now that was done, his thoughts began to wander. Qin Wan felt the heat from Yan Chi’s palm. In the darkness, his breathing grew heavy. Before she could react, soft kisses fell on her cheek—
The bed chamber was already intimate and alluring; this kiss made Qin Wan’s body go soft.
Desire surged through Yan Chi. He turned over, pressing Qin Wan onto the bed. As he did so, the bed creaked. Before he could do anything more, Fu Ling’s voice came from outside.
“Young Miss? Are you awake?”
Fu Ling, resting in the outer room, drowsily got up and lit a lamp. Carrying it into the room, she saw Qin Wan still sleeping properly on the bed, though the previously closed window was open.
Fu Ling frowned, “What’s this? Wasn’t the window closed?”
Fu Ling muttered to herself while walking to the window to close and lock it. She looked suspiciously at Qin Wan, who appeared to be sleeping. Her young miss used to wake at the slightest sound – why was she sleeping so deeply today?
Though puzzled, Fu Ling dared not disturb Qin Wan and left with the lamp.
After Fu Ling left, Qin Wan finally opened her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed. Looking at the window Fu Ling had locked, she smiled helplessly, wondering if Yan Chi would be discovered by the manor’s guards when leaving!
Early the next morning, as Fu Ling went with Bai Ying to fetch Qin Wan’s breakfast, she said, “It’s very strange. Last night I clearly remember closing the window, but in the middle of the night, I suddenly heard a sound. When I went back in, I saw the window was open. Could I have remembered wrong?”
Fu Ling looked puzzled, “I almost thought someone had entered Young Miss’s room, but Young Miss is usually so alert – she shouldn’t fail to notice if someone entered. I think we should all sleep in Young Miss’s room to keep watch from now on.”
Bai Ying smiled slightly, “Young Miss doesn’t like having people sleep with her. You must have remembered wrong.”
“Really?” Fu Ling said uncertainly.
As they were talking, Fu Ling looked up and saw Mo Yi. Mo Yi was following behind another maid – previously, she had always walked in front with her head held high, but now she was the one carrying the food box behind the others.
Fu Ling raised an eyebrow and whispered to Bai Ying, “Has Mo Yi been demoted?”
Bai Ying nodded with an “Mm” sound, “Yes, she no longer serves directly under Eighth Young Miss. I heard she was originally going to enter the palace with several others, but now Eighth Young Miss plans to keep her in the manor.”
Fu Ling gave a satisfied snort, “That’s right! That’s what she gets for doing evil!”
Bai Ying said nothing. Mo Yi had also seen them. Upon seeing the two, Mo Yi’s face darkened with hatred in her eyes, but she dared not provoke them. Though they were all from the same manor, they passed each other as if they hadn’t seen anyone.
After finishing breakfast, Qin Wan first went to the An Yang Marquis Manor. Yue Qiong was leaving, so naturally Qin Wan had to go bid farewell. She didn’t choose any priceless gifts, only making many portable medicinal pills to send.
The Grand Princess and Yue Qiong were both very pleased and kept Qin Wan for lunch. While chatting, they discussed Fifth Princess Yan Zhen’s marriage to Northern Wei. The Grand Princess sighed, “Though an alliance marriage with Northern Wei is good, I also feel Yan Zhen needn’t marry there. The Emperor has only this one daughter – I thought the Empress would be most reluctant to part with her, but unexpectedly she’s the main proponent of this diplomatic marriage.”
Yue Qiong asked, “Is it for the Crown Prince’s sake?”
The Grand Princess sighed, “It’s hard to see through. The Empress naturally supports the Crown Prince considerably, but she’s not one to disregard her daughter’s happiness for the Crown Prince’s sake. Though the Northern Wei Crown Prince seems fine, Yan Zhen is unwilling – forcing her isn’t good.”
The Grand Princess narrowed her eyes, “However if Yan Zhen marries Northern Wei and becomes their Empress, she’ll be crucial to both countries. The Crown Prince would effectively gain another layer of support, though this support would be too distant – normally it would just sound good. If I were the Empress, I would certainly think it’s not worth it.”
Jiang Shi seemed helpless, “Parents’ hearts are the same everywhere, but who knows what the Empress is thinking this time.”
The Grand Princess was also puzzled. After everyone spoke briefly, when Yue Ning and Qin Wan went out to talk privately, Yue Ning said, “You don’t know yet, but Yan Zhen recently attempted suicide over this matter. We thought this would frighten the Empress, but unexpectedly the Empress slapped Yan Zhen and confined her. Except for paying respects to the Empress Dowager and Emperor, she’s not allowed out. How can the Empress be so heartless?”
Qin Wan never thought the Empress could be heartless toward Yan Zhen, but the facts were before them, making it incomprehensible. “So that’s why when I entered the palace yesterday to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, I saw the Fifth Princess crying in Shou Kang Palace. Princess Tuoba was there too. Afterward, the Fifth Princess even blamed Princess Tuoba. When Princess Tuoba asked why she didn’t confront the Empress, she fell silent.”
Yue Ning sighed, “The Empress… though she dotes on Yan Zhen, once she makes a decision, it’s probably hard to change. When I was young, I heard about the Empress. She was from the Supporting Nation General’s family and was raised as a boy in her youth, rising at dawn daily to study reading and writing. Later when she was older, she learned women’s work, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting – excelling at everything. Later when the current Emperor was favored by the previous Emperor, he chose the Empress to enter as his Princess Consort. Everyone said the previous Emperor was selecting the future Empress at that time.”
Though the previous Emperor had two legitimate sons, he favored the current Emperor from the start, which led to the later Prince Gong incident. Qin Wan didn’t know these things about Zhao Shuhua, but hearing this now, it matched with the current Zhao Shuhua. Having been Empress for so many years and earning the Emperor’s respect, the Empress was naturally no ordinary person.
“So you think this time the Fifth Princess will marry into Northern Wei?”
Yue Ning nodded, “I reckon the Empress has her reasons. Whether for the Crown Prince’s sake or something else, once she’s made a decision, it surely can’t be changed.”
Qin Wan sighed – royal family matters were truly too mysterious and difficult to judge!
After lunch at the An Yang Marquis Manor, Qin Wan went straight to the magistrate’s office. Thinking of Yan Chi’s predicament, Qin Wan just hoped the capital’s case would be solved soon, so Yan Chi wouldn’t be entangled with this case while holding his position at the Ministry of Justice.
At the office, neither Zhan Yang nor Zheng Baishi were present. After thinking, Qin Wan directly asked a familiar constable to take her to find Taoist Zhang. The constable led Qin Wan to Taoist Zhang’s small courtyard. This was originally an empty dormitory, very simple – normally on-duty constables were unwilling to live there. But Taoist Zhang didn’t mind, as he needed absolute quiet to divine the stars and perform rituals. Since Zheng Baishi saw he could help, he treated him well, having people add many things, making it quite comfortable now!
When Qin Wan arrived, Taoist Zhang’s door was wide open. Just as she reached the doorway, she heard Taoist Zhang muttering inside. She glanced in and saw his room was full of crumpled paper covered with barely visible numbers and drawings. Qin Wan couldn’t understand those, so she just called out, “Is the Taoist Master busy?”
Hearing her voice, Taoist Zhang came out. Seeing Qin Wan, he quickly bowed, “Imperial Princess has come!”
“Taoist Master, I came to ask if you’ve divined the time and place of the killer’s next crime.”
Taoist Zhang smiled, “Imperial Princess has come at the right time. I just calculated it – please come in to talk.”
The Imperial Princess entered with Bai Ying. Taoist Zhang spread out a large paper, “Two nights from now would be good timing for a ritual. As for locations, I’ve calculated two places, both in the south of the city. I’m still calculating a third location – it might be ready tonight.”
“Since we know so far in advance this time, can we arrange things secretly?”
Taoist Zhang nodded, “I stayed up two nights with exactly this in mind…”
Taoist Zhang looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, indeed appearing quite exhausted. Qin Wan looked at him with some sympathy, “Thank you for your hard work, Taoist Master. When I first met you, I felt you possessed divine powers. Now I see I wasn’t wrong.”
Hearing this, Taoist Zhang suddenly looked seriously at Qin Wan, “I certainly have some abilities. However… though I can see where the Young Lord comes from, I cannot see clearly where Imperial Princess comes from—”