In Shoukang Palace, after Qin Wan finished telling the Empress Dowager about the skeletal remains found in Prince Jin’s Manor, the Empress Dowager fell into deep thought. After a while, she coughed lightly twice and said, “How could someone who was in the palace end up dead in Prince Jin’s Manor?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Indeed, though we’re not certain if it’s him.”
Despite Qin Wan’s words, the Empress Dowager shook her head, “I remember the person you described.”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised, and the Empress Dowager continued, “He was sent to the palace as a child, originally meant to be a eunuch. When the princes were selecting guards, Prince Jin immediately took a liking to him, primarily because he was exceptionally tall among his peers. Secondly, his appearance was quite distinctive, unlike the people of Great Zhou. He was two years older than Prince Jin, but since Prince Jin liked him, he chose him anyway. Later it was discovered his mother wasn’t from Great Zhou. This guard followed Prince Jin for many years, and everyone in the palace knew about him.”
Those who served the princes, even guards, and servants, were notable figures. While there were many lower-ranking palace servants, in their eyes, these guards were almost like half-masters themselves.
“As he grew older, his appearance became increasingly distinctive and eye-catching. Such a person would be rare not just in the prince’s manor but in the entire capital, so I believe it must be him.”
Zhou people’s appearance differed greatly from those of the Western Regions and Rong people. Any Rong or Western Region person in the capital would be immediately noticeable. The Rong people, being longtime enemies of Great Zhou, wouldn’t dare enter Zhou territory easily. Western Region people only appeared when foreign envoys visited the court. Someone like Song Xiwen was extremely rare.
Qin Wan was also certain of this person’s identity, but she couldn’t state it definitively. Mentioning Song Xiwen inevitably connected to Prince Jin’s case from last year. Since Prince Jin’s case was considered closed, Qin Wan wasn’t hoping the Emperor would suddenly show leniency and allow a retrial.
“If so, the appearance of his remains in Prince Jin’s Manor is quite puzzling,” Qin Wan said.
The Empress Dowager understood this point all too well. She coughed twice more – her cough seemed to be worsening with the increasingly cold weather. After thinking, she added, “Indeed, at that time, Prince Jin… this person should have been with him… I wonder how they investigated…”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “Your Highness, if I may speak boldly, could these remains be connected to Prince Jin’s case?”
The Empress Dowager sighed, naturally not blaming Qin Wan, who was known for her sharp mind in such matters. “That case… caused quite a stir in the city. I didn’t believe Prince Jin would do such a thing, but then he committed suicide in prison out of guilt… Ah, I was truly disappointed…”
Qin Wan’s lips remained tightly pressed, “When we discovered these remains, I thought of Prince Jin’s case. I wondered if there might be more to the story, but considering Prince Jin’s suicide and the lack of witnesses in his defense, it seemed inappropriate to make such speculations. However…” She paused, then continued in a serious tone, “When Captain Zhan informed me about the possible identity of the remains, I began to have doubts. This guard should have been one of Prince Jin’s witnesses, yet he died mysteriously in the manor. Thinking about this, I’ve also begun to question Prince Jin’s suicide.”
The Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly, “You mean… *cough cough*… you’re saying Prince Jin didn’t commit suicide out of guilt?”
Qin Wan appeared anxious, “These are just my speculations. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop Qin Wan’s apology. She narrowed her eyes in thought for a moment, then shook her head, “This matter is too mysterious. I can’t make sense of it right now.”
Qin Wan knew when to stop, nodding, “I shouldn’t have troubled you with these matters. Your cough hasn’t improved; you must continue taking medicine. Don’t think about these things for now. In just over a month, Fifth Princess will be married – you’ll need to focus on that.”
And Prince Rui’s coffin would soon return…
Qin Wan avoided mentioning Prince Rui, and the Empress Dowager seemed not to think of it. After chatting for a while longer, Qin Wan took her leave. As she left Shoukang Palace, she immediately encountered Prince Cheng, Yan Qi. Today he was alone, without Feng Chenbi. Surprised, Qin Wan quickly bowed.
She expected Yan Qi to enter Shoukang Palace directly, but he stopped in front of her.
Qin Wan looked up at Yan Qi, who curved his lips in a thin smile, “Princess Yongci came to pay respects to Grandmother?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, the Empress Dowager isn’t well, so I came to check her pulse.”
“Princess Yongci’s medical skills are exceptional, and even more impressive is your skill in examining corpses. Even I was once deceived by Princess Yongci. Thinking back now, heh, it seems Yan Chi was protecting you even then.”
Yan Qi was referring to their first encounter at the morgue when Qin Wan had just returned to the capital. Qin Wan maintained her composure, “My former status made things inconvenient. If I showed any disrespect, I hope Your Highness won’t hold it against me.”
Yan Qi’s mischievous eyes tilted slightly upward, “No grudges held. You’ve done great service to Great Zhou – who would dare blame you? Though it’s unfortunate that just after Grandmother arranged your marriage to Yan Chi, Uncle met with misfortune.”
Qin Wan nodded, “The capital hasn’t been very peaceful lately.”
Though Qin Wan didn’t understand Prince Rui’s matter, she made this comment. Yan Qi pointedly asked, “Is Princess Yongci referring to the case at Prince Jin’s Manor?”
Qin Wan smiled, “Why does Your Highness ask what you already know? When this case emerged, many people in the capital must have become anxious.”
Yan Qi sneered, “You weren’t in the capital when this case occurred. How do you know about these things? And these anxious people you mention – you couldn’t be referring to the Crown Prince, could you?”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. Since Qin Chaoyu was the Crown Princess, his words were openly provocative. Qin Wan smiled, “Whoever has done wrong will feel anxious.”
“It seems the Princess has concluded. Does the Princess realize what she’s saying?”
Qin Wan remained unperturbed, “Not just me, many people must have their own opinions. Last year’s case caused turmoil in the capital – who knows how this case will unfold.”
Yan Qi looked at Qin Wan with an ambiguous smile, “It’s a pity women can’t serve as officials in court.”
Qin Wan looked at Yan Qi directly, “I regret that as well.” She glanced at the palace gate, “It’s getting late, and the Empress Dowager is waiting for Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.”
Yan Qi remained silent as Qin Wan walked away, his phoenix eyes narrowed as he watched her retreating figure.
Prince Rui’s matter wasn’t finished, yet Prince Jin’s Manor had suddenly developed complications.
Yan Qi’s eyes flashed with cold light. Though a year had passed, everyone knew this incident was connected to last year’s case. When he first received the news, he thought Father Emperor would prevent the investigation of this case, but surprisingly, Father Emperor allowed the Lin’an Prefecture to investigate. What did this mean?!
The initial Prince Jin case had caused quite a bloodbath, ultimately ending with Prince Jin’s suicide out of guilt.
But even today, Yan Qi didn’t believe Prince Jin had truly committed suicide out of guilt.
Qin Wan had disappeared from view, but her words still echoed in his ears. These past two days, someone must indeed be anxious.
Yan Qi glanced toward the Eastern Palace, calculation quickly flashing in his eyes.
Yan Qi entered Shoukang Palace. He rarely visited, but recently Father Emperor hadn’t been visiting Mother Consort much. With no choice, Mother Consort ordered him to pay respects at Shoukang Palace. As long as the Empress Dowager lived, her influence remained crucial.
When Yan Qi entered the hall, although Chen Mama had announced him, the Empress Dowager was still lost in thought. Yan Qi hesitated slightly, bowing quietly. The Empress Dowager came to her senses, looked at Yan Qi, and beckoned, “Come, come to Grandmother.”
Yan Qi sat beside the Empress Dowager, “How is Grandmother feeling today?”
The Empress Dowager coughed twice, shook her head, then looked at Yan Qi and asked, “Qi’er, do you believe your eldest brother killed someone?”
Yan Qi’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly remembering Qin Wan’s composed expression earlier. Her eyes were clear as a stream, yet beneath that clarity seemed to hide unknown strategic depths. Yan Qi quickly replied, “Grandmother, I never believed Big Brother would kill someone…”