“Ninth Lady, are you suggesting that the loss of both the sachet and the clothes is not a coincidence?” Zheng Baishi’s expression darkened, his eyes filled with gravity.
Upon hearing this, Qin Wan turned to Zhan Yang and asked, “Captain Zhan, has anything like this happened before?”
Zhan Yang pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “No. While we don’t usually have many pieces of evidence in our cases, what we do have is crucial. Everyone in the prefecture office is extremely careful with evidence. Since I joined the Lin’an Prefecture, we’ve never lost any evidence before.”
Qin Wan nodded. “If that’s the case, then both Lord Zheng and Captain Zhan need to think this through carefully. Everyone can be careless sometimes, and losing things in a rush isn’t unusual, but now we’ve lost two items in succession…”
She continued, “When Captain Zhan first mentioned the loss of the third victim’s clothes, I found it strange. Clothes aren’t small items like a sachet – if they had fallen somewhere, someone would likely have seen them. Yet they still disappeared. I didn’t ask about the details then, thinking perhaps the situation was more urgent than I imagined, so I didn’t question it too much. However, seeing Captain Zhan’s reaction to the lost sachet also seems to suggest he finds it inconceivable. We should connect these incidents.”
At this point, Zhan Yang furrowed his brows and said, “If it wasn’t lost through carelessness, are you suggesting someone underneath deliberately lost them? But these are items from dead people – what use would they have?”
Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi exchanged glances, their expressions growing grave.
Zheng Baishi said, “Those pieces of evidence may not be worth much money, but their loss can leave us at an impasse.”
Qin Yan narrowed his eyes. “As Sister Nine suggests, the victim’s clothes likely held crucial clues and evidence, yet they vanished. Now, when we finally found something related to the victims, it disappeared in such a short time. I find it hard to believe this was mere carelessness by subordinates.”
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yang finally understood Qin Shu and Zheng Baishi’s meaning. “So, there’s a spy in our prefecture trying to hinder our investigation? But what benefit would they gain from preventing us from solving this case?”
At this point, Qin Wan gave Zhan Yang a meaningful look. Despite his usual serious and somewhat rigid demeanor, he seemed surprisingly unaware of court politics. As Zheng Baishi was affiliated with the Eastern Palace, Zhan Yang should have understood that if this case remained unsolved, the Emperor would first blame the Crown Prince, and second, blame Zheng Baishi as the Lin’an Prefect. This strategy would both embarrass the Crown Prince and cause the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince’s right-hand man – truly killing two birds with one stone.
Zheng Baishi sighed as he looked at Zhan Yang. “His Majesty has privately set a deadline for the Crown Prince. If we don’t solve this case soon, His Majesty will be very displeased with both the Crown Prince and our Lin’an Prefecture.”
Zhan Yang’s eyes widened slightly, and his expression grew serious.
Though he might not understand the intricacies of court politics, as the captain of Lin’an Prefecture, it took just a moment’s thought to grasp the implications. His face immediately turned stern, his eyes cold with understanding.
Qin Wan sat quietly. At this point, there was nothing more for her to say. She hadn’t expected that such a seemingly simple criminal case would become a pawn in the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng. No wonder Prince Cheng had appeared so opportunely that day with such a grand display. A chill ran down Qin Wan’s spine as she realized that the high and mighty Prince Cheng didn’t want this case solved. He cared nothing about whether the killer might continue to claim victims, whether more women might be brutally murdered. As long as the case remained unsolved and the Eastern Palace faced the Emperor’s censure, that would please him greatly.
“Brother Zheng, we must continue investigating. The spy in the prefecture office is key. Also, is there any way to recover the third victim’s clothes? If we could, that would give us another piece of evidence. Otherwise, this will be too difficult.” Qin Shu’s tone had grown completely serious.
Zheng Baishi stood up. “Yes, Lord, I understand. I’ll return to the prefecture with Zhan Yang to investigate this matter—”
Qin Shu also rose. “Tomorrow is the last day, Brother Zheng. It’s all up to you now.”
Zheng Baishi nodded firmly and bowed to Qin Wan and Qin Yan. Qin Wan had already risen and performed a formal curtsy. Qin Shu personally escorted Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang to the door before returning. Compared to earlier, his expression now showed some relief. “It was indeed right to call Wan girl here, or we wouldn’t have known the sachet was missing.”
Qin Wan could only say, “Perhaps I’m overthinking it. The prefecture office handles many matters; things could have been lost through carelessness.”
Qin Shu shook his head. “Never mind Brother Zheng’s character, but you don’t quite understand this Zhan Yang. He’s only twenty-five this year, yet he’s been the prefecture captain for three years. During these three years, many of Lin’an’s old cases have been resolved. Though he may not be eloquent or given to smiles, his dedication to solving cases is rare among young people. As he said himself, there’s never been a case of lost evidence during his time as captain, so I’m certain your suspicions are correct.”
His eyes gleamed as he continued, “Do you know why Prince Cheng suddenly appeared this morning when we accompanied you to examine the corpse at the mortuary?”
Before Qin Wan could answer, Qin Shu continued directly, “Because Prince Cheng doesn’t want this case solved. The loss of evidence twice is enough to prove the point. No evidence has ever been lost in other cases, yet in this one, we’ve lost items twice… If you hadn’t reminded us, we wouldn’t have realized Prince Cheng had gone to such lengths…”
This laid bare the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng before Qin Wan. She lowered her eyes, unsure of Qin Shu’s intention, until he looked at her again and said in a gentler tone, “Don’t be frightened by what I’m saying. You don’t need to concern yourself with these matters. I’m being direct with you because I see your exceptional intelligence, and I’d rather not leave you confused.”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, niece understands.”
Qin Shu nodded and smiled. “We don’t know when Brother Zheng will uncover anything. It’s getting late – you should go rest. Though this case requires attention, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. This is your first New Year in the capital; you should enjoy it properly—”
“Yes, niece will take her leave then.”
Qin Shu’s expression remained warm. “Good, let your Third Brother escort you back.”
Qin Yan acknowledged and accompanied Qin Wan out. Fuling held an umbrella as the three-headed toward Pine Wind Court.
After walking for a while, Qin Wan suddenly asked, “Third Brother, what will happen to the Eastern Palace if this case isn’t solved? And what about Prince Cheng?”
Surprised by Qin Wan’s initiative, Qin Yan answered directly, “The consequences might not be too severe. If His Majesty becomes angry, he’ll likely just give the Crown Prince a minor punishment as a warning. However, since this was a task assigned by His Majesty, the Crown Prince’s failure would disappoint him. When the Emperor is disappointed in the Crown Prince, naturally others will rush to curry favor with His Majesty.”
Lowering his voice, Qin Yan added, “We shouldn’t be discussing these matters.”
Qin Wan nodded, her tone cooling slightly. “I understand. It’s just that this case has been delayed so long, the killer remains at large, and the three victims’ spirits cannot rest…”
Qin Yan seemed to understand Qin Wan’s meaning and hesitated before saying, “Ninth Sister, that’s just how things are at the top. One thing affects everything else, influencing those below. You’ll see more of this in the future.”
Qin Wan exhaled. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. I understand.”
Qin Yan sighed lightly. “You’re very intelligent and should comprehend this. Even in ordinary households, there are struggles between senior and junior maids. How much more so in the palace? The higher the position, the greater the implications. Those below, even Father, are powerless. With the current unstable political situation and unpredictable human hearts, one can only seek self-preservation.”
Qin Wan understood everything Qin Yan was saying; she was merely sighing at the powerlessness of those below.
“Father values you, so he doesn’t hide these things from you. But if you’d rather not think about such matters, that’s fine too.”
Walking beside Qin Wan, Qin Yan worried that a young lady might feel uncomfortable suddenly finding herself caught up in court politics, so he offered some words of comfort. However, Qin Wan was not weak-minded and quickly pushed aside her sighs. As they approached Pine Wind Court’s entrance, she suddenly remembered something and asked, “Third Brother, are there only the Crown Prince’s and Prince Cheng’s factions at court now?”
Qin Yan paused, looking up at the still-falling snow. “Not exactly. There are other princes, and His Majesty is still in his prime. The future remains uncertain, though the current Eastern Palace Master has the best chance at present.”
The current Emperor was indeed in his prime. Although he had established a Crown Prince, this was merely to stabilize the political situation. Yet what did it matter that he was Crown Prince? Before ascending to that position, others had countless opportunities to bring him down.
Qin Wan’s lips pressed tightly together. After a while, she suddenly asked in a low voice, “What about Prince Jin?”
At these words, Qin Yan’s relaxed expression immediately changed. He frowned and said in an extremely low voice, “Why is Ninth Sister asking about this?”
Qin Wan replied nonchalantly, “When we went to examine the corpse today, I didn’t understand what was happening when Prince Cheng arrived. Only after Uncle’s explanation tonight did I realize how deep the waters run in the capital. While I don’t know about the other princes, I do know of Prince Jin’s reputation, so I thought to ask about him. That way, if I encounter anything related to Prince Jin in the future, I’ll know how to act.”
Qin Yan relaxed slightly upon hearing this. “Ninth Sister’s thinking is correct, but the words ‘Prince Jin’ have become taboo both in the palace and outside. You needn’t worry – no one will dare cause trouble with Prince Jin’s affairs anymore. Even if someone is bold enough to try, you should simply ignore it. Also, from now on, don’t mention Prince Jin to others.”
Qin Wan’s face showed confusion. “Why?”
Qin Yan stepped forward. “Prince Jin’s case has been concluded definitively. Everyone avoids mentioning it, and I don’t know the inside story – neither does Father. So don’t ask anymore. In the future, you can ask me about matters concerning Prince Cheng, the Crown Prince, and other princes. Indeed, it’s better to know more when moving through the capital.”
Then, with added gravity, he said, “Ninth Sister, truly, don’t ask anyone about Prince Jin’s matter.”
Seeing Qin Yan’s repeated warnings, Qin Wan realized the situation was indeed complicated. She naturally couldn’t refuse in front of Qin Yan, so she nodded, “Yes, I understand…”
Qin Yan pressed his lips together. “Good, don’t think too much about it. Go rest now.”
Qin Wan nodded again and turned to enter Pine Wind Court.
From the courtyard gate through the central courtyard to the main house was only twenty paces, yet Qin Wan suddenly walked extremely slowly.
Her brows were tightly knitted, her eyes particularly heavy.
She could see that Zheng Baishi, Qin Shu, and others were very careful about mentioning her father, and from Qin Yan’s attitude just now, Prince Jin’s case was completely untouchable. Qin Wan knew deeply that her father’s case must be tied to Prince Jin’s case. Li Muyun had accused her father of sheltering Prince Jin and attempting to exonerate him – so was Prince Jin truly guilty or innocent?
“Young Lady, what’s wrong? Aren’t you cold? Please come inside quickly.”
Fuling urged her, and the main house’s door opened as Bai Ying came out saying, “Young Lady, please come in.”
Qin Wan suddenly snapped back to awareness and quickened her pace into the house. Bai Ying poured her a cup of hot tea, and seeing Qin Wan’s dazed expression, gave Fuling a questioning look. Fuling asked, “Young Lady, did the Lord ask you to examine another corpse?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “No, it’s just that the case still isn’t progressing much.”
She added, sounding tired, “Let’s wash up and rest.”
Fuling had wanted to counsel Qin Wan not to worry too much, but seeing her state, hurried to prepare hot water instead. After Qin Wan had washed and laid down, her mind filled with images of Zheng Baishi’s pained expression when speaking of her father. Zheng Baishi was a third-rank official, and Qin Shu held a noble title, yet neither dared speak her father’s name openly. How could she, a mere orphaned girl, even begin to probe the edges of Prince Jin’s case?
An unprecedented feeling of powerlessness swept over Qin Wan. Before entering the capital, she had only thought about how to get there. After setting out, she only thought about her father’s role in Prince Jin’s case and how to deliver proof of his innocence to the Court of Judicial Review. But upon reaching the capital, she realized she had thought too simply. Under the Son of Heaven, an entire imperial city pressed down on cases the Emperor had concluded. If she couldn’t even shake an aristocratic mansion, how could she challenge the supreme imperial city?
She wasn’t ignorant of the court’s open and hidden struggles. After her father became the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he occasionally expressed frustration at court politics, and even from those few words, she understood the sharp edges of court life.
Precisely because she knew how treacherous and complex these struggles were, she had subconsciously avoided thinking about them. But now it seemed that once one entered Lin’an City, once one became involved with the powerful and noble, no one could escape this contest for power. She had wanted to protect herself while seeking justice for her father, but she still didn’t understand enough about court struggles. Her father’s case, Prince Jin’s case – perhaps both were sacrifices in the game of power. How could she uncover the truth and pierce through the fog without power or influence?
While in Jinzhou, Qin Wan had thought that once in the capital, she would need to rely on the marquis estate’s influence to gain some advantages. But nine days in the capital had taught her that borrowing the estate’s influence wasn’t enough. The estate wouldn’t do everything for her, and she wouldn’t reveal her identity to Qin Shu and the others. If the estate didn’t dare touch her father’s and Prince Jin’s cases, who in the world would?
Yan Chi’s face flashed through Qin Wan’s mind, but she instinctively shook her head.
“My heart is not stone, it cannot be turned” – these were the words she had said to Yan Chi. But if she placed her hopes on Yan Chi, these words would become laughable. Qin Wan stared wide-eyed at the dark canopy above her bed. She wouldn’t choose Yan Chi, but she didn’t know who to choose. Since she didn’t know whose power to borrow, why not gain power herself?
Outside the window, snow fell with a soft rustling sound. Inside the room, Qin Wan’s heart seemed to take on a trace of that winter chill.
She could no longer indulge in daily life at Pine Wind Court. She needed an opportunity.
Qin Wan found her resolve in the darkness, not knowing that as she made this decision, her opportunity was about to arrive…
…
On the thirtieth day of the twelfth month in the 239th year of the Great Zhou Dynasty, this was Qin Wan’s fourth New Year in the capital. This year was different from every other year. Early in the morning, she had written memorial texts to worship her ancestors. The careless Fuling hadn’t noticed that Qin Wan had written two pieces – one for the Qin couple, and another that bore a small “Shen” character at the signature. Bai Ying set up a charcoal basin in a corner of the courtyard, and Qin Wan performed this simple yet solemn ceremony for her parents.
Just as the memorial texts and spirit money finished burning in the fire basin, Qin Yan arrived at Pine Wind Court’s gate. His steps were extremely quick, his eyes gleaming with barely contained joy, though his face remained controlled as he spoke rapidly, “Ninth Sister, come with me to the main hall, quickly!”
The urgency in that “quickly” left Qin Wan no room to ask questions. Fuling deftly arranged her skirts, and she followed Qin Yan toward the main hall.
“Third Brother, what’s the matter?”
Qin Yan’s smile deepened. “You’ll know when you get there!”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together and asked no more questions. Soon, the main hall came into view.
Upon entering the main courtyard, Qin Wan noticed the atmosphere was quite unusual. Nanny Yu and others were waiting outside, heads lowered, holding their breath in complete silence. The main hall’s doors were wide open, and Qin Wan faintly saw several people wearing black clothes. After a few more steps, Qin Wan’s eyebrows suddenly rose – these weren’t ordinary black clothes, but palace uniforms…
Before this thought could settle, suddenly, a somewhat shrill male voice rang out.
“Ah, this must be your family’s Ninth Young Lady—”