“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Cheng—”
Qin Wan hadn’t expected Yan Qi to come out and walk to this side courtyard. As she and Fu Ling performed their courtesies and stood up, Yan Qi’s gaze remained arrogantly fixed on Qin Wan.
“How does a young lady confined to the inner quarters know the details of the Meng family case?”
At Yan Qi’s question, Qin Wan lowered her eyes respectfully and replied, “Many rumors are circulating about the Meng family case. One can learn quite a bit just from hearing these rumors.”
This wasn’t Yan Qi’s first time seeing Qin Wan, but today felt different from before. His initial encounter with her at the palace banquet had left him quite impressed, but with so many people present then, he hadn’t been able to observe this young lady. Now, with Qin Wan standing alone before him, her otherworldly elegance was even more apparent. Yan Qi couldn’t help but wonder how this orphaned daughter from the Qin family’s second branch could possess such remarkable bearing.
“And how dare you casually discuss matters of criminal justice? How would a young lady like you know how the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review would pass sentence?”
Qin Wan’s eyes remained downcast as she replied, “I know my place as a woman of the inner chambers and naturally wouldn’t presume to know how the Ministry of Justice and Court of Judicial Review would pass sentence. I was merely having a private conversation with my maid without restraint. I didn’t realize Your Highness Prince Cheng would be passing by.”
She had been having a private conversation with Fu Ling—wasn’t it enough that Prince Cheng had eavesdropped without also questioning her?
Qin Wan hadn’t forgotten the scene at the Zui Xiang Lou. Wasn’t Feng Zhang’s arrogant behavior due to Prince Cheng’s backing? At the funeral home, Prince Cheng had created difficulties just to challenge the Crown Prince’s authority. The spy was likely his doing as well.
Though he was a prince, Prince Cheng would stop at nothing in his pursuit of power. Qin Wan naturally wished to avoid dealing with such a person. As for his current actions, she couldn’t guess his purpose.
Hearing Qin Wan’s words, Yan Qi raised his eyebrows. He had thought her medical skills were extraordinary, but he hadn’t expected her tongue to be equally sharp. Between her words, she was reproaching him for eavesdropping on the conversation between master and servant.
Yan Qi’s lips curved into a smile. “The palace is a serious place. Ninth Young Lady should be more careful to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself through careless speech.”
A cold smile flickered at the corners of Qin Wan’s lips as she kept her eyes lowered. “I appreciate Your Highness’s guidance.”
Seeing Qin Wan’s uncompromising attitude, Yan Qi felt inexplicably annoyed. Despite knowing his status, she dared to maintain such an aloof manner before him.
With this thought, Yan Qi recalled the relationship between the Marquis’s mansion and the Crown Prince. Understanding dawned on him—he assumed Qin Wan’s attitude stemmed from having the Crown Prince’s protection. This realization caused Yan Qi’s eyes to narrow. “The Empress Dowager is waiting for you inside. Since Father Emperor trusts you, don’t disappoint them. Go in.”
Qin Wan curtsied, “I shall obey.” With that, she proceeded along the courtyard path toward the gate.
Yan Qi remained standing in place, watching until Qin Wan’s figure disappeared. Only then did his expression darken as he walked out. His trusted advisor Lu Xiao stepped forward and said, “Master, this Ninth Young Lady of the Qin family is quite different.”
Lu Xiao was Yan Qi’s chief strategist and personal guard. Hearing this, Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Different how?”
Lu Xiao explained, “Setting aside her extraordinary medical skills at such a young age, for a lady of the inner chambers to show such interest in outside cases is unusual. I fear she harbors great ambitions.”
Only those who yearned for the inner palace and high positions would pay attention to such matters of court and criminal justice. Yan Qi paused in his steps. “Oh? Are you suggesting she aspires to enter the Eastern Palace?”
Lu Xiao smiled. “Not necessarily the Eastern Palace. I simply feel she’s no ordinary woman and has greater aspirations.”
Yan Qi’s eyes showed deep thought before he shook his head. “A pity she’s not from the Marquis’s main line—she doesn’t amount to much.”
Lu Xiao considered for a moment. “Though that may be true, I believe her influence alone is not insignificant.”
Yan Qi looked at Lu Xiao. “Don’t tell me you hope I’ll choose her as my princess consort?”
Lu Xiao shook his head. “The position of primary consort naturally must be chosen from among the daughters of generals and dukes who control military power. However, for the position of secondary consort, Master has many options.”
Yan Qi’s eyebrows rose, his eyes flashing with brilliance before he turned his steps. “To Chang Xin Palace!”
When Yan Qi arrived at Chang Xin Palace, Feng Chen Bi was crying to Feng Ling Su. “Aunt, that Qin Wan is truly too arrogant. I merely greeted her, but as she passed by me, she deliberately pushed me to the ground. Aunt, she knows I’m a young lady of the Duke’s mansion, yet she still acted this way—she’s clearly showing no respect for the Duke’s mansion or you!”
As Feng Chen Bi wept delicately, Feng Ling Su looked at her tear-stained face with some annoyance. Feng Chen Bi continued, “She must be getting conceited because the Emperor values her and lets her treat the Empress Dowager. Her tail must be reaching the sky! Aunt, you can’t treat her like an ordinary young girl…”
Feng Ling Su rubbed her forehead. “I naturally won’t treat her as an ordinary young girl. Stop crying—it’s winter, and your face will chap. I’ll handle this matter for you. Go to the side hall and freshen up.”
Just then, a palace servant announced, “Your Highness, Prince Cheng has arrived.”
Upon hearing of Yan Qi’s arrival, without Feng Ling Su needing to say more, Feng Chen Bi immediately rose to freshen up. When Yan Qi entered the inner hall, he glanced at the side hall with a half-smile. “Cousin has been bullied?”
Feng Ling Su smiled bitterly for a moment, then suddenly fixed a cold gaze on Feng Chen Bi’s maid standing nearby.
“What exactly happened? You tell me.”
The maid, pale-faced under Feng Ling Su’s gaze, immediately knelt. “Please spare me, Your Highness…”
Feng Ling Su frowned impatiently. “Answer exactly what I ask. If you lie, then worry about your life!”
How could the maid dare lie to Feng Ling Su? She quickly said, “Young Lady… Young Lady fell by herself… The Ninth Young Lady of the Qin family only said ‘The snow makes the path slippery, Young Lady should walk carefully’ as she passed by.”
Feng Ling Su cast a disappointed glance toward the side hall before raising her chin slightly.
The maid stood up trembling, while Yan Qi frowned with resignation.
“Cousin now dares to deceive even Mother Consort.”
Feng Ling Su snorted lightly. “She wanted me to help her get revenge. I’ve taught her so many times but she never learns to be clever. Now she even takes me for a fool. That Ninth Young Lady is someone the Emperor values deeply as his lifesaver—even I can’t touch her, let alone her!”
Taking the opportunity, Yan Qi sat opposite Feng Ling Su. “How does Mother Consort view that Ninth Young Lady of the Qin family?”
Feng Ling Su smiled. “For her to be as she is at such a young age, she’s naturally remarkable. I hear she maintains perfect composure even before the Empress. However, I can’t yet see through her or know what she’s thinking. Moreover, she’s from the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s mansion, which supports the Crown Prince, so I’m not particularly interested in her.”
Yan Qi pondered briefly. “Has Mother Consort considered that she could become our pawn?”
Feng Ling Su raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What do you mean?”
Yan Qi smiled. “If the two daughters of the Qin family were to stand in different camps, do you think the Crown Prince would still trust the Qin family so completely?”
……
……
“Empress Dowager, how have you been feeling these past few days?”
In Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager looked lovingly at Qin Wan. Qin Wan had been treating her for about ten days now, and she grew fonder of Qin Wan with each passing day. “Much better. Yesterday I managed to walk for the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, and I wasn’t even very tired afterward. If it weren’t so cold outside and they weren’t so worried, I could have walked for another incense stick’s worth of time.”
“That’s good. As long as Your Highness takes the medicine regularly, you’ll continue to improve.”
Madam Chen smiled from the side. “The Empress Dowager even plans to attend the Lantern Festival palace banquet. Her health has improved greatly, and her spirits are up. Ninth Young Lady, do you know about the Lantern Festival palace banquet?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, I do. I met the Empress here at the Empress Dowager’s quarters last time, and she mentioned it.”
Madam Chen smiled. “That’s wonderful then. This will make the Empress Dowager even more excited.”
The Empress Dowager held Qin Wan’s hand and said, “Indeed, I’ll have Little Nine accompany me to walk around then. I won’t worry about anything else…”
Madam Chen quickly said, “You might not need to worry about other things, but you can’t ignore the matter of choosing consorts for the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng.”
This was the first time Qin Wan had heard of this—were the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng to choose their consorts at the Lantern Festival banquet?
The Empress Dowager deliberately watched Qin Wan’s expression upon hearing this news, but try as she might, she couldn’t discern anything. The Empress Dowager then said, “They have their mothers and the Emperor to worry about such things. It’s not my place. Right now, I’m keeping my distance from outside matters. I’ll just spend time with Little Nine—everything else is none of my concern.”
Madam Chen smiled. “Whether the candidates are suitable still requires your approval. However, with your current health, it’s good to worry less about such matters.”
Just then, Ninth Prince Yan Sui arrived.
“Greetings, Imperial Grandmother—”
Yan Sui’s small figure performed a respectful bow, and the Empress Dowager pulled him to her side.
“Where were you just now? Why are your hands so cold?”
Yan Sui replied softly, “Little Nine just went to see Father Emperor. Father Emperor wanted to test my studies.”
“Oh? How did the test go?”
Yan Sui shook his head. “Father Emperor had barely asked a few questions when someone came in, and Father Emperor had me sent back.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Madam Chen. “Are there any urgent matters lately?”
Yan Sui quickly said, “Imperial Grandmother, it seems someone died in the capital.”
Impressive that at such a young age, Yan Sui could discern from a few words what the officials were reporting to Yan Huai. Hearing about the death, the Empress Dowager sighed. “Nothing is peaceful these days. Ah, I don’t know what’s going on anymore.”
“Empress Dowager, please don’t worry. The court officials will handle external matters, and His Majesty is wise and mighty—you needn’t be concerned,” Qin Wan consoled her.
The Empress Dowager smiled and played with Yan Sui for a moment longer before Qin Wan took her leave.
Watching Qin Wan depart, the Empress Dowager sighed, “This child is remarkable. Despite her rising fame, she hasn’t developed any ulterior motives…”
Madam Chen suggested, “If you wish to keep Ninth Young Lady closer, it’s not impossible.”
The Empress Dowager shook her head. “This child isn’t suitable, neither for Che’er nor Qi’er. I know their thoughts—choosing her would only harm her.”
Madam Chen expressed some concern. “I worry that seeing your and His Majesty’s favor toward Ninth Young Lady, others might develop inappropriate thoughts.”
The Empress Dowager snorted lightly. “Though I’ve been long bedridden, I’m not dead yet.”
……
……
In the main hall of Chong Zheng Palace, after hearing Zheng Bai Shi’s report, Yan Huai’s brows furrowed. “Such a strange matter?”
Zheng Bai Shi nodded. “Indeed. In all my years, I’ve never seen such a case. Yesterday I consulted Ninth Young Lady, who dismissed the possibility of spirit possession. She suggested that Young Master Meng, due to years of being weak-natured and suffering mockery and bullying, had mentally transformed himself into his deceased elder brother. This brother had been extremely intelligent and accomplished in both civil and military arts before dying from illness…”
Zheng Bai Shi sighed again. “Your Majesty, who has heard of such strangeness? A person imagining themselves as another and truly becoming that person? Yesterday when Young Master Meng was taken to prison after his fit of madness, he soon regained consciousness but couldn’t remember what had happened earlier. His wife had to tell him.”
Yan Huai carefully reviewed the case file again. “So Little Nine’s meaning is that the killer was the Meng family’s elder son, not the younger one himself?”
Zheng Bai Shi looked puzzled. “I didn’t fully understand Ninth Young Lady’s explanation, but it should be as Your Majesty says. She mentioned that when the killing occurred, Young Master Meng was completely unaware of his actions.”
Yan Huai put down the memorial, his eyes narrowing. “So what is your purpose in seeing me?”
Zheng Bai Shi coughed lightly. “Firstly, to report that the case is solved and inform Your Majesty of the details. Secondly, to inquire how this case should be sentenced.”
Yan Huai leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment before suddenly ordering, “Summon both the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng!”
Yuan Qing left with the order, while Zheng Bai Shi’s eyes flickered. Though the matter wasn’t major, Yan Huai’s simultaneous summoning of the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng indicated a test. He stood quietly, not daring to speak further.
Two incense sticks’ time later, the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng entered the main hall one after another.
Yan Huai tossed the case file before them. “Read it and share your thoughts.”
Seeing Yan Che pick it up first, Yan Huai said, “The perpetrator has a strange illness, and this case has some complexities. Though the killer did take a life, sentencing can’t simply follow precedent. Let’s hear from both of you.”
Yan Che read quickly and passed it to Yan Qi. After reading, Yan Qi realized the Meng family case was indeed as complex as Qin Wan had suggested. He glanced at Yan Che, immediately suspicious, thinking that the Marquis’s mansion must have helped again, which explained how even Qin Wan knew some inside information. Not only did they keep accepting help from outsiders, but they were also leaking case details—he couldn’t understand how Yan Che was fit to be Crown Prince!
With Yan Huai’s gaze upon him, he had no choice but to suppress these thoughts. After finishing the document, he raised his head. Seeing they had both finished reading, Yan Huai said, “What are your thoughts?” Then he called on Yan Che first: “Crown Prince, speak first—”
The Crown Prince always went before him. Yan Qi laughed coldly inside while maintaining a neutral expression. Though hot-tempered, he showed great restraint before Yan Huai.
“Reporting to Father Emperor…”
Yan Che began with a serious tone, carrying himself with the proper dignity of a Crown Prince. Hearing this, Yan Qi laughed coldly again.
“Your son believes this case differs from ordinary murder cases. First, both Meng’s father and son were already guilty of crimes. Young Master Meng was killed not for personal gain but to protect his wife. As a man, an official should seek the people’s welfare, while a father and husband should protect his wife and children. His initial intention wasn’t evil. Additionally, he has this strange illness. According to the document, when the illness strikes, he has no awareness, and afterward, he doesn’t even remember his actions. Therefore, as it didn’t stem from inherent evil, it cannot be treated as ordinary evil.”
After a pause, Yan Che continued, “Thus, your son feels this case deserves lighter punishment compared to other murder cases.”
Yan Huai listened and then looked at Yan Qi. “What does Prince Cheng think?”
Yan Qi raised his chin. “Father Emperor, your son believes that although this case has complexities, the sentence should not be lightened. First, Young Master Meng didn’t voluntarily confess his crime—if not for the Ministry of Justice and Lin’an Prefecture setting a trap, he would never have admitted his guilt. Second, how many cases don’t have complexities? Those who harm lives without reason are extremely rare. If this case sets a precedent for reduced sentences, how should we handle similar future cases? Moreover, though the deceased father and son were heinously guilty, Great Zhou’s laws would have punished them. Yet Young Master Meng chose vigilante justice. If we don’t severely punish Young Master Meng, aren’t we telling the people that Great Zhou encourages private vengeance to resolve disputes?”
“For these reasons, your son believes this case should not receive a reduced sentence.”
Yan Qi spoke clearly and logically. Hearing this, Yan Huai didn’t immediately respond, only saying mildly, “You two have different opinions…”
Yan Che clasped his hands. “Father Emperor, Great Zhou rules with benevolence. Though Prince Cheng makes valid points, both victims in this case were deeply guilty, and Young Master Meng was driven to desperate measures. If there’s no room for sentence reduction, people will think Great Zhou’s laws are too harsh! It might dishearten the people—what then of right and wrong, black and white?”
Yan Qi also clasped his hands and said solemnly, “Father Emperor, legal principles outweigh personal feelings. If Great Zhou’s laws aren’t strict and fair, how can we ensure the welfare of all citizens? The law doesn’t just protect the weak—it should protect all Great Zhou’s people.”
As Yan Che and Yan Qi faced off, Yan Huai listened impassively. After a moment, he nodded. “I understand. You each make your case, and both have merit. Neither is wrong.”
Hearing this, Yan Qi wanted to speak further, but Yan Huai waved his hand. “Enough. Minister Zheng and I will decide on this matter. You may leave.”
Yan Che raised his hand to take his leave, but Yan Qi spoke again. “Father Emperor, your son has one more matter to report.”
Yan Huai frowned. “What else?”
Yan Qi said, “Father Emperor, this case is primarily investigated by the Ministry of Justice and Lin’an Prefecture, with the Court of Judicial Review assisting. Logically, before the case concludes, only people from these three offices should know the details. However, this morning your son heard the case details from others. Thus, your son wishes to ask the Crown Prince and Minister Zheng how uninvolved parties came to know of this case?”
Yan Che raised his eyebrows, while Zheng Bai Shi was startled. He quickly said, “Your Majesty, no one has seen this memorial before it was presented to you…”
Yan Qi laughed coldly. “Naturally no one dares to read Father Emperor’s memorial. I fear the Lin’an Prefecture has become certain people’s private court, letting in whoever they please. This time it’s the Meng family case, but if future cases involve more significant matters, who knows if information might leak and cause citywide rumors.”
Zheng Bai Shi, confused, hurriedly asked, “Prince Cheng, may I ask who these others are?”
Yan Qi snorted. “A young lady of the inner chambers. When even secluded young girls know case details, it shows either your incompetence or that someone has given them improper authority.”
Yan Qi’s insinuations annoyed Yan Che, while Zheng Bai Shi remained confused. Yan Huai frowned. “Just say it directly—from whom did you hear the case details?!”
Though he had established Yan Che as Crown Prince, Yan Huai didn’t want to give him absolute power yet. Moreover, before his time came, he still had the opportunity to change his successor. Currently, he merely wanted to test Yan Che. He knew Yan Qi hadn’t given up, so this would give Yan Che a sense of crisis. Whether this crisis would make him stronger or cause him to lose composure remained to be seen.
Now hearing Yan Qi’s words, Yan Huai thought of the evil of forming factions. Though Yan Che was the Crown Prince, he shouldn’t overstep and develop thoughts of supplanting the monarch. This was why he didn’t give Yan Che too much power. He didn’t know who Yan Qi was referring to, but he knew that for Yan Qi to dare bring up such details, they must be true.
Hearing Yan Huai’s question, Yan Qi felt confident. He knew Father Emperor wouldn’t completely trust the Crown Prince. “Father Emperor, earlier when your son went to visit Imperial Grandmother, I encountered the Marquis’s Ninth Young Lady on my way out. She was speaking with her maid about the Meng family case. Her version matched the Crown Prince’s exactly, saying the case was complex and might deserve a reduced sentence. At the time, your son wondered how a young lady could know the case details, even knowing about potential sentence reduction—what does she know about sentencing and verdict?”
Yan Qi smiled. “Now your son understands—someone leaked information to her early on.”
He thought he had caught Yan Che’s weakness, but looking at Yan Huai’s expression after speaking, he saw no anger. Instead, Yan Huai’s face showed a complex mix of amusement. Yan Qi’s heart jumped, and turning his head, he saw Yan Che and Zheng Bai Shi also smiling faintly. Yan Qi pressed his lips together—what was going on?
“You misunderstand…” Yan Huai spoke calmly. “I wondered who you meant, but it’s Little Nine. Her knowledge of this matter is something I’m aware of, because…”
Yan Huai paused. “Because I had Minister Zheng tell her.”
Yan Qi was stunned, his eyes widening. How could this be? Why would Zheng Bai Shi tell a young lady about the case?!
Zheng Bai Shi smiled warmly. “Yes, Prince Cheng. Young Master Meng’s illness was very strange, so I specifically consulted her about it…”