In the Yu Cheng Si, Zheng Bai Shi and Li Mu Yun looked gravely at the two kneeling eunuchs.
Learning of their superior’s suicide by poison yesterday, these two were now panicked. Under Yan Qi’s severe interrogation, they dared not lie. Unfortunately, these two seemed to truly know nothing about last year’s events.
“Prince Jin and Song Xi Wen were brought in together at the time.”
“We didn’t know what had happened then, only that something had happened to Consort Jin.”
“We didn’t dare do anything to Prince Jin…”
“As for that guard, Master Zhu questioned him personally.”
“Later Prince Jin was transferred to the Ministry of Justice. We don’t know when Song Xi Wen left.”
“This humble one only remembers that Master Zhu did take the person out that day. It seemed Master Zhu spoke something to Song Xi Wen first, then was scolded by Song Xi Wen. After a night passed, the person was taken away at dawn…”
“Yes, yes, this humble one also remembers. Master Zhu was the boss—we didn’t dare ask…”
These two had already been beaten until their flesh was torn open, and even now as they knelt, blood still seeped from their wounds. However, their testimonies remained consistent no matter how many times they repeated them, showing no signs of fabrication.
Yan Qi’s expression was dark. Things weren’t developing as he had hoped. Master Zhu’s death left him very indignant, and now these two made him feel disgusted. However, in front of Li Mu Yun and Zheng Bai Shi, Yan Qi spoke calmly, “What do Lords Zheng and Li think? The matter seems to have hit a wall here. You are both experienced—how would you proceed?”
Zheng Bai Shi and Li Mu Yun exchanged glances. Zheng Bai Shi gave a bitter smile. “Usually when one lead dies out, we can only investigate other clues.”
Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is Lord Zheng suggesting we stop investigating the Yu Cheng Si?”
Zheng Bai Shi quickly shook his head. “Of course not. It’s just that the palace is so vast. While Master Zhu could act unopposed within the Yu Cheng Si, that wasn’t possible outside it. Where he took the person afterward—somewhere in the palace must know.”
Yan Qi’s eyebrows rose higher. “So you’re suggesting I turn the inner palace upside down?”
Zheng Bai Shi smiled bitterly. “This humble one wouldn’t dare… It’s just that since we can’t find anything more here in the Yu Cheng Si, we must seek other methods.”
Hearing this, Yan Qi smiled faintly and turned to look at Qin Wan. “What does the Princess think?”
At this point, Qin Wan naturally said, “In this matter, I certainly can’t match the two Lords’ expertise. I defer to Your Highness and the two Lords.”
Yan Qi frowned, somewhat displeased with Qin Wan’s attitude. He gave a light snort. “Bring them up.”
The guards received the order and walked toward the dark cells in the depths of the Yu Cheng Si. Li Mu Yun and Zheng Bai Shi exchanged confused glances. Soon, Yan Qi’s guards emerged escorting two young eunuchs.
The young eunuchs walked unsteadily, stumbling along. With a push from the guards, they fell to their knees before Yan Qi with a thud.
Yan Qi’s lips curled in a cold smile. “Tell what you know.”
The young eunuch looked up, quickly glancing at the standing officials, then hurriedly lowered his head and spoke tremblingly, “This… this slave… this slave saw Master Zhu was very close with Wan Xi from Kun Ning Palace, especially last autumn… By this year, they weren’t meeting as often. Once, when Master Zhu was drunk, this slave heard him muttering Wan Xi’s name, saying Wan Xi shouldn’t harm him. This slave didn’t understand then and asked about it. As a result, Master Zhu was probably drunk, he said… said the person had left the Yu Cheng Si, and if no one investigated it would be fine, but if they did, he certainly wouldn’t be clear about it. He also said he hoped Prince Jin’s case would stay settled and not have any loose ends.”
At these words, Zheng Bai Shi’s face went white.
Yan Qi narrowed his eyes. “The person Master Zhu spoke of was Prince Jin’s guard Song Xi Wen, wasn’t it?”
The young eunuch broke out in a cold sweat. “This… it must be… Of all who entered the Yu Cheng Si related to Prince Jin’s case, only Song Xi Wen disappeared mysteriously.”
After Prince Jin’s case, many people from Prince Jin’s mansion, including those from Yong Ning Palace, passed through the Yu Cheng Si. But all these people’s whereabouts were known. Of course, due to various crimes, none of them met good ends.
Hearing this, Qin Wan also frowned slightly. By now, Yan Qi’s intentions couldn’t be clearer.
However, Zheng Bai Shi and Li Mu Yun weren’t people who would let themselves be used as tools.
Yan Qi looked at Zheng Bai Shi. “What does Lord Zheng think?”
Zheng Bai Shi frowned and said, “If Master Zhu truly said these words, it does raise suspicion. But who is this person? Can his words be trusted?”
Yan Qi’s smile grew colder. “He’s also from the Yu Cheng Si, following Zhu Yu Cheng for many years. You could say he’s half an apprentice to Zhu Yu Cheng. I think his words are credible. What do you think?”
Zheng Bai Shi looked at Li Mu Yun, then said, “This can only serve as a lead, a direction to investigate. After all, he’s only reporting what Master Zhu said while drunk, without substantial evidence. Empty words can’t be taken too seriously.”
Anger flared in Yan Qi’s eyes, though he didn’t let it show. After a while, he smiled and said, “Lord Zheng truly lives up to his reputation as the capital’s parent official—so cautious. Very well, then I’ll have someone question Wan Xi. What does my Lord think of that?”
Zheng Bai Shi pressed his lips together and said with difficulty, “Naturally—”
Wan Xi was from Kun Ning Palace—the Empress’s man. What this meant was already clear without words.
Yan Qi was very satisfied and immediately ordered his guards to seize the person. After the guards left, Yan Qi waved for the young eunuch to withdraw. Once the eunuch left, the room’s atmosphere lightened somewhat. Yan Qi casually tapped the corner of the table and said, “Speaking of which, my eldest brother had the most refined and gentle nature. Someone who wouldn’t even bear to kill an ant—how could he possibly murder someone? When he was in the Imperial Prison, who knows why he suddenly committed suicide out of guilt…”
Zheng Bai Shi’s brow twitched. Yan Qi’s words were questioning even Prince Jin’s death, both explicitly and implicitly. Now that a dead guard had already caused such an uproar if Prince Jin’s death also came under suspicion, one could imagine how much bloodshed this year would bring. Was the capital’s sky truly about to welcome a new storm?
Zheng Bai Shi’s expression was grave, while Li Mu Yun remained composed, seemingly unconcerned.
Qin Wan secretly observed their expressions, feeling that Zheng Bai Shi’s tension was a normal reaction.
Zheng Bai Shi wasn’t solely the Crown Prince’s loyal minister. He had managed the capital’s administration for years, and the Crown Prince controlled the capital. Though he was a third-rank official, above him was first the Crown Prince, then the Emperor. If anything went wrong with the capital’s defense, the Crown Prince would take the blame for him. The Crown Prince had been righteous in this regard, and gradually, Zheng Bai Shi naturally became the Crown Prince’s man. Moreover, the Crown Prince was the future Emperor of Da Zhou—both publicly and privately, his inclination toward the Crown Prince was without fault.
Zheng Bai Shi wasn’t a fool, and Yan Qi had spoken so clearly—who among those present didn’t understand?
This was Yan Qi’s purpose. Amidst general observation, he had strongly advocated investigating this case and finally obtained the authority to lead the investigation. Thus, he could openly suspect any possible suspects, with the Empress and Eastern Palace being the primary targets.
Zheng Bai Shi saw it all clearly, but his heart was conflicted and tangled, leaving him momentarily directionless.
His current high position came not only from understanding official rules but also from doing much for the common people. He understood both the machinations of power and the sufferings of common people. In some sense, he was a good official who spoke for the people, with a loyal minister’s heart hoping to establish peace for generations. In this case, if the masterminds truly were the Empress and Eastern Palace, his position would be very awkward. But could he help the Eastern Palace bend the rules? Even if he wanted to, what could he do under Yan Qi’s watchful eye?
In these moments, Qin Wan also understood Zheng Bai Shi’s difficulty. She suddenly realized that this time, Yan Qi had placed both Zheng Bai Shi and her before him. On the surface, it seemed he was letting them participate, but in reality, he was using them to check the Eastern Palace. Once the Eastern Palace came under suspicion, she and Zheng Bai Shi could do nothing—any defense or explanation would seem tainted with personal interests. For her and Zheng Bai Shi, the best course was to remain still, but this meant the Crown Prince would lose the initiative.
“Prince Jin’s suicide… was finally determined appropriate by Brother Mu Yun… This point must be correct.” Zheng Bai Shi turned to look at Li Mu Yun. Last year, after the Shen family was massacred and Shen Yi was gone, Li Mu Yun naturally took over. Prince Jin’s suicide was indeed concluded after he led the Court of Judicature’s investigation.
Li Mu Yun hurriedly said, “Yes, after the coroner’s examination, it was confirmed Prince Jin committed suicide.”
Yan Qi glanced at Li Mu Yun. “Suicide? What about the Zhen poison?”
Li Mu Yun pressed his lips together. “Later we discovered a jailer in the Ministry of Justice’s prison had old ties with Prince Jin. He gave Prince Jin the poison. This person has already been dealt with according to law.”
“Tsk tsk, such loyalty—not trying to save his old acquaintance’s life, but eagerly providing poison instead.”
Yan Qi shook his head with an ambiguous smile. Li Mu Yun appeared somewhat nervous at these words, but Yan Qi waved his hand. “Don’t worry, I know you follow the rules. We’ll investigate this matter slowly. I believe that with all of you working together, we’ll surely see the truth through the clouds.”
Though Yan Qi spoke pleasant words, they felt like fierce winter winds making Zheng Bai Shi’s face ache with cold.
No one responded, and the guard returned from outside, but without Wan Xi behind him.
“Your Highness! We went to Kun Ning Palace, but the Empress wouldn’t release the person.”
Yan Qi frowned, slowly sitting up straight. Instead of anger, he smiled, seemingly pleased with this result. He stood up, brushing off non-existent dust from his robes. “Ah, after all, it’s the Empress. We mustn’t be discourteous. As a junior, I shouldn’t go to Kun Ning Palace to demand someone.” Speaking thus, Yan Qi looked at Li Mu Yun and Zheng Bai Shi. “Shall we two gentlemen make a trip to Chong Zheng Hall?”
Zheng Bai Shi and Li Mu Yun both smiled bitterly. Yan Qi was now forcing them forward at knife-point—what choice did they have besides compliance?
Zheng Bai Shi sighed. “Very well, please lead the way, Your Highness—”
Yan Qi turned and looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan quickly said, “It’s not appropriate for me to attend discussions at Chong Zheng Hall. I’ll pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. If Your Highness needs anything, just send someone to Shou Kang Palace.”
Satisfied, Yan Qi turned and walked out.
Zheng Bai Shi and Li Mu Yun exchanged glances behind him, then both looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan also smiled bitterly. The three exchanged looks for a moment before finally walking out one after another.
Outside the Yu Cheng Si, the autumn sun was pleasant, but Zheng Bai Shi felt cold. This world had too many helpless situations. To speak for the common people required a high position, yet ascending was incredibly difficult. Now that succession was involved, Zheng Bai Shi only hoped this matter had no connection whatsoever to the Empress and Eastern Palace.
Zhao Shu Hua had planned meticulously for Yan Che and Yan Zhen, but she never imagined Song Xi Wen’s corpse would appear in Prince Jin’s mansion. When she received this news, she felt as if she’d seen a ghost in broad daylight. However, she quickly steadied herself, because she knew clearly that all of last year’s matters had been handled cleanly, leaving no traces.
As Da Zhou’s Empress for twenty years, no verbal accusations could cause her substantial harm. She sat steadily in Kun Ning Palace, repeatedly reassuring herself. However, when Yuan Qing arrived at Kun Ning Palace with a smiling face but a firm attitude, Zhao Shu Hua’s previous psychological defenses completely collapsed, and she began to feel extremely uneasy.