Yan Qi failed to break Wan Xi’s resolve, which left him utterly defeated. With Zhu Yucheng already dead, Yan Qi couldn’t risk forcing Wan Xi to his death now. After applying every non-lethal torture instrument available, Wan Xi insisted that his relationship with Zhu Yucheng was merely that of godfather and godson, leaving Yan Qi without recourse.
Wan Xi was carried back to Kun Ning Palace, his limbs crippled but still breathing.
Among the palace eunuchs, who formed their hierarchical world, it was common for powerful senior eunuchs to take in adopted sons and disciples. To the masters of the palace, eunuchs barely counted as people, so they didn’t deign to concern themselves with such matters. This attitude only encouraged such practices to flourish. Wan Xi’s story had no flaws, and Yan Qi dared not push too far, forcing him to abandon the inquiry.
Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun witnessed the entire torture process. Though both had experience interrogating prisoners, they were shocked by Yan Qi’s ruthlessness. Li Muyun felt contempt, while Zheng Baishi’s resolve to follow the Crown Prince strengthened. Only after Yan Qi stormed out in rage did the two leave together.
Zheng Baishi sighed, “Brother Li, what are we to do? We’re in a precarious position. Judging by Prince Cheng’s demeanor, he’ll soon dump this mess on us if there’s no progress.”
Li Muyun also sighed, “Unfortunately, as ministers, we’d have no escape even if we resigned when that time comes.”
Zheng Baishi smiled bitterly, “Resignation… I’ve never even considered it.”
Li Muyun looked at Zheng Baishi, “Brother Zheng has great ambitions, and the Crown Prince values you greatly. Unlike me, a lone man—if one-day court life loses its meaning, I might truly just leave.”
Zheng Baishi hesitated as he looked at Li Muyun. Last year when that incident occurred, the former Chief Minister of Justice Shen Yi was executed, and Li Muyun took his place. At the time, the entire court thought Li Muyun was a scheming man seeking glory. Yet in the year since, he had proven himself an upright official. Though he never showed leniency in matters the Crown Prince entrusted to him, his loyalty to the Crown Prince seemed somewhat lacking.
As for whom he truly served, it was undoubtedly His Majesty.
Thinking of this, Zheng Baishi’s expression grew solemn. “Brother Li, you’ve seen Prince Cheng’s temperament. If he… would the court and country maintain today’s orderly atmosphere? In comparison, the Crown Prince is much more steady, quite reminiscent of His Majesty in his youth…”
Yan Huai was the late Emperor’s eldest son and the first to be granted a princedom. Though he and Prince Gong were only a year apart and both legitimate sons, the eldest naturally carried himself more like heaven’s chosen son. Yet he remained humble despite his talents, with an exceptionally steady temperament. This was what the late Emperor found most reassuring about Yan Huai, whereas Prince Gong seemed too sharp-edged in comparison.
Zheng Baishi recalled when he first entered court service, not long after Yan Huai’s ascension. They could still hear discussions about Prince Gong then, how he constantly compared himself to the Emperor yet always fell short, and with his impulsive, quick-tempered nature, many had expected the eventual outcome.
As for the current Crown Prince Yan Che, his composure was indeed rare among young men. Though sometimes Zheng Baishi felt the Crown Prince lacked some youthful vigor, there were no perfect people in the world. In comparison, he truly feared the chaos that would ensue if Prince Cheng took the throne.
These thoughts Zheng Baishi could only keep to himself. Looking at Li Muyun, he saw him lost in contemplation. Suddenly, Li Muyun said, “The Crown Prince… is naturally good, but… the Crown Prince’s faction is all noble families, I…”
Zheng Baishi blurted out, “You’ve forgotten Lord Shen—”
As soon as he spoke, Zheng Baishi realized his mistake. The evidence of Shen Yi’s crimes had been submitted by Li Muyun himself. Because of this, everyone had tacitly agreed never to mention Shen Yi before Li Muyun, yet he had…
Zheng Baishi awkwardly coughed, “Ahem, I mean, Lord Shen came from humble origins, and previously the Crown Prince even wanted to marry Lord Shen’s daughter as his consort. This shows the Crown Prince’s determination to embrace those of humble birth, it’s just unfortunate—”
Li Muyun showed no embarrassment, merely pausing briefly at Zheng Baishi’s words. Soon, Li Muyun nodded and smiled, “That’s true. However, the noble families dislike those of humble birth, putting the Crown Prince in a difficult position. If Brother Zheng is willing, I hope you might speak some good words for me before the Crown Prince when you have the chance.”
Hearing this, Zheng Baishi’s expression brightened, and he immediately agreed.
When Qin Wan arrived at Shou Kang Palace, she already knew about the Imperial Punishment Office’s affairs. Though the eunuch from Kun Ning Palace hadn’t revealed much, the fog before her eyes was gradually clearing.
Yan Qi wouldn’t have voluntarily led this investigation. Clearly, his targets were the Empress and the Eastern Palace.
This suggested Yan Qi himself was uninvolved, while the Empress and Eastern Palace were likely behind the Prince Jin case. Thinking of the lofty Empress and the inscrutable Yan Che, Qin Wan’s gaze grew colder.
Entering Shou Kang Palace, she found it eerily quiet. Upon reaching the main hall, she discovered the Empress Dowager speaking with Matron Chen in the warm chamber to the left.
“They say it happened at the post station. Others seemed to know Prince Rui would stay there and had prepared in advance. Prince Rui was killed by arrows while completely off guard, and his escort guards were also shot dead.”
“Ah, there must have been spies within the Northwestern Army. And then there’s the military provisions case—I heard from His Majesty’s people that many suspects have been implicated recently. With the Northwestern Army now without a commander, everyone is in panic. Though Minister Lin went there representing His Majesty, he couldn’t control the situation. The best would be to let Prince Chi…”
While massaging the Empress Dowager’s shoulders, Matron Chen spoke freely. The Empress Dowager lay back with closed eyes, seeming both listening and sleeping. As the Empress Dowager’s maid since her maiden days, Matron Chen’s knowledge far exceeded ordinary matrons. She discussed state affairs casually, and the Empress Dowager not only didn’t reproach her but indulged this—clearly a common occurrence.
The Empress Dowager sighed, “Yan Chi cannot go.”
After a pause, she asked, “What about Prince Yan Lin’s guards?”
“Those guards couldn’t be brought back intact—it’s such a long journey. When they returned… even Prince Rui’s remains required great effort to preserve. So after investigation, those guards were buried on site. The Ministry of War has provided sufficient compensation these days, Your Majesty need not worry.”
The Empress Dowager made a sound of acknowledgment. “The dead are gone; the living must go on. The Northwest is a huge responsibility. With Yan Lin’s departure, it’s not easy to manage. No one can take over quickly.”
“Yes, the court is discussing splitting the Northwestern Army in two.”
“Nonsense! If the Northwestern Army is split, what would the barbarians fear?” The Empress Dowager’s voice was displeased. “Let’s see how the Emperor handles this. The Northwestern Army is more important than the Northern Garrison—he cannot be careless—”
“Empress Dowager, Princess Yongci has arrived.”
At this announcement, the Empress Dowager immediately opened her eyes and smiled, “Come here, Wan’er.”
Qin Wan entered the warm chamber with a gentle smile, “How is the Empress Dowager’s health today?”
The Empress Dowager sighed, “The cough has stopped, but I feel weak. Why have you come to the palace?”
Qin Wan replied, “Prince Cheng asked me to help investigate a case, but upon entering the palace, I learned he hadn’t obtained any confessions. So I came to pay my respects…”
The Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly, “The eunuch from Kun Ning Palace?”
Qin Wan nodded, and the Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s normal that nothing could be gotten from Kun Ning Palace’s people.”
She turned to Matron Chen, “Didn’t Zhu Yucheng take many disciples and adopted sons?”
Matron Chen smiled gently, “Yes, quite a few. Master Zhu was an elder—even this servant had to show him respect when the Noble Consort was still alive. He not only took in adopted sons among the eunuchs but even had supporters in the Imperial Guard.”
The Empress Dowager scoffed lightly, “Zhu Yucheng was clever in his youth, but grew more foolish with age.”
Zhao Shuhua had been chosen as the Emperor’s bride by Noble Consort Zhao. At the time, even the Empress Dowager, as the birth mother, had no say in the matter. These were old affairs, and the Empress Dowager wasn’t necessarily dissatisfied with Zhao Shuhua, but some discomfort remained. She instructed Matron Chen, “Go find those people from the Imperial Guard, make things easier for Wan’er’s investigation. I won’t be able to manage palace affairs much longer. While I can still speak, what needs to be clarified should be clarified, lest my grandson blames me in the afterlife.”