“In any case… this case is too bizarre. Prince Cheng has seized upon it to deal with the Empress and Crown Prince. The Empress panicked when Minister Zhu was implicated, which is why she had me leave the capital. I was… but because I still had relatives in the capital, I returned halfway. I had no intention of causing trouble, but the Empress was relentless. She had originally planned to kill me after I reached Luozhou. Seeing my return, she immediately had me captured. Last night, they tried to bury me in that graveyard!”
Wang Han finished in one breath, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
Panting heavily, he glanced up at Yan Chi, whose expression remained cold as water.
“Wang Han.” Suddenly, Yan Chi spoke.
Speaking thus, he called out his name accurately. Wang Han trembled, incredulous.
He had never mentioned his name, yet Yan Chi called it without error. This clearly showed he already knew his identity. Yan Chi had investigated him last night! This was perfect!
“Yes, this humble one is indeed Wang Han. Your Highness, I haven’t spoken a single false word! I wouldn’t dare deceive Your Highness! The Empress executed Song Xi Wen last year, and I truly was the one who removed the body. A palace eunuch accompanied me.”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes at Wang Han, who quickly continued, “That eunuch was in charge of procurement for the internal storehouse. We used procurement as a cover to transport the body. His name was… Kang Yuan Bo… yes, that’s him…”
Yan Chi glanced at Bai Feng, who understood and immediately left.
“What condition was Song Xi Wen’s body in when you saw it?”
Yan Chi’s voice was calm and deep. Wang Han dared not be careless. “He… he was placed in a procurement cart. The body was already stiff, clothes somewhat tattered with blood, but not much. His face showed no obvious injuries, looking quite peaceful. I couldn’t tell how he died then, but one can guess – the Imperial Punishment Office has many ways to make people die silently…”
“Did the Empress question him personally?”
Wang Han shook his head. “This humble one doesn’t know, but Minister Zhu said it was the Empress’s order.”
“Do you remember where you buried the body afterward?”
Wang Han frowned, hesitating momentarily. “Well… it was night, I only remember the cart left the capital toward Qi Wu Mountain, then followed a ravine inward. I can’t recall how long we walked. It was pitch dark, and we were somewhat scared, so we dug a hole and buried him…”
Thinking of burying the corpse, Wang Han shuddered. Last night, he had nearly been buried himself.
“What else did the Empress have you do?”
Wang Han shook his head. “Usually, just reporting Imperial Guard news to her. This was the only truly secret matter, nothing else afterward.”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. This matter was indeed strange.
He didn’t believe Qin Wan had misidentified the body, but how did it appear in Prince Jin’s back courtyard?
“Come—”
At Yan Chi’s call, Bai Feng immediately entered from outside and raised his chin. A thin, intimidating light flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. “Send some men with him to Qi Wu Mountain after dark, see if they can find Song Xi Wen’s body.”
Bai Feng understood and immediately acknowledged.
Yan Chi nodded. “You may go. Stay in the prince’s manor for now.”
Wang Han wiped the thin sweat from his forehead, kowtowed once more, then rose and left.
After Wang Han’s departure, several questions arose in Yan Chi’s mind.
Song Xi Wen was Prince Jin’s guard. With his death, the only witness for Prince Jin was gone. When this person disappeared from the Imperial Punishment Office, because he was a prince’s guard and the incident occurred in the palace, the Ministry of Justice and Department of State Affairs assumed he died during punishment and didn’t investigate deeply. If the Empress had been implicated then, subsequent events would have been very different.
If the Empress killed Song Xi Wen, was Prince Jin’s death also her doing?
But at that time, although Prince Jin had supporters, he hadn’t posed a serious threat to the Crown Prince!
Or did the Empress seize this opportunity to eliminate Prince Jin, to prevent any possibilities?
After all, Prince Jin had “killed” Consort Jin in front of many witnesses.
…
…
When Qin Wan received the news, it was already late morning, but she headed to the manor gate without hesitation. Just reaching the main courtyard, she encountered Qin Yan returning from outside. Qin Yan raised an eyebrow. “Going out?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, I plan to check on the shop.”
All of Qin Yi’s shops were now in Qin Wan’s hands – this was entirely normal. Qin Yan initially nodded, but just as Qin Wan stepped forward, he suddenly called, “Ninth Sister—”
His tone told Qin Wan he had something to say.
Qin Wan looked at Qin Yan questioningly. Qin Yan pressed his lips together and raised his chin, gesturing for Qin Wan to speak with him under the corridor.
Qin Wan moved over. “What does Third Brother want to say?”
Qin Yan first smiled bitterly. “I heard Father spoke with you?”
Qin Wan gave a wry smile. “Yes, I suppose Third Brother knows what Uncle said.”
Qin Yan sighed. “Ninth Sister, can you understand?”
“Of course, I can understand.” Qin Wan nodded. “The Marquis Manor’s fortune didn’t come from nowhere. Moreover, the Eighth Sister is now the Crown Princess. I understand the implications—”
Qin Yan’s eyes grew brighter, but Qin Wan changed course. “However, I’m just a weak woman. Many things are beyond my control. I don’t understand court struggles. Within my capabilities, I hope to see justice and righteousness.”
“Justice and righteousness… if others said this, I would laugh, but when you say it, I find it quite moving. From seeing you return for Qin Xiang, to helping investigate the gold robbery case in Yuzhou, I knew you were different from other women. You call yourself weak, but in your heart, you think of establishing virtue for Heaven and Earth, establishing destiny for the people. Many court officials can’t match you…”
Qin Wan laughed. “Is Third Brother praising me only to criticize later?”
Qin Yan shook his head. “No, our positions differ, our responsibilities differ, so naturally our choices differ.” Qin Yan looked at Qin Wan steadily for a moment. “I just hope Ninth Sister understands, that if things one day reach an irreconcilable point, whether Father or I, we in the Marquis Manor will have to make choices. When that time comes, don’t blame us.”
Qin Yan spoke very calmly, and because of his calmness, there was no sense of threat.
Qin Wan looked at Qin Yan, her heart undisturbed. Qin Shu and Lady Hu had raised Qin Yan well, but why did they have to choose the Crown Prince?
“Does Third Brother think his choice is correct?”
Qin Yan was startled, not expecting Qin Wan to say this. His words weren’t exactly polite – he had meant to warn Qin Wan, and his meaning might have angered her. But unexpectedly, not only was she not angry, she raised such a question.
Qin Yan laughed. “Does Ninth Sister think Prince Cheng is more suitable as heir?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “Until the final moment, anyone could become heir. Third Brother thinks the Crown Prince is the most suitable candidate, but has Third Brother considered that the throne has never gone to whoever is most suitable?”
Qin Yan’s expression immediately changed. “Ninth Sister, these words…”
Qin Wan smiled brightly, her face radiant. “Third Brother gave me a warning, naturally I should give Third Brother one too. Just take it as something to consider.”
Qin Yan pressed his lips together, wanting to speak but stopping himself, as if struck by Qin Wan’s words, worry arising in his heart. In comparison, his words had far less impact on Qin Wan. Qin Wan smiled. “Well, I’ll head out now.”
Qin Yan nodded absently, watching Qin Wan’s retreating figure, his heart once again amazed, even doubting whether he, the Marquis Manor’s heir with twenty years of wisdom, couldn’t match this young girl who had faced such a difficult life.
And Qin Wan’s words just now…
Qin Yan shook his head, forcibly driving Qin Wan’s words from his mind.
Having made their choice, they had no right to regret, and absolutely would not regret!
…
…
Qin Wan boarded her carriage, heading straight for the house in the west.
Her identity was still too conspicuous to visit Prince Rui’s Manor frequently.
The carriage drove west in the pale yellow evening sunlight, passing through bustling market streets, and winding through the alleys of Chang Le Ward for a moment before reaching Old Man Han’s residence.
Just as Qin Wan knocked, the main door opened, and Er Bao’s little head peeked out from behind. Seeing Qin Wan, his eyes brightened slightly, but he lowered his head shyly. “Miss, the guest has been here for some time.”
Qin Wan smiled, taking out two silver fruits for Er Bao, then quickly walked toward the main house.
Old Man Han was just coming from the side courtyard with tea. Seeing Qin Wan, he hurriedly bowed. Qin Wan took the tea tray. “I’ll go. Han Uncle, please rest—”
Old Man Han glanced at the room. “Very well, call this old servant if you need anything.”
Qin Wan nodded, carrying the tea tray into the room. Yan Chi stood by the window in black robes, arms crossed, watching the door with a hint of a smile. Seeing him like this, Qin Wan’s heart relaxed – with the funeral over, he had recovered somewhat, his complexion much better. She raised her hands. “Uncle Han brewed the best tea for you!”
Yan Chi came forward to take the tray. Before he could speak, Qin Wan asked, “Did Wang Han confess everything?”
Yan Chi nodded, speaking directly. “He told everything. Song Xi Wen died in the palace on the Empress’s orders. After his death, the Empress had Zhu Yu Cheng send the body out of the palace. Zhu Yu Cheng found Wang Han and a eunuch called Kang Wen Bo to transport the body out under the guise of procurement. Wang Han and the others buried the body in a ravine northwest of Qi Wu Mountain.”
Qin Wan’s hand paused noticeably while pouring tea. Yan Chi saw it clearly and narrowed his eyes, scanning Qin Wan’s calm face.
“You already knew?”
Qin Wan was surprised, but not surprised enough.
His words seemed more like confirming something…
Qin Wan handed over a cup of fragrant clear tea. “During the autopsy, I found some things that shouldn’t have been in Prince Jin’s Manor. I suspected the body had been moved.”
Yan Chi’s expression changed slightly. Qin Wan had performed the autopsy days ago but had never mentioned this.
Qin Wan said, “I haven’t told anyone about this. Once mentioned, this matter would become complicated. I just wanted to confirm this person’s identity…”
Yan Chi said, “I’ve sent people with Wang Han to find the body.”
If they found the body, then this person wasn’t Song Xi Wen, perhaps just coincidentally similar to him.
If so, the nature of this case would change again.
Qin Wan’s expression cooled slightly. “I didn’t tell Minister Zheng about this clue, precisely because I wanted to confirm the deceased was Song Xi Wen. If Wang Han finds the body, it doesn’t conflict.”
Yan Chi took a sip of tea, confusion growing in his eyes. He knew exactly what kind of person Qin Wan was!
To investigate the Prince Jin Manor case, she had begun concealing and falsifying evidence during the autopsy.
Yan Chi wasn’t someone who upheld justice and righteousness – he just discovered once again that Qin Wan viewed the Prince Jin case as even more important than he had imagined. He unconsciously began to consider Qin Wan’s motives.
Setting down his teacup, Yan Chi put aside these thoughts. “Let’s set that aside for now. With Song Xi Wen’s identity confirmed, the Empress is most panicked. The body was disposed of elsewhere, yet now appears in Prince Jin’s Manor.”
“This explains why Zhu Yu Cheng died and Wang Han left the Imperial Guard.”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan suddenly asked, “What was that eunuch’s name? Kang…”
“Kang Wen Bo.” Yan Chi finished, his voice sinking. “I’ve already had people investigate. He drowned in an abandoned well in the palace three days ago.”
Qin Wan’s expression fell. She had just thought of it.
Wang Han was an Imperial Guard – well-established guards don’t die randomly unless during palace unrest. Poisoning would be easily detected; silent disappearance was best. Though strange, at least it wouldn’t be classified. But Kang Wen Bo was different – eunuchs were viewed as cattle by their masters, and taking his life would be effortless.
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. “With Kang Wen Bo dead, only Wang Han remains.”
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. “What do you want to do?”
A flicker of light passed through Qin Wan’s eyes. She hesitated, her small fist clenched on the armrest. Qin Wan took a deep breath as if making a decision. “I want to… hand him over to Prince Cheng.”
Yan Chi looked steadily at Qin Wan, nodding after a moment. “Alright.”
Countless thoughts and possibilities flashed through Qin Wan’s mind. Prince Cheng was a restless leopard with only one target – the Empress and Eastern Palace. Wang Han’s appearance was like receiving a weapon when needed; she would hand him a sharp sword that might pierce the hearts of the Empress and Eastern Palace.
Especially in this situation where the Empress was already surrounded by rumors…
Yet despite thinking of many things, Qin Wan still couldn’t find a reason to give up this opportunity.
“Are you worried about the Marquis Manor?” Yan Chi grasped Qin Wan’s clenched fist.
Qin Wan smiled bitterly. “Uncle will likely want to kill me…”
Yan Chi thought for a moment. “Leave it to me to handle.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. Yan Chi explained, “Perfect timing – I need a favor from Prince Cheng.”
Qin Wan didn’t understand Yan Chi’s meaning but nodded trustingly.
With Yan Chi, she unconsciously wanted to trust him. Even the deepest secrets in her heart stirred, wanting to emerge…