At the Rui Prince Manor, Qin Wan waited for a while before Yan Chi returned. As Yan Chi now managed half of the Ministry of Justice, he naturally wasn’t as free as in previous days. When they met, Yan Chi immediately noticed something was amiss with Qin Wan’s mood. “What happened?”

Qin Wan pondered briefly, naturally not hiding anything from Yan Chi. “I just met Li Mu Yun.”

“Oh?” Yan Chi was somewhat surprised. “Why?”

“Li Mu Yun has no old friends in court, yet he keeps visiting an empty residence in the southern part of the city. I don’t know who he’s meeting there. I encountered him once before, and this time I met him again. I tried to follow him but he discovered me.” Qin Wan sighed, seemingly also blaming herself for being too careless.

Yan Chi calmly looked at Qin Wan. “And then?”

“Then we sat down at a nearby teahouse. I couldn’t help myself and asked him about Minister Shen’s case.”

“How did he react?”

Qin Wan smiled bitterly. “He was very surprised and immediately asked what relation I had to Minister Shen.”

Not just Li Mu Yun, even Yan Chi harbored such suspicions, though she usually didn’t voice them.

“I didn’t answer him, but he was startled by my words. He appeared nervous and surprised, though not exactly afraid. In his view, I was probably following him because of the corpse case, trying to help the Empress and the Eastern Palace. But when I asked about Minister Shen, the purpose became different. Minister Shen had no ties in the capital, and currently, I had no reason to fixate on Minister Shen’s matter—”

Yan Chi could understand Li Mu Yun’s thoughts. “What happened next?”

“Then he hurried to leave, saying Minister Shen wasn’t wrongly accused… no, that’s not quite right. His words were very strange. He only said half a sentence, suggesting that Minister Shen had done something that made him believe Minister Shen was showing favoritism to Prince Jin. But he didn’t finish. Instead, he warned me not to get involved in this case, then mentioned that the situation at the Rui Prince Manor wasn’t optimistic…”

Qin Wan finished speaking and looked at Yan Chi. “Although we have Minister Shen’s letters, I find Li Mu Yun’s words today very strange…”

“That unfinished sentence?”

“Yes.” A faint light flickered in Qin Wan’s eyes. “I don’t doubt whether Minister Shen made mistakes. I just feel there might be some inside information we don’t know. Minister Shen met Prince Jin several times but never left any written testimony. What did Prince Jin say? Besides Prince Jin’s words, there might be other things we don’t know about. We haven’t seen the case files for Prince Jin’s case, and all other witness testimonies and evidence have disappeared…”

Speaking of this, Qin Wan suddenly remembered Li Mu Yun’s words. “Li Mu Yun also said that if Minister Shen didn’t have a guilty conscience, he wouldn’t have fled with his entire family!”

Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed. “So you think Minister Shen must have known something definite?”

Qin Wan nodded. She understood her father. First, Prince Jin hadn’t left any testimony, which meant these words weren’t suitable to be written down. Following their previous reasoning, it very likely involved secrets related to Consort Jin or the royal family. Second, at that time, Prince Jin was already a murderer caught in public view. No matter what he said, as a third-rank official who had presided over the Court of Judicial Review for many years, her father wouldn’t have believed him easily. And given her father’s personality, he would have turned his suspicions into actual investigation.

Moreover, when her father later left with the entire Shen household, he must have confirmed his suspicions before making such a decision.

“Yes, what Minister Shen knew must be the key to Prince Jin’s case.”

Yan Chi thought for a moment. “Following this reasoning, Minister Shen must have done something else during those days, probably conducting private investigations. During the investigation, he might have tried to delay the progress of Prince Jin’s case or perhaps shared his doubts with others, which gave everyone the impression he was speaking up for Prince Jin, later becoming favoritism. However, as Minister Shen was a third-rank official and the chief judge of Prince Jin’s case at the time, he could have done many things privately, but he didn’t write them in his letters. Now it’s very difficult for us to know what he did.”

Qin Wan carefully recalled those days. Her father had appeared worried and distressed, and once he returned to his office, he would shut himself in his study. Sometimes even she and her mother couldn’t see him. She knew when her father returned to the manor, but she had no idea what he did outside. Those who might have known what her father did privately were no longer in this world. Li Mu Yun had also been highly regarded by her father at the time, but clearly, Li Mu Yun didn’t know what her father had done. On the contrary, he thought her father had gone astray.

Even if Li Mu Yun knew, she couldn’t ask him, and Li Mu Yun wouldn’t tell.

No matter how they looked at it, it was truly a dead end…

“That’s right, so now we’re at an impasse.”

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. “Don’t worry for now. Where is that residence Li Mu Yun visited? I’ll have someone investigate.”

It would naturally be much easier for Yan Chi to investigate the residence than for Qin Wan. She immediately described it and specifically drew a map on paper. After Yan Chi put away the map, Qin Wan asked, “About the investigation of people related to Prince Gong and Princess Gong that we discussed before, are there any leads?”

Yan Chi nodded. “We’re investigating. Back then, Princess Gong’s brother Fu Cheng Ye was also an accomplice in the treason. He died on Feng Lei Ridge, and afterward, all members of the Fu family, including Fu Cheng Ye’s brothers and elderly mother, were ordered executed by the previous emperor, effectively exterminating nine generations of the family. However… Fu Cheng Ye had two sons, both only one or two years old at the time. It’s said that Fu Cheng Ye had also sent his wife and children to Luo Zhou. Later, when the case fell apart and the previous emperor’s men went to arrest them, one of Fu Cheng Ye’s children had already died, reportedly just succumbed to illness…”

“This was an anomaly. The official in charge of the arrest couldn’t confirm, and by the time everyone was brought back to the capital, they only learned from the servants’ interrogation that the dead child wasn’t the young master. However, by then it was too late to investigate further. Soon after, the previous emperor fell seriously ill, and the current emperor ascended to the throne. With the transition of power, even if people were sent to investigate, nothing more could be discovered…”

Qin Wan was quite surprised. “Twenty years have passed. If that child grew up, he would be about the same age as you and Yan Li.”

Yan Chi nodded. “This person, from our current investigation, is the most likely to be harboring revenge and hiding in the imperial city. However, after so many years, following such tiny traces to investigate is very difficult.”

Qin Wan understood this reasoning. Finding a lead among the extinct Fu family was already difficult, let alone after so many years. She said, “Alright, you continue investigating along this line. If I enter the palace, I’ll ask Yan Sui properly to see if he knows anything else.”

At present, neither Qin Wan nor Yan Chi are managing the corpse case at Prince Jin’s manor. While Yan Qin was racking his brains over the corpse case, for these two, Consort Jin’s death was of paramount importance.

Yan Chi nodded and gently brushed Qin Wan’s cheek. “Even if we can’t figure it out right away, you needn’t worry. Even when we go to Shuo Xi, we won’t abandon this case. As you said, whenever something happens, it must leave traces.”

Qin Wan’s heart softened, and a smile spread from her eyes. “I know. How are things in Shuo Xi?”

Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan into his embrace. “The situation in Shuo Xi is fine. Father has controlled Shuo Xi for many years, making it difficult for Lin Xu Gui to do anything. And to command an elite force of a hundred thousand soldiers charging into battle, killing alone won’t suffice.”

Hearing this, Qin Wan immediately felt relieved. As it was getting late, she chatted with Yan Chi a while longer before leaving the Rui Prince Manor.

……

……

Early the next morning, Qin Wan entered Shou Kang Palace, where she unexpectedly encountered Yan Ze and Yue Ning.

Everyone was seated in the western warm chamber of Shou Kang Palace. Yue Ning smiled, “Yesterday I came to keep the Empress Dowager company, and seeing her happy, I came again today.”

Yan Ze had medicine patches on his face, his lips curved slightly, bathed in the morning light like polished jade.

Qin Wan said, “This is good. Your Highness and the Empress Dowager should both move around more. When did Doctor Sun last check Young Master’s pulse?”

Since Qin Wan hadn’t seen Sun Mu Qing the previous day, and Yan Ze had entered the palace that day, she asked this additional question. Yue Ning replied, “Doctor Sun has been arranging his residence these past few days. He wants to create a lotus pond in his courtyard, so he hasn’t visited the manor. The last time was probably three days ago.”

Only then did Qin Wan feel reassured, though she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at the thought of Sun Mu Qing. Not only had he renovated the former Shen residence, but he was now adding new scenery, investing so much effort. What were his intentions? Did he plan to stay in the capital for long?!

Thinking of this, Qin Wan’s heart grew heavy.

But Yue Ning continued, “Doctor Sun is also very knowledgeable about garden landscapes. He said although the residence isn’t very large, living there alone makes it feel empty, so he plans to add some scenery for a long-term stay.”

While Qin Wan was worrying, Yue Ning’s words answered her doubts, leaving her only with bitter amusement…

Yan Ze spoke softly from the side, “Mu Qing is very fond of his new residence and has put in considerable effort. He said once the landscaping is done, he’ll invite us as guests.”

Qin Wan could only force a smile without continuing. The Empress Dowager knew who they were talking about, but since she didn’t know Sun Mu Qing, she didn’t ask further. Soon, Chen Mama brought a chessboard, as the Empress Dowager wanted to play against Yan Ze. The Empress Dowager smiled, “Your father sent me these books, and now they’ve sparked my interest. If no one accompanies me in future games, I’ll summon you to the palace.”

Yan Ze smiled, “That would be my greatest pleasure.”

The Empress Dowager added, “And your father too, he’s also a master.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ze immediately said, “Father only wants to play against His Majesty now, but His Majesty has been too busy lately, never finding the opportunity. I wonder if Father still remembers being beaten once by His Majesty back then…”

This had just been discussed yesterday, and the Empress Dowager laughed, “It’s year-end, and the Emperor is busy, but he still has some free time. I’ll send someone to mention it later. He can surely spare this much time. I want to see who’s better now, your father or the Emperor…”

Yan Ze broke into a smile. Meanwhile, Chen Mama set up the chessboard, and Yue Ning had to place pieces for Yan Ze. Yue Ning had wanted to tell Qin Wan about Wei Qi Zhi’s return but couldn’t speak now. Seeing Qin Wan sitting alone with nothing to do, the Empress Dowager beckoned her to come watch the game. Not wanting to disturb them, Qin Wan asked about Yan Sui’s whereabouts and learned he was practicing calligraphy, so she went to find him…

In Yan Sui’s room, she found him indeed standing on a stool writing. He wasn’t tall enough yet, so he stood on a low stool. Qin Wan watched from the doorway for a while, seeing Yan Sui’s calm expression, his wrist held steady, a thin layer of sweat on his small forehead.

Smiling slightly, Qin Wan walked in. Hearing footsteps, Yan Sui turned his head, his eyes brightening instantly upon seeing Qin Wan.

“Your Highness, be careful, don’t move while standing.”

Yan Sui was standing on a stool, and Qin Wan feared he might fall. Fortunately, Yan Sui wasn’t impetuous and stood steadily, though his eyes showed excitement. Qin Wan glanced at his calligraphy practice, seeing the page was almost complete, and said, “Finish writing first, then I’ll take you to play.”

Yan Sui smiled and continued writing. Seeing him write properly, Qin Wan corrected his brush-holding posture slightly. After he finished the page, she kept her promise and took him outside. It was somewhat cold this season, so she didn’t plan to go far. Yan Sui asked quietly, “What is Great-grandmother doing?”

Qin Wan smiled, “Playing chess with the Yi Prince’s heir.”

Yan Sui immediately said, “I want to play chess too—”

Qin Wan’s eyes twinkled, “Shall I teach you how to play properly?”

Yan Sui’s eyes lit up, “Yes!”

He knew his current way of playing wasn’t proper chess.

Qin Wan turned to instruct Su Mama to bring a chessboard, leading Yan Sui to the pavilion in the central courtyard. It wasn’t noon yet, but the sun was out, its warmth falling gently on them. After walking just a few steps, Yan Sui asked, “Can the golden oriole fly now?”

Qin Wan sat down with Yan Sui facing away from the palace gates, feeling uncertain at his question. “Yes, it flew away the day before yesterday…”

“Ah! It flew away?” Yan Sui was surprised. “Will it come back?”

Qin Wan shook her head with a smile, “Actually, it had flown away once before and came back. This time, I’m not sure if it will return…”

“Ah… what if someone catches it?”

Qin Wan quickly reassured him, “They won’t. It can fly very, very high now.”

Yan Sui let out a big sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful! Then it must have flown to the mountains!”

Looking at Yan Sui’s animated expression, Qin Wan felt relieved. She had planned to keep this hidden if Yan Sui didn’t ask, but he hadn’t forgotten at all, and she had ended up telling this lie. As she was sighing, Yan Sui suddenly looked behind her. Qin Wan turned in surprise to see Yan Li entering with his guards. Seeing Yan Li in his princely court robes, her thoughts wandered…

Changed into court robes, Yan Li’s bearing was dramatically different. Having not seen him for many days, and now seeing his serious expression, Qin Wan felt a moment of unfamiliarity. Yan Li’s features and bearing triggered a flash of recognition in Qin Wan’s mind – she felt his bearing was familiar.

However, when Yan Li saw her and Yan Sui and broke into a smile, the thought instantly vanished, and Qin Wan couldn’t grasp it…