In the main hall, the Emperor and Empress sat at the head position. By the Empress’s side stood the Crown Prince in his ceremonial robes, while Prince Cheng stood closer to Yan Huai’s side. Feng Lingsu, Consort Wan, and other imperial consorts and princes stood on both sides. Yan Zhen gazed at Zhao Shuhua with reddened eyes, and even the strong-willed Zhao Shuhua could barely contain herself.
The ceremonial officer began the proceedings as Yan Zhen stepped forward to bid farewell according to protocol. After paying respects to the Emperor and Empress, Yan Zhen went to Shoukang Palace to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager. Once the ceremonies were complete, the Empress Dowager rode in her ceremonial carriage alongside Yan Zhen. The grand procession moved toward the ancestral temple to see Yan Zhen pay respects to the ancestors.
Inside the temple, where the ancestral tablets of the Yan family were enshrined, Yan Zhen completed the grand ceremony before boarding her bridal carriage outside. The Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager’s carriages led the way, with Yan Zhen following closely behind. They proceeded to Zhenghua Gate, where the Emperor and Empress helped the Empress Dowager ascend the tower while Yan Zhen’s carriage passed through the gate.
It was early winter, and bitter winds swept across the Zhenghua Gate tower. Zhao Shuhua watched as Yan Zhen’s carriage emerged from beneath the gate archway. When she saw Yan Zhen lift the carriage curtain to look back, the tears she had held back all day welled up in her eyes.
The officials accompanied the procession outside Zhenghua Gate, where ceremonial flags waved along the imperial road lined with imperial guards. Yan Zhen departed for Northern Wei carrying the glory of a Great Zhou Princess, while the capital’s citizens lined the streets to bid farewell. The servants following behind continuously scattered celebratory coins to both sides.
Late October was already considered the year’s end, and the capital’s citizens enjoyed an early celebration. However, as Zhao Shuhua stood atop the city tower watching Yan Zhen’s carriage grow distant, she felt an emptiness in her heart. This grand wedding celebration meant nothing to her – if possible, she wouldn’t have wanted Yan Zhen to leave at all… Yet if she didn’t leave, staying in Great Zhou would surely be even more unbearable for Yan Zhen.
Zhao Shuhua drew a deep breath, straightening her slightly curved back. Not far from her, Yan Che and Qin Zhaoyu maintained solemn expressions. Many eyes fell upon them, seemingly probing whether they had grown weak after days of confinement.
Yan Che had only one sister Yan Zhen, whom he had protected since childhood. Previously, he thought Yan Zhen’s distant marriage was solely for his sake, but now he felt perhaps this marriage was for the best, as both he and Zhao Shuhua faced uncertain futures.
Qin Zhaoyu stood beside Yan Che, her appearance exquisite and radiant. At first glance, she and Yan Che made a perfect pair. Days of confinement had left no trace on her appearance – she remained the proud, superior First Scholar of the capital.
Regardless of whether the surrounding gazes held disdain or mockery, doubt or ridicule, she remembered the Empress’s look of satisfaction when first seeing her that morning. She knew Zhao Shuhua approved of her. At that moment, her heart felt utterly peaceful and content. If she didn’t have Yan Che’s love, at least she had the Empress’s appreciation.
The Empress Dowager wiped her tears, “Zhen’er has left, Zhen’er has left…”
Yan Huai supported the Empress Dowager, watching as the carriage grew more distant until only a faint shadow remained. He hurriedly said, “The wind is strong up here, Mother. Let me escort you back.”
The Empress Dowager wanted to watch longer, but the cold wind was truly unbearable, so she had to descend the tower with Yan Huai’s assistance.
After the Emperor and Empress Dowager left, others followed suit, leaving only Zhao Shuhua standing motionless.
The Emperor’s young eunuch stood at a distance watching Zhao Shuhua, not daring to hurry her.
Feng Lingsu had intended to descend with the others, but upon seeing Zhao Shuhua remain still, she approached with a smile.
“Northern Wei is thousands of miles away, yet Your Highness can bear to part so easily.”
Feng Lingsu stood beside Zhao Shuhua, chin raised, her voice carrying slight mockery.
Though grief showed on Zhao Shuhua’s face, upon hearing these words, she quickly composed herself.
She turned slightly to glance at Feng Lingsu, speaking with a hint of amusement, “Noble Consort is too eager. You haven’t become Empress yet, but already wear the phoenix robe. One wonders what memorials the censors at the Imperial Censorate might write about such attire?”
Zhao Shuhua’s tone was light, without even a trace of mockery. She was so casual that, as the Empress, she seemed unconcerned about a lower-ranked consort wearing robes embroidered with phoenix patterns – this was truly unusual.
However, Feng Lingsu couldn’t sense this strangeness at the moment. She felt both guilty and humiliated.
Zhao Shuhua’s position was naturally at the front, and now only a few people remained on the tower. Those who wished to watch longer didn’t dare linger when they saw the Empress and Noble Consort speaking, quickly heading down. Thus, only the two of them remained on the vast tower.
Feng Lingsu had harbored bitterness for years. Though the Empress had been confined for many days and the Crown Prince suppressed, she could still speak so sharply. Feng Lingsu found this deeply unfair.
“Your Highness is truly composed. You probably don’t know that there are already voices in court calling for the Crown Prince’s removal. I’m truly worried for Your Highness. You could have done something, but… but soon you’ll return to Kunning Palace, and who knows when you’ll next emerge.”
Zhao Shuhua suddenly smiled, turning to examine Feng Lingsu with a leisurely gaze. Though there was no mockery, when her eyes fell on Feng Lingsu’s face, Feng Lingsu felt uncomfortably guilty. She straightened her back and raised her chin, “What are you looking at?!”
Zhao Shuhua smiled slightly, looking into Feng Lingsu’s eyes, “Guess what allowed you to maintain your position as Noble Consort for so many years?”
Feng Lingsu’s previous words had been provocative enough, even mentioning “removing the Crown Prince,” yet Zhao Shuhua showed no anger. Not only was she not angry, but she asked a seemingly unrelated question. Feng Lingsu tried to appear equally unruffled, her eyes showing some pride, “Back in the Prince’s residence, His Highness favored me most, and this hasn’t changed in all these years. What does Your Highness think this means?”
Zhao Shuhua laughed pleasantly, her laughter light and melodious as if hearing some joke.
Feng Lingsu often felt at a disadvantage before Zhao Shuhua, and now being laughed at made her scalp tingle. She couldn’t help but exclaim anxiously, “What are you laughing at? This is common knowledge. Has Your Highness forgotten?”
Zhao Shuhua’s laughter gradually ceased, though her lips remained curved upward. Her gaze held no mockery, only overwhelming pity.
“Initially, the Loyal Duke’s family was among the capital’s prominent families. His Highness merely sought to ally with the Loyal Duke’s family. You were impulsive and competitive, so His Highness merely humored you somewhat, yet you became arrogant, believing yourself to be His Highness’s true love. Feng Lingsu, you’re truly foolish.”
“You—” Feng Lingsu’s expression changed dramatically, her eyes quickly scanning the surroundings!
As a Noble Consort, though not of the same rank as the Empress, she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate the Empress speaking to her this way. She feared others might hear her and damage her reputation, but seeing no one nearby, she finally relaxed. If Zhao Shuhua had spoken politely, she would have only shown some mockery, but since Zhao Shuhua spoke so ruthlessly, what did she have to fear? After all, Zhao Shuhua would soon return to Kunning Palace as a prisoner!
“What right do you have to say such things! Ha, I understand now – you’re jealous! Jealous of His Majesty’s unchanging affection for me! We both entered the Prince’s residence earliest, but has His Majesty visited your Kunning Palace in these years? Has he stayed even once?! His Majesty’s heart belongs only to me! What does it matter if you’re the Empress?! Isn’t your current situation proof enough?! Even your precious son is confined! Do you know what this means?!” Feng Lingsu laughed coldly, wearing a victor’s expression, “Zhao Shuhua, you’re truly too arrogant. You’re the most pitiful person in this palace! Your Kunning Palace is practically cold, you can’t gain His Majesty’s affection – you’re truly a tragic woman!”
Feng Lingsu felt increasingly satisfied as she spoke as if releasing a lifetime of frustration in these few sentences. She felt like laughing out loud.
However, Zhao Shuhua showed no anger, quietly watching Feng Lingsu with a superior, pitying gaze, as if watching a madwoman raving. Though Feng Lingsu had felt extremely satisfied, this gaze made her inexplicably uneasy, as if she had truly done something foolish.
Zhao Shuhua suddenly said, “His Highness could never love you, because you’re simply not worthy.”
Zhao Shuhua’s tone was light and casual, without any aggression, yet it struck deeply at Feng Lingsu’s heart.
Feng Lingsu clenched her fists, breathing rapidly. She looked at Zhao Shuhua in disbelief, seemingly not understanding her words. She found it both absurd and laughable, “Me? Not worthy?” She pointed tremblingly at herself, “You’re the one who’s not worthy! All these years, how diligently have I served His Majesty, how attentively have I cared for His Majesty in every detail? My heart belongs entirely to His Majesty, but you? Your mind is consumed with paving the way for your son, you’ve long wished for your son to replace His Majesty. Even though His Majesty has already made him Crown Prince, you’re still not satisfied. You probably hope His Majesty dies tomorrow—”
After blurting this out, Feng Lingsu felt a chill down her spine. How could she speak of His Majesty’s death?!
Even if she was accusing Zhao Shuhua of such hopes, if these words reached His Majesty’s ears, it would be great disrespect…
Seeing Feng Lingsu’s terrified expression at her slip of the tongue, Zhao Shuhua smiled pleasantly, “On this point, you’re correct.”
Her tone was extremely slow and calm, her entire demeanor composed. Hearing these words, Feng Lingsu’s eyes grew even wider. Even though the Empress had been neglected for many years, she was still His Majesty’s favored original wife, with over twenty years of marriage. How could she so pleasantly acknowledge such a thing?!
Feng Lingsu felt as if Zhao Shuhua had become a different person, “You… have you gone mad!”
Zhao Shuhua sighed as she looked at her, “You say your heart belongs entirely to him, yet you’ve still been deceived. Feng Lingsu, when you meet him in the underworld, you’ll likely be too ashamed to face him.”
Feng Lingsu felt her ears ringing. Though she heard each of Zhao Shuhua’s words clearly, strung together they made little sense.
Mad… Zhao Shuhua had truly gone mad… her confinement had driven her mad…
What did she mean by being deceived? What did she mean by being too ashamed to face him in the underworld?
Who was this “him”? If referring to His Majesty, why not address him directly, and why did her words seem to suggest His Majesty was already dead?
Yet His Majesty was still alive and well… but if not referring to His Majesty, then who?
Feng Lingsu’s hair stood on end, cold sweat flowing, her entire being seemingly possessed.
Seeing her dramatic change in expression, Zhao Shuhua shook her head with a laugh and prepared to descend the tower, but Feng Lingsu suddenly grabbed her, “Wait, what did you mean by what you just said?! What do you mean I’ll be too ashamed to face him in the underworld – who won’t I be able to face?!”
Feng Lingsu gripped Zhao Shuhua’s sleeve tightly. Zhao Shuhua looked at her coldly for a moment, seeing her completely panicked, then firmly removed Feng Lingsu’s hand from her sleeve. Feng Lingsu was pushed back, stumbling a step backward, watching helplessly as Zhao Shuhua descended the tower with dignified grace, followed by the young eunuch from Huang Dian. She knew this eunuch was there to escort Zhao Shuhua back to Kunning Palace.
Zhao Shuhua would soon be confined again, but Feng Lingsu couldn’t find joy in this fact. She couldn’t understand the meaning behind Zhao Shuhua’s cryptic words.
The cold wind howled past as Feng Lingsu’s palms grew damp with sweat. A vague thought emerged in her mind, but merely glimpsing its outline through the dense fog terrified her completely. She dared not think further or deeper, turning to lean against the wall battlement, gasping for air. The cold wind stung her throat, causing her to cough violently. By the time Yan Qi found her, Feng Lingsu’s face was red from coughing.
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
Feng Lingsu’s cheeks were flushed. Hearing Yan Qi’s voice, she frantically grabbed his arm.
Yan Qi had never seen Feng Lingsu like this and was immediately alarmed, “Mother, what’s happened?”
“The Empress said…” Feng Lingsu stopped after just three words. She froze, suddenly turning to look in the direction where Yan Zhen’s wedding carriage had departed. Her pupils trembled as she seemed to realize something, but this realization brought even more terror. She clutched Yan Qi’s arm tightly, her entire body beginning to shake, “No…”
Though Feng Lingsu had always been delicate, Yan Qi knew his mother possessed the necessary cunning and methods. He had never seen Feng Lingsu so frightened. He grabbed both her hands and shook her forcefully, “Mother, what’s wrong?”
Feng Lingsu seemed to awaken from her daze, her expression suddenly alert. She stared at Yan Qi, swallowing hard several times as if trying to force back words that were about to escape, “Nothing… nothing… the Empress just… just said some excessive things.”
Yan Qi raised an eyebrow, “What did she say?”
Feng Lingsu lowered her eyes, “She said… your father doesn’t truly favor me…”
Yan Qi’s mouth twitched. His mother was used to being delicate and often acted coy before his father, but how had the Empress stooped to arguing about such matters? Yan Qi felt helpless, “The Empress herself isn’t favored, you’re better off than her in every way. Mother, let’s go down, it’s too cold here.”
Feng Lingsu’s hands were ice-cold. She nodded, allowing Yan Qi to support her as they descended the tower.
Yan Qi helped Feng Lingsu, who leaned most of her weight on him. His brows furrowed as he found the situation increasingly strange, feeling there was more to it than appeared.
“Mother, what did the Empress say?”
Feng Lingsu waved her hand, “Nothing. Take me back to the palace, I might have caught a chill.”
Feng Lingsu’s palms were covered in cold sweat. Seeing this, Yan Qi dared not take it lightly and quickly escorted her back to Changxin Palace.
Yan Qi wanted to stay with Feng Lingsu for a while, but she wouldn’t let him, “Go attend to your duties, I’ll take a short rest.”
Yan Qi had no choice but to leave. Once he departed, how could Feng Lingsu possibly sleep?
She entered her inner chamber and leaned against the bed, lost in thought. The Empress’s words echoed clearly in her mind, each syllable distinct. She felt as if in a dream. Soon after, Bao Die entered from outside and said, “Your Highness, His Majesty has returned to Chongzheng Hall from Shoukang Palace. The snow pear soup is ready – when would you like to send it over?”
Feng Lingsu only saw Bao Die’s lips moving but could barely hear what she was saying. She vaguely caught the words “snow pear soup” and suddenly remembered the soup she had prepared. His Majesty had never finished it even once, yet hadn’t he previously loved sweet things so much?
Feng Lingsu waved her hand and fell onto the bed, “Don’t go. I’m not feeling well, I need to lie down for a while.”
Hearing this, Bao Die became immediately concerned, “Your Highness, shall I summon the Imperial Physician?”
Feng Lingsu continued waving her hand, “No… no need, let me be alone for a while…”
Bao Die withdrew at these words. Feng Lingsu pulled the brocade quilt over herself, but her body couldn’t stop trembling.
In Shoukang Palace, Yan Li watched the Empress Dowager’s reddened eyes with heartache, “Don’t be sad, she had to marry eventually. Crown Prince Tuoba is of excellent character, please don’t worry.”
The Empress Dowager sighed, “Ah, who knows how Crown Prince Tuoba will treat her? Separated by thousands of miles, if he mistreats her, how would we even know?”
Yan Li shook his head helplessly. Nearby, Chen Mama quickly entered from outside and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, the Empress, and Crown Prince have returned, but His Majesty has no intention of lifting their confinement…”
The Empress Dowager was stunned at these words, and after a while sighed again, “He… why must he do this!”
Yan Li didn’t know how to console her and could only say, “You should rest first. You caught a chill earlier, we can discuss these matters later, alright?”
The Empress Dowager could only nod, but quickly stopped Yan Li, “You’re in the Ministry of Personnel, keep an eye on the Crown Prince. If His Majesty… ah never mind, don’t worry about it, you may go…”
Yan Li smiled bitterly, roughly understanding what the Empress Dowager wanted to instruct. However, it was inappropriate for him to handle such matters – whatever His Majesty’s intentions, subjects wouldn’t know, let alone him. After comforting the Empress Dowager for a while longer, he finally left the main hall.
Just outside the hall, Yan Li saw Yan Sui. He smiled and lifted Yan Sui, asking, “Are you going to school today?”
Yan Sui shook his head, “Fifth Sister is getting married today, I’m not going.”
With Yan Zhen’s wedding today and the palace hosting a grand banquet for officials in the evening, Yan Sui could take the opportunity to skip his studies.
Yan Li carried him toward the exit, “Then I’ll take you to the ministry!”
Hearing this, Yan Sui immediately began struggling, “No, no, I want to wait for Sister Qin Wan to enter the palace.”
Yan Li stopped, “Hmm? Why wait for her to enter the palace?”
Yan Sui lowered his eyes, hesitating before saying, “To wait for her to play with me…”
Yan Li let out a laugh, “You little ingrate, am I not good enough to play with?”
Yan Sui continued struggling, so Yan Li had no choice but to put him down. Yan Sui looked up at Yan Li and said, “Grandmother said you have official duties now, and I shouldn’t always cling to you, so I won’t cling to you anymore…”
Hearing this, Yan Li could only feel helpless, “Tsk tsk, you’ve become quite sensible.”
Yan Sui puffed out his chest, “Because I’m not a child anymore.”
These words made Yan Li feel somewhat startled as if he was still somewhat childish.
Yan Li sighed, “Alright, alright, then you wait. I’m going to the ministry now, I’ll come find you tonight.”
Yan Sui nodded firmly, watching as Yan Li left. Once Yan Li departed, Yan Sui eagerly waited for Qin Wan to enter the palace, but after waiting for a long while without seeing her arrive, he felt quite disappointed. Soon after, Yue Ning and Yan Ze arrived. They had been coming here quite often lately, and though Yan Sui was no longer shy around them, he wasn’t particularly close either and became somewhat reserved. The Empress Dowager was taking her afternoon nap at this time, so Yue Ning and Yan Ze entertained Yan Sui.
Yan Sui kept his head down and didn’t say much. After a while, Yue Ning heard that the Empress Dowager had awakened and went to the inner chamber to see her first, leaving only Yan Ze and Yan Sui together. Yan Ze spoke gently, “Is the Princess of Yongci not entering the palace today?”
Yan Sui shook his head, “I don’t know.”
Yan Ze continued, “She hasn’t been to the prince’s residence to treat my eye condition for several days either.”
Yan Sui looked curiously at Yan Ze’s bandaged eyes. He had been curious for a long time but never dared to look when there were many people around. Now that it was just the two of them, Yan Sui could look openly, “Can you not see with your eyes?”
Yan Ze nodded, “Yes, I can’t see.”
With this revelation, Yan Sui became more relaxed. He slouched on the corridor’s beauty rest, his face showing worry, “I thought she would come to the palace, but why hasn’t she arrived yet… Where did she go today?”
Yan Ze smiled gently, “Could she be investigating another case? Did you know that besides being skilled in medicine, she’s also excellent at solving cases?”
Yan Sui didn’t fully understand, but thinking of how Qin Wan helped him find his mother’s murderer, he greatly admired her.
Yan Sui’s small head nodded, his eyes bright, “I know…”
“You know?” Yan Ze smiled warmly, “She’s an extremely intelligent person.”
“Yes, she’s very smart.” Yan Sui praised Qin Wan like a little adult.
Yan Ze’s lips curved in a smile, but he said no more. Yan Sui lay listlessly for a while until he heard the Empress Dowager had risen, then quickly ran inside. As he got up, Yan Ze also rose to follow him. When they nearly reached the door, Yan Sui turned around and saw Yan Ze following step by step. He asked curiously, “Didn’t you say you couldn’t see?”
Yan Ze smiled broadly, “Though my eyes are blind, my heart isn’t. I’m very familiar with this path.”
Yan Sui responded with an “Oh” and entered the warm pavilion, throwing himself into the Empress Dowager’s embrace.
Recently, things hadn’t been particularly busy for Qin Wan, though her thoughts were numerous.
The case of the corpses at Prince Jin’s residence remained unsolved, but the information from the Empress had led her and Yan Chi to suspect the current Emperor, a point that continued to make Qin Wan uneasy.
Qin Wan had planned to enter the palace today. With Yan Zhen’s wedding ceremony in the morning, she could only enter in the afternoon. However, when her carriage reached the palace gates, she unexpectedly saw Li Muyun, who was also entering the palace for an audience at the same time.
It had been a long time since she had last encountered Li Muyun after being discovered following him. Qin Wan hadn’t met him since, but she knew he had investigated the case files of Ning Buyi and had learned that Sun Muqing had bought Shen’s residence. Now he probably also knew about her relationship with Sun Muqing.
Li Muyun also appeared surprised to see Qin Wan, and his expression quickly became serious.
Qin Wan stood there gracefully. Li Muyun had no choice but to bow to her, “Greetings, Princess.”
Qin Wan waved her hand, “What brings Lord Li to the palace today?”
Li Muyun lowered his eyes, “Recently there have been several corruption cases along the northwestern route. The case files have been sent to the Court of Judicial Review for investigation. The Princess should be aware.”
Qin Wan naturally knew – these cases were all connected to the Shuoxi Army.
Qin Wan smiled, “Oh? Besides Zhang Qide, who else has the most serious corruption?”
Li Muyun looked at Qin Wan with a complex expression. The northwestern matters were no longer secret, though it wasn’t surprising Qin Wan didn’t know since she didn’t attend court. However, her questioning him carried a different meaning. Li Muyun sighed, “These are court matters. Whether the Princess knows or not is immaterial.”
Qin Wan smiled, “Naturally. However, Lord Li still hasn’t answered my previous question.”
They stood at the palace gates with imperial guards nearby. Li Muyun’s expression changed slightly, his lips pressed tightly together.
Seeing his wariness, Qin Wan stepped forward, “Lord Li didn’t answer me last time – what evidence of Lord Shen’s crimes was written in the memorial exposing him that convinced His Majesty that Lord Shen was protecting Prince Jin?”
Li Muyun narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious. He was naturally thin, making his features appear even more austere and cold. His darkened expression now carried an intimidating air, but Qin Wan wasn’t afraid at all. She watched Li Muyun leisurely, “Perhaps Lord Li has something weighing on his conscience?”
Li Muyun raised his eyebrows, “I don’t know what the Princess means.”
Qin Wan immediately laughed at this, “Though Lord Li wasn’t as involved in this case as Lord Shen, you knew the inside story. Whether Prince Jin was wrongly accused, whether he committed murder – Lord Li should know very clearly. Yet you ultimately exposed your superior who had mentored you. Lord Li truly would do anything for the promotion.”
Qin Wan deliberately provoked him this way. Though Li Muyun’s face grew even paler, he still didn’t speak, as if accepting whatever Qin Wan said.
“It seems the Princess didn’t take my previous warning seriously,” Li Muyun suddenly said.
Previously, Li Muyun had told her not to touch this case. At the time, Qin Wan was indeed surprised and thought it was likely just an excuse for Li Muyun’s concealment. But after she and Yan Chi deduced the Emperor’s connection to the case, hearing Li Muyun’s words now sent chills down her spine.
What did Li Muyun know?! Why would he warn her like this?!
“Lord Li should at least give a reason. Having overseen criminal cases for many years, you should understand best that sometimes when curiosity is aroused, regardless of the danger ahead, one wants to investigate. The truth can be more attractive than anything.”
Li Muyun’s brow furrowed deeper, “Whether it’s the Princess’s intention or His Highness the Crown Prince’s, I advise the Princess to stop meddling in this matter.”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows. Li Muyun said directly, “Otherwise, the extermination of the Shen family serves as a warning from the past.”
After saying this, Li Muyun stepped back, bowed respectfully to Qin Wan, then straightened and strode away.
By the time Qin Wan recovered, Li Muyun had walked over ten paces away.
Qin Wan stared intently at Li Muyun’s retreating figure, almost certain that Li Muyun knew something!
He told her not to investigate Prince Jin’s case, or the Shen family’s extermination would serve as a warning. So, had her father found evidence that Prince Jin wasn’t the murderer, leading to the Shen family’s extermination?! Qin Wan’s gaze grew cold. Yes, it must be so! Father must have found evidence!
But Father fled with the entire Shen clan, indicating he knew the true culprit, only this culprit was too powerful for Father to confront. So he chose this seemingly absurd path – who could make Father so fearful?
Qin Wan’s heart pounded heavily. Besides the Emperor, who could make her father, who never feared authority, so afraid?
But this… seemed too bizarre…
Why would the Emperor want to kill Consort Jin?!
Qin Wan’s mind was in chaos. From nearby, Bai Ying approached, “Princess, are you not entering the palace?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “No, let’s go find Prince Rui.”
In the carriage, Qin Wan’s heart continued pounding. Li Muyun’s words were both a warning and a threat, but he didn’t know she already had her deductions. Moreover, with Madam Qian’s words, Qin Wan was almost certain the Emperor was directly connected to Consort Jin’s death. But why?!
Any act of murder would have a motive – the Emperor wouldn’t kill by accident, nor would he execute Consort Jin over some minor offense. Moreover, the blame for the murder fell on Prince Jin, leading to the Shen family’s extermination. Just thinking about it made Qin Wan feel there must be an earth-shattering conspiracy hidden behind all this.
When Yan Chi returned to Prince Rui’s mansion, the sky was completely dark. There was a grand banquet in the palace that night for officials, which he naturally had to attend. Upon returning from the banquet, he learned that Qin Wan had been waiting for him at the mansion for most of the day. Yan Chi hurriedly asked, “Has something happened?”
Qin Wan shook her head and told him about her encounter with Li Muyun, relaying his words exactly, then said, “Is it as we deduced? Father must have found the key to Prince Jin’s case, or directly discovered that someone else was Consort Jin’s killer, which led to the Shen family’s extermination.”
Yan Chi frowned, “But what role did Li Muyun play in this?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “I haven’t figured this part out yet. Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding, or Li Muyun has his agenda. Right now I’m only thinking about what evidence or clues Father found that made him feel he needed to flee with the family.”
At this thought, both Qin Wan and Yan Chi fell into deep contemplation. After a moment, they suddenly exchanged glances.
“The murder weapon?!”
“That dagger!”
They spoke almost simultaneously, their eyes brightening at once!
They had both corroborated their suspicions while confirming each other’s deductions!
Qin Wan urgently said, “But Father interrogated Prince Jin alone many times – could it be that during those sessions, Prince Jin couldn’t help but reveal that he had switched the dagger? Then Father followed Prince Jin’s leads and found that dagger, only to discover it belonged to His Majesty! So…”
As Qin Wan spoke, she felt something wasn’t quite right. She always felt that even if her father had discovered it was His Majesty’s possession, he wouldn’t have needed to flee the capital with the entire family. Qin Wan felt her line of thinking was correct, but still sensed something missing, and Yan Chi shared the same doubt.
“Given Father’s character, even if the dagger belonged to His Majesty, he would likely have believed there was some misunderstanding. Most likely, he would have confronted His Majesty with the dagger rather than immediately fleeing with the family. Father’s demeanor at the time was as if we had fallen into enormous trouble as if the Shen residence would be surrounded within a quarter-hour if we didn’t leave – which indeed happened afterward. But Father couldn’t have known the palace’s movements; he had simply made his judgment. Moreover, Father held His Majesty in very high regard – in his heart, His Majesty was not someone who would kill indiscriminately.”
Yan Chi said, “I have something to add.”
Qin Wan quickly stopped talking and looked at him. Yan Chi continued, “I investigated the Xuanji Pavilion. An old eunuch there said that before her death last year, Consort Jin frequently visited to borrow paintings and calligraphy. This wasn’t unusual in itself, but the eunuch found it strange that Consort Jin specifically sought out His Majesty’s works from before his ascension to the throne.”
Qin Wan frowned, not immediately understanding, “Those would be paintings from twenty years ago.”
“Yes. His Majesty was skilled in painting, calligraphy, and Go even before his ascension, though not many paintings from then were preserved. After all, it’s been many years, and His Majesty rarely bestowed his old paintings as rewards. That’s why the old eunuch remembered Consort Jin’s request so clearly.”
Qin Wan was stunned. Even if Consort Jin greatly admired His Majesty’s paintings, there was no reason to specifically examine works from over twenty years ago.
“Can those old paintings still be found?”
Yan Chi shook his head, “No. When Consort Jin was buried, His Majesty had those old paintings buried with her. Though the Xuanji Pavilion should still have some even earlier works.”
Qin Wan felt something wasn’t quite right. She stood up and paced the room for a moment, “Something’s still off. The issue must lie with those old paintings.”
But the old paintings had been buried with Consort Jin. Though His Majesty was greatly troubled by the rumors about Consort Jin and Prince Jin, he still granted her many posthumous honors at her burial. Burying all the old paintings with her seemed to show enduring affection…
“Those paintings were all from before His Majesty ascended the throne – what could they prove? Surely she wasn’t just examining his artistic progress.”
As Qin Wan muttered this, Yan Chi suddenly said, “Could it have been for comparison?”
“Comparison? Comparing artistic skill?” Qin Wan asked instinctively.
Yan Chi shook his head, “No, it must be something else…”
Qin Wan frowned, “Surely not… that His Majesty’s earlier paintings were done by someone else? Or his later works were ghosted?”
To Qin Wan, comparing paintings from two periods meant either comparing techniques or verifying if they were painted by the same person!
However, upon saying this, neither Qin Wan nor Yan Chi fully believed it. “His Majesty and Consort Jin often painted together. If there were ghost painters, how could it escape Consort Jin’s notice?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, and perhaps this has nothing to do with Consort Jin’s death. She might have just been appreciating the paintings, and it’s mere coincidence.”
Without evidence, any theory could be either established or refuted, but Qin Wan was certain of one thing: “The Empress must know something, and so does Li Muyun. One tried to save Prince Jin, while the other framed and falsely accused the Shen family…”
At this, Yan Chi said, “Could it be that Lord Shen discovered Li Muyun’s false accusations, and that’s why he left?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “Impossible. If it were just Li Muyun making false accusations, Father would have stayed in the capital to argue against him. He would never have chosen to leave directly.”
Shen Yi was an upright official with unwavering integrity. Unless necessary, he wouldn’t have chosen the inferior strategy of fleeing. Yet Qin Wan and Yan Chi always seemed one step away from the truth. Qin Wan sighed, feeling frustrated and guilty that she hadn’t discovered the key to Prince Jin’s case after so long. After some thought, she said, “I asked Senior Brother Sun, and he said no suspicious people have been seen around his residence lately, so I think Li Muyun might not be focusing his attention on him.”
Yan Chi nodded, “I’ve assigned people to watch over him. The area around the Shen residence has indeed been very peaceful lately. Are you thinking of building the memorial mound now?”
Qin Wan made an affirmative sound, “Yes. If we delay further, it will be New Year. Last New Year, I only burned some incense. This year, I want to pay respects at Father and Mother’s cenotaph.”