Zhan Yang? Yue Ning frowned and quickly lifted the curtain. Looking carefully, she indeed saw Zhan Yang sitting on horseback outside. Seeing Yue Ning, Zhan Yang quickly cupped his hands in greeting, “It is the Young Lady. Paying my respects to the Young Lady.”
Yue Ning forced a slight smile. “What brings Constable Zhan here?”
Zhan Yang explained, “There was a murder case in the south of the city at the beginning of the month. I’m currently investigating it. Earlier when I rode past here, I recognized the Young Lady’s carriage but thought you must be busy, so I didn’t pay my respects. Now coming back and seeing your carriage still here, I decided to come greet you.”
The corners of Yue Ning’s lips curved upward. “I did have something to attend to, but became uncertain and stayed here thinking for a while. I must seem quite amusing to the Constable.”
After speaking, she looked at Zhan Yang again. His coming to greet her was likely not just for a simple hello.
Sure enough, Zhan Yang lowered his voice, “Young Lady, might I have a word with you?”
Yue Ning knew Zhan Yang had something to discuss and quickly looked around. However, this area was already quite secluded, with only a crowded teahouse nearby – not an ideal place for conversation. Zhan Yang understood Yue Ning’s concern and said, “Young Lady need not worry. It’s just a few words – we can go to the alley entrance ahead.”
Yue Ning quickly said, “Please lead the way.”
So Zhan Yang led from the front while Yue Ning followed in her carriage. Soon they reached the alley entrance. Zhan Yang dismounted, and Yue Ning also got down from her carriage. The alley was very quiet – a perfectly safe place for them to talk.
Zhan Yang immediately spoke in a low voice, “I wanted to ask… does the Young Lady have any news of Young Lady Yongci?”
Hearing this, Yue Ning understood. In several previous cases, Qin Wan had helped Zhan Yang, so they naturally shared some friendship. Now when everyone was avoiding the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s mansion and Prince Rui’s mansion, only someone like Zhan Yang would dare to ask her.
Yue Ning reassured him, “She’s well. Most of the news circulating in the capital is true. Prince Rui has settled in the Northwest, so naturally, she’s there too.”
Hearing this, Zhan Yang let out a relieved breath. “That’s good. Though the court has intentions of western conquest, they can’t manage it now, so the Northwest is safe.”
After speaking, there was a hint of gravity in his eyes. Yue Ning asked, “What’s wrong? Did you need to tell her something?”
Zhan Yang’s manner suggested more than simple concern – it seemed he had something to tell Qin Wan.
After a moment’s hesitation, Zhan Yang said, “There’s no harm in telling the Young Lady. It’s related to an earlier case – Ning Buyi’s case. Though that case was closed, the Young Lady later discovered some unusual aspects, and I investigated further…”
Hearing this, Yue Ning became alert. She and Wei Qizhi had helped solve Ning Buyi’s case!
“Unusual aspects? What do you mean?”
Yue Ning quickly asked, and Zhan Yang pressed his lips together before responding, “Simply put, the real culprit hasn’t been caught. Though Ning Buyi killed many people, we never understood his true purpose. Later, Young Lady Yongci noticed something suspicious and had me investigate thoroughly. I didn’t find anything particularly useful, but I did visit Guanyin Town and found some clues about the murder case that happened there years ago.”
Yue Ning listened intently as Zhan Yang continued after a pause, “After telling Young Lady Yongci, she seemed to realize something. Though I haven’t met with her since I’ve been waiting. After all, it was a major case with five deaths, and the person behind it likely had great ambitions. The Exorcism Ritual could affect personal fate on a small scale or shake the foundation of the state on a large scale. I thought Young Lady Yongci would soon discover who was behind it, but then many things happened, and I don’t know how far the investigation went…”
Seeing Yue Ning deep in thought, Zhan Yang awkwardly said, “Please don’t blame me, Young Lady. Now that Young Lady Yongci is far away in the Northwest, there’s naturally no need to continue investigating the case. I shouldn’t speak of these things, but for cases I’ve handled, any unsolved aspects always leave me uneasy. Moreover, with the recent series of incidents in the capital, though I’m merely a lowly official, I wonder if these events might be connected to the unsolved case. I’ve been thinking more about it these days. Earlier I had no way forward, but seeing the Young Lady today and knowing how close you are to Young Lady Yongci, I thought you might have a chance to speak with her, so I wanted to share my thoughts.”
Yue Ning was initially just surprised, but as Zhan Yang spoke more, a sense of unease grew in her heart.
The series of events at the end of last year were unprecedented in Da Zhou’s history – the Crown Prince and Empress fleeing, Yan Chi and Qin Wan being implicated. Now Da Zhou faced military threats from both the west and north. As Zhan Yang just said, the foundation of the state was already shaking. As he spoke, Yue Ning inexplicably thought of the letter in Yan Ze’s hidden compartment.
According to Zhan Yang, Ning Buyi was merely a pawn, and the Exorcism Ritual likely concealed an even larger conspiracy. Yue Ning knew much about Ning Buyi’s case, and precisely because she knew so much, she now found it strange. Zhan Yang and Qin Wan’s deductions seemed more logical. Could someone be pulling strings behind the scenes? Could it be the Empress… or the Crown Prince?!
The Empress and Crown Prince want to seize power, using the Exorcism Ritual to throw the capital into chaos, and even having the ritual demand the Crown Prince become Emperor…
The more Yue Ning thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Her heart began pounding – did Yan Ze know about these things?!
Thinking of this, Yue Ning quickly said, “I can speak with her now. I know where she is and can send her letters. I’ll mention what Constable Zhan said today in my next letter. If she has reached any conclusions, she can tell me, and I’ll come to find Constable Zhan. However… I knew about this case at the time, but after it was closed, I didn’t think much more about it. Now that Constable Zhan mentions it, my curiosity is piqued. Though I don’t uphold justice like Constable Zhan, I’d like to know what clues you found later. If as you say, there is someone behind it, that person must be high-ranking and powerful. I can enter and leave the palace – perhaps I might discover something.”
Yue Ning was close to Qin Wan and had been influenced by her. Now with Qin Wan gone, she was both curious herself and wanted to continue what Qin Wan couldn’t finish.
Having said so much already, Zhan Yang couldn’t hide anything. He said, “The Young Lady makes sense. I do suspect the person is high-ranking and powerful. Half a year after the case closed, Young Lady Yongci suddenly mentioned suspecting there was more to the case. After many fruitless investigations, I went to Guanyin Town. After extensive inquiries there, I finally found a clue. The town has had the same residents for years, but during the old case several years ago, a young gentleman arrived. I showed Ning Buyi’s portrait to a farming family, and they remembered that Ning Buyi was in Guanyin Town when the case occurred. This explained how the old case happened. Upon further questioning, the family said Ning Buyi lived alone then and only had one visitor – a strange one, seemingly a blind person.”
“You said blind?!” Yue Ning had been listening intently, but at this point, she was suddenly shocked!
Seeing her strong reaction, Zhan Yang paused briefly before nodding, “Yes, that’s what the family said. They were quite certain.”
Yue Ning’s breathing became rapid. “Blind… a high-ranking blind person, I only know one… it’s… it’s my Third Brother…”
Her voice trembled as she spoke. Hearing this, Zhan Yang gave a helpless, bitter smile. “Young Lady, don’t panic. How could it be Prince Yi’s heir? His Highness has stayed away from official circles for years. He’s a noble heir – how could he be involved in such matters? Though blind people are uncommon, there are still many of them. Besides, this person might not even be the mastermind, perhaps just someone else caught up in the affair…”
Yue Ning looked at Zhan Yang, her lips moving without forming words.
Zhan Yang didn’t know Yan Ze’s true nature, nor that he had long allied with the Empress!
Even after discovering these things, she had instinctively trusted Yan Ze, thinking the Empress was the main actor and Yan Ze merely knew about it. But now, Yue Ning realizes her mistake. That case was from seven years ago – surely Yan Ze couldn’t have been allied with the Empress back then!
Recreating a seven-year-old case last year… how many lives were involved?!
A battle raged in Yue Ning’s mind, at times disbelieving it was Yan Ze, at times connecting everything with Qin Wan’s warnings, yet finding no other suspects. Seeing her expression change and appear deeply troubled, Zhan Yang quickly said, “Young Lady truly needn’t overthink this or act rashly based on my words…”
Before Zhan Yang could finish, Yue Ning suddenly looked up. “I understand. Don’t worry. Perhaps… it wasn’t him… If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. When I have news, I’ll let you know.” Seeing Zhan Yang nod, Yue Ning left the alley without further words and got into her carriage, feeling completely drained.
As the carriage began moving, Yue Ning took several deep breaths. Before there had only been doubts, but today, evidence was laid before her eyes. Even if she wanted to defend Yan Ze, how could she? The letters from the Empress, the old grudge mentioned, and Ning Buyi’s case…
Yue Ning thought the whole way back. By the time she returned to the mansion, she was quite distracted. But just as she entered the gate, a servant reported that Yan Ze had already arrived.
Hearing this, Yue Ning froze in place. Knowing what she now knew, how could she face Yan Ze?
The servant beside her, not understanding what was wrong, said, “Young Lady? His Highness has been here for almost half an hour, speaking with the Old Madam. Our Young Master is there too. Old Madam had me wait here to tell you to go to her quarters as soon as you returned.”
Yue Ning stood there stunned, her heart pounding like a drum. Though she appeared calm, she had a fierce temperament inside. Things had reached this point, and she could hardly contain herself. Yet questioning Yan Ze directly seemed unwise – he wasn’t the person she had imagined, so what did she mean to him?
“Young Lady? What’s wrong?”
Seeing Yue Ning’s state, even the servant grew concerned, but Yue Ning had regained her composure.
“Oh, I understand. I’ll go now.”
Yue Ning started walking, though her steps were unsteady. She made her way to Princess Long’s quarters with faltering steps. Before entering, she heard voices inside and paused to listen…
Princess Long was laughing, “If you have such thoughts, that’s wonderful. You weren’t interested in these things before, but now what can’t you do? Let Jia’er go to the army with you then, let father and son teach you. Military matters shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Yue Jia laughed, “Grandmother, Yan Ze is naturally gifted – he learns everything quickly.”
Yue Ning’s heart jumped – Yan Ze wanted to join her father’s forces?!
Inside, Princess Long continued laughing, “Once you’re married, if you go, Ning’er will probably want to follow. It’s fine to take her – I trust you to look after her.”
Yan Ze replied gently, “I hadn’t considered it before, but with wars everywhere now, I’ve developed some patriotic sentiment. Though I fear someone as scholarly as myself might be laughed at in the army.”
Yue Jia snorted lightly, “Those are Father’s troops. You’re Prince Yi’s heir and our family’s son-in-law – who would dare criticize you?”
While laughter filled the room, Yue Ning’s heart grew colder and colder. Her panic reached its peak, then suddenly gave way to clarity. Her eyes turned cold as she strode into Princess Long’s quarters. As soon as she entered, she put on a smile, “Grandmother, Big Brother, I’m back!”
All three turned to greet her with smiles, and Yue Ning sat beside Princess Long, who laughed, “You little monkey, where did you run off to? Yan Ze said you left his place ages ago – why are you only returning now?”
Yue Ning leaned against Princess Long’s arm, smiling, “I went browsing at a painting gallery in the east city.”
Princess Long raised an eyebrow. Yue Ning continued, “I noticed Big Brother’s room needs a couple of paintings, so I went to buy some. The gallery’s original owner was convicted of a crime and is gone now – it has new owners. Coincidentally, while I was there to buy paintings, I met an old man who kept lingering outside, insisting he needed to find something inside. He claimed to be an old friend of the previous owner. I found it interesting and watched for a while. The gallery treated him as a troublemaker, and since the previous owner was convicted, they naturally wouldn’t let him in. It took quite some convincing to get him to leave. I spent so long watching this drama that when I finally looked at paintings again, I couldn’t find any I liked, so I came back.”
Princess Long and Yue Jia listened indifferently, but Yan Ze’s eyes flickered slightly when he heard about the old man searching for something.
Yue Ning glanced at Yan Ze, then smiled again, “I’ll go somewhere else tomorrow to choose paintings for Big Brother. His room is too plain.”
Princess Long said, “You’re thoughtful, but was that scene worth watching for so long?”
Yue Ning smiled, “Grandmother doesn’t know – the original gallery owner had no family or friends, so when someone suddenly appeared, I was naturally curious. I wanted to ask something, but the old man left very quickly as if avoiding people. When I asked the new owners, they wouldn’t say anything more about the previous owner…”
Princess Long shook her head helplessly, “Since he was convicted, there must have been a reason. You should suppress your curiosity. Don’t you know where your attention should be these days?”
Yue Jia laughed, “Other young ladies about to be married stay home preparing for their wedding, but you keep running around outside.”
Yue Ning naturally didn’t follow their line of conversation and turned to talk with Yan Ze instead. He responded smoothly, appearing as refined as usual, but having spent half a year caring for him constantly, Yue Ning could tell the difference. For instance, she sensed his demeanor had become somewhat subdued, lacking the cheerfulness he’d shown while speaking with Princess Long and Yue Jia earlier. Moreover, his eyes kept glancing outside, obviously wanting to leave.
Sure enough, Yan Ze soon took his leave. After he left, Yue Ning returned to her courtyard. As soon as she arrived, she summoned her most trusted servant and instructed, “Go to Prince Yi’s mansion right now and watch if His Highness’s servant leaves. If you see him go out, follow him and see where he goes. Make sure you’re not discovered and return quickly to report to me…”
Though confused, the servant dared not disobey. Coming from a military family, the An Yang Marquis’s household servants were well-trained in martial arts. Yue Ning gave her orders without worry. After the servant left, Yue Ning sat alone by the window waiting. Two hours passed, and the sky had darkened before the servant returned.
“Young Lady, Tan Xiang from His Highness’s household left the mansion this afternoon! I followed him to the Qingcheng Gallery in the east city. Tan Xiang didn’t enter right away – he lingered outside for a while before going in. He came out shortly after. I followed him a bit longer until I saw him return to the Prince’s mansion, then I came back.”
Hearing this, Yue Ning’s suspense was not only resolved but plunged into a deep, cold abyss.