Treason?

Fifteen years ago?

Again, fifteen years ago?

She deliberately looked at the date and discovered it was ten days after the great fire at Duke Yuguo’s manor.

Chen Feng?

Minister of War?

This name—she felt she had heard it somewhere before. After pondering for a long while, she finally remembered.

She recalled that Ji Li had mentioned it once before, saying that the former Minister of War, Chen Feng, had been a great general of the court and also the elder brother of Consort Ming (Prince Jingxian’s mother). He had loyally served the court his entire life, cautious and meticulous, achieving distinguished military service. However, in the end, he harbored treasonous intentions and was publicly beheaded.

Her sensitive nerves trembled slightly!

After tidying up, she specifically kept this case file.

She examined it carefully.

The case file recorded things in great detail. Chen Feng had harbored selfish motives and wanted to usurp the throne, so he secretly won over many officials. Unexpectedly, he was betrayed by a villain who reported him to Emperor Qizhen, listing all the evidence piece by piece. The evidence included privately gathering military forces, manufacturing weapons, and secret conspiratorial letters exchanged with officials, among other things.

The evidence was irrefutable!

Therefore, he was convicted of “treason,” and all the officials involved were executed one by one.

No one survived!

Ji Yunshu found it strange. The position of Minister of War controlled the military authority of the troops inside and outside the capital—he was already among the highest ranks. Chen Feng’s younger sister, Consort Ming, was extremely favored in the palace at that time, and she had even borne Prince Jingxian. Perhaps if Jingxian proved himself capable, in the future the Chen family could rise to great heights. Moreover, Chen Feng had loyally served the court for many years, risking life and limb, utterly devoted. What would be the point of treason?

Even stranger was that if she remembered correctly, Prince Jingxian’s birth mother, Consort Ming, had also died fifteen years ago, and Jingxian had also fallen ill at that time.

Everything converged together!

It was far too coincidental!

Furthermore, why would Master Yu have his students who served as officials secretly assist Prince Jingxian?

What connection existed among all this?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. She immediately searched through the entire Ministry of Justice for materials related to Chen Feng’s “treason,” but found nothing!

Finally, she made a trip to Lin Shu’s residence and also invited Shang Zhuo.

Shang Zhuo arrived first.

Both found it strange.

Before long, Ji Yunshu hurried over with a grave expression.

After the young servant prepared tea, the host Lin Shu dismissed the idle people in the room.

Then he asked, “Minister Ji, what matter brings you to seek us two?”

She didn’t want to beat around the bush and said directly, “Actually, today there’s something I’d like to trouble you both with.”

Without thinking, Lin Shu said, “As long as we’re able, please speak freely.”

Shang Zhuo also nodded!

Ji Yunshu paused briefly and said earnestly, “You both hold office in the Hanlin Academy—one is a compiler recording matters internal to the imperial family, the other is an editor recording matters of officials from various departments. I have a case in hand that requires your joint assistance. However, the case has not yet been opened for trial, so it cannot be investigated openly. Therefore, I can only come to you privately.”

With this explanation, they understood.

Shang Zhuo said, “If you trust us, then speak plainly. We will naturally assist you.”

So she handed them the case file she had brought.

“Take a look first.”

They read through it carefully.

Chen Feng?

“This case is from fifteen years ago. We’ve heard some things about it before—Minister Chen secretly plotted rebellion, the evidence was conclusive, and wasn’t the case already closed and sealed? What do you want to investigate? And how can we help you?” Shang Zhuo asked.

Ji Yunshu: “This case has already passed for fifteen years, and at the time the evidence was indeed conclusive. But I always feel something isn’t right about it, so I’d like to trouble you to help me investigate some things. Minister Shang, with your editorial position, you must have many records concerning Chen Feng. I want to know—whom did he have contact with while alive? Or with whom did he have good relations? I believe there should be records—it’s best not to omit anything. I want everything.”

Shang Zhuo hesitated for a moment, pondering. “The Hanlin Academy has its own rules. If one privately examines officials’ files, one can be convicted. However, since Minister Ji asks, even if it’s risky, I will help you investigate.”

“Thank you.”

True loyalty!

She turned to Lin Shu and said, “Minister Lin, you are a compiler, so I’d like to ask you to help me investigate the cause of Consort Ming’s death back then. The previous compilers of the Hanlin Academy should have records. I need details. Of course, also the reason for Prince Jingxian’s serious illness—when did he fall ill? Why did he fall ill? I need all of this.”

Lin Shu nodded. “Very well, leave it to us.”

However—

His face showed incomprehension as he carefully inquired, “May I ask what you’re investigating this for?”

Ji Yunshu’s brow furrowed lightly as she said, “It’s just… to resolve some doubts in my heart.” Her expression grew grave as she continued, “Actually… there’s one more thing.”

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Lin Shu and Shang Zhuo exchanged glances, quietly waiting for more.

Ji Yunshu said, “I’d like you to also help me investigate whether the Chen family ever had dealings with Master Yu.”

Eh?

They wanted to investigate their teacher!

Both were immensely shocked.

Shang Zhuo put down the documents in his hand and asked, “What does this case have to do with our teacher?”

She was unwilling to say more and only said, “I just want to investigate. I hope you both will help.”

They knew Ji Yunshu’s character, so they asked no more questions.

They agreed to everything.

Regarding this matter, Ji Yunshu did not tell Jingrong.

Because she worried she was overthinking things. Right now, Jingrong was busy with the matter of excavating the coffin at the mausoleum—she didn’t want to distract him.

…

The ancestral rites drew ever closer.

On this day.

Because the Emperor had ordered them not to investigate Duke Yuguo’s case, Prince Jingxian was vexed and agitated. He had waited so long, thinking the truth would finally come to light, but then the Emperor said one sentence.

No more investigation!

His heart filled with anger and anxiety.

Holding a sword, he practiced wildly in the courtyard.

He cut down many flowers and plants!

At this moment—

A young servant hurried in. “Your Highness, someone outside seeks an audience.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. It’s an old man wearing a bamboo hat. He only said he wanted to see Your Highness, and that if he gave this to Your Highness, you would see him.”

The servant handed up a piece of paper.

He set the sword aside and curiously took the paper, opening it to look.

Eh?

His eyes suddenly froze in extreme astonishment.

He immediately crumpled the paper in his palm.

He ordered, “Invite that person in.”

Yes, he used the word “invite.”

“Yes.”

The servant hurried off.

Prince Jingxian entered the room and sat cross-legged before the desk, tossing the paper in his hand into the small brazier on the desk.

The paper caught fire and turned to ashes.

His eyes were somber, his heart tight.

He lifted his gaze, staring directly at the doorway.

Soon, a young servant led a man wearing a bamboo hat into the courtyard.

That man’s build was not robust—he was even somewhat gaunt. Head lowered, he limped as he walked in.

As he drew closer and closer, Prince Jingxian’s heart grew tighter and tighter.

Until the person reached the doorway.

The servant: “Your Highness, I’ve brought him.”

“You may withdraw. Without my orders, no one is permitted to enter.”

“Yes!”

He withdrew.

The man standing outside bowed, and a low, hoarse voice came from beneath the bamboo hat. “I greet Prince Jingxian.”

Weathered.