The snow fell heavier and heavier. Not far away, the Front Palace Hall stood towering and erect.
Su Jin raised her eyes to look, and suddenly felt that the swirling heavy snow was like an enormous fishing net swooping down upon the palace halls before her eyes.
The Crown Prince, the Seventh Prince, the Fourteenth Prince, and those she could not see, hiding in the shadows—each of them held a corner of the fishing net, all waiting for their own fish.
But they were too greedy. They wanted to control motion through stillness, to strike after the enemy had moved first. So they let Liu Yun be the one to draw in the net.
Liu Chaoming walked to the entrance of the Front Palace Hall and stopped.
Eunuch Zhang understood and withdrew to the side.
Liu Chaoming looked at this palace immersed in the swirling falling snow and suddenly said: “The Ministry of War and Ministry of Rites are uninvolved. As for the ministers of the other ministries, you should know their situations in your heart.”
Su Jin made a sound of acknowledgment.
The Minister of Works belonged to the Fourteenth Prince.
Zeng Youliang of the Ministry of Personnel belonged to the Seventh Prince.
And Shen Tuo, the Minister of Justice, was the father of Crown Princess Shen Jing—undoubtedly part of the Crown Prince’s faction.
Liu Chaoming said: “The only complex one is the Ministry of Revenue. Minister Qian Zhihuan and the Right Vice Minister both belong to the Seventh Prince, but Shen Qingyue is too formidable. She holds their weaknesses firmly but does not expose them.”
Su Jin said: “This is Lord Shen’s style—always leaving room for maneuver. So the Ministry of Revenue is actually in a situation of mutual restraint.”
Liu Chaoming said: “In today’s situation, Minister of Revenue Qian Zhihuan is the Seventh Prince’s man. Qian Yu is his legitimate son, yet he serves as Vice Commander in the Crown Prince’s Feathered Forest Guard. Would Zhu Minda and Zhu Zhaowei feel at ease with this person?”
Su Jin did not understand: “Why is my lord telling me all this?”
Liu Chaoming glanced at her, and the corner of his mouth carried an ambiguous smile: “Did you not want to know how to be a chess piece?” Then he turned his head back, his face calm as he gazed at the palace halls before him, and amid the swirling falling snow, he entered the palace door.
At the head of the Front Palace Hall sat two people, the Imperial Noble Consort and Zhu Minda.
When Liu Chaoming entered the hall, he and Su Jin together performed the kowtow ritual to these two.
Zhu Minda said: “Since Lord Liu has arrived, this matter shall be left to Lord Liu to judge.” Then he swept a glance around and selected one person: “Minister Zeng, you shall explain to Lord Liu the case that has already been investigated.”
Zeng Youliang stepped forward from the crowd, bowed in acknowledgment, then said: “Lord Liu, today at the Front Palace Hall, two cases have occurred, and they are related to each other. The first is that Beauty Li died miserably in a side chamber of the Front Palace Garden. It has now been confirmed that before Beauty Li’s death, there were signs she had been violated. On her body was found the identification token of Lord Qian Yu of the Feathered Forest Guard. After the Crown Prince ordered the Feathered Forest Guard to conduct a self-investigation, a hairpin belonging to Beauty Li was also found on Qian Yu.
“The second case concerns the Imperial Grand Grandson’s frightful illness. This afternoon, the young prince was originally waiting at the Front Palace Hall with the Crown Princess for the Crown Prince. Later, the Crown Princess was summoned away by an urgent edict from the Imperial Noble Consort. Because the young prince had already fallen asleep, the Crown Princess ordered the Feathered Forest Guard to maintain strict guard—no one was to enter or exit. However, not long after the young prince awoke from his deep sleep, he suffered a frightful illness on the covered walkway. Just now, the Thirteenth Prince has already determined that the covered walkway where the young prince suffered his illness directly faces the side chamber where Beauty Li died miserably. The Medical Director has already determined that the time of Beauty Li’s death was close to the time when the young prince fell ill. It is suspected the young prince became ill from fright.”
Liu Chaoming said: “Suspected to have become ill from fright—meaning the true cause of the illness has not yet been confirmed?”
Zeng Youliang said: “Correct.”
Liu Chaoming said: “Where is the Medical Director?”
The Medical Director who had earlier examined Zhu Lin stepped forward with a stooped back: “In response to Lord Liu, the Thirteenth Prince has already ordered that nothing the young prince touched may be moved. He also ordered the Medical Directors to examine all of the young prince’s meal remnants and utensils used today. Presumably they will finish the examination soon.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Chaoming looked toward Zhu Nanxian, and the two exchanged bows.
Liu Chaoming then looked toward those seated in the hall and said to Zhu Minda: “Crown Prince, since the cause of the young prince’s illness still needs to be clarified, this subject requests to first question the case of Beauty Li.”
Zhu Minda nodded. Liu Chaoming had just opened his mouth when he heard the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly say: “There is no need to try this case. After all, it is a matter of the inner palace. This palace already knows in her heart who did it. Lord Liu need only punish that person who is steeped in evil according to law.”
As soon as she said this, Qian Yu, who was kneeling in the hall, hastily kowtowed and cried out: “Lord Liu, this official is wronged! This official is truly wronged!”
Liu Chaoming heard the hidden meaning in the Imperial Noble Consort’s words and asked: “Then in the Imperial Noble Consort’s view, who are these people steeped in evil?”
The Imperial Noble Consort glanced sideways at Qian Yu and snorted: “He is only one of them.” Then she raised her fingertip dyed with bright red henna and pointed at Consort Qi to the side. “She is the chief culprit!”
Upon hearing these words, Consort Qi’s eyes showed terror, and she fell to her knees: “Elder sister, why do you say this?” As she spoke, she picked up her handkerchief and began wiping away tears.
She was born delicate and touching, and with child. When she suddenly knelt like this, everyone around was startled. Unfortunately, there were too few women present, and they were all in awe of the Imperial Noble Consort’s authority, so none dared step forward to help her up. Finally, after a moment of silence, Shen Jing stepped forward and helped Consort Qi to sit on a chair to the side, saying softly: “Your Ladyship, please take care of yourself.”
The Imperial Noble Consort said: “Today His Majesty went to Zhaojue Temple to pray for blessings. He issued an edict early on summoning this palace, Consort Qi, the Crown Prince, and Crown Princess to dine with him at Minghua Palace, saying he had matters to discuss. After receiving the edict, Consort Qi came to see this palace, saying she wanted to bring Beauty Li along to see His Majesty. This palace thought her conscience had awakened and she wanted to seek good fortune for her former mistress. How could I know she harbored such harmful thoughts!”
Consort Qi sobbed: “But did elder sister not rebuke this subject for not knowing propriety and politely refuse?”
The Imperial Noble Consort said sternly: “This palace did politely refuse, but afterward, did you not have her disguise herself as your maid and accompany you to the front palace?!”
Consort Qi opened her eyes wide in terror: “How does elder sister know?” She slid down from the chair again, half-kneeling as she tearfully complained to Liu Chaoming: “My lord, see clearly—Elder Sister Li was this subject’s former mistress. This subject resorted to this desperate measure only to repay her kindness. I absolutely had no thought of harming her.”
Liu Chaoming clasped his hands in a bow: “Your Ladyship, please rise. This humble subject is merely a court official and cannot accept such great courtesy from Consort Qi.”
Consort Qi nodded and rose, then continued: “Moreover, this subject and Elder Sister Li had only gone halfway when this subject suffered unbearable abdominal pain. Fearing for the safety of the child, this subject returned to the palace to have the Medical Director examine me. Where Elder Sister Li went afterward, this subject does not know.”
Liu Chaoming asked: “On this journey, were you heading toward the Front Palace Hall?”
Consort Qi tearfully confirmed: “In the front palace, only the Front Palace Hall has no master and is available for idle people like this subject to linger.”
Liu Chaoming asked again: “May I ask Consort Qi at what time did you suffer abdominal pain? Where had you traveled to?”
Consort Qi said: “It was at the hour of the snake, outside Minghua Palace. As soon as this subject suffered abdominal pain, I returned to Yanhe Palace. This subject still remembers that after the Medical Director finished examining my abdominal pain, it was exactly noon. The Imperial Noble Consort elder sister even had someone send food for this subject. Regrettably, this subject could not eat it and had my maid take it to give to Elder Sister Li who was at the front palace. Who knew that…”
Before she finished speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Liu Chaoming looked toward Shen Jing and bowed to her: “May I ask the Crown Princess, at what hour did you bring the young prince to the Front Palace Garden?”
Shen Jing thought briefly: “After noon. We went after finishing the midday meal.”
So Beauty Li had arrived at the Front Palace Hall before the Crown Princess? But when the Feathered Forest Guard secured the palace, they were supposed to search it thoroughly from top to bottom. How could they not have seen Beauty Li?
Looking at it this way, it seemed that the Feathered Forest Guard truly had a problem.
Liu Chaoming said: “When Beauty Li came to the Front Palace Hall, was there a maid accompanying her?”
A palace maid already kneeling in the hall said timidly: “In response to my lord, this servant accompanied her.”
Liu Chaoming said: “Beauty Li died miserably. How do you explain this?”
The palace maid immediately pressed her face to the ground and said urgently: “In response to my lord, after Beauty Li arrived at the Front Palace Hall, she said she did not need anyone to serve her. This servant was originally a maid serving Consort Qi. Since Beauty Li said this, this servant returned to Yanhe Palace to find Her Ladyship. What happened afterward, this servant truly does not know!”
Liu Chaoming said: “Who told you to accompany Beauty Li?”
The palace maid said: “In response to my lord, Con—Consort Qi.”
Liu Chaoming said: “So that is it.” Then he said indifferently, “Drag her out and beat her to death with rods.”
The entire Front Palace Hall seemed to fall silent for an instant. Two guards came forward and dragged the palace maid away.
Liu Chaoming asked again: “Who are all those who serve Beauty Li?”
In a moment, four eunuchs and palace maids stepped forward, trembling uncontrollably as they said: “In response to my lord, it is—it is these servants.”
Liu Chaoming spoke with terrifying brevity: “Beat them to death with rods.”
After giving this order, he turned around and bowed to the Imperial Noble Consort: “May I ask the Imperial Noble Consort, how did you learn that Consort Qi had Beauty Li disguise herself as her maid and go to the Front Palace Garden?”
The Imperial Noble Consort said coldly: “This is probably not something my lord should inquire about. This palace governs the inner palace. What this palace should know, naturally someone will report to this palace.”
Liu Chaoming said: “According to Your Ladyship’s meaning, the guards of Yanhe Palace, as well as the guards, maids, and eunuchs of Chonghua Palace where Your Ladyship resides, all bear heavy responsibility?”
From the questioning just now, it was Consort Qi who wanted to bring Beauty Li to the Front Palace Hall, and it was also her maid who left Beauty Li alone at the Front Palace Hall.
The Imperial Noble Consort had originally thought that Liu Chaoming’s punishment of the palace maid by Consort Qi’s side meant he had become suspicious of Consort Qi. Why was he now questioning the people of her Chonghua Palace?
The Imperial Noble Consort’s willow eyebrows stood on end as she said sternly: “What is the Left Censor-in-Chief trying to do? Kill people indiscriminately without distinguishing right from wrong?”
Liu Chaoming said indifferently: “May I ask whether the Imperial Noble Consort can reveal what matter His Majesty mentioned he wished to discuss when he summoned everyone to dine together today?”
The Imperial Noble Consort did not answer.
At this time, Shen Jing glanced at Zhu Nanxian and said with slight hesitation: “This is nothing important. Father Emperor said… he wanted to discuss Thirteenth Prince’s marriage.”
Liu Chaoming said: “If that is so, then no others should have been present. The reason this subject punished these palace maids and eunuchs is because they clearly knew that Beauty Li had disguised herself as a maid and accompanied Consort Qi, yet they did not stop it. Is this not the root cause of Beauty Li’s miserable death?”
The Imperial Noble Consort said: “Then what about the true culprit of this case? The inside details of this case—does the Left Censor-in-Chief not wish to clarify them?”
Before Liu Chaoming could answer, the Seventh Prince Zhu Zhaowei suddenly laughed and said: “Imperial Noble Consort, is not the truth of this case already laid bare?
“Beauty Li was originally resting at the Front Palace Hall. After the Feathered Forest Guard arrived, no one reported seeing her, which shows that someone in the Feathered Forest Guard must have concealed this and not reported it. Moreover, this person’s status is not ordinary; otherwise it would be impossible to hide a living person under the Feathered Forest Guard’s thorough search. Today at the Front Palace Hall, the one with such authority can be none other than Qian Yu. Furthermore, Consort Qi’s hairpin was found on him. Therefore, the true culprit can be none other than him.”
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort angrily pointed at Consort Qi: “But she clearly harbored ill intentions—”
“This palace shares the same view as Seventh Brother.” Before she could finish, Zhu Minda suddenly spoke.
Then he said: “Lord Liu, you have full authority to handle this case. You need not have any reservations.”
Liu Chaoming bowed to him, then continued: “All guards, maids, and eunuchs of Chonghua Palace and Yanhe Palace are to receive thirty strokes of the rod. As for Consort Qi—” He turned to address the Imperial Noble Consort: “Regarding Beauty Li’s death, Consort Qi bears the responsibility of instigation. Your Ladyship is with child, so this subject cannot conveniently punish her. This matter should be handed over to the Imperial Noble Consort.”
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort’s expression eased slightly. She snorted and said nothing more.
“Qian Yu, Vice Commander of the Feathered Forest Guard.” Liu Chaoming looked at the ashen-faced Qian Yu, paused in silence for a moment, then suddenly said in a cold voice: “For violating and brutally murdering a consort of the inner palace, according to law, you deserve execution.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Qian Zhihuan said furiously: “Liu Chaoming! You refuse to ask about the reasons and protect yourself—this is disloyalty and unrighteousness! You—”
Before he could finish, Liu Chaoming clasped his hands and bowed again to Zhu Minda and Zhu Zhaowei: “But the Qian family has all served the court with great merit. This subject requests a pardon from the death penalty for the Qian clan, and instead that Qian Yu be executed by slow slicing. What do the Crown Prince and Seventh Prince think?”
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Minda said: “This palace will petition Father Emperor according to your suggestion.”
Qian Zhihuan’s knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He looked at Zhu Minda, then finally looked tearfully toward Zhu Zhaowei: “Your Highness?”
But Zhu Zhaowei avoided his gaze and said: “Let it be handled this way.”
A group of guards came forward and led away Qian Yu and the sobbing Minister Qian.
For a moment, the Front Palace Hall was utterly silent. Su Jin silently watched this hastily concluded play before her eyes and finally understood the meaning of Liu Chaoming’s words before entering the Front Palace Hall.