“What do you think, A’Shuo?”

Qi Shuo glanced at the setting sun on the horizon, his tone indifferent: “If Yang Zhe cooperated with the true culprit, what would be his motive?”

What benefit would there be for a top scholar with limitless prospects whom the Crown Prince regarded as a close confidant in poisoning the Crown Prince?

Lin Hao shook her head. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

As they spoke, the General’s Mansion and Prince Jing’s Mansion were already close at hand.

Qi Shuo gently patted her shoulder. “Go home first, eat something, and rest well. We’ve already done what we should in this matter. It’s not advisable to get too deeply involved.”

“Mm.” Lin Hao parted with Qi Shuo and entered the General’s Mansion. After thinking for a moment, she went directly to the Old Madam’s quarters.

Lady Lin was keeping the Old Madam company, chatting and cracking melon seeds.

“I never expected A’Hao to have a talent for making money. The Wuxiang Flower Dew Shop is becoming more and more prosperous.”

The Old Madam also smiled. “Being able to manage affairs is a good thing. When she becomes the Heir’s consort in the future, she won’t be flustered and disorganized.”

Just as they were talking, Lin Hao entered.

Upon seeing her daughter, Lady Lin smiled teasingly. “Coming back for dinner?”

Unlike Lady Lin’s expectation that her daughter would be shy, Lin Hao pressed her lips together, her expression revealing seriousness. “Grandmother, Mother, something terrible has happened.”

“What is it?” The Old Madam and Lady Lin froze.

Based on their understanding of Lin Hao, it must be an extremely serious matter for her to speak this way.

“The Crown Prince was poisoned to death at Five Flavors Hall.”

At these words, Lady Lin’s eyes widened abruptly, and the teacup in the Old Madam’s hand shook violently.

“A’Hao, how are you and the Heir?” Lady Lin grasped Lin Hao’s arm, nervously looking her up and down.

The Old Madam suppressed her racing heart. “Why panic? If something had happened, A’Hao wouldn’t be here. A’Hao, tell us slowly.”

Lin Hao concisely explained the situation.

“So your brother-in-law is also at the Jinlin Guard now?” Lady Lin’s heart filled with lingering fear.

If Chan’er hadn’t broken off her engagement with the Crown Prince back then—

She knew thinking this way was somewhat inappropriate, but when truly facing such matters, everyone had those closer and more distant in their hearts.

“Such a major matter as the Crown Prince being murdered—no one dares be negligent. Brother-in-law and the others were all taken away. But don’t worry. Based on the current investigation, only Top Scholar Yang Zhe hasn’t been cleared of suspicion yet. Brother-in-law and the others should be fine.”

Though she said this, the Old Madam and Lady Lin’s faces still visibly darkened.

Being connected to the Crown Prince’s death—even if innocent, under the Emperor’s thunderous fury, the outcome was uncertain.

The Old Madam instructed the steward to send word to the Minister’s Mansion.

At this moment, Emperor Tai’an had already finished listening to Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen’s report.

Less than half a day had passed since the Crown Prince’s incident. Being able to investigate this much was actually quite impressive, but for Emperor Tai’an it wasn’t enough.

Far from enough.

“Even if you must dig three feet underground, you will find that person for me!” As he said this, Emperor Tai’an’s face was covered with dark clouds, his eyes ready to devour someone.

“Yes,” Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen said in unison.

“Furthermore,” Emperor Tai’an swept his gaze over the two, “until that person is found, no one who was at the tavern is to be released.”

“This subject receives your decree.”

Cheng Maoming hesitated slightly, testing the waters: “Your Majesty, regarding the Heir of Prince Jing—”

When reporting earlier, he naturally hadn’t dared conceal the matter of releasing the Heir of Prince Jing to return to his mansion. To prevent the Emperor from questioning his attitude toward the Heir of Prince Jing, he couldn’t avoid bringing up what should be mentioned.

Emperor Tai’an rubbed his temples, his voice revealing grief and exhaustion. “Focus your efforts on hunting down the suspect. Once you find the person, have the Heir of Prince Jing and Second Miss Lin confirm the identification.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Maoming knew the Emperor harbored no suspicions toward the Heir of Prince Jing and quickly acknowledged the order.

After Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen withdrew, Emperor Tai’an sat alone in silence for a long while before giving the order: “Announce the mourning.”

The Crown Prince’s body had already been quietly transported back to the palace for the minor laying-in. The mourning hall was also quickly arranged. The solemn and magnificent imperial palace soon became entirely white.

When Noble Consort Jing received news of the Crown Prince’s death, she directly fainted. She didn’t regain consciousness until after dark.

“Silang—” Noble Consort Jing let out a piercing cry and stumbled into the room where the Crown Prince’s body was placed.

The Crown Prince, dressed in burial clothes, lay on the bed. If not for his bluish complexion, one would think he was sleeping soundly.

The moment she saw her son, Noble Consort Jing completely broke down. “Silang, Silang, open your eyes and look at your mother!”

Outside the door, Emperor Tai’an stood silently, listening to Noble Consort Jing’s heart-wrenching cries, his heart twisting in pain.

His eldest son lacked virtue and ability. His fourth son had just become Crown Prince only to be murdered. Was this retribution for his seizure of power?

When he was still a prince, ceding territory and paying reparations, cities being captured, good generals dying—each piece of news had ignited his fury and his ambition.

The realm his father had just established wasn’t meant to be squandered by his elder brother like this.

A weak and incompetent person who couldn’t maintain ancestral achievements above or protect the common people below—what right did he have to occupy the throne?

Rather than wait for that wastrel to hand over the Great Zhou realm to the Qi people, better that he take the seat himself.

Over these years, no matter how difficult the circumstances, Emperor Tai’an had never regretted it. But in this instant, he felt a trace of wavering.

“Your Majesty, how did Silang die? Tell me, how did Silang die!” Noble Consort Jing rushed out and threw herself down at Emperor Tai’an’s feet.

Her cries pulled Emperor Tai’an back from his thoughts. The brief moment of weakness dissipated soundlessly. He reached out to help Noble Consort Jing up, his voice firm: “I will make those who harmed Silang receive their punishment. I promise.”

The response to the Emperor’s promise was Noble Consort Jing’s grief-stricken wailing.

This day was destined to be sorrowful and heavy.

The officials and nobles who formally received the mourning notice immediately ceased all banquets and entertainments and changed into plain mourning clothes.

Unease surged like an omnipresent wind into every corner. Almost every mansion quietly sent people out to gather information. The constables visible everywhere on the streets made people feel the approaching storm even more acutely.

Noble Consort Jing came from humble origins and had long since lost her family members. Among the mansions in the capital, the one that felt genuine grief was Duke Yingguo’s Mansion.

Like Noble Consort Jing, upon hearing the news of the Crown Prince’s death, the eldest daughter of Duke Yingguo’s Mansion, Du Ying, rolled her eyes back and fainted. After a chaotic scramble, she finally regained consciousness amid a chorus of calls.

“Mother, the Crown Prince is dead. What will become of me?” She clutched at Mother Du’s sleeve, crying as she asked.

Mother Du’s eyes were red. She had no way to answer her daughter’s question.

The one engaged to her daughter wasn’t an ordinary official’s son but the Crown Prince. The wedding was even about to take place. Apart from remaining a hopeful widow, what else could be done!

Thinking of these things, Mother Du’s vision repeatedly darkened. She too wanted to faint.

While the various mansions in the capital were heavy and oppressed, only Prince Liang’s Mansion rang with crazed laughter.

“Ha ha ha, excellent death, wonderful death, ha ha ha ha ha—” Prince Liang threw his head back laughing, not concealing himself in the slightest.

The servants nearby were frightened pale, hastily trying to dissuade him. “Your Highness, you should restrain your grief over the Crown Prince’s passing!”

“Get lost!” Prince Liang shoved the person trying to dissuade him, the corners of his mouth pulling into an unrestrained smile. “Fourth Brother is dead. Father only has me as a son now. Why should I restrain my grief? Ha ha ha, heaven has eyes. What should be mine is still mine. No one can take it away!”