Yan Che walked slowly towards the main hall of Longevity and Health Palace. Tang Fu cautiously spoke from behind, "Your Highness, are we really letting that bird be released from the palace like this? No wonder the servants couldn't find it after searching for so long—it turns out the Ninth Prince had caught it."
Yan Che slowed his pace slightly but remained silent.
Tang Fu continued, "That bird has been in the Eastern Palace for a long time. Are you really willing to let it be released?"
Yan Che still didn't respond, though his eyes darkened slightly.
He paused mid-step, then turned and headed toward the side courtyard. However, as soon as he reached the courtyard's entrance, he saw Mo Yi standing guard outside. Recognizing her as Qin Chaoyu's maid, he was about to ask why she was there when Mo Yi's expression changed drastically upon seeing him. Yan Che's gaze immediately turned stern—Mo Yi's reaction clearly indicated she was standing guard for Qin Chaoyu.
He immediately made a silencing gesture. Mo Yi froze, and under Yan Che's intense glare, she dared not utter another word.
In the brief moment of silence, Qin Chaoyu's aggressive questioning could be heard from just beyond the wall. Yan Che paused again, not immediately stepping toward the door.
"What? Are you too guilty to face me?!"
Though Qin Chaoyu had lowered her voice, her words were still piercingly sharp. Yan Che raised an eyebrow—what guilt? What refusal to face her? Was Qin Chaoyu arguing with Qin Guan?
Yan Che's confusion was quickly resolved when he overheard the matter of the warming tea. His expression darkened rapidly. He strode toward the side door, his footsteps light enough that Qin Chaoyu remained unaware. Her words grew increasingly harsh, and it was Qin Guan who noticed him first.
Qin Guan's eyes held a trace of anger, yet her expression remained calm when she saw him.
In that instant, Yan Che recalled the mocking look on Qin Guan's face that day at Loyal Marquis Manor.
Qin Chaoyu had misunderstood—how could Qin Guan possibly want to enter the Eastern Palace? She disdained the very idea!
Noticing the shift in Qin Guan's gaze, Qin Chaoyu turned around in confusion. When she saw Yan Che standing at the door with a darkened expression, her heart raced.
"Y-Your Highness, the Crown Prince—"
Yan Che stared intently at Qin Chaoyu, whose face flushed and paled alternately.
They weren't yet married, and now he had witnessed her arguing with her own sister over him. This shouldn't have happened—but what she said was the truth! So what if he heard? He needed to know she cared about these things!
Yan Che watched Qin Chaoyu for a few moments before suddenly turning to Qin Guan. "County Princess Yongci, please take Xiao Jiu back to the main hall."
Qin Guan nodded and led Yan Sui away. Qin Chaoyu raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't dare say anything.
With Qin Guan and Yan Sui gone, the spacious side courtyard held only Qin Chaoyu and Yan Che.
Yan Che looked at Qin Chaoyu. "How did you know about the warming tea?"
Qin Chaoyu pressed her lips tightly together. What did he mean by that? Did he think she was meddling?
She lifted her chin slightly. "When I went to see you that day, I noticed the scent of tea in your tent. Later, at the Empress Dowager's tent, I drank the same tea. I asked my ninth sister, and she said she only gave that tea to the Empress. So, where did your tea come from? She was clearly lying to me! She's my sister, and I've always cared for her, but she secretly gave you tea and deceived me about it. That's why I was angry."Qin Chaoyu spoke with righteous conviction, only to find Yan Che's gaze exceedingly complex.
"Since you didn't witness it personally, why are you so certain it was Yongci County Princess who sent me the tea?"
Qin Chaoyu felt a suffocating pressure in her chest but couldn't form a response. Wasn't it obvious? Only Qin Guan possessed such tea! The discrepancies in what she knew could only mean Qin Guan was lying. Qin Guan couldn't become Crown Princess yet coveted the position in the Eastern Palace!
Though Qin Chaoyu remained silent, her expression revealed everything. Yan Che studied her and suddenly felt uncertain about choosing such a Crown Princess. He said, "I took the tea from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Since she doesn't care for it, I brought it to drink myself. It wasn't what you imagined."
Qin Chaoyu froze, then gasped sharply. Yan Che's tone left no room for deception—had she misunderstood Qin Guan? At this realization, her face flushed crimson. "I... I didn't know..."
"Without knowing the facts, you immediately accused Yongci County Princess of ill intent. Eighth Miss, as the future Crown Princess, if you treat your own sister this way, how could I entrust the Eastern Palace's inner court to you?"
Qin Chaoyu's heart trembled. What did Yan Che mean by this?
Yan Che observed her for another moment. "Do you dislike Yongci County Princess and deliberately misinterpret her actions, or are you simply narrow-minded and incapable of discernment? If it's the former, you lack the generosity expected between sisters. If it's the latter, perhaps the position of Crown Princess isn't suited for you."
Qin Chaoyu felt as if she'd been slapped. As the capital's top talented maiden, she had always received praise—yet Yan Che claimed she was unworthy of being Crown Princess?!
Regarding his two points, even she didn't know how to respond.
She had never managed to like Qin Guan from the start. Though she lowered her guard after initial probing, subsequent events left her resentful. As for narrow-mindedness—who wouldn't feel disturbed if this happened to them?
"Your Highness, I... I merely..."
Normally eloquent, Qin Chaoyu now found herself speechless. Yan Che spoke sternly, "If you're unprepared to become Crown Princess, I can request His Majesty to revoke the decree!"
"No! Your Highness, I understand your meaning. I won't repeat this mistake..."
She then smiled bitterly. "This time... I wronged Ninth Sister..."
Yan Che's gaze remained heavy upon her. "Previously, you were the unmatched Eighth Miss of the Marquis Manor, reigning supreme. But once you enter the Eastern Palace, you cannot act willfully as in your maiden quarters. If you fail to understand your future position and duties, it's still timely for me to change the Crown Princess."
Qin Chaoyu felt her breath seized. She never imagined Yan Che could say such things...
"I... I understand..."
Choked with grievance and bitterness, she barely managed these four broken words.
Yan Che turned to leave but paused halfway to glance back at her. "Suppress that aggrieved expression. Don't let the Empress Dowager or Her Majesty think someone bullied you."
With these words, he strode away without another syllable.
Only after Yan Che departed did Mo Yi dare enter. The moment she stepped into the side courtyard, she saw Qin Chaoyu swaying unsteadily.
"Miss... Are you alright, Miss?"Taking a few steps forward to support Qin Chaoyu, whose face was deathly pale without a trace of color, Yan Che's words and cold expression echoed in her heart. She never knew she could feel such pain because of someone's words!
What unforgivable sin had she committed?!
Yet he could say such things to her—changing the Crown Princess?! In what way was she unworthy of being Crown Princess?!
Seeing Qin Chaoyu like this, Mo Yi felt nothing but heartache. "Miss, please calm yourself. His Highness the Crown Prince's words just now... were indeed excessive. Don't take them to heart, especially here in the Longevity and Health Palace."
Qin Chaoyu felt as if a block of hard iron were stuck in her chest, causing unbearable discomfort. What was most cruel was that Yan Che wouldn't even allow her to feel wronged. Wasn't Yan Che supposed to be a virtuous gentleman?! Why could he be so heartless to her?!
Clenching her teeth, Qin Chaoyu straightened up. She slightly raised her eyes, gazing from the high palace walls toward the distant sky. For the first time, she deeply felt that the position of Crown Princess was vastly different from what she had imagined.
When Yan Che reached the entrance of the main hall, Yan Sui was again writing characters on the bluestone slabs, while Qin Guan stood chatting with Momma Su. Upon seeing him arrive, they immediately composed themselves and stood properly.
Yan Che walked to the doorway but paused and turned just before entering. He looked at Qin Guan and said, "That bird's wing is injured. If released, it probably won't survive long. Since Xiao Jiu wishes it to be free, perhaps the princess should take it back to your residence to care for it."
Hearing this, Qin Guan was momentarily surprised, yet she felt these words carried the weight of the Crown Prince's decree. Hesitating briefly, she glanced at Yan Sui. Understanding Yan Che's meaning, the young boy thought of what Qin Guan had said—that the bird would be shot down by the imperial guards—and felt it would be quite good for Qin Guan to take it. He nodded repeatedly. Seeing this, Qin Guan could only smile and say, "Very well. Your Highness is truly thoughtful."
Yan Che nodded without another word and entered.
Momma Su, who had overheard, whispered, "No one knows where this bird came from. It fell into the courtyard and got tangled in some vines. When the Ninth Prince saw it, he caught it. Its wing is injured, yet it always tries to fly away. It's quite beautiful, and the Ninth Prince guards it like a treasure. If the princess takes it out to raise, the Ninth Prince will surely be at ease."
Qin Guan listened with mild surprise. Wasn't this bird Yan Sui's? How did it become something Yan Sui found?
Recalling that she had seen this bird several years ago, Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh inwardly. So all these years, the bird had remained in the palace without flying away—it was truly fortunate to have survived without being caught by others!
Thinking this, Qin Guan felt an even stronger connection to the bird, and Yan Che's idea seemed excellent indeed!
A bird with a broken wing couldn't truly be free, but compared to the palace, the walls of an outside residence were at least somewhat lower.
As she pondered, Qin Chaoyu approached from the side. Qin Guan didn't know what Yan Che had said to Qin Chaoyu, but seeing Yan Che's expressionless face, she assumed it was nothing significant. The approaching Qin Chaoyu also wore a calm demeanor.
Stopping at the doorway, Qin Chaoyu looked at her for a moment, her gaze seeming to assess and analyze, yet without showing anger. After a few seconds, Qin Chaoyu turned and entered the main hall.
Momma Su, unaware of what had transpired, found the interaction between the two sisters somewhat peculiar.Qin Guan knew that Qin Chaoyu must still be angry with her, yet she couldn't figure out how her warming tea had ended up with the Crown Prince. Could it have been given privately by the Empress or Empress Dowager?
Thinking it most likely so, Qin Guan shook her head.
Qin Chaoyu had jumped to conclusions without verifying anything, firmly blaming her—truly ridiculous. It seemed her suspicions hadn't faded since the last probe...
Feeling somewhat helpless, Qin Guan approached to see what Yan Sui was writing. Before she could make anything out, several footsteps sounded behind her. Turning, she was surprised to see Yan Chi arriving!
Her eyes immediately brightened, while Momma Su beside her curtsied, "Greetings to the heir apparent—"
Yan Chi waved his hand and stood before Qin Guan, "Why are you standing outside?"
Qin Guan smiled, "Watching the Ninth girl write."
Not having seen Yan Chi for two days, her eyes sparkled at the sight of him. She asked further, "Shouldn't you be at the ministry? Why have you come to the Empress Dowager's?"
Yan Chi hesitated briefly before saying, "I'll go in first to pay respects."
Hearing this, Qin Guan said, "Then I'll go with you..."
With that, the two entered together. Momma Su watched from the side, frowning slightly. For some reason, she felt that when Yongci County Princess and Prince Rui's heir spoke, there was something about both of them...
Yan Che had just arrived, and now Yan Chi came too. The Empress Dowager and Grand Princess were exceedingly pleased, promptly ordering seats and tea. But Yan Chi said, "Imperial Grandmother, I cannot stay long. Actually, I came to fetch Yongci County Princess."
Qin Guan was startled, and everyone else was taken aback. Qin Guan quickly asked, "Has something happened?"
Yan Chi nodded, "There's a case..."
Since there was a case, it meant Qin Guan was needed to assist with the corpse examination. The Empress Dowager and Grand Princess both felt a pang of heartache, but Qin Guan hurriedly said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."
Yan Chi, serving at the Ministry of Justice, was naturally in a hurry, while Qin Guan didn't need to be—yet she didn't wish to delay. The Empress Dowager said anxiously, "Very well, go then. Ah, go ahead..."
She wanted to say more, but the thought of those deathly scenes terrified her, whereas Qin Guan was far more capable in such matters than she, who had lived most of her life.
After Yan Chi and Qin Guan bid farewell and left, the Empress Dowager lamented, "That Ninth girl is so young—it's hard on her."
The Grand Princess also sighed, "She's willing to do these things herself. I only worry she might encounter danger. Handling cases means dealing with vicious criminals, doesn't it? And she's just a girl..."
The two elders sighed deeply. Yan Che sat nearby, lost in thought. Qin Chaoyu had indeed kept her composure earlier, but deep down she knew well: what the Empress disliked, Yan Che also disliked. Things like tea and herbal medicine—unless he fell ill—Yan Che wouldn't touch. Yet he had taken tea from the Empress. Moreover, his earlier anger had been so intense—was any part of it because of Qin Guan?
Watching Yan Che's dazed expression, Qin Chaoyu's irritation surged again.
Outside the Longevity and Health Palace, a carriage was already prepared. Once inside, Qin Guan asked, "What happened? A new case?"
Yan Chi nodded, "A new case. A body was found in a dark alley in the southern city. The Ministry's coroner preliminarily examined it—the person has been dead for two days. This case is somewhat unusual, so we need you to take a look.""Special? In what way?" Qin Guan asked hurriedly.
Yan Chi pondered briefly. "This case... a similar one occurred six years ago."
Six years ago—back then, her father hadn't yet entered the capital.
"A similar case happened before? Was the culprit from back then caught?"
Yan Chi nodded. "He was caught and is still imprisoned. When this case emerged, Lord Zheng grew anxious because he noticed the modus operandi closely resembled that of six years ago. Yet, the original culprit never confessed all these years."
"So... was the wrong person caught back then?"
Yan Chi shook his head. "It's too early to say for certain. But with this new case, the old one is being dragged out again."
Qin Guan nodded. When Shen Yi first joined the Court of Judicial Review, he had reorganized the old case files and uncovered a batch of wrongful convictions. Many cold cases were exceedingly complex; if the investigating officials were negligent—either hastily closing cases to meet quotas, accepting bribes from perpetrators, or overlooking crucial details—miscarriages of justice would occur. Since the original culprit never confessed, there might indeed be hidden circumstances.
The carriage exited the palace and headed straight for the southern city's Mortuary Temple. During the ride, Yan Chi inquired about Qin Guan's recent activities. Hearing she had encountered Zhan Yang while visiting graves outside the city, Yan Chi remarked, "He must have been paying respects to his sister. His parents are buried in his hometown."
Qin Guan nodded, momentarily lost in reflection. Noticing her pensive mood, Yan Chi gently took her hand in his. Within half an hour, the carriage arrived at the southern city's Mortuary Temple.
Inside, Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang were already waiting, with Li Muyun standing nearby. Li Muyun had come immediately after the case broke—unsurprising, given how the connection to an old case would draw attention.
Qin Guan's status differed now; both Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun had to bow to her.
Waving off the formality, Qin Guan followed Zheng Baishi inside as he explained, "After careful consideration, we decided to request your presence, County Princess. The initial autopsy is done, but your forensic techniques are the most meticulous, so we ask you to conduct a second examination."
Passing through the central courtyard into the main hall, then through a side door, they reached the rear hall where the body was kept.
Zheng Baishi added, "The victim's condition is gruesome, County Princess. Please brace yourself..."
Having seen all manner of corpses, Qin Guan nodded calmly, unperturbed. But when Zhan Yang lifted the shroud from the corpse table, even she couldn't suppress a shudder.
The body on the table was barely recognizable as human. The surface was entirely—flies and maggots crawled through putrid flesh. This person, dead for merely two days, had been flayed of their skin.
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