Coroner's Diary

Crown Prince... Prince Cheng... Emperor...

Qin Guan's heart raced upon hearing this. Why was even the Emperor involved?

"Could it be that the Emperor also wants to move against the Northwest Frontier Army?"

Qin Guan hurriedly asked. Yan Chi frowned slightly and said, "The Emperor has wanted to take action against the Northwest Frontier Army for quite some time. However, with the western frontier battles being intense, the Emperor had to consider the overall situation. Now that the western front has stabilized, it's the perfect opportunity. This time, the Emperor even said the Northwest Frontier Army must be investigated—we don't yet know what his intentions are. Prince Cheng has long wanted to insert his own people into the Northwest Frontier Army, and the Crown Prince shares the same ambition. So this time, the Northwest Frontier Army is truly surrounded on all sides."

Qin Guan's heart had already been suspended high with worry, and after Yan Chi's explanation, she grew even more uneasy. "Then how do you plan to break this deadlock? Will you go to the Northwest Frontier Army?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "Not for now. Let's see how the Emperor arranges things. I also need to wait for news from my father."

Qin Guan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he didn't have to go to the Northwest Frontier Army, the situation wasn't entirely dire.

"That's good. But why would such a major incident suddenly occur in the Northwest Frontier Army?"

Yan Chi's eyes darkened. "I initially thought it was just corruption, but now it seems someone has long intended to target the Northwest Frontier Army, which is why this series of events unfolded..."

"Then what do you think the Emperor's intentions are? Should we take precautions early?"

A faint smile touched Yan Chi's lips. "Precautions are naturally necessary. As for the Emperor's thoughts, I can't quite grasp them for now. The Northwest Frontier Army has always been under my father's control, and the Emperor has long been dissatisfied. There has never been an emperor who doesn't fear military power. Yet, even if my father guarded the western frontier steadfastly for ten years, it would be futile. My return last year was also a concession on my father's part."

"Does that mean Prince Rui sent you to the capital as a hostage?"

Yan Chi gently brushed aside the stray hairs by Qin Guan's ear. "Yes, my presence in the capital does carry that implication."

Qin Guan's heart sank further. She had heard Yan Chi mention before that Prince Rui's control over the Northwest Frontier Army made others wary. In the half-year since she returned to the capital, the court had seemed calm on the surface, but she had forgotten that in matters of state, a single move can affect the whole situation. It's not as straightforward as solving a case. The intentions of those in the court are unpredictable, changing from morning to night.

Qin Guan was skilled in investigating cases, but her understanding of court politics was limited. Moreover, when it involved imperial power, what could a young woman who had never held an official position do? Qin Guan was simply worried about Yan Chi.

"Is there any best solution now?"

Yan Chi sighed. "Unless my father immediately resigns as commander of the Northwest Frontier Army and returns to the capital to live as an idle prince."

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. "Although you say that, I know it's impossible. Prince Rui has guarded the border for many years. Setting aside his own aspirations and ambitions, if he leaves, the original generals of the Northwest Frontier Army would lose his protection and likely meet a tragic end. The army's morale would collapse, and if the enemy invades—"

Though Qin Guan had never studied military strategy and knew little about factional strife in the court, her insight and perspective far surpassed that of an ordinary woman. Hearing her speak these words brought Yan Chi great comfort."You're right. With each new sovereign comes a new court. Once the Northwest Frontier Army changes commanders, foreign enemies will seize the opportunity externally, while internally, the generals who've followed my father for half their lives will likely meet grim fates. No matter who the new commander serves, they'll surely consolidate military power firmly in their own hands. After a lifetime of hard work, my father cannot bear to see the border fall and civilians plunged into suffering in his old age, nor does he want loyal soldiers of Great Zhou to meet tragic ends. For these reasons, he absolutely cannot relinquish military power lightly. Originally, he intended for me to succeed him, providing justification both internally and externally. But now, it's impossible for me to take his place—and there's no other suitable candidate besides me."

Qin Guan felt this predicament was truly insoluble. The Imperial Arts ultimately resided in the emperor's heart, and once the person on that throne grew suspicious, such doubts would not easily dissipate—

"Is there really no good solution now?"

Yan Chi frowned. "We can only hope this matter of military provisions doesn't undermine the Northwest Frontier Army's foundation. If father can spend these two years cultivating someone capable of standing on their own, then he might step aside for worthy successors."

"But... will they give Prince Rui that time?"

Yan Chi squeezed Qin Guan's hand with a bitter smile. "That depends on heaven's will."

Sighing, Yan Chi continued, "Let's not speak of this anymore. Rest assured, I have plans. As long as the Emperor hasn't resolved to kill, father and I will naturally find ways to navigate this situation."

Qin Guan's heart suddenly clenched. Kill? Would the Emperor? Not only was Prince Rui deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, but he had also rendered immense service to Great Zhou. If the Emperor were to kill Prince Rui, history books would never know how to record it.

This thought flashed through Qin Guan's mind but she decided not to pursue it. Yan Chi added, "I've learned all about the case. With four people dead now, the next victim will likely follow the Moon Worship Sect's Seven Hells pattern. Last time Zhang Daoshi calculated the crime location—he should be able to do so again this time."

Qin Guan sighed. "Unfortunately, the killer knows the authorities are investigating and will surely be more cautious in the next crime."

"No matter how careful the killer is, traces will remain. We will definitely find crucial clues."

Exhausted from the case these past days, Qin Guan leaned into Yan Chi's embrace. Thinking she couldn't help with Yan Chi's troubles, she felt somewhat helpless. And when matters escalated to imperial court power struggles—what kind of battlefield without smoke was that?

Having not seen Qin Guan for days, and now with her clad only in thin robes against him—only a layer of silk separating his palm from her body—Yan Chi had maintained composure while discussing serious matters. But with business concluded, his thoughts began to wander. Qin Guan felt the heat radiating from Yan Chi's palm. In the darkness, his breathing grew heavy. Before she could react, dense, lingering kisses descended upon her cheeks—

The bedchamber's atmosphere was already ambiguous and stirring, but these kisses made Qin Guan's waist and limbs grow weak.

Dark desires surged in Yan Chi's heart. He flipped over, pinning Qin Guan beneath him on the bed. The movement caused the canopy bed to creak loudly. Before he could proceed further, Fuling's voice came from outside.

"Young mistress? Are you awake?"Fuling was resting in the outer chamber when she drowsily rose to light a lamp. Holding the lamp, she entered the room and saw Qin Guan still sleeping soundly on the bed, though the previously closed window was now open.

Fuling frowned. "How did this happen? Wasn't the window shut?"

Muttering to herself, Fuling walked to the window, closed it securely, and cast a suspicious glance at Qin Guan. Seeing her still asleep, she wondered: her young mistress used to wake at the slightest sound—why was she sleeping so deeply tonight?

Though puzzled, Fuling dared not disturb Qin Guan and quietly left with the lamp.

Only after Fuling departed did Qin Guan open her eyes. Her cheeks flushed pink as she glanced at the securely locked window, her lips curling in amusement. She wondered whether Yan Chi would be discovered by the manor guards on his way out!

Early the next morning, while accompanying Baiying to fetch breakfast for Qin Guan, Fuling remarked, "It's so strange. I clearly remember closing the window last night, but around midnight I heard a noise. When I went in to check, the window was open. Could I have misremembered?"

Looking utterly confused, Fuling continued, "I almost thought someone had entered the young lady's room. But she's always been so alert—she would have noticed if someone came in. I think we should take turns staying in her room overnight from now on."

Baiying chuckled lightly. "The young lady dislikes sharing her sleeping quarters. You must have misremembered."

"Really?" Fuling looked bewildered.

As they spoke, Fuling spotted Mo Yi walking behind another maid. Previously, Mo Yi would strut proudly at the front, but now she was the one carrying the food box at the back.

Fuling raised an eyebrow and whispered to Baiying, "Was Mo Yi demoted?"

Baiying nodded. "Yes, she's no longer serving the Eighth Young Lady directly. I heard she was originally supposed to accompany her and several others to the palace, but now the Eighth Young Lady plans to leave her behind in the manor."

Fuling snorted with satisfaction. "Serves her right! That's what she gets for her wicked deeds!"

Baiying remained silent. Meanwhile, Mo Yi noticed them, her face darkening with visible resentment. Yet she dared not provoke them. Though they were all from the same household, the three passed by each other as if completely unacquainted.

After finishing her breakfast, Qin Guan first visited Marquis Anyang Manor. Since Yue Qiong was departing, Qin Guan naturally went to see her off. Instead of selecting priceless gifts, she prepared various portable medicinal pills as her farewell present.

Both the Grand Princess and Yue Qiong were delighted and invited Qin Guan to stay for lunch. During their conversation, they discussed Fifth Princess Yan Zhen's marriage alliance with Northern Wei. The Grand Princess sighed, "Although forming a marriage alliance with Northern Wei is beneficial, I don't think Yan Zhen needed to be the one to marry there. The Emperor has only this one daughter. I thought the Empress would be most reluctant to part with her, yet surprisingly, it was the Empress who strongly advocated for the marriage alliance."

Yue Qiong asked, "Is it for the Crown Prince's sake?"

The Grand Princess sighed again. "It's hard to decipher. The Empress naturally supports the Crown Prince wholeheartedly, but I never thought she would sacrifice her daughter's happiness for his sake. Although the Northern Wei Crown Prince appears decent, forcing Yan Zhen into marriage when she's unwilling is hardly becoming."As she spoke, Grand Princess narrowed her eyes slightly. "But if Yan Zhen marries into Northern Wei and becomes their Empress, she would be crucial for both nations. The Crown Prince would essentially gain an additional layer of support, though it's rather distant—mostly just nominally impressive. If I were the Empress, I’d certainly consider it not worth it."

Jiang Shi sighed helplessly. "All parents have their children's best interests at heart, but I don’t understand what Her Majesty the Empress is thinking this time."

Equally puzzled, Grand Princess could only shake her head. After a few more exchanges, when Yue Ning and Qin Guan stepped aside for a private conversation, Yue Ning revealed, "You might not know, but Yan Zhen attempted suicide over this matter a few days ago. Everyone thought it would frighten the Empress, but instead, she slapped Yan Zhen and confined her. Except for paying respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, she isn’t allowed out. Why is the Empress being so harsh?"

Qin Guan had never believed the Empress capable of such severity toward Yan Zhen, yet the facts were undeniable. "So that’s why. No wonder when I entered the palace yesterday to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, I saw the Fifth Princess crying in the Longevity and Health Palace. Princess Tuoba was there too. After the Fifth Princess left, she even confronted Princess Tuoba, who asked why she wasn’t venting her anger at the Empress instead. But she just fell silent."

Yue Ning sighed. "The Empress... though she dotes on Yan Zhen, once she makes a decision, it’s hard to change. I heard stories about her when I was young. She comes from the household of the Assistant General of the State and was raised like a boy—rising at dawn every day to study and practice calligraphy. When she grew older, she learned needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, excelling in all. Later, when the current Emperor was favored by the late Emperor, she was designated as the princess consort. Everyone said the late Emperor was essentially selecting the future Empress back then."

Although the late Emperor had two legitimate sons, he had always favored the current Emperor, which led to the later incident involving Prince Gong. Qin Guan hadn’t known these details about Zhao Shuhua, but hearing this, it aligned with the Zhao Shuhua of today. Having been Empress for so many years and earning the Emperor’s respect, she was clearly no ordinary person.

"So you think the Fifth Princess is definitely going to marry into Northern Wei?"

Yue Ning nodded. "I suspect the Empress has her reasons. Whether it’s for the Crown Prince’s sake or something else, once she decides, it’s unchangeable."

Qin Guan sighed deeply. Royal affairs were truly too intricate and unpredictable!

After lunch at Marquis Anyang Manor, Qin Guan headed straight to the prefectural magistrate’s office. Thinking of Yan Chi’s predicament, she hoped the capital’s case would be solved soon, so he wouldn’t be tied down by it while holding his position in the Ministry of Justice.

At the office, neither Zhan Yang nor Zheng Baishi was present. After a moment’s thought, Qin Guan asked a familiar constable to take her to Zhang Daoshi. The constable led her to Zhang Daoshi’s small courtyard—originally an empty duty room, quite simple. Most on-duty constables avoided it, but Zhang Daoshi didn’t mind. He needed absolute quiet for his astrological calculations at the Star Palace Ritual Site. Seeing his usefulness, Zheng Baishi had treated him leniently, having many items added to make it a comfortable dwelling.When Qin Guan arrived, Zhang Daoshi's door was wide open. Just as she reached the entrance, she heard him chanting incantations inside. Glancing in, she saw the floor littered with crumpled papers bearing faintly visible numbers and scribbles. Unable to decipher them, she called out, "Is the Daoshi occupied?"

Hearing her voice, Zhang Daoshi emerged and promptly bowed. "The Crown Prince has arrived!"

"Daoshi, I came to ask if you've deduced the time and location of the next murder."

Zhang Daoshi smiled. "Your timing is perfect—I just completed the calculations. Please come in."

The Crown Prince entered with Baiying, and Zhang Daoshi spread out a large sheet of paper. "Two nights from now is an auspicious time to set up an altar. As for the location, I've identified two places, both in the southern city. The third is still being calculated and may be revealed tonight."

"With such early notice this time, can we set up discreetly?"

Zhang Daoshi nodded. "I stayed up two nights for this very purpose..."

He looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly exhausted. Qin Guan sighed softly. "You've worked hard. When we first met, I sensed you possessed extraordinary abilities, and now I see I was right."

At these words, Zhang Daoshi suddenly grew solemn and stared at Qin Guan. "I do have some skill, but... I can discern where the heir apparent comes from. Yet your origin, Crown Prince, remains unclear to me—"