Coroner's Diary

Qin Guan had not seen Yan Chi for five consecutive days.

Prince Rui's royal residence was now occupied by many officials from the Household Affairs Department and the Ministry of Rites. With so many people and prying eyes, Qin Guan could no longer visit openly. As for Fan Xin, Yan Chi had only sent Bai Feng over once, and had not appeared himself otherwise.

After two days of worry, Qin Guan finally realized that in these critical times, Yan Chi likely found it difficult to meet anyone outside.

Qin Guan still needed to administer needle therapy to Yan Ze, so she arrived early at Prince Yi's residence again that day.

With Prince Yi away from the capital leading troops, his residence felt somewhat deserted. Fortunately, Yue Ning was there, diligently attending to everything. When Qin Guan arrived, she also encountered Sun Muqing.

The renovation of the Shen family's old residence was nearly complete, requiring only some additional furniture to make it habitable. This made Sun Muqing quite happy. Seeing Qin Guan, he naturally wanted to share the news and express his gratitude.

"Lady Qin! Thanks to your help in having Han Bo assist, everything has proceeded smoothly. These past days, Han Bo has been taking care of matters, and I'm immensely grateful. The residence is almost finished, and I think by the end of the month, we can move in. I don't know many people in the capital, so I'd like to invite you, Han Bo, Lady Yongning, and the Crown Prince for a simple meal then. Would you be willing?"

After all, it was a new home. Sun Muqing probably wanted to celebrate a little and show his appreciation.

Qin Guan naturally nodded in agreement. Thinking about returning to the old residence, a pang of bittersweet pain welled up in her heart.

When she met Yan Ze, he said, "I haven't yet congratulated you and Yan Chi. With Prince Rui's incident, how is Yan Chi holding up?"

Qin Guan had been troubled by many worries these past few days and hadn't visited Prince Yi's residence frequently. This was her first visit since the imperial marriage decree, and Yan Ze's words stirred complex emotions in her.

"Thank you, Your Highness. He has been preparing for the funeral rites at the royal residence these past few days. He should be managing."

Yan Ze responded, "Having spent so many years in Shuoxi, his resilience is likely the strongest among us."

With a sigh, Yan Ze said no more, and Qin Guan began the needle therapy.

Sun Muqing had also heard about Qin Guan's engagement, feeling somewhat complicated. Recalling the circumstances at Cloud Mist Mountain, however, he found it somewhat expected and sighed, then thought of his junior martial sister.

This wasn't the first time Qin Guan had administered needle therapy to Yan Ze, so her hands moved with practiced ease. After a quarter of an hour, she asked, "How does Your Highness feel?"

Yan Ze replied, "The pain around my eyes is getting stronger. After the last session, I sometimes feel as if a gray cloth covers my vision, which is much better than the constant darkness before."

Yue Ning was overjoyed upon hearing this. "Could this be a sign that your eyes are healing?"

Qin Guan and Sun Muqing exchanged glances, both faces lit with joy. Sun Muqing added, "This is indeed a good sign. It seems the combination of needle therapy and medication is working!"

Qin Guan felt a wave of relief. Though her mood had been heavy lately, Yan Ze's eyes showing improvement and Fan Xin's injuries stabilizing were positive developments. Most importantly, her marriage to Yan Chi was now firmly decided.

Yue Ning looked happily at Yan Ze. "Third Brother, your eyes might be fully recovered by the end of the year!"Yan Ze smiled faintly. Perhaps due to his years of blindness, his mindset was remarkably calm now. Whether physicians told him his eyes could be cured or that he would remain blind for life, he wouldn't feel excessive disappointment or joy. After all these years of fluctuating between hope and despair, he had grown accustomed to it—unless the moment truly came when he could see again.

"You've all worked hard during this time."

Yan Ze's voice was gentle as he spoke, and Sun Muqing hurriedly expressed it was no trouble at all.

Yue Ning felt somewhat helpless seeing Yan Ze so composed and pulled Qin Guan aside to inquire in detail about Yan Ze's condition.

Knowing Yue Ning's concern for Yan Ze's eye ailment, Qin Guan naturally provided a thorough explanation. As they spoke, the conversation inevitably turned to the affairs of Prince Rui's residence, as it was the most significant matter in the capital recently.

Speaking of this, Qin Guan felt uneasy in her heart. Both Yue Ning and Yan Ze understood her feelings, and before long, Qin Guan rose to take her leave. Yue Ning accompanied her to the door, remarking as they walked, "After this incident, your marriage with him will have to be postponed for now. Who knows what will happen next? In any case, things are different from before. Grandmother is still a bit worried about you."

Qin Guan chuckled wryly, "What does it matter? I'm not desperate to marry."

Yue Ning looked at Qin Guan, hesitating to speak further. Qin Guan patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, I understand everything."

Yue Ning sighed, "You've always been the most clear-headed."

Qin Guan smiled, bid farewell to Yue Ning, and headed toward the marquis' residence.

With the arrival of autumn, everything around took on a desolate and lonely atmosphere. When Qin Guan entered the palace early the next morning, the morning wind felt sharp against her skin. She lifted her gaze to the majestic palace complex beyond Zhenghua Gate, feeling as if the golden tiles and red walls of the imperial city had dimmed slightly. Entering the palace gates, she still headed straight for Longevity and Health Palace. As the weather grew colder, she was increasingly concerned about the Empress Dowager.

Upon reaching Longevity and Health Palace, however, Qin Guan learned that the Empress Dowager had risen early and gone to Fifth Princess' Eternal Peace Palace. Realizing this likely meant further complications with Fifth Princess' marriage arrangements, Qin Guan couldn't help but sigh. Upon further inquiry, she discovered Yan Sui wasn't in the palace either. Unwilling to wait alone at Longevity and Health Palace, and thinking of where Yan Sui might be, she headed toward the Imperial Garden.

In early autumn, the Imperial Garden remained lush and green. Knowing Yan Sui often sought out secluded spots, Qin Guan searched near the rockery they had visited previously. After circling around, she became disoriented by the garden's winding paths but still couldn't find Yan Sui. Just as she hesitated, uncertain what to do, she heard voices coming from the pavilion atop the rockery.

The rockery was piled into a low hill covered with dense dwarf pines. At its summit stood an octagonal pavilion where one could see all the continuous palace buildings to the south, but the area beneath the rockery remained a blind spot.

"Prince Cheng has been sending letters northwest these past few days."

Hearing this voice, Qin Guan's expression changed slightly—it was actually Qin Yan's voice!

Soon, another voice responded, "He's long had many people placed in the Northwest Frontier Army, so this doesn't surprise me."

Qin Guan's heart jumped—it was actually the Crown Prince!

What private matters were her third brother and the Crown Prince discussing?

Qin Guan instinctively felt uneasy. Though she knew she should leave immediately, hearing them mention the northwest made her suddenly understand Yan Che's intentions. Previously, Yan Che had wanted to send Yan Chi to the northwest—what were they planning now?Qin Guan's heart leaped into her throat, and for a moment she held her breath!

"Minister Zhang will return soon, but if Prince Cheng beats us to it, I'm afraid he'll be difficult to deal with."

Yan Che hesitated briefly before saying, "Lately, Prince Cheng has been closely monitoring the Ministry of Works, so there's no immediate way to find fault with him."

Qin Yan sighed. "The incident at the beginning of the year only affected the Loyal Duke's residence. Since then, Prince Cheng hasn't been close to Feng Zhang, and now there are no other options."

Yan Che then said, "It's almost the end of the year. Zhao Jing will be returning soon. Leave these matters for him to plan."

After a pause, Yan Che added, "This time, it's best to avoid any casualties."

Qin Yan replied, "The aftermath of the last incident was handled very cleanly. Your Highness can rest assured." He continued, "Speaking of which, last time Ninth Sister nearly ruined things. Fortunately, the young general's men reacted quickly."

Yan Che frowned. "Last time, we caught them off guard. Now, Prince Cheng is watching us closely. If there are casualties and we get implicated, it wouldn't be worth the loss. Let's discuss matters of the northwest after Zhao Jing and Zhang Qide return."

As they were speaking, they suddenly heard a faint sound. Qin Yan frowned and turned to look down at the rockery, only to see a gust of autumn wind rustling a few bamboo plants below. Qin Yan said, "The weather is turning cold. Your Highness, take care of your health."

Yan Che withdrew his distant gaze and turned to descend. After a few steps, he said, "The marriage between Yongci County Princess and Yan Chi..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Guan smiled bitterly. "Father and Mother have both mentioned it, but Ninth Sister is determined and has no intention of breaking the engagement. Since she won't speak up, Father and Mother can do nothing."

The Empress Dowager had personally issued the decree. No matter how much the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage might wish to object, he wouldn't dare, especially at such a critical juncture. Only Qin Guan herself could speak up. Relying on the Empress Dowager's favor, she might be able to sway her, but that was impossible.

"Did Yongci County Princess and Yan Chi previously..."

Asking directly if they had been involved would damage Qin Guan's reputation, so Yan Che couldn't bring himself to ask.

Qin Yan smiled wryly. "They met long ago in Jinzhou, and His Highness Yan Chi has always taken good care of Ninth Sister. No matter what, there's more affection between them than with others. Ninth Sister is loyal and steadfast—once she sets her mind to something, she won't change it. Not even Father and Mother can sway her, and even if the Empress Dowager were to speak now, I doubt Ninth Sister would agree."

Yan Che narrowed his eyes and strode down from the rockery.

...

...

Qin Guan walked to the entrance of the Longevity and Health Palace before glancing back.

Seeing that no one had followed her, she breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart had already sunk to the depths.

It had been over half a year since she first arrived in the capital, yet the memory of Qin Yan taking her to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion for a meal upon her return was still vivid in her mind. Feng Zhang and Zhao Jing's men had fought, and because Feng Zhang had killed someone, he was placed under house arrest, which also led to Prince Cheng being reprimanded by the Emperor. At the time, Qin Guan had tried to save the injured man, believing she could surely preserve his life, but in the end, he had died. Back then, she had felt deep regret, but she never imagined...

She never imagined that in Qin Yan's words, she was the one who had nearly ruined everything.

When Yan Che said not to cause any more casualties, it wasn't because he valued human life—it was because he feared being implicated himself.Yan Che sought to seize the entire empire of Great Zhou. As a member of the Marquis household and a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince, Qin Yan’s scheming was only natural. Qin Guan did not wish to measure Yan Che and Qin Yan against the vows she had taken while studying medicine. She saw the situation with cold clarity, yet emotionally, she felt waves of chill spreading through her heart.

Such was the imperial family. Such was the struggle for the throne—where human lives were as worthless as weeds.

Upon entering the Longevity and Health Palace, Qin Guan inexplicably felt the central courtyard seemed more cramped than usual. The Empress Dowager had not yet returned, and Yan Sui was still nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the palace felt desolate and decaying to her—its inhabitants cold and unyielding. What use was all this opulent wealth? The principles her father had taught her were utterly useless here.

Perhaps it was time for her to learn to think like those within these walls.

Qin Guan waited alone for a while longer until the Empress Dowager finally returned. Dragging her ailing body, her face deathly pale, the Empress Dowager managed a faint smile upon learning Qin Guan had been waiting. Yet, as she stepped down from her palanquin, she swayed unsteadily. Alarmed, Qin Guan hurriedly assisted her inside with Mammy Chen.

After a round of pulse-taking and prescription-writing, Qin Guan was drenched in cold sweat by the time the Empress Dowager drank her medicine and fell asleep. At this point, Qin Guan could not bear the thought of anything else happening to the Empress Dowager.

She pulled Mammy Chen aside and asked, "What happened today? Her Majesty is gravely ill—how could she go out?"

Mammy Chen sighed. "It’s about the Fifth Princess. The wedding date has been set—the twentieth of Winter Month—and the Northern Wei’s official missive has arrived. But upon learning this today, the Fifth Princess threw another fit. This morning, she claimed to have taken poison to end her life..."

Lowering her voice, Mammy Chen continued, "Her Majesty insisted on going over immediately."

Qin Guan was startled. "And then? Is the Fifth Princess alright?"

Mammy Chen sighed again and nodded. "Nothing serious. It wasn’t poison—just some tonic herbs. The physicians prescribed a neutralizing remedy. The Empress and the Fifth Princess are like fire and water now. When Her Majesty arrived, the princess wept bitterly. Ah, everything was fine before, but these past six months... and now Prince Rui’s misfortune. Though Prince Rui wasn’t born to Her Majesty, she cannot bear to see any of the younger generation come to harm—let alone one she once raised herself."

In old age, some gain clarity and detachment toward life and death, while others grow increasingly sentimental. The Empress Dowager had been decisive and formidable in her youth, but perhaps after her severe illness, she could no longer endure outliving her juniors. Qin Guan had noticed this when she rushed to the palace—the news of Prince Rui’s tragedy had struck her deeply.

"These days, we must not let Her Majesty be agitated again. Last year, she fell gravely ill but recovered through spring and summer, seeming to improve steadily. Now she’s relapsed. Once winter arrives, it will be even harder for her."

Mammy Chen dared not take this lightly. "Do not worry, my lady. From today onward, I will carefully manage what news reaches Her Majesty."Qin Guan knew Mammy Chen wasn't joking, which eased her mind slightly. After giving some additional instructions, she left the palace. Boarding the carriage at the palace gate, it slowly made its way toward the Marquis' residence. As they reached the bustling streets, Qin Guan couldn't help but glance outside. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, she suddenly recalled how last year during the festival, she had been in Jinzhou. The lantern fair there had been dazzlingly vibrant, yet she had gotten separated from her companions and nearly encountered danger—only to be rescued by Yan Chi.

Her mood sinking at the memory, Qin Guan found the current festivities rather dull.

Just as she was about to lower the carriage curtain, a familiar figure caught the corner of her eye—someone emerging from a shop by the street and quickly stepping into a carriage. Her spirits lifted instantly: it was Li Muyun!