When the first autumn rain fell, the weather grew increasingly cold and bleak. Prince Rui’s coffin had arrived in Luozhou, and in three more days, it would enter the capital. It was during this interval that Qin Guan arrived at the royal residence.
The last time she had visited, though the royal residence had been quiet and desolate, its grand architecture and imposing gates remained majestic. Now, however, the entire estate was draped in White Silk. Standing before the entrance, Qin Guan’s eyes stung at the sight of the large white flowers adorning the gates. The Household Affairs Department had temporarily withdrawn, awaiting the return of Prince Rui’s coffin to the capital before resuming the funeral rites. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had not seen Yan Chi for seven days.
As the gate opened, the stern-faced gatekeeper, recognizing Qin Guan, bowed respectfully but remained silent.
Puzzled, Qin Guan glanced at him before stepping inside. She had only taken a few steps when Bai Feng hurried over.
“My Lady, the master is waiting for you at the waterside pavilion—”
Walking toward the pavilion, Qin Guan was met with a sea of white. Though Prince Rui’s coffin had not yet returned, the royal residence was already prepared for a grand funeral at any moment. Knowing that Yan Chi had not left the estate these past few days, her heart ached at the thought of him alone in such a place.
“What has His Highness been doing these days?”
Bai Feng quickly replied, “The master has been preparing for the prince’s funeral.”
After a brief pause, he added quietly, “He has also met with some people.”
As the future heir apparent’s consort, Bai Feng was well aware of Qin Guan’s importance to Yan Chi. Even Fan Xin had been saved by her efforts, and it seemed unlikely that his master intended to keep anything from her.
Bai Feng’s extra remark immediately sharpened Qin Guan’s attention.
Yan Chi’s absence over the past few days, along with his neglect of duties at the Ministry of Justice, had sparked numerous rumors. It was said that upon learning of Prince Rui’s death, he had first been enraged and requested to lead a campaign to avenge his father. When permission was denied, he sank into grief and despondency. Though Yan Chi had a renowned reputation, he had always been under Prince Rui’s protection. Now, with the prince gone and the sensitive matter of the Northwest Frontier Army’s authority, Yan Chi was like a fledgling eaglet stripped of its guardian, unable to soar.
Not only could he not fly, but his wings might also be clipped.
For the Northwest Frontier Army and the entire northwestern defense, the era dominated by Prince Rui’s household had come to an end.
These rumors meant little to Qin Guan and Yan Chi. In fact, for Yan Chi in his current situation, they served as an invisible shield. Yet, their very existence underscored the perilousness of the dangers he faced.
The autumn rain fell incessantly, and the gloomy sky resembled an impenetrable net, suffocating and oppressive. As Qin Guan approached the waterside pavilion, she spotted Yan Chi’s tall, straight figure at once. Seated behind a desk, he was writing swiftly.
Looking up and seeing Qin Guan at the doorway, he immediately set down his brush and came forward.
Though only seven days had passed since they last met, Yan Chi seemed to have grown thinner. Dark shadows lingered under his eyes, and his entire demeanor exhausted. Yet, the moment he saw her, a bright light ignited in his phoenix eyes.
Qin Guan let out a soft sigh of relief, her lips curving into a slight smile.
Bai Feng closed the door, standing guard outside with Baiying. Alone in the empty room, Yan Chi strode to Qin Guan and wrapped his arms around her. Qin Guan encircled his waist, burying her face against his chest.
Yan Chi lowered his head and took a deep breath.Qin Guan always carried a faint bittersweet scent of medicinal herbs, distinct from any delicate or alluring fragrance typical of other women. Her aroma was cool yet rich, lingering and profound, as if it could penetrate through meridians and acupoints, seeping into every fiber of one's being. Yan Chi's heart suddenly felt a touch fuller.
"I thought you would have come the day before yesterday."
Yan Chi spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone. Qin Guan was taken aback, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. "I knew the Household Affairs Department people left the day before yesterday, but there was a case at Prince Jin Manor that day. Yesterday I entered the palace to examine Empress Dowager. I didn't know if it would be convenient for you here, so I didn't dare come rashly..."
Yan Chi raised his hand to stroke her hair. "Then why did you come today?"
Qin Guan glanced up at him. "I simply couldn't hold back any longer."
Yan Chi gazed into Qin Guan's eyes and couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her lips.
Qin Guan's lips were pale, her face bearing traces of fatigue. The deep autumn chill permeated the outside air, and a similar cold desolation filled his heart. Yan Chi truly wanted to deepen the kiss, even yearned to do more, but the fleeting desire was forcibly suppressed the moment it surfaced in his mind.
The more surrounded by difficulties, the more calm and restrained one must be.
Yan Chi released Qin Guan and led her to sit nearby. As the weather turned colder, her hands felt somewhat chilly. "I already know about the case at Prince Jin Manor. If my estimation is correct, not only will Emperor not suppress this case, but it will also cause some turbulence in the court."
Qin Guan looked surprised upon hearing this. "I've already assisted with the corpse examination. Emperor indeed hasn't suppressed the case, but this might only be temporary. The victim's identity discovered by Zhan Butou is highly sensitive and could very likely connect to last year's case."
Yan Chi shook his head. "Emperor won't obstruct this case, or rather, even if he wants to, he can't stop it. After Prince Jin committed suicide pleading guilty last year, the case was hastily closed. But you don't know what Emperor did during that process."
Qin Guan looked questioningly at Yan Chi, who continued, "Prince Jin was Emperor's eldest son. Because of this, even though he had no ambition for the Crown Prince position, he gained considerable support in his early years. Empress comes from a military family, and Crown Prince had always been particularly close to the General Protector faction. But Prince Jin was different - his birth mother came from humble origins, he had no powerful backing. Precisely because he lacked support, combined with his gentle and benevolent nature, not only did scholars from humble families favor him, but many aristocratic families in the capital also maintained close relations with him. When Prince Jin met his demise last year, Emperor used this incident to revoke many hereditary noble titles from aristocratic families, replaced the heads of both Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Revenue, and dismissed large numbers of mid-level officials. At that time, Prince Jin became the target of public criticism. Superficially, Crown Prince and Prince Jin appeared most wary of him as fellow princes, but in reality, Emperor was also consolidating power."
After a brief pause, Yan Chi added, "It appears to be Prince Jin's case, but it's merely a power struggle."
Qin Guan felt her heart race. "These past few days, you..."
Yan Chi smiled and grasped Qin Guan's hand. "I learned about Prince Jin Manor's case immediately. After returning to the capital, I've been investigating matters from back then. There indeed was a guard who followed Prince Jin, who later disappeared."
Yan Chi knew more than Qin Guan had imagined. She hadn't even mentioned that the victim's identity might be Prince Jin's guard.
"You... haven't you been preoccupied with matters in Shuoxi these days?"Yan Chi tugged at the corner of his lips. "It's no trouble. What are your thoughts on the case at Prince Jin Manor this time?"
Qin Guan's heart felt a sour ache. If not for the matter concerning Prince Rui, she could have believed Yan Chi's attention to Prince Jin Manor's case was partly due to Prince Jin himself. But now, with Prince Rui's residence already standing beneath a crumbling wall, he still hadn't overlooked the slightest detail of the skeletal remains case at Prince Jin Manor.
Qin Guan knew Yan Chi was doing all this for her.
She pressed her lips together. "Prince Jin couldn't have committed suicide out of guilt. Someone else killed Consort Jin, and this guard's skeletal remains are the key to cracking Prince Jin's case—it's an opportunity! Now we need to investigate why this guard died. Once we uncover the mastermind behind this, perhaps the one who orchestrated Prince Jin's 'suicide out of guilt' will also emerge. But these matters ultimately involve royal scandals. Last year, the Emperor closed the case so decisively, and this time he'll likely have reservations. On the first day of the investigation, there was chaos, and Lord Zheng was injured. Later, the case spread like wildfire. Perhaps considering all this, the Emperor temporarily relented, but he might still act as he did last year."
Yan Chi shook his head. "He won't—"
The autumn scenery outside the window was bleak and desolate, but Yan Chi's gaze already carried the chill of deep winter. He said solemnly, "Since Prince Jin's death, many changes have occurred in the court this past year. The Emperor has reclaimed much authority, but most of Prince Jin's influence was divided between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng. Now in court, the Emperor's words carry even less weight than they did a year ago."
Not to mention the troubles in the Northwest Frontier.
Qin Guan frowned slightly. "Are you saying... this time the Emperor might genuinely want to know what schemes are at play, then begin a new round of consolidating power? But the Crown Prince has already been appointed, and the current Crown Prince isn't reckless, nor is he eager to seize the Emperor's authority. If the Emperor is dissatisfied, it should be with Prince Cheng."
Yan Chi shook his head. Looking at Qin Guan, he hesitated briefly before rising to fetch a letter from the desk.
Seeing this, Qin Guan took it, opened it, and her face instantly changed dramatically!
This wasn't news from the Northwest Frontier—the contents concerned the palace!
Two days earlier, the Crown Prince had been severely reprimanded by the Emperor for recommending Zhang Qide, the military governor of Dingxi Road, to take charge of the Northwest Frontier Army affairs.
The Northwest Frontier Army was leaderless. Although the Emperor had sent the Vice Minister of War, Lin Xugui's assignment was clearly stated: he was only to stabilize morale, as he lacked extensive military command experience and couldn't yet lead a hundred thousand troops. A new commander for the Northwest Frontier Army must be appointed within two months.
On the surface, the Crown Prince's recommendation of Zhang Qide seemed appropriate, yet the Emperor had angrily rebuked him for it.
This was a secret letter detailing movements in Chongzheng Hall. Qin Guan didn't know how Yan Chi obtained it, but it demonstrated his ability to track the Emperor's actions. The incident hadn't caused an uproar in court, indicating many officials remained unaware—the Emperor had likely reprimanded the Crown Prince privately. Yet Yan Chi knew.
While startled, Qin Guan realized Yan Chi was right.In the imperial family, sovereign and subject come before father and son. Even though the Crown Prince had been appointed, as long as the emperor remained on the throne, he would never allow anyone to challenge his heavenly authority. She handed the letter back to Yan Chi, who crumpled it in his grasp, the paper disintegrating into a shower of powder. Qin Guan breathed a sigh of relief, uncertain what calamity might befall Yan Chi if the letter had fallen into another’s hands.
"I understand your meaning now. This case is an opportunity. If we can investigate further, I intend to reopen the case of Prince Jin..."
Yan Chi showed no surprise, merely asking, "What do you need me to do?"
Qin Guan shook her head and instead grasped Yan Chi’s hand. "Your words just now were a reassurance. Now, I want to know what I can do for you—"
Qin Guan gazed steadily at Yan Chi, her eyes brimming with concern. Yan Chi cupped her face, a faint smile touching his lips as his calloused thumb brushed the corner of her eye. "Looking at me like this is truly healing."
So healing that it made him want to be vulnerable.
But he was Yan Chi, the son of Yan Lin. His father had never taught him the meaning of weakness.
He pressed a light kiss to her lips. "You need do nothing. Having you by my side is enough to satisfy me."
Qin Guan’s heart tightened at his words. When she had returned from death, she had been utterly desolate and helpless, wishing then for someone who knew and understood her to be near. She leaned in to embrace Yan Chi, her hand stroking his back before finally resting at the nape of his neck—a gesture of comfort and tenderness. Yan Chi’s heart warmed, though he couldn’t help a wry smile.
By the time Qin Guan left Prince Rui’s residence, the rain had intensified. Yan Chi escorted her to the carriage under a dark oil-paper umbrella. Lifting the curtain, Qin Guan noticed how the rain accentuated the sharp intensity of his features. Yan Chi smiled at her, and for a moment, he was once again the lofty, favored son of heaven. A heaviness settled in Qin Guan’s heart as she finally lowered the curtain and departed.
Though they had been apart for days and their time together was brief, Qin Guan felt an inexplicable sense of peace. Prince Rui’s residence stood on the brink of collapse, and she herself was groping through thorns and darkness. He understood her aspirations; she was aware of his perils. Moving forward silently in the chill of late autumn, no one else could comprehend the state of their hearts as they did.
Collecting herself, Qin Guan did not return to the marquis’ estate but went straight to the Lin’an Prefectural Office.
At the office, both Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang happened to be present. Seeing Qin Guan, Zheng Baishi hurried forward a few steps. "Your Ladyship, have you come regarding the skeletal remains case from Prince Jin Manor?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Indeed—"
Zheng Baishi promptly replied, "Your timing is perfect. I was just about to request that you re-examine the remains."
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, and Zheng Baishi explained, "The deceased is highly likely to have been a guard serving Prince Jin. If so, the implications are significant. The coroner at the office has conducted an examination, and the findings align closely with the clues you uncovered. However, that alone may not suffice. There has been discussion of this case in court over the past two days, with varied opinions. I need more compelling evidence to convince everyone."
Qin Guan touched her sleeve, where the information Yan Chi had given her about the guard was tucked away. At this point, if they could not confirm that the remains belonged to Song Xiwen, the connection between this case and last year’s incident could be deemed either trivial or grave.Qin Guan immediately said, "Of course, no problem. I came precisely to inquire about the progress of this case. Since we need to confirm the identity, I only need to perform another Corpse Examination. I hope I can find some clues."
Hearing this, Zheng Baishi felt relieved and was deeply grateful for Qin Guan's readiness to help at a moment's notice. He gave the order, and before long, he led Qin Guan to the Mortuary Temple. The remains were stored there, and since they were completely decomposed, no special effort was needed to preserve them. When Qin Guan arrived at the Mortuary Temple, she saw Li Muyun already there.
Zheng Baishi hadn't expected Li Muyun to be there, and Li Muyun was equally surprised by Zheng Baishi's arrival at this time.
Qin Guan looked at Li Muyun, her brow tightly furrowed.
This case hasn't been handed over to the Court of Judicial Review yet, has it?
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