Coroner's Diary

In the Imperial Punishment Bureau, Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun looked with grave expressions at the two eunuchs kneeling on the ground.

Upon learning that their immediate superior had taken poison and died the day before, these two were now panicked. Under Yan Qi’s severe torture, they dared not speak falsely. Unfortunately, it seemed they truly knew nothing about the events of the previous year.

“At that time, Prince Jin and Song Xiwen were brought in together.”

“We didn’t know what had happened then, only that something had occurred with Consort Jin.”

“We wouldn’t dare do anything to Prince Jin…”

“As for that guard, he was personally interrogated by Chief Eunuch Zhu.”

“Later, Prince Jin was transferred to the Ministry of Justice. We don’t know when Song Xiwen left.”

“I only remember that on that day, Chief Eunuch Zhu indeed took him out. It seemed Chief Eunuch Zhu said something to Song Xiwen first, and then Song Xiwen scolded him a couple of times. After a night passed, by daybreak, the person was taken out…”

“Yes, yes, I remember too. Chief Eunuch Zhu was the boss; we wouldn’t dare ask…”

These two had already been beaten until their flesh was torn and bleeding, and they knelt on the ground with blood still trickling from their wounds. Yet their testimonies repeatedly followed the same line, showing no signs of falsehood whatsoever.

Yan Qi’s expression was extremely dark. Clearly, the situation was not unfolding as he had expected. The death of Chief Eunuch Zhu had left him deeply frustrated, and now these two only added to his disgust. However, in front of Li Muyun and Zheng Baishi, Yan Qi said calmly, “What do Lord Zheng and Lord Li think? The matter has hit a dead end here. Both of you are seasoned veterans—what would you do in such a situation?”

Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun exchanged a glance. Zheng Baishi smiled bitterly and said, “Generally, if this line of inquiry is cut off, we can only pursue other clues.”

Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So Lord Zheng means we should stop investigating the Imperial Punishment Bureau?”

Zheng Baishi immediately shook his head. “Of course not. It’s just that the palace is vast. Chief Eunuch Zhu could act with impunity within the Imperial Punishment Bureau, but outside of it, that would be impossible. Where he took the person afterward—somewhere in the palace must know.”

Yan Qi’s eyebrow arched even higher. “So you’re suggesting that this prince should turn the Inner Palace upside down?”

Zheng Baishi smiled bitterly. “I wouldn’t dare… It’s just that since nothing can be uncovered here in the Imperial Punishment Bureau, we have no choice but to seek other methods.”

Yan Qi gave a faint smile at this and turned his gaze to Qin Guan. "What does the princess think?"”

At this point, Qin Guan naturally replied, “In this regard, I am naturally not as experienced as the two lords. I defer to the prince and the two lords to decide.”

Yan Qi frowned, somewhat displeased with Qin Guan’s attitude. He snorted lightly and said, “Bring them up.”

The guards obeyed and headed toward the dark cells deep within the Imperial Punishment Bureau. Li Muyun and Zheng Baishi exchanged another glance, both puzzled. Soon, Yan Qi’s guards escorted two young eunuchs out.

The young eunuchs stumbled and staggered as they walked. Pushed by the guards, they fell to their knees with a thud before Yan Qi.

A cold smile played on Yan Qi’s lips. “Tell us what you know.”The young eunuch glanced up, quickly scanning the standing figures before lowering his head tremblingly. "I... I saw Eunuch Zhu and Wanxi, the young eunuch from Kunning Palace, were quite close, especially last autumn... But this year, they've hardly interacted. Once, when Eunuch Zhu was drunk, I heard him muttering Wanxi's name, saying 'Wanxi, don't ruin me.' I didn't understand at the time and asked him about it. He was probably too drunk and said... said the person came from the Imperial Punishment Office. If no one investigates, it's fine, but if they do, he'd be implicated. He also hoped Prince Jin's case would remain sealed without any mishaps."

At these words, Zheng Baishi's face turned pale.

Yan Qi narrowed his eyes. "The person Eunuch Zhu mentioned must be Prince Jin's guard, Song Xiwen, right?"

The young eunuch broke into a cold sweat. "It... must be him... Among those involved in Prince Jin's case who entered the Imperial Punishment Office, Song Xiwen is the only one who mysteriously disappeared."

After Prince Jin's case, many from Prince Jin Manor, including those from Eternal Peace Palace, had been through the Imperial Punishment Office. But all of them were accounted for, with no one missing—though their fates weren't favorable due to various charges.

Qin Guan frowned slightly upon hearing this. By now, Yan Qi's intentions were crystal clear.

However, Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun weren't the type to be used as pawns.

Yan Qi turned to Zheng Baishi. "What does Lord Zheng think?"

Zheng Baishi frowned. "If Eunuch Zhu truly said that, it is indeed suspicious. But who is this person? Is his testimony reliable?"

Yan Qi's smile turned cold. "He's also from the Imperial Punishment Office, having served under Zhu Yucheng for years—practically his half-disciple. I find his words credible. What do you think?"

Zheng Baishi glanced at Li Muyun and added, "This can only serve as a lead to investigate further. After all, he's merely recounting Eunuch Zhu's drunken words without concrete evidence. Unsubstantiated claims shouldn't be taken too seriously."

Anger flickered in Yan Qi's eyes, but he suppressed it. After a moment, he chuckled, "Lord Zheng truly lives up to being the capital's magistrate—so cautious. Very well, I'll have someone bring Wanxi in for questioning. How does that sound?"

Zheng Baishi pursed his lips, struggling to reply, "Naturally—"

Wanxi was from Kunning Palace, under the Empress's wing. The implications were unmistakable.

Yan Qi, satisfied, immediately ordered his guards to apprehend Wanxi. Once the guards left, Yan Qi waved dismissively, signaling the young eunuch to leave. With the eunuch gone, the room's tension eased slightly. Yan Qi tapped the table corner idly and remarked, "Speaking of which, my eldest brother had the gentlest temperament—he wouldn't even harm an ant. How could he possibly commit murder? Back when he was in the Celestial Prison, it's baffling how he ended up taking his own life out of guilt..."

Zheng Baishi's brow twitched. Yan Qi's words, both overt and implied, cast doubt even on Prince Jin's death. The disappearance of a guard had already stirred turmoil; if Prince Jin's demise came under suspicion, it was clear how much bloodshed would follow this year. Was the capital truly on the brink of another storm?Zheng Baishi wore a grave expression, while Li Muyun appeared completely composed, as if utterly unconcerned.

Qin Guan discreetly observed their demeanors, feeling that Zheng Baishi’s tension was the more natural reaction.

Zheng Baishi was not merely an isolated follower of the Crown Prince’s faction. Having overseen the administration of the capital’s officials for years, and with the Crown Prince being the de facto authority in the capital, Zheng—despite his high rank as a third-grade official—answered first to the Crown Prince and only then to the emperor. When errors occurred in the capital’s defenses, it was the Crown Prince who shouldered the blame. In this regard, the Crown Prince had acted with considerable integrity. Over time, Zheng Baishi naturally aligned himself with the Crown Prince. Moreover, since the Crown Prince was the future emperor of Great Zhou, Zheng’s allegiance, both personally and officially, was entirely justified.

Zheng Baishi was no fool, and Yan Qi had made his intentions abundantly clear. Who among those present could fail to understand?

This was precisely Yan Qi’s aim. Amid widespread hesitation, he had insisted on investigating this case and ultimately secured the authority to lead the inquiry. Now he could openly suspect anyone worthy of suspicion, starting with the Empress and the Eastern Palace.

Zheng Baishi saw this clearly, yet he was torn by inner conflict, momentarily losing his bearings.

His rise to high office was due not only to his grasp of bureaucratic politics but also to his substantial service to the people. He understood the deceit and intrigue of power struggles, yet he never lost sight of the common people’s suffering. In many ways, he was a virtuous official who advocated for the populace, a steadfast minister aspiring to secure lasting peace. If the true mastermind behind this case were indeed the Empress or the Eastern Palace, his position would become extremely awkward. But how could he, in good conscience, aid the Eastern Palace in covering up the truth?

Even if he wanted to, what could he possibly do under Yan Qi’s watchful eyes?

In these brief moments, Qin Guan also grasped Zheng Baishi’s predicament. It dawned on her that Yan Qi had placed both Zheng and herself at the forefront not merely to involve them but to use them as counterweights against the Eastern Palace. Once the Eastern Palace fell under suspicion, she and Zheng Baishi would be rendered powerless—any defense or explanation would be tainted by accusations of partiality. For them, the best course was to remain inactive, yet this would cost the Crown Prince the initiative.

“Prince Jin’s suicide… was conclusively determined by Brother Muyun… There’s no doubt about that.” Zheng Baishi turned to Li Muyun. Last year, after the Shen family massacre and Shen Yi’s death, Li Muyun had stepped into the role. It was he who, with the Court of Judicial Review, had finalized the ruling of Prince Jin’s suicide.

Li Muyun promptly replied, “Yes. At the time, the coroner’s examination confirmed that His Highness Prince Jin took his own life.”

Yan Qi glanced at Li Muyun. “Suicide? Then where did the poison come from?”

Li Muyun pressed his lips together. “It was later discovered that a jailer in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, who had prior ties to Prince Jin, supplied him with the poison. The man has already been punished.”

“Tsk, tsk. Such loyalty—not striving to keep his old acquaintance alive but eagerly providing poison instead.” Yan Qi shook his head, a mocking smile playing on his lips. Li Muyun tensed at the remark, but Yan Qi waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry. I know you followed procedure. We’ll investigate this matter thoroughly. I trust that with all of you working together, the truth will surely come to light.”

Yan Qi’s words were smooth, but to Zheng Baishi, they felt like a biting gale in the depths of winter, chilling his face with their sting.None of the men responded, and the guard outside returned, yet Wan Xi was not following behind him.

"Your Highness! We went to Kunning Palace, but Her Majesty the Empress refused to release him."

Yan Qi frowned, slowly straightening his posture. Instead of anger, he smiled, seemingly pleased with this outcome. He then stood up, brushing off nonexistent dust from his robes. "Ah, after all, she is the Empress. We must not breach etiquette. As a junior, it would be improper for me to demand someone from Kunning Palace." As he spoke, Yan Qi looked at Li Muyun and Zheng Baishi. "Gentlemen? Shall we make a trip to Chongzheng Hall?"

Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun both smiled wryly in unison. Yan Qi was now driving ducks onto a perch—and doing so with a knife in hand. What other choice did they have but to comply?!

Zheng Baishi sighed. "Very well, please lead the way, Your Highness—"

Yan Qi turned to look at Qin Guan. Qin Guan quickly said, "Since it's a deliberation at Chongzheng Hall, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to accompany you. I will go pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. If you have any orders, Your Highness, you may send someone to the Longevity and Health Palace to find me."

Yan Qi was satisfied and turned to leave.

Zheng Baishi and Li Muyun exchanged glances behind him, then both looked at Qin Guan. Qin Guan also offered a faint, bitter smile. The three of them stared at each other for a moment before eventually filing out one after another.

Outside the Imperial Punishment Office, the autumn sun was shining brightly, yet Zheng Baishi felt a chill. In these times, there were too many helpless situations. To plead for the people's welfare, one must hold a high position to achieve their wishes. Yet, how difficult it was to climb higher! Now entangled in the struggle for the throne, Zheng Baishi could only hope that this matter would not involve the Empress or the Eastern Palace in the slightest.

Zhao Shuhua had left no stone unturned in her calculations for Yan Che and Yan Zhen, but she never expected Song Xiwen's body to appear at Prince Jin Manor. When she received the news, she felt as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight. However, she quickly composed herself because she knew with absolute clarity that all events from the previous year had been handled cleanly, leaving no traces behind.

She was the Empress of Great Zhou, having held her position for twenty years. Any verbal accusations would not cause her substantial harm. She sat firmly in Kunning Palace, reassuring herself over and over. But when Yuan Qing arrived at Kunning Palace with a smiling face yet an unyielding attitude, all of Zhao Shuhua's previous mental preparations crumbled instantly, and she began to feel intensely uneasy.