Coroner's Diary

In Prince Cheng's residence, Yan Qi's face was etched with a stern and ruthless expression!

He flung the memorial in his hand directly at Lu Xiao and Mao Qing, his entire demeanor appearing sinister and terrifying!

"Fools! How many days has it been?! A living person—and you haven't even found a single trace!"

Zhu Yucheng was dead, and of course, Yan Qi was unwilling to accept it. The eunuch named Wanxi hadn't been broken, and Yan Qi was even less likely to give up! Over the years, ever since Prince Jin's downfall last year, he hadn't expected Yan Che to use it as a stepping stone. Who said becoming the Heir Apparent guaranteed the throne?! How many Crown Princes in history had been deposed!

Yan Qi had originally thought he would have to wait much longer for this opportunity, but he never imagined it would come so quickly!

The corpse discovered in the backyard of Prince Jin Manor was like a timely rain after a long drought or charcoal in a snowstorm!

This opportunity, which he had been eagerly awaiting, would not be let slip away so easily!

Although Zhu Yucheng was dead, it was impossible that he had acted alone in the past. Zhu Yucheng, after all, was an old servant with considerable influence, but he was the Empress's man. Falling into Yan Qi's hands, death wasn't a bad outcome for him!

Over the years, Zhu Yucheng's greatest hobby had been taking on disciples and adopted sons.

His disciples were eunuchs, while his adopted sons were low-ranking guards in the imperial guards.

For a man without roots, the greatest regret, aside from being unable to sleep with women, was the lack of an opportunity to carry on the family line. Therefore, Zhu Yucheng's adopted sons had to be whole men. As the chief eunuch of the Imperial Punishment Office, even low-ranking imperial guards had to bow to him. It wasn't difficult for him to pick a few who caught his eye and make them kneel and call him "Father."

Wang Han was one of them. While Zhu Yucheng had quite a few adopted sons, Wang Han was the only one who had recently gone missing. Yan Qi had also investigated the others—some had long left the palace, while others had been promoted elsewhere. When Song Xiwen's body was taken out of the palace, the most critical point was the guards at the four palace gates. A year ago, Wang Han happened to be the captain of the guard at Xihua Gate. His rank wasn't high, but it was absolutely useful, especially since he had built good relationships with his fellow imperial guards. Smuggling items out of the palace unnoticed was easy for him.

After all the calculations, Wang Han was the most suspicious one.

Yet he had fled, and Yan Qi's men had searched for days and nights without finding him!

Lu Xiao was Yan Qi's most trusted strategist and the chief steward of the royal residence, while Mao Qing was the cavalry commander of the residence, with all the soldiers under his command. This time, Yan Qi had deployed both of them to find Wang Han, but after several days, there was still no news. Yan Qi was so furious he could have skinned them alive!

Lu Xiao said with a pained expression, "Your Highness, when we sent people to find Wang Han's uncle, he had already fled. It must have been arranged by the Empress long ago. Please calm your anger, Your Highness. The men are still searching day and night—we will surely find him!"Yan Qi sneered coldly as he looked at Lu Xiao, "You're truly naive and innocent, aren't you?! Huh?! Tell me, how many days has it been?! Last time, although Father Emperor reprimanded the Empress, that little eunuch didn't spill a single word! Do you realize my face is already hanging by a thread?! The Empress is now leisurely drinking tea and admiring flowers in the palace as if nothing happened that day. Now there are already people at court saying I fabricated facts to frame the Empress! Are you deaf and blind?!"

When Yan Qi was in a rage, no one dared to talk back. Lu Xiao listened with sweat pouring down his face, enduring the torrent of scolding head-on. "Yes, yes, the prince is right to scold me. It's all my incompetence, all my incompetence—"

Yan Qi let out a sharp, mocking laugh. Seeing Lu Xiao's submissive demeanor, he found himself unable to continue berating him. He turned to Mao Qing instead, "And you! Are the troops I gave you not up to the task? Should I transfer the imperial guards and the Garrison Battalion for you?! So the whole world knows I'm using my private soldiers to hunt someone down?!"

Mao Qing immediately knelt down. Unlike Lu Xiao, he spoke bluntly, "Your Highness, Wang Han left no clues behind. Our people received the news too late. Searching for him now is like fishing for a needle in the ocean—it's truly difficult."

Yan Qi sneered again, but seeing Mao Qing's dull, stern expression and blockish face, he didn't even know how to curse at him. He slammed the table hard, "Fine. So you're saying this person can't be found?"

Lu Xiao quickly glanced at Mao Qing, "No, no, Your Highness! It's just that we need more time—"

Yan Qi crossed his arms, watching Lu Xiao with detached amusement, "Alright. How many more months?"

Stumped by this question, Lu Xiao forced a bitter smile, "This humble servant estimates we'll have news in two or three days. Our men have left the city and are pursuing in the direction Wang Han might have taken. He's a living person, and he's fleeing for his life—he can't have left no traces at all. It's not yet the New Year period, so there aren't many people traveling urgently on the roads..."

Yan Qi narrowed his eyes, grinding his molars. If tearing these two useless men apart could produce Wang Han, he wouldn't hesitate for a moment. Taking a deep breath—for Yan Qi wasn't just about losing his temper—he asked, "Have you investigated the eunuch who died a few days ago?"

Hearing this, Lu Xiao drew a sharp breath, "We have. This person was in charge of procurement for the Household Affairs Department. He was personally promoted by Her Majesty the Empress five years ago. Though unrelated to Zhu Yucheng, he could be considered one of the Empress's trusted aides in the Household Affairs Department. He was usually cautious with his words and actions and rarely visited Kunning Palace. However, his subordinates said that even when the Empress wasn't present, he showed her great respect. Once, when a eunuch privately gossiped about the Empress being harsh toward palace staff and it reached his ears, he summoned that person, reprimanded him harshly, and fined him a month's wages."

Yan Qi sneered coldly. There were plenty of sycophants in the palace who flattered superiors and bullied inferiors, but those who put on such an act even without their master present were rare. Originally, this eunuch hadn't been particularly close to the Empress, but at this critical juncture, his sudden accidental death made Yan Qi take notice despite himself. Yet... the man was dead. A dead man tells no tales.

Yan Qi clenched his fists tightly, feeling a suffocating fire burning in his chest, tormenting him unbearably.Fuming with suppressed anger, a shadow suddenly darted in from outside. "Your Highness, a letter has arrived."

A letter?! Yan Qi waved his hand, signaling Mao Qing to rise, then gestured for the letter to be presented.

Lu Xiao hesitated as he stepped forward. "Your Highness, be cautious—"

Yan Qi smirked defiantly, snatching the envelope. "It's just a letter. Could it possibly conceal some lethal trap?"

With those words, Yan Qi opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

Though the letter contained only a few brief lines, Yan Qi's expression instantly darkened.

Exchanging a bewildered glance with Mao Qing, Lu Xiao couldn't resist asking, "Your Highness, who sent it?"

Yan Qi slammed the letter onto the table with a sharp crack, his entire being seething with rage. His cold gaze swept over Lu Xiao and Mao Qing as he hissed, "The person you kept claiming you couldn't find—now someone else has found him!"

Lu Xiao and Mao Qing paled dramatically, exclaiming in unison, "How can that be?!"

Yan Qi crumpled the letter into dust, letting out another cold laugh. "Whether it's true or not, I'll find out by confronting him myself!"

Lu Xiao looked skeptical. "Your Highness, where are you going?!"

Yan Qi gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes. "To pay a visit to my seventh brother!"

The emperor's seventh prince had died young, so the "seventh brother" Yan Qi referred to was naturally Yan Chi, ranked seventh among the imperial clan's heirs apparent. Lu Xiao's face turned ashen. "How can that be? Impossible—"

Yan Qi shot Lu Xiao a glare. "Prepare the carriage!"

Lu Xiao seemed on the verge of saying more but dared not protest, quickly hurrying off to arrange the carriage.

...

...

By then, dusk had fallen. Yan Qi slipped out through a side gate in his carriage, soon vanishing into the dim twilight. The carriage wound its way east along a narrow path, taking a long, meandering route before finally arriving at Prince Rui's residence.

He had been here just days before.

Yan Lin was his imperial uncle, and as his uncle was laid to rest, Yan Qi had naturally attended.

During that visit, the desolate atmosphere of Prince Rui's residence had deeply shaken him. The mournful sight of white silk and funeral decorations had sent chills down his spine. He had silently vowed then that he would never allow such a day to befall Prince Cheng's residence.

And now, he was back.

The white silk and soul streamers had been removed, yet the royal residence remained eerily vacant and forlorn.

Though Prince Rui's residence had rarely been occupied in the past, Prince Cheng faintly remembered its former glory.

It was many years ago. His imperial uncle had returned from the frontier to report on his duties, riding tall on a majestic horse, imposing and awe-inspiring. At the time, Yan Qi had vaguely felt that Yan Lin, atop that great steed, seemed even more lofty than his own father. And trailing behind him was a procession of Northwest Frontier Army generals—those tall, battle-hardened men of martial prowess, each gazing at Yan Lin with reverence. This was something his own father had longed for but never attained. From that moment, Prince Rui's residence had become somewhat unapproachable, and Yan Qi had nearly forgotten that he himself was a prince born of the heavenly family, inherently noble.

Yan Qi stepped down from the carriage and cast another glance at the side gate of Prince Rui's residence, now draped in cobwebs and dust.

Under the ink-black sky, Prince Rui's residence lay as quiet as a tomb, and this dark, narrow gate couldn't even compare to the entrance of an ordinary official's home. Its glory had faded beyond recall, especially with its master so recently departed.

At this thought, no trace of a mocking smile touched Yan Qi's lips.For he never expected that the letter just now was actually written by the young master of this residence.

An eagle with broken wings, unable even to take flight—how dare it snatch prey from a tiger's jaws?!

Narrowing his eyes, Yan Qi signaled his guard to knock on the door. The moment the doorframe was struck, someone inside opened it with a creak. An unfamiliar guard stood within, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness. Please—"

This clearly indicated they had been waiting for some time. Without comment, Yan Qi entered Prince Rui's royal residence.

Having grown up in the imperial palace and later resided in the extravagantly luxurious Prince Cheng's residence, Yan Qi had assumed all princely estates should be similarly opulent. Yet during his recent visit, he realized many royal residences merely had impressive facades.

A cold weight settled in Yan Qi's heart—could it be that the eagle daring to steal from the tiger's mouth was never truly injured?

"Your Highness, my master awaits ahead—"

The guard pointed toward a waterside pavilion not far away. Yan Qi straightened his robes and ascended calmly.

Built upon an elevated platform, the pavilion commanded an exceptionally broad view. The higher he climbed, the more evident it became that this royal residence's construction rivaled his own Prince Cheng's estate. However, its master had made the frontier his home, remaining absent for years, leaving the residence gradually deserted and overgrown.

After a few more steps, Yan Qi spotted Yan Chi.

Clad in sweeping black robes with wide sleeves, Yan Chi stood with his back turned at the pavilion railing. The chilly night wind lifted the hem of his garments, and Yan Qi fleetingly thought Yan Chi's silhouette resembled a black eagle poised to ride the winds...

An inexplicable chill ran through him, erasing the last traces of disdain and condescension in his heart.

Who exactly had been spreading rumors that Prince Rui's Heir was broken by his father's death?!

"Seventh Brother, you certainly have refined tastes—"

Ascending the final step, Yan Qi immediately noticed the fine wine and delicacies arranged on the stone table.

Yan Chi turned from the railing, his sharply carved features appearing eerily detached under the glow of the corridor's Palace Lanterns.

Curling his lip slightly, Yan Chi offered no formal salute, leaning casually against the railing as he remarked, "Fourth Brother arrives with anger—it seems you've indeed encountered difficulties."

Yan Qi believed he had concealed all emotion, yet Yan Chi had still perceived it.

Glancing at Yan Chi, Yan Qi first picked up the wine jar on the table and poured himself a full cup. Raising it, he drank deeply and smacked his lips, "It's Shuoxi's burning knife—"

The strong liquor burned like embers down his throat. Accustomed to the imperial court's mellow wines, Yan Qi nearly coughed but refused to show any weakness before Yan Chi's composed demeanor.

Setting down the cup, Yan Qi moved to stand beside Yan Chi.

"Your invitation today surely wasn't merely for drinking."

Yan Qi's voice carried a slight hoarseness, the fiery sensation still lingering.

"You've got nerve, summoning me to your royal residence."

Yan Chi turned fluidly, and they stood shoulder to shoulder, their gazes drifting vaguely into the distance.

From this angle, they faced precisely toward the imperial palace.

Yan Chi said mildly, "Fourth Brother is no coward. Had you feared coming, you wouldn't be here."

Yan Qi snorted, "Don't provoke me with such words. You know what troubles me. If you can truly assist, spare the preliminaries. I'll remember this favor."Yan Chi suddenly let out a low laugh. His half-smile carried a chilling undertone, exuding an indescribable pressure. Unlike Yan Qi, whose features bore a sinister and intimidating aura, it was this very laugh that made Yan Qi catch the scent of blood and dust in the air.

"What are you laughing at?"

As soon as he asked, Yan Qi knew he had lost the upper hand.

Yan Chi remained unhurried, while Yan Qi grew restless...

Tilting his chin slightly, Yan Chi said, "Fourth Brother, in your eyes, does the Prince Rui’s royal residence no longer even have the right to make demands?"

Yan Chi’s tone was light, tinged with a hint of lament and mockery.

Yan Qi frowned, yet his lips tightened as if he had expected this.

The Prince Rui’s residence was indeed desolate and dilapidated, but deep down, he knew that even if it crumbled into ruins, the mere mention of its name would send tremors through the Northwest Frontier, if nowhere else.

He had been somewhat careless. Yan Qi averted his gaze and asked, "What conditions do you want to propose?"

"What I want, Fourth Brother surely knows. What has the Prince Rui’s residence shed blood and sacrificed for generations, if not that tiny piece of land?"

Yan Chi spoke casually, almost indifferently, yet with an unshakable confidence that unsettled Yan Qi, as if Yan Chi’s hand were already at his throat.

Gritting his teeth, Yan Qi let his anger spill out. "A tiny piece of land?! The Northwest Frontier is a crucial pass. What you want isn’t just that land—you want the hundred thousand troops stationed there, don’t you? Yan Chi, have you lost your mind?"

Yan Chi remained silent, his sculpted profile strikingly handsome and intimidating in the night.

His silence signaled dissatisfaction. Yan Qi snorted coldly. "Yan Chi, don’t act like this. You’re in the capital now, while the Northwest Frontier Army is thousands of miles away. If you want to make demands, you should show some sincerity. If I refuse the person you hold, it’s no loss to me. But you—you’ll lose an opportunity."

A faint smile curved Yan Chi’s lips. "It seems you’ve already decided on your bargaining chip?"

Yan Qi smirked coldly. "Don’t be too greedy. With our uncle gone, you can’t swallow the Northwest Frontier in one bite. Besides, the military power there is sensitive—I doubt you’re unaware. If I were you, I’d secure the royal title first. Wait until the case in the Northwest Frontier shows some progress. If our uncle is implicated, you might not even inherit the title."

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, as if considering the words. Yan Qi continued, "There aren’t many in the court who would speak up for you at this critical moment. But if we reach an agreement, I can arrange for you to inherit the title first. We can discuss other matters later. I know you’re unwilling to let go, but I advise you to forget about the Northwest Frontier Army."

He paused before adding, "This is your fourth brother’s advice."

As advice from a brother, it was meant to be more heartfelt.

Yan Chi chuckled again. "Trading a title for some insignificant nobody isn’t entirely out of the question."

Yan Qi’s expression relaxed, thinking Yan Chi had agreed. But then Yan Chi went on, "However... the Empress is also searching for this person. Doesn’t that make him more valuable?"

Yan Qi’s eyes narrowed sharply. "Since you came to me, you know I’m the one most likely to help you. If you insist on being greedy, be careful not to gain anything from either side. The Prince Rui’s residence is hanging by a thread right now. Do you really want to test its limits?"Yan Chi immediately smiled. "When it comes to military strategy, I'm still three points better than Fourth Brother. Does Fourth Brother know who loses in a three-way standoff?"

Yan Qi's eyebrows shot up high. Yan Chi continued, "It's the one who watches opportunities slip away."

Yan Qi pressed his lips tightly together. This was originally a struggle between him and the Eastern Palace, yet Yan Chi suddenly intervened. He could understand Yan Chi's perspective - the Northwest Frontier Army had been under Prince Rui's control for years. With Yan Lin dead, it wasn't surprising that Yan Chi had such ambitions. However, no matter what, he wouldn't help Yan Chi regain full control of the Northwest Frontier Army, as that would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountains.

Yet he absolutely couldn't reconcile with the Crown Prince either.

By comparison, if the man before him became his ally, what chance would the Crown Prince still have?!

Yan Qi took a deep breath. "What else do you want?! You can't return to the northwest to command troops in the short term!"

This was clear to everyone, and obviously, Yan Chi had no intention of arguing this point with him.

He pondered for a moment, seemingly considering how to modify his request. Soon, he said lightly, "Zheng Xincheng is Fourth Brother's man—"

Yan Qi's heart leaped violently. "You... you know?!"

Yan Chi curved his lips. "Then have him protect a few more people for me. Since I can't go to the northwest, my greatest concern is my brothers. Lin Xugui's current mission there is quite malicious, and I don't want our late father to rest uneasily."

Yan Qi felt another wave of frustration clogging his chest.

Lin Xugui was certainly ill-intentioned, but was Zheng Xincheng any better?!

He had planned to use Zheng Xincheng to take advantage of Lin Xugui's mission, using Lin Xugui as cover to eliminate Prince Rui's old faction, cultivate his own people, secure key positions, and seize as much actual control over the Northwest Frontier Army as possible. But now with Yan Chi's request, it was like being asked not only to forgo the fat sheep already in his mouth but also to return treasures already in his pocket...

Yan Qi felt waves of pain in his chest, his back teeth nearly grinding to dust!

Meanwhile, Yan Chi stood enjoying the breeze and moonlight, completely unaware of how much blood his words were making Yan Qi swallow, appearing utterly composed and at ease.

Yan Qi had always considered himself quite ruthless, but now he suddenly felt that this seemingly proper young general returned from the northwest was even more inhuman than him!

"You... let me think..."

Yan Chi neither agreed nor disagreed, turning to refill two cups of wine. "Of course, Fourth Brother can take as long as you need to consider - as long as it's before I change my mind—"

As he spoke, he brought a cup of shao dao zi liquor to Yan Qi.

Looking at the full cup of strong liquor, Yan Qi felt his throat still aching. Yet not daring to accept the drink would be unbecoming of his stature. So Yan Qi grabbed it and downed it in one gulp again. The fiery burn spread from his throat all the way to his stomach. Standing stiffly, he watched Yan Chi savor the strong liquor with unhurried relish...

Yan Chi looked at Yan Qi in surprise. "I never expected Fourth Brother to have such alcohol tolerance. This is the finest shao dao zi liquor. In the northwest's heavy snow and ice, we only drink it during patrols. Those who can handle it feel warmed throughout the night with one cup, while for those who can't, it's no different from drinking poison... Fourth Brother has actually developed such tolerance here in the capital..."

Yan Qi, "..."

Seeing Yan Chi about to refill his cup again, Yan Qi gritted his teeth with a hum, slammed the cup down heavily, and strode away!Yan Chi chuckled softly behind him, "If Fourth Brother likes it, I'll have two jars sent to your residence tomorrow!"

Yan Qi quickened his pace, the burning in his throat truly felt like he had been poisoned!

How detestable! Utterly detestable!

As Yan Qi fled as if escaping, the smile at the corner of Yan Chi's lips finally faded. He raised his wine cup, the strong liquor pouring down his throat like a stream. The liquid, devoid of any lingering fragrance, flowed down like knives, yet Yan Chi felt nothing at all. To those present, this wine was indeed no different from poison. With that one drink, Yan Qi would likely have his stomach and spleen agitated to the point of bleeding, but for Yan Chi, it had long become accustomed.

He remembered with particular clarity a recruit who had left the frontier outpost with him five years ago to patrol the Cold Plains. Unable to stomach the burning liquor, the young soldier had ended up frozen to death on the icy expanse outside.

With this memory weighing on him, Yan Chi poured himself another cup.

The pungent aroma of the liquor assaulted his senses—unlike the mellow richness of imperial wines, it carried only the harsh, scorching intensity of the western frontier's bitter winds. The dim lamplight cast a reflection in the wine cup, and as Yan Chi's hand trembled slightly, the liquid rippled, transforming into a scattering of shimmering starlight. In that instant, the beacon fires of the western frontier, his comrades-in-arms, and the face of Prince Rui flashed before his eyes. Squinting, Yan Chi downed another cup in one gulp!

The burning sensation trailed down his throat, spreading warmth through his body.

The icy blood in his chest began to thaw, gradually coursing through his limbs.

Bai Feng strode in from outside. "Master, Prince Cheng isn't heading back to his royal residence. It seems he's going to the Eternal Joy Quarter to find Yang Han, the Minister of Revenue..."

Yan Chi tossed the wine cup aside, his eyes instantly glinting with a cold, sharp light.

This was a last resort. Now, unless the Emperor gave the order, no one could send him to take command of the western frontier army.

But the Emperor...

A cold laugh echoed in Yan Chi's heart. "At most, we'll have news in two days."

Bai Feng hesitated slightly. "You don't think he'll report these matters to Chongzheng Hall, do you?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "Not unless he wants to see the Crown Prince removed from power."

"Earlier, you mentioned wanting to return to the western frontier, but Prince Cheng will likely—"

Yan Chi lifted his chin. "The Zhou people have a flaw—"

Bai Feng made a questioning sound, unsure of Yan Chi's meaning, but then heard him continue calmly, "When you want fifty gold, it's best to ask for a hundred."

Understanding dawned in Bai Feng's eyes, and he immediately grasped the strategy.

"Is everything prepared?" Yan Chi suddenly asked.

Bai Feng responded promptly, "Rest assured, Master. Everything is in place."

...

...

After leaving Prince Rui's residence, Yan Qi first growled angrily, "Is anyone following us?"

Night had long since fallen, and the capital was now illuminated only by the bizarre, colorful lights of the eastern and western markets and the various Dens of Gold Consumption. The narrow Path they were traveling was pitch black, and in the stillness of the night, the rattling of the carriage wheels was particularly jarring.

"Your Highness, there's no one following us—"

Yan Qi felt somewhat reassured, but his chest remained tight with pent-up fury. "Head to Yang Han's place—use the back entrance!"

The first person Yan Qi thought to consult about this matter was Yang Han. Years ago, Yang Han had received great favors from Feng Lingsu and the loyal Duke's household. Though he appeared to be a neutral, upright official on the surface, he had secretly provided substantial support to Yan Qi. He didn't know how Yan Chi had uncovered this, but since Yan Chi knew, he could visit Yang Han immediately after leaving Prince Rui's residence tonight.

Because the terms Yan Chi had proposed left him deeply conflicted!

As he departed Prince Rui's residence, he had even wondered where that Wang Han was. But after downing a cup of burning liquor, he immediately dismissed any thought of forcibly taking someone from the residence. Daring to invite him so openly to Prince Rui's residence meant Yan Chi had prepared for every contingency! Yan Qi gritted his teeth. It had been years—years since anyone had dared to threaten him so blatantly!

And yet, against all odds, he had truly been threatened...The prestigious Prince Rui's royal residence—inheriting the title was a minor matter, but saving the Northwest involved major personnel affairs. Whether there were other schemes and conspiracies at play, Yan Qi couldn't be certain. With a temperament like Yan Chi's, he dared not make optimistic assumptions.

The carriage cut through the night, arriving shortly at Yang Han's residence. The guards went to knock on the door, and the gatekeeper opened it with some puzzlement. After the guards whispered a few words, the gatekeeper was taken aback and promptly hurried inside. Soon, heavy, chaotic footsteps approached the entrance. Yang Han, in his forties, carried an air of scholarly elegance, but at this moment, he appeared somewhat flustered.

"It's so late—why has Your Highness come?"

Yang Han approached the carriage and bowed with clasped hands. The carriage curtain was lifted, and Yan Qi said coldly, "Is the residence clear?"

Yang Han nodded hastily. "Your Highness, please come inside to talk. Everything has been arranged!"

Yan Qi gave a noncommittal "Hmm" and leaped down from the carriage in one swift motion. Following behind, Yang Han hesitated before asking, "What brings Your Highness here? Are you unwell? Your voice sounds so hoarse."

Yan Qi, who had been striding forward, stumbled and nearly fell. He turned to glare at Yang Han. "Major affairs!"

With those two words, Yan Qi headed straight for his study without looking back. Yang Han widened his eyes in bewilderment, utterly confused as to why his concern for his master had provoked such anger.

...

At the Loyal Marquis Manor, Yan Che frowned and said, "The person has already left. Yan Qi is searching, but he likely won't find anything."

Qin Shu let out a sigh, somewhat perplexed. "Even if the Empress hadn't intervened back then, Prince Jin wouldn't have been able to clear himself of blame—after all, it happened in public where everyone saw it. Unless the real culprit can be uncovered."

Yan Che narrowed his phoenix eyes. Qin Shu suddenly realized he had said too much and hurriedly added, "But everything has been settled now. The court officials will gossip for a few days, and it'll pass. The only question is what Prince Cheng will stir up next. Song Xiwen's body must have a plausible explanation; otherwise, given Prince Cheng's temperament, he definitely won't let it go easily."

Yan Che knew this all too well. "If there's no explanation, then fabricate a reasonable one."

Qin Shu furrowed his brow but quickly understood. "Very well, I will make the arrangements."

Yan Che, however, shook his head. "This matter isn't for you to handle. Let Zheng Baishi take care of it."

Qin Shu's heart skipped a beat, but he replied, "For something like this, I'm afraid Brother Zheng might—"

Yan Che gave a faint, ambiguous smile. His appearance bore the handsome features common among the royal family, especially his sharply defined eyebrows that swept upward, enhancing his imposing presence. Over the past two years, however, his aura had grown increasingly somber. This smile carried a sharp, almost sinister edge, like a hidden dagger. "He's already in charge of such matters. Having him do it is more convenient than involving you."

The logic was sound, of course. But Zheng Baishi had served as an official for many years. Though he aligned with the Crown Prince's faction, he still upheld his principles. Entrusting him with such a task left Qin Shu uncertain whether Zheng Baishi would carry it out willingly.

"At this stage, such considerations no longer matter." After a pause, Yan Che added, "Lately, he has spoken favorably of Li Muyun several times in my presence. What do you think of Li Muyun?"This question put Qin Shu on alert once again. There was only one master, and this particular master had a gloomy and suspicious nature. Whoever he regarded as a confidant would enjoy future wealth and success. Qin Shu quickly ran through Li Muyun's background in his mind and said, "Brother Muyun... is naturally an excellent choice. In terms of origin, he shares similarities with the late Shen Yi—a good candidate to win over the hearts of common scholars. Officially, he currently holds the third-rank position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, which is quite rare for his age and demonstrates both capability and skill. However..." Qin Shu glanced at Yan Che, "His intentions are somewhat unfathomable."

Yan Che looked at Qin Shu, signaling him to continue.

Qin Shu then said, "Last year, during the Prince Jin incident, Shen Yi was somehow implicated. Logically speaking, Shen Yi had promoted him and was almost like a mentor to him. Yet at that time, he submitted a memorial that led to the complete destruction of Shen Yi's family. I believe... if used well, this man is a sharp sword; if mishandled, he might wound the wielder."

Yan Che immediately furrowed his brow and remained silent for a long while. "Shen Yi..."

Not hearing Yan Che speak, Qin Shu grew uneasy. After a pause, he only heard Yan Che murmur two words, as if something was on the tip of his tongue but forcibly suppressed. With a quick shift in his gaze, Qin Shu remembered that Shen Yi had nearly become Yan Che's father-in-law and immediately added, "If Shen Yi hadn't attempted to flee with his family, such a tragedy might not have occurred. That man was truly a pity..."

Qin Shu glanced at Yan Che and inexplicably felt that his expression had darkened further.

Yan Che stood up. "Didn't your residence recently acquire several pots of cosmos flowers?"

This question was an invitation to go admire the flowers. Qin Shu curved his lips into a smile and promptly replied, "Your Highness, please. They were delivered two days ago. I originally intended to send them to the Empress, but I just learned that tribute items had already been sent to her, so I kept them for myself."

Yan Che said nothing and walked out of the study, heading straight toward the flower garden. His expression was heavy, but as Qin Shu watched him go, his brow suddenly furrowed slightly. He instinctively wondered, Has Qin Guan left the residence today?

...

...

Of course, Qin Guan had not left the residence today. She was preparing to change the acupuncture technique for Yan Ze. However, this technique was entirely unfamiliar to her, so she needed to spend the day at home carefully studying it. Early in the morning, Qin Guan gathered all her acupuncture books, reviewed them one by one, and even drew diagrams. But drawing diagrams wasn't enough—she intended to test the technique on a real person.

Fuling pleaded with a pained expression, "Miss... please spare me... I'm afraid of pain, I dread it more than anything... Miss, why not try it on Ban Xia..."

Qin Guan sighed. "I've already tried it on everyone else. You're the only one left. Don't worry, it won't hurt."

Fuling didn't believe her and shuddered at the sight of the gleaming needle tip...

"Miss, why don't I call in a few junior maids instead?"

Qin Guan had already tested the needles on Ban Xia and the others, as well as on Baiying. Even her own elbow bore several red marks. However, acupuncture effects vary from person to person. Without testing on enough people, how could she dare to try it on Yan Ze's face? Yan Ze was a patient!

And a patient with an affliction in the most delicate part of the human body—Qin Guan held a needle in her left hand and a medicine pouch in her right, tilting her chin up. "You all, hold her down for me. I’ve noticed she’s been complaining of stomach discomfort lately—I’ll treat her with a couple of needles, and she’ll be fine in no time!"

Fuling nearly burst into tears. Seeing Ban Xia actually coming to grab her, she turned and fled toward the door in panic. "Miss, I just ate too much! Miss, I’ll go call someone for you right now—please don’t prick me with that needle…"

Fuling took off running, shouting as she went, while the young maids in the courtyard erupted in laughter.

Qin Guan walked to the doorway, needle in hand, and watched as Fuling truly scurried out of the courtyard gate. She couldn’t help but laugh and sigh. "That girl, it’s just a needle—how much could it hurt? Does it hurt any of you?"

Ban Xia and the others shook their heads in unison, but they still felt a chill in their hearts at the sight of the long needle in Qin Guan’s hand.

Baiying was also slightly amused by Fuling’s antics, but she knew that she and the young lady weren’t afraid of such things. Fuling, however, was a delicate girl, and as for Ban Xia and the rest—who wouldn’t be terrified of that cold, gleaming needle tip?!

Qin Guan said helplessly, "Go and call her back. The maids outside aren’t from my courtyard either—what would it look like if I dragged someone in just to give them a needle? I might as well test it on myself."

Hearing this, Baiying quickly interjected, "Miss, let me try it."

Ban Xia and the others also stepped forward. "Miss, prick us, prick us instead…"

Qin Guan couldn’t help but chuckle. "Never mind, all of you wait here. I’ll call you if I need you. This acupuncture method…"

Halfway through her sentence, a figure suddenly flashed by the courtyard gate. Everyone thought it was Fuling returning, but instead, a young maid slipped inside the courtyard. The girl’s face was frantic with worry. "Ninth Miss! It’s terrible—Sister Fuling just offended the Marquis in the flower garden and is being punished to kneel right now…"

Qin Guan, who had been turning to go back inside, froze in her tracks. Fuling offended her uncle?!

In the past, Qin Guan would have been certain that Qin Shu wouldn’t bother with a mere maid, and Fuling would never do anything truly disrespectful. But now, Qin Guan wasn’t so sure. After all, Qin Shu was angry with her—who knew if he might take it out on Fuling!

Qin Guan handed the needle to Baiying and stepped forward. "What happened? How did she offend my uncle?"

The young maid, looking frightened, whispered, "Ninth Miss, I’m a cleaning maid from the flower garden. Sister Fuling has always been so kind to me. Just now, when I passed by, I saw her kneeling in front of the Marquis. I don’t know what happened, but Sister Fuling looked utterly pitiful, so I came to tell you!"

Such were the benefits of Fuling’s warm and friendly nature toward everyone!

Not daring to take it lightly, Qin Guan said urgently, "Where are they? Quickly, take me there!"