Coroner's Diary

As dawn's first light crept in, Feng Lingsu opened her eyes to find the space beside her already empty!

Her hand reached out to touch where Yan Huai had slept, finding only coldness, and instantly her heart chilled as well.

Feng Lingsu withdrew her hand and gazed at the bed curtains for a moment before finally speaking. The servants waiting outside entered to attend to her. Once washed and dressed, Feng Lingsu's face once again bore the dignified and delicate composure of nobility.

Bao Die approached softly and said, "Your Highness, after His Majesty left here this morning, he heard that Wan Fei was unwell and sent over the premium blood swallows' nests that were delivered this time. Those items are usually sent to you."

Feng Lingsu frowned slightly, then after a moment let out a cold laugh. "What has the Eighth Prince been up to lately?"

Bao Die sniffed and replied, "He's been studying with the Ninth Prince under the tutor. The Imperial College instructors say the Eighth Prince is rather dull-witted, not as clever as the young Ninth Prince despite his age."

Feng Lingsu narrowed her eyes - Bao Die's words had struck a sore spot once again.

After her, only two women in the entire palace had enjoyed exceptional favor: the deceased Consort Jin, and Wan Fei from Duke Song's household. Wan Fei had entered the palace earlier and had previously lost a child, but ultimately gave birth to the Eighth Prince. Compared to Consort Jin however, Wan Fei came from an aristocratic family and was clever enough to know how to survive longer in the palace. All these years, even after bearing a prince, she never stood out conspicuously...

But Consort Jin was different. She was younger than Wan Fei and enjoyed even greater imperial favor than her.

The Emperor's treatment of her remarkably resembled how he had treated Feng Lingsu back when they were still in the royal residence.

Feng Lingsu simply couldn't swallow this resentment!

"If it's sent, then it's sent. Such trivial matters need not be brought before me!"

Feng Lingsu's tone was sinister. Bao Die steadied herself, not daring to say more. Her mistress's temperament was truly unpredictable - if she didn't report something and her mistress found out, she would inevitably be blamed for not informing her, but if she did report, she would be disliked for being talkative.

As Bao Die suppressed her swirling thoughts, Feng Lingsu suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked, "You're saying the Ninth Prince is very clever?"

Bao Die nodded, "Yes, that's what the Imperial College instructors say."

Feng Lingsu smiled meaninglessly, "Usually he just looks like a mute gourd with its mouth sawn off, barely able to string a complete sentence together. Who would have thought such a young child already knows how to hide his cleverness? What a pity though - no matter how clever he is, what use is it?"

Bao Die accompanied the smile, "Indeed. With Consort Jin gone, only the Empress Dowager looks after him now."

Hearing "Consort Jin" made Feng Lingsu feel suffocated. All these years, she had indeed been the most favored consort in the palace, but... Feng Lingsu pressed her lips together, "What is Prince Cheng doing?"

Bao Die hurriedly replied, "His Highness Prince Cheng has been investigating the Prince Jin Manor case these past few days. He's very busy."

Feng Lingsu waved her hand, "Go call Chen Bi in. I have matters to instruct her."

Bao Die promptly acknowledged and left. Feng Lingsu played with the vermilion lacquer on her nails, closing her eyes only to recall the cold brocade quilt beside her. She composed herself, taking a long while to dispel the gloom in her heart.

...

...

When the imperial decree arrived at Prince Gong's residence, Yan Li didn't immediately comprehend it. Upon learning the decree's purpose, Yan Li hurriedly said, "My mother is still in the Buddhist shrine. I'll go invite her at once—"Yuan Qing quickly said, "Your Highness need not trouble the Princess Consort. You may accept this imperial edict directly. The investiture is scheduled three days from now. Since it involves conferring a princely title, the Ministry of Rites has prepared a small ceremony. You and His Highness Yan Chi will be enfeoffed as princes together."

Yan Li accepted the edict and nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Yuan Qing smiled. "Your Highness must remember to enter the palace to express gratitude. This is a grace bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress."

Yan Li smiled sincerely and thanked him again. Upon hearing this, Yuan Qing left with a cheerful laugh.

After Yuan Qing departed, Yan Li stood holding the black-edged imperial edict for a moment before turning around. He followed the quiet path through the residence toward the small Buddhist shrine. Outside the shrine, Princess Consort Gong was copying scriptures while wearing a plain hemp Daoist robe.

Over all these years, Yan Li had actually been waiting for this day. When the edict arrived, he felt some indescribable excitement in his heart. Yet seeing Princess Consort Gong's serene demeanor, he swallowed the words that nearly escaped his lips.

Princess Consort Gong heard Yan Li's approach but only set down her brush after finishing the sentence she was writing. She looked up. "What is it?"

Only after speaking did she notice the imperial edict in Yan Li's hand after a slight delay.

She hadn't seen such a thing in twenty years. The last time she saw one was likely when they were escorted back to the capital from Luozhou after Prince Gong's defeat. Since then, she had lived secluded in Prince Gong's residence without stepping outside, until Yan Lin's passing a few days ago when she first left this small compound.

"Mother—" Yan Li indicated the edict in his hand. "His Majesty wishes for me to inherit the title."

Princess Consort Gong's fingertips holding the brush trembled slightly, her gaze growing somewhat vacant. Soon, her pupils flickered faintly as she looked at Yan Li with unspoken words. Yan Li had come precisely to inform Princess Consort Gong and gauge her reaction. Seeing she had something to say, he waited expectantly. After a long pause, Princess Consort Gong lowered her eyelashes and sighed very, very softly.

"Since the edict has been issued, then follow his wishes."

Yan Li pressed his lips together, feeling there was something peculiar about Princess Consort Gong's expression though he couldn't pinpoint why. Over the years, she had devoted herself to Buddhist practices without leaving seclusion. Not only did outsiders not know what Princess Consort Gong was thinking, but even he as her son couldn't decipher her thoughts. Yan Li simply said, "This time it's both me and Seventh Brother. We'll inherit titles together. There will be a ceremony three days from now."

Princess Consort Gong kept her eyes lowered, her expression quickly returning to normal. Yet though her gaze remained on the scriptures, her brush didn't move. After a long while she said, "You mentioned last time... that Yan Chi is engaged to the Qin family's Ninth Miss?"

Yan Li nodded. "Yes, she's now Yongci County Princess."

Princess Consort Gong gave a soft "Mm" and said, "I see."

With these words, Princess Consort Gong had nothing more to say. Clutching the edict tightly, Yan Li seemed uncertain as he asked, "What does Mother think His Majesty intends? Why would he suddenly grant me the title?"

Princess Consort Gong glanced at Yan Li, then after a long while lifted the corners of her lips in a faint, elusive smile. "It's merely a title. The edict has been issued—what can we do about it? Having an additional title may not necessarily be a good thing."

She seemed to be speaking to Yan Li, yet also seemed to be talking to herself.Yan Li felt the imperial decree in his hand grow inexplicably heavy. Soon, Princess Consort Gong resumed writing scriptures. The room was lined with bookshelves filled with scrolls of Buddhist sutras that had been offered to the Buddha—all handwritten by the princess consort over the years. This seemed to have become her sole obsession in this world. Yan Li knew about his father’s rebellion and the many lives lost in that war. It was as if his mother were atoning for his late father’s sins...

“I understand. Inheriting the title won’t change anything. I know what you mean, Mother.”

Princess Consort Gong paused her brush for a moment before murmuring an acknowledgment and falling silent.

It was late autumn, and the small Buddhist shrine felt particularly cold and desolate. Yan Li turned and left, instructing the old Momma attending the princess consort to add a brazier to the shrine. Only after the Momma acknowledged the order did he depart. The royal residence appeared especially bleak and dilapidated in autumn. Holding the weighty imperial decree, he felt a sudden sense of bewilderment.

……

……

No one had expected the emperor to grant titles to both Yan Chi and Yan Li.

Especially Yan Li—everyone had assumed there would never be another Prince Gong.

Prince Gong’s rebellion had been an act of treason. The current emperor, Yan Huai, had been rescued from a pile of corpses, gravely injured with dozens of wounds and nearly drained of blood. It took a team of physicians two months to save his life, and he needed another half a year to recover before he could walk again. Having survived such a brush with death, it was no surprise that Yan Huai harbored deep hatred for Prince Gong’s lineage. Eventually, Prince Gong’s faction was eradicated—the Fu Clan and all conspirators met grim fates. Only Princess Consort Gong and her son Yan Li, orphaned and widowed, were spared.

Their survival was credited to the Empress Dowager, a move by the new emperor to cultivate an image of benevolence. It was widely assumed Yan Li would not live to adulthood and that the Prince Gong royal residence would fade into obscurity. Yet, against all odds, Yan Li not only grew up safely but was now inheriting the title—Prince Gong! From this day forward, Yan Li would be Prince Gong. Wouldn’t the emperor feel uneasy even hearing those words?

As the news spread, most were first astonished, then perplexed. Some praised the emperor’s mercy, others speculated that the Empress Dowager remained concerned for Yan Li, and there were those who claimed the emperor had softened with age. Regardless of the theories, the edict sent ripples through the court and beyond. Only Zhao Shuhua showed no surprise upon hearing of the decree.

Seated in the main hall of Kunning Palace, Yan Che frowned. “Yan Chi is one thing—that’s understandable. But Yan Li... Father visited the Longevity and Health Palace last night and issued the decree this morning without consulting anyone.”

Zhao Shuhua responded with a cold laugh, not out of anger but with the detachment of one who had anticipated this.

“You still don’t understand what kind of man your father is.”

Yan Che looked puzzled. “Do you also think Father has gone soft on Yan Chi and Yan Li?”

“Soft?!” Zhao Shuhua retorted as if hearing a joke, even letting out a light chuckle. “No, never associate that word with him, nor entertain such illusions. Your father is not a man who shows mercy—to anyone. That is precisely why I have always urged you to hold firmly to what you have now.”Yan Che felt that Zhao Shuhua's hostility toward the Emperor had grown increasingly intense lately. He wondered if she had discovered something, then remarked, "With Yan Chi inheriting the title, the Northwest Frontier Army will likely face even more resistance. We still don’t know what his plans are."

Zhao Shuhua narrowed her eyes. "Let’s set aside the Northwest Frontier Army for now."

Yan Che hesitated, wanting to say more. Zhang Qide had already returned—he was the best candidate. If they didn’t seize this opportunity, the Northwest Frontier Army would fall into Prince Cheng’s hands, a scenario Yan Che dreaded most.

Zhao Shuhua knew exactly what he was thinking. "Don’t contend for the Northwest Frontier Army now. I know Yan Qi has already begun to act, but you mustn’t forget who the Emperor sent as imperial envoys to the Northwest Frontier Army—who was dispatched to clean up the aftermath."

"Lin Xugui? And Yuwen Xian? And Ge Yang?"

The Emperor had sent several groups of people: some to investigate the Northwest Frontier Army, others to inspect the Northwest Route Transport Commissioner, and still others to handle the aftermath. These individuals were now all in the Northwest Frontier Army, either in Liangzhou or within the army itself. Yet they all shared one goal: to maintain stability and control. Yan Che’s pupils contracted. "Mother, are you saying…"

Zhao Shuhua gave a cold smile. "You may compete with Prince Cheng, but for now, do not contend with your father."

A chill ran down Yan Che’s spine. He understood Zhao Shuhua’s meaning perfectly. Previously, he had been severely reprimanded by the Emperor for recommending Zhang Qide. If he continued down this path, it would likely lead to more than just a scolding. Yan Che felt a shudder of fear—he had been too focused on Prince Cheng. Although he had some suspicions about the Emperor’s intentions, he lacked his mother’s certainty.

"Yes, I understand…"

Zhao Shuhua sighed. At times, she even wished Yan Che possessed some of Yan Qi’s cunning and ruthlessness, in addition to his steadiness. "Yan Qi hasn’t given up on last year’s incident—that’s what we must guard against. As for the Northwest Frontier Army, let him fight for it. Although your father allowed Yan Chi to inherit the title, it doesn’t mean he will relinquish control of the Northwest Frontier Army. Whether Yan Chi’s succession is good or bad is not for you to consider."

Narrowing her eyes, Zhao Shuhua added, "After all, having your uncle meet with misfortune is a rare opportunity, not one to be sought lightly."

Yan Che’s brow twitched violently. "Mother, you…"

Zhao Shuhua looked at him with amusement. "Did you think your uncle was assassinated for no reason?"

Yan Che’s expression darkened, his brows furrowing. "Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t happen, but…"

"Come with me." Zhao Shuhua suddenly stood and turned toward the inner chamber.

Yan Che quickly followed, his face filled with confusion. He watched as Zhao Shuhua walked to her dressing table in the inner chamber and retrieved a letter from a very inconspicuous jewelry box. "This is a letter your grandfather sent a few days ago. Read it."

Yan Che’s pupils dilated abruptly. He took the envelope, even instinctively glancing back as if afraid someone might burst in. His maternal grandfather was the commander of the Northern Garrison Army, and even with that connection, any private correspondence between him and Zhao Shuhua, the Empress, must never reach the Emperor’s ears. Yan Che swiftly unfolded the letter.

After reading it, his expression changed dramatically. "How is this possible?!"Zhao Shuhua narrowed her eyes. "Before Yan Chi returned, the Rong people had already ceased launching offensives. After spring, internal strife arose among them—the Red Cinnabar and Black River tribes clashed, with the Red Cinnabar chieftain emerging victorious. As the second son of the old Rong king, he was highly trusted by his father. It was this very chieftain who sent a peace proposal to Prince Rui, accompanied by substantial bribes."

Yan Che’s lips pressed into a sharp, taut line. "But... Uncle Prince Rui never reported it to the court."

Zhao Shuhua shook her head. "Because he recognized it as another Rong deception. They’ve proposed peace many times before—violence and bloodlust run innate in their veins. Their overtures are always temporary stratagems. The Zhou have suffered from such tricks before. Your uncle would never take it seriously. The most treacherous aspect is that this missive wasn’t sent to the capital but addressed personally to your uncle. If you were in his position, would you report such a letter?"

Yan Che fell silent. The court had never caught wind of this matter. Yan Lin had commanded the Northwest Frontier for years, enjoying autonomous authority over the Northwest Frontier Army. During peacetime, with the capital a thousand miles away, no one in the central government knew what transpired in the Northwest.

That the Rong peace proposal was sent to Yan Lin rather than Yan Huai in the capital signaled that, in Rong eyes, Yan Lin was the true ruler of Great Zhou. Whether the Rong’s peace intentions were genuine or not, this act placed Yan Lin in extreme peril. Reporting it would expose that the Rong recognized Yan Lin as Zhou’s king—a fact that would become public knowledge!

Yan Lin neither trusted the Rong’s proposal nor wished to amplify the repercussions, so he suppressed the matter.

The missive arrived in April. By May, seizing advantage of the Rong’s unresolved internal conflict, Yan Lin dispatched elite troops to annihilate over ten thousand soldiers from the Red Cinnabar chieftain’s left flank—another crushing blow to the Rong. Yet clearly, this seemingly buried affair had reached Yan Huai’s awareness...

It was a blatant slap to the emperor’s face.

A crude and foolish provocation, yet for one seated on the imperial throne, even recognizing the enemy’s malice couldn’t prevent the planting of an indelible shadow of doubt. Any ruler would realize that on the Northwest Plateau, Yan Lin had become the de facto wielder of power. The seed of suspicion, long sown, now erupted into a towering tree.

Though the incident’s impact was contained minimally—unknown even to most within the Northwest Frontier Army—it festered like a thorn in the emperor’s heart. How could such a thorn be extracted?

Yan Che’s expression shifted repeatedly. "So... that’s how it was..."

Zhao Shuhua took the letter, lit a tinder stick, and burned it to ashes under Yan Che’s stunned gaze.

"From now on, forget this letter. You need only remember your father’s resolve. Until you possess sufficient strength, do not confront him directly. The Great Zhou of today remains, after all, his Great Zhou."

Zhao Shuhua spoke these words calmly—the safest approach she could devise. Yet inexplicably, a foreboding unease stirred within her, as if with the onset of early winter, some peril drew nearer to her and Yan Che.