Coroner's Diary

Outside Kunning Palace, the imperial guards remained on high alert, standing firm.

Yun Yan hurried in from outside, her brow furrowed as she reported, "Your Majesty, we cannot get any messages out."

Zhao Shuhua's calm expression gradually clouded over. It had been six days—six days since Kunning Palace was besieged. During this time, none of her messages could be sent out, and no news from Yan Che could get through. After six days, she had no idea what was happening outside. A sense of unease rose in Zhao Shuhua's heart. "What about Wan Xi?"

"Eunuch Wan has exhausted every possible method. It’s no use. Whether it’s the Household Affairs Department or the imperial kitchens, they are all being watched extremely closely. Our food and drink these past few days have been personally arranged by Eunuch Yuan."

Yuan Qing personally arranging things... Zhao Shuhua frowned deeply, clenching her fists after a moment.

Yun Yan glanced at the gloomy sky outside the window and said, "What exactly is the Emperor’s intention? He hasn’t allowed Prince Cheng to succeed, nor has he accused you of any crime. Yet he’s keeping you confined here. What is his plan?"

Zhao Shuhua pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with deep thought. At first, she thought being confined for a few days was of little consequence, but now it seemed it wasn’t that simple. That man was the Emperor of Great Zhou—she knew all too well what was on his mind!

Keeping her trapped in Kunning Palace wouldn’t make her the most anxious; it would be Yan Che on the outside.

Zhao Shuhua’s heart tightened. "It’s fine, as long as the Crown Prince can keep his composure—"

Yun Yan pursed her lips. "I’m afraid His Highness might be anxious too. Whenever the Crown Prince was uncertain about anything in the past, he would come to consult you. Who can he turn to now?"

Yun Yan’s words were somewhat presumptuous, but Zhao Shuhua knew clearly that this was indeed the truth.

Yan Che relied on her, even depended on her. Even after becoming the Heir Apparent for a year, he was still accustomed to discussing every matter, big or small, with her. This was extremely rare, but it was also incredibly dangerous.

Zhao Shuhua’s heartbeat quickened gradually. Suddenly, she could no longer sit still.

She stood up and walked to the window, her voice cold. "No, we must find a way to send a message out. It’s been six days already. Ten days—we can wait at most ten days. Otherwise, who knows what the Crown Prince might do."

She knew Yan Che all too well. His temperament was indeed unusually steady, but all these years, he had never faced any storm alone. Of course, she had never given him the chance. In the past, she had always been there to guide him, but now, Yan Huai had cut off their connection... Zhao Shuhua suddenly realized, as if waking from a dream—could this be Yan Huai’s intention?

While Zhao Shuhua was trying to find a way to send a message out, Yan Che was also growing increasingly anxious to know what she was planning. Yet, despite all his efforts, the imperial guards outside Kunning Palace remained as solid as a fortress, leaving no opening.

In a side hall of the Eastern Palace, Yan Che’s face was icy. Tang Fu stood nearby with a sorrowful expression, sighing. "Prince Cheng is still investigating. He’s turning the palace upside down. Who knows what ruthless moves he might make next? Ah, it would be better to let the Empress come out and confront him."

But of course, a confrontation was out of the question, Yan Che thought to himself.

After all, Song Xiwen had indeed died at the hands of his own mother...Although Song Xiwen's body shouldn't have appeared in the backyard of Prince Jin Manor, Yan Che had no mind to ponder who was behind the scheme or what their purpose was. The Empress's imprisonment was a Signal Flare, and with each passing moment, Yan Che grew increasingly restless.

"His Majesty said he would lift Her Majesty's confinement when the time comes, but who knows how long that will be? Prince Cheng is not someone easy to deal with, and no one knows which side His Majesty truly favors..."

Yan Che's pupils contracted slightly. Indeed, his father's heart was what mattered most.

Yan Qi had made his move, yet the Emperor had only confined the Empress. It seemed like a light punishment to protect her, but what if her imprisonment dragged on indefinitely...

Yan Che sighed. The more perilous the situation, the more he must remain calm.

"It's fine. Father won't let Yan Qi continue investigating indefinitely."

Tang Fu grew anxious. "It's a pity the Grand General isn't in the capital. If only he were here."

A faint glimmer flashed in Yan Che's eyes as he suddenly recalled the letter Zhao Shuhua had shown him days earlier.

His maternal grandfather had guarded the northern border for years and remained unaware of the capital's developments. If it truly came to that day...

The thought emerged abruptly, but Yan Che forcibly suppressed it. He shook his head, firmly remembering the prohibition against private correspondence with the military. Noticing Yan Che's shifting expression, Tang Fu said, "But Your Highness needn't worry too much. I heard Prince Cheng's residence has been in turmoil these past few days - apparently a concubine lost her child."

Yan Che smirked coldly. With Yan Qi's debauched nature and countless beauties in his household, it would be strange if such incidents didn't occur.

No sooner had this thought formed than a eunuch announced from outside, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess has arrived—"

Yan Che raised his eyebrows. "This palace is occupied with state affairs. I will not see her."

Yet before his words faded, Qin Chaoyu stepped through the doorway. The eunuch appeared flustered and fearful, prompting Yan Che to frown and wave him away. Qin Chaoyu smiled warmly. "Even with Your Highness's busy schedule, you must take care of your health."

She carried a food box containing carefully prepared tonics, but Yan Che merely glanced at it. "This palace did not summon the Crown Princess. You should remain in your own courtyard."

Qin Chaoyu's smile faltered briefly before she quickly composed herself. "Your Highness is troubled by Her Majesty's situation - this humble consort understands. I've been reciting the 'Heart-Calming Mantra' daily, both to pray for Her Majesty and to settle my own mind."

Yan Che looked up at her. Qin Chaoyu continued, "This was Her Majesty's favorite scripture. Though I served beside her for only a short time, I perceived her as unshakable even if Mount Tai collapsed before her. Now that Kunning Palace faces adversity, it tests both Her Majesty and Your Highness. His Majesty and Her Majesty are wedded partners - he would never treat her harshly."

Regardless of other matters, Qin Chaoyu's words somewhat eased the anxiety in Yan Che's heart. His expression relaxed slightly, though inwardly he thought: What difference did being wedded partners make? For twenty years, his father's unwavering favor had belonged to another.

Qin Chaoyu took out the tonics from the food box. "This humble consort just learned that the Ninth Concubine in Prince Cheng's residence miscarried. Someone tampered with her miscarriage-prevention medicine - she lost the child nearly three months along."The soup in the porcelain bowl emitted an enticing aroma, yet Yan Che remained unmoved. He raised an eyebrow slightly as Qin Chaoyu spoke, "The imperial lineage has always been of utmost importance, and this is the first child of Your Highness's generation. Regardless of anything else, if the Empress Dowager were to learn of this, she would surely be deeply grieved..."

Qin Chaoyu smiled gently, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Yan Che. As he met her gaze, Yan Che sometimes wondered how she could maintain such flawless pretense. She was indeed one of the most outstanding noble ladies in the capital, yet the trust and tenderness in her eyes when looking at him occasionally gave him the illusion of their intimacy.

"Since that's the case, you may inform our royal grandmother of this matter."

Yan Che's command was delivered with blunt clarity. Qin Chaoyu smiled, "Your consort obeys."

"This consort recalls that Prince Cheng's ninth concubine seems to be..."

Yan Che looked questioningly at Qin Chaoyu, who responded with a bitter smile, "Your Highness remembers correctly. Prince Cheng's ninth concubine is indeed my cousin. She was forcibly taken by Prince Cheng initially, then willingly succumbed to degradation, and has now been expelled from the Qin clan."

After this incident occurred, Qin Shu had specially come to apologize. Yan Che pondered momentarily before saying, "Though she has become a concubine, she remains a daughter of the Qin family. Since such things have happened, you should send more people to inquire after her wellbeing."

Qin Chaoyu quickly understood Yan Che's implication and accepted with a smile. Noting Yan Che's indifferent expression, she wisely refrained from further conversation and took her leave. Once outside the side hall, she exhaled deeply, the smile vanishing from her face.

Mo Yun approached, "Your Highness, did His Highness partake?"

Without turning, Qin Chaoyu knew Yan Che wouldn't have touched it and shook her head. Mo Yun expressed indignation, "Your Highness prepared for so long, yet His Highness never partakes. Isn't this wasting Your Highness's thoughtful efforts!"

She then muttered under her breath, "His Highness always disregards Your Highness's considerations..."

Qin Chaoyu's bitter smile deepened. Even her maid could see clearly that Yan Che would never acknowledge her efforts nor evaluate her suitability as Crown Princess. He felt no tenderness toward her - marrying her had been merely for appearances.

Why was reality so different from what she had imagined?

The Empress liked and valued her so much, she had assumed Yan Che was willing in his heart as well.

Qin Chaoyu frowned, "What did that momma say last time?"

"Huh? Which momma does Your Highness mean?" Mo Yun momentarily failed to comprehend.

Walking extremely slowly toward her courtyard, Qin Chaoyu clarified, "The one who has served His Highness for many years. Was her surname Sun? Or Huang?"

Understanding dawned in Mo Yun's eyes, "Your Highness must mean Huang Momo. Huang Momo said many things last time..."

Though Mo Yun didn't know what specifically Qin Chaoyu was asking about, Qin Chaoyu herself remembered. That Huang Momo was already in her sixties - originally the Empress's wet nurse, she later became the Crown Prince's childhood attendant. Yan Che held considerable respect for this Huang Momo. After realizing the Crown Prince's coldness toward her, Qin Chaoyu had specifically curried favor with Huang Momo. Being exceptionally perceptive, Huang Momo understood her troubles and told her that the previous Miss Shen had been personally chosen by the Crown Prince himself, and it was he who had proposed taking her as consort. The Crown Prince was a man of deep affection - to gain his favor, one must first win his heart.Qin Chaoyu smiled bitterly once more. She had long since dispatched people to investigate the Crown Prince's previous engagement, yet the findings were disappointingly sparse. That young lady from the Shen family had entered the palace only a handful of times, and in daily life, she scarcely ventured beyond her own gates. It was utterly impossible for her to have cultivated a private affection with the Crown Prince. So what exactly had he seen in her? And what twist of fate had brought them together?

All of this remained shrouded in mystery, and Qin Chaoyu certainly couldn't inquire directly.

"Prepare yourselves. We are going to the Longevity and Health Palace to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

Qin Chaoyu swiftly composed her emotions. With the Empress currently confined, this was no time for idle speculation.

...

At Prince Cheng's royal residence, Lady Yu Shi, wife of the Loyal Duke, clung to Feng Chenbi as she wept. "Your Highness, Chenbi has grown up alongside you. Though she may be willful, she would never stoop to taking a life. How could you misunderstand her so?"

Listening to Yu Shi's lamentations, Yan Qi felt as though his head might split. Dealing with Feng Chenbi's distress was taxing enough; now, with this matron added to the mix, he could feel his patience draining at an alarming rate. The weeping of Yu Shi and Feng Chenbi buzzed in his ears like flies. His fist, resting at his side, twitched slightly. He wasn't certain he wouldn't erupt and strike someone in the next moment. He didn't hit women, but there were always exceptions.

"That wretched woman is merely a concubine. It was her own fault for not informing you of her pregnancy sooner. How can this be blamed on Chenbi? That harlot seduced her way into your residence in the first place. Who's to say she isn't deliberately framing Chenbi now? You know how straightforward and simple Chenbi is—how could you believe the words of that vile creature?!"

With every utterance of "wretched woman" from Yu Shi, Yan Qi felt his ears ache.

Yet Yu Shi persisted, "The Duke was beside himself with worry when he learned of this, fearing you'd misunderstand Chenbi. But your aunt knows you are a discerning man, not easily deceived by such tricks. Chenbi, stop your crying. The Prince is only trying to frighten you, not truly angry. When such matters arise in the inner quarters, it reflects poorly on your management..."

Yan Qi nearly laughed in bitter amusement. He had thought this foul-mouthed aunt of his only knew how to wail and make a scene, but it seemed she also possessed some cunning. A more thin-skinned man might have fallen for it, but she had clearly underestimated him. His impatience was on the verge of boiling over. He waved a hand dismissively. "Help the Duchess to her feet. And the Princess Consort as well."

Feng Chenbi had been kneeling on the ground. When Yu Shi arrived, she had thrown her arms around her and wept, leaving both women collapsed on the floor. The attending mommas hurried forward to assist them. At his words, Yu Shi shot a glance at Yan Qi, dabbing at her tears as she said, "Your Highness may not realize, the intricacies of the inner household are not as straightforward as court affairs. Many things are not what they seem on the surface. Is the Ninth Concubine in her courtyard? You are a man of great undertakings; leave these matters to Chenbi. If she proves incapable, your aunt is here to guide her..."

Yu Shi spoke with an air of utmost sincerity. No sooner had her words faded than an attendant entered and murmured a few words into Yan Qi's ear. His expression instantly darkened. A cold sneer curled his lips as he fixed his gaze on Feng Chenbi and Yu Shi, his fierce glare startling them into pale-faced terror. Yan Qi's voice was icy as he demanded, "Who was it that sent word to the Duke's residence?"As soon as these words were spoken, an old woman guarding the door immediately changed her expression. Without further explanation, Yan Qi lifted his chin to signal toward her. The old woman instantly dropped to her knees, about to cry out loudly to Yu Shi and Feng Chenbi for help when a guard who had arrived swiftly covered her mouth and dragged her away. Yu Shi turned pale with fright, "Your Highness—"

Yan Qi looked at her, and the words died in Yu Shi’s throat. Yet Yan Qi spoke slowly, "Two choices—"

At this, Yu Shi immediately tensed up, listening as Yan Qi continued, "First, get out of Prince Cheng’s royal residence at once."

Yu Shi widened her eyes, unable to believe Yan Qi would speak to her like this. But Yan Qi wasn’t finished, "Second, take her and my letter of divorce, and get out of Prince Cheng’s royal residence together. Which one do you choose?"

Yan Qi spoke unhurriedly, his voice not particularly loud, but as his words landed, fear seized Yu Shi’s very core. For when Yan Qi uttered the words "letter of divorce," the fury in his eyes seemed as if he wanted to tear them apart.

After hesitating for a long time, Yu Shi promptly released Feng Chenbi’s hand. Feng Chenbi, her face streaked with tears, watched Yu Shi leave. Turning her gaze, she met Yan Qi’s eyes, filled with a cold sneer, "Pack your things. We’re entering the palace—"