Coroner's Diary

Chapter 415

In the main hall, the Emperor and Empress sat in the central positions of honor. Beside the Empress stood the Crown Prince in his Ceremonial Robe, while Prince Cheng stood closer to Yan Huai. Feng Lingsu, Wan Fei, and other imperial consorts and princes stood on both sides. Yan Zhen gazed at Zhao Shuhua with red-rimmed eyes, and even Zhao Shuhua, despite her resilient nature, was on the verge of breaking down.

The ceremonial official began chanting the rites. Yan Zhen stepped forward according to protocol to bid farewell. After paying respects to the Emperor and Empress, she proceeded to the Longevity and Health Palace to take leave of the Empress Dowager. Once the rituals were completed, the Empress Dowager mounted her palanquin and accompanied Yan Zhen out. The procession advanced grandly to the Ancestral Temple for Yan Zhen to pay homage to her ancestors. Inside the temple, the tablets of the Yan ancestors were enshrined. After performing the solemn bows, Yan Zhen boarded the Bridal Carriage waiting outside the Ancestral Temple. The processions of the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager led the way, followed closely by Yan Zhen, all proceeding to the front of Zhenghua Gate. There, the Emperor and Empress assisted the Empress Dowager in ascending the tower, while Yan Zhen’s carriage passed through Zhenghua Gate.

It was already early winter, and a biting wind swept across the tower of Zhenghua Gate. Zhao Shuhua watched as Yan Zhen’s carriage emerged from beneath the gate arch and saw Yan Zhen lift the carriage curtain to look back. Tears she had held back all along now welled up in her eyes. Officials escorted the procession to the outside of Zhenghua Gate, where the long Imperial Road was lined with fluttering Banners and imperial guards. Yan Zhen, bearing the glory of the Great Zhou princess, departed to marry into Northern Wei. The commoners of the capital crowded along the Path, while attendants following behind continuously scattered celebratory coins to both sides.

By the end of the tenth month, the year was drawing to a close, and the capital’s citizens enjoyed an early festivity. Yet, standing atop the tower, Zhao Shuhua watched Yan Zhen’s carriage grow increasingly distant, feeling as though a part of her heart had been hollowed out. The jubilation of this grand wedding had nothing to do with her; if possible, she would not have let Yan Zhen leave at all...

But if she stayed, remaining in Great Zhou would surely be even more unbearable for Yan Zhen.

Zhao Shuhua took a deep breath, straightening her slightly bowed spine once more. Not far from her, Yan Che and Qin Chaoyu also wore solemn expressions. The gazes of many around them fell upon the pair, as if probing whether they appeared dispirited after days of confinement.

Yan Che had only one younger sister, Yan Zhen, whom he had cherished since childhood. He once believed her distant marriage was solely their mother’s scheme for her own benefit, but now he felt it might be for the best. Because ahead, both he and Zhao Shuhua faced uncertain futures.

Qin Chaoyu stood beside Yan Che, her makeup exquisite and radiant. At a glance, they made a striking couple.

The days of confinement had left no trace on her; she remained the proud, lofty top talent of the capital.

Regardless of whether the surrounding looks were scornful, contemptuous, doubtful, or mocking, she remembered the Empress’s relief upon first seeing her that morning. She knew Zhao Shuhua was pleased. In that moment, her heart felt profoundly serene and content. If she lacked Yan Che’s affection, at least the Empress appreciated her.

The Empress Dowager wiped her tears. "Zhen’er is gone, Zhen’er has left..."

Yan Huai supported the Empress Dowager, watching the carriage fade into the distance until only a faint silhouette remained. "The wind is strong atop the tower, Mother. Allow me to escort you back," he urged.

The Empress Dowager wished to watch a while longer, but the harsh cold became too much to bear. Thus, leaning on Yan Huai, she reluctantly descended the tower.

With the Emperor and Empress Dowager departed, the others followed suit in descending. Only Zhao Shuhua remained standing, unmoving.The young eunuch standing by the emperor watched Zhao Shuhua from afar, making no move to urge her forward.

Feng Lingsu had initially intended to descend the steps with the others, but upon noticing Zhao Shuhua’s stillness, she turned back and approached with a smile.

"The Northern Wei is a thousand miles away—how could Your Majesty bear to send the Crown Prince so far?"

Feng Lingsu stood beside Zhao Shuhua, chin lifted, her tone lightly mocking.

A trace of sorrow flickered across Zhao Shuhua’s face, but at these words, she swiftly tucked away all traces of grief and anguish.

She turned her gaze calmly toward Feng Lingsu, a hint of amusement in her voice. "The Noble Consort is too impatient. Not yet Empress, yet already wearing the Phoenix Robe. I wonder how the veteran officials of the Imperial Censorate will memorialize about such attire?"

Zhao Shuhua’s tone was airy, devoid of mockery—so composed that it seemed unremarkable for an Empress to overlook a lower-ranking consort wearing robes embroidered with phoenix patterns. Yet this very composure was unusual.

Feng Lingsu, however, failed to perceive this strangeness. She felt both guilty and humiliated.

Zhao Shuhua had been standing closer to the edge, and now only a handful of people remained on the watchtower. Those who had wished to linger longer quickly descended upon seeing the Empress and Noble Consort conversing, leaving the vast platform to just the two of them.

Years of pent-up bitterness surged within Feng Lingsu. The Empress had long been under house arrest, the Crown Prince suppressed—yet she still dared to be sharp-tongued. The injustice burned fiercely in Feng Lingsu’s heart.

"Your Majesty remains so unshaken. Perhaps you are unaware that voices in the court have even called for the Crown Prince’s removal. I worry for you—you could have done something, but..." Feng Lingsu glanced at the distant eunuch, "...in a moment, you will return to Kunning Palace. Who knows when you will next emerge?"

Zhao Shuhua suddenly laughed. She turned fully, studying Feng Lingsu with leisurely amusement. Though her gaze held no ridicule, Feng Lingsu felt as if sitting on pins and needles. Stiffening her spine and lifting her chin, she demanded, "What are you looking at?!"

Zhao Shuhua smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on Feng Lingsu’s. "Guess—what has kept you secure in your position as Noble Conspect all these years?"

Feng Lingsu’s earlier words had been provocative enough—even uttering "removal of the Crown Prince." Yet Zhao Shuhua showed not a flicker of anger. Instead, she posed an entirely unrelated question. Struggling to maintain her composure, Feng Lingsu allowed a trace of haughtiness into her eyes. "Back in the royal residence, the prince favored me most, and that has never changed. What does Your Majesty suppose it is?"

Zhao Shuhua laughed delightedly, her laughter light and melodious, as if she had heard a great joke.

Feng Lingsu had always felt outmatched in Zhao Shuhua’s presence, and now the laughter made her scalp prickle with unease. She could not help snapping, "What are you laughing at? This is common knowledge—has Your Majesty forgotten?"

Zhao Shuhua’s laughter gradually faded, though her lips remained curved in a smile. Her eyes held no mockery, only profound pity."Back then, the Loyal Duke's residence was considered the foremost among noble families in the capital. The prince merely sought to win them over. Your impulsive and competitive nature led him to indulge you somewhat, yet you grew arrogant from this favor, truly believing yourself to be the love of his life. Feng Lingsu, you are truly foolish."

"You—" Feng Lingsu's expression shifted dramatically, her eyes darting swiftly around the surroundings!

As an honored imperial consort, even if her rank was not as high as the Empress's, she would never tolerate such words from the Empress. She feared being overheard, which would damage her dignity, but after a quick survey confirmed no one was nearby, she relaxed. Had Zhao Shuhua spoken civilly, Feng Lingsu might have responded with mere sarcasm, but Zhao Shuhua's bluntness left no room for restraint—what did Feng Lingsu have to fear? After all, Zhao Shuhua would soon return to Kunning Palace as a prisoner!

"How dare you say that! Ha, I see—you're jealous! Jealous that the Emperor has treated me with unwavering favor for a hundred years! We both entered the royal residence early on, but has the Emperor ever visited your Kunning Palace in all these years?! Has he stayed even once?! His heart belongs only to me! So what if you're the Empress?! Isn't your current plight proof enough?! Your precious son is under house arrest! Do you know what that signifies?!" Feng Lingsu let out a cold laugh, wearing the expression of a victor. "Zhao Shuhua, you are far too arrogant. In this palace, you are the most pitiable one! Your Kunning Palace is no better than a cold palace—you receive no compassion from the Emperor. You are a truly wretched woman!"

The more Feng Lingsu spoke, the more vindicated and exhilarated she felt, as if venting a lifetime of pent-up frustration in these few sentences. She nearly burst into triumphant laughter.

Yet Zhao Shuhua showed no anger at all. She gazed calmly at Feng Lingsu, her eyes filled with a condescending pity, as if watching a madwoman rave. Feng Lingsu, initially feeling utterly relieved, grew inexplicably uneasy under that gaze, as if she had indeed committed some folly.

Zhao Shuhua suddenly said, "The prince will never love you, for you are utterly unworthy."

Her tone was light and faint, devoid of any aggression, yet it struck deep into Feng Lingsu's heart like a sharp blade.

Feng Lingsu clenched her delicate fists, her breath quickening. She stared at Zhao Shuhua in disbelief, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning of her words. She found it absurd and ridiculous. "Me? Unworthy?" she stammered, pointing a trembling finger at herself. "I think it is you who is unworthy! All these years, how diligently have I served the Emperor? How meticulously have I cared for his every need? My entire heart belongs to him. And you? Your mind is wholly occupied with paving the Path for your son. You've long wished for him to replace the Emperor, even after he was named Crown Prince—you never give up. You probably hope the Emperor dies tomorrow—"

As the words spilled out, a chill ran down Feng Lingsu's spine. How could she have uttered such a thing about the Emperor's death?!

Even if she meant that Zhao Shuhua wished for it, speaking it aloud would be grave disrespect if it reached the Emperor's ears...

Watching Feng Lingsu's horrified expression at her own slip, Zhao Shuhua smiled with pleasure. "On that point, you are correct."Her tone was extremely slow and deliberate, her entire demeanor composed and unruffled. Feng Lingsu, hearing these words, widened her eyes even further. Even if the Empress had been neglected for many years, she was still the Emperor's lawfully wedded wife by his grace, and after all, they had over twenty years of marital affection. How could she so cheerfully admit it?!

Feng Lingsu felt as if Zhao Shuhua had become a completely different person. "You... have you gone mad?"

Zhao Shuhua sighed and looked at her. "You say your heart is full of him, yet you've been deceived. Feng Lingsu, when you reach the underworld, I'm afraid you won't have the face to see him."

Feng Lingsu felt a roaring in her ears. She heard every word Zhao Shuhua said clearly, but when strung together into a sentence, she couldn't quite grasp its meaning.

Mad... Zhao Shuhua had truly gone mad... She had been driven insane by her confinement...

What did she mean by "deceived"? What did she mean by "when you reach the underworld, you won't have the face to see him"?

Who was this "him"? If she meant the Emperor, why didn't she say it directly? And the way she spoke made it sound as if the Emperor were already dead.

But the Emperor was clearly alive and well... If it wasn't the Emperor, then who could it be?

Feng Lingsu's hair stood on end, cold sweat streaming down her back, her entire being as if possessed.

Seeing her expression drastically change, Zhao Shuhua shook her head with a faint, mocking smile and prepared to descend the tower. But Feng Lingsu suddenly grabbed her. "Wait! What did you mean by that just now?! What do you mean by 'when I reach the underworld, I won't have the face to see him'? Who won't I have the face to see?!"

Feng Lingsu clung tightly to Zhao Shuhua's sleeve. Zhao Shuhua looked at her indifferently for a moment, and seeing her utterly distraught, resolutely pried her hand from her sleeve. Feng Lingsu was pushed away, stumbling back a step. She watched helplessly as Zhao Shuhua, dignified and elegant, descended the tower, and then watched as the eunuch beside the Emperor followed her. She knew that eunuch was there to escort Zhao Shuhua back to Kunning Palace.

Zhao Shuhua was about to be imprisoned again, but Feng Lingsu couldn't bring herself to feel joy. She didn't understand the meaning behind Zhao Shuhua's eerie words.

A cold wind howled past, and Feng Lingsu's palms grew clammy with sweat. A vague idea began to form in her heart, but merely glimpsing its outline through the thick fog of confusion terrified her so much she lost all composure. She dared not think too deeply or dwell on it. Turning around, she leaned against the battlement, gasping for breath. The cold air she inhaled stabbed at her throat, sending her into a fit of violent coughing. By the time Yan Qi found her, Feng Lingsu's face was flushed red from coughing.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

Feng Lingsu's cheeks were flushed. Hearing Yan Qi's voice, she frantically grabbed his arm.

Yan Qi had never seen Feng Lingsu like this and was immediately alarmed. "Mother, what's wrong?"

"The Empress said..." Feng Lingsu stopped after just three words, freezing in place. Suddenly, she turned to look in the direction where Yan Zhen's wedding carriage had departed. Her pupils trembled, a flicker of horrified realization dawning, but it only gave rise to even greater terror. Clutching Yan Qi's arm tightly, her entire body began to tremble. "No..."

Feng Lingsu had always been delicate, but Yan Qi knew his mother possessed the necessary cunning and means. He had never seen her so panicked. He grabbed both her hands and shook her firmly. "Mother, what exactly is wrong?"Feng Lingsu seemed to be shaken awake, her entire demeanor suddenly alert. She stared fixedly at Yan Qi, swallowing hard several times as if forcing back words about to spill out. "No... nothing. Just now the Empress... the Empress said some harsh things."

Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. "What did she say?"

Feng Lingsu lowered her gaze. "She said... your father doesn't truly dote on me..."

The corner of Yan Qi's mouth twitched. His mother had always been delicate and often acted coy before the Emperor, but why would the Empress argue about such matters with his mother? Yan Qi felt somewhat helpless. "The Empress herself isn't favored. No matter what, you're better off than her, Mother. Let's go down now, it's too cold here."

Feng Lingsu's hands were piercingly cold. She nodded and, supported by Yan Qi, began descending the city tower.

As Yan Qi assisted Feng Lingsu, who leaned heavily on him, his brow furrowed slightly. The more he observed, the stranger he felt, convinced today's events weren't so simple.

"Mother, what exactly did the Empress say?"

Feng Lingsu waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Just escort me back to the palace. I might have caught a chill."

Noticing the cold sweat covering Feng Lingsu's palms, Yan Qi didn't dare delay and promptly accompanied her back to Changxin Palace.

Though Yan Qi wished to stay with Feng Lingsu awhile longer, she refused. "Go attend to your affairs. I'll take a short nap."

Yan Qi had no choice but to leave. Once he was gone, how could Feng Lingsu possibly sleep?

Entering her inner chamber, Feng Lingsu leaned against the bed in a daze. The Empress's words echoed clearly in her mind, leaving her feeling disoriented. Before long, Bao Die entered and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor has returned to Chongzheng Hall from the Longevity and Health Palace. The pear soup is ready. When would you like to deliver it?"

Feng Lingsu saw Bao Die's lips moving but could barely make out her words, only faintly catching "pear soup." She suddenly remembered the pear soup she'd prepared—the Emperor had never once finished it, though he used to have such a sweet tooth.

Waving her hand, Feng Lingsu collapsed onto the bed. "I won't go. I'm not feeling well. I need to lie down."

Bao Die grew concerned. "Your Highness, should I summon the imperial physician?"

Feng Lingsu continued waving her hand. "No need... no need. Leave me alone to rest..."

Bao Die withdrew as instructed. Feng Lingsu pulled the brocade quilt over herself but couldn't stop trembling.

...

In the Longevity and Health Palace, Yan Li watched the Empress Dowager's slightly reddened eyes with heartache. "Don't be sad. She must marry eventually. Crown Prince Tuoba has excellent character—you needn't worry."

The Empress Dowager sighed. "Who knows how Crown Prince Tuoba will treat her? They'll be thousands of miles apart. If he mistreats her, how would we ever know?"

Yan Li shook his head helplessly. Meanwhile, Mammy Chen hurried in and whispered, "Your Highness, the Empress and the Crown Prince have both returned. The Emperor shows no intention of lifting the house arrest..."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then sighed after a long pause. "Why must he be like this!"

Unsure how to console her, Yan Li could only say, "Please rest now. You've caught a chill—we can discuss these matters later, alright?"The Empress Dowager could only nod, then quickly stopped Yan Li, saying, "You're in the Ministry of Personnel—keep an eye on the Crown Prince. If the Emperor... Ah, never mind. Don’t worry about it. You may go..."

Yan Li gave a bitter smile, roughly understanding what the Empress Dowager intended to instruct. Yet it was clear he wasn’t suited for such matters. Whatever thoughts the Emperor harbored, his subjects would never know, let alone someone like him. Yan Li comforted the Empress Dowager a while longer before finally leaving the main hall.

Just outside, Yan Li spotted Yan Sui at once. Smiling, he scooped him up and asked, "Are you going to study today?"

Yan Sui shook his head. "Fifth Sister is getting married today, so I’m not going."

Today was Yan Zhen’s wedding day, and a grand banquet for the court officials would be held in the palace that evening, giving Yan Sui a chance to slack off.

Yan Li carried him as he walked out. "Then I’ll take you to the office with me!"

At this, Yan Sui immediately struggled. "No, no! I’m waiting for Sister Qin Guan to come to the palace."

Yan Li stopped in his tracks. "Hmm? Why wait for her?"

Yan Sui lowered his gaze, hesitating before replying, "I’m waiting for her to come and play with me..."

Yan Li chuckled. "You little ingrate. Isn’t it good enough if I take you?"

Yan Sui continued to struggle, forcing Yan Li to set him down. Yan Sui looked up at him and said, "Grandmother said you have official duties now and I shouldn’t cling to you all the time, so I won’t cling to you anymore..."

Yan Li could only sigh helplessly. "Tsk, tsk, you’ve become so sensible."

Yan Sui puffed out his chest. "Because I’m not a little kid anymore."

Yan Li felt a bit embarrassed by Yan Sui’s words, as if he himself were still somewhat childish.

He sighed and said, "Alright, alright. You wait then. I’m going to the office and will come find you tonight."

Yan Sui nodded emphatically, watching Yan Li leave. Once Yan Li was gone, Yan Sui waited eagerly for Qin Guan to arrive. However, after a long while, she still hadn’t appeared, and he couldn’t help feeling dejected. Before long, Yue Ning and Yan Ze arrived. They had been visiting frequently lately, so Yan Sui was no longer shy around them, though he wasn’t particularly close to them either and remained somewhat reserved. As the Empress Dowager was taking her afternoon nap, Yue Ning and Yan Ze began to play with Yan Sui.

Yan Sui kept his head down and spoke little. Soon, Yue Ning heard that the Empress Dowager had woken up and went ahead to see her in the inner chamber, leaving only Yan Ze and Yan Sui together. Yan Ze asked gently, "Is Yongci County Princess not coming to the palace today?"

Yan Sui shook his head. "I don’t know."

Yan Ze added, "She hasn’t come to the royal residence for several days to treat my eye condition."

Yan Sui looked curiously at the medicated gauze covering Yan Ze’s eyes. He had been curious for a long time, but with many people around, he never felt comfortable staring. Now that it was just the two of them, he could look openly. "Can you not see with your eyes?"

Yan Ze nodded. "Yes, I can’t see."

This put Yan Sui even more at ease. He slumped loosely against the railing under the eaves, his face troubled. "I thought she would come to the palace, but why hasn’t she arrived yet... Where did she go today?"

Yan Ze smiled gently. "Could it be she has another case to investigate? Did you know that besides being skilled in medicine, she’s also exceptionally good at solving cases?"

Yan Sui didn’t fully understand, but remembering how Qin Guan had helped him find his mother’s murderer, he felt nothing but admiration for her.Yan Sui nodded his little head, his bright eyes shining, "I know..."

"You actually know?" Yan Ze smiled warmly, "She's an extremely clever person."

"Mhm, she's very smart." Yan Sui praised Qin Guan like a little adult.

The corners of Yan Ze's lips curved upward, but he said nothing more. After lying around bored for a while, Yan Ze heard the Empress Dowager stirring and immediately rushed inside. As he stood up, Yan Ze also rose and followed him inward. Just as Yan Sui was about to reach the doorway, he turned around and saw Yan Ze following step by step. Curiously, he asked, "But aren't your eyes supposed to be blind?"

Yan Ze smiled, "Though my eyes are blind, my heart is not. I'm very familiar with this path."

Yan Sui let out an "oh" and rushed into the Warm Chamber, throwing herself into the Empress Dowager's embrace.

...

...

For Qin Guan recently, it couldn't be said to be particularly busy, just that her thoughts were in turmoil.

The Prince Jin Manor corpse case had reached a dead end in the investigation, yet the information provided by the Empress made her and Yan Chi suspect the current Emperor. This left Qin Guan feeling constantly unsettled.

Qin Guan had originally planned to enter the palace this day. Since Yan Zhen's wedding ceremony was in the morning, she could only enter the palace in the afternoon. However, when her carriage reached the palace gates, she unexpectedly saw Li Muyun also entering the palace for an audience with the Emperor at this same time.

It had been quite some time since the last incident when she was discovered following Li Muyun. Qin Guan hadn't encountered Li Muyun since then, but she knew that he had investigated the case files of Ning Buyi's case, learned that Sun Muqing had purchased the Shen residence, and now probably also knew about the relationship between Sun Muqing and her.

Li Muyun was also somewhat surprised to see Qin Guan, and his expression quickly turned grave.

Qin Guan stood there composedly, forcing Li Muyun to bow to her. "Greetings, County Princess."

Qin Guan waved her hand dismissively. "What matter brings Lord Li to the palace today?"

Li Muyun lowered his gaze. "Recently, several corruption cases have emerged on the northwest route. The case files have been sent to the Court of Judicial Review for verification. I believe the County Princess should be aware of this."

Qin Guan certainly knew - these cases were all related to the Northwest Frontier Army.

Qin Guan smiled. "Oh? Aside from Zhang Qide, whose corruption is the most severe?"

Li Muyun looked at Qin Guan with a complicated expression. The matters of the northwest route were no longer secret, though it wasn't surprising that Qin Guan wouldn't know since she didn't attend court. However, her coming to ask him carried a different implication. Li Muyun sighed. "These are court matters. Whether the County Princess knows or not makes no difference."

Qin Guan smiled. "That's natural. However, the question I asked you last time, Lord Li, remains unanswered."

Standing at the palace gates with imperial guards not far away, Li Muyun's expression changed slightly, his lips pressed tightly together.

Seeing his apprehension, Qin Guan took a step forward. "Since Lord Li didn't answer me last time, what evidence against Lord Shen was written in the memorial exposing him that made the Emperor believe Lord Shen was shielding Prince Jin?"

Li Muyun narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious. Naturally lean, his features appeared even more sparse and cold. With his face slightly darkened, he carried quite an intimidating presence. Yet Qin Guan wasn't the least bit afraid. She looked at him leisurely. "Could it be that Lord Li has a guilty conscience?"

Li Muyun raised his eyebrows. "I don't know what the County Princess is talking about."

Hearing this, Qin Guan immediately laughed. "At the time of that case, although Lord Li wasn't as involved as Lord Shen, you still knew the inside story. You should know very clearly whether Prince Jin was framed or whether he committed murder. Yet you ultimately exposed your own superior who promoted you. To advance your career, Lord Li, you'll truly do anything."

Qin Guan deliberately provoked him like this. Though Li Muyun's face grew two shades paler, he still didn't speak, as if he would accept whatever Qin Guan said.

"It seems the County Princess didn't take my previous warning to heart," Li Muyun suddenly said.Earlier, Li Muyun had warned her not to touch this case. At the time, Qin Guan was indeed puzzled and thought it was likely an excuse concocted by Li Muyun to conceal something. But now, after she and Yan Chi had deduced the emperor’s involvement in the case and heard Li Muyun’s words again, she felt a chill running down her spine.

What did Li Muyun know?! Why would he warn her like this?!

“At the very least, Lord Li should provide a reason. Having presided over judicial affairs for many years, you should understand better than anyone that once a person’s curiosity is piqued, they will want to investigate further, regardless of the dangers ahead. The truth can be more compelling than anything else.”

Li Muyun’s frown deepened. “Whether it is the lady’s intention or the Crown Prince’s, I advise you not to meddle in this matter any further.”

Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. Li Muyun said bluntly, “Otherwise, the massacre of the Shen family will serve as a cautionary tale.”

After saying this, Li Muyun took a step back, bowed respectfully to Qin Guan, straightened up, and strode away.

By the time Qin Guan regained her composure, Li Muyun was already more than ten paces away.

Qin Guan stared intently at Li Muyun’s retreating figure, almost certain that he must know something!

He had warned her not to pursue the case of Prince Jin, or else the Shen family massacre would be the consequence. So, was it because her father had found evidence proving Prince Jin’s innocence that led to the Shen family’s extermination?! Qin Guan’s gaze turned icy. Yes, it must be so! Her father must have uncovered the evidence!

Yet her father had fled with the Shen clan, indicating that he had discovered the true culprit. However, the true culprit’s power was too great for her father to confront, so he chose this seemingly absurd path. Who could have instilled such fear in her father, who was never one to fear the powerful?

Qin Guan’s heart pounded heavily. Aside from the emperor, who else could make her father, who never feared authority, so terrified?

But this… was simply too bizarre…

Why would the emperor want to kill Consort Jin?!

Qin Guan’s thoughts were in turmoil. Not far away, Baiying approached and asked, “My lady, are we not going to the palace?”

Qin Guan shook her head. “No, we’re not. Let’s go find Prince Rui.”

Even after boarding the carriage, Qin Guan’s heart continued to race. Li Muyun’s words were both a warning and a threat. Little did he know that she had already formed her own conclusions. Moreover, with Granny Qian’s testimony, Qin Guan was almost certain that Consort Jin’s death was directly linked to the emperor. But why?!

Every act of murder and arson has a motive. The emperor could not have acted on a momentary impulse or killed Consort Jin over some trivial offense. Not only that, but the blame for the murder was pinned on Prince Jin, leading to the massacre of the Shen family. Just thinking about it made Qin Guan feel that a shocking, earth-shattering conspiracy lay hidden behind it all.

…

…

By the time Yan Chi returned to Prince Rui’s residence, the sky was completely dark. That evening, a grand banquet was held in the palace for the court officials, and he naturally had to attend. Only after returning from the banquet did he learn that Qin Guan had been waiting for him at the residence for most of the day. Yan Chi hurriedly asked, “Has something happened?”

Qin Guan shook her head and recounted her encounter with Li Muyun, repeating his words verbatim to Yan Chi. Then she said, “Isn’t it just as we inferred? My father must have uncovered something crucial about Prince Jin’s case, or perhaps even discovered that the real killer of Consort Jin was someone else. That must have led to the Shen family’s massacre.”Yan Chi frowned, "But what role did Li Muyun play in this?"

Qin Guan shook her head, "I haven't figured that out yet. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding, or maybe Li Muyun had his own motives. Right now, I'm just thinking about what evidence or clues Father found that made him feel he should take the family and flee."

At this thought, both Qin Guan and Yan Chi fell into deep contemplation. After a moment, they suddenly looked at each other.

"The murder weapon?!"

"That dagger!"

They spoke almost in unison, their eyes lighting up simultaneously!

They had both confirmed their own suspicions and validated each other's guesses!

Qin Guan said urgently, "But Father interrogated Prince Jin alone many times. Could it be that during one of those sessions, Prince Jin couldn't hold back and revealed that he had switched the dagger? Then Father followed the clues provided by Prince Jin and found that dagger, only to discover it actually belonged to the Emperor! So..."

As she spoke, Qin Guan felt something wasn't quite right. She always believed that even if her father discovered the dagger belonged to the Emperor, he wouldn't have felt the need to take the entire family and leave the capital. She felt her reasoning was correct, but still sensed there was a missing piece. Yan Chi shared the same doubt.

"Given Father's temperament, even if the dagger belonged to the Emperor, he would most likely believe there was some misunderstanding. His most probable course of action would be to confront someone with the dagger, not immediately take the family and flee. Father's behavior at that time was as if he had fallen into tremendous trouble, as if the Shen residence would be surrounded within the next quarter hour if we didn't leave—which indeed happened later. But Father couldn't have known about the palace's movements; he simply made his own judgment. Moreover, Father held the Emperor in very high regard. In his heart, the Emperor wasn't someone who would kill innocent people indiscriminately."

Yan Chi said, "I have another matter to share."

Qin Guan quickly stopped speaking and looked at Yan Chi, who continued, "I investigated the Xuanji Pavilion. An old eunuch there said that last year, before the incident, Consort Jin frequently visited to borrow calligraphy and paintings. This wouldn't normally be noteworthy, but the old eunuch found it strange that Consort Jin specifically requested to see paintings from before the Emperor ascended the throne."

Qin Guan frowned deeply, not immediately understanding. "Those would be paintings from twenty years ago."

"Yes. The Emperor was skilled in calligraphy, painting, and the Path of chess even before his accession, though not many paintings from that time have been preserved—it has been many years, after all. Moreover, when the Emperor gives gifts, he rarely gives away old paintings from that period, which is why the old eunuch remembered Consort Jin's request so clearly."

Qin Guan was stunned. Even if Consort Jin greatly admired the Emperor's paintings, there would be no reason for her to examine works from over twenty years ago.

"Can those old paintings still be found now?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "They're gone. When Consort Jin was buried, the Emperor had all those old paintings buried with her. However, there should still be some earlier paintings in the Xuanji Pavilion."

Qin Guan felt something was amiss. She stood up and paced around the room for a moment. "It still doesn't add up. The issue must lie with those old paintings."

But the old paintings had been buried with Consort Jin. Although the Emperor was deeply troubled by the rumors about Consort Jin and Prince Jin, he still granted her considerable posthumous honors at her burial. The fact that all the old paintings were buried with her suggested profound sentiment..."Those paintings were all created before the Emperor ascended the throne—what could they possibly prove? Surely it's not about examining whether His Majesty's painting skills have improved."

Qin Guan murmured these words when Yan Chi suddenly suggested, "Could it be for comparison?"

"Comparison? To compare the quality of painting techniques?" Qin Guan asked instinctively.

Yan Chi shook his head, "No, it should be something else..."

Qin Guan frowned, "Surely not... that the Emperor's earlier paintings were done by someone else? Or that later works were painted by a ghost artist?"

To Qin Guan, comparing paintings from two different periods could only mean comparing artistic skills—or verifying whether both works were created by the same person!

Yet as soon as she voiced this, neither Qin Guan herself nor Yan Chi found it entirely convincing. "The Emperor and Consort Jin often painted together. If there were ghost painters, how could it have escaped Consort Jin's notice?"

Qin Guan nodded, "True. It's also possible this has nothing to do with Consort Jin's death. She might have simply brought the paintings for appreciation, and it's merely coincidental."

Without evidence, any theory could be validated or refuted. However, one thing Qin Guan felt certain about: "The Empress must know something, and so does Li Muyun. One of them tried to save Prince Jin, while the other framed the Shen family..."

Hearing this, Yan Chi wondered, "Did Lord Shen leave because he discovered Li Muyun's scheme?"

Qin Guan shook her head, "Impossible. If Li Muyun alone were behind the framing, Father would have stayed in the capital to confront him directly. He would never have chosen flight as his first resort."

Shen Yi was an upright minister with unyielding integrity. He wouldn't adopt escape as a last resort unless absolutely necessary. Yet both Qin Guan and Yan Chi remained one step away from the truth. Qin Guan sighed, feeling both frustrated and guilty for failing to uncover the key to Prince Jin's case after all this time. After some thought, she said, "I've asked Senior Brother Sun. He said he hasn't noticed any suspicious people around his residence lately, so I suspect Li Muyun isn't focusing surveillance on him."

Yan Chi nodded, "I've already stationed guards around him. The Shen residence has indeed been very peaceful recently. Are you planning to erect the cenotaph now?"

Qin Guan hummed in affirmation, "Yes. If we delay further, the New Year will arrive. Last year I could only burn some incense and candles. This year, I must pay respects at my parents' cenotaph."