“If you need anything from me, just say the word at any time.”
“Whether you believe me or not, I must explain: just half a quarter-hour ago, I truly hadn’t considered that this matter would implicate you.”
“With things as they are…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think this through carefully enough beforehand.”
Zhao Huairen sat upright at the desk in the office, holding the dossier for the new case in her hands, yet she couldn’t read a single word. The words Yan Yiqing had just spoken echoed repeatedly in her ears.
What exactly did Yan Yiqing’s attitude mean?
It was just a transaction, so did she need to act so sincerely?
The outcome of the negotiations matched her predictions, but the entire process of talking with Yan Yiqing was completely different from what she had anticipated. There was no haggling, no vehement denials—instead, soft-spoken apologies…
Could there be some crucial detail she had overlooked?
Knock knock. Qin An knocked lightly on the door, her expression slightly grim. “Heir Apparent, someone from the palace has arrived.”
“Mm, let’s go.”
Zhao Huairen closed the dossier in her hand.
–
In Xuanzheng Hall, the sultry humidity of early summer was maddening. Incense smoke curled around the coiling dragon, and the gilded lion-shaped censer slowly exhaled dragon saliva fragrance. Before Zhao Huairen even stepped into the hall, she caught the scent of an impending storm.
The Emperor reclined lazily on the throne, a veil of irritation clouding his brow.
“This minister pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities, Minister Zhao.” The Emperor waved a hand, his gaze falling on the Hejia Princess. “Princess, the person you wanted—We have summoned for you.”
The Hejia Princess wore plain white mourning garb, a single silver hairpin in her dark hair, her eyes rimmed red but dry.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After paying respects to the Emperor, the Hejia Princess turned to Zhao Huairen. “The tragedy at Shi Mansion last night—surely the Vice Minister is already aware.”
Zhao Huairen lowered her gaze slightly. “Please accept my condolences, Princess.”
“My husband was murdered by villains, and the culprit has yet to be apprehended.” Her eyes suddenly chilled as the Hejia Princess pointedly asked Meng Shut ing, “With the murderer still at large, how am I supposed to find solace in mourning? What do you think, Minister Meng?”
A flash of impatience crossed his brow, and Meng Shut ing replied, “This case falls under the Ministry of Punishments’ jurisdiction. This minister dares not speculate.”
Unable to stomach his sanctimonious pretense, the Hejia Princess took a deep breath and knelt before the throne. “Your Majesty! My husband was a fourth-rank official, and Yanjing is the capital of Great Yong. For brigands to commit such atrocities under the Emperor’s feet— they must be severely punished!”
A sharp glint flickered in his turbid eyes as the Emperor glanced at the memorial from the Ministry of Punishments presented that morning. He frowned. “Defying the law, murdering a court official—such a criminal is utterly unforgivable.”
“Minister Huang.”
The Minister of Punishments, clad in purple robes, stepped forward and cupped his hands. “This minister is present.”
“We order you to investigate this case thoroughly, with no mercy!”
“Your Majesty!” The Hejia Princess suddenly kowtowed, her voice filled with grief. “Regarding the assassination of the Vice Minister of War, this subject has further details to present.”
Liu Zhengkang waved a hand. “If it’s related to the case, then speak.”
“Yes!” Like a taut bowstring, the Hejia Princess straightened instantly, her eyes venomous. “Last night, when I rushed to the study with my guards, my husband had already breathed his last, but his eyes remained wide open.”
“We know he died unjustly, unable to close his eyes in peace.”
The Hejia Princess shook her head and pointed at Meng Shut ing nearby, her voice icy. “I held back from mentioning this until the Dali Temple Vice Minister was present.”
“The clue my husband left with his dying breath was the character ‘Meng’!”
“This subject boldly asks Your Majesty!” The Hejia Princess paused, then raised her voice. “On the court of Great Yong, besides the Meng family, is there any other surname with the ‘Meng’ character?”
“Ridiculous!” Meng Shut ing snapped harshly. “How do you know this wasn’t left by the killer to mislead? I did have policy disagreements with Vice Minister Shi, even some verbal sparring, but how could that justify splashing dirty water on the Meng family?”
“Lord Meng’s reaction is so intense—could it be a thief’s guilty conscience?” the Hejia Princess sneered mockingly.
“You’re slandering me with baseless accusations—am I not allowed to defend myself?”
“If the Meng family isn’t guilty, why are you so flustered?” The Hejia Princess turned toward the throne. “Your Majesty, this subject also has a witness.”
Meng Shut ing knew full well whether he had done it or not. Hearing that the Hejia Princess had a witness, a trace of bewilderment crossed his face.
“Please grant permission for this subject to summon the witness into the hall.”
The Emperor nodded slightly, and Li Dequan, attending at his side, immediately called out loudly, “Summon the witness!”
The woman who entered was in her early twenties, dressed in simple coarse hemp clothes, her appearance utterly ordinary.
Under the Emperor’s direction, Li Dequan questioned her on his behalf. “Who are you? Why do you claim to be able to testify in this case?”
“This commoner… this commoner…” Song Juan Hua had never seen such a scene; she trembled and couldn’t speak for a long time.
Though he couldn’t recall her name, she seemed vaguely familiar. Meng Shut ing’s heart tightened, and he said gravely, “What kind of witness is this? She can’t even speak clearly.”
“Your Majesty, the court has its procedures for handling cases.”
“Handling cases requires solid evidence. Baseless speculation without proof would damage the court’s dignity.” Knowing the Emperor always prized the imperial prestige, and seeing his expression soften, Meng Shut ing pressed his advantage. “Though the Hejia Princess is of noble status, she cannot disrupt national law on a personal whim.”
Light and shadow shifted, the memorials on the imperial desk flickering. The Emperor narrowed his eyes, about to hand the case to the Ministry of Punishments—
“Evidence?” The Hejia Princess scoffed coldly, hatred like a blade in her eyes. “Why don’t you explain, Lord Meng, why your family’s third son happened to be absent from the mansion on the night of the crime?”
The hall fell deathly silent.
“How laughable. My third son hasn’t committed any crime— what’s wrong with him leaving the mansion?” Meng Shut ing coughed lightly, steadying himself before countering, “Does that mean everyone who left their home last night is connected to the Shi Mansion assassination?”
Zhao Huairen stood quietly in the corner to the right.
Her phoenix eyes slightly downcast, she coldly observed everything in the hall.
Her face showed no emotion, but waves rose in her heart. From what she had heard so far—Yan Yiqing had left no traces at Shi Mansion.
The deed was done so cleanly.
Why had she admitted it proactively in the carriage?
“Aren’t there too many coincidences? My late husband’s dying clue pointed straight to the Meng family, and Meng the Third left the mansion right at the time of the crime.” Though not long immersed in court politics, the Hejia Princess’s bearing was in no way inferior to the third-rank Minister Meng Shut ing.
She curled her lips. “Miss Song, hurry and tell us what you saw last night.”
Noticing Meng Shut ing’s threatening gaze, Song Juan Hua swallowed hard, stammering without daring to speak. “I… this commoner…”
“What are you afraid of? What’s the use of you if you can’t even speak! Just say it!” Her gaze anxious, the Hejia Princess’s voice sharpened slightly.
“No need to be nervous. Just tell the truth, and Dali Temple will protect the witness.”
The woman’s cool voice was like a clear spring.
Hearing it brought an involuntary sense of calm.
Seeing Zhao Huairen suddenly speak, the Hejia Princess looked up at her, gratitude flickering in her eyes. Zhao Huairen subtly avoided her grateful gaze, silently lowering her eyes.
No matter how hard the Hejia Princess tried.
The true killer of Shi Yun Si would never be caught.
And her speaking up now had nothing to do with siding with Prince Gong’s faction.
“This commoner is named Song Juan Hua.” After the first sentence, the rest flowed smoothly. Song Juan Hua spoke clearly. “This commoner is a rough servant girl in the Meng Mansion. Last night, when I got up, I saw Meng the Third sneaking out the back door.”
“What time did Meng the Third leave the mansion?” the Hejia Princess asked.
Song Juan Hua hesitated, recalling. “Around the end of the first watch… Before I fell asleep, I heard the watchman’s second-watch clapper.”
The Ministry of Punishments’ memorial recorded it clearly.
The incident at Shi Mansion occurred precisely at the first quarter of the second watch.
The Emperor had thought the Hejia Princess was just making trouble, but after hearing the testimony, suspicion crept into his eyes.
“Your Majesty!” Meng Shut ing cupped his hands and knelt, earnestly pleading, “They say there’s no such thing as pure coincidence. Surely my son wasn’t the only one out in Yanjing last night. We can’t conclude his involvement based solely on this maid’s word…”
“Then where did your son go last night?” the Hejia Princess pressed.
Meng Shut ing clenched his teeth inwardly, not answering immediately.
Noticing his subtle change in expression.
Zhao Huairen’s eyes darkened suddenly, her curiosity about Yan Yiqing deepening.
Evidently, Yan Yiqing had anticipated that Meng Shut ing couldn’t explain Meng the Third’s whereabouts in front of His Majesty.
From the intelligence she had gathered before.
Meng the Third had undoubtedly gone to the Brocade Embroidered Tower last night again.
The sordid dealings hidden in the shadows— their supposedly “just and wise” Emperor might well know that the owner behind Yanjing’s top gambling house was the Crown Prince and the Meng family.
But if it were brought to light.
The place would have to shut down, and the past profits disgorged.
With Prince Gong’s faction watching like tigers, any flaw would be pounced upon; they wouldn’t hesitate to tear a chunk from the Crown Prince.
It seemed her lady not only excelled in martial prowess but also in intellect beyond compare.
Though she acknowledged Yan Yiqing’s abilities, the prior preparations for the assassination and the detailed intelligence gathering couldn’t have been done alone in the few months since returning to the capital. How had she managed it?
The Hejia Princess and the Shi family stood firmly behind Prince Gong, the couple no less than his left and right arms. Prince Gong likely hadn’t been involved in Yan Yiqing’s assassination of Shi Yun Si.
If not Prince Gong.
Then who was backing Yan Yiqing?
Taking Meng Shut ing’s silence as an inability to refute, the Hejia Princess shot back, “Can’t even answer such a simple question. No need for me to spell out what Meng the Third was up to last night.”
“If the Princess believes my son guilty, then she should produce real proof.” His brows furrowed as if to crush a fly, Meng Shut ing gritted out, “Otherwise, may this official assume the Princess is using psychological tactics?”
Yanjing’s prominent figures, the Crown Prince and Prince Gong’s key confidants, were now biting at each other before the throne—a tangled mess.
Seeing the fruit revealed the cause.
So, was Yan Yiqing trying to stir chaos?
Deepen the rift between the Crown Prince and Prince Gong, muddy the waters, force the silt at the bottom to surface. Was Yan Yiqing aiming to rise as a new star in Prince Gong’s faction, or did she have other goals…
Dark light surged in her light brown eyes.
Zhao Huairen curled her fingertips, realizing she had paid too little attention to Yan Yiqing before.
“Enough! Our ears are getting calluses from your bickering!” Liu Zhengkang tossed the memorial aside and stood. “Cases under the Ministry of Punishments should be handled by them. Your squabbling in Xuanzheng Hall changes nothing.”
“This minister knows his fault.”
“This minister is alarmed.”
Seeing both restrain themselves, the Emperor said, “Very well, both of you withdraw.”
“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Punishments…” Unable to say outright that they colluded secretly with the Ministry of Revenue, the Hejia Princess pressed her lips. “The Ministry handles many duties. Until the culprit is punished, this subject cannot rest. I beg Your Majesty to allow Dali Temple to jointly investigate!”
From the moment the Hejia Princess insisted on summoning Zhao Huairen to Xuanzheng Hall, it was clear she intended for the two ministries to co-handle the case. With a sigh, the Emperor said gravely, “Granted.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!” The Hejia Princess kowtowed in thanks.
With the matter settled, Huang Zhixing, not wanting to lag in flattery, dragged his slightly rotund body forward to kneel and salute. “This minister obeys the imperial decree.”
Zhao Huairen knelt on one knee, saying calmly, “This minister will not fail the mission.”
Unlike the Hejia Princess’s joy and relief.
Meng Shut ing’s nostrils flared as he glared fixedly at Zhao Huairen’s back.
Earlier, this Heir Apparent of Duke Rui had Wang Zhongyong pass a message expressing interest in the Minister of Punishments post. He had thought her clever, but her actions just now didn’t seem like allegiance to the Crown Prince—instead…
Feeling the gaze on her back.
Zhao Huairen lowered her long lashes slightly, a faint arc tugging at her lips.
