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Outside the palace gates, Prince Chen's former subordinates sat in silence throughout the night. The next day, during the morning court session, they sought an opportunity to meet with Xuande Emperor. However, the emperor had already instructed his guards to stop them, stripping them of their right to attend the court.
The two sides remained at a stalemate.
Shi Yun had worked tirelessly for Prince Chen over the past two days and appeared exhausted when he finally faced Xuande Emperor. The emperor, displeased, jabbed at him with a sharp remark: "How could you care so much for someone who has been dead for years? Are you secretly one of Prince Chen's people?"
"My past is clear as day in your mind, Your Majesty. Who is Prince Chen? I have never even seen him," Shi Yun replied.
"What I have done these past few days has been for Your Majesty, to demonstrate your stance to others."
"Who asked you to meddle? Prince Chen was nothing but a thief who stole the imperial seal! Even in death, I can still punish him. Why should I show him any mercy?"
Shi Yun sighed slowly. "I only recently learned that many old ministers still remember Prince Chen fondly."
"Hmph! Those who eat from one bowl while eyeing another—Great Jing Dynasty has plenty of talent. The Imperial Examination just concluded; I have no shortage of capable individuals. These old-timers are getting on in years; it's time for them to retire."
"To dare sit outside the palace gates means they must have some backing. Even if we remove one of them, their influence will remain within the court. It would be unwise to act rashly."
"I know you are frustrated, Your Majesty, but if we consider it from another angle—satisfying these old ministers' obsessions while also consolidating their influence behind them could be beneficial."
Xuande Emperor stared at Shi Yun for a moment without speaking.
Shi Yun boldly met his gaze, his expression shifting to one of surprise and hesitation as he quietly asked, "Could it be that Prince Chen's matter is also related to Your Majesty?"
The emperor immediately denied it. "I was young back then, without any power. I had just come of age and used all my efforts to secure a fief. A year later, I packed my things and left."
"I only learned about Prince Chen's death six months later; how could I have been involved?"
"Then what are you hesitating about?"
"I have worked diligently for so many years only to find that public sentiment is not as favorable as that for someone who has been dead for years. It is hard to accept."
"My two brothers were not good people!"
"If you want me to thoroughly investigate the Chen Wang case regarding the theft of the imperial seal, I cannot ignore that crime either."
Facing Xuande Emperor's stubbornness, Shi Yun had already prepared a response. "If the imperial seal was not stolen but rather granted by Your Majesty’s royal kin, would you still punish your own family?"
Xuande Emperor retorted loudly, "Impossible! My royal family is not that foolish!"
"That may not be true! Prince Chen's mother was Emperor Jingwen's most beloved consort, and Prince Chen grew up to be the most suitable heir in Emperor Jingwen's eyes."
"The favored child must have received ample support for his southern expedition; as a parent, he would surely ensure everything was in place. In fact, just before his departure, he might have felt restless and insufficiently prepared."
"I have heard that when Prince Chen set out, he always carried a Blank Imperial Edict with him. Perhaps Emperor Jingwen thought to himself: 'What if my beloved son is not enough?'"
He decided to present the Imperial Jade Seal as well. With the seal in hand, even if it were stamped on a blank piece of paper, it could be treated as an imperial decree. The Imperial Jade Seal and the Imperial Office Seal, while differing in style, bore identical engravings.
The Xuande Emperor shook his head, insisting it was impossible. As he spoke, his voice grew softer and less confident. Shi Yun interjected, "Your Majesty, this is merely my speculation, but what if...?" Even a mother can be confused about her child at times. If you could provide justice for Prince Chen and Emperor Jingwen, then even in the afterlife, Emperor Jingwen would feel comforted and reassess you, his younger brother whom he had neglected for so many years.
After a moment of silence, the Xuande Emperor pondered why he should grant justice to the emperor. The discovery of Prince Chen's remains indicated that many of Chongjing Emperor's words were untrustworthy. The last person Emperor Jingwen saw before his sudden death was Chongjing Emperor. It would be prudent to investigate any possible connections.
"Let him be," said the Chongjing Emperor. "Go ahead and investigate." Shi Yun repeatedly brought up Emperor Jingwen, which finally softened the Xuande Emperor's stance. He then instructed that those kneeling outside the palace should be informed that he had accepted this matter and told them to wait for further news.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Shi Yun conveyed this news and provided a way out for Prince Chen's former subordinates. They no longer dared to maintain their previous demeanor; their attitudes shifted dramatically as they bowed deeply towards the emperor with tears of gratitude.
Upon hearing this, the Xuande Emperor scolded them for their theatrics, yet his expression visibly brightened. Prince Chen's former subordinates expressed a desire to participate in the investigation. Shi Yun would not refuse; more hands meant more strength, especially since they were a group of Old Foxes.
However, too much time had passed, and with Chongjing Emperor having held power for many years in between, evidence unfavorable to him had long been erased. Prince Chen's former subordinates exerted all their efforts but could only piece together a rough outline of events from that time without any concrete proof to substantiate it.
It was Xing Wu who, through reviewing local records and extensive field visits, discovered that there indeed had been landslides in the area during Prince Chen's absence. Xing Wu conducted multiple simulations of the valley and its surrounding environment and studied the soil composition extensively, producing an exceptionally thick autopsy report. This was the first time that descriptions of the body occupied less than one-tenth of the report.
It seemed he had strayed from his primary focus. With a sigh, Xing Wu felt an odd sense of satisfaction; his path in forensic science appeared to be widening.
After reviewing the autopsy report, Shi Yun found some free time to visit Sang Qingxiao's Small Tavern, where Mingze once again shamelessly begged to join him.
This was also their first time entering the backyard of the Small Tavern, where they saw even more spirits. The Mountain Spirits warmly offered food and drink, and the two of them nearly couldn't keep up.
Mingze envied, "Miss Sang, you really live a comfortable life." With all these spirits busy at work, it certainly saved them a lot of trouble.
"I provide shelter, and they do the work for me; it's a win-win situation."
"Then can I raise a spirit to do my work?"
"They can't learn the nuances of human interaction and dislike many rules."
Sang Qingxiao casually responded to the curious Mingze before turning to Shi Yun. "Chancellor, what brings you to seek me?"
Shi Yun inquired further, "Prince Chen's matter is only missing solid evidence. Do you have any?"
Mingze couldn't help but interject, "Shi Yun, are you getting a bit confused? Miss Sang is indeed wise and has helped in many matters of the heart, but asking her for such evidence right off the bat is putting her in a difficult position."
Before he could finish speaking, they heard Sang Qingxiao respond confidently, "I do have it!"
Mingze was taken aback.
Shi Yun chuckled and teased him, "You can't judge a book by its cover; Miss Sang is quite capable."
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