Chapter 388: Chapter 300 Evidence Has Arrived
Liang Zhi arrived in Tongzhou and first inquired about He Qunying’s whereabouts. Upon learning he was indeed staying near the docks, he booked a room next door and then contacted the Ning Family’s business in Tongzhou to closely monitor the arrival time of two ships.
The docks were calm and tranquil, with merchants and boatmen bustling about. After years of war, there was a newfound sense of prosperity.
Having arranged everything, Liang Zhi sent someone back to the capital to report to Fu Zhen.
The news of Princess Rong being stabbed to death by bandits spread like wildfire, generating various speculations. Furthermore, the Emperor ordered strict guards at the four city gates and had Pei Zhan personally stationed at Prince Rong’s Mansion, adding a heavy atmosphere.
The court officials were, of course, the most concerned about this matter. These days, people flocked to the Pei Mansion to gather information. Although Pei Yu and Mrs. Pei were initially reluctant to entertain them, they couldn’t keep turning everyone away, so guests kept arriving at the mansion.
Fortunately, these were all receptions for the main courtyard and had nothing to do with Fu Zhen’s side. In the afternoon, Fu Zhen had someone report Jiang Lin’s return to Pei Zhan, who returned home at dusk, entering through the side door, just avoiding guests leaving through the front.
After hearing Jiang Lin’s report, Pei Zhan furrowed his brows at the badge from the Dayue Prince Yi Mansion. "The Prince Yi Mansion was destroyed before Dayue’s Monarch went to war with Great Zhou. That means the Monarch emerged victorious from that power struggle before waging war on Great Zhou. The people of the Prince Yi Mansion were said to have been wiped out by him completely. In fact, the Mansion has been gone for over twenty years, even older than Xu Yin’s age. What connection could there possibly be?"
Fu Zhen said gently, "What intrigues me now is what exactly does Xu Yin want?"
When he killed her back then, he claimed he wanted to ascend the ranks. Now he’s a young third-rank official, and as Prince Consort, all seemed well. Yet, he relentlessly seeks alliances, intending to develop his own power to counter Prince Rong’s Mansion and break free from its control. He even dares to kill Princess Rong while desperately trying to obtain Prince Rong’s hidden fan. His goals seem to go far beyond Prince Rong’s Mansion.
Pei Zhan turned to her in the glass lamp’s light, murmuring, "There was another incident today at Prince Rong’s Mansion; Prince Rong injured Xu Yin with a blade."
Fu Zhen looked up.
Pei Zhan recounted what the imperial guards witnessed firsthand.
Fu Zhen immediately said, "The Crown Prince managed to summon Xu Yin to the palace so quickly?"
Pei Zhan nodded, "Since the Emperor’s illness became severe, he gradually transferred some political affairs to the Crown Prince. The head of the Zongrenfu is Prince Rong, and the Ministry of Rites oversees the Zongrenfu. It is said at the time Prince Rong took a leave to handle funeral matters at home, it was the Junior Vice Secretary of the Chamberlain’s Office who proposed to the Crown Prince to take over the duties."
Fu Zhen sneered at this, "Looks like both of them have intentions."
"Since Xu Yin killed Princess Rong, there’s been no possibility of reconciliation with Prince Rong’s Mansion. Previously, Yang Zhan stood by him, but now his mother died at Xu Yin’s hands. This feud must be avenged.
"To protect himself, he can only seek external support, and the Crown Prince is the best choice right now.
"Xu Yin probably hasn’t just started wanting to defect to the Crown Prince. If it weren’t for Yongping killing Mr. Liu, he would have already become Chancellor in the Chamberlain’s Office.
"And the reason Yongping colluded with Consort Yu is that during the coming-of-age ceremony, Xu Yin had intervened in some Eastern Palace matters.
"So, given today’s premeditated attack, if the Crown Prince has targeted Prince Rong, then Xu Yin, who served as Prince Consort at Prince Rong’s Mansion for six years, is certainly a handy tool for him, isn’t he?"
Pei Zhan sat down beside her, "Whatever the case, Xu Yin isn’t a good person. Even if he wasn’t directly responsible for the alley bloodbath, he has used the case to do many other things.
"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. If Xu Yin exploits him, it won’t be a trivial matter.
"I must report this to the Emperor, let him know Xu Yin isn’t so simple, yet without evidence, it’s impossible to formally accuse him. If I don’t accuse him but secretly report, it becomes groundless rumors stirring trouble."
Fu Zhen shared in his distress.
When it involves matters of state, utmost caution is required. The court isn’t just the Pei family’s domain; other officials have their way of governance, which isn’t dictated solely by the Pei family. Even for secret reports, there must be evidence. Otherwise, they’d become slanderous ministers. Xu Yin has several lives in his hands, first Liang Ning, then Princess Rong, but who can bear testimony?
"Young Madam! Liang the young general has sent news from the docks! The two merchant ships He Qunying hired will dock around midnight tonight."
A house servant delivered the message through the window.
Fu Zhen straightened up, locking eyes with Pei Zhan, "Why must the evidence be of murder? With Xu Yin smuggling things from Tanzhou in such a roundabout way, it’s definitely not something to be seen in the light. Any financial record that doesn’t match his assets would prove we aren’t making false accusations!"
After all, alerting the Emperor to beware of this talent, Xu Yin, is the crucial objective. Does the angle of the warning matter so much?
"You have a point." Pei Zhan stood up with a smile, "Let’s go then!"
...
Xu Yin left the Eastern Palace and made a detour to a government office. Upon returning home, Lian Rong brought news:
"He Qunying sent a message that the two ships will dock tonight; the carriage is ready, and you can set off immediately."
Xu Yin glanced towards Prince Rong’s Mansion and asked, "Is there any other movement from the Prince’s Manor?"
"None yet. Once you left, the Prince returned to his own courtyard and hasn’t appeared since today."
Xu Yin stood for a while, then lifted his sleeve and said, "Let’s go."
Lian Rong followed him into the carriage, observing his expression, "Were things not smooth during your audience in the palace, sir?"
"Smooth."
"Then why the heavy thoughts?"
Xu Yin stretched slightly, but the furrow in his brow remained. "Though today’s audience was smooth, in reflection, every action lately feels like I’ve been maneuvered forward, rarely following my own plans. I have a foreboding that certain things may slip beyond my control."
Lian Rong shifted his gaze from Xu Yin’s face to look ahead, curling his fingers over his knees. "Even so, sir, you’ve handled it perfectly without losing control. Don’t overthink." Seeing the tea prepared nearby, he offered it with both hands, "This tea is perfect for your throat, soothing in this summer heat."
Xu Yin said nothing, took the small teapot, glanced at him, and drank.
The mournful cries of Prince Rong’s Mansion and the quiet Xu Mansion gradually faded behind them.
As the end of the month approached, the moonlight was nothing more than a thin crescent. Aside from the sudden flutter of crows overhead, the surroundings were as dark as a tomb.