The suspect is hard to pin down
Prince Yao's mansion was usually heavily guarded, and after the murder, it was surrounded by guards. Even a fly was afraid to fly in. If a passerby took a few more glances, he would be interrogated by the guards for half a day.
The study where King Yao was murdered was strictly guarded by the Royal Guards. No one except the officials investigating the case was allowed to enter, including the king's family members.
"There are no signs of fighting in the study." Sun Zili inspected the room. "Be careful, don't move anything." He turned around and reminded Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen behind him.
"Has King Yao had any dispute with anyone recently?" Although King Yao's character was well known to everyone, Sun Zili still asked as a procedural question.
"No, my father is always kind to others, and the court is harmonious. He has never been an enemy to anyone." Shangguan Yichen pondered.
"What about the mansion? Has there been any conflict with anyone recently?" Sun Zili continued to ask.
Shangguan Yichen fell into deep thought and said thoughtfully, "The mansion has always been peaceful. Father and mother are kind to everyone and very considerate to the servants. Since I can remember, there has never been any dispute even among the servants in the mansion... If we talk about conflict, there is one thing..." He frowned as if he remembered something.
"What's the matter?" Sun Zili realized something was wrong and asked closely.
"About half a month ago, Uncle Ping Wang came to visit us. The two of them spent a long time discussing matters in my father's study. He hadn't come out yet at twilight hour. The Japanese king, returning from court, was about to discuss the snowstorm in West County with my father. As he reached the study door, he heard Uncle Wang and my father sound somewhat displeased..."
"Why are you unhappy?"
"Although Uncle Wang and Father Wang sometimes have conflicting views, Father Wang has never directly clashed with Uncle Wang..."
But that day, Shangguan Yichen heard King Yao angrily say to King Ping: "If you insist on doing this, don't blame me for not considering the feelings of my compatriots!"
The sound of the teacup breaking to the ground...
King Ping said, "Between you and me, have we ever felt any brotherly affection?"
Shangguan Yichen saw Prince Ping slam the door and walk out of the study, glanced at him, and left with a frown.
He rushed into the study, where broken pieces of teacup were scattered on the tea-soaked floor, still steaming. King Yao leaned back in his chair, frowning and breathing heavily. Seeing Shangguan Yichen come in, he was stunned for a moment, a trace of fear flashed across his eyes. He nervously asked him if he had heard the conversation between King Heping and Shangguan Yichen. Shangguan Yichen told King Yao the truth, and King Yao seemed relieved. He sighed and said angrily again: "Jinping is ambitious. I will never let him destroy the country that our ancestors fought for!"
Sun Zili's face darkened.
Zhong Yujing's suspicions were confirmed.
"Thinking back today, my father must have been so nervous because he was afraid that I would hear something and worry about his safety." Shangguan Yichen looked sad.
"Sun Shaoqing, what did the coroner say about the cause of King Yao's death?" Zhong Yujing asked.
"The sharp blade pierced his heart and lungs, and he died of blood loss."
"I heard that King Yao died peacefully. How could he have been stabbed to death without any resistance? Furthermore, King Yao was a martial artist, so agile and nimble that he could sense someone approaching even in deep sleep... Was King Yao poisoned?"
"No, the silver needle was taken out and blood was red, but there was no sign of poisoning in the internal organs."
After Sun Zili finished speaking, the three of them fell silent.
"This matter is of grave importance. From now on, all personnel within the palace are restricted from entering or leaving. You are to be summoned for questioning by the Dali Temple at any time." Sun Zili instructed the yamen runner beside him, "It seems necessary to visit Prince Ping's palace."
To get from Prince Yao's Mansion to Prince Ping's Mansion, one needs to pass through eight alleys, turn ten corners, and walk twelve streets, almost walking from the east end to the west end of Linjun City. Such a distance shows how much the two princes don't get along.
There were two official cars, and there were several more suspicious points. Sun Zili wanted to discuss the case with other investigators from the Dali Temple in the same car, so Zhong Yujing had to ride in another car with Shangguan Yichen.
The carriage was slightly bumpy but relatively stable. Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen sat opposite each other.
Zhong Yujing pondered. Since they were colleagues, and had been assigned by Emperor Hong to investigate a case together, it would be inappropriate not to offer some words of comfort in this situation. However, in such a situation, it seemed that nothing others could say would help, and there was no way to make up for it...
While he was thinking, he suddenly heard Shangguan Yichen say, "Has Prime Minister Jing ever had anyone who was important to him in his life?"
Zhong Yujing was startled for a moment, then looked up at him, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her expression gloomy. She was staring at the curtains behind her in a daze, as if he was looking through her at an unknown place.
Zhong Yujing hummed.
"He left so suddenly, without warning. The day before, we were still chatting and laughing, his voice and smile were still before my eyes, even the warmth of your embrace was still there... Suddenly, I could no longer open my eyes to look at you, nor would I ever speak to you again... After so long, even his appearance began to blur."
Zhong Yujing knew he was talking about King Yao. Thinking of her parents and uncle at home, she felt sad. She could not help but feel sad when she thought of others.
"Your Highness, do you believe in the theory of spirits?" Zhong Yujing asked solemnly.
Shangguan Yichen was slightly stunned.
"My family believes in the reincarnation of the soul."
"I have heard that the Jingxiang family has inherited spiritual power from generation to generation, and Jingxiang is also such an extraordinary person."
"The Zhong family inherits the mandate of heaven and protects Daqi. We should thank heaven and obey heaven. The way of heaven is reincarnation, the six paths rotate, and so do humans."
When she was a child, her uncle told Zhong Yujing a strange story. Shangshu Sun had a younger brother. When his sister-in-law was pregnant, the younger brother fell ill and died. After his son was born, Shangshu Sun's family discovered that his son had a mole on his left shoulder, just like his brother. As the son grew older, he not only looked like his brother, but also had the same temperament. The family members sighed that the son must have been reluctant to leave them, so he was reincarnated to continue their previous relationship.
Shangguan Yichen's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a fluorescent light flashed in his eyes.
Zhong Yujing continued, "The mortal body is just a shell, like clothes and other things. After a long time of use, it will naturally age, decay and rot. There is always a limit. However, the soul is eternal, indestructible, sleepless and restless. It is just that in the cycle of reincarnation, the body is replaced and the past is forgotten. It seems that it is a new beginning, but it is just a repetition or continuation of countless previous times.
Therefore, Your Highness, there is no need to grieve too much. If the bond between King Yao and Your Highness is deep, we will eventually meet again, either in this life or in the next. It is only a matter of time."
Shangguan Yichen closed his eyes tightly, as if trying hard to digest his sadness. When he opened them again, his eyes were much clearer and brighter: "It is said that people of the Zhong family can see into the secrets of nature and the hearts of people. Today I know that they are even more capable of comforting people." The corners of his lips curled up, and he looked at her again in the hall that day.
Zhong Yujing bowed her head slightly and said modestly, "Your Highness, I am so humbled by your kind words. I only offer my humble opinion to comfort you." She then looked up at Shangguan Yichen and said, "For now, the only way to comfort King Yao is to find the real culprit."
"Prime Minister Jing is absolutely right. The hatred for my father's murder is irreconcilable. Find this person and I will kill him myself to tell my father's spirit in heaven."
Zhong Yujing saw a murderous look in his eyes and gripped the sword at his waist even tighter.
The official carriage passed through the streets and alleys and finally arrived at the main gate of Prince Ping's Mansion. Zhong Yujing lifted the curtain and looked out. A yamen runner came forward and knocked on the door. The gatekeeper saw that it was someone from the Dali Temple and did not dare to neglect him for a moment. He turned around and went back to pass the message. After a while, he came back and opened the main gate. Zhong Yujing, Shangguan Yichen, and Sun Zili walked in on the stone steps. The two big stone lions at the door had ferocious faces. They were probably the same as Prince Ping's heart at the moment, not welcoming them at all.
Prince Ping leaned back on a chair in the center of the hall, his left hand fiddling with the ring on his right thumb, his posture relaxed. "I heard from the steward this morning that the wintersweet flowers in the courtyard of the palace are in bloom. Unfortunately, my son and I have been busy with government affairs, so we only had some free time now. Just as I was about to walk in the snow to admire the blossoms, I heard the news that you three had arrived. The flowers are blooming to welcome guests, and it turns out they are three distinguished guests."
Sun Zili stepped forward and bowed, Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen also made their gestures, and Prince Ping raised his hand to offer him a seat.
After the three of them sat down, Sun Zili said, "We have no intention of disturbing your pleasure, Your Highness. We have come here to ask you about the murder of King Yao."
"Why don't I understand what Mr. Sun is saying? What has the murder of King Yao got to do with my father?" Sitting on the second seat opposite the three of them, Yi Fei raised his eyebrows, put down his teacup, and said relentlessly.
"Don't be rude!" Prince Ping glared at Yi Fei, then turned to smile at his grandson Zi Li. "The day before yesterday, after the court session, I met Minister Sun and told him that Zi Li has only been in the Dali Temple for a few years, but he has repeatedly solved strange cases. The quantity and quality of his caseload are both outstanding among his peers. At this rate, it won't be long before he succeeds his father and is promoted to Dali Temple Minister!"
Sun Zili hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I truly do not deserve your praise. I am a foolish and incompetent official, but fortunately, with the guidance of Professor Daliqing, I was able to successfully solve the case. I do not seek credit, but only to avoid mistakes, to live up to my reputation and to live up to others'."
"Mr. Sun is too modest. You solve strange cases, identify the real culprits, and redress the injustices of the people. The people call you the Detective Mr. Sun. If I have been wronged, could you please also be sober-minded and clear my name?" King Ping tapped his fingers regularly on the table, staring at Sun Zili intently.
Sun Zili said solemnly, "The Dali Temple's duty is to ensure that no one, from the emperor to the common people, is wrongly judged or wronged. We will not let any guilty person go, nor allow anyone to suffer injustice."
"Then I can rest assured. Sun Shaoqing, this is just routine business. Please ask me." King Ping picked up the porcelain teacup on the table and took a sip of tea.
"May I ask King Ping, have you been to King Yao's palace recently? Have you had any dispute with King Yao?" Sun Zili asked.
Zhong Yujing temporarily acted as a clerk and took notes.
King Ping stroked his chin and thought, "I went there once before, and there was no dispute."
"Uncle Wang was very unhappy when he came out of father's study that day. I still remember the look in his eyes when he looked at me." Shangguan Yichen said lightly.
"Oh? Really?" Prince Ping raised his eyebrows and looked down at Shangguan Yichen.
"If my nephew were Uncle Wang, I would tell him everything about that day to prove my innocence. This case is of great importance and is known to everyone in the court and the country. If it has nothing to do with Uncle Wang, it would be more beneficial to him to be honest than to conceal it. What do you think, Uncle Wang, is yes or no?" Shangguan Yichen narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled, and looked at Prince Ping steadily.
"How dare you! Shangguan Yichen, who do you think you are? You just followed King Yao and fought for a few years, and you think you are so great? Who gave you the courage to teach my father a lesson!" Yifei slammed the table and pointed at Shangguan Yichen and shouted angrily.
Shangguan Yichen fiddled with the teacup in his hand and said casually, "If you put your scheming in the brothels and taverns into more positive use, perhaps your name, Shangguan Yifei, could be added after mine in the list of honors."
"You..." Yifei was choked with anger.
"Sit down!" King Ping scolded Yifei, then touched his nose and said thoughtfully, "Perhaps it's because I'm old, and many things become fuzzy in my memory. Even if my brother and I had some arguments, they were just brotherly quarrels, forgotten after a while. How could there be any real sorrow or hatred?" He covered his face and pretended to be sad. "I was also deeply saddened when I heard that my brother was murdered. Recently, I often recall the scenes of our childhood play together, and I even see them in my dreams. I guess it's just that I'm old and often miss the past."
"Wenren Rang, has Uncle Wang ever heard of this man?"
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