svetikya Page 548
Page 548
Wei Yuan's mind raced as he said, "Your Majesty, this case is full of suspicious points, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to solve!"
Just as Emperor Yuanjing was about to give Wei Yuan a death order, he heard a commotion at the door.
"You lackeys, who dares to stop me! Cases the night watchmen can't solve, I'll solve!"
"Aren't they trying to frame my brother, the Crown Prince? I'm here to clear his name!"
Chapter 334 Huaiqing: I'm truly jealous!
When Emperor Yuanjing heard the voice from Lin'an, he felt even more troubled. This daughter must have come to plead for her brother.
As expected, the eunuchs could not stop Lin'an, who, carrying his robe, stormed into the imperial study.
"Lin'an, don't be ridiculous."
Emperor Yuanjing's voice was deep and authoritative without being angry, but Princess Lin'an was not afraid at all.
"Father, the Crown Prince has been wronged! Someone is coveting the Crown Prince's throne! With so many concubines, how could the Crown Prince be so blinded as to plot against Consort Fu? Someone must have framed him!"
Emperor Yuanjing said in a deep voice, "Lin'an, stop making a scene. There is no evidence for this matter right now, but I will arrange for someone to investigate."
Lin'an was emotional, her peach blossom eyes brimming with tears. "Father, this concerns the face of the royal family. How can we let outsiders investigate this case? Leave this matter to your son!"
Emperor Yuanjing's eyes widened suddenly as he confirmed once again that it was Lin'an who was speaking, not Huaiqing.
Even Huaiqing, who prided himself on being as capable as any man, dared not take on such a task, since solving cases is a highly specialized matter.
However, a remark made in Lin'an struck a chord with Emperor Yuanjing: this was a family matter, and it was neither convenient nor appropriate to let outsiders investigate.
Investigating a case requires questioning, but it's not appropriate for outsiders to question the concubines, princes, and princesses in the palace.
More importantly, who dares to ask?
Therefore, the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the night watchmen all made excuses, and even Wei Yuan dared not delve into the case.
In fact, Wei Yuan was a eunuch, so he was the most suitable person to handle this case.
However, Wei Yuan had a complicated relationship with the Empress, which greatly displeased Emperor Yuanjing.
"Stop talking nonsense! You have no ability to solve cases, you're just making a fool of yourself!"
Emperor Yuanjing verbally refused, but in his heart he was considering the feasibility of what Lin'an had said.
Lin'an is the Crown Prince's younger sister, so she will naturally protect him. However, Lin'an is naive and simple-minded, and in fact, she only has familial affection for the Crown Prince and is not involved in any factional struggles.
Emperor Yuanjing was furious, and Biao Biao didn't argue, but just squeezed out a few tears.
"Father, please forgive me. I was just too anxious. Seeing your worry, and with none of these servants sharing your burdens, I was worried that it would harm your health, which is why I was so anxious..."
"Alas..." Emperor Yuanjing sighed and did not blame Lin'an any further.
"Big companion."
Upon hearing Emperor Yuanjing's voice, the eunuch beside the emperor's eyes twitched violently.
"The old slave is here!"
Emperor Yuanjing said, "Since Lin'an has this idea, then I might as well let her give it a try..."
Lin'an was overjoyed and was about to thank Emperor Yuanjing for giving her the opportunity, but the emperor's next words made her blood pressure soar!
"But she can't do it alone, so let's call Huaiqing along. You're in charge of assigning people to the two princesses, try to... use people from the palace..."
When Lin'an heard that she would be working on a case with Huaiqing, her eyes widened in surprise; she was extremely unwilling.
Huaiqing always bullied her and often hit her, so the two sisters could not work together.
Moreover, Lin'an now suspects that Huaiqing and the Empress are highly involved in the case. How can we allow suspects to participate in the investigation?
"...Yes...this old servant obeys the order."
The old eunuch was inwardly groaning; getting involved in such a big matter was truly the worst luck imaginable.
Although this was the emperor's trust, it depends on the situation. The case itself was tricky, and having two princesses together made things even more difficult.
Emperor Yuanjing looked at Wei Yuan and said, "Wei Yuan, if the two princesses encounter any difficulties, the Night Watchmen's Office must provide them with full support."
"The minister obeys the order!"
Wei Yuan had no choice but to agree, but he knew that the emperor favored Huai Qing, who was devoted to the royal family and also had the ability to solve cases.
More importantly, Huaiqing was an aloof person and did not show favoritism towards any of the princes.
"Father... Huaiqing, she..." Lin'an had just opened her mouth when Emperor Yuanjing seemed to have guessed what she wanted to say and immediately interrupted her.
"Lin'an, if you truly wish to share my burdens, then work with Huaiqing to accomplish this task."
Lin'an pouted and said with a wronged expression, "Your subject obeys the decree. Your subject humbly requests that Your Majesty transfer Constable Lü from the Six Doors to assist in solving the case."
At this moment, the Minister of Justice stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Constable Lü is an unmarried woman."
Emperor Yuanjing's eyes flickered. He hadn't expected Lin'an to have thought of this. To examine Consort Fu's body, they would need special constables.
How could the corpse of an empress be allowed to be viewed by others, especially not by men? Finding a female constable would be the most suitable option.
"Not bad, Lin'an has made progress, approved!"
After the court officials dispersed, the old eunuch followed Emperor Yuanjing away. Emperor Yuanjing suddenly turned around and said, "You don't need to follow me anymore. Go and help the two princesses solve the case."
The old eunuch repeatedly agreed, then jogged to catch up with Princess Lin'an. He had no hope for Lin'an at all; this princess was fine for playing around, but solving cases was out of the question.
"Your Highness, should we go to Huaiqing Palace to discuss this with the Eldest Princess?"
Lin'an put her hands on her hips, puffed out her cheeks, and said, "Father said that Huaiqing was with me, so why should I go to her!"
"I will take the servants from Shaoyin Palace to Consort Fu's palace to investigate! You are not allowed to go to Huaiqing's place either; come with me to investigate the case!"
Faced with Lin'an's domineering demands, the old eunuch hurriedly pleaded, "Your Highness, this old servant must go and deliver the imperial decree to Prince Huaiqing..."
Lin'an said angrily, "I can issue the decree, but you must not tell Huaiqing where I went! I'm leaving first, you go and come back quickly!"
Lin'an left without warning, leaving the old eunuch behind. The old eunuch had no choice but to run towards Huaiqing Palace!
"Hey! Don't forget to bring Lü Qing to the palace!" Biao Biao reminded him from afar.
"This old servant obeys the decree! This old servant will send someone to deliver the decree immediately!" The old eunuch was panting heavily, almost unable to catch his breath.
Inside the ice cellar of the imperial palace.
Princess Lin'an traveled without hindrance, and the eunuchs on duty dared not stop her.
In the cold ice cellar, Consort Fu lay quietly on the wooden board, covered with a white cloth. Biao Biao shivered and quickly wrapped herself tightly in her fox fur cloak.
This case is not only about clearing the Crown Prince's name, but also a great opportunity to prove myself to Li Chang'an!
Li Chang'an's disciple, Xu Qi'an, may seem a bit slow, but he can solve cases. Why can't I, a noble lady of the palace, do the same?
Does that mean that if Xu Qi'an can teach it, I, Lin'an, can't?
If we solve this case successfully, it will definitely impress Li Chang'an!
"Your Highness, would you like to see it now?" The young eunuch checked again before lifting the white cloth.
"Okay!" But as soon as the words left his mouth, Lin'an immediately changed his mind, "Wait a little longer!"
The young eunuch saw fear on the second princess's tense face, but he couldn't reveal it.
Lin'an was indeed scared. After all, she had never seen a dead person before. Although Li Chang'an had taught her in great detail, she was now really going to see a corpse!
She recalled all the key points Li Chang'an had made, but she still dared not let the young eunuch lift the white cloth.
"The eldest princess has arrived!"
A servant announced from the doorway, and Lin'an suddenly felt no coldness.
"Lift the white sheet, I want to examine the body!"
Lin'an raised his voice eight octaves so that Huaiqing outside the door could hear him.
"Lin'an, don't be ridiculous! What do you know about autopsies!"
Huaiqing's voice also came in, and when he saw Lin'an arranging for palace maids to undo the clothes of Consort Fu's corpse, he was shocked.
This foolish younger sister actually had this kind of courage. Although Lin'an was terrified, it was enough to surprise Huaiqing.
"Huaiqing, if I don't look at it, I can't very well ask those government officials to look at Consort Fu's body!"
Huaiqing remained silent, for Lin'an's words were not wrong.
Huaiqing said to the young eunuch, "Bring me the autopsy records!"
The young eunuch presented the booklet, which Huaiqing opened and examined. "There were no signs of rape, but there were bruises on her wrists and arms from being pinched. Her clothes were disheveled at the time of death, with signs of being violently torn. Her hair was messy, as if she had resisted... She died facing the sky..."
Then, Huaiqing looked up and saw Lin'an touch the back of Consort Fu's neck, and then touch Consort Fu's buttocks.
"Hmm...it really was a fall backwards..." Lin'an muttered to himself.
Huaiqing narrowed her eyes slightly, then snorted coldly. She could figure out with one finger who taught Lin'an this.
Lin'an analyzed with a cold gaze, "Consort Fu did not jump to her death. The pavilion was not very high, so she would not flip over in the air."
“Usually, people who jump from buildings land face down, so it’s possible that Consort Fu was pushed off.”
Huaiqing looked at Lin'an with interest, she didn't believe that Lin'an had become smarter in such a short time.
Just then, Lü Qing also arrived by imperial decree. Following Li Chang'an's instructions, Lin'an told Lü Qing his conclusions.