SGEIRS -Chapter 469 Another Year

The Crown Prince passed away. Upon hearing the news, the Empress couldn’t withstand the shock and fainted on the spot.

Emperor Jingwen, devastated by the loss of his beloved son, was inconsolable. On top of that, since the mastermind behind the incident had not yet been uncovered, he scolded all the officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. Gu Jingxi, being a favored minister, was not spared and also received the Emperor’s wrath.

Minister Yu of the Ministry of Justice, since his promotion to minister, had never been berated so harshly. After leaving the palace, he quietly asked Gu Jingxi, “Minister Gu, they say you have a godlike ability to solve cases. In this matter, is there truly not the slightest clue?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head slightly and replied, “Minister Yu, if I had found any clue, would I have been reprimanded for inefficiency just now? Though I have solved many cases, there are still many unresolved ones beyond my ability. Those who commit crimes are often as skilled as those who investigate; some leave no trace at all after committing their crime.”

Yu was momentarily taken aback by this and then let out a sigh. If the case remained unsolved, his official position could be unstable. Who knew if the Emperor might deem him incompetent and demote him?

After a moment, Yu asked again, “Minister Gu, do you have any suspects?”

Without hesitation, Gu Jingxi replied, “None for the time being.”

Yu gave him a strange look, unconvinced that Gu had no suspicions. Even he himself had suspects but, lacking evidence, could not speak freely.

Yu asked, “Then this case…”

Before he could finish, Gu Jingxi interrupted, “Investigate. Keep investigating. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must find the mastermind, or how could I answer to the Emperor?”

Yu nodded, “Minister Gu is right, but… where should we start?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “There are always more solutions than difficulties. What do you think, Minister Yu?”

Yu fell silent. That was equivalent to saying nothing. They were both officials working on this case, yet Gu seemed to guard his thoughts so carefully. Even if he told him, Gu wouldn’t reveal it to anyone else.

Oh well. Gu might not trust him, but he trusted Gu’s character.

Yu then hinted, “Minister Gu, the person who benefits most from the Crown Prince’s death would naturally be the prime suspect.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at him and lightly nodded in agreement. “Minister Yu, that makes sense. Do you have someone in mind?”

Yu was speechless. Gu had made his point clear, yet still pretended to need persuasion. He really was clever.

Yu could do nothing, so he whispered three words into Gu Jingxi’s ear.

Gu Jingxi paused and asked, “Minister Yu, do you have any concrete evidence for this?”

Yu replied, “None, which is why I did not mention it before the Emperor. But at this rate, I don’t know when this case will be resolved. Now, I dread going before the Emperor the most.”

Gu Jingxi was silent. Not only Yu was anxious—he himself was equally anxious—but he truly could not find any clue. The assassination of the Crown Prince was such a significant matter; the perpetrator would surely be extremely cautious and leave no traces for anyone to follow, making the investigation even harder.

That evening.

Gu Jingxi returned home, exhausted, and found Meng Jinyao still awake, waiting for him. Hearing his footsteps, she looked up at him, eyes full of worry.

He walked over and said before she could speak, “I’m fine, Jinyao. Don’t worry.”

Meng Jinyao asked, “Husband, since the mastermind hasn’t been found, has the Emperor taken out his anger on you?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head slightly. “No. It’s just that the case is tricky. The mastermind is deeply hidden, and I don’t know when it will be solved.”

Meng Jinyao comforted him, “Heaven’s net is wide, yet nothing escapes it. The truth will eventually come out.”

Gu Jingxi sighed inwardly. If the perpetrator didn’t make a mistake, it might truly be impossible to uncover the truth. During the reign of the previous Emperor, when he was still Crown Prince, two predecessors also died under unclear circumstances. Their deaths allowed the previous Emperor to ascend, yet the culprits behind those deaths were never revealed.

Sometimes, even if a suspect is identified, their status could prevent the case from being pursued, leaving it unsolved indefinitely.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi changed the topic. “Jinyao, is there anything to eat?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Yes, it’s warming in the kitchen. I’ll have someone bring it over now.”

Gu Jingxi said gently, “You sit, Jinyao. I’ll just tell the maid myself.” With that, he turned to go.

After dinner, Gu Jingxi took a bath and returned to his room to rest, but he rarely experienced insomnia and tonight was one of those rare occasions.

Meng Jinyao, also awake, asked softly, “Husband, are you still thinking about the mastermind behind the assassination?”

Gu Jingxi responded with a quiet “Hmm,” then said, “The case won’t be solved anytime soon. Let’s not think about it for now. Let’s sleep.”

Because of the Crown Prince’s death, a shadow hung over the capital.

The Empress fell ill, Emperor Jingwen grieved deeply and refused to see ministers. Officials below trembled in fear of offending the Emperor. The Ministry of Rites was busy arranging the Crown Prince’s funeral. After seven days of lying in state, he was buried with all civil and military officials attending.

After the burial, Emperor Jingwen resumed his duties as if nothing had happened—receiving ministers, attending court, handling state affairs. His mood stabilized, though he had lost much weight, which made the ministers concerned.

At this time, it was also late December, approaching Lunar New Year’s Eve.

In previous years, the palace would host a banquet for ministers, and families of those with imperial edicts could attend. But now, the Crown Prince had recently passed, and the Emperor and Empress were in mourning. The Empress Dowager, having lost her most outstanding grandson, was also grieving and had no mind to host a feast.

On New Year’s Eve, officials began their annual leave, returning early to reunite with their families.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen were preparing the family dinner. Last year, Meng Jinyao helped, but now, heavily pregnant, she was allowed to rest.

When Madam Chen entered, she saw Madam Zhang looking distant and asked, “Sister-in-law, what are you thinking about? Why so absent-minded?”

Madam Zhang sighed lightly. “Tomorrow is New Year, and our Xuanyi hasn’t returned yet.”

Madam Chen replied, “Sister-in-law, Xuanyi just returned from Zhang’s family. She should now be at Shou’an Hall, paying respects to her grandmother. She’ll probably come see you later.”

Madam Zhang looked startled, with a hint of reproach in her tone. “That girl didn’t even inform me when she returned.”

Hearing this, Madam Chen gave her a glance, letting her feel the lesson herself.

Madam Zhang felt wronged. She was only worried about Xuanyi’s marriage, yet in the end, it seemed to be her fault?

Madam Chen reminded her, “Tonight at the family dinner, don’t say anything inappropriate, Sister-in-law. Don’t ruin the dinner.”

Madam Zhang: “……”

Was she really the type to spoil the mood?

Madam Chen looked at the servants putting up window decorations. “In the blink of an eye, it’s another year. Our family will soon welcome a new member.”

Madam Zhang instinctively asked, “Xiuhong’s marriage will be decided?”

Madam Chen replied, “It’s the child in our third brother’s wife’s belly. Judging from the size, it’s probably a boy.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang pressed her lips together and accepted it. Her son was not destined to be heir. Even if this child is a girl, what of it? Her third brother’s wife was still young; she could continue bearing children.

Madam Chen glanced at her. Having been sisters-in-law for years, she knew what Madam Zhang was thinking. This is fate. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.