Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Zhu Han's heart tightened: "Immediately send those powders to the best pharmacist in the palace for detailed testing. At the same time, continue searching the area around the palace to see if there are any other clues."

Zhu Han decided to interrogate Xiao Shunzi himself.

In a dark room, Xiao Shunzi was brought before Zhu Han. He was so frightened that he trembled all over and his face was as pale as paper.

"Xiao Shunzi, do you know your crime?" Zhu Han asked coldly.

Xiao Shunzi knelt on the ground with a thud, crying out, "Your Highness, spare me! I really didn't poison the Crown Prince's food, and I didn't dare take the money that mysterious man offered!"

Zhu Han stared intently at him: "Who is that mysterious person? Why did you meet with him?"

Xiao Shunzi said tremblingly, "I...I don't know who he is. That day I was walking in the palace when someone suddenly pulled me into a corner. He gave me some money and asked me to poison the Crown Prince's food. He also said that he would give me a bigger reward after it was done. I was so scared that I didn't dare to agree or take his money. I turned around and ran away."

Zhu Han sneered, "Do you think I can't find out if you don't talk? You'd better tell me the truth, otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you talk."

Xiao Shunzi was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness, that's really all I know! Please, Your Highness, have mercy and spare my dog's life!"

Seeing that he couldn't get any more useful information out of Xiao Shunzi for the time being, Zhu Han ordered him to be taken away and kept under close surveillance.

However, that very night, the person monitoring Xiao Shunzi rushed over to report that Xiao Shunzi had suddenly died.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han was shocked and immediately rushed to the place where Xiao Shunzi was being held.

Xiao Shunzi was lying on the ground, his eyes wide open and his face bluish-black, clearly having died from poisoning.

Zhu Han squatted down and carefully examined Xiao Shunzi's body, finding some residual powder at the corner of his mouth.

"Send this powder to be tested immediately to see what kind of poison it is," Zhu Han said to the people around him.

Meanwhile, Zhu Han began investigating the cause of Xiao Shunzi's sudden death.

Before Xiao Shunzi died suddenly, a palace maid brought him a bowl of water. Zhu Han immediately ordered someone to bring that palace maid to him.

"What's your name?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, my name is Qiulian." The palace maid's voice trembled slightly.

"Who ordered you to deliver water to Xiao Shunzi?" Zhu Han's tone was calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure.

Qiu Lian knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face: "Your Highness, please understand, I was just following orders. The water was delivered from the Imperial Kitchen. The head eunuch personally instructed me to deliver it immediately."

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened, and he asked in a cold voice, "Which manager is it?"

After hesitating for a moment, Qiu Lian finally answered in a trembling voice, "It's Wang Dehai... the third chief steward of the imperial kitchen."

"Wang Dehai?" Zhu Han frowned slightly; he remembered the name. That man was an old palace servant who had served Zhu Yuanzhang for many years, always cautious and experienced, rarely making mistakes.

"Bring Wang Dehai here," he ordered coldly.

Moments later, Wang Dehai was taken into a secret room.

Although he was nearly fifty years old, he was still capable and efficient, with a calm expression on his face, and did not seem to feel much fear.

"See you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Han said calmly, "Chief Steward Wang, there's no need for such formalities. I ask you, why did you order water to be delivered to that servant named Xiao Shunzi tonight?"

Wang Dehai was slightly taken aback, but then bowed and replied, "Your Highness, that was a routine matter. Those detained in the palace must not be deprived of food and drink. I was just following the rules and had no other intentions."

"Follow the rules?" Zhu Han took a few steps closer, staring at him, and said, "Who prepared the water? And who personally delivered it?"

"It was prepared in the small kitchen. I ordered Qiulian to deliver it."

"Was the water handled by anyone after it was brought from the kitchen?"

Sweat began to bead on Wang Dehai's forehead. He remained silent for a moment before replying, "Your Highness... there was a young eunuch named Han Qing in the kitchen who was in charge of watching over the tea. It's possible that the tea passed through his hands."

"Han Qing?" Zhu Han turned and ordered, "Summon—Han Qing!"

A moment later, a thin young eunuch was brought in, looking flustered.

"Han Qing, I will ask you only one question. Did you touch that bowl of water?"

Han Qing quickly shook his head: "I wouldn't dare! I drew that water from the well myself. I was afraid the prince would blame me, so I even tried a sip myself."

"Oh? You tried a bite?" Zhu Han's eyes flashed. "Then how come you're alright?"

Han Qing was taken aback, his throat tightening: "I...I don't know."

Zhu Han sneered, "Looks like you're smarter than I thought. That sip of water you drank was probably switched a long time ago, wasn't it?"

Han Qing knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the ground repeatedly: "Your Highness, spare me! I really didn't harm anyone! That bowl of water... was specially ordered to be watched by Steward Wang Dehai. He also told me not to speak carelessly, saying it was the Emperor's will..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Dehai's face turned ashen: "Bullshit! You dare to frame me, the steward?!"

"Enough!" Zhu Han stopped the two men and said coldly, "Take them away and keep them under strict guard. They must not divulge a single word."

After the two were taken away, the room fell silent. The candlelight flickered, and Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, the coldness between his brows deepening.

He had a vague feeling that this matter was far more complex than a simple power struggle within the palace.

Xiao Shunzi's death was suspicious, Wang Dehai's actions were abrupt, and the words "the Emperor's will" were like a thorn piercing his heart.

"Zhao Wu".

"My subordinate is here."

"Investigate who Wang Dehai associates with most closely, especially those outside the Imperial Kitchen. Find out everything he's done in the last half month; we cannot afford to be complacent."

"Yes!"

The night was deep. Zhu Han walked out of the secret chamber alone. A cool breeze swept across the palace walls. He looked up at the high-hanging moon, his thoughts churning.

The Crown Prince's poisoning, Xiao Shunzi's sudden death, and Wang Dehai's involvement—each link in the chain—if someone is truly pulling the strings behind the scenes, it must be no ordinary force.

Just then, a member of the Imperial Guard quietly appeared and knelt on one knee.

"Your Highness, I have just learned that Wang Dehai, the third chief steward of the Imperial Kitchen, secretly met with Zhang An of the Imperial Household Department yesterday—this man has been frequently seen near the Qianqing Palace lately."

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Qianqing Palace...that's where my elder brother resides."

"Yes."

Who is Zhang An?

"Originally a minor official guarding the warehouse, he was promoted to second-class steward of the Imperial Household Department because he was good at currying favor with his superiors. He had a very close personal relationship with Wang Dehai."

Zhu Han nodded slowly, but a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Interesting. Have someone keep a close eye on Zhang An. Report anyone who dares to approach him immediately."

"As ordered!"

Zhu Han turned and went back to his room, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

The next morning, a message came from the Tianji Camp's spies.

After Wang Dehai was taken into custody, everyone in the imperial kitchen was talking about it, but only one person remained calm and even packed his belongings in advance, as if he knew something bad was going to happen.

This man's name was Lu Quan, and he was Wang Dehai's most trusted deputy.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han immediately ordered, "Bring Lu Quan here."

Lu Quan was led to the hall, his face haggard, yet he still bowed respectfully: "This humble subject pays his respects to Your Highness." Zhu Han stared at him for a moment, then asked indifferently, "I heard you packed your bags yesterday. Are you planning to leave the palace?"

Lu Quan raised his head, his eyes flashing, and replied, "Your Highness is wise. I heard that the Imperial Kitchen was going to be reorganized, and I thought that I might be affected, so I wanted to settle the accounts first."

"Settle accounts?" Zhu Han sneered. "Looks like you're quite cautious. Then let me ask you, has your patriarch, Wang Dehai, been in frequent contact with Zhang An lately?"

Lu Quan hesitated for a moment before replying, "There were indeed a few times, but they were all related to the procurement by the Imperial Kitchen."

"Purchasing?" Zhu Han stepped forward, enunciating each word clearly. "Then why are there no records for those few purchases in the purchasing ledger?"

Lu Quan's forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat, his lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't utter a word.

“Lu Quan.” Zhu Han’s tone was calm, yet sharp. “If you confess honestly, I can spare your life; if you resist again, I will immediately have you handed over to the Ministry of Justice, and then don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

Lu Quan's face turned pale. He gritted his teeth and finally spoke in a trembling voice: "Your Highness... I'll tell you, I'll tell you! Those few times were indeed not for purchasing... Wang Dehai was ordered by a nobleman to bring some medicinal herbs from the outer palace, saying that they were to help the Crown Prince improve his health. But that medicine... that medicine had an extremely strong taste. I secretly tasted a little bit, and it was so bitter that my tongue went numb."

Zhu Han slammed his hand on the table: "Who is this important person?!"

Lu Quan's face turned pale, and he trembled as he said, "I...I don't know either. Wang Dehai said that asking too many questions would cost me my life..."

"You're lying!" Zhu Han shouted sternly.

Lu Quan knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness, spare my life! I really didn't know! Wang Dehai always went to see that noble person at night. I only saw him once from afar. He was wearing a blue robe and a veil, so I couldn't see his face."

“Qingyi…” Zhu Han repeated in a low voice, his gaze gloomy.

"Your Highness!" A sudden, urgent report came from outside, "Zhao Wu has returned!"

Zhu Han looked up: "Let him in."

Zhao Wu strode in, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, we've investigated! Wang Dehai did indeed have several secret contacts with Zhang An before last night. Our subordinates investigated the accounts and found that the two of them used a sum of money together, the purpose of which is unknown. And Zhang An has been frequently entering the East Palace treasury where the Crown Prince resides recently."

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed: "The Eastern Palace storeroom? Isn't that the place where supplies for the Crown Prince's palace are kept?"

“Exactly,” Zhao Wu said in a deep voice. “I suspect that the medicinal herbs were transferred from the warehouse into the Crown Prince’s meals.”

Zhu Han suddenly stood up and said coldly, "Let's go—come with me to the East Palace storeroom!"

The night was deep, and the moonlight, as white as frost, enveloped the silent palace gardens.

The East Palace's storerooms were right next to the flower wall in the backyard, and were heavily guarded all around.

At this moment, Zhu Han, dressed in black, arrived stealthily with Zhao Wu and several Tianji Camp spies.

"Your Highness, the storeroom is just two zhang ahead," Zhao Wu whispered.

Zhu Han nodded, his gaze sharp: "No need to alert the guards, proceed quietly."

Several spies acted swiftly, using the shadows to scale the warehouse wall and slashing the door latch with their knives.

The wooden door opened silently, and a musty smell wafted out, mixed with a faint medicinal scent.

Zhu Han raised the lantern in his hand, and the candlelight illuminated the narrow space.

The warehouse was piled high with chests, bags, and jars, labeled with words like "Imperial Cuisine," "Spices," and "Medicinal Herbs." A complex aroma filled the air, sweet with a hint of bitterness, reminiscent of flowers and herbs, yet also carrying a trace of fishiness.

"Your Highness, this smell is off." Zhao Wu frowned. "It smells like it's been mixed with poisonous herbs."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, walked to a half-open wooden box, lifted the lid, and inside were neatly stacked packets of herbs.

The seal on top is the mark of the Imperial Medical Academy, but upon closer inspection, there are traces of it being resealed at the edges.

“This seal has been touched,” Zhu Han said in a low voice. “Be careful not to disturb the traces.”

Zhao Wu took out a small pinch of powder and put it into a porcelain bottle: "I will send it for testing."

Just then, a faint metallic clanging sound came from the corner.

The men instantly drew their swords in alert. As the candlelight flickered, a dark figure flashed out and rushed towards the door.

"Take him down!" Zhu Han shouted.

Zhao Wu leaped forward and engaged the man in a fierce battle for several moves. With a flash of light, the man was stabbed in the shoulder and staggered backward, but still desperately tried to escape.

Zhu Han raised his hand and threw a hidden dart from his sleeve, which whistled out and struck the man in the leg, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Bring it up!"

The dark figure was brought under the lamp; it was none other than Zhang An, a minor official from the Imperial Household Department.

"Your Highness, please forgive me!" Zhang An was terrified, his face covered in cold sweat.

Zhu Han's eyes flashed like knives: "It seems you're more impatient than I thought. What were you doing sneaking into the warehouse at night? To sell stolen goods? To destroy evidence?"

Zhang An kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness, I...I came here on orders!"

"By whose order?"

Zhang An looked up, his lips trembling, but he dared not speak.

"Zhao Wu".

"exist!"

"Close the door."

Bang—the wooden door slammed shut, the candlelight flickered, and the air seemed to freeze.

Zhu Han leaned down, staring into Zhang An's eyes, his tone slow and deep: "Zhang An, I don't like wasting time. If you don't speak, your head will be on the wooden stake at the palace gate tomorrow morning."

Zhang An trembled, his eyes flickered, and his voice was almost crying: "Your Highness, I am just a minor official, how dare I disobey your orders! That nobleman told me to take those packets of medicine tonight, saying that they contain ingredients that cannot be used and cannot be left in the storeroom."

"Who is this important person?!"

Zhang An trembled like a leaf: "I've only seen that person once. She was wearing a veil... but... but judging from her voice, she sounds like a woman."

"A woman?" Zhu Han frowned slightly.

Zhang An nodded vigorously: "She claimed to be acting on the orders of the 'Imperial Consort,' and told me to do as she said, or else I would be dead without a burial place!"

"The Imperial Concubine?" Zhu Han's heart stirred. Although Zhu Yuanzhang was the emperor of a country, his harem was not without its turbulent events.

Empress Ma has been dead for many years, and there were indeed several favored concubines in the palace, but they were all cautious and never interfered in court affairs. If they were truly involved in the poisoning case, the matter would no longer be so simple.

Do you have any proof?

Zhang An trembled as he pulled out an oil paper package and handed it over with both hands.

Zhu Han took it and saw that it was a small jade plaque with a blooming peony carved on it and the character "宛" engraved on the back.

Zhao Wu said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this jade pendant belongs to Consort Shen Wan Niang."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, his expression turning cold: "Consort Shen...why did she want to poison the Crown Prince?"

Zhao Wu lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, Consort Shen has been greatly favored by the Emperor in recent years, and if something were to happen to the Crown Prince, his future position as heir apparent would be in jeopardy... This matter is probably..."

"Watch your words!" Zhu Han snapped, a cold glint in his eyes. "Before this case is fully investigated, you must not speak ill of your elders in the palace."

Zhao Wu immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate acknowledges his guilt." (End of Chapter)