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

Zhu Han put away the jade pendant, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Zhang An, where did you get this jade pendant?"

Zhang An said with trepidation, "When that masked woman gave it to me, she said it was a token, and if anything happened, I should give it to 'Grandma Li of Qingzhu Lane' for safekeeping."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow: "Qingzhu Lane? That's outside the palace."

"Yes."

"Very good." Zhu Han said calmly, "You didn't say anything tonight, so go back as usual. If you make any unusual moves, I will take your life immediately."

Zhang An kowtowed repeatedly and was dragged away.

Zhao Wu couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you really going to let him go?"

"Releasing it—is for fishing," Zhu Han said coldly. "I want to see just how far this line can go."

The next day at noon, the Tianji Camp spies reported that after Zhang An left the palace, he indeed went to Qingzhu Lane at night to visit an elderly blind woman.

After a brief conversation, Zhang An left.

Less than fifteen minutes later, a fire suddenly broke out in the blind woman's hut. The fire was extremely fierce, and by the time the people arrived, only scorched earth remained.

After hearing this, Zhu Han's eyes grew even darker: "Kill him to silence him."

Zhao Wu said angrily, "Your Highness, the person behind this is too ruthless! We should immediately report to His Majesty and ask my brother for a decision!"

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "No. Your Majesty has just learned that the Crown Prince's condition has improved. If we disturb him again, he will inevitably become suspicious. If this case really involves the inner palace, we must have solid evidence."

"My subordinate understands."

Zhu Han's gaze turned slightly cold: "Investigate the identity of that blind old woman in Qingzhu Lane, and see who she associates with. Also—investigate the female officials and eunuchs serving in Consort Shen's palace, especially whether they have been out recently."

Zhao Wu accepted the order and left.

At night, Zhu Han sat alone at his desk. The candlelight flickered on the scrolls spread out on the desk, the light and shadow interplaying and reflecting his solemn expression.

He flipped through the records of medicinal properties written by the imperial physician, his finger pausing on the names of several herbs—"Crane's Crest Red," "Aconite," and "Arisaema."

If these highly poisonous substances are combined skillfully, they can be fatal in a short time without being easily detected.

The poison that the crown prince was afflicted with was very similar to this.

"Shen Wanniang..." he murmured softly, a vague unease creeping into his heart.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhao Wu pushed the door open and entered, his expression grave.

"Your Highness, we've made a new discovery!"

Zhu Han looked up: "Speak."

"Your subordinate has found that Consort Shen has a personal maid named Chunliu. She left the palace for half a day three days ago, supposedly to fetch medicine for the Consort, but the Imperial Hospital has no record of her."

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened: "Where is she now?"

"They are being secretly watched."

"Take her with you."

A moment later, Chunliu was escorted into the hall. She was about twenty years old, with delicate features, but she carried a hint of panic.

Zhu Han looked at her quietly and said slowly, "Chunliu, are you aware of the Crown Prince's poisoning?"

Chunliu's face turned pale, and she hurriedly knelt down: "Your Highness, I was only acting under orders and I really don't know the reason behind it!"

"On whose orders?"

"Yes...it is the Imperial Concubine."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Send me to fetch the medicine, saying that the Crown Prince has a poor appetite and needs to be treated. I went to 'Jing'an Hall' and an old pharmacist gave me several packets of powder, saying that they should be mixed into the Crown Prince's meals in the correct dosage."

“Jing’an Hall?” Zhao Wu said in a low voice, “That’s a private pharmacy in the south of the city.”

Zhu Han sneered: "It seems this Imperial Concubine is quite cautious, actually avoiding the Imperial Hospital."

He turned to Chunliu, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Have you seen that powder before?"

Chunliu said in a trembling voice, "I have seen it. It is white with a grayish tinge and tastes extremely bitter... I was just following orders and dared not ask any more questions."

Where are those packets of medicine now?

Chunliu hesitated for a moment before replying, "They have all been handed over to Wang Dehai of the Imperial Kitchen for processing. I have no idea where they are."

"Very good." Zhu Han stood up and said coldly, "Men, temporarily detain Chunliu at the Tianji Camp. If what she said is false, punish her severely."

Chunliu was led away crying.

Zhao Wu said in a low voice, "Your Highness, it seems that Consort Shen is highly suspicious."

Zhu Han slowly shook his head: "No rush. Although she is the core of the clues, I always feel that someone is manipulating her behind the scenes. Although Shen Wanniang is favored, she may not have the courage to do such a big thing on her own."

He paused, his tone turning cold: "Continue the investigation—I need to see that old pharmacist at Jing'an Hall."

The Jing'an Hall Pharmacy in the south of the city has a small storefront with a slightly mottled plaque hanging above the door.

During the day, this place is bustling with people, famous for its medical treatment and medicine dispensing. However, at this moment, the shop door is tightly closed, and a faint candlelight shines through the window paper.

Zhu Han, dressed in gray and wearing a bamboo hat, quietly approached with Zhao Wu and two Tianji Camp guards.

"Your Highness, our scouts have confirmed that the apothecary is still in the inner room," Zhao Wu reported in a low voice.

Zhu Han nodded, his voice low: "Enter through the back door, and do not disturb others."

The three went around to the backyard. One of the guards reached out and gently pushed the wooden door, only to find that the latch was not closed. Zhu Han raised an eyebrow, signaling everyone to be careful.

A slight rustling sound came from inside the house, as if someone was hurriedly packing things.

Zhu Han's gaze turned cold. He lightly touched the ground with his toes and, like a shadow, darted into the room in the blink of an eye.

"who!"

The old pharmacist turned around at the sound, and the medicine pot in his hand fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered, scattering white ash all over the ground.

In the candlelight, his hair was completely white, and his expression was one of panic.

Zhu Han removed his bamboo hat and said coldly, "Wang Xu, the manager of Jing'an Hall, do you recognize me?"

Wang Xu was taken aback, his gaze falling on the golden dragon jade pendant at Zhu Han's waist. He immediately knelt down: "This humble subject pays his respects to Your Highness! I was unaware of Your Highness's esteemed presence and have failed to greet you properly!"

Zhu Han glanced at him, his tone calm yet authoritative: "Are you aware of the Crown Prince's poisoning?"

Wang Xu's expression changed drastically, and cold sweat poured down his forehead: "Your Highness, I...I didn't know! A pharmacy only sells medicine and treats illnesses, how dare we get involved in palace affairs!"

"You don't know?" Zhu Han sneered, raising his hand to slap Zhao Wu's prescription onto the table. "This was written by you yourself. The powder Chunliu took from you was prepared according to this prescription. Are you still going to deny it?"

Wang Xu's face turned ashen, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, spare my life! I was only entrusted by someone and did not know what the medicine was for!"

Zhu Han's eyes sharpened: "Who commissioned you?"

Wang Xu spoke tremblingly, "It was a woman wearing a veil, with a soft voice but sharp words. She said she was ordered by a noblewoman in the palace to prepare several packets of 'Replenishing Vitality Powder'. I originally thought it was just a tonic, but she gave me a separate packet of powder and ordered me to mix it in."

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened: "Do you recognize that powder?"

"It has no name, but it is extremely potent and has a bitter and spicy taste. Only a seasoned pharmacist would dare to use it."

Zhao Wu asked, "What evidence did the woman leave behind?"

Wang Xu hesitated for a moment, then took out a brocade handkerchief from the bottom of the cabinet. Zhu Han took it and saw that the handkerchief was embroidered with golden peonies, and the edges had a faint fragrance, vaguely resembling the one used by Consort Shen.

Zhu Han's gaze darkened: "It seems she is indeed a member of the palace."

Wang Xu, with a mournful face, said, "Your Highness, please understand! I truly did not know that the medicine was poison! If I had known it was deadly, I would rather die than concoct it!" Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Was that woman alone when she came?"

Wang Xu nodded, then shook his head: "She was accompanied by an attendant, a young man with a handsome face and an extraordinary air about him, unlike a servant. I peeked at him and saw that he wore a jade belt ring with a flying crane pattern on his waist."

A hint of doubt flashed in Zhao Wu's eyes: "The flying crane pattern? That's the official pendant of the Hanlin Academy!"

Zhu Han's expression changed slightly, and he slowly said, "It seems that this matter is no longer just a struggle within the harem."

Zhao Wu whispered, "Your Highness, should we capture this pharmacist immediately?"

"Spare his life," Zhu Han said calmly. "Although he is involved, he is merely a pawn. Send someone to secretly watch over him, and do not let anyone get close."

"Yes!"

The next morning, the Tianji Camp sent back the medicinal powder prepared by Wang Xu. After being examined by the Imperial Hospital, it was found to contain small amounts of aconite and ginseng.

Although the toxicity has been diluted and adulterated, it is still enough to cause serious illness, and prolonged ingestion will undoubtedly lead to death.

Zhu Han looked at the drug test results, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "The Crown Prince was poisoned after only three days of taking the medicine, which means that woman deliberately increased the dosage."

Zhao Wu asked, "Your Highness, do you suspect who that person from the Hanlin Academy is?"

"Investigate," Zhu Han said coldly. "List all Hanlin scholars in the capital who wear the flying crane pattern and check their names one by one. Especially those who have dealings with Consort Shen's palace."

"As ordered."

However, after searching through the entire register of Hanlin scholars, the Tianji Camp found no one who matched the characteristics of that "young attendant".

Zhao Wu frowned: "Strange, could it be a disguise?"

Zhu Han pondered for a long time, then said in a low voice, "Perhaps he is not a member of the Hanlin Academy, but deliberately left a false impression."

"What does the prince mean?"

“Someone wants to use the Imperial Concubine’s name to frame her.”

Zhao Wu was shocked: "If that's true, then the person behind it is extremely cunning!"

Zhu Han's gaze was deep: "The more complicated things are, the calmer you need to be. The more transparent things are, the easier it is to expose flaws."

He slowly walked to the window, looking at the golden sunlight outside the hall, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "If the Crown Prince dies, my elder brother will be furious; if the Consort is suspected, the harem will be in chaos. That person... wants this whole thing to be a political upheaval."

Zhao Wu asked in a low voice, "What are your plans, Your Highness?"

"Let's wait and see." Zhu Han's eyes sharpened. "But someone needs to test Consort Shen."

Zhao Wu was taken aback: "A test?"

Zhu Han's lips curled into a cold smile: "If she is truly innocent, she will panic and try to explain herself; if she has ulterior motives, she will try to cover them up. In any case, I want to see her reaction with my own eyes."

The following day, Zhu Han entered the palace to pay his respects to Zhu Yuanzhang under the pretext of visiting the crown prince.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in the palace with Consort Shen when he heard that Zhu Han had come to visit, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Brother Han, Biao'er is much better now, thanks to that old man's miraculous healing."

Zhu Han bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is well, and I am at ease. The Crown Prince has just recovered from his illness and still needs to recuperate."

Consort Shen chuckled softly, her voice gentle: "Your Highness is overthinking it. His Highness the Crown Prince is blessed with good fortune and will surely be unharmed."

Zhu Han looked up at her. Consort Shen was dressed in a light gold palace gown, her eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, and her expression was gentle and composed, showing no sign of panic.

"Your Highness looks very well. I wonder how you are doing lately?"

Consort Shen smiled gently: "Thanks to Your Highness's auspicious words, the palace is peaceful and there is nothing to worry about."

"Oh? That's good." Zhu Han nodded slightly, then suddenly changed the subject, "Yesterday, I discovered that someone in the outer palace pharmacy was using the palace's name to purchase medicine. I wonder if the Noble Consort has sent anyone to Jing'an Hall?"

Consort Shen paused for a moment, but quickly regained her composure: "Jing'an Hall? I've never heard of it."

Zhu Han's gaze deepened: "Strange, the pharmacist said that the person who came to pick up the medicine was a maid named Chunliu from the Imperial Concubine's palace."

Consort Shen frowned slightly and said softly, "Chunliu? I do know such a person. She seemed to have gone to the Imperial Hospital to pick up medicine the other day. Could it be that someone impersonated her?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Perhaps so. Your humble brother is merely conducting a routine investigation and dares not speak presumptuously."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two men, his expression slightly serious: "Brother Han, I will have someone investigate the matter of the pharmacy myself, so you don't need to worry about it."

Zhu Han bowed his head: "Your subject obeys the decree."

As Zhu Han stepped out of the palace gate, he turned his head and his eyes met those of Consort Shen.

Her smile was gentle, but in that instant, Zhu Han clearly saw a hint of panic flash in her eyes.

Upon returning to the residence, Zhao Wu greeted him and asked, "Your Highness, did you discern anything?"

Zhu Han slowly removed his outer robe and said calmly, "She has something to hide."

Zhao Wu asked, "Does that mean she was indeed involved?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "Not necessarily. She may know the truth, but she may not be the mastermind."

He paused, his expression growing increasingly somber: "Order men to continue keeping an eye on Consort Shen, but remember—act in secret, and do not let the Emperor discover it. This case has already stirred up the palace's intrigue; one wrong step and everything will be lost."

Zhao Wu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands."

For the past three days, Zhu Han has not entered the palace again, but has been waiting quietly in his residence for secret reports from the Heavenly Secrets Camp.

On the surface, he continued to handle state affairs and military matters, and even occasionally attended banquets; but those in the know understood that he was waiting for a breakthrough that would reveal the truth.

In the dead of night, Zhao Wu rushed in to report: "Your Highness, news has come from Consort Shen's palace."

Zhu Han looked up, his brows furrowing slightly: "Speak."

"My informant reports that Consort Shen secretly summoned a eunuch to Chunhua Palace last night. The two talked for a long time, seemingly discussing some confidential matter. My informant did not dare to approach, but overheard a few words—'medicine,' 'Crown Prince,' and 'pardon.'"

"Pardon?" Zhu Han repeated in a low voice, his eyes flickering.

Zhao Wu nodded: "Yes. The eunuch's name is Lu An. He used to work in the Zhongzheng Department, but was demoted to serve in the Imperial Concubine's palace for altering the account books. I have already sent someone to follow him."

“Very good.” Zhu Han stood up and paced back and forth. “A pardon is a pardon for sins. The fact that she mentions ‘pardon’ now is probably because someone is pressuring her to admit to a certain crime.”

Zhao Wu hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, could it be that the Imperial Concubine has been framed?"

Zhu Han's expression was deep: "If she were truly involved in drugs, she would never have voluntarily asked for a pardon. This action, on the contrary, shows that she knew she had been set up."

Zhao Wu said, "The person behind it all..."

Zhu Han interrupted him, his tone icy: "Continue investigating Lu An. This person is definitely the key."

The following day, afternoon sunlight streamed into Chunhua Palace through layers of curtains.

Consort Shen was sitting alone at her desk, with a secret letter spread out in front of her.

She crumpled the letter repeatedly, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty, are you really going to reply?" the maid, Lü'e, asked in a low voice.

Consort Shen raised her eyes, her gaze icy: "If we don't reply, he will only become more presumptuous."

Green Calyx bit her lip: "But that person's origins are unknown, and he mentioned the Crown Prince in the letter. I'm afraid it's a trap."

Consort Shen slowly unfolded the letter, which contained several lines of writing—

"If Your Highness does not wish to be implicated, meet me in the back corridor of the Imperial Study at 9:00 PM three days from now. Someone will be able to protect you."

The signature is marked with a tiny ink mark: a crane with outstretched wings.

Consort Shen's gaze darkened. The flying crane—it was that symbol again. (End of Chapter)