Proud Feather

Chapter 65 Heart Question
Gao Mian pondered for a moment, then pulled out a booklet from his sleeve and presented it to her: "This is what I have found recently. Please take a closer look, Princess."

Chu Ling didn't take it, but smiled and said, "Master Gao, I was ordered to supervise this case. You should have given me this, right?"

Gao Mian raised his head and looked at Chu Ling in front of him.

She leaned back in her chair, holding the heater, which was shaped like a furry rabbit, looking very childish and cute. But her expression was calm and slightly playful. Although she was sitting lower, she looked down at him.

Gao Mian knew what she meant.

The so-called deadline didn't impose much restrictions on others, such as Zhang Ji. His Majesty wouldn't easily move against Zhang Ji, as he held a high position as Chief Censor. He would surely find a reason to punish him lightly and retain him. Lin Wenyu might not be as experienced as Zhang Ji, but he had enough experience and strong backing. A temporary assignment wouldn't be a big deal; he could still be a key official if he was transferred back in a few years.

Only he, born into a humble family with no family influence, had bad luck after entering officialdom, and his mentor and fellow students had experienced ups and downs, none of whom had fared better than him. If the murderer couldn't be caught within the deadline, he would be the ready-made target.

The princess knew this and was forcing him to submit.

Gao Mian actually didn't want to do that. He was trying to protect himself and didn't want to stand out. But if he really wanted to rely on others in exchange for a successful career, he wouldn't have swallowed his anger like that.

He hadn't turned to high-ranking officials, so why would he turn to a young, powerless princess? It would be hard to gain any benefits, and it would also damage his reputation. Throughout history, officials driven by princesses didn't have a good reputation.

"If you can't come up with it, Master Gao, then go back first!" Chu Ling also knew what was going on and said calmly, "You are not the only one I can use. It's pointless to force it."

Gao Mian bowed and took his leave.

He stood up and took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned around and said, "I have a question for the princess."

Chu Ling blew on the tea and said, "You go ahead."

"Princess, what kind of person do you want to be?" Gao Mian looked at her directly. "Guantao of the Han Dynasty, Shanyin of the Southern Dynasties, or Anle of the Tang Dynasty?"

Chu Ling was surprised: "Master Gao asked such a direct question. I thought you were a cautious person who would only hold back."

Gao Mian said, "Because the princess is a direct person, I thought that being roundabout would only waste time, and what I lack most right now is time."

Chu Ling nodded: "Since Mr. Gao is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush with you."

She stood up and looked him in the eye without hesitation. "Guantao Shanyin, I've never wanted to be anyone, not even my great-aunts. Princess is just a title. Ultimately, I'm a person, and I have my own principles. Everything I do follows these principles. Whatever I end up being written about in history books has nothing to do with the real me."

"Then, what are the principles of a princess?" Gao Mian asked immediately, "Why can't you just be a favored daughter, a noble princess?"

"Because my brother is dead." Chu Ling said calmly, "He was smart and intelligent, respected his teachers, loved his brothers, and treated the wise and the humble with respect... He was a very good person, but he was murdered. I can't let him die with regrets, and I can't let those who hurt him go unpunished. I want his injustice to be redressed, and I want those who hurt him to pay the price!"

"That's it?"

"Of course there is more." Chu Ling continued, "I want to protect his wife and children, and let his loved ones live in peace. I also want to inherit his legacy, let his wishes come true, and let his ideals live on in this world forever."

Gao Mian was silent for a long time, and finally said: "Princess, this is difficult."

"I know." Chu Ling smiled, "I may not be able to do it either."

Gao Mian agreed. Life is difficult. Didn't the prince, who was so high-spirited and full of vigor, die young?
However, since she could say this, he could no longer treat her as a child. Speaking of which, it was natural for young people to have ambitions.

"But we should at least try to do it, right?" Chu Ling's eyes darkened. "For example, right now, we should find out the murderer who killed him!"

"..." Gao Mian bowed, "Princess, please ask the attendants to leave."

Zheng Qiu led his men to retreat far away.

Gao Mian took out another booklet from his sleeve and presented it to her: "This is what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did during his lifetime. I have recorded all the stakeholders in it. Please take a look, Princess." Chu Ling narrowed her eyes and looked at him without saying a word.

Gao Mian continued, "There are only two possible reasons for murder: revenge, passion, or money. For the Crown Prince, passion can be ruled out, leaving two possibilities. One is political revenge, and the other is a struggle for profit. Judging from what the Crown Prince has been doing recently, those whose interests are affected are the most likely to be motivated."

Chu Ling smiled, took the booklet, sat down and slowly read it.

"I underestimated Master Gao. It turns out you're not doing nothing, you're doing it quietly."

Gao Mian said nothing, his hands tucked into his sleeves trembling slightly.

He knew that if he handed over this booklet, some things would be different.
-
The emperor hadn't been to the harem for a long time. After the meeting ended today, he finally put aside his government affairs and went to the harem to relax.

First, he went to the virtuous concubine's place to listen to what had happened recently; then he went to the palace of Concubine Wang to see the little prince and enjoy the joy of family; finally, he went to the new beauty...

In the evening, he came out of the inner room and found Xue Wang waiting for him in the porch.

After reporting the affairs as usual, Xue Wang hesitated and did not leave.

The emperor raised his eyebrows: "Anything else?"

Xue Wang said, "I don't know whether I should report it to the princess."

"What happened to A Ling?" The emperor asked nonchalantly, "Hasn't she been recuperating these past few days? She shouldn't have left the palace, right?"

"Yes, but Gao Mian has entered the palace."

The emperor said "Oh". He had allowed Gao Mian to enter the palace. The prince's coffin was in Huaide Hall. He was in charge of investigating the case, so he had to go and see it.

"He went to see A Ling? This is only natural. After all, I asked A Ling to supervise him in handling the case."

Xue Wang said, "The princess dismissed her attendants and spoke alone with Gao Mian. I don't know what they said. Gao Mian presented two booklets, which the princess kept and then went to the Eastern Palace."

The emperor nodded. "It seems there's progress. Time is almost up. I only give you one month. If Gao Mian doesn't show some real ability, you won't be able to stay."

Then he asked, "Why did they mobilize so many troops a few days ago? What did they ask the Imperial City Bureau to investigate?"

Xue Wang replied, "The monk from the Dahuai Temple has confessed. The princess has traced the matter to Wenxianju and is looking for someone who is very likely related to the murderer."

"Have you found it?"

Xue Wang hesitated for a moment and said, "That person is missing. The princess was at the Duke of Anguo's residence two days ago. I don't know if it has anything to do with the princess."

The emperor narrowed his eyes: "Even you don't know?"

Xue Wang replied, "His Majesty said that the Duke of Anguo's mansion should not be disturbed lightly."

These words were indeed spoken by the emperor. There are only the elderly, the weak, women and children in the Duke of Anguo's Mansion now. This is a grace bestowed by him.

The emperor stopped talking, and Xue Wang waited silently for the emperor's order.

After a long while, the emperor finally said, "A Ling is worried about this case. She won't be able to rest until it's resolved."

Xue Wang accepted the order: "Yes."