Proud Feather

Chapter 9 Deadline
The news of the prince's murder swept through the court like wildfire, but that was where the news ended.

Although the emperor hadn't issued an explicit decree, no one would be so tactless as to publicize it. Even the investigation by the three judicial departments was conducted in silence.

After the sacrifice ceremony, Huaide Hall, where the prince's body was placed, was temporarily closed.

Chu Ling put all his energy into finding out the truth, but unfortunately, the three judges failed to bring back any useful clues.

"You mean, nothing was found, right?" Inside the palace, the emperor's voice was cold and sharp, concealing the coming storm.

Zhang Dingyuan took the lead, followed closely by the Chief Censor, the Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They all lowered their heads and remained silent.

The emperor was not known for his bad temper. During his twenty-one years on the throne, he lost his temper only a handful of times. The last time he did so was over the issue of the ancestral sacrifices for his father, the late Prince Jia.

But today, he was clearly angry. Father and son, the two who could make the emperor so angry were the father and the son.

"Well, well, well, my prince was murdered, and not only was no one aware of it, but the murderer couldn't even be found afterward. Being toyed with like this, am I still the Son of Heaven? A country bumpkin, after his son was murdered, picked up a hoe and fought his enemies to the death, but I couldn't do that. Where is the majesty of the Emperor? Where is the law of the court?"

Having said this, everyone in the hall knelt down.

"Your Majesty, calm down."

But no matter what he said at this moment, it would not quench the emperor's rage. He said coldly, "If you can harm the prince today, you can harm me tomorrow! Do you want me to be killed?"

This charge was far too serious. Zhang Dingyuan kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This is a matter of national importance, and the Crown Prince's case cannot be taken lightly. It's just that in just a few days, we haven't found any effective clues. I beg Your Majesty to give us some time to investigate thoroughly."

The Chief Censor also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, at this point, the Dali Temple has only managed to investigate the Crown Prince's attendants and the officials he came into contact with that day. Many details remain to be investigated. Since this thief dared to harm the Crown Prince, he must have made thorough preparations. We will need time to unravel this case."

Hearing this, the emperor softened slightly and asked, "How long will you investigate?"

The four ministers were silent. How should they answer this? If they hadn't found the truth within a certain timeframe, they would be punished. If they delayed too long, the emperor wouldn't be pleased.

"Why, you can't tell me?" the emperor demanded. "Do you want me to wait indefinitely?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Zhang Dingyuan had to reply, "We will do our best."

"What's the point of trying so hard? I want results! Clear results!" the emperor shouted. "Can you even investigate?!"

"Three months!" Under pressure, Dali Temple Minister Gao Mian finally squeezed out a time. "Within three months, I will turn the capital upside down and find the real culprit!"

"Three months?" The emperor was surprised. "It's just one case, and I don't have to go to the local authorities. How dare you take three months? Is this how you do things at the Dali Temple?"

The ministers were silent. Gao Mian had been cunning; the time limit was indeed too loose.

Minister of Justice Lin Wenyu gritted his teeth and said, "Two months..."

Before the emperor could even begin, the Chief Censor interrupted him, "A month! Your Majesty is right. The Crown Prince usually stays in the Imperial City. That day, he was only a few dozen miles from the capital on his river patrol, and his stay was only two days. Why would it take so long? A month. If we can find out, we will. If we can't, it's our incompetence."

Gao Mian and Lin Wenyu looked at each other and agreed.

Seeing they had reached an agreement, Zhang Dingyuan nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to act as their surety. I have one month to find the real culprit."

"Have you thought it through?" the emperor asked in a deep voice.

The four of them answered at the same time: "Yes."

"What if it doesn't work?"

Gao Mian was the first to answer: "If it doesn't work out, I will resign and return home."

Zhang Dingyuan also said, "If they fail, it means I have no talent for judging people and no longer have the dignity to serve as Prime Minister. Please transfer me to a distant post." "Okay." The three important ministers staked their futures on the emperor, and with the Prime Minister guaranteeing his position, the emperor was finally satisfied. "Remember your words today. If the truth about the Crown Prince's death is not revealed within one month, I will replace one of the three judges!"

The ministers finally breathed a sigh of relief and responded in unison: "As ordered."
-
When the four of them came out of Funing Palace, they all felt like they had seen the light of day again.

Lin Wenyu apologized, "Prime Minister Zhang, I'm sorry for causing you trouble today."

Zhang Dingyuan shook his head: "This matter is originally under my overall control, so there is no question of me being implicated. However, whether I can keep my position as prime minister depends on you."

Lin Wenyu was about to speak when he was interrupted by the Chief Censor Zhang Ji.

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Zhang. For the sake of my family's future, I will do my best." He then cupped his hands and said, "Time is precious. I have to go back and review the files. I'll be leaving first."

Looking at his departing figure, Lin Wenyu's face turned green. He glanced at Zhang Dingyuan and smiled: "Zhang Zhongcheng is still so impatient."

Zhang Dingyuan didn't mind. "A censor is a noble official, and investigating cases isn't his main job. He's been implicated this time, so it's normal for him to feel angry."

"Yes. Prime Minister Zhang, let's go back too." Lin Wenyu turned around and asked, "Master Gao, what about you?"

Gao Mian replied, "It's still early. I want to go to Huaide Hall and take a look."

Since they wanted to investigate the case, they naturally had to perform an autopsy, so the emperor allowed them to enter and leave Huaide Hall.

"Mr. Gao is diligent, and we have to benefit from you!" Lin Wenyu said with a smile.

Gao Mian thought to himself, "The Censorate only handles serious cases, and the Ministry of Justice mainly reviews cases. Shouldn't the Dali Temple handle this hard work? If I don't do it, won't the superiors keep him in check?"
"It's my job, and it's what I should do."

After watching Zhang Dingyuan and Lin Wenyu leave, Gao Mian asked a eunuch to lead the way to Huaide Hall.

The funeral ceremony has ended, and the emperor probably wants to see the outcome of the case before the funeral, so only guards and eunuchs are left in Huaide Hall.

Gao Mian showed them the token and was led in by the eunuch.

In order to preserve the corpse, the doors and windows of Huaide Hall were sealed, and a lot of ice cubes were placed there, which made the chill penetrate directly into the back of the heart.

Gao Mian couldn't help but sneeze twice, and his hair stood on end.

The eunuch was frightened, but suddenly he had an idea: "Sir, I'll go find you a blanket." Then he slipped away.

Gao Mian didn't stop shouting and couldn't help shaking his head. He wanted to ask a few more questions!

There was no other way, he could only do it himself and push open the coffin lid with great effort.

After a short time, and as the body was kept cool with ice, it was well preserved and had no odor.

Gao Mian picked up the candlestick and moved closer to take a closer look.

For some reason, the candle flame flickered and almost went out.

Where did the wind come from? Gao Mian turned his head and saw nothing. He thought to himself: I scared myself, I scared myself.

"Whoosh..." Another gust of wind blew, this time real and clear, and at the same time a low whispered voice came, "Master Gao..."

Gao Mian was stunned and frightened, and immediately wanted to throw away the candlestick and run away.

Someone grabbed him and whispered, "It's me! Alive!"

(End of this chapter)