The prince is more stable

Chapter 618 Initial Clues
Besides the bond of mutual dependence over many years, family relationships also require compatible values ​​and perspectives.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhao Hao likely shared similar values. Neither of them would be bound by Confucian morality and righteousness, and they didn't care about using despicable means in their conduct. Moreover, both father and son must have been intelligent.

Inside the Yin'an Hall, Zhao Hao was in a good mood, drinking cup after cup. Looking at his son's young and robust appearance, he was beaming with pride.

"Is my son being suddenly summoned back to the capital by the Emperor because of the passing of the young prince?" Zhao Hao asked.

Zhao Xiaoqian asked in surprise, "How did Father know?"

Zhao Hao smiled wryly: "The Emperor is not stupid after all. He should have realized that the young prince's death was unusual. This matter is very troublesome, and you are probably the only one who can handle it."

“You are a member of the imperial clan, you have not formed any factions in the court, you have accumulated many military achievements over the years, and your words carry weight among the imperial relatives. No matter who is involved in this case, you are not afraid of any power, and that is what the Emperor values.”

Zhao Hao narrowed his eyes: "Father also knows that the young prince's death is unusual?"

Zhao Hao nodded and was about to speak when he saw Zhao Xiaoqian's sinister expression with narrowed eyes, and immediately flew into a rage: "You bastard, what are you thinking? You think I did this?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Given Father's suspicious and ill-intentioned behavior over the years, it's hard for me not to suspect you..."

Zhao Hao was furious. He pressed his hands on the edge of the table, about to overturn it. Zhao Xiaoqian quickly calmed him down, saying, "Alright, alright, Father and I are in the same boat. If something happens, neither of us can escape. Father, why don't you tell me the truth?"

Zhao Hao angrily replied, "To tell you the truth, this matter has nothing to do with me!"

"I still find it hard to believe, Father. Why don't you make a solemn oath?"

Zhao Hao was furious and immediately pressed down on the edge of the table, intending to overturn it. Zhao Xiaoqian reacted quickly, half of his body lying on the table, saving the country a sumptuous meal.

"Father, please calm down. I'm under a lot of pressure taking on this task..." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a wry smile.

Zhao Hao sneered, "You shouldn't have taken this job!"

"Why?"

"Since ancient times, palace affairs have always resulted in bloodshed once they are exposed. The Emperor has lost a prince and will certainly not let this go easily. This task could easily bring disaster upon yourself. You should refuse this task even if you kowtow until your head is bleeding."

Zhao Hao continued, "The death of the young prince is not only my suspicion, but also a rumor circulating in the court and among the people. It is said that the matter is not simple. It is really hard to believe that a mere convulsion and cold could take a person's life."

"Father, how do you think I should begin this investigation?"

Zhao Hao said calmly, "Follow the normal procedure: first investigate the Imperial Medical Bureau, then the eunuchs, palace maids, and concubines in the harem..."

"Ordinary methods probably won't be enough to find out the truth; the real culprit has likely already wiped away all evidence and traces."

Zhao Hao rolled his eyes and said, "Investigating cases is an attitude you put on for the officials, to show that you have no personal motives and are just following orders. If you catch the real culprit right away, what will the officials think of you? It would be strange if you weren't an accomplice."

"Judging from what Father said, it seems you know who the real culprit is?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked tentatively.

Zhao Hao sneered: "We can't just look at the result. We have to try to look forward. If the little prince had lived, he would have been the undisputed crown prince of the Song Dynasty. Now that he is dead, the Emperor is weak and sickly, and it may be difficult for him to have another prince. So, who will inherit the throne?"

Zhao Xiaoqian gradually realized something. Sure enough, experience is the best teacher; Zhao Hao's words had enlightened him.

"With no one to succeed to the throne, the only option is to choose an heir from among the emperor's brothers. Whoever benefits the most is likely to be the murderer..." Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

Zhao Hao nodded: "That's right. On the other hand, whoever is blocked by the existence of the young prince is the murderer. Therefore, I say you shouldn't have taken on this task. One is the current emperor, and the other is the future emperor. If you can't depose him this time, he will ruin our whole family in the future."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "If the Emperor has no heir, among his brothers, who is most likely to become the successor?"

Zhao Hao blinked and asked, "What do you think?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's lips curled into a smile: "Zhao Ji?"

Zhao Hao smiled: "That's right. According to the order of seniority of the brothers in the imperial family, Zhao Ji is indeed the first."

"So, he killed the young prince?"

"I didn't say anything." Zhao Hao rolled his eyes and took a sip of wine.

"The Emperor isn't stupid; surely he anticipated this outcome?"

"Whether the Emperor guessed it or not, he could not possibly handle this matter personally. He could not bear the criticism of brothers fighting amongst themselves, so he could only use outsiders to investigate."

"Moreover, the Emperor may not necessarily suspect Zhao Ji; his focus now is more on the inner palace."

"The palace?" Zhao Xiaoqian murmured to himself.

Zhao Hao sighed, "If you want to handle this case well, first follow the normal procedures, and then test the emperor's mind to get clues from him."

"The Emperor provided a clue?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked in astonishment. "How could he have a clue?"

Zhao Hao said calmly, "Finding the murderer is important, but what's more important is the Emperor's intentions. You should ask the Emperor what effect he wants to achieve in this case, or rather, who he wants to eliminate, and roughly what the scope is."

"You don't actually think the cases in the palace are just simple criminal cases, do you?" Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes widened in surprise.

This isn't a criminal case at all; it's clearly a bloody political struggle!

From the very beginning, Zhao Xiaoqian's thinking was off track.

Is the young prince important? Of course he is.

But since the people are already dead, the living have more important things to do.

More importantly, it was about the emperor's will, the consolidation of imperial power, and the elimination of dissidents.

"Thank you for reminding me, Father. I finally understand." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "The ancients were right. It is true that 'an elder in the family is a treasure.' Even if he is an old scoundrel, he is still a scoundrel treasure."

…………

With Zhao Hao's guidance, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately felt more confident.

There's no need to rush the investigation; take your time.

If Zhao Xu wants to use this matter to make a big move, Zhao Xiaoqian must cooperate with his pace. If he investigates too quickly and submits the results too early, before Zhao Xu has even started to make his move, then will Zhao Xiaoqian be considered to have done a good deed or a bad one?
The next morning, Zhao Xiaoqian, still groggy from a hangover, went to the Imperial City Guard.

After Zhao Xiaoqian gave the order yesterday, the entire Imperial City Guard was mobilized, with the Imperial Medical Bureau being the first to be targeted. Almost all the imperial physicians in the Bureau were arrested and interrogated by the Imperial City Guard.

The two imperial physicians who were executed were helpless; the Imperial City Guards did not know how to summon spirits and could not perform their duties in the underworld.

However, the dozen or so imperial physicians who had been exiled were brought back by the Imperial City Guard and imprisoned in Bingjingwu. These physicians were then placed under the special care of Liu Dan.

Once they fell into Liu Dan's hands, Zhao Xiaoqian dared not even imagine the fate of those dozen or so imperial physicians.

The dozen or so imperial physicians were directly responsible for treating the young prince. If something happened to the young prince, the Imperial City Guard would certainly not let them off the hook.

The imperial physicians' pulse diagnosis, prescriptions, and medication administration had to be rigorously traced back to their ancestral homes, with no detail overlooked. The prescriptions were also subject to review and evaluation by designated personnel, and any slight error could result in the death of an entire family.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat in the courtyard outside the main hall of the Imperial City Guard, basking in the sun with his legs crossed.

In the afternoon, Bingjingwu's eunuchs all learned that Liu Dan had arrived.

Liu Dan remained the same as always, appearing harmless and always wearing a fawning smile, as if he needed someone to do everything for him in his life.

Zhao Xiaoqian knew this guy's true colors, and now he looked more and more like a pervert.

"Oh dear! Your Highness, how I miss you so much!" Liu Dan ran quickly from a distance, her face showing signs of lovesickness.

Zhao Xiaoqian was half-lying in the courtyard when he almost fell headfirst to the ground.

"Old Liu, where did you learn this loud and boisterous habit from?" Zhao Xiaoqian said with displeasure, "Let's talk normally, don't make such a big deal out of it."

Liu Dan, her face beaming with joy at the reunion, choked back tears as she said, "Since Your Highness went to the border, I have rarely been able to see you. I have been longing for you but have not been able to see you. I have been weeping all day long..."

"Alright, stop! I've received your kindness, and I'm very touched. Yes, you've touched me, and my impression of you has improved even more. I've secretly vowed that I'll think of you first whenever something good happens in the future. You've achieved your goal, so stop using your supernatural powers." Zhao Xiaoqian quickly stopped him.

Liu Dan walked happily to Zhao Xiaoqian, his half-bowed posture unchanged. One wonders if he gets tired of maintaining this posture all year round.

"Have the results of the investigations of those ten or so imperial physicians been obtained?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked, getting down to business.

Liu Dan also became serious, took out a stack of confessions from his pocket, and said, "This servant has not failed in her mission and has managed to extract some information."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes lit up: "A clue? Is there a problem with their prescription, or is the medication incorrect?"

"The young prince's illness fluctuated before his death, going back and forth for over a month. These ten or so imperial physicians were the ones who took over the treatment of the young prince during that month."

"Yesterday, Bingjingwu invited several well-known doctors from the common people to consult and evaluate the prescriptions used by the more than ten imperial physicians."

"The renowned doctors all say that, considering the young prince's condition, the prescriptions given by the imperial physicians are actually not wrong. They may not necessarily cure the disease, but if the medicine is taken strictly according to the prescriptions, the young prince will not die."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned: "So, these dozen or so imperial physicians are actually fine?"

Liu Dan chuckled: "Indeed, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's the imperial physicians who have suffered. The poor physicians were tortured with the instruments all night, crying and screaming. Even I couldn't help but shed a tear when I heard about it..."

Zhao Xiaoqian gave him a strange look, as if he were a pervert.

You're even shedding tears of bitterness? Even crocodile tears aren't this fake.

"No, you just said 'fortunately, we have not failed in our mission.' If the imperial physicians are innocent, how can you say that?"

(End of this chapter)