Chapter 149: The Revelation of Origins

This is utterly absurd.

Whether it is true or false, no one could say for sure at the moment.

From what they had observed, the ultimate beneficiary of this whole affair would undoubtedly be Master Zhu.

“Could it be that someone deliberately spread these rumors, just to shake the very foundation of the Qing Kingdom?” Minister Cao asked with a perplexed expression.

After all, they had witnessed similar scenes before, so this kind of speculation was somewhat understandable.

It was impossible for some chaotic elements to suddenly emerge out of nowhere and even directly expose an unresolved mystery from years ago.

“He claims to know how Consort Jing died back then?”

The people present were completely baffled.

“So, what do you intend to do about it?”

“If we report this to His Majesty, the matter will be settled without the need for further conclusions. It’s a disgrace to the royal family. Do you think they would allow an investigation?” Minister Gao said slowly.

These old cases were better left untouched, as some believed that once widely known, the ensuing troubles would be unbearable.

“In that case, just don’t investigate this case for now,” Han Qing said slowly.

This involved an old royal case. Any unforeseen change could be disastrous for them, and the troubles would come one after another.

“I don’t want to investigate either, but someone is forcing me to,” said Master Zhu.

“Right. He has already arranged for all those old palace attendants from back then to be summoned, all to reopen Consort Jing’s case.”

This was a huge problem.

If they couldn’t trace the source, who would bear the responsibility afterward?

“Are you sure that if you proceed like this, the current emperor won’t blame you?”

Han Qing asked coldly.

Serving the sovereign was like living with a tiger; these civil officials had no real power, so the emperor paid them little heed.

But others were not so fortunate.

Each act by those people aroused suspicion.

“Blame? Consort Jing died under mysterious circumstances, and the entire palace was in turmoil because everyone knew she was the emperor’s favored consort,” Minister Gao said with a calm yet serious expression.

It was no easy matter.

But they had already considered the key points.

They knew that if they could find this child, it might actually bring great joy to the emperor.

It could be a blessing in disguise.

Moreover, he was now under the patronage of the old marquis.

The succession battle was basically no longer his concern.

With the old marquis as his protector, he was only trying to restore justice to that old grievance.

“If you can bear the consequences, then by all means, proceed,” Han Qing nodded.

Yet he felt this matter was far too convoluted.

He had initially thought he was merely a collateral royal lineage.

Who would have expected he was actually a prince?

“But I think there’s one problem: so far, I haven’t received any help. If something goes terribly wrong, who will take responsibility?”

The other party shook his head.

Minister Gao was clearly afraid.

“Don’t get involved personally. Let the old marquis handle it,” Han Qing suddenly said, pointing out a strategy.

“No way. I can’t persuade him,” the other replied.

The old marquis was particularly stubborn, especially when he had made up his mind—there was almost no chance of changing it.

“The relationship between him and Master Zhu is extremely strained, and he doesn’t support Master Zhu revealing his identity,” the other explained.

That was understandable.

No one dared to take on such a matter.

If they angered the emperor, it would be complete ruin.

No matter the truth, the marquis’s position would be unstable.

“I understand,” Han Qing nodded.

He had other plans.

There was no rush.

He could just use certain people to handle it.

“Boom—”

The Wang Family Bank exploded.

Prince Huai, who had been secretly stirring trouble, was delighted.

“My third younger brother has other businesses in the bank. Does he really think I don’t know?” Prince Huai said calmly.

His strategists were quite reliable.

“Your Highness, it might be time to stop. I’ve heard the Minister of Rites is extremely clever. If he finds out about this, wouldn’t Your Highness’s identity be exposed?” an advisor warned.

“What’s there to worry about? He’s just a scholar, only my father values him,” Prince Huai said with dissatisfaction.

That man preferred penalty wine over a toast.

What was there to be proud of?

The advisor wanted to say more but realized he wasn’t listening and gave up.

A bank being bombed wouldn’t cause much of a stir.

At most, it would upset the victims’ families.

Officials would provide reasonable compensation, and everything would return to normal.

But smashing the Third Prince’s treasury was a serious matter.

The conflict between two factions was on the verge of breaking out.

It even drew the emperor’s attention.

Yet the emperor never allowed princes to be too close to merchants.

So the Third Prince could only count himself unlucky.

However, rumors began to circulate in the palace.

It was said that Prince Huai’s mother once had a harmonious relationship with Consort Jing, but for some unknown reason, she immediately distanced herself from the strife after Consort Jing’s only son was born.

Because the current crown prince, remembering their care for Consort Jing, favored Prince Huai greatly.

But there were whispers that Consort Jing had been poisoned by a rare toxin—not by others, but by Consort Yue, Prince Huai’s birth mother.

One by one, these rumors reached the Third Prince’s ears.

“Your Highness, these are just rumors and cannot be taken as truth. If we investigate openly, it might anger His Majesty,” an advisor hurriedly reminded him.

The matter was outrageous, and they dared not pursue it.

“But what if there’s even a slight chance? Do you really think it’s reliable?” he suddenly asked, sensing something strange.

“That may be, but the outcomes are never satisfactory,” the advisor replied.

Nevertheless, the Third Prince immediately activated the secret guards.

These were his elite warriors trained outside the palace for years, only to be used in critical moments.

It seemed he intended to use this affair to eliminate Prince Huai.

The secret guards found the old palace attendants from back then.

They learned Consort Jing had been poisoned by the “Half-Life Flower” toxin.

This poison grew only in the southern borderlands.

Normally, they would have no access to such poison.

Someone must have brought it in.

“Your Highness, after inquiry, it’s confirmed that poison was placed in Consort Jing’s tea. Because it was a slow-acting toxin, the cause was never discovered. The imperial physician only found signs of spleen and stomach deficiency,” the secret guard reported truthfully.

After the physician prescribed restorative medicine, her condition worsened.

“Good. Prepare these letters,” the Third Prince said thoughtfully.