The first work of the imperial prison

Kunning Palace.

She didn't pay attention to the rules of not talking when eating or sleeping. Empress Yue was very kind when she saw Ye Baiting, as if she saw her own younger brother. She also wanted him to taste this and share that with him. The meal was not finished yet. I called the big palace lady next to me several times, and there were several big boxes for the things I sent out.

After finally finishing their meal and talking, the two of them were about to leave. Empress Yue was still a little bit reluctant, so she brought up another topic: "I was making a fuss by the palace wall just now, but what did I find?"

Ye Baiting looked at Qiu Yiqing, saw his jaw, and said just now: "A bloody handkerchief may be evidence."

He thought for a while, and then said: "When the commander and I passed by the palace over there, I heard an old palace man singing, his voice was miserable. It was a pity that he had no children in his life. The commander said that he was a palace man from the late emperor's time. I heard that there were many women in the harem at that time, and they wanted to fight very fiercely, and this kind of thing often happened?"

Empress Yue waved her hand to tell the palace people to retreat, and she didn't hide her secrets: "This kind of thing is not uncommon in the harem of all dynasties. I heard that Imperial Concubine You was jealous and killed many children. She even pretended to be pregnant to secure her favor. .”

"Pretending to be pregnant?" Ye Baiting paused, "In the palace, this kind of thing shouldn't be easy to do?"

Empress Yue nodded: "Of course it's not easy, most of the time you have to find a real pregnant person by your side, otherwise how can you deceive the imperial doctor pinching the pulse? Even if you can bribe the imperial doctor, what should you do if the imperial doctor who is not the bribed doctor comes? There is also the appetite and status of those who are happy, you have to learn..."

Ye Baiting: "But if a woman in the palace wants to conceive, she must be favored by the emperor. Once the emperor favors her, won't it be recorded in the record?"

The imperial doctor will follow the rules to ask for the pulse and record the pulse in detail, so how can he pretend that he doesn't have it for the convenience of others?

"That's the reason," Queen Yue said, "but if someone is in front of you and has all the means of luck, some things will not be so difficult to deal with, but it's just difficult for me to find out about it when I check things. It’s not sure if it’s true or not, but based on the deleted and incomplete records, it’s speculated that Concubine You Gui was pregnant, but the child was not able to be born properly and dropped out.”

"It should have happened five years ago in 24. At that time, she was not a noble concubine. Although she was loved by the first emperor, she was not as prosperous as she was later. It was necessary to use this method to maintain her favor. Later, it was unnecessary. After she became favored , no more children were born in the palace... You ask this, but is it related to the case?"

Ye Baiting shook his head: "Maybe it's because I heard the old palace man singing, and I suddenly became curious... well, don't talk about it, I won't ask. I really need to investigate the case, and I'll bother you again."

Empress Yue pursed her lips: "Smile so obediently, why don't you want to leave?"

"Then will I come to the palace again?"

"Then remember to ask someone to come to Kunning Palace and tell me that I will leave something good for you."

"Thank you, sister Xiaoyue!"

The two bid farewell and left, and Qingcai asked, "Did you really have a whim just now?"

"No." Ye Baiting thoughtfully, "It just feels a little subtle. I don't know why, so I want to ask. I feel that I can't miss this point... Is there any point that can be compared with this?"

More than 20 years ago... Imperial Concubine You had a fake pregnancy, and female officer Yin Mengqiu served beside Imperial Concubine You, what else is there?

Ye Baiting's heart skipped a beat suddenly: "And...the third prince's age."

Qiu Xunqing: "You mean——"

"This point is really far-fetched, and we need more evidence to prove it. It's hard to say yet," Ye Baiting looked at him, "Why don't you go ahead and go back by yourself?"

Qiu Yiqing really couldn't leave, except for the imperial guards who came to ask for instructions from time to time, the murder case also required him to do more investigation in the palace, so he could only assign a team to send Ye Baiting back.

Back in Beizhen Fusi, Ye Baiting shut himself in the room, looked through all the returned files, and found what he wanted.

The thoughts in his heart were indeed a bit whimsical, and it was hard to say without evidence, but the more he searched, the more he searched, and the more he summed up, the more he felt that he didn't seem to have found the wrong point, it was indeed... a coincidence.

When the case developed to this stage, Shen Jiang went out to investigate and investigate. The latest news was compiled into volumes and sent to Fusi in Beizhen non-stop, as well as Qiu Yiqing. Ye Baiting sorted out the documents on the case and organized them. If they have any questions or doubts, let people bring the words out... The tacit understanding formed for a long time, their work process has become a habit.

Ye Baiting tried to analyze the case itself to find more clues.If you want to kill someone, you must have a motive. Why did the murderer act? Why was he so bold in the palace? Why did he do it knowing that there was a great risk? What can be gained?That is... the fear that the secret will be exposed, and the exposure of the secret will lead to a greater crisis, and even the emperor will be furious, and there will be a "tsunami" in real time... the murderer has to do it.

But what is the method of killing?What kind of poison was applied, what is the attack weapon, where did the blood on the light apricot scarf come from...

Before you know it, night falls.

The key was released in the palace, Qiu Yiqing returned, and Shen Jiang followed.

"I'm afraid I can't take it anymore. I have to rest for a night and continue working tomorrow." Shen Jiang came in with a yawn. "Look at what new achievements the young master has here, and analyze the direction. Tomorrow, I won't be in Sili, so go straight out." Heads up... Let me tell you first, I have to go home today, and I have to take a look at my wife."

Ye Baiting didn't talk nonsense, and simply went straight to the point, giving a deadly direction: "I suspect that this murder case may be related to the life experience of the third prince."

"What the hell? The third prince... life experience?" Shen Jiang was taken aback, "Why are you getting involved with him again!"

It's absolutely no good getting involved with this person!

Ye Baiting poured him a cup of tea and pushed it over: "To this day, we know the means of the third prince, the organization of the third prince, and even the things he did secretly. In addition to selling black incense, controlling the imperial examination, and buying and selling official positions, he also released There have been a lot of rumors, saying that I am the legacy of the first emperor, the true blood of Qianlong, and that one day I will change this day, and even attack the emperor who is not the blood of the emperor, but the child of the eldest princess..."

"He has been tossing around for so long, no matter on the surface or in secret, recruiting talents or attacking others, he only said that he is the son of the first emperor, Xing San, never mentioned his biological mother, right? Not only did he not mention his biological mother, he even told himself The age has not been revealed, it seems to be deliberately hidden, vague."

"This is..."

Shen Jiang also felt that something was wrong, but whoever wants to rebel, which one is not boasting, wishing to write clearly the eighteen generations of ancestors, so that everyone can see clearly, he is the orthodox, he is the right, why is the third prince so low-key? ?

Ye Baiting looked at Qiu Yiqing: "Is it possible to determine his age?"

Qiu Xunqing thought for a while, and said: "The first emperor was very good-looking. After he got Youshi, he was gradually attracted to him. Later, he only favored one person, and no children came to the world. But before Youshi was favored alone, the late emperor had many people. Children's."

Many of them died before reaching the age of ranking, and those who grew up later died in factional struggles. Only Emperor Yu'an had no power, no backer, and was sick and was thrown into the royal temple. The prince, whom no one remembered, grew up smoothly and inherited the throne.

"There are many things in the harem to fight for favor, to murder each other and their heirs. Concubine Youtai Guifei was also bloody and bloody in order to be in power. It is said that several palace people had abortions, all of which were caused by her. The whereabouts of the late emperor can be found. Compared with the approximate age of the third prince - it should be It is before and after the stage of Concubine You's 'false pregnancy'."

Ye Baiting thoughtfully: "That is to say, before and after Concubine You said that she was 'pregnant', there were other people in the palace who were pregnant and then had a miscarriage. ... grew up elsewhere?"

Shen Jiang hissed: "But there must be some movement to give birth, right? I have inquired a lot these days, and they all said that it hurts. Walking before the gate of hell, the screams are horrible and scary..."

"Yes, it's the movement," Ye Baiting said, "Concubine You can fake pregnancy, she has deceived everyone, she has extraordinary control in the palace at that time, how can she not know that others secretly raised her baby and gave birth to a child? "

"Even if she is really careless, I don't know, there are so many palace people in the palace, eunuchs, maids, imperial doctors... A woman who doesn't have so many favors and power, wants to hide it from everyone and have a smooth pregnancy and childbirth." , seems unlikely."

Qiu Yiqing was thoughtful, her eyes froze: "Then it can only be—"

Ye Baiting took out a sorted file and said in unison with Qiu Yiqing: "It happened when I went to the south of the Yangtze River."

Only Shen Jiang was still confused: "Why go to Jiangnan? When did you go to Jiangnan? The late emperor went to Jiangnan?"

"good."

Beizhen Fusi has a special document room, in addition to the case itself, there are also records of major events from the outside world. Ye Baiting has collected relevant files and documents in his hands, and Qiu Yiqing knows a lot about the past because of his own experience: "24 years ago, Wala The power is great, gathered the power of the king's court and the princes, attacked the border, burned, killed and looted, the army suppressed the border, and almost wanted to cross the border and kill the capital. At that time, the situation in the court was dangerous. Everyone went to the south of the Yangtze River and stayed for more than three months. After the spring, they came back slowly."

"That's not the point, the point is—"

Ye Baiting picked out a list: "Look at this."

Shen Jiang took a look: "Huo, there are quite a lot of people!"

When the first emperor went to the south of the Yangtze River, it was normal for the first emperor to take his concubine with him. What's more, the concubine was pregnant, and he would never forget the queen mother. After going down to the south of the Yangtze River, the one who stayed in the other palace in the south of the Yangtze River and was in charge of building and serving it was Xing Mingda who sent officials there.Xing Mingda and Tong Shi have just been married for three years. I don't know if the relationship between the couple is good or not. In short, they are together, and she is the one who needs the help of the housewife to contact and run errands.

That year, Marquis Han Ning was still alive, and he had certain military power in his hands. He was close to the Empress Dowager, which was considered to protect their safety. The Marquis was there, and his wife Shan was also there... This group of people probably knew each other.

There is also the female official Yin Mengqiu, who was still young at the time, and she was not a female official, but a court lady, serving closely beside Concubine You Taigui.

Not all of them are related to this case!

"One is not here." Ye Baiting tapped Concubine You's name with his fingertips.

Shen Jiang instantly understood: "Master Fu?"

Qiu Yiqing knew this: "In that year, the eunuch next to Concubine You was surnamed Ma. He was an old eunuch. He was older than the current Ban and An. He couldn't bear the exhaustion of traveling back to the city and died of illness. An opportunity for R&F."

"That is to say... Mr. Fuchang started to work hard after Concubine You came back that year, and walked to Concubine You, step by step, to the present?"

"Yes."

Shen Jiang rubbed his chin: "That's not easy. The father-in-law in the palace is not easy to get along with. R&F is powerful enough."

Ye Baiting thought, "So it's normal for R&F to say that they don't know Xing Mingda well, but others don't seem to have such a strong reason?"

At least in that time period of the year, they were very familiar with each other, one by one kept secret, did something happen at that time?Everyone doesn't mention previous years, is it because of the same reason, or something else?

Ye Baiting pressed the file with her fingertips: "Grand Concubine You is 'pretending to be pregnant' at this stage in order to keep her pet. Is she really pretending, or is she really pregnant? According to the news in the file, the fetus was aborted before term, and only Seven months later, he died when he landed, was he really dead, or was he a fake death, who gave birth to the child? Does Xing Mingda know about this?"

If this child is the third prince, then Xing Mingda, does he know everything and is the third prince?

Qiu Xunqing knew what he was thinking, thought for a moment, and shook his head: "It doesn't look like it. I have read all the files and materials that Shen Jiang found, and I have personally checked Xing Mingda's life. He is... problem, but he doesn't look like the third prince, he doesn't have any similar features."

They have fought against the third prince more than once, they know too well what kind of people the third prince is surrounded by, what kind of training and bewitching they have undergone, especially the information that Ye Baiting confronted the third prince that night and brought back——

They have a secret meeting, just to arouse the anger in the hearts of the people. Anyone with a certain status in the organization, who has participated in it, will always have changes in their daily living habits. If Xing Mingda is linear and there is no sudden change, this is the point. It's really doubtful that he might not belong to the Third Prince.

"Then if this case is to cover up the third prince's biological mother and confuse the birth information, why should he die if he is not the third prince's person?"

Ye Baiting narrowed his eyes: "Perhaps it's because - someone who isn't the Third Prince is the one who wants to die."

Because I know the secret, because it may be leaked, because it may be traced to the source...

He tapped the table with his fingertips: "Can't we tell about the background of the third prince?"

"Damn! This thing must be a fake!" Shen Jiang suddenly slapped the table, "It looks like a palace lady is pregnant, the emperor's offspring, but she is actually having an affair with another man? His mother has a guilty conscience and has never dared to Said, even abandoned him, he himself has a guilty conscience, if there is a grudge, there is a grudge, and if he is not reconciled, he is not reconciled, but it is not tenable?"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong: "If this is the case, this Xing Mingda knew everything back then, and he was not a person loyal to the Third Prince, so he should have silenced him a long time ago. Why did he wait until today?"

Is this person from the Third Prince?Tangled, such a disgusting person!

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing looked at each other, before sighing: "So this matter is doubtful, and we can't make it clear for the time being, and we can't draw a conclusion. We need to search and visit for a longer period of time to find more detailed evidence."

Shen Jiang immediately raised his hand: "I'll do it! I'll do it in this direction tomorrow! I don't believe I can't find out the real relationship between them!"

Qiu Yiqing and Shen Jiang briefly explained the direction of the process, and the three of them returned to the case itself.

If there is a child who was taken away quietly...

Ye Baiting pointed at the file with her fingertips: "Did Tong ever get pregnant?"

"No," Qiu Yiqing pointed to another name, "It's Mrs. Han Ninghou, Mrs. Shan, who happened to have a miscarriage at that time."

Shen Jiang: "But this person can't be found now, there is nowhere to ask!"

Ye Baiting asked him again: "The information I got today said that in the mourning hall of Lord Hou, Mrs. Shan and Xing Mingda had a quarrel. Why did they have a bad relationship?"

"I've checked this. As soon as the young master sent a message, I went to ask," Shen Jiangdao, "It was said that Han Ninghou died suddenly, and Mrs. Shan couldn't accept it. He suspected that he was killed by others, so he lost his composure in the mourning hall. , not only Xing Mingda, but she attacked almost indiscriminately. She scolded a man, but later realized that she was impolite, and apologized one by one. After that, her relationship... was mediocre. Hate, it doesn't look like there's any."

But this is only what was found today, and it is relatively superficial. Who knows whether these people have lied to cover up, or they have to dig deeper and find detailed evidence before they can really be sure.

"I think what the young master said before is quite right..."

Shen Jiang rubbed his chin and thought carefully: "The people involved in these cases are either nobles and smart people in the palace, or women who come to the palace to meet, always be cautious, and dare not make a wrong step. The former wants to kill, what? Time is not good, what can't be thought of, must be in front of the emperor? The latter has to be careful when walking, how dare to poison and kill? No matter who does this, it is not cost-effective, I am afraid it is just a few people who leave the banquet and go out. For a while, we chatted about the events of the past, and the current situation happened to be broken by Xing Mingda, or said to be broken, such a big secret must never be exposed to the light of day, the risk is obvious, why not kill people immediately?"

"Children can be taught." Ye Baiting looked at him, his eyes were bright and he smiled.

Shen Jiang scratched the back of his head, he didn't understand, didn't he just repeat a few words at the beginning of the case, what the young master reminded him, how could he be taught?It seems to have seen through some secrets and drawn some big conclusions.

Ye Baiting reminded: "Think again, what you said just now."

Shen Jiang closed his eyes and read it silently, but still didn't notice.

"stupid."

Qiu Yiqing's eyes were indifferent: "The murderer killed Xing Mingda in order to silence him and ensure that the secret will not be leaked. What about the murderer himself?"

"The murderer himself..."

Two beats later, Shen Jiang's eyes suddenly changed from bewildered to dazed, his eyes brightened, and he punched his palm: "I know! It's not certain whether Xing Mingda is the third prince or not. We still have to find evidence, but this murderer, It must be the third prince's person!"

If all the speculations are correct, this case is related to the life experience of the third prince, who is most anxious and who must protect the lord?

"The young master guessed a long time ago that the third prince is so capable and dares to do anything, and the news seems to be well-informed. How could it be possible that there is no support from the palace? If we catch the murderer this time, won't we know who the third prince is?" The prince's backstage!"

Ye Baiting nodded: "Not bad."

People who are accustomed to power struggles often do not rely on friendship or blood relationship to establish relationships, but pure interests. If the birth mother of the third prince is alive now, then needless to say, regardless of blood relationship or interests, he must help him. If the birth mother is not alive, others Knowing this secret, they will use secret threats to strengthen the alliance between the two sides...

I just don't know who the big fish is this time?The Empress Dowager, Concubine You, or someone who is still hidden under the water?

"The water is deep enough..."

Shen Jiang can still see this. How could Gong Dou be just a joke for the master and the girls, there must be power struggles, chasing power and profit...

When I came back to my senses, I suddenly felt that the room seemed to have been quiet for too long.

He looked at Ye Baiting: "Master... what's wrong?"

Why do you look unhappy?

"It's nothing."

Ye Baiting lowered her eyes: "I just feel that if the root cause of this case is like this, it probably has nothing to do with my father's matter."

Father's past experience is clear. During this period of time, he has no intersection with these people at all, and they are separated by thousands of miles.

Then what was the purpose of meeting Xing Mingda before his father died?

Qiu Xunqing patted his hand: "The evidence is not enough, don't think too much, we just go forward step by step."

Whatever they do, they will leave traces. They have already walked many steps, and the front is no longer ignorant, and there will always be a bright sky.

"……Um."

Ye Baiting pushed his teacup to Qiu Xingqing, asking him to help store the water, and took the opportunity to avoid his hand... There are people beside him, how bad.

Shen Jiang next to him completely saw the hands that the two held together just now, and also saw the young master's eyes that hesitantly hesitated to speak and gave him a sneaky look!

Did he have supper tonight?Why do you feel a little overwhelmed?

At this moment, he missed his wife so much... Isn't it just holding hands, he can do it too!

"cough."

Ye Baiting coughed twice, and said again: "Mrs. Hou, Mrs. Shan, who has not been found so far, needs to continue to pay attention. If she has not been found, there is a high possibility of something happening to her."

This Qiu Xunqing knew: "I have laid out a net in the palace to search, and the imperial guards are also on duty at night. No matter how big the palace is, if you search every inch, you will never fail to find it."

"Then there are still wounds on the body of the deceased. It is difficult to find a comparison for this uneven mark. There is no murder weapon like this, and there are no stones with similar characteristics at the scene. The only thing that can be found today is the blood-stained handkerchief. Son, and what is the poison in it..."

Ye Baiting looked solemn: "I won't go out tomorrow, I will do more thinking and analysis on these, and compare the existing file clues to see if I can gain anything."

Hatred Qingzi: "The latest things that Shen Jiang and I have found will be shared with you as soon as possible. As before, if you have any questions that you don't understand, you can let someone know quickly, and we will check and let you know."

"Ah."

Ye Baiting finally reminded: "I always feel that there is something wrong with the female officer Yin Mengqiu. She looks normal, and she responds generously and cooperates, but there are always a few things that are a little bit off... For example, she wants to ask about the outcome of the case, Xing Mingda's attitude towards the cause of death, She said she was curious, but I think she might want to know something, or she already knew something, and she was worried about it."

Not only is she familiar with the roads in the palace, she is also very sure about the rules. She has served her master in many palaces, but in the end she didn't follow anyone. She climbed up step by step and became an independent female official...

Is there really no one behind her?

The clapper rang three times outside the window, and in the dead of night, the three of them discussed a few small issues, but there was nothing new, Shen Jiang yawned: "Then I will pay attention to the events of more than 20 years ago tomorrow, especially the late emperor's visit to the south of the Yangtze River... Are you going back tonight?"

"Well," Ye Baiting took out the gift he had prepared in advance and handed it to Shen Jiang, "Bring it to my sister-in-law."

"What's so funny..."

Shen Jiang immediately felt relieved, he said he was embarrassed, but his hands were not vague, and he quickly fished over the things: "The young master just got a reward from the palace, so he will give it to me. It's for the face, tsk tsk, I want you to give it to me." I definitely can't, isn't there a daughter-in-law at home... Thank you, Young Master, for your kindness! I'm leaving!"

Holding his things, he turned around and jumped out of the room, so fast that he couldn't even see his back.

Qiu Yiqing stretched out his palm to Ye Baiting, palm facing up.

Ye Baiting was puzzled: "Huh?"

"What about mine?"

"Your what?"

Qiu Yiqing's eyes glided out of the window, the direction where Shen Jiang's back disappeared: "He has gifts, why don't I?"

Ye Baiting was speechless, and looked at him with the end of his eyes: "His wife is happy, and you are too?"

Never would have expected that the dignified commander of Jinyiwei would be able to get to this point with shamelessness, not only was he not embarrassed, but his eyes were darkened, and people were also bullied——

"So Ah Ting...do you want to have a baby with me?"

Give birth to a fart, can you give birth!It's not that I want to do that kind of thing!

"No..."

"It's late at night, Ah Ting, you feel sorry for me..."