Great Jing Dynasty, the eighteenth year of Taihe.
In the bitter cold of winter, the north wind howled, and the swirling snow mingled with the vermilion palace walls.
Due to the Crown Prince's sudden and violent death, the atmosphere in the palace had been especially somber of late.
Today, coinciding with the seventh day after his death, the eunuchs and maidservants in the palace were all exceptionally cautious, terrified of offending any noble at this critical juncture and losing their own lives.
Because the Crown Prince's death was so sudden, the mourning hall had to be set up in the main hall of the Eastern Palace, where he had lived in his youth.
Inside the hall, white banners hung low; as far as the eye could see, there was only an oppressive expanse of white.
The Crown Prince's solemn and imposing nanmu coffin was placed in the center of the mourning hall.
Earlier, all the civil and military officials had already paid their respects and withdrawn from the Eastern Palace in order.
Now, only the imperial relatives remained in the mourning hall, offering condolences according to ritual.
As the Crown Prince's own sister, Yin Ning looked at the magnificent coffin with a complex feeling in her heart.
Her eldest brother, once so imposing, now lay quietly inside, never to wake again.
Although they were siblings born of the same mother, Yin Ning's relationship with this convenient elder brother had never really been close.
After all, there was a full eighteen-year age gap between them.
In the year her mother gave birth to her, the Crown Prince had already moved out of the palace to reside in his own mansion.
Moreover, because her father was wary of imperial consorts interfering in politics, this convenient elder brother feared displeasing her father and seldom came to the palace to visit her and her mother. He only made the monthly routine visits, as if fulfilling a duty, and would leave without even eating, citing official business.
She had even overheard her mother complaining privately that her Crown Prince elder brother was nothing but her father's echo.
Other princes, even after establishing their own households outside the palace, would occasionally send gifts to their mothers, but this convenient elder brother never did. He always prioritized her father's thoughts, afraid of doing anything wrong that might displease him.
Yet, despite the estrangement from her elder brother the Crown Prince, Yin Ning had never imagined that he would die so suddenly one day.
Although the imperial physician declared his death to be from illness, Yin Ning knew very well that he had been poisoned.
And the murderer was now in the mourning hall!
Yin Ning glanced at the Second Prince and Third Prince standing behind her father, her eyes filled with inquiry and scrutiny.
According to reports from the spy she had planted in the Crown Prince's mansion, the real culprit behind the Crown Prince's sudden death was either the Second Prince or the Third Prince.
Yin Ning believed that if she followed the clues she had, she would soon be able to unravel the mystery and uncover the true murderer.
However, just as Yin Ning was about to withdraw her gaze, she happened to meet the eyes of the Second Prince, Yin Rui.
Yin Ning had always been at odds with her second brother Yin Rui, and he was currently nursing a grievance: although the Crown Prince was dead, few court officials were willing to accept his private overtures.
So, after accidentally locking eyes with Yin Ning, and thinking that she no longer had the Crown Prince as her support, Yin Rui snorted coldly and questioned her:
'Eighth Sister, here in the mourning hall, instead of properly paying respects to our eldest brother, what are you looking around for?'
Yin Ning was fully aware of Yin Rui's intention to embarrass her.
Noticing that even her nominal father was frowning in her direction, Yin Ning's expression remained unchanged. She calmly addressed Yin Rui:
'Second Brother, you misunderstand. I wasn't looking around; I was trying to find out who killed our eldest brother.'
Yin Rui had originally intended to accuse Yin Ning of impropriety, but hearing her reply, his face instantly changed color and his body tensed:
'Eighth Sister, what do you mean? Didn't the imperial physician say that the Crown Prince died of a cold?'
Yin Rui, of course, also knew that the Crown Prince's death was suspicious. In fact, which among the court officials didn't suspect foul play?
But no one dared to bring it into the open like Yin Ning.
Ignoring Yin Rui's feigned ignorance, Yin Ning turned to Emperor Jingming and said:
'Father, I still feel that something is not right about Eldest Brother's death. I beg you to investigate thoroughly and seek justice for him!'
After all, they were siblings. If given the chance, Yin Ning hoped to bring her brother's murderer to justice.
Thus, she had planned to bring the matter to light soon.
Yin Rui's remark just now had given her that opening.
Emperor Jingming's expression was calm and unreadable. His deep eyes fixed on Yin Ning:
'Then according to you, how should the investigation proceed?'
Hearing that Emperor Jingming had actually taken up Yin Ning's words, all the princes, princesses, and imperial consorts in the mourning hall immediately turned their gazes to Yin Ning.
Under so many burning stares, Yin Ning remained unfazed and spoke composedly:
'I believe that in accordance with the principle of order by age, Father could start by investigating Second Brother.'
Upon hearing this, Yin Rui's face twisted in anger for a moment.
If not for the Emperor's presence, Yin Rui would have been furious enough to curse aloud and ask Yin Ning if all her book learning had gone to the dogs!
Was that how 'order by age' was used?
After making that statement, as if thinking Yin Rui wasn't frustrated enough, Yin Ning turned to him and said calmly:
'Second Brother, a man with a clear conscience need not fear shadows. You should want to clear yourself of suspicion quickly, shouldn't you?'
Yin Ning's words instantly trapped Yin Rui.
If Yin Rui rejected her suggestion, it would show he had something to hide, and everyone would immediately assume he was involved in the Crown Prince's death.
But if he agreed to the proposal, Yin Rui knew that there were too many things about him that couldn't withstand scrutiny.
In an instant, cold sweat broke out on his back.
Even the other princes couldn't help holding their breath, afraid of catching Yin Ning's attention and being dragged into this storm by this 'madwoman.'
'Yin Ning, stop this nonsense. Let your elder brother rest in peace.'
Emperor Jingming's deep voice broke the silence in the mourning hall.
He looked at Yin Ning and said, 'I understand your grief over your brother's death, but that's no excuse for your behavior now. Go and attend to your mother instead.'
Hearing this reply, Yin Ning understood his stance on the Crown Prince's death.
'Yes, I was wrong.'
Yin Ning admitted fault, but her expression was resolute, clearly insincere.
Yet no one present dared to criticize her at that moment.
On one hand, everyone feared Yin Ning might display her prowess again; on the other hand, they knew that Emperor Jingming usually doted on Yin Ning.
If they pressed her too hard, it might be they, not Yin Ning, who would be reprimanded.
Moreover, thinking that the Crown Prince was dead, many couldn't help but feel a secret glee.
After all, the Empress had only this daughter, Yin Ning, and the Crown Prince, her legitimate eldest son.
Before his death, the Crown Prince held considerable influence in court due to his status as the legitimate eldest son, while Yin Ning was highly favored by Emperor Jingming in the harem.
But now that the Crown Prince had died, even if Yin Ning still enjoyed the Emperor's favor, she was merely a woman. They no longer needed to be wary of her.
In the struggle for the throne, the Empress's faction had completely lost; what awaited Empress Xu and her daughter would only be despair, like meat on a chopping block.
As a mother of two, Empress Xu herself was well aware of the implications of the Crown Prince's death. Since hearing the news, her tears had not ceased.
Even when Yin Ning came to her side and repeatedly comforted her, she continued to weep bitterly.