The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty, Chapter 32: The Noble Consort threats and Tang Fan aloofness

The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty. 《成化十四年》Chengnian Shisi Nian
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty, Chapter 32: The Noble Consort threats and Tang Fan aloofness

Wan-shi's style of being a consort is really extraordinary.


But she heard Tang Fan still say in the same unhurried tone: "So you should know that my parents died early and my sister is married out of the country, not counting her since she is not the Tang Family anymore. So essential the entire family line is dead.”

The corners of everyone's mouth twitched, and they were overwhelmed by his words.

Even Wan-shi was stunned and forgot what she was going to say.

Tang Fan's words turned around: "I told you, I am an official, I am working for the dead justice, not the living. Now that our Noble consort said that. Then I will be able to pursue this case with peace of mind."

He's already involved in this matter, and it's hard to ride a tiger without taking it.

If the Noble Consort Wan denies that she is involved in this matter, it is the same as taking an oath in public, with this statement, Tang Fan will be less constrained in the investigation.

But Tang Fan would not think that the Noble Consort Wan's words have nothing to do with her.

The direct poisoning method may seem stupid, but if it is effective, it is not impossible. Wan-shi has spoiled the harem, even if the prince dies, the emperor may not hold her accountable.

All in all, the case may not be complicated, but because the people involved are all heavyweights, it is a big headache.

It could have been a case like this. Tang Fan should not have been in charge of such a case, at least it should have been the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple, but since the person who recommended him was Wang Zhi, who was also a member of the Noble Consort Wan, and the cabinet ministers present were basically reluctant to confront the emperor, there was a strange silence for a while, and no one objected.

If you think about it, there were many rare events in the Ming Dynasty, such as the Empress Dowager who adopted another woman son as her own, the officials who pretended to be deaf and dumb to it, the emperor who was taken hostage by a foreigner, there was also noble consort who was 16 years older than the emperor and still in favor. There were even less than twenty eunuchs who made a hundred officials fearful. If all these passed by unchecked then it was not so unacceptable to have the Lower Sixth Rank investigating this case.

The Chenghua Emperor yawned, tossing himself awake in the middle of the night, he was really sleepy: "In that case, let's do it this way, it's late now, the prince goes back to rest first, and all of you go back first."

Wang Zhi asked: "Your Majesty, the case...?"

The Chenghua Emperor waved his hand: "Let's talk about it tomorrow, Tang Fan can go back first and enter the palace tomorrow, then if there is anything you need to ask for, Wang nechin best try your best to cooperate."

Wang Zhi only had to answer.

The Noble Consort Wan went over and grabbed the Chenghua Emperor's arm, looked at Tang Fan coldly, and said: "I am innocent in this matter, please Tang Da-ren, make sure to find out the truth, so that I don't get a bad name for nothing!

Tang Fan, as if he hadn't heard her warning, said: "I'll do my best."

Once the Emperor and the Prince left, the three senior government officials naturally did not want to stay longer, and all left cleanly, Shang Ming let Wang Zhi steal the limelight and took out all his anger on Tang Fan, laughing gloomily: “Tang Da-ren, the case is hot, you have to take care of yourself, if you are not careful, you'll put your own life on it.




Tang Fan let out a sigh, “Thanks for the warning."

Wang Zhi laughed: “Shang Ming, don't say I didn't warn you, don't always think of fighting for merit, think of how to solve your people's problems, if you can find out the murderer, your concubine will remember your love!"

The East and West Depots were never on the same page, and Shang Ming and Wang Zhi were almost on fire when they looked at each other, and finally, the former rolled his eyes and grunted, "Don't get too cocky, if Tang doesn't come up with a satisfactory result, you'll be in trouble too!”

Then he twisted his back and flipped his sleeves and left.

Wang Zhi looked at his back and laughed coldly, then turned to Tang Fan and said: “Tang Da-ren, I'll take you out of the palace."

Tang Fan knew that he had something to say, so he didn't push it off, so they left the palace and walked in the direction of the gate.

“Eunuch Wang, you and I have no grudges in the past, and you have done me a great disservice this time." Tang Fan said lightly.

Wang Zhi laughed: "Wealth is a risk you have to take, you are so smart, it would be a pity for you to be under Pan Bin, if you can help the Noble Consort Wan to clear up the wrongdoing this time, it is a great opportunity and a great favor, then you will be promoted to a rich and prosperous position, and you will still be able to get promoted to the top.

Tang Fan had no expression on his face when he said: “Eunuch Wang must hate me too much, I'm afraid my life will be in danger before I get promoted."

Wang Zhi said, “This time it was an accident, no one wanted it to happen. Tang Da-ren, do you know how I am on equal footing with Shang Ming? The establishment of the Western Depot was also an accident, but now that it has happened, we have to turn the accident into an opportunity."

Tang Fan said: “Eunuch Wang doesn't have to beat around the bush, just say what you wants to say."

Wang Zhi didn't take his tone seriously: "I'll give you an explanation first, it's not our noble consort's fault, and otherwise she wouldn't have pressed His Majesty to find out who did it. Do you know who it is?"

Tang Fan raised his eyebrows slightly.

Wang Zhi didn't play games either, saying, "Your Highness thinks that the Crown Prince is responsible for this."

Tang Fan's eyebrows jumped, and then he furrowed deeply.

Wang Zhi said, "Actually, with your intelligence, it's not hard to think of this, right? You must have heard of the death of the Crown Prince's mother three years ago. Your Highness thought the Crown Prince was young, but he had already remembered it, so he held a grudge and wanted to frame her for it."

Tang Fan frowned: "But the Crown Prince is still young..."

Wang Zhi interrupted, "Not bad, but the Prince is surrounded by loyal people, even you civil officials, don't you have many hearts for the Prince?

The Noble Consort Wan held the palace harem position for many years, but whenever a child was born in the palace, it was always the fate of an early death, and the survival of the prince, Zhu Youzhi, was a miracle. With the help of the Noble Consort Wan's eunuch Zhang Min, the deposed concubine Wu-shi, the Empress Dowager Zhou, the palm seal eunuch Huai En, and many unknown court maids and servants, Zhu Youle were kept in the dark from the Noble Consort Wan and lived until he was crowned Prince.

From another point of view, one can imagine how angry the Noble Consort Wan was when he learned the news, but at that time, the Emperor had no son under him except Zhu Yuzhang, who was truly the eldest and only son, and the Noble Consort Wan was unable to stuff Zhu Yuzhang back into his mother's womb and prevent him from being crowned the Prince.

Three years ago, at the end of the same year that Zhu Youzhu was crowned prince, Ji-shi, the prince's biological mother, died of a violent illness, and although there is no evidence, many facts indicate that it was the work of the Noble Consort Wan.

The Noble Consort Wan wanted to claim the Crown Prince in her own name when he saw that his name had been decided, and Ji-shi became an eyesore and had to die.

The Noble Consort Wan's plan to bring the Prince to maturity under her care was foiled, and the Noble Consort Wan hated the Prince, feeling that it was hard for him to forget his mother's death, and that one day he would take revenge on her.

This is no secret, and Tang Fan knows a little about it.

Wang Zhi slowly said, "Last time, Pan Bin gave me an idea to make more good relations with the East Palace. After listening to your words, I thought it made sense, but I didn't expect to have a ready-made opportunity at this moment. If you can prove that the Noble Consort Wan had nothing to do with this case and that the Prince did not do it, not only the Noble Consort Wan will look at you differently, but the Prince will be grateful to you. Need I say more about what you can gain from this?"

From Wang Zhi's point of view, Tang Fan had already guessed what he was going to say, and he smiled faintly: “Eunuch Wang, that idea was beneficial for you, not for me, now that the case is in my hands, I still have to follow my own rules. It was Eunuch Wang who recommended me. If I can't solve the case by then. You're going to be in trouble with me."

Wang Zhi said angrily: “Tang Runqing, I'm warning you, don't mess with me! Don't you think I don't understand enough! With your cleverness and skill, the case will go in the right direction, but it's all in your hands! When this is done, you and I will both benefit, so don't be disrespectful!"

Tang Fan was calm: "You didn't consult me beforehand before you went and pull me in this, but now that it's over, it's unkind of you to force it on me. It's true, we'll all benefit by doing as you say, but I can't suppress anything from my conscience, and if a man is not to benefit the people, at least he can't overturn it. Now we're all in the same boat, I can only promise you to do your best to find out, what comes out, but in the end, it's not up to you Eunuch Wang, it's not up to me, it's up to the truth."

To that end. The two men had already walked near the palace gate. Tang Fan no longer cared about him, but put the lantern that was about to be extinguished in the hand of the palace doorman, who was leading the way, and walked towards the outside of the palace gate.




The night breeze ruffled his clothes, and in the distance, Tang Fan looked so small, so independent, and so tranquil, that he wanted to leave with the wind.

Wang Zhi did not go after him, but just stood there, squinting, and watched his back go away.

“Eunuch Wang, the wind is strong at night, I'm afraid I'll catch cold!" the palace doorman from the back came up, showing a bit of caution to please.

Wang Zhi did not say anything, his expression was inexplicable, and after a long time, only then he let out a direct laugh: "I thought it was another Liu Ji again, but then I ran into a Shang Hongzai... Civil servant, huh!"

the palace doorman didn't know, so he was all puzzled.

Tang Fan did not see Sui Zhou when he entered the palace, nor did he see him when he returned home, until the dawn of day, when he had just fallen asleep, and heard the sound of the courtyard door being opened. . Clothes were haphazardly put on and he went out for a look. Sure enough, Sui Zhou was back.

The latter did not hide his dusty face and tiredness, but his brow was still cold and sharp, and he raised his eyes to see Tang Fan coming out from inside, and immediately raised his eyebrows: "I heard you were there last night?

Tang Fan nodded: "Yes."

Sui Zhou's eyebrows screwed even tighter: "You shouldn't have gone."

Tang Fan stretched his hands: "In the official world, one is not at his own mercy."

When he saw Sui Zhou's face was still heavy, he laughed: "Come on, the boat will be straight at the end of the bridge, you haven't eaten breakfast yet, take a walk, go out and find a breakfast stall, eat something to warm your stomach first, and be more energetic.”

At this hour, those who were due to go to the prefecture were already there, and those who were due to go to the court were already sitting in the court, but Tang Fan had been in the palace most of the night, and now he was burdened with the Eastern Palace case.

Sui Zhou and Tang Fan picked a stall where they were making doughnuts and asked for a plate of doughnuts and two bowls of soy milk.

Tang Fan briefly recounted the events of last night.

In fact, Sui Zhou already knew about the plot,

After Han Zao's death, the Jinyiwei got the news and entered the palace, because the situation was not yet clear, and the incident of Li Zilong's attempt to seize the palace two years ago was still fresh in their mind, the Northern Administrative Court's men were divided into several groups and dispersed to different parts of the palace.

After Tang Fan's description, his understanding of the situation became clearer.

In the middle of the city, the two of them were sitting in a corner looking up and whispering, and one of them, the Jinyiwei, was scary, so no one went anywhere near him.

When Sui Zhou heard Tang Fan's description, his eyes were cold and he said: “Wang Zhi has no good intentions."

Tang Fan nodded, smiling bitterly: “That's right, everything has a cause and a consequence, I didn't expect to give Pan Bin an idea the other day, I went round and round and round, and I got myself into it!

Sui Zhou spoke with faint concern: "So what are you going to do?"

Tang Fan laughed: "Now that we're here, what else can we do? It's just a matter of looking up, but there are rules on how and where to look up, but when I was in the palace last night, I only heard one side of Wang Zhi's version, and both His Majesty and the Noble Consort Wan were there, there must be a lot to say. Didn't know you were in the Northern Administrative Court over there. Have you heard anything?"

Sui Zhou didn't even think about it: "I'll check it for you."

Tang Fan shook his head: "I'm in enough troubles alone, how can I involve you in this, you might lose your position."

Sui Zhou said, "I can do any more harm."

Tang Fan asserted, "But I can't do that to my friends!"

Sui Zhou gave him a deep look: "Since we are friends, you don't get to refuse, I have made up my mind."

Tang Fan was touched.

He knows that Sui Zhou is a warm person on the outside, but this warmness is not for everyone, but only for the people he values. For example, A-Dong, Tang Fan knows very well that Sui Zhou would never look at her highly if she was not his righteous sister.

In fact, however, there was no deep friendship between him and Sui Zhou for many years, only the one established in the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion case.

He was as good as new, good cover makes new looks as the old.

The story of the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion is one of the first to be told in the case of the Marquis of Wu'an.




He is the one who is fortunate enough to have met such a friend, Tang Fan.

That being said. The rejection instead hits him in the face. Tang Fan laughed: “Then I'll be impolite!"

Sui Zhou blushed: "It should have been."

He paused, saying, "I don't really have any more information than you do, but one thing is certain, Han Zao never died of an acute illness."

Tang Fan's spirit was revived, this is a very important sentence, it can directly determine the direction of their investigation, and he asked: "What do you mean by that?"

Sui Zhou said: “Han Zao was the oldest son of Han Fang, who was born in his forties, and was loved by his family as a treasure. Three days ago, Han Zao was having dinner with the Prince at the Empress Dowager Zhou. The Empress Dowager asked the doctor to check Han Zao pulse, and the doctor concluded that Han Zao was in good health, but the Prince was a little thin and weak.”

Tang Fan mused, "So, the reason why Han Zao died is really related to the poison that was smeared on the soup bowl?"

Sui Zhou shook his head: "I don't know. After the case, Han Zao's body was moved to the Western Depot, and if it's going to be investigated, it's going to have to be as soon as possible, or it's going to be even trickier when the body is corrupt, or when the Han family comes for it."

Tang Fan nodded: “That's right, you haven't slept all night, go home and rest first, the Western Depot, I'll go there."

Sui Zhou looked at him without saying a word, but the implication was clear: I'm more tired than you are if you keep shout that you're a weak scholar?

The two finished their breakfast and headed straight for the Western Depot.

Sui Zhou, was still wearing the Jinyiwei costume, was quite conspicuous in the Western Depot, but Tang Fan had been ordered to handle the case, and the men in the Depot had been instructed to provide him with what he needs. . As soon as they heard Tang Fan had reported his identity. So they were led in.

Eunuch Wang said, “Tang Da-ren wants to investigate something, let us all try to cooperate with you, Han Zao's body is also stored here, the Han Family came here early in the morning, but we didn't give it."

Tang Fan nodded, "I'd like to meet the maid who brings soup to the Crown Prince in your palace. I hear she's here with you?"

Bian Yu said: "Yes, she was brought here last night, I'll take Da-ren over."

He glanced at Sui Zhou again, a smile on his face with a hint of embarrassment: “General Sui Baihu, as you know, the Western Depot and the Jinyiwei have never had much dealings, and Eunuch Wang will hold me responsible if he knows I let you in..."

"I won't hold you accountable."

Wang Zhi's voice rang out, and the three of them looked around, and the Western Depot's founder and one hand came over with a smile on his face.

“Brother Runqing, did you sleep well last night?"

Last night, Tang Fan and Wang Zhi were at odds with each other, and Wang Zhi pointed at Tang Fan's nose and told him not to be disrespectful, although Tang Fan was not afraid, he did not think that Wang Zhi would be so generous as not to hold grudges.

But after only half a night, Eunuch Wang acted as if he had completely forgotten last night's unpleasantness.

The arrogance in front of people, the caution in front of the emperor and the noble consort, the high and mighty when Tang Fan first met him, and now, his easy-going personality, all show the multiple faces of this imperial celebrity, as the saying goes, you can't live in the world without learning a few skills. Even at a young age, the Western Depot is a factory. To the art of changing faces. Also masterful.

Tang Fan smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Wang, I was so excited to see your face last night, I was tossing and turning. I wonder how Eunuch Wang slept?"

How many times has Bian Yu seen a majestic Depot Governor give a good look to others? His jaw dropped in amazement.

Even Eunuch Wang, the head of the Cabinet, was so indifferent that he could hardly smile at the Lower Sixth Rank's junior official.

The author has something to say:

Original Explanation: Wang Zhi did not speak, the expression of deep and inexplicable, after a long time, only then let out a direct laugh: "I thought it was Liu Ji again, but then I ran into a Shang Hongzai... Civil official, huh!" --

Liu Ji is Liu Ji, now the third consul of the Cabinet, one of the three Consul members, every day drinking tea and reading the newspaper does not make one an officer.

Shang Hongzai is Shang Lu, former cabinet chief minister, the famous three consuls ah, because he was dissatisfied with the emperor's passive slacking and Wang Zhi power growing near the throne, is unhappy lead to his conscious resignation, making him popular in the courtiers and public.

Eunuch Wang's words mean that originally he thought Tang Fan was as smooth as Liu Ji, but he was actually a hard stone like Shang Lu.











- The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty -



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