Chapter 579: Zheng Guanyin's Result

The Imperial Examination began, drawing everyone's attention, and the Court also focused its attention there.

These past two days the Ministry of Revenue has had no major affairs; its subordinates are actively inventorying the money and supplies borrowed from the Money Shop.

Chen Yan finished his routine duties, crossed his arms, and cheerfully walked out of the Ministry of Revenue.

By today it is already the third day of the Imperial Examination; after the morning, the examination that attracted many eyes has ended.

Next comes the waiting for Li Shimin and the many high officials and examiners to grade the test papers and decide the final successful candidates.

Of course, these have nothing to do with Chen Yan.

Whoever passes the exam cannot affect him; as long as there are some poor‑family youths among them, that will do.

However, just as he left the Ministry of Revenue, he encountered a person who surprised him.

"Duke of Wei, my lady has a request; do you... have time now?"

The speaker is a maid who looks about thirty, and Chen Yan has a faint recollection of her, having seen her once at Zheng Guanyin's.

Chen Yan smiled lightly, meaningfully saying, "Your lady invites me over? That's truly a rare occurrence!"

"If I'm not mistaken, she should be eager to eat my flesh and drink my blood."

The maid said nothing, only lowering her head slightly.

The struggles among these great figures are not for her to meddle in; she is merely carrying out her master's orders to deliver a message.

Chen Yan was not surprised by her reaction; he stepped forward and casually asked, "Could it be that the matter I asked her to investigate has a result? Are you here to deliver news today?"

"The Duke of Wei's instructions have never been forgotten by the lady; she has continuously asked someone to investigate covertly, and only recently some clues have emerged."

The maid, following behind, replied respectfully.

Now Chen Yan was truly surprised; he halted his steps, turned, and stared at her.

The case he asked Zheng Guanyin to look into was, naturally, Crown Prince Li Chengqian's poisoning.

But... even Li Shimin hasn't uncovered it yet; when he first approached Zheng Guanyin, he was merely hoping for any clue, tossing a line.

Did Zheng Guanyin actually find something?

Or perhaps... Zheng Guanyin intends to use false information to fool him, continuing to borrow his hand to achieve some goal, to deal with someone?

"Your lady... truly surprises me."

Chen Yan said something cryptic, then waved his hand grandly, "If so, then let's make a trip."

"By the way, I need to return home first; Gao Yang has been missing your lady a great deal lately, constantly babbling about wanting to visit, and it's made my ears feel like they've grown calluses."

"Perfect, take this chance, bring Gao Yang, prepare some gifts, and go pay a visit."

Maid: "......"

Recalling the scenes of Gao Yang's previous two encounters with Zheng Guanyin, she fell silent.

"......"

"Ah, Madam Zheng, as the saying goes, a day apart feels like three autumns; how many springs and autumns have passed now?"

Gao Yang, upon seeing Zheng Guanyin, cheerfully approached, affectionately pulling her hand, "Your niece has been missing you dearly."

"But, Madam, please don't blame me; the children at home are still young, and your niece truly cannot free herself."

Saying that, she tilted her chin back, "Xiang Lan, why are you still staring? Bring the gifts I prepared for the madam; they are the fine brocade and premium tea I selected especially for her."

"By the way, Madam, your niece knows you have many children at home, so I've also prepared some pastries and clothes; please have a look..."

Gao Yang enthusiastically presented the gifts to Zheng Guanyin, and this time Zheng Guanyin did not wear a sour expression.

Her attitude this time was a complete 180-degree turn from last visit; a smile constantly hung on her face, and she did not reject Gao Yang's approach, seeming quite delighted.

Chen Yan found a seat for himself, stared at the scene, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.

It seems Zheng Guanyin has truly recognized the situation and her own position.

Otherwise, she would probably still be as reckless as last time.

After sitting for a while, seeing the two nearly finish their conversation, Chen Yan spoke, "Madam Zheng, may I ask why you summoned me today?"

Zheng Guanyin suddenly smiled, a hint of mockery in her eyes, "Naturally it's because of the matter you asked me to investigate last time; I've recently gotten some clues—do you want to know?"

Seeing her expression and tone, Chen Yan's smile stiffened, and he suddenly felt that this answer might not be the one he expected.

"Madam Zheng... do you think you're capable again?" Chen Yan's gaze grew colder; he didn't care about Zheng Guanyin's opinion of him or the mockery in her eyes.

"Just tell me what you have uncovered, and don't try any other tricks. Don't forget, now the whole realm can only be saved by me!"

"Yes!" Zheng Guanyin nodded, unperturbed by Chen Yan's words, "You are right about everything, but if I tell you that the poisoner is neither the noble family you imagined nor an enemy of the Crown Prince..."

"... but rather a person you could never imagine, someone whose ties with you are countless."

At these words, Gao Yang was stunned, almost losing her polite smile, and instinctively looked toward her husband.

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, his fingers drumming unconsciously on the table, names flashing through his mind until they settled on a woman.

"Consort Wei?"

Zheng Guanyin lifted the corner of her mouth, "Since you asked me to investigate, I've considered countless possibilities; Consort Wei is no exception, but this matter really has little to do with her."

Chen Yan's smile vanished completely, a crimson hue appearing in his eyes, "Since it's not her, and it's someone I can't think of, yet whose ties with me are countless... it seems only one person remains."

"Prince of Wei Li Tai?"

When Chen Yan uttered that name, both Gao Yang and Zheng Guanyin were shocked.

The former was in disbelief, the latter surprised that Chen Yan could think of it so quickly.

"Impossible!" Gao Yang said firmly, "I know Li Tai; if it were the past, and you said he poisoned the Crown Prince, I would have believed it."

"But Li Tai now could never have done it!"

"Is that so?" Zheng Guanyin felt quite delighted, "Then why don't you believe how powerful Li Tai's former influence was? So many people were under his command, yet because of your husband's some hot‑air balloon, their dragon‑supporting achievements turned into a grand illusion!"

"How many people, because Prince of Wei gave up the throne contest, fell from the clouds into the mire?"

"If Crown Prince Li Chengqian dies, and Prince Jin Li Zhi is still a child, only the former favored son, Prince of Wei, could ascend."

"Tell me, would these people risk everything?"

"......"