Su Fei watched Lei Chongxiao's retreating figure as he hurried away, then walked to the window and gazed toward the imperial city.
The crown prince's move seemed ruthless, but it had still exposed a flaw.
As long as they found evidence that Zhang Xiucheng had not killed himself, Su Fei could clear his name.
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Su Fei's mouth.
"Well played, Crown Prince. You want me to take the blame."
"Then let's see who ends up crushed beneath that pot of blame."
A residence in the imperial city was shrouded in white.
A mourning hall had been set up in the main hall, with the black character for "mourning" hanging in the center. Elegiac couplets hung on either side, and fallen paper money covered the floor.
Dressed in white mourning clothes, Zhang Xiucheng's wife knelt on a prayer cushion, burning paper offerings and sobbing softly. Her several young children had also cried their eyes red.
Relatives and friends gathered around her to offer comfort, but they could not soothe the grief filling the room.
Suddenly, orderly footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, accompanied by a eunuch's announcement.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Hearing that the crown prince had come, everyone hurried to rise and straighten their attire, getting up to welcome him.
Crown Prince Zhao Yan wore plain-colored everyday robes and had brought only a few attendants.
He stepped through the courtyard gate, just the right measure of sorrow showing in his eyes.
"Your Highness."
When Zhang Xiucheng's wife saw Zhao Yan, she moved to kneel, but Zhao Yan hurried forward and supported her.
"Please rise, madam. There's no need for such ceremony."
Zhao Yan's voice was low and slightly hoarse. He personally helped Zhang Xiucheng's wife onto the prayer cushion, then stood