Madam Qian frowned. "This incident happened before the Emperor ascended the throne. What I know is about the same as what the Emperor knows! However, after the matter was settled, I heard someone say that the Yun family was wronged. It seemed they wanted to release the Yun family, but the Yun couple died in prison. The matter was then dropped."
Although Qian Yuanbao had not entered officialdom, it did not mean he was unaware of the intricacies.
The Yun family case occurred during the reign of Emperor Zhaowu. Emperor Zhaowu, in his youth, was considered a diligent and benevolent emperor. However, in his later years, he became obsessed with elixirs, gathering a large group of Taoist priests to refine them. The dignified emperor actually began to cultivate Taoism, seeking immortality.
It was at this juncture that Qin Lang's affair occurred, which subsequently implicated the Yun family.
Colluding with foreign enemies, what was there to investigate? Imprison them in the imperial jail and execute them on a chosen date.
Qin Lang grew up in the Yun family. How could the Yun family absolve themselves of responsibility? Perhaps the Yun family used the academy as a cover to shield Qin Lang. Perhaps those who graduated from Yunkai Academy were all people with ill intentions. Therefore, after Qin Lang's imprisonment, not only the Yun family was imprisoned, but also many officials who had graduated from Yunkai Academy were implicated.
Later, during the investigation, other issues were discovered, and the blame ultimately fell on Qin Lang.
But by then, the Yun couple had died suddenly of illness in prison.
Logically speaking, the Yun couple, who were just over forty at the time and in good health, suddenly falling ill was quite puzzling.
However, in that situation, the students who graduated from the academy were preoccupied with their own affairs, and no one raised any objections.
Later, Emperor Zhaowu died from an overdose of elixirs.
Of course, many events transpired in between, and in the end, Emperor Chongwen, who was a prince, ascended the throne.
Given that it involved Emperor Zhaowu's reputation, the Yun family's case could only be dropped, and the arrest warrant for Qin Lang was not withdrawn. Otherwise, Madam Yun would not have been able to escape involvement with Qi Tianming protecting her.
"Grandmother, why has there been no news of Qin Lang for so many years?" Qian Yuanbao asked in surprise.
Madam Qian shook her head. "Grandmother doesn't know about that."
"Do you know who was in charge of this case back then?"
It was considered a major case at the time, transferred from the Shun Tian Prefecture Governor to the Dali Temple.
Madam Qian thought for a moment before saying, "It was Sun Sizheng, Lord Sun."
Qian Yuanbao blinked. "Is he from the Sun family?"
"No, not from a noble family. He rose from humble origins. He was quite capable and was promoted by Emperor Zhaowu, considered one of Emperor Zhaowu's confidants. However, 'one emperor, one court'..."
Qian Yuanbao understood his grandmother's meaning: the Dali Temple Minister at the time was no longer as prominent as he once was.
"I want to visit Lord Sun."
He handled the Yun family's case, so he would surely know the inside story.
Madam Qian hesitated. "It's impossible to overturn the Yun family's case."
The deceased should be respected, and he was an emperor. To bring it up now would become a stain on Emperor Zhaowu's name.
"I know. I'm not going to try and overturn the Yun family's case. I just want to know more about Qin Lang, which will make it easier to find him. Although it's not clear yet, based on Zhenzhen's deductions, Qin Lang is crucial to this matter," Qian Yuanbao said.
"Perhaps Grandmother should go into the palace and ask the Emperor what he asked Ah Nian to do," Madam Qian suggested after some thought.
"No, please don't. After all, the task was given to Ah Nian by the Emperor privately," Qian Yuanbao stopped her. "Grandmother, you don't need to worry about the rest. Leave it to your grandson. You, please spend more time with Ah Nuan when you have nothing else to do. I will be quite busy these few days. Increase the number of guards at home; those people are unpredictable, and Ah Nian and I have always been close."