Xiao Yunting was originally said to have gone to Mount Mao to cultivate his health and body, but in the end, he deceived everyone and secretly went to Longhu Mountain.
If he had gone openly, it wouldn’t be an issue.
But the problem is — why go secretly?
What exactly was he trying to do?
Feng Yuzhang knew exactly where the killing intent hidden in that memorial lay. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might stop.
Empress Feng sobbed, “Your Majesty, you cannot just believe their one-sided words!”
She choked back her tears and cried out, “Back then, right after Yunting went to Mount Mao, Baorong fell ill. The Imperial Astronomer said she was cursed. Qiu Chuying from Mount Mao stepped forward to report that it was Mount Mao’s Taoists using witchcraft to curse Baorong. You executed more than a thousand people from Mount Mao because of that!”
Though this case was overseen by Li Changqing and Jiang Yanzhen, it was still Emperor Yongchang who approved it.
If speaking of responsibility, the Emperor’s share was far from small.
Empress Feng cried as she explained, “At that time, Yunting was still young. His master, Daoist Qingfeng, was afraid of getting implicated, so he took Yunting traveling for a time. This—this was something the Embroidered Uniform Guard knew! You knew it, and so did I!”
The Crown Prince didn’t say a word. He was fiddling impatiently with his embroidered pouch, muttering, “Royal Father, whether it’s Mount Mao or Longhu Mountain, wasn’t he just a Taoist for a long time either way? If you don’t like him being a Taoist, then beat him up! That b*stard is no good anyway!”
Crown Princess Lu didn’t speak. She only bowed deeply and softly said, “Your Majesty, your daughter-in-law doesn’t dare say much about anything else, but I dare vouch that Yunting is absolutely sincere and loyal toward you. He would never commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Please see this clearly.”
Emperor Yongchang really couldn’t stand the sight of the Crown Prince.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
Look at the Crown Prince — practically hoping Xiao Yunting dies sooner.
How could someone like him possibly be plotting in Yunting’s favor or covering for him?
If Xiao Yunting had really gone to Longhu Mountain, the Crown Prince would’ve blurted it out ages ago.
But if that’s the case… this memorial…
The Emperor immediately shouted, “Lu Yifeng! Take that little Taoist away and interrogate him thoroughly! Get to the bottom of this!”
Lu Yifeng answered and quickly dragged the young Taoist away with his men.
Cao Xingwang started getting anxious.
The evidence was right there in front of them — why interrogate further?!
He was panicking, but Qi Yuan wasn’t anxious at all. She glanced at Old Zhao and said calmly, “Go. Tell Lu Yifeng to get that Taoist to confess that everything he said was under Cao Xingwang’s orders.”
Old Zhao was absolutely floored by Qi Yuan. She was simply brilliant.
How did she manage it every time? It was like she had eyes that saw through everything.
Other people might plan ten steps ahead, but Qi Yuan clearly planned a hundred steps ahead.
Who else could follow the threads of a case like this, picking through the smallest clues and finding the truth like her?
He immediately agreed and hurried off.
Once Zhao left, Qi Yuan looked at Liujin and raised her brows. “Go now. It’s your turn. Tell Guo Huanji of the Imperial Guards to take men and arrest Qilin.”
Liujin shivered.
He used to think Baobao was shamelessly servile — like a dog wagging its tail whenever he faced the young lady.
But now… he thought wagging one’s tail wasn’t a bad thing.
Looking at the young lady — she clearly liked dogs.
But this wasn’t the time for jokes. Liujin hurried off at once.
Qi Yuan sat back down and calmly took a sip of tea.
Qi Zhen watched her drink, and only after making sure she wouldn’t speak further did he quietly pick up his own teacup and take a sip.
Then he let out a sigh of relief.
Whew — finally drank this tea without choking.
Otherwise, he’d probably choke again.
Patting his chest, he asked curiously, “Ah Yuan, what’s your plan exactly?”
Qi Yuan raised a brow. “It’s simple. As long as Qilin and Cao Xingwang are working together, then how could the previous evidence be real?”
Qi Zhen couldn’t help but slam the table in admiration.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
With a brain like this, Qi Yuan could succeed at anything she did.
At that moment, Cao Xingwang was restless and panicked.
The situation had turned, things were changing unexpectedly, and he felt incredibly uneasy.
And just as fate would have it — the thing you fear most is the thing that comes.
Soon after, Zhong Jinshui entered quietly and reported to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, Guo Huanji of the Imperial Guards seeks an urgent audience. He reports — an assassin has been caught!”
An assassin?!
Emperor Yongchang immediately forgot the current matter and waved his hand. “Have the Empress and others withdraw first.”
The Crown Prince, despite being round and stubby, shot up and scurried away faster than anyone.
……
The Emperor stared speechlessly after him.
It was truly hard to believe this fool was capable of any schemes.
Empress Feng stood up with the help of the Crown Princess, patting her hand softly.
The two of them slowly exited.
Guo Huanji soon entered, and with a heavy thud, knelt down. “Your Majesty!”
The Emperor immediately knew this was no small matter. “Speak. What assassin?”
Guo Huanji looked hesitant, his face dark and tense. He nervously glanced at the Emperor.
Seeing this, the Emperor frowned. “Out with it!”
“Yes… Your Majesty,” Guo Huanji took a deep breath before finally speaking, “Today, the disaster relief grain for Jiangxi was scheduled to be transported. I was ordered to escort it out of the city. Who would’ve thought… someone attempted to swap out the relief grain on the way!”
The Emperor flew into a rage.
The disaster relief grain!
And military pay for the soldiers too.
To the Emperor, these were absolutely untouchable.
Anyone who dared reach their hand into this — he would chop that hand off without mercy.
And yet — someone actually dared!
“Were they caught? Who is it?!” the Emperor snapped.
Guo Huanji went pale, hesitated a moment, and then, trembling, answered, “Reporting to Your Majesty… it’s… it’s Qilin.”
Qilin?
The Emperor didn’t recognize the name.
Seeing his confusion, Guo Huanji quickly lowered his voice and explained, “Your Majesty, Qilin is Qi Wang’s most trusted subordinate — extremely capable. Originally, he had already left the capital with Qi Wang.”
Naturally.
Since he was Qi Wang’s bodyguard, he should have gone to the fief with him.
Staying in the capital without permission was already a crime.
And now… tampering with the disaster relief grain?!
No — he actually tampered with the disaster relief grain!
The Emperor was absolutely furious.
He had originally thought that after everything, that unfilial son Qi Wang would finally learn restraint.
But no — he hadn’t repented in the slightest.
Instead, he grew worse.
Qilin was his right-hand man. There was no way this wasn’t done with his knowledge.
Good. Very good.
Even with his body in the fief, his hand still dared to reach into the capital — and into the disaster relief grain no less!
Why tamper with the disaster relief grain?
Isn’t it just to make trouble for Xiao Yunting?!
That b*stard. That unfilial son!
The Emperor cursed nonstop, while Qi Yuan simply turned to the Old Marquis Qi, smiled slightly, and raised her cup. “See, Grandfather? It’s not so hard after all, is it?”
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