Chapter 34: To Repay You

If the Second Prince were to die, the truth behind past accidents would become even more impossible to uncover.

From the moment the late Emperor suddenly issued an edict summoning the Jingyang Prince's Mansion—which had long been distanced from the imperial court—back to the capital to take charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs, this upheaval had shown unusual signs. When sending guards to fetch the Second Prince, Yan Bei went to view the late Emperor's remains, as well as the body of Prince Duan, who had been placed beside him in the name of funerary accompaniment.

According to the palace servants, the late Emperor had only allowed Prince Duan to remain by his side to attend to him in his final moments.

The late Emperor had once loudly rebuked Prince Duan in the hall, claiming it was his suggestion to have the First Prince welcome the Second Prince back to the capital, which had resulted in accidents befalling both brothers. Prince Duan had wept bitterly, offering nothing but apologies.

Shortly thereafter, the late Emperor succumbed to extreme rage and heart failure, spitting blood before passing away.

Prince Duan, consumed by guilt, had also committed suicide before the Emperor's spirit.

These were, after all, merely palace rumors, not things Yan Bei had witnessed with his own eyes.

However, it was still startling that these two closely related brothers had both died on the same night. That said, after inspecting them, Yan Bei found that their states of death were exactly as the servants had described.

Only—why did the palace coup that caused the deaths of the late Emperor and Prince Duan coincide precisely with the news of the First and Second Princes falling into danger reaching the capital?

And why, by some strange coincidence, did the County Princess Yongjia also die?

There were suspicions not only within the palace, but also in the imperial court, and even within his own mansion—such as his scholar, who had been secretly sending letters out.

This was a trap, and Yan Bei himself was caught in the vortex.

Shouldering the lives of thousands within his household, as various factions expanded their influence, he henceforth strictly adhered to his duties, remaining loyal to the Emperor by decree while refusing to involve himself with any single faction.

As time passed, he had become certain that Wang Huan could not have survived.

Yet now, her handwriting existed.

Moreover, she seemed to be targeting the Du family.

In that case, if her portrait were released, what if someone with ulterior motives recognized her?

"She appeared at Feiyun Temple, yet I failed to detect her. I suspect the Du family likely hasn't discovered her either.

"Or rather, they probably still don't know who the assassin that killed Zhang Shaode actually was.

"Otherwise, with the power of the Imperial City Guard, they could easily find a pretext to launch a massive, nationwide manhunt for her."

By this time, Yan Bei had already had Gao An re-style his hair. He spoke while looking into the mirror.

Just as he was being crowned, Cui Xun entered from outside the door. He looked at the two men in the room and said, "Your Highness, the Marquis of Guangling requests an audience."

A cold, grim expression immediately surfaced on Yan Bei's face.

"He certainly arrived at the right time!"

...

Last night, when Du Yu went to Feiyun Temple to retrieve He Hui, the Marquis of Guangling was waiting for him in the study.

Du Yu returned at midnight, delivering the good news that He Hui and Zhang Shaode were dead, but also bringing the bad news that the mastermind behind it had escaped.

The original plan had been foolproof: use He Hui to eliminate Zhang Shaode, and then kill He Hui under the guise of capturing a criminal. It was perfectly justified and seamless. With so many assassins dispatched, as long as the mastermind showed their face, escape would have been impossible.

That way, they could wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

From then on, they could sleep soundly, knowing the events of three years ago could never pose a threat again.

Yet, despite being surrounded by so many people, the killer still escaped!

He had met Zhang Shaode right under the noses of so many Imperial City Guards, killed him, and then vanished without leaving a trace!

The Marquis of Guangling was so angry he nearly coughed up blood.

What was the use of the He and Zhang families being wiped out if the true culprit had escaped?

No one knew what this person possessed, or what he had gained from meeting Zhang Shaode.

Even worse, the father and son had absolutely no idea who this person was or what he looked like!

All their efforts had been in vain!

Before he could even recover his composure, at the crack of dawn, the guards brought news that the Jingyang Prince's Mansion had suddenly posted a notice seeking a woman surnamed Wang.

The shock of this news was no less than the escape of the killer the night before.

After all, Yan Bei had never been associated with any woman; his sudden search for a commoner woman was undeniably strange.

And no strange act occurs without a reason.

Despite the massive commotion at Feiyun Temple last night, Yan Bei had not yet sent anyone to question the Du family. The Marquis of Guangling was terrified; he simply could not grasp what Yan Bei was thinking.

Just as he was planning a way to visit the Prince's Mansion to probe for information, Yan Bei actually sent a guard to summon him!

Steeling his nerves and gritting his teeth, the Marquis bowed deeply before Yan Bei. "A short while ago, the Old Lady sent people to the North specifically to deliver some local specialties to the Dowager Consort, and the Dowager Consort has just replied.

"The Old Lady said that Your Highness bears a striking resemblance to your late mother. Looking at you is like seeing her own sister. She hopes Your Highness can find the time to visit and sit for a while to soothe her longing for family.

"I was just about to pay my respects when Your Highness sent word."

The Marquis of Guangling was being sycophantic, and facing Yan Bei's lukewarm gaze, he felt almost unable to continue.

Yan Bei took a sip of tea and looked at him. "Not long ago, I heard rumors that the family of General Wude, He Jianzhong, had died one after another within a few days. Even his in-law, Zhang Shaode's family, were assassinated at Feiyun Temple last night. For such major incidents, why did you not report them to me?"

The Imperial City Guard originally fell under the direct jurisdiction of the Emperor; when Prince Duan was alive, they obeyed only the late Emperor's commands.

However, since the current Emperor did not yet have full control over the administration, the functions of the Imperial City Guard had naturally changed.

Fortunately, the Jingyang Prince was a power designated by the late Emperor to support the Emperor, and the Marquis of Guangling was his relative. Thus, Yan Bei, as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, temporarily supervised the Imperial City Guard, and there was little opposition in the imperial court.

The Marquis's face twitched. "This... although the He family's matter happened coincidentally, the Shuntian Prefecture did not find anything suspicious."

He Jianzhong and Zhang Shaode were both his subordinates. If Yan Bei intended to investigate, wouldn't it eventually lead back to him?

"Whether there is anything suspicious is not for you to decide." Yan Bei toyed with his teacup lid. "I obtained the case files from Shuntian Prefecture and flipped through them; I feel there are too many coincidences. I heard these two were your loyal subordinates. Given such a tragic end, do you not feel sorrow for them?"

The Marquis of Guangling steeled himself. "Yes, this subordinate is, of course, heartbroken. Therefore, I also requested monks to chant sutras for their souls..."

"That is all superficial," Yan Bei said. "If you truly cared for them, shouldn't you investigate this case to the very end to give them justice?"

The Marquis was breaking into a cold sweat. "This subordinate will return and immediately organize personnel to investigate thoroughly. It was just... I was too busy these past few days..."

"I know you are busy," Yan Bei continued drinking his tea. "That is why I, this Prince, will handle this matter for you personally.

"Furthermore, regarding the incident at Feiyun Temple last night, you are to bring all relevant depositions and witnesses to the mansion within one hour.

"I will personally preside over the investigation of the He and Zhang cases."

The Marquis felt paralyzed. "How dare I allow Your Highness to expend such effort!..."

"Why such politeness? Didn't you just say the Old Lady misses me and the Dowager Consort?

"Given the deep friendship between our two families, I must naturally reciprocate.

"Besides, this case is already causing a stir. If you were to let someone other than myself take over, I doubt you would feel at ease, would you?"

As Yan Bei's gaze deepened, the sweat was nearly streaming down the Marquis's entire face!