He could not admit it, and secondly, if this matter were reported to the Emperor, he feared the Emperor would lose his reason and directly imprison Chu Qianyi.
Currently, connected to the Chu family were the King of Beijin and the Empress Dowager.
At present, more and more evidence showed that the King of Beijin was a formidable figure. Only by dividing and conquering them one by one could victory be achieved.
Therefore, they absolutely could not act rashly until they had figured out Chu Qianyi's true intentions.
He did not seem to be simply trying to help the King of Beijin, but had his own motives. Was this the idea of the Right Prime Minister Chu Fengyu, or Chu Qianyi himself?
"Enough, I will handle this. It is not yet time to inform the Emperor. There is no evidence to prove that he was the one who administered the poison. Without proof, I do not want to cause trouble. Dealing with those elite assassins is the priority now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mochou and Moyou knew that Her Highness had her own plans and said no more. At this moment, Meixin had finished preparing the medicine and brought it in. Mu Qingyao took it and leaned back on the bed to rest.
Liuli Palace.
A killing aura filled the hall. The Emperor's face was grim, and a chilling aura emanated from him. He slowly opened his mouth, "Has Yuejue Temple been searched? Have any remaining rebels been found?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, no," Mu Hen respectfully replied, his face serious and his heart filled with pain.
"During the search of Yuejue Temple, a palace was found underground containing many weapons. After investigation, it was a secret dark training ground. Those elite assassins likely lived there for years."
"Abominable!" The Emperor angrily struck the dragon throne, his black eyes instantly releasing a dazzling cold glint. His chilling voice echoed in the hall, "Who would have thought that such a thing could happen right under my nose? Someone dared to secretly train elite assassins, and in a place of Buddhist worship! Those who chant Buddha's name and abstain from meat dared to commit such treasonous acts. They must be punished severely."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I know this matter is of great importance. Master Likong and all the monks of Yuejue Temple are now imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, awaiting Your Majesty's judgment."
As Mu Hen finished speaking, the Emperor suddenly turned cold. A chilling light flickered in his dark, deep eyes, and he smiled sinisterly, "Mu Hen, issue an imperial decree."
"Your subject accepts the decree."
Mu Hen quickly obeyed, unsure of what the Emperor wanted him to do, and knelt cautiously.
"Immediately summon the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Beijin. The investigation of Yuejue Temple this time will be handled jointly by the two princes and the Ministry of Justice. It is imperative to find the mastermind behind this."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mu Hen accepted the decree, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.
The Emperor was truly cunning, sending the Prince of Beijin to investigate this case. If the Prince of Beijin was indeed behind it, would he still be able to maintain his usual composure? How deep were his schemes?
He had been in hiding for so many years. At that time, he seemed to be just a teenager. Therefore, these elite assassins could not have been trained by the Prince of Beijin. There was likely someone else. Why would that person be willing to help the Empress Dowager do such a thing? Mu Hen accepted the decree and withdrew.
A Jiu walked in from the hall entrance. "Your Majesty, I have notified the Four Great Dark Guards to find an antidote as soon as possible. Please rest assured, Your Highness's inner strength will recover quickly."
"Good, you may withdraw," the Emperor waved his hand. He wanted to be alone. This incident with the elite assassins had made him even more negligent. This internal threat must be eliminated quickly.
A Jiu walked out. He had followed the Emperor for many years and knew that the Emperor could not tolerate such oversight. He must be blaming himself. Coupled with Her Highness being drugged, the Emperor must be very upset now and it was best to let him be alone...
Guangyang Palace.
In the sleeping quarters, soft crying sounds were heard. The Empress Dowager could not help but weep, crying while looking at her son, Mu Rong Liu Mo. Her once dignified and noble face was now swollen as if soaked in water, making her look unsightly.
Her eyes were red, indicating that she had been crying for a long time.
"Mo'er, it is I who have implicated him. It is I who have implicated him. Please, save him. Mother asks for nothing, only that you save him."
The Prince of Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, looked at his mother expressionlessly, sighing inwardly. Women were always emotional, regardless of the time, even his usually ruthless mother was no exception.
It seemed that the other person should be dealt with sooner. Look at his mother, a woman who was always dignified and noble, what has she become? Moreover, she actually liked another man besides his father, which he found somewhat difficult to understand.
What was so good about that old monk that she still cared for him after all these years?
"Mother, he has already been captured and imprisoned. How can Mo'er save him? Should not Mother be worried about me now? If that person reveals this to the Emperor, Mo'er will only have a dead end."
The Prince of Beijin's eyes flashed with ferocity as he spoke cruelly. Although he knew that Likong would not reveal him, he could not help but worry. Now he hoped that the old monk would die quickly.
"Mo'er, he promised Mother that he would not reveal you. Does Mother not know his character? He is where he is today because Mother implicated him. Therefore, you must find a way to save him. Besides him, Mother will not concern herself with anyone else."
The Empress Dowager begged, looking at her son with extreme sadness.
Her actions at this moment reminded the Prince of Beijin of when the late Emperor died. His mother did not seem to be that sad. She was so heartbroken over an outsider. The more he thought about it, the more angry he became.
However, it was best not to provoke his mother at this moment. He would wait until that old monk died.
"Alright, Mother, your son will find a way. Do not worry, Mother. Your son must return. If someone discovers this, will it not all be in vain?"
The Prince of Beijin walked to his mother and comforted her, who was on the verge of collapse. His words gave his mother a glimmer of hope. Her red-rimmed eyes lit up with anticipation. "Mo'er, Mother awaits your news. Hurry back, hurry back."
"Good, Mother, take care of yourself. Your son will leave now."
A fleeting, fierce glint flashed in the Prince of Beijin's eyes. A cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and left Guangyang Palace, returning to the Prince of Beijin's manor.
At You Shi, the sky had already become dimly overcast.
Liuli Palace was as bright as day, inside and out. Outside the palace gates, on the steps, and under the corridors, many eunuchs and palace maids stood.
Leading them was the chief eunuch, A Jiu. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound. The Emperor had been inside for an hour, and there was still no movement. He had not even had dinner.
A Jiu rubbed his hands and paced back and forth in front of the palace gates, trying to think of a way to go in and take a look. Suddenly, he heard a eunuch behind him exclaim, "Miss Xinyue?"
Under the illumination of the palace lanterns, the graceful and charming Ximen Xinyue, wearing a light pink thin skirt and a red shawl embroidered with plum blossoms on her shoulders, looked extremely enchanting as she walked over with a close maid.