Before the palace gates, a group of eunuchs stood. Upon seeing the Emperor emerge, they immediately knelt, "Your Majesty?"
Shangguan Yao remained silent, proceeding to follow the figure ahead.
Shangguan Lin and Ye Wuyun followed closely. The head eunuch, Xiao Tingzi, unsure of what had transpired, dared not be careless. He quickly rose, gestured, and led several eunuchs from Jingfu Palace, carrying lanterns, to follow the figures ahead.
The night was spectral and chilling. Not a sliver of light was visible. The previously bright moonlight had retreated into the dark clouds. Not even a single star adorned the sky, which was shrouded in an oppressive, thin layer of mist.
A cold wind swept through, causing the lanterns to sway, casting flickering, ethereal shadows that hinted at a pair of sinister, cold eyes fixated upon them, striking terror into their hearts.
They involuntarily quickened their pace, following Xiao Han forward.
They passed through a dim corridor, then turned onto a winding path that led to a garden. There were rock formations, embraced by trees. Beyond a carved, ornate corridor, a patch of green grass was surrounded by several people, with voices occasionally rising.
These individuals were subordinates of the Northern Crown Prince Yan Yu. Some were wounded, and one had been killed. The others were gathered around, examining whether he could be saved.
Besides these few, there were also palace guards and eunuchs. The guards held lanterns high, looking with concern at the injured individuals.
A few young eunuchs spotted people approaching from a distance. The leader was Xiao Han, who had reported earlier. Behind Xiao Han followed a vast procession. Among them, clad in imperial yellow robes, his face etched with ferocity, and emanating a chilling aura, was the Emperor himself?
As soon as the eunuchs noticed the Emperor, they were so terrified that they fell to their knees with a thud.
"Your slave greets Your Majesty."
With one person taking the lead, others followed suit, kneeling in succession. A unified chorus of voices arose, "Your slave greets Your Majesty."
The injured individuals had already noticed their master and struggled to rise and pay homage, "Your subordinates greet Master."
Yan Yu frowned and waved his hand, "At ease."
His subordinates were skilled in martial arts. While not top-tier masters, their abilities were considerable. Yet today, two or three were injured, and one had been killed.
As the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty, Yan Yu’s expression was exceedingly grim. He strode forward with steady steps and scanned the scene. The injuries of his subordinates were not life-threatening, but the death of one of them greatly diminished his prestige. xxs one
Seeing the Crown Prince's expression, Xiao Han knew his master was displeased. He dared not speak, standing respectfully to the side.
Princess Yan Ling, always proud and arrogant, was incensed to see the Northern Dynasty’s subordinates injured. While angry, she did not forget to question Shangguan Yao.
"Your Majesty, what is going on? Within the hallowed grounds of the Imperial Palace, a murderer can come and go at will, even killing our Northern Yan people. How is this to be accounted for?"
Although Yan Ling harbored feelings for Shangguan Yao, her affections were one matter, and losing face was another. As a person of Northern Yan, she retained that sense of loyalty, and thus, her demanding gaze was fixed upon Shangguan Yao.
Shangguan Yao's expression was frigid, his aura exuding a chilling, murderous intent. He cast a cold, disdainful glance at the kneeling guards and eunuchs, his voice filled with lethal intent.
"Where is Song Yuan?"
As the commander of the imperial guards, Song Yuan was nowhere to be seen when such an incident occurred. How could Shangguan Yao not be angry? A crimson hue flickered in Shangguan Yao's eyes, and a bloodthirsty, cold smile played on his lips.
Hearing the Emperor's sinister words, the guards and eunuchs shivered. One of them quickly reported.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lord Song is leading men to pursue the assassins?"
"Assassins?"
Shangguan Yao and Shangguan Lin exclaimed simultaneously. They exchanged glances, disbelief evident in their dark eyes.
These hidden individuals had always been low-key and unassuming. How could they have revealed a flaw this time? If they could kill Yan Yu’s subordinates, how could they have been discovered?
A cloud of suspicion hung heavy in their minds, leaving them momentarily speechless. At this juncture, a chilling voice cut through the silence.
"Clearly, the assassins are not acting alone. How could these people move about the palace with such impunity?"
The speaker was none other than Ye Wuyun, who had remained silent the entire night. His timely interjection, though brief, was thought-provoking.
The handsome features of the Northern Crown Prince Yan Yu clouded further. His cold, clear eyes fixed on Shangguan Yao, and he spoke with a chilling, thin voice, "We will await an explanation from Emperor Yao."
Upon finishing, Yan Yu turned and commanded Xiao Han, "Take them away."
The injured individuals struggled to their feet, supporting each other. The two or three unharmed individuals carried the corpse of their deceased subordinate. The group turned and departed. Yan Ling, walking at the very rear, looked back, her eyes holding an unfathomable light.
The group appeared disheveled and weary.
Shangguan Yao's deep voice rang out, "Guards, escort the Northern Crown Prince back to the imperial posthouse."
Immediately, guards received the order and followed, the group vanishing into the night.
Shangguan Yao knitted his brows tightly, his sharp eyes like two hidden blades, bloodthirsty and sinister. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced back and forth, rapidly pondering all that had transpired that night, sensing an underlying, eerie strangeness.
Shangguan Lin, exuding an aura of coldness, gazed intently at his Imperial Brother. He knew his brother must be anxious at this moment.
The deceased was a subordinate of the Northern Crown Prince. If they did not produce the culprit, the Northern Crown Prince might not be appeased, and their relationship with Northern Yan would become strained.
In such a scenario, facing encirclement from three sides would be dire. Therefore, this assassination incident must be thoroughly investigated.
The surroundings were silent. The night wind blew, piercingly cold.
Suddenly, the sound of orderly footsteps echoed. Soon, a troop of men appeared before them—Song Yuan, the commander of the imperial guards, leading a contingent.
Upon seeing the Emperor standing in the open space, with the injured and deceased having vanished, clearly taken by the Northern Crown Prince, and the Emperor's face contorted with extreme displeasure, his tightly pursed lips indicating he was on the verge of uncontrollable rage, Song Yuan dared not delay.
He knelt on one knee, supporting himself with one hand, and reported cautiously.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate tracked the assassins and discovered they entered Qingfeng Pavilion. Your subordinate dared not trespass into Qingfeng Pavilion and was preparing to bring the injured individuals to Your Majesty."
It turned out Song Yuan had led men in pursuit of the assassins, tracking them into Qingfeng Pavilion, which was the residence of Master Xi Menyao.
The Emperor had issued a decree forbidding anyone from disturbing Master Xi Men. Therefore, Song Yuan dared not act on his own, intending to report to his superior before making any further plans.
Upon hearing Song Yuan's words, Shangguan Yao remained silent for a long time. His eyes were unfathomably deep, and a cold smile touched his lips. He waved his hand, ordering, "Immediately lead men to Qingfeng Pavilion to search for the culprits. Furthermore, arrest Xi Menyao and confine him to the Ministry of Justice’s prison under strict guard."
When the Emperor finished speaking, Prince Shangguan Lin thought he had misheard. He blinked hard, staring at his Imperial Brother's face.
What did his Imperial Brother's words mean? Arresting Xi Menyao and imprisoning him? Hadn't he always respected Xi Menyao's talent and wished to utilize him? Why was he now turning his back on him so callously and intending to imprison him?