As dawn approached, it grew increasingly cold.

The Yeting Palace is about five hectares in size, and there are several thousand people here. It would take some time to dig three feet into the ground.

Although we won't dig everything up, if someone shouts that a certain spot can't be touched, we'll check it seven or eight times. We'll start digging as soon as we see the slightest clue. If we really can't leave it, we'll write it down and ask who can vouch for it, and then come back next time.

Who would dare to guarantee this at this point?

So about half of it has been flipped, and it looks quite messy.

They were flipping through it with great enthusiasm.

Huan Yue observed that some people were eager to make a name for themselves; there were always those with ulterior motives and audacity.

Huiqing brought a cloak; put on another one, it's cold standing here.

People dress warmly these days.

The feet were cold, so blankets were laid on the ground to keep out the chill; and since there were many people around, fans were used to block the wind.

So it's not so cold standing in the middle.

The event wasn't particularly grand, which led to misunderstandings.

A little while later, the Grand Secretary, the King of Song, the King of Wu, and others arrived.

Although it's a matter within the palace, it's also a matter for the entire nation. Ordinary people shouldn't get close to it, and we still have to be careful around it right now.

None of the concubines from the harem came over; instead, they stayed in their respective places.

Xie Jian and Wen Miao came over, and then they saw Qing Xiu swaying over, looking just like a second Su Shi.

I glance at her now.

"Your Majesty..." she said, feeling utterly aggrieved.

The emperor decreed: "Stay in the palace until you give birth."

Just like this morning, it's especially cold; I can bear it without even getting angry at her.

The eunuchs hurriedly dragged Qingxiu away.

One can't help but suspect that she has some connection with the Yeting Palace and that she might try to influence the emperor through her.

"Your Highness Huan..." Qingxiu could only plead with her.

The eunuchs weren't afraid of the child in Qingxiu's belly anymore; they covered her mouth and forcibly dragged her away.

Over there, a group of servants dug up a basement where a group of people had just died.

The eunuch went over to take a look. Although it was very uncomfortable, the emperor was there, so everyone had to endure it.

A moment later, the eunuch returned and reported to the emperor: "Six people have died, probably by suicide out of fear of punishment. Two of them should not be in the palace, and the youngest is sixteen years old."

Another guard came to report: "Liu Cai is dead. There was a brazier in his room where some things were burned, and we could barely make out an account book."

Liu Wang, an old servant of the King of Wu, came over and knelt down: "Liu Cai is my younger brother. However, I left the palace thirty years ago and we didn't get along back then. But I never expected that he would go astray. I deserve to die."

Today, he said, "It hasn't been investigated yet. Think it over carefully and say whatever comes to mind."

Liu Wang agreed and stepped aside.

The King of Wu came over and knelt down.

Xie Zhou and Xie Jian rushed over to help their uncle up.

The King of Wu's eyes were truly red as he looked at the Emperor and asked, "Does Your Majesty still remember how Consort Shu died? I suspect that it was these people who did it?"

Awe-inspiring today!

King Wu gritted his teeth: "Isn't someone trying to sow discord between us? I forced my mother to swear an oath back then, and I endured it again and again."

The Emperor bowed to the King of Wu and said, "I am sorry to my elder brother and to Consort Shu."

The King of Wu declined, but said, "We didn't investigate further then because they fabricated too much evidence pointing directly at the Queen Mother. I was afraid that if we didn't find out the truth, the empire would be in turmoil. Now, although many people have died, I still want to investigate who it is."

Jin nodded: "Investigate! Investigate the entire city of Sheng'an!"

Grand Secretary Jiao came over and asked, "Won't this disturb the people?"

Huan Yue interjected, "How can ordinary people feel at ease if a poisonous snake is sleeping next to them? Wouldn't it be better if the truth were revealed?"

The emperor nodded: "Let me see how many complicated things are right under my nose? What is it that I cannot touch!"

The crowd stopped trying to dissuade them, only advising them to be more careful during the investigation.

The matter concerning Consort Fu is no small matter.

Because she has a good son.

When Consort Fu was said to have died of illness, various rumors circulated that the Empress Dowager was behind it. Those rumors were no less egregious than those against Huan Yue. They seemed to imply an attempt to force the Empress Dowager to commit suicide.

The Empress Dowager's preferential treatment of the Prince of Wu was also related to this.

The Fu family is also very powerful; they will definitely come to inquire about it after Consort Fu's death.

In the end, it was the King of Wu who suppressed it, because Consort Fu appeared to have died of illness, and thankfully the forgery was indistinguishable from the truth.

Behind the scenes, some people were saying things like "King Wu" and "unfilial."

The King of Wu said that the Empress Dowager was his legal mother, and what was wrong with being filial to one's legal mother? Does it make sense to kill one's birth mother and then force one's legal mother to her death?

Now it seems that if the Empress Dowager dies, the Emperor will inevitably be unable to tolerate it, and the brothers will start fighting.

If the King of Wu wins, he can be told that he has wronged the Empress Dowager. Will he still be able to stand firm?

If the emperor is filled with grief and indignation, he should continue fighting the King of Wu without further thought.

After all, the King of Wu tolerated it.

But now that we may know the truth, we must untie this knot.

Although we may not be able to find the real culprit, since there may be more than one culprit, as long as we find some clues, we can clear the Empress Dowager's name.

The Empress Dowager later became more enthusiastic about Zichan Mountain, which was related to these events.

The lieutenant general ran over and shouted, "We've discovered the longest tunnel ever!"

The King of Song was holding his breath, wondering if the royal family was being manipulated.

Some of the clever ones are just exploiting loopholes!

King Wu had to consider both filial piety and the well-being of the people.

Only the insidious, vicious, and inhumane can act with impunity.

The general reported: "The tunnel leads directly to Xuanhe Palace! There is also a side passage leading outside the palace, but it is blocked."

Huan Yue watched the dawn break, only to be met with a thunderclap?

Xuanhe Palace belonged to the Dowager Consort. Although it's not appropriate to mention her, if it's really related to her, then it's best not to say anything.

The King of Wu could eat her! Or dig her up and whip her corpse!

King Wu was filial, but how could he tolerate the hatred of killing his mother?

The Dowager Consort was merely one of his grandfather's concubines, yet she had the opportunity to come into contact with Consort Fu.

The more I think about it, the more I can't bear to think about it anymore. Like the Dowager Empress's wealth?

Even if she was forced into it, why didn't she just die?

The King of Wu requested an imperial decree: "Dig three feet into the ground at Xuanhe Palace!"

Jin Dian nodded: "Investigate that side road together!"

The King of Wu understood: "Perhaps it can be opened at any time."

Now I understand. That's one path, and there might be other paths within the palace, but this one is indeed interconnected.

The eunuch came to report: "Here are the latest letters from the Great Stone Kingdom, as well as some gems from the Great Stone Kingdom."

King Shen asked incredulously, "How long have the spies from the Kingdom of Dashi been planted in our palace?"

There is no answer.

After reading the letter written in the language of the Great Stone Kingdom, the eunuch reported to the emperor: "They say that an envoy will be sent soon, and Princess Luoshi of the Great Stone Kingdom will come disguised as the female official Luoluo."

Whether they laugh at us now or not, we'll know once the letter of state from the Great Stone Kingdom arrives.

Since the Kingdom of Da Shi is so clear about the situation of the Kingdom of Zhao, the Kingdom of Zhao should reciprocate.

The Great Zhao does have people in the Great Stone Kingdom, but there are some things they cannot access.

These things buried in the Yeting Palace can stir up trouble in the palace and even in the Great Zhao Dynasty.

Xie Zhou spoke up: "Father, shouldn't you rest for a while?"

Jin Dian nodded: "Da Lang will watch over things here."

Xie Jian accepted the order; this task was not easy.

However, with the Emperor's authority still in place, no one dared to let their guard down.

In Sheng'an City, this wind will be even fiercer than before!

Xie Jian felt that the underground tunnels of Sheng'an might really be as magical as Qing'e had said.

Who knows how many rats are hiding inside.

Even if dynasties change, they can still manage to create something by digging into the tunnels.