wait

After finishing his medicine, Tang Qi lay face down on the bed, his fists clenched together as usual, comfortably using his head as a pillow. He had dismissed Hu Xingche, leaving him alone in the room.

He calmly continued to ponder what had just happened. Although he spoke to Cheng Junshi, the doubts he expressed were genuinely felt by Tang Qi.

If the late emperor had known he was ill, he would not have chosen to send his father on a northern expedition at that time. Therefore, it is very likely that the late emperor's death at that time was not due to illness as rumored in the palace. On the contrary, it is highly likely that he died for some unspeakable reason.

As for the former crown prince—

In fact, Tang Qi didn't have a deep impression of this person, after all, he himself was not very old at that time. But the only thing Tang Qi remembered was that the former crown prince had a very high reputation, had many supporters among the people, and was a rare prince who was both literate and martial.

Tang Qi could only recall a few words about the crown prince, and the only impression he had of him was from the military camp.

Military camp? Tang Qi suddenly paused. It seemed that he first met the former Crown Prince at the Wolf Strategy military camp.

He was not even ten years old at the time. He secretly ran to the military camp and was caught and scolded half to death by his father. Later, it seems that the former crown prince stepped in to save him from Tang Mian's clutches.

Moreover, if Tang Qi remembered correctly, he recalled being picked up by the former Crown Prince.

He blinked, wondering what kind of bizarre plot was this, where "I used to hold you when you were little"?

His father had a good relationship with the late Crown Prince, and the two went on several campaigns together. The reform of the Wolf Strategy and the division of the country into four major camps were also promoted by the late Crown Prince.

In today's terms, his father was definitely a princeling back then.

so--

Did Emperor Ming only begin to suppress his father after ascending the throne? In the factional struggle, his father was the loser, and since the crown prince did not succeed to the throne, it was understandable that his father was suppressed by His Majesty.

But his father lives far away from the capital and rarely participates in court struggles except when summoned. Under such circumstances, why would His Majesty want to kill him? What is the reason?

Surely it couldn't be because his father publicly rebuked His Majesty for changing his orders frequently and being incompetent, thus causing His Majesty to lose face?

Tang Qi suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

What if his father had said more than just those things back then?

The Crown Prince died of illness, and the late emperor appointed the Third Prince as the heir apparent. At that time, his father was on a distant expedition to the northern frontier. When he returned from a near-death experience, he found that his loyal monarch and close friend had both passed away. The Third Prince, who had no wisdom or virtue at the time, was appointed as the heir apparent. What would he have thought and done at that time?

Tang Qi continued to ponder. If he were Tang Mian, he would definitely—doubt the truth behind the double deaths.

The former crown prince was not sickly, so how could he have died of illness? If he were Tang Mian, he would not believe such an explanation, and what Tang Mian would do would be to investigate the truth.

Tang Mian's investigation would only harm the interests of the newly enthroned Third Prince, which is why His Majesty was in a hurry to confer titles and establish a mansion on him and drive his father out of Jingzhou.

Tang Qi suddenly felt that she had figured out a lot of things, and her heart was beating faster and faster.

If things continue like this, what will happen when his father arrives in Los Angeles? Will he accept the fact, or will he still have doubts and continue to investigate?

Based on Tang Qi's understanding of his father, he would most likely choose the latter.

If it is the latter, then he has been investigating the deaths of the late emperor and his close friend. So, this year, he suddenly submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that His Majesty send him on a southern expedition. Could it be that he has actually discovered something?

Tang Qi frowned slightly as a scene from long ago suddenly popped into his mind.

—Qin Jianzhi.

After Tang Qi brought back his father's letter, his mother cried. Qin Jianzhi knew at that time that Tang Mian would die, but how did she know? It's very likely because she knew what Tang Mian had been doing all these years, and she also knew why he had submitted his memorial to the Emperor.

Of course, she also knew that Tang Mian was on a one-way trip and would likely die.

Upon receiving that letter, Qin Jianzhi knew that even the last glimmer of hope for survival was gone, and everything was completely over.

Tang Qi then recalled what Qin Jianzhi had told him earlier.

"No matter what happens in the future, you must not harbor any evil thoughts. The Tang family belongs to the Shuo Dynasty."

It turned out that Qin Jianzhi had already begun to warn him back then. However, Tang Qi at the time did not understand the meaning behind his words at all.

If this is His Majesty's reason for insisting on killing his father, then everything makes sense.

It is highly likely that someone interfered with His Majesty's death back then, and even the death of the former Crown Prince may have had other hidden reasons.

But what exactly did his father find out? Tang Qi frowned as he recalled the events of the past, hoping to find some clues, but he couldn't think of anything at all, not a single lead.

Tang Qi sighed again. It seemed that if he wanted to know what happened back then, he would have to start investigating from the beginning.

Hu Xingche, who was eavesdropping outside the door with one ear, looked completely bewildered. Tang Qi hadn't said a word in a short time, but had sighed several times in a row, which puzzled Hu Xingche. When did his boss become so sentimental?

Forget it, it's best not to bother him now.

Hu Xingche had just withdrawn his eavesdropping ears and turned around when he was startled by the person standing behind him.

"Cheng...Cheng...Cheng Shaoqing?"

Why did Cheng Shaoqing, who had just left, suddenly turn back? Looking at his expression—Cheng Junshi's face had returned to its usual cold and stern look, with even his brows slightly furrowed. Hu Xingche felt a jolt in his heart: Could it be that he came to seek revenge on his boss?

Upholding the spirit of sacrifice that everyone has a responsibility to protect their boss, Hu Xingche stood up straight at the door and said in a solemn voice, "Greetings, Young Master Cheng!"

The sound was so loud that it was impossible for Tang Qi, who was behind the door, not to hear it.

Hu Xingche swallowed hard: "Boss, the people are here for revenge. That's all I can warn you about. Don't worry, I'll definitely guard this door for you!"

Perhaps remembering Tang Qi's comment that he had a sour face and an unapproachable demeanor that had blocked many people's chances to get close to him, Cheng Junshi paused for a moment. He wanted to change his unlikable appearance, so he slowly cracked his lips and revealed what he thought was an extremely gentle and heartwarming smile in the face of Hu Xingche's resolute gaze.

However, Hu Xingche, who witnessed the whole thing, slowly swallowed and stared wide-eyed:

This is terrifying! The young master wants to kill me! Boss, I can't take it anymore!

"Boss! Someone's looking for you!" Hu Xingche said, then disappeared like the wind.

Tang Qi caused this mess, so let him clean it up himself.

Seeing Hu Xingche running so fast, Cheng Junshi frowned again: Was he infected by his smile?

He took two steps toward the door, and as soon as he pushed it open, he heard Tang Qi snort coldly. When he looked up again, Tang Qi had already turned her head completely away.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Cheng Junshi scratched his head. He didn't know how to explain it to Tang Qi. He couldn't very well tell him that he had run away because he was too excited, could he?

Cheng Junshi sat back down next to him, remaining quiet for a while before saying to Tang Qi, "Do you have doubts about the late emperor's death?"

Tang Qi remained silent.

"You don't think the claim of death by illness is credible?"

Tang Qi remained silent.

Whom are you suspecting?

Tang Qi kept turning her head away and ignoring him until Cheng Junshi called out in a drawn-out tone, "Tang Qi," with utter helplessness.

"Oh, so you still remember someone like me?" Tang Qi finally turned around and looked at Cheng Junshi with a sarcastic tone: "Shaoqing, you've already run away, why are you coming back? Anyway, it doesn't matter if my injury hurts a little. It's just applying medicine to my hand, it's not going to kill me."

"Don't do this, I didn't mean it." Cheng Junshi sat properly to the side, apologizing sincerely in a deep voice.

Tang Qi frowned and turned her head away, but her shoulders began to shake.

Cheng Junshi had been looking down, waiting for Tang Qi to speak, but when he saw that Tang Qi hadn't said anything for a long time, he looked up and saw Tang Qi's shoulders shrugging. Cheng Junshi was immediately stunned.

"You...you...I really didn't run away on purpose, I did it because—"

"Pfft, hahahahaha—"

Tang Qi finally couldn't hold back her laughter and burst out laughing. After she had laughed enough, she slowly turned her head to look at Cheng Junshi, her eyebrows curving into a smile, and said, "Cheng Wang, how come you are still so easily fooled? Who would get angry for such a reason?"

Tang Qi found it funny to see Cheng Junshi explaining to her so seriously. How could someone be so rigid? It was clearly not his fault, but he insisted on taking the blame for her to feel comfortable.

Seeing Tang Qilang's laughing face, Cheng Junshi was first taken aback, but then realized that he was deliberately lying to him and he also lowered his head and chuckled softly.

Never mind, it's good that he's alright.

"But to be honest, I just thought about it carefully, and the late emperor's death was definitely not that simple. Who was the historian before, and why was the record of this event so careless? If I have the chance, it would be really necessary to check the historical records from that time." Tang Qi became serious again.

After Cheng Junshi fled in a panic, he calmed down and went over what Tang Qi had told him in his mind. Tang Qi's suspicions were not without reason, which is why he came back to continue the discussion with him.

“Historical positions are usually inherited by families. The current historian is named Xi Kai. If we trace back further, the historian during the late emperor’s time should be Xi Kai’s ancestor,” Cheng Junshi replied after thinking for a moment.

"Xi Kai?" Tang Qi looked up at Cheng Junshi. "A family that can become a court historian must be at least a well-known family, if not a prestigious one, and have accumulated wealth over several decades. The Xi family doesn't seem to be any famous family, does it?"

"By the time of Xi Kai, how many generations of historians have there been?" Tang Qi asked.

Cheng Junshi shook his head; he hadn't paid any attention to that.

"However, if you really want to check the historical records from that time, I do have a way."

Tang Qi's eyes lit up: "Really?!"

Cheng Junshi nodded and smiled as he explained, "All the historical records kept by the historians are sealed in the palace's secret archives. His Majesty recently sent me to retrieve Zhang Dong's case file, overturn it, and revise it. After the revision is completed, there will be an opportunity to enter the inner cabinet to store the secret case. If you want to check historical materials, that will be the best opportunity."

As soon as Cheng Jun finished speaking, Tang Qi's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but feel excited.

He suddenly understood what the phrase "I'd give you my life" meant in those storybooks. He used to think it was an exaggeration, but when he actually met Tang Qi, he just wanted to roar to the sky: I'm willing!

If he could really get into the cabinet to investigate old cases, even if Cheng Junshi slit his throat, Tang Qi wouldn't have a single complaint.

Tang Qi swore—no, Tang Qi swore a solemn oath—that he would never again speak ill of Cheng Junshi behind his back.

Seeing Tang Qi's eager look, Cheng Junshi first poured cold water on him: "I'm not some benevolent philanthropist. If you want me to take you in, you have to promise me one thing."

"What is it? Speak! I'll do whatever you say!" Tang Qi didn't care what conditions Cheng Junshi might offer; she was focused on this wonderful surprise.

“If you still find nothing after you’ve finished your investigation in the cabinet this time,” Cheng Junshi paused for a moment before continuing to look at Tang Qi and said, “you must completely dispel any doubts about this matter.”

“I know what you’re doubting,” Cheng Junshi said calmly, “but it’s impossible.”

“He may have really made mistakes, and I also think it’s wrong to do so to you, to General Tang, or to Lang Ce, but that doesn’t mean you can base your suspicions on him without reason. At least, he is His Majesty.”

Cheng Junshi was really smart. Before Tang Qi had even said anything, Cheng Junshi had already seen through everything Tang Qi was thinking.

Besides this reason, another reason Cheng Junshi agreed to bring Tang Qi into the cabinet was that he knew Tang Qi's temperament. If he wasn't allowed to investigate thoroughly, Tang Qi would definitely try every means to do so. Given Tang Qi's madness, things could easily get out of control, and Cheng Junshi could not allow the scene in the main hall to repeat itself.

"Okay, I promise you. If we still can't find anything, I'll give up completely, stop caring about anything, and stay far away from Jingzhou and Luocheng. I'll just find a place to till the land and do simple work like an ordinary person." Tang Qi also laughed out loud: "Anyway, didn't you say that someone like me wouldn't starve to death no matter which street I'm thrown on?"