"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. Every word I am about to say is true, but this matter is of great importance. It not only involves His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but also all the princes. I feel really pressured!" Kong Boda's voice was full of helplessness and panic.
Emperor Wen was furious. "How can this be? You are my eyes and ears! How could you be afraid of these heirs? Tell me now! I must investigate this matter thoroughly! Stand up and answer!"
Kong Boda buried his head, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. He slowly stood up from the ground and recounted the story of Xiao Shizi and his group's journey to Jiangnan in detail...
After listening to Kong Boda's words, Emperor Wen remained silent for a long time before speaking: "In that case, they just happened to run into the Third Brother's men in Luoxia Town, and happened to encounter the Crown Prince's influence in the martial arts world! Xiao Jinghan has grown a lot, and his performance this time is truly remarkable!"
Emperor Wen sighed, "An Qingke is such a reckless man! He actually allowed the An family army to infiltrate the Prime Minister's men..."
After he finished speaking, his eyes instantly turned extremely cold: "How dare the Crown Prince attack An Junyuan! He even dared to try to control the An family army! This is simply lawless!"
Kong Boda hesitated for a long time before finally mustering up the courage to speak: "When Prince Xiao and his group were heading to Jiangnan, I seemed to...saw traces of Blood Shadow and Dark Moon Fairy..."
Emperor Wen's expression remained unchanged. He responded coldly, "They were merely hired by Luo Lingzhang to protect them! My Crown Prince and Crown Princess actually attempted to murder Luo Xiaoqi! They truly are a match made in heaven for a vicious husband and wife! Li Mingfu actually managed to raise such a good daughter! She's as vicious as the Crown Prince!"
Kong Boda lightly beckoned the secret guards kneeling on the ground with his finger, and these well-trained secret guards quietly and silently left the room like ghosts.
Emperor Wen closed his eyes and asked calmly, "How many people already know about this?"
Kong Boda lowered his voice and replied solemnly, "So far, the Crown Prince has learned of the Third Prince's actions, and the Third Prince is also aware of the Crown Prince's actions. In addition, the other princes also know a little about what happened between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince! Not only that, the Wise King, the Imperial Censor Sun Zhi, and several Shangshu Lords have all learned of this matter. What's more, the ladies in the harem..."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wen's pupils suddenly contracted, his brows furrowed tightly, and he asked, "Then who spread this news?"
Kong Boda pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The Crown Prince and the other princes all investigated the truth through their own agents. As for the Wise King, the Imperial Censor Sun Zhi, and the Ministers, they received information relayed by Blood Shadow. As for the concubines in the harem..." At this point, Kong Boda suddenly stopped talking, not daring to continue. He knew full well that since ancient times, interference from the harem in state affairs was a taboo...
Emperor Wen snorted coldly, his tone filled with undisguised anger. "The person who poisoned An Junyuan must be that Madam Liu's nephew, right? I think I'll have to go to Kunning Palace tonight... I bet this news has spread like wildfire throughout the capital!"
Emperor Wen's face was utterly gloomy. He gripped the jade ring on his right thumb with his left fingers and began to twist it vigorously. As the jade ring scraped against his fingers, he spoke coldly, "Immediately convey my order. Order all secret guards to hunt down Blood Shadow with all their might! Anyone who finds him will be executed immediately without reporting! Who could have given a mere assassin such courage to meddle in the royal succession dispute?"
Kong Boda's eyes flickered, and after a moment's hesitation, he spoke: "Your Majesty! Blood Shadow's martial arts are too powerful. With the strength of us secret guards, I'm afraid we are no match for him!"
Emperor Wen's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile. He said in a firm tone, "Martial arts matters must be resolved by those within the martial arts world! Immediately take out the gold and hire Dark Moon Enchantress to kill Blood Shadow! As long as the gold is sufficient, there's no problem in killing him!"
Emperor Wen waved to Kong Boda, signaling him to leave. Kong Boda saluted, then quickly turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the darkness...
Emperor Wen pondered for a moment, then turned and summoned Gao Rui, instructing him, "Let's go! Follow me to Kunning Palace! Also, tell Ma Wei to bring the imperial guards with you!"
Eunuch Gao frowned, wondering to himself, "Why would the Emperor bring his guards with him to the Empress's chambers in the dead of night, amidst a thunderstorm? What on earth is going on?" He sighed softly, helplessly obeying.
Eunuch Gao then summoned Ma Wei and conveyed Emperor Wen's order. Ma Wei, not daring to delay, immediately led the imperial guards and followed closely behind, heading towards Kunning Palace with Emperor Wen.
On the way, Ma Wei asked Eunuch Gao in a very low voice, "Eunuch Gao! I wonder if His Majesty is angry tonight?"
Eunuch Gao also lowered his voice and responded, "Commander Ma, please be careful when doing things. Just follow His Majesty's orders. Don't bother with anything else! Ugh! This awful weather! I wonder if there will be thunder tomorrow morning!"
Ma Wei lowered his voice again and said, "It's raining and windy right now! I'm afraid tomorrow won't be any easier!"
Eunuch Gao sighed heavily and said, "Let's get through today first before we think about tomorrow! Commander Ma, remember to tell your men to keep their mouths shut!"
Ma Wei nodded repeatedly and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Gao, for your reminder!"
Emperor Wen arrived at the gate of Kunning Palace with a gloomy face, followed by a group of aggressive imperial guards who quickly surrounded the palace. The empress led a group of palace maids and eunuchs to kneel on the ground, and the whole scene was extremely solemn.
Emperor Wen quickly stepped forward and personally helped the empress to her feet, but he did not signal anyone else to stand. His eyes were cold and sharp, staring straight at the empress, as if he wanted to see through every corner of her heart.
Emperor Wen asked in a cold voice, "Empress, Aunt Liu has been by your side since you came to the Li Mansion, right?"
The queen's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Just now, she received news from Li Mingfu, saying that Liu Lin's actions had been exposed and he had chosen to commit suicide.
Despite the turmoil in her heart, the Queen tried to calm herself down and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Nanny Liu is indeed my wet nurse."
Emperor Wen sneered and said sarcastically, "Did you know that she has a nephew serving in the An family army?"
The queen lowered her eyes and responded cautiously, "I don't know about this. Ever since Madam Liu joined the Li family, she has severed all ties with the Liu family." Her tone was calm and firm, trying to convince Emperor Wen that she knew nothing about the matter.
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