In the dead of night, Ying Zheng was processing memorials to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report." The wicked man strode in, his expression more serious than ever before.
"But what did you find out?" Ying Zheng put down the bamboo slip in his hand.
"Not only did we find out, we uncovered something major!" the wicked husband said in a deep voice. "The person playing the zither was Gao Jianli of the Yan Kingdom. He was a close friend of Jing Ke and colluded with Consort Sun of the Southern Palace, intending to stir up trouble in the harem!"
"What?!" Ying Zheng jumped to his feet. "Jing Ke's friend? I actually let a traitor into the palace? What is the Black Ice Guard doing?!"
"That's not all." The wicked husband produced a secret letter. "This was found by the Black Ice Guard. That Consort Sun has long harbored resentment towards the King and has been secretly plotting. Now, taking advantage of Afang's return to the palace and the Queen's pregnancy, she's deliberately stirring up trouble..."
"Insolence!" Ying Zheng slammed his hand on the table. "Back then, out of consideration for the late king, I not only spared her from punishment but also allowed her to enjoy all kinds of wealth and honor. How dare she..."
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," the wicked man said solemnly. "I believe there is more to this matter than meets the eye."
"oh?"
"Do you think Consort Sun and Gao Jianli's conspiracy was simply to create chaos in the harem?" the wicked husband pressed on. "Their true purpose is probably..."
Ying Zheng's expression changed: "You mean, they're going to harm the Queen and the child?"
"Exactly!" the wicked husband nodded. "Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin failed, and Gao Jianli must harbor resentment. Now, he's deliberately disturbing the Queen with his music, simply to make you lose your beloved son!"
"How dare you!" Ying Zheng roared in fury. "Guards! Summon the commander of the Black Ice Guard immediately..."
"Wait!" the wicked man stopped him. "Your Majesty, this matter requires further consideration."
"What's there to discuss? These traitors should be captured immediately!"
"That's true, but think about it, since they dared to set up a scheme in the palace, they must have a backup plan," the wicked man analyzed. "If we act rashly, we might alert them. Perhaps..."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Let them think the plan has succeeded for now. I've already made the arrangements; I'm just waiting for them to slip up. Then..."
A cold glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes: "Fine! As you say. However..."
He abruptly changed the subject: "The Princess's security must be strengthened; there can be absolutely no mishap, otherwise... I will live the rest of my life in agony!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured," the wicked man said confidently. "I have already mobilized the elite troops of the Black Ice Guard to protect the Queen Consort day and night. Not even a fly will be able to get close!"
......
Deep within the Southern Palace, candlelight flickered.
"Something terrible has happened!" A palace maid rushed in. "Your Highness, that wicked husband has sent people to investigate what happened that night!"
Consort Sun was in a private conversation with Gao Jianli when she heard this, and she didn't take it seriously: "Let them investigate, they won't find anything anyway."
"No..." the palace maid bit her lip, "They seem to already know something. Just now, the people from the Black Ice Guard were searching the courtyard, and they mentioned Jing..."
"Shut up!" Gao Jianli stood up abruptly, his face grim. "That name, how dare you utter it?"
The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground: "This servant deserves to die..."
"Alright." Consort Sun waved her hand. "You may leave. Remember, you are not allowed to utter a single word about what happened tonight!"
After the palace maids had left, Gao Jianli said, "It seems they still discovered us."
"It doesn't matter," Consort Sun sneered. "Even if they knew, so what? They think they have something on us, but little do they know..."
She looked at Gao Jianli: "How are your preparations going?"
"Everything has been arranged." Gao Jianli plucked the strings of his zither, letting out a mournful cry, "We're just waiting for the right opportunity..."
"Very well!" A ruthless glint flashed in Consort Sun's eyes. "Let them be smug for a few days. Once the storm has passed, that's when we'll truly make our move!"
However, what they didn't know was that right outside the courtyard wall, a dark figure was silently recording everything.
......
The next morning, the wicked husband had just arrived at the Grand Commandant's residence when he received a secret report.
"Grand Commandant, everything has been investigated thoroughly." The commander of the Black Ice Guard presented a confidential letter. "I have recorded the conversation between Consort Sun and Gao Jianli last night. They did indeed have a backup plan!"
The wicked man quickly skimmed the secret letter, a cold glint in his eyes: "Excellent, truly excellent! Men, prepare to make your move!"
"yes!"
Before long, a large number of men in black had gathered outside the Grand Commandant's residence. The wicked man stood on the high platform, his eyes flashing like lightning: "Take your positions and await my command!"
At this moment, Nangong was still bathed in the morning light.
Just as Consort Sun got up, she heard a commotion outside.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" A palace maid rushed in, panicked. "The entire South Palace is surrounded by the Black Ice Guard!"
"What?!" Consort Sun's expression changed drastically. "Where is Gao Jianli?"
"He...he seems to have been arrested..."
"Useless!" Consort Sun gritted her teeth. "You can't even handle this small matter properly! All my years of preparation have been for nothing!"
Before she could finish speaking, the wicked husband barged in with his men: "Consort Sun, your good days are over!"
"You wicked husband!" Consort Sun shouted angrily, "Do you know what you're doing? I am the late King's..."
"Stop spouting nonsense!" the wicked husband sneered. "Conspiring with traitors and plotting rebellion—that's a capital offense! Guards, seize her!"
"Wait!" Consort Sun suddenly laughed. "You wicked husband, do you think everything will be fine just because you've captured me and Gao Jianli? Do you know..."
"Know what? Know about the spies you've planted everywhere?" the wicked husband interrupted her. "Or know about the poison you're planning to use? Don't worry, everyone who needed to be arrested has been arrested, everyone who needed to be investigated has been investigated. Your henchmen should all be reunited in prison by now!"
Consort Sun's face turned deathly pale: "You...how did you know...?"
"That's where you're wrong," the wicked husband said, shaking his head. "Stirring up trouble in this harem, daring to keep it from this Grand Commandant? You're truly courting death!"
After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "Take him away!"
The men in black swarmed forward and subdued Consort Sun in the blink of an eye.
The wicked husband stood there, watching her being led away, and let out a long sigh.
This farce has finally come to an end.
However, he knew that the real trouble was just beginning. The waters of the imperial harem were always unfathomable. Although they had captured Consort Sun and Gao Jianli this time, there was no guarantee that no one else might slip through the net.
"Increase security!" he ordered the man in black. "Especially the Princess and Miss Afang; they must be kept under close guard!"
As dawn broke, the red sun rose from the east.
The wicked husband stood on the high platform, watching the busy figures, and couldn't help but sigh: This harem is indeed a place of trouble and intrigue.
Fortunately, I'm smart and never get involved in these romantic matters!
As for the fate of Consort Sun and Gao Jianli, they were basically subjected to the most cruel torture... tortured to death!
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