Chapter 430 Meeting with the Emperor
"Xixi, I'm going to see His Majesty later. This matter is serious and full of dangers. I can't let you take risks with me. So, I will let the guards take you home to ensure your safety."
Qin Qixuan said softly and firmly, and gently touched Qin Xixi's head. His tone revealed an unquestionable determination. This was not a discussion with her, but a clear notice. When
little Xixi heard this, her eyes suddenly widened, and her eyes flashed with unwillingness and disappointment. She originally thought that she could help her elder brother in this court turmoil, and even fantasized about fighting side by side with her elder brother, facing the emperor together, and uncovering the mystery of this series of bizarre events. However, reality was contrary to her expectations.
Qin Qixuan looked at his sister's lost expression, and a surge of guilt surged in his heart. But he knew very well that this storm was far more dangerous and complicated than he had imagined, and that if he was not careful, he might fall into an irretrievable situation.
He could not let his sister be in danger.
"Xixi, you have to understand that this matter now involves many forces and the situation is complicated. Once you are involved, it will be difficult to get out of it. I can't let you take this risk, you must stay away from this place of trouble."
Xixi tried to refute, she wanted to persuade Qin Qixuan to take her with him. However, no matter how she begged, Qin Qixuan remained unmoved. He knew very well that this was his responsibility to his sister, and he had to ensure her safety.
So, regardless of Xixi's opposition, he resolutely arranged for the guards to send her home.
After making arrangements for Xixi, Qin Qixuan took a deep breath and tried to calm his worries and anxieties. He turned around resolutely and walked firmly in the direction of Yu's study.
"Your Majesty, I am your humble servant." Qin Qixuan stepped into Yu's study and saluted respectfully to the emperor.
The emperor was sitting in front of Yu's desk, his brows furrowed, and he was obviously worried about the serial murders that had occurred in the palace recently. Seeing Qin Qixuan coming, the emperor looked even more anxious. He waved his hand to signal Qin Qixuan to excuse himself, and eagerly asked about the progress of the case, "My dear, is there any new progress in the case?"
Qin Qixuan knew very well that the emperor attached great importance to this case, so he did not dare to be negligent. He quickly organized his thoughts and reported the latest developments of the case to the emperor in detail.
He described the evidence, clues and inferences he had so far. Although the case itself had not made any breakthrough progress, he specifically mentioned the palace maid named Zui Lan, whose identity and behavior attracted his great attention.
During the reporting process, Qin Qixuan remained calm and objective, although he had some concerns about Zui Lan's true identity and the forces behind her. He clearly told the emperor what happened today, including Zui Lan being controlled and the poison powder hidden in her hairpin.
However, he chose to conceal the part about Qin Xixi predicting that Zui Lan would be the next palace maid to die. After all, this ability to predict the future was too incredible to be accepted by ordinary people.
"Your Majesty, as for the next victim..." Qin Qixuan paused and continued.
"Based on the clues of the previous victims, I made a series of inferences and believed that the next target would most likely be an orphan palace maid in the palace. After selecting ten palace maids who met this condition, I found the most suspicious one - Zuilan."
"This Zuilan is indeed a little unusual." Qin Qixuan explained.
"In her hairpin, I actually found poison powder. I guess the poison powder is very expensive, and it is definitely not something that an ordinary palace maid like her can afford. Therefore, I suspect that she may be someone's assassin, planted in the palace to carry out a secret mission."
At this point, Qin Qixuan had actually already guessed that Zui Lan might have some kind of connection with the emperor. After all, the power that can cultivate assassins and secretly control the affairs of the palace is definitely not comparable to ordinary court struggles.
However, he naturally couldn't say such a casual guess about the emperor's intentions directly, so he could only be vigilant in secret and continue to investigate the matter in depth.
After hearing this, the emperor was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about something. Qin Qixuan was not in a position to disturb him, so he could only wait quietly for the emperor's instructions.
After listening to Qin Qixuan's detailed and thorough report, the emperor's expression, which had originally been anxious because of the confusing case, gradually calmed down.
He looked at Qin Qixuan deeply, and his eyes unconsciously revealed his admiration and praise for him. Qin Qixuan not only has a sharp insight, but also his calmness and wit.
Since Qin Qixuan has already investigated to this point, the emperor knows that it is useless to keep it secret any longer.
The emperor took a deep breath and said slowly: "Since you have found out this much, I will no longer hide it from you. Those assassins were actually secretly cultivated by me."
The emperor's tone revealed a deep helplessness and heaviness, as if this secret had been weighing on his mind for a long time and now it was finally released.
Although Qin Qixuan had a premonition of this, he was still very shocked to hear the emperor admit it himself. He did not expect that the emperor would personally cultivate such a secret force. Qin Qixuan tried to calm his agitated mood, and then asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, judging from the current clues, most of the people killed by the murderer are the assassins you carefully trained. Since this person has such a wolfish ambition and has killed your confidants one after another, I am afraid his ultimate goal is your imperial power!"
The emperor's face sank slightly, and he was obviously touched by Qin Qixuan's words. He said with an angry face, "You are right, this person has great ambitions. He is not only challenging my authority, but also trampling on the dignity of the entire royal family! And the person I suspect now is Fu Yan."
"General Fu Yan?" Qin Qixuan was shocked, and this name stirred up thousands of waves in his heart. He naturally knew that the last person the royal relative saw before his death was Fu Yan. As the king of a country who controls the intelligence of the whole country, how could the emperor not know this?
However, although the clues seemed to point to Fu Yan, Qin Qixuan did not believe that General Fu Yan really did it. He had had many in-depth exchanges with Fu Yan and had a deep understanding of Fu Yan's loyalty, integrity and determination.
He knew that although Fu Yan was in a high position of power, it was impossible for him to have the intention of rebellion, let alone do such a treasonous thing. Although
he firmly believed in Fu Yan's innocence, Qin Qixuan also knew that he could not easily anger the emperor at this time. After all, the emperor's suspicion of Fu Yan was not groundless, and the case was of great importance. The slightest carelessness could cause unrest in the court. Therefore, Qin Qixuan buried his thoughts deeply in his heart and did not directly speak out to defend Fu Yan.