Chapter 265: House Search
Emperor Zhaowen was a suspicious person. If he found out that Jiang Rufei was still alive in the palace, he would definitely become suspicious. He might even suspect that there was something fishy about the eldest prince's plot to surround and kill Pei Jing.
"It seems that the emperor still doubts me." Pei Jing said casually.
Emperor Zhaowen frowned, "What are you talking about? I said that this time, the search will not leave out any of the prince's residences, and it's not just you who will be investigated."
Pei Jing said, "But I am not a prince. I am not the only prince in the capital. Is Your Majesty investigating the others?"
Emperor Zhaowen was choked by his question. "If you are innocent, why not investigate? It will clear all suspicions and leave others speechless, avoiding future rumors and unnecessary trouble."
Pei Jing smiled, but his hands clenched tightly under his sleeves. "This is a good opportunity. If anyone throws a bag of poison into your house, I will be the one who did it."
"How dare you!" Emperor Zhaowen said in a deep voice, "Those who were searched were my personal guards. Who dares to tamper with anything under my nose?"
"Really?" Pei Jing slowly straightened his sleeves. "Aren't the guards guarding Chongli Hall also the emperor's personal guards? How did the eldest prince get poisoned?"
Emperor Zhaowen's expression changed again and again. "I know you have resentment in your heart, but at this point, only a thorough investigation can convince the people. If nothing is found, then everyone will be at peace. Don't worry too much, just wait and see."
Pei Jing lowered his eyes, "Then I have nothing to say, but if anyone dares to tamper with my house..."
He raised his head, his eyes slightly raised, and said with a mad look, "I will drag him to hell with me."
Emperor Zhaowen was actually shocked by his look. He had been in power for a long time and was used to flattery or awe, but he had rarely seen such straightforward and ruthless behavior with a determination to destroy himself and his family. He even forgot to react for a moment.
After a moment's pause, Emperor Zhaowen waved his hand and said, "Everyone, leave."
Everyone left one after another, leaving only Pei Yi, who was still unable to get up, and the people who were taking care of him.
He couldn't help but smile, "It seems that Pei Jing's house is indeed hiding something that cannot be revealed."
Because of the poisoning incident, the people serving Pei Yi were replaced by his close confidants who usually served him.
"What does your Highness mean?"
"Why else would he be so furious?" Pei Yi's tone lightened. "As soon as the emperor said he would investigate, he rushed to make harsh remarks. Isn't this just admitting his guilt?"
"It seems that we don't even need to bother framing him. If we add fuel to the fire, he'll lose his composure first. Then, all we have to do is wait and see."
The loyalist said, "Then let's just wait and see what happens?"
Pei Yi thought for a moment and said, "There's still one person I must get rid of."
He waved his hand and asked his confidant to come closer and whisper, "You go..."
…
The rain was still falling, hitting the glazed tiles and shrouding the deep palace in a damp and gloomy atmosphere.
Pei Jing sat alone in the room, which was the residence specially arranged by Emperor Zhaowen for him to rest temporarily in the palace.
In the silence that filled the room, even the sound of rain outside the window seemed to be amplified several times, disturbing people and making them uneasy.
My ears are filled with the sound of rain. At first, the sound was just a whisper behind my back, but gradually, it seemed to carry weight and penetrate into my heart.
Pei Jing felt as if his heart was soaked by the continuous rain, wet, cold and heavy. As the rain continued to fall, the feeling of heaviness became stronger and stronger, almost sinking to the bottom of his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.
She is at home and he has to go out.
Once this thought came to mind, I could no longer suppress it.
Pei Jing stood up and walked out without warning. Just as he reached the door of the hall, a gray figure suddenly flashed in and grabbed Pei Jing's wrist.
A flash of lightning struck, and a pale light suddenly poured in.
The man had his back to the light, his body forming a blurry mass, his face hidden in heavy shadows, making it impossible to see his features clearly.
The person who came in said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please don't be impulsive."
Pei Jing raised his eyes suddenly, "She's still outside."
The gray-robed man noticed his arm trembling, but he didn't let go. "Can you break out of the palace alone? The palace is heavily guarded, and the force outside has also been reinforced. If Your Highness forces his way in, you won't be able to protect others, and you won't be able to protect yourself either."
Pei Jing froze.
The man tried to console him, "Your Highness has always been clear-headed. He would have understood all these key points easily. But he's been too concerned. Please calm down and think about it. If you act impulsively now, you'll fall into their trap."
"They're eager for you to lose your composure and make a mistake, so they can prove you have something to hide. With the prince here, there's still room for maneuver. If something happens to you first, then the situation in the mansion will be truly hopeless."
The last sentence was like a basin of cold water, pouring on Pei Jing's surging worry and anger, and that desperate impulse gradually extinguished.
His chest heaved violently several times, and the redness in his eyes had not faded, leaving only deep depression and helplessness.
Yes, what can he do? This is the palace.
"...Is there no news from the mansion at all?" Pei Jing asked in a hoarse voice.
The man shook his head. "To dare to poison the prince in the palace, under the Emperor's nose, is clearly stroking the dragon's whiskers. The Emperor is serious this time."
Pei Jing remained silent, moved heavily to the chair and sat down, his knuckles resting on his forehead.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Someone did it on purpose. This poisoning was planned from beginning to end. Whoever benefits the most from this will be the most suspicious."
The man in gray felt something in his heart and asked tentatively, "Your Highness, do you suspect that Prince Jing Pei Yi is setting this up with you?"
Pei Jing raised his eyes, a chill surging in his eyes, "If it really is him, he would really be able to be cruel to me."
"The struggle for the throne is a bloody one, with many dangers. At this point, when it comes to sacrificing one's loved ones and oneself, who would show mercy?"
The man sighed and said, "I can't stay here for long. I have to leave first to avoid being discovered."
He was about to leave after he finished speaking, but just as he reached the door, he heard Pei Jing's voice behind him.
"Why are you helping me?"
The man in gray stopped and said, "Why? I've already told you. It's to repay a favor."
…
The rain showed no sign of abating, but instead intensified. The gloomy sky hung low, as if ready to collapse at any moment, completely engulfing the capital.
A burst of rapid and dense horse hoofbeats broke the rain curtain, and hundreds of royal guards in armor and weapons surrounded the palace.
"The emperor has ordered a search! Open the door!" The commander of the imperial guards, Chen Tiejiang, shouted sternly, raising his hand to show the imperial token.
The doorman's heart skipped a beat and he quickly opened the door. But before he could say anything, he was pushed away by the guards and staggered aside.
The Royal Guards poured into the courtyard like a tide, their iron boots stepping on the water-logged bluestone slabs, making a dull and frequent clanging sound, mixed with the sound of the rain, like countless heavy hammers hitting people's hearts.
A servant, braving the rain, scrambled into Xiesongzhai and shouted, "Oh no! Someone's coming! They're going to search the house!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
