Chapter 57 Father, I know the murder weapon!
Everyone returned to the Purple Palace with different feelings.
The candlelight on the gilded candlestick was still bright, but it illuminated the tense faces.
The air was filled with tension and oppression. The dancers and musicians had already left, forming a sharp contrast to the previous celebration.
Helian Cong sat upright on the dragon throne, his face frighteningly gloomy. His eyes were like sharp blades, slowly sweeping over everyone, his pupils as deep as the sea.
The hall was completely silent, with only the faint sobbing of the Sixth Prince Helian Ji remaining.
The body of Xu Jingzhen, the envoy of Southern Zhao, was covered with a white cloth and lay quietly in the center of the hall.
The guards were facing a serious enemy, holding weapons and watching everyone vigilantly, fearing that the murderer was hiding in the dark and might harm the emperor, empress and princes.
Helian Cong slapped the armrest of the dragon throne heavily, his voice cold:
"Today's birthday banquet has become the scene of an assassination! This person first used the Sixth Prince to divert attention, and then secretly attacked the Nanzhao envoy. His purpose is self-evident: he wants to destabilize Tianqi's rule! I must find the murderer and give Nanzhao an explanation!"
Then, he turned to look at Crown Prince Helian Feng:
"Prince, this matter will be handed over to you. You must thoroughly investigate the murderer!"
"Yes, Father!"
Helian Feng waved his hand, and following his orders, the guards began to interrogate and search everyone, checking whether they had any murder weapons that matched the wounds of the deceased.
The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly tense, and everyone felt the oppressive feeling of impending storm.
After a busy period, no suspicious murder weapon was found, and no clues related to the murderer were found.
People looked at each other, their eyes full of disbelief.
Although the incident of the Sixth Prince being carried up to the sky by a Kongming lantern was thrilling, it could be attributed to someone setting up a trap by taking advantage of children's playful nature.
But the murder of Xu Jingzhen was too strange.
In this dead silent hall, Xu Jingzhen's body lay there quietly, like a heavy stone weighing on everyone's heart.
"Even a flying bird leaves a shadow. How did the murderer manage to do it without anyone noticing? And where did the murder weapon go?"
Someone in the crowd murmured softly, and these words acted like a fuse, instantly igniting everyone's anxiety.
Everyone began to talk in a low voice, their faces full of fear. From time to time, they looked at the people around them vigilantly, fearing that the murderer would suddenly attack. Everyone was in danger.
Helian Cong sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face and tightly pursed lips, revealing his inner anger and irritability.
Crown Prince Helian Feng and Chu Jin were very calm at this moment. They paced in the hall without any haste, their eyes sharp as torches, not missing any clues.
Suddenly, Helian Feng's attention was attracted by the bronze ice mirror in the corner.
On the iceberg in the ice mirror, the sharp ice blade flashed coldly under the candlelight.
Helian Feng's heart moved and he tugged at Chu Jin's clothes.
Chu Jin followed his gaze and seemed to be stunned as well. The two of them looked at each other with telepathy, then quickly walked to the Bingjian and examined it carefully.
After a moment, Helian Feng turned around, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed respectfully to Helian Cong:
"Father, I know the murder weapon!"
Helian Cong's originally furrowed brows slightly raised, and a hint of surprise and expectation flashed in his eyes:
"What is it?"
Helian Feng paused and pointed to the bronze ice mirror in the corner:
"It's the sharp ice in this ice mirror!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar!
Helian Cong's eyes were also slightly shaken: "What are you going to say?"
"Father, your son and the Imperial Preceptor have inspected the iceberg and discovered that a sharp section of ice is missing. It was clearly broken off by someone. The murderer stabbed Xu Jingzhen in the body with the sharp ice, and the ice melted when it came into contact with the warm blood, thus eliminating any trace of the blade."
When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized what was going on, but a new question arose: who was the murderer?
Helian Cong's brows furrowed again, his eyes filled with solemnity.
At this time, Chu Jin took a step forward:
"Your Majesty, finding the murderer is not difficult. The ice was as sharp as a sword. In the rush to break it, the murderer must have cut his hand. There are a few drops of blood on the bottom of the ice mirror, which is evidence! Even with a magic pill, the wound would be difficult to heal in such a short time!"
When Helian Cong heard this, a hint of joy flashed across his eyes, and he immediately ordered:
"Come here, check everyone in the hall. With such a short time and the Imperial Guards guarding the hall, there's no way the murderer could have escaped!"
After Helian Feng finished his instructions, he turned away.
How could he not be angry when this originally joyous fiftieth birthday party ended in such an absurd way?
Queen Su Qinyao followed closely behind and left the Zichen Palace.
The rest of the people must stay in the hall and will only be allowed to leave after all suspicious points are cleared.
After the emperor and empress left, the atmosphere in the hall eased a lot.
Xiyan, who was standing beside Xiao Nanyan, subconsciously hid her right hand in her sleeve and her body trembled slightly.
Her subtle movement did not escape Xiao Nanyue's eyes. His dark pupils shrank slightly, and he regained his composure in an instant!
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