Chen Zhennan exuded a powerful aura, which frightened Xiang Hao so much that he knelt down on the ground with a "plop".
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I'm telling you everything. There is indeed someone plotting in secret, but I am not the mastermind!"
Seeing this, Chen Zhennan took a deep breath. He had only guessed, but he hadn't expected that he would actually be right.
Chen Zhennan's eyes darted around as he looked at the civil and military officials behind him, all of whom wore expressions of surprise.
Coughing, Chen Zhennan said loudly, "Shiyu, take them out and tell them what to do according to my orders in Beijing."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu sheathed his sword, then asked Wang Xiao to make way, and led the officials who were eager to watch the drama unfold away from Yanming Palace.
Everyone else had left, leaving only Chen Zhennan, Song Yunyang, Jiang Bo, and Xiang Hao.
"Xiang Hao, you said someone is plotting something in the shadows. What are they plotting?"
Xiang Hao slowly raised his head, swallowed hard, and slowly explained, "Actually, I don't know what I'm planning, but the target is you. The ambush on you before was also part of the plan."
Xiang Hao spoke very quickly, clearly trying to persuade Chen Zhennan to abandon his murderous intent and beg for a way out.
Although Chen Zhennan was surprised, his expression did not change.
Jiang Bo, however, looked incredulous. As a prince, he had always been the one flattered and fawned over, and had never seen anyone dare to take advantage of him.
"In Beirong City, besides you, who else conspired with you? And who is the mastermind behind it all?"
Xiang Hao shook his head slightly, pondering as he explained, "I don't know if there are others in the court, and I've never met the person who plotted this. It's a very mysterious organization. Every three days, or when there's new information about you, someone will come to find me, and each time it's a different person."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan frowned slightly. Such a mysterious style of operation was even more secretive than his own special forces.
“Interesting. I really want to meet this mastermind. Mysterious organization? No secret organization is in my sight.”
Chen Zhennan's words were filled with confidence, and at the same time, he was very interested and wanted to meet this secret organization right now.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Zhennan reached out and helped Xiang Hao up, his expression softening.
"Xiang Hao, I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself through good deeds. Do you want it?"
Upon hearing that there was a way out, Xiang Hao nodded eagerly, his face filled with longing.
"Yes, I am willing to do anything the Emperor says. I want to atone for my crimes by performing meritorious service."
“Hmm,” Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, pointing to the dragon desk on the imperial steps, “Write down everything you know now, don’t miss any details. I’ll send you to the prison later, make it a complete charade. I want to see if these people will save you, and if they do manage to get you out, you’ll be very happy, won’t you?”
Upon hearing this, Xiang Hao felt a deep sense of threat and quickly shook his head.
"Your Majesty, I will absolutely not plot with them again. Please rest assured, I will not seek death."
Xiang Hao remembered to pledge his loyalty, but Chen Zhennan didn't react much.
"Xiang Hao, I don't care what others say, I only care what they do. As long as you can redeem yourself this time, I'll still make you the Minister of Works. You're quite capable, it would be a shame to kill you."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Hao hurriedly turned around and walked quickly toward the dragon's desk.
His movements were slightly tense, but more so obedient. He picked up a pen and paper, took a deep breath, and began to write.
The pen danced across the paper, the ink flowing with his memories, each word carrying his fear of that mysterious organization.
Chen Zhennan slowly turned to look at Jiang Bo and said calmly, "From now on, your status as a prince will be retained, and your salary will remain unchanged, but you are not allowed to leave the capital. Is this a good result?"
Jiang Bo's heart sank, but he knew this was the best outcome and the last act of leniency Chen Zhennan had shown him.
He dared not ask for anything more, and could only lower his head, his voice trembling slightly: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
After speaking, Jiang Bo slowly turned around and walked out of Yanming Palace step by step, heading back to his palace under the guard of the Imperial Guards.
Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, turned around and walked to Xiang Hao's side. Looking at the words he wrote, his heart was filled with turmoil.
Xiang Hao wrote in great detail, but Chen Zhennan's brows furrowed more and more, because there was not much truly valuable information in this document.
"It seems this mysterious organization is truly elusive; this is all the useful information we have?"
Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's question, Xiang Hao quickly stood up straight and explained, "Your Majesty, that's all I know, absolutely true."
"Um."
Chen Zhennan reached out and picked up the paper, handing it to Song Yunyang and instructing her, "Keep it safe and study it carefully when you get back. I want to find some more useful clues from here."
Song Yunyang nodded emphatically and reached into her sleeve to stuff the paper inside.
"Xiang Hao, you'll have to stay in jail for a while. I'll send someone to check on you every day. If there are any new clues, you must tell my people immediately."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Hao, though reluctant to go to prison, had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Xiang Hao was sent to prison, while Chen Zhennan took Song Yunyang to the harem.
To Chen Zhennan's surprise, these concubines still lived here. Despite losing the emperor's favor, they maintained an orderly life.
Chen Zhennan was torn between two conflicting emotions. He didn't want to arouse Song Yunyang's suspicion by keeping these innocent women alive, nor did he want to kill them all, as that would leave him feeling uneasy.
Song Yunyang walked softly to Chen Zhennan's side and said gently, "Brother Nan, these women are also victims. Why don't we let them choose for themselves? Those who want to leave the palace can go, and those who don't want to leave can stay, but they are absolutely not allowed to leave the palace to avoid spreading rumors."
Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Chen Zhennan's eyes; this was indeed a win-win solution.
"Yunyang, you always give me the best advice."
Immediately, Chen Zhennan ordered the eunuchs and palace maids to question each of the concubines, giving them the right to choose freely.
The news caused an uproar in the palace.
Some of the concubines chose to leave this prison and pursue a new life.
Some chose to stay and continue their peaceful lives.
Regardless of their choices, they are all filled with gratitude towards Chen Zhennan and Song Yunyang.
As Chen Zhennan led Song Yunyang forward, he always felt that someone was watching him from behind, and the distance wasn't very far.
"Brother Nan, I feel something's not right. It seems like someone is watching us."
Chen Zhennan frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "I have the same feeling. Let's not alert them. It might be true."
"The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. Are we safe? What should we do next?"
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