"After Lord Liu took the man back to the imperial prison, I didn't dare to follow him any further."
Yuan Zhao brought back the news, and Shen Tangning nodded: "Now that he's in the imperial prison, he'll most likely reveal everything he knows. Thank you for your hard work."
Yuan Zhao shook his head, his expression somewhat solemn: "Lord Liu must have offended someone he shouldn't have this time. When I was secretly following him, I discovered that there were also two experts following him at the same time."
Shen Tangning paused. If Yuan Zhao called him a master, then the other party must be quite skilled. Liu Yifu was probably doomed this time.
Shen Tangning frowned slightly. She had reminded Liu Yifu of the matter, but she didn't know if he had taken it to heart.
Murdering a high-ranking official is a capital offense, but with power comes many ways to make someone disappear without a trace. If you push someone too far...
Chi Yan returned home as dusk fell. During the meal, he noticed that Shen Tangning looked preoccupied and put down his chopsticks: "Why do you look so distracted? Did something happen at home?"
Shen Tangning told him about her doubts.
Chi Yan was somewhat jealous, but he was not an unreasonable person. Lord Liu had helped him before, which was an indisputable fact. Moreover, Tang Ning was open and honest, and only chose to intervene because of their relationship.
He tilted his head and pondered for a moment: "I think it's unlikely that he was assassinated."
Her eyes flickered slightly: "Why?"
He spread his hands, frowned, and analyzed, "His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation and entrusted Lord Liu with an important task. If we kill him at this juncture, it will only arouse His Majesty's suspicion, and it will be difficult to end the situation."
Even if the power behind them is immense, can it be greater than the emperor?
If Emperor Chongde were truly determined to investigate, the person behind it would inevitably suffer serious damage. It's not worth it just for a mere Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
Shen Tangning listened with a thoughtful expression, staring intently at him: "Then if it were you, what would you choose to do?"
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes gleaming with a carefree smile, exuding a charmingly roguish air: "If it were me, I would find a way to smear him, sow discord between His Majesty and him, and leave him isolated and helpless."
He paused, then raised an ambiguous lip: "What will happen to a loyal minister who doesn't associate with any faction if he loses the emperor's trust?"
Shen Tangning suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
——
Inside the imperial prison, Fang Wenxu was tied to a wooden stake, his face deathly pale.
The screams were deafening. He was on edge. They said the Imperial Prison was like a living hell, and it certainly lived up to its reputation.
Liu Yifu prepared paper and pen, looked up at him and said, "Now, I will ask you a question and you will answer it. You must not hide anything, understand?"
Fang Wenxu's forehead was soaked with cold sweat, and he nodded repeatedly: "Please ask, sir!"
His extremely cooperative attitude surprised Liu Yifu. After all, most people who could get into this place were initially very stubborn. Of course, there were also some cowards who confessed before even seeing blood!
He cleared his mind of all distractions and began the interrogation with a blank expression: "Name?"
"Fang Wenxu".
...
Why did you introduce the Treasure Pavilion to your aunt, Madam Fang?
When they sent people to Cangzhen Pavilion, the shop that specializes in selling counterfeit goods, the shop was already deserted, with only a few clerks who knew nothing about the matter.
This shop was quite clever, mixing genuine and fake items together for sale. If the customer was a high-ranking official or nobleman, they would sell him a genuine item, but if he was just an ordinary person or a wealthy merchant, they would use a fake to appease him.
As a result, very few people noticed anything amiss. Even those few who knew their stuff came to argue with them, but they were all intimidated by their domineering and arrogant manner and dared not come back.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
