The night was as dark as ink, and the cold stars were few and far between.
As the entire royal hunting grounds were still immersed in the deepest silence before dawn, a chilling, murderous aura, like a silent tide, quietly swept over the camp area where high-ranking generals were stationed.
It was still dark, just past the hour of Yin.
Emperor Xiao Che, dressed in a black outfit that allowed for easy movement, personally led a large number of imperial guards, armed with torches and clad in bright armor, like divine soldiers descending from the sky, to completely surround the camp of several high-ranking generals, including General Wei Xiao, the Zhenyuan General!
The flickering firelight cast a chilling glow on the soldiers' cold, hard faceplates. The crisp sound of swords being drawn was particularly jarring and unsettling in the still of the early morning.
"Issue my decree!"
Xiao Che's voice, carried clearly through the entire camp in the cold morning breeze, carried an undeniable thunderous power.
"The assassins who attempted to assassinate me and the Empress yesterday still have accomplices at large! To ensure the safety of the autumn hunt, I will personally conduct a thorough investigation of all camps! No one is allowed to obstruct this; those who disobey will be punished as accomplices!"
This reason is plausible and irrefutable.
Under the guise of "searching for the assassin's accomplices," they carried out a surprise search!
This sudden move was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, catching everyone completely off guard!
The generals, awakened by the commotion, quickly threw on their clothes and came out of their tents. When they saw the towering flames, the rows of imperial guards, and the emperor himself standing at the front of the formation, their faces were filled with shock and horror.
As the "key target" of this operation, General Wei Xiao of Zhenyuan, upon hearing the commotion and stepping out of his tent, also had a barely concealed look of panic in his eyes.
But he was, after all, a seasoned veteran, and his mental fortitude was far beyond that of ordinary people. That hint of panic was fleeting, and he forcibly suppressed it.
He looked at the emperor's figure standing in the firelight not far away, his body still appearing somewhat slender. Although his heart was in turmoil, he maintained absolute composure on the surface.
He strode forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty is wise! Such a traitor must not be let go! This humble general is willing to fully cooperate with Your Majesty in the search to prove your innocence!"
His words were righteous and eloquent, his posture extremely humble, and he even took the initiative to ask for cooperation, perfectly portraying the image of a loyal, upright and selfless general.
Xiao Che stared at him coldly, his deep eyes devoid of any emotion.
Last night, Lin Wanwan's seemingly "unintentional" pillow talk was like a key, instantly unlocking all the doubts in his mind.
He had long suspected Wei Xiao of having a problem, but the man held considerable military power, enjoyed high prestige in the army, and was always cautious and meticulous in his actions, making it impossible for him to find a fatal flaw.
The detail of "eye contact" provided by Lin Wanwan became the key link connecting all the clues!
He doesn't need evidence, because his empress is his most accurate "eyes".
"Very well." A cold smile curved Xiao Che's lips. "Since General Wei is so understanding, then I shall begin the search from your tent."
Having said that, he ignored Wei Xiao kneeling on the ground and waved his hand at the Imperial Guard commander behind him: "Search! Search every inch! Don't miss any corner!"
"yes!"
With a command, dozens of fierce imperial guards immediately surged into Wei Xiao's spacious and luxurious tent!
Wei Xiao remained kneeling, head bowed, obscuring his expression. However, his tightly clenched fists, with prominent veins, betrayed his inner turmoil.
Although he had a guilty conscience, he was even more fearless.
He was certain that all his arrangements were flawless. Those secret letters that could prove his collusion with Consort Xian had already been destroyed in the most secure way. As for the poisoned arrow used to assassinate the Empress… it was hidden in a place no one could possibly have imagined!
He wanted to see what this sickly emperor could find in his tent!
The Imperial Guards' search was extremely thorough, even brutal.
The bed was overturned, and the bed boards were pried open piece by piece; the expensive carpet on the floor was rolled up, and even the ground underneath was examined with a long knife; the army's food sacks were emptied and examined grain by grain; even the lining of his change of clothes was cut open to check!
The entire camp was turned upside down and left in a complete mess.
However, half an hour later, the imperial guards who had searched reported back that they had found nothing.
A smug, cold smile gradually appeared on Wei Xiao's face. He slowly stood up, dusted off his knees, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Che, and spoke with a perfectly measured hint of "grievance":
"Your Majesty, in this tent of mine, besides some military books and the court's salary, there is nothing else. I wonder... if any trace of 'accomplices' has been found?"
His words, ostensibly a question, actually carried a subtle hint of provocation.
The generals around, alarmed, began to whisper amongst themselves. The emperor had mobilized such a large force, yet gained nothing; this was not only a wasted effort, but also a blow to the emperor's authority.
Just when everyone thought that this surprise attack, which was all bark and no bite, was about to end in failure, Xiao Che, who had been silent all along, made a move.
He remained calm and composed, showing not even the slightest hint of disappointment on his face. He ignored Wei Xiao's provocation and walked straight into the chaotic camp.
His gaze calmly swept over the chaotic scene before finally settling on a seemingly ordinary weapon rack in the corner of the tent.
Above, his armor hung, his long sword was laid out, and several quivers for holding arrows stood.
Xiao Che walked unhurriedly to the weapon rack, as if casually inspecting it. His fingers slid over the cold armor, then across the sharp longsword, and finally, he picked one up…
Of all the quivers, the most inconspicuous is the leather quiver used to hold ordinary training arrows.
The atmosphere inside the tent instantly became somewhat eerie.
Wei Xiao's smug sneer froze slightly.
Xiao Che picked up the quiver in his hand, casually weighed it in his hand, then turned his head to look at Wei Xiao, whose expression had begun to change, a cold yet playful smile curving his lips.
He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it struck Wei Xiao's heart like a heavy hammer:
“The general’s quiver,” he said, “seems heavier than the others’?”
Wei Xiao's expression changed instantly upon hearing those words!
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