Chapter 342

"Your Highness, Prince Shui, there is an order to investigate and find the culprit behind the assassination attempt on the princess from the Wang Region. We request your full cooperation," said the soldier, taking his duty very seriously.

Even though they believed it was unlikely that this place could harbor someone bold enough to attack the princess, seeing the dilapidated palace with only a few servants and hearing rumors that this prince did not live well, was in poor health, and was constantly bullied, If someone like this having the wit to deal with such an important princess, wouldn’t it be better for him to focus his efforts on his own life?

"Cough, cough, what has happened recently? Why is there a need for such an investigation?"

The frail prince spoke after seeing the fully armed soldiers arriving at his palace. His once cunning eyes now looked pitifully weak.

"Your Highness need not worry. As long as you cooperate fully, we will quickly finish our work and leave."

The soldier said, though they wished they could avoid the inspection to not make the other party more uncomfortable. However, this time the emperor had ordered that everyone must be inspected without exception. They heard that the order was to even suspect the Cold Palace, so they could not turn a blind eye as usual.

"Is that so? But there’s nothing in this palace. Whatever you are looking for, you know that I... cough, cough, I am merely an unimportant hostage. Whether I live or die... it is all up to fate." Though the prince spoke in this manner, he was also buying time for his people during the conversation.

The soldiers conducting the inspection felt hesitant. They knew this prince was unlikely to be capable of such an act and were almost ready to let him go when another group of soldiers arrived and noticed something suspicious.

"His majesty ordered us to conduct this investigation as quickly as possible. Why are you all standing around talking? Prince Shui, step aside." A soldier behind, bearing a higher rank and more authority, knew how crucial this matter was. Therefore, to avoid any mistakes, the leader of the soldiers rushed inside without waiting for permission from the owner of the palace.

Prince Shui’s eyes darkened. Even low-ranking soldiers like these showed him no respect, causing his resentment to grow exponentially. However, since he was currently pretending to be weak, he couldn’t afford to act arrogantly. With a heart full of hatred, Prince Shui forced a smile and followed those people inside.

Fortunately, his men had worked quickly to remove all incriminating items. Many valuable things, even the teacup he used, had been taken away, leaving behind only a dilapidated bed and a few small items.

Seeing such a living condition, the soldiers felt a pang of pity for him. But before they could say anything, the leading soldier, meticulously doing his job, crouched down under the bed and successfully pushed something out.

"What is this, Your Highness?"

The soldier’s voice was filled with surprise and hostility. Prince Shui looked at the black headband in shock, but managed to maintain his composure.

"It’s nothing important, just..."

"Nothing important, Your Highness? Oh, you might not know this... but as the head of the region’s inspection unit, I actually possess some noteworthy skills..”

".........."

"My sense of smell is very sharp. I can even detect the scent of blood hidden beneath this bed and in that headband." Hearing this, Prince Shui’s eyes shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed in though, and a murderous intent flashed in his gaze. Of course, all of that happened in an instant before he feigned a foolish expression once again.

"In truth... that headband is for wiping my own blood. I’m so clumsy and got injured a few days ago, which is why I haven’t been able to go outside. That headband actually saved my life."

"Is that so? Then where is your injury?"

"Here, look." From his previous battle with Mu Heng, he had indeed sustained a wound. When he showed his palm to the soldier, the other party became slightly suspicious.

"This wound looks like it was caused by a sword. Can you tell me where you got it from?"

“Well... I don’t remember who did it to me. But there aren’t many people here who mean well towards me. When I do something they don’t like, getting a few cuts isn’t unusual.” Prince Shui lowered his head, looking even more pitiful.

Even the head of the inspection unit almost believed him.

“Very well. We haven’t found anything. Let’s move on to inspect the other palaces.” Hearing this order, the others began to file out. Prince Shui’s eyes darkened. He would remember today’s humiliation!

However, just before all the soldiers left, the head inspector suddenly whipped around, making Prince Shui feel a sense of danger.

“Your Highness... can you tell me why that is in your palace and why it smells of blood?!” The head inspector pointed to an inconspicuous corner of the room. It was a small pair of pliers that Prince Shui used to torture a young court lady. No wonder it smelled of blood...who would clean it every time after hurting that court lady?!

The pliers were very small, meant to create tiny wounds all over the court lady’s body to keep others from noticing. After making these small cuts, they would sprinkle salt on them, causing the young court lady to suffer more than being struck or whipped harshly.

This was something Prince Shui greatly enjoyed doing!

His eyes narrowed dangerously upon seeing the item that shouldn’t have been there. It was his own carelessness. That thing had been in the clothes he wore when he confronted the young court lady and took it off in frustration. In a fit of rage when he couldn’t find her, he had tossed the garment aside without caring where the item fell and even forgot about it entirely.

Prince Shui quickly gathered his thoughts before explaining that the pliers were for trimming his nails. However, this inspector was too smart and knowledgeable. No wonder he had become the head!

“This item has a strange design. It’s definitely not from the Bai Region’s artistry. Therefore, I must take it as evidence for further inspection.”

The inspector’s eyes were filled with danger, while the weak Prince Shui no longer avoided his gaze!

While Prince Shui’s palace was being searched and causing a commotion, other palaces were also being heavily inspected by soldiers, creating chaos throughout the royal palace.

The palaces of the concubines, important figures like Concubine Wang, the Third Prince, the Empress, and her two children were all in turmoil. The most chaotic of all was the Empress’s palace. No, it should be said that it was the room of the twin princess and the Crown Prince, Princess Huan Huan.

"Stop! What do you think you’re doing? I won’t let you look!" The young princess shouted when the soldiers suddenly stormed her palace and started rummaging through her belongings.

"Y-Your Highness, this is an order from His Majesty. We must inspect everything."

"Then inspect something else, but I won’t let you touch this box!"

"Oh, Your Highness, please let us inspect it. If not, my head will surely roll."

"No. If you want to inspect it, you’ll have to get past my dead body!!"

"Please, Your Highness, have mercy. E-Empress, please..." The soldiers were at their wit’s end. They couldn’t handle the stubborn child like this little princess.

However, the Empress herself didn’t appreciate her quarters being ransacked. To make things difficult for the soldiers, the mother of the land stood silently, allowing her daughter to act out on her behalf, knowing there was little she could do herself.

"Your Highness, look at the prince. If you let us inspect, the Emperor won’t reprimand you."

"I’m not afraid of Father’s reprimand. Leave me alone."

"Y-Your Highness!"

No matter what they tried, the young princess remained adamant. She clung to her beloved treasure box with a flushed face. There was no way she could let anyone see the drawing she had made of her little fiancé!

It wasn’t just the Empress’s palace experiencing trouble. The concubines, who often schemed against each other, now all wore pale faces!

For years, the Emperor never cared how they lived, which made them complacent. Some even had poison prepared for other concubines stored in their quarters. They believed that hiding things in their personal chests meant no one would ever see them. Who could have imagined that the Emperor himself would want to see now? What in his region could he not look at if he wished?!

Unexpectedly, many concubines and numerous court ladies are currently being arrested, despite not being involved in the poisoning of the princess from the Wang Region. However, having such items in their quarters is a grave offense.

More than fifty women were implicated, and the number of those involved in corrupt and illicit activities was astonishing. Before the investigation, no one realized just how many there were. But as soon as the inquiry began,, the ruler of the region discovered dozens of demons in his inner palace!

"Your Majesty, I have sinned. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Emperor, spare our lives. We were simply misguided."

"Can Your Majesty consider our past good deeds? Please give us another chance."

"Your Majesty!"

"Emperor!"

"Your Majesty!!"

Cries rang out continuously after the sentencing. This extensive search of the palace turned out to be truly unexpected. Further investigations revealed connections to some officials. However, not wanting to uncover more intolerable truths, the Emperor chose to turn a blind eye, hoping that those who broke the law and disregard his authority would learn a lesson.

From now on, those who commit crimes should at least be more cautious. Keeping poison next to their beds as if he were a fool!Of course, the one most at fault now was the Empress. From the incense burner incident to the failure to manage the inner palace, all of this led to severe consequences for her. It seemed that she had resigned herself to her fate and had given up on fighting any further...