Chapter 564 - 463: The Emperor Wants to Protect King Qi

Shanglin Temple.

Indeed, Su Mobai disliked the Dongshan City Post House and instead set up his Imperial Envoy’s headquarters at Shanglin Temple. Shanglin Temple even cleared out a courtyard for him and his guard.

Because Shanglin Temple was quiet, unlike the bustling post house with its constant traffic, and also because Su Mobai was unwilling to live with Cui Xiang, the infamous stern official.

Cui Xiang was a Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice but was known as a harsh law enforcer. Regardless of whether people were good or bad, if they fell into his hands, they would not escape unscathed, hence his nickname, "Cui the Flayer."

The Emperor had sent such a person to assist in the investigation, but with what purpose was unknown.

In any case, Su Mobai disliked Cui Xiang’s "dark," "cold-blooded," and somewhat "putrid" presence, so as soon as he arrived in Dongshan, he arranged to stay separately.

Then there was Tie Lin, the deputy commander of the Yulin Guard, who lived in the military camp outside the city, entering the city during the day and returning at night. As he said, only staying with his soldiers gave him peace of mind.

Being the first day for the Imperial Envoy’s arrival, they were fatigued from the journey, and it was evidently inappropriate to begin the investigation directly, especially having just attended a welcome banquet at noon.

They needed to sober up, take a breather, and then rest a bit; it was only appropriate to officially commence work the following day.

Something had happened at Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, and naturally, in Dongshan City, Pei Jian, the local prefect, was the authority, especially after he thwarted the Scorpion and Green Blade Sect’s attack on Xue Family Manor, preventing evidence from being destroyed. It was evident to the people in Dongshan Prefecture that Prefect Pei Jian had sufficient military strength to keep ambitious and reckless individuals in check. Anyone trying to commit a crime at this moment would be likened to an immortal consuming arsenic, courting death.

And now that the court had sent an Imperial Envoy over, who would dare have any ulterior motives at this time?

Zhuo Qingfeng had also returned.

He slipped into Dongshan City, quietly following behind the envoy’s entourage.

The backyard of the prefect’s office.

He had been waiting there for a long time. Only after Pei Jian had finished the envoy’s welcome banquet did he have time to meet Zhuo Qingfeng, and of course, there was a table set just for him in the backyard.

"Mr. Dong, I, Qingfeng, did not fail in my mission." Seeing Pei Jian enter, Zhuo Qingfeng hurriedly stood up.

Seeing Zhuo Qingfeng, Pei Jian raised his hand slightly and motioned gently, "Qingfeng is back. Sit down, there is no need for formalities between us."

Zhuo Qingfeng, as usual, thanked him before sitting down.

"Come, let’s have a drink to celebrate your successful return!"

"Thank you, Mr. Dong." Zhuo Qingfeng respectfully held up his cup and clinked it with Pei Jian’s.

The two had been confidants and brothers for many years, so their conversations were naturally more relaxed. After three cups of wine, Zhuo Qingfeng began to detail his experiences during the journey and what he had seen and heard in the capital to Pei Jian.

Although he had documented everything, it was customary to provide an oral report.

Pei Jian listened unless he encountered something he wanted to know, at which point he would interrupt to ask. For the most part, he was a loyal listener, though at times frowning, at times surprised. When he heard about Fahai appearing and repelling the assassin sent by the Yuan expert to kill the Crown Prince, even though it had already passed, it still made him break out in a cold sweat. As to why Fahai appeared just in time, Zhuo Qingfeng didn’t know, nor would Fahai confide in him. These were Lin Miao’s instructions; while it could be told to the Crown Prince, it was to be kept secret from others, thus Zhuo Qingfeng only knew that Fahai was in Shangjing on business and coincidentally happened upon the situation. Subsequently, the rapid development of events in the capital was beyond his expectations.

Especially after the incident at Xue Family Manor had surfaced, although the court reacted swiftly, there wasn’t much upheaval.

Clearly, someone was controlling the flow of information and public reaction.

Who would have the power to achieve that level of control? Consort Xue and King Qi, as a mother and son duo, evidently didn’t possess such influence; it could only be one person.

The one sitting on the dragon throne.

He was protecting King Qi.

Why protect him? It was probably because King Qi had just moved out of the palace and established a residence, and what Marquis Lingyang was involved in wasn’t directly related to his son.

While Marquis Lingyang colluding with the Green Blade Sect to smuggle weapons to the Beihu was undoubtedly treason, it didn’t necessarily mean that King Qi was aware of his uncle’s actions.

Of course, ignorance does not absolve one of guilt, but the Emperor was not inclined to dispose of King Qi; he had already eliminated one son.

Could he afford to eliminate another?

With the Crown Prince having no descendants, if the Emperor were to pass, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, what would happen if there were no heirs? Would they have to adopt one from the royal clan?

No Emperor would rest easy with such a notion.

Therefore, he must ensure that the dragon throne is occupied by his own bloodline; if not, then no one should sit on it.

How could Pei Jian not understand the Emperor’s mindset?

The Third Prince, Prince Jin, too, had no evidence proving his involvement in the Crown Prince’s "supernatural suppression" affair, yet he was still stripped of his title and placed under house arrest.

Of course, Prince Jin was implicated due to his mother consort, which is different from the Fifth Prince, King Qi. An uncle getting into trouble could not be linked to a nephew; they did not share direct blood relations.

If the smuggling was connected to Consort Xue, that would be a different matter entirely.

The Emperor wanted to protect King Qi.

That was the crux of the complication. Pei Jian also knew that the case of Xue Family Manor could at most bring down Marquis Lingyang; to move against Consort Xue and King Qi, Marquis Lingyang would have to implicate his own sister of his own free will.

This was a highly unlikely scenario.

Pei Jian’s target was Marquis Lingyang, so in his report to the court, he didn’t mention a word about Consort Xue and King Qi.

"Mr. Dong, His Majesty’s stance is clear; it’s best not to involve the one in the palace or King Qi in this case," Zhuo Qingfeng advised solemnly. He was concerned that Pei Jian might wish to press forward and bring down King Qi, which would spell disaster.