Jinlin Guard Commander Cheng Maoming had a headache—a severe headache.

Originally he had a headache from investigating the origins of the performing youth Xiao Feng. Now that he had finally discovered the truth, his headache was even worse.

Xiao Feng’s older sister had actually been violated by the Crown Prince. Later, when Xiao Feng’s father went to report to the authorities, his cause of death was also suspicious.

Xiao Feng had risked his life to find the Crown Prince—he had come for revenge.

If he reported what he had investigated to the Emperor, it would be equivalent to exposing the Crown Prince’s shameful conduct. Doing such a thing would very likely make him a person unwelcome on both sides.

After struggling internally for a while, Cheng Maoming still entered the palace.

Emperor Tai’an was drinking tea in the warm pavilion.

With the continuous heavy snow recently, nestling in the warm pavilion to drink tea was most comfortable.

“Your Majesty, Commander Cheng requests an audience.”

Emperor Tai’an set down his teacup and said flatly, “Let him enter.”

Before long, Cheng Maoming appeared before Emperor Tai’an, bowing respectfully. “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Tai’an glanced at him. “Has there been progress in investigating the rebel who assassinated the Crown Prince?”

Compared to his turning a blind eye before the Crown Prince, this emperor was always sharp before his subjects.

Cheng Maoming lowered his eyes. “Yes…”

“What is that rebel’s identity? Why did he assassinate the Crown Prince?”

Cheng Maoming hesitated.

Emperor Tai’an’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

Could the rebel be connected to Emperor Pingle—this suspicion had long been churning in Emperor Tai’an’s heart.

Emperor Pingle’s disappearance had always been a thorn in Emperor Tai’an’s side. The correspondence between Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor Qin Yunchuan and the former dynasty’s State Preceptor Daoist Mingxin further confirmed his worries were not groundless.

Emperor Pingle was still alive and plotting to seize back the throne.

How hateful that even now they hadn’t discovered where Daoist Mingxin was hiding!

Facing Emperor Tai’an’s urging, Cheng Maoming dared not hesitate further and steeled himself to speak.

“Xiao Feng’s family lived in Wanfu Ward. His father was a Ministry of Works Vice Minister. He also had an older sister. Eight years ago during the Qixi Festival…”

After hearing Cheng Maoming finish, Emperor Tai’an’s expression was ashen.

“The investigation is accurate?” He asked this question almost through gritted teeth.

Sensing the Emperor’s fury, Cheng Maoming dared not raise his head and said cautiously, “According to the clues currently investigated, this is the case…”

If it weren’t the Crown Prince, how could a child endure humiliation for eight years and risk his life to assassinate?

Emperor Tai’an’s thin lips pressed into a line, revealing an emperor’s mercilessness. “Since it’s been investigated clearly, close the case. As for those who know, have them keep their mouths shut.”

Compared to the truth, he would rather it had been connected to Emperor Pingle.

Though his throne had not been obtained properly, over these years he had been conscientious in governmental affairs. The Qi people who had pressed them step by step in those days were much more docile now, and he had even recovered some lost territory.

It could be said that in being emperor, he was worthy of Great Zhou—unlike his elder brother, who had been tough toward his brothers but was utterly useless facing the Qi people, practically wanting to respectfully offer all of Great Zhou’s territory to the foreign tribes.

He had this confidence—the vast majority of subjects, upon hearing that the Crown Prince had been assassinated by Emperor Pingle’s people, would stand on his side. But if people learned that Xiao Feng had assassinated the Crown Prince because the Crown Prince had ruined his sister’s chastity, people would definitely feel he deserved it.

Whether for the Crown Prince’s reputation or the stability of the state, the truth could not be allowed to spread.

Emperor Tai’an raised his hand to rub his forehead, saying slowly, “Daoist Mingxin’s whereabouts—you still haven’t found them, have you?”

Cheng Maoming’s heart jumped. He knelt to ask forgiveness. “This subject is incompetent. To this day there has been no news of Daoist Mingxin.”

These days he had practically dug three feet deep throughout the capital without even touching Daoist Mingxin’s shadow.

He had also considered that Daoist Mingxin must have disguised his appearance, but since the other party had contacted Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor Qin Yunchuan, it was impossible for him to have left no trace at all.

From above came Emperor Tai’an’s sigh. “Daoist Mingxin’s methods are unfathomable. Who knows how many rebels he has secretly trained to deal with me and the Crown Prince. It’s not strange that facing such a person, you would temporarily have no leads.”

“This subject is ashamed.” Regarding the deep meaning in Emperor Tai’an’s words, Cheng Maoming understood perfectly.

Of course he wouldn’t be foolish enough to think this was the Emperor’s understanding. The Emperor was clearly hinting for him to pin Xiao Feng’s assassination of the Crown Prince on the former dynasty’s State Preceptor.

“Rise.”

Cheng Maoming got up and pledged his loyalty. “This subject will definitely do everything possible to find the rebels as soon as possible, to prevent them from causing more trouble.”

Emperor Tai’an nodded with satisfaction. “Fortunately there is Minister Cheng to relieve my worries.”

As soon as Cheng Maoming left, Emperor Tai’an went to the Eastern Palace.

The entire Eastern Palace was still shrouded in a somber atmosphere. Even the accumulated snow on the glazed tiles seemed colder than elsewhere.

When Emperor Tai’an arrived, Daoist Mingxin had just finished administering needles to the Crown Prince and was preparing to withdraw.

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Facing Daoist Mingxin, Emperor Tai’an’s expression was genial. “Master Wang need not be so polite. You’ve worked hard these past few days.”

“Relieving Your Majesty’s worries is this commoner’s honor.”

Emperor Tai’an couldn’t help but nod.

Who wouldn’t like someone both capable and well-spoken?

Emperor Tai’an asked a few more questions about the Crown Prince’s condition. After Daoist Mingxin left, he turned toward the Crown Prince.

“Father Emperor—” In the Crown Prince’s heart, the matter of the Crown Princess had been successfully covered up, but he still felt somewhat guilty facing Emperor Tai’an.

“All of you withdraw.” Emperor Tai’an said expressionlessly.

The palace servants all withdrew, leaving only the Crown Prince growing nervous.

Could it be Father Emperor had detected something?

“The person who assassinated you—his origins have been discovered.” After a brief silence, Emperor Tai’an chose to speak plainly.

The Crown Princess matter was hard to expose, but if he let this scoundrel think he could get away with any outrageous deed, he would become even more lawless in the future.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince looked furious. “Who harmed your son!”

“Eight years ago during the Qixi Festival, where were you?”

“Eight years ago?” The Crown Prince looked puzzled. “Of course in the Eastern Palace.”

Emperor Tai’an’s expression darkened. “Think again!”

He had made it so obvious, and this scoundrel was still stubbornly denying it.

The Crown Prince smiled bitterly. “Father Emperor, that was eight years ago. How could your son remember?”

“Don’t remember?” Emperor Tai’an’s voice grew colder.

The Crown Prince instinctively felt uneasy, his mind racing frantically.

Eight years ago during Qixi, Qixi—he gave a start and remembered.

He actually couldn’t remember exactly how many years ago it was, but if the assassination was related to some Qixi Festival, it should have been that time…

Seeing the Crown Prince’s reaction, Emperor Tai’an asked in a heavy voice, “You remember now?”

The Crown Prince’s heart was filled with shock and fury. His face showed some embarrassment. “There was one year during Qixi when your son was curious and went out to wander. I encountered a young lady… Father Emperor, it was that woman who first expressed interest in your son. Your son promised that after some time passed he would arrange for her to enter the palace. Who knew that the day after she returned home she would die—it must have been her parents who forced her to her death!”

Of course there had been no such promise. Since no one else knew about that night eight years ago, he could say whatever he wanted.

“Father Emperor, the person who assassinated me was—”

“That woman’s younger brother.” The Crown Prince’s explanation could not quell Emperor Tai’an’s fury. “As the heir apparent, to act so outrageously—you have deeply disappointed me!”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince had only one thought: He had been careless. He should have eliminated the roots entirely.