Emperor Yong’an summoned Minister Zhao to the Imperial Study.

“Have you found the person who poisoned Luo Chi?”

Minister Zhao felt somewhat embarrassed. “Not yet.”

Emperor Yong’an’s gaze was deep, his tone revealing neither pleasure nor anger. “Doesn’t Minister Zhao have a very capable subordinate named Lin Teng?”

Minister Zhao’s breath caught.

What did His Majesty mean? Had he taken a liking to his capable aide Lin Teng?

But he hadn’t heard of any suitable vacancy in any ministry for Lin Teng.

Even if there was one, he couldn’t let him go. No one should even think about competing with him for Lin Teng.

Minister Zhao cleared his throat. “Lin Teng is still young after all. It’s inevitable that such a complex case would take some effort.”

“Then what matter does Minister Zhao have to report by entering the palace?” Emperor Yong’an’s tone became increasingly inscrutable.

The Ministry of Justice was becoming less and less effective. Prince Pingnan’s assassination on the street still hadn’t been resolved and had become an unsolved case.

“That guard has changed his testimony.” Minister Zhao sensed His Majesty seemed angry and quickly got to the point.

“Changed his testimony?” Emperor Yong’an’s expression changed, becoming grave.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, after multiple interrogations, that guard confessed that it was the magistrate of Liuqing County who instructed him to falsely accuse Grand Commander Luo—”

“Truly?” Emperor Yong’an’s complexion changed abruptly, interrupting before Minister Zhao could finish.

Minister Zhao cupped his hands. “This subject would never dare deceive Your Majesty in the slightest.”

Emperor Yong’an nodded almost imperceptibly.

Though Minister Zhao lacked much ability, he had the virtue of being honest and obedient.

“Speak in detail.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Yong’an listened to Minister Zhao’s report with eyes slightly closed, not opening them for a long time afterward.

Minister Zhao kept his eyes lowered, saying not another word.

The situation was already chaotic enough. This incident didn’t make much difference—in fact, because of Prince Zhennan’s guard suddenly changing his testimony, the pressure to pursue the true culprit who poisoned Grand Commander Luo had lessened somewhat.

This was also one of the reasons he immediately entered the palace to report upon receiving the news.

After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Yong’an finally opened his eyes.

Though it was broad daylight and the Imperial Study was brightly lit, those eyes seemed covered with a layer of dark gauze—gloomy and deep—making one feel the temperature in the room had dropped somewhat.

“Where is the Liuqing County magistrate now?”

Minister Zhao quickly replied, “The Liuqing County magistrate is currently staying at a meeting hall.”

Emperor Yong’an’s gaze fell heavily on Minister Zhao.

A chill crept up Minister Zhao’s spine as he bowed and said, “This subject has already sent people to watch him. For now, we haven’t alerted him.”

Emperor Yong’an nodded slightly and said in a heavy voice, “That guard is inconsistent. His testimony cannot be entirely trusted.”

Minister Zhao’s heart stirred.

Did His Majesty’s words mean he still believed the Liuqing County magistrate?

For His Majesty to trust someone this much was rather unusual.

Just as he was pondering this, he heard Emperor Yong’an say slowly, “The merchant who exposed Prince Zhennan’s guard is already on the road to the capital. Don’t move on the Liuqing County magistrate yet. Wait until he arrives and has been interrogated before proceeding.”

“Your subject obeys the decree.” Minister Zhao bowed deeply.

Emperor Yong’an glanced at Minister Zhao and seemed to mention casually, “By the way, how is Luo Chi now?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand Commander Luo spends most of his time in prison in a daze, but his physical condition is still acceptable…”

Emperor Yong’an asked no more questions and waved his hand. “You may withdraw.”

“This subject takes his leave.”

As Minister Zhao withdrew, the Imperial Study became extremely quiet.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice without much warmth rang out. “Zhou Shan.”

“This servant is here.”

“Arrange for someone to inquire about Prince Kaiyang’s situation.”

“Yes.”

In Xianyun Courtyard, Kou’er was reporting the situation to Luo Sheng. “Miss, our people watching Lande Meeting Hall have sent word that others are also surveilling that place.”

“When did it start?”

“Just today.”

Luo Sheng thought for a moment, then smiled. “Tell our people to be careful not to be discovered by the other party.”

“Miss, what is that group’s purpose?” Seeing Luo Sheng smile, Kou’er couldn’t quite grasp the situation.

Surveilling someone—how could there be competition in this business?

Speaking of this, one must mention the origins of Kou’er’s informants.

Seeing that Kou’er had an outstanding talent for gathering information, Luo Sheng felt it shouldn’t be wasted. She threw out a stack of bank notes and let Kou’er go build up a network.

Kou’er locked her sights on the beggars scattered throughout the capital, quietly selecting many clever ones. Over time, she became increasingly adept at using them.

The smile at the corners of Luo Sheng’s mouth deepened. “Whatever their purpose, it’s a good thing in any case.”

Lande Meeting Hall was where the Liuqing County magistrate temporarily stayed after arriving in the capital. Her side had been sending people to watch all along. Suddenly having others secretly surveilling meant the turning point she’d been waiting for had arrived.

If she wasn’t mistaken, His Majesty already knew about Prince Zhennan’s guard changing his testimony. Before long, Grand Commander Luo might be able to leave prison.

A suspicious emperor was difficult to serve, but making good use of this suspicion could bring light after darkness when one reached the end of the road.

The time spent waiting always felt especially long. Not only did Luo Sheng find it lengthy—Wei Qiang felt the same.

He hadn’t left the palace in several days. Each day, aside from paying his respects to Emperor Yong’an, he holed up in his study reading.

Beneath the calm surface lay unspeakable anxiety.

The new year was approaching. Each ministry was nearing the time to seal their official stamps. Why hadn’t the charges against Grand Commander Luo been finalized yet?

That person’s thoughts were simply too unfathomable, making it impossible for him to discern what was in his heart.

That suffocating feeling surfaced again.

In this cold Eastern Palace, he didn’t even have a single person with whom to consult.

The Prince Pingnan household needn’t be mentioned. His adopted status was too awkward. Close contact with that side would only make Father Emperor displeased with him.

And his wife’s family wasn’t capable either.

Thinking of the Crown Princess’s natal family, Wei Qiang sneered coldly.

The Crown Princess had been chosen by Father Emperor. Ultimately, it was to prevent him from receiving any support from his wife’s family.

Father Emperor needed a crown prince to stabilize the kingdom and reassure Great Zhou’s subjects, but at the same time wouldn’t allow the crown prince to threaten his power in the slightest.

He, the crown prince, was merely the most expensive ornament.

However, with Grand Commander Luo caught up in that storm from twelve years ago, wanting to turn things around would be no different from a fool’s dream.

Wei Qiang consoled himself with these thoughts and left his study to visit one of his concubines.

The year’s end drew closer and closer. Most officials had lost interest in working, just waiting for the official seals to be affixed so they could go home for the new year.

The new year could be celebrated without any particular important figure, let alone the position of Jinlin Guard Commander, which had always been a job where one risked one’s head. Almost none who held it met good ends.

It was just a question of whether Grand Commander Luo’s head would roll before or after the new year.

Perhaps His Majesty wanted to keep him around to celebrate the new year.

Emperor Yong’an had no mood to celebrate the new year. Instead, he kept waiting for news from outside.

His patience was undoubtedly much better. Aside from his trusted eunuch Zhou Shan, no one noticed anything unusual about His Majesty.

On this day, Wei Han quietly entered the palace and reported to Emperor Yong’an about the interrogation of the merchant.

“That merchant had been in contact with the Liuqing County magistrate’s people all along?” Emperor Yong’an’s expression was gloomy, like rolling dark clouds.

In other words, it wasn’t that the merchant happened to discover that guard and went to expose him. Rather, the Liuqing County magistrate’s side had pushed things along, creating this exposure.

After a long while, Emperor Yong’an slowly spoke. “Zhou Shan.”

“This servant is here.”

“Bring Luo Chi to see Us.”