Ji Zeyu nodded and said in a deep voice: “They are indeed Great Yan Dynasty antiques and paintings. The items have now been transported inside, awaiting Your Majesty’s inspection.”

Li Qitian sat in place with a gloomy expression. After thinking for a moment, he called for people to go examine them.

Both boxes were large camphor wood chests with iron corners reinforced with rivets. Opening the lids revealed square brocade boxes and long cylindrical scrolls arranged in orderly fashion within. Li Qitian examined each item with a dark face, confirming they were indeed Great Yan Dynasty artifacts, then ordered them to be cataloged and stored in the inner treasury, with no one permitted to touch them without imperial decree.

Returning to the imperial study, Li Qitian frowned tightly as he stroked his chin in contemplation.

The study was so quiet that only soft breathing and the faint sound of water dripping from the clepsydra on the desk could be heard.

After a full quarter-hour, Li Qitian looked toward Li Guanwen: “Where are Yuchi Yan and that old dog surnamed Gu now?”

“In response to Your Majesty, you previously ordered them confined to the imperial prison. It has been nearly a year now—they should still be in the prison.”

Li Qitian immediately ordered: “Go bring both Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong to me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Also.” Li Qitian called for trusted secret agents: “Keep a close watch on the main figures among the Great Yan Dynasty’s surrendered officials. Report any unusual activity immediately.”

“Your will be done.” The agents bowed and withdrew.

Only after Li Guanwen and the agents had gone far did Li Qitian ask Ji Zeyu: “What do you think is behind this matter?”

Ji Zeyu lowered his eyes, then said: “In response to Your Majesty, this minister believes the timing is suspicious.”

This answer was no different from giving no answer at all.

Li Qitian had always known Ji Zeyu was a man of few words with this cold temperament, never being obsequious or roundabout in his presence, which was why he valued him. Hearing this now, Li Qitian felt no suspicion, only sighing: “I naturally know it’s suspicious. But I originally thought the treasure definitely wouldn’t be in the capital, yet now this has happened. I suspect there must be treasure hidden in the Beiji Kingdom’s imperial tombs beneath Sui Mountain.”

Ji Zeyu thought for a moment: “This minister dare not be certain, but with Tianji Zi involved, this minister worries it’s a Tatar conspiracy. After all, relations between our two countries are tense now.”

“Even if war breaks out, it still requires silver.” Li Qitian sighed as he stood, pacing with his hands behind his back: “I understand your meaning, and I have suspicions too. But now that we might possibly find the treasure’s whereabouts, we shouldn’t miss this opportunity. Only by finding that treasure will we have the resources to contend with those Tatar barbarians.”

Ji Zeyu merely nodded.

Li Qitian said: “If the treasure really is in the capital, where might it be hidden… I suddenly feel that though this capital is called ‘at the Son of Heaven’s feet,’ it’s not completely impregnable after all.”

Li Qitian’s voice carried much weariness. The court’s relationships were too complex now. The Beiji Kingdom’s surrendered officials formed one faction, the nobles another, the upright officials yet another, while the Great Yan Dynasty’s surrendered officials and the original aristocratic families each formed their own factions. If he tried to find those completely loyal to him, Li Qitian momentarily couldn’t identify any!

With the court situation so complex, balancing these forces was already difficult for Li Qitian. Now, facing both internal troubles and external threats with an empty treasury, he naturally paid special attention to the treasure’s appearance.

Ji Zeyu said: “Why doesn’t Your Majesty first order secret searches within the city? As long as the city gates are well-guarded, if treasure really is in the capital, it surely cannot escape Your Majesty’s eyes.”

“You speak truly.”

Li Qitian immediately summoned people: “Tell those at the Five Cities’ Military Commissioner’s Office that spies have infiltrated the capital. Have them conduct secret investigations. If they discover any suspicious persons, wandering monks or Taoists, or any underground passages or caves hiding treasure, they must report to me immediately. Don’t miss even the slightest clue!”

“Yes!”

The eunuch who received the order hurried off to transmit the imperial decree.

At this moment, Li Guanwen came running in from outside in a panic.

“Your Majesty!”

Li Guanwen had served beside Li Qitian for a long time and usually acted steadily with measured responses, rarely showing such instability.

Seeing Li Guanwen like this, Li Qitian knew something serious must have happened.

Li Guanwen knelt and performed the grand ceremony: “The Prince Yan and Gu Shixiong imprisoned in the dungeon have vanished without a trace! In just one night, both men disappeared! The locks haven’t been tampered with, everything else is intact—these two men just suddenly vanished as if they never existed!”

Li Qitian’s mind immediately buzzed with a loud ringing.

Tianji Zi came with hints.

Then Great Yan Dynasty antiques appeared at the city gates.

Immediately after, the Great Yan Dynasty’s former emperor and old minister disappeared from the prison holding them!

Connecting all these events, it was clearly telling Li Qitian that this involved a massive conspiracy. Someone was manipulating from behind the scenes, playing chess against him!

Regardless of how Li Qitian raged.

At this moment in the Prince’s mansion, Pang Xiao and Qin Huaiyuan were in the outer courtyard study discussing the current situation with Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi.

Qin Huaiyuan held his tea bowl, took a sip, and said slowly: “We cannot immediately understand the true cause behind all this. But we can foresee that the city will face great chaos. Given His Majesty’s temperament, he will surely order inch-by-inch searches under pretexts like thieves and bandits. This way, it’s hard to guarantee that the people’s property won’t suffer losses. Having the capital in such turmoil with everyone anxious is not a good omen.”

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue exchanged glances, then showed even more respect toward Qin Huaiyuan. A capable minister who had been dismissed from office for no reason, even while idle at home, hadn’t forgotten his duty to seek welfare for the people. When trouble arose, he worried not about being blamed as a Great Yan Dynasty surrendered official, but about whether the capital’s citizens would suffer.

Comparing magnanimity and breadth of mind, the current emperor fell far short whether compared to the Prince or to Qin Huaiyuan.

Pang Xiao said: “Even if we worry about these matters, we cannot intervene. If His Majesty cannot find the treasure’s whereabouts, he will surely question Prince Yan and the others. If Prince Yan cannot give a satisfactory answer, His Majesty will certainly suspect father-in-law. I think we should first find a solution—that’s what’s urgent.”

Qin Huaiyuan waved his hand and smiled: “His Majesty will certainly suspect me, but I believe that besides suspecting surrendered officials from Beiji, His Majesty more suspects the ministers of various court factions—nobles, upright officials, hereditary families, and veteran ministers. His Majesty cannot completely control any of them. His Majesty will suspect me first, but simultaneously he’ll suspect all ministers with power in their hands.”

Speaking to this point, Qin Huaiyuan smiled faintly: “I believe His Majesty’s nature is such that he must keep those he doesn’t trust under his watchful eye to feel secure, just as your in-laws’ family often ‘visited’ the palace whenever you went on campaign.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao smiled bitterly and nodded: “Father-in-law speaks truly. If this is really the case, whatever we’re thinking now is all in vain.”