Yelu Qi had finally arrived.

Jing Hengbo cursed silently in her heart. Looking up, she saw this guy’s hair and body were dripping wet, his clothes not properly worn, exposing half his chest, with faint traces of lipstick marks on his face. Her inner cursing intensified—a stinking man with his brain below his belt!

Seeing her expression, Yelu Qi knew he was probably being cursed at, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. To buy her time, he had soaked in the icy lake water for half the day. Her ladyship had run off without a word, and after finally extricating himself from those women’s inexplicable entanglements to rush here, he still had to face her glaring eyes.

When Yelu Qi had escaped from those women to come here, he vaguely heard someone cursing, “No wonder his concubine said he’s useless—turns out he’s a waste!”

What had that female rogue Jing Hengbo said about him now!

Yelu Qi suddenly felt that meeting the Queen was truly his misfortune…

“Lord Left State Preceptor?” Zhao Shizhi didn’t know about Yelu Qi’s boundary-crossing swimming incident. His expression showed a flash of surprise, then he bowed slightly in greeting, his tone cool. “Sir, you’ve come at just the right time. My wife has been killed by assassins, and we’re currently pursuing them. Please, Lord Left State Preceptor, uphold justice and help this humble official capture the assassins!”

Yelu Qi raised an eyebrow. Zhao Shizhi belonged to Gong Yin’s faction of officials, so naturally he wouldn’t be courteous to him. He wasn’t angry either, smiling as he said, “Minister Zhao must be mistaken. The people inside are clearly my concubine and her maid. How did they suddenly become assassins?”

“Your concubine?” Zhao Shizhi’s face changed as he stared at Yelu Qi. “Then this humble official must ask the State Preceptor—how did your concubine suddenly end up here? And how did she lay hands on my innocent wife? Or perhaps…” his lips curved in a cold smile, “your concubine’s real target was me, not my innocent wife?”

Hearing this, Jing Hengbo thought, “Oh no”—this had escalated to the level of court politics. Now she was a female assassin sent by Yelu Qi to assassinate a political enemy and high minister.

“This humble one was practicing today and inadvertently jumped into your residence’s waters again.” Yelu Qi smiled without any anger. “My attendants naturally had to come deliver clothes and assist. But as for what happened afterward, this humble one is also unclear. For instance, how did the maid accompanying my madam end up in the inner courtyard, and how did she get injuries around her mouth and body? Perhaps Minister Zhao could first give this humble one an explanation?”

Zhao Shizhi was momentarily speechless, then said coldly, “This humble official doesn’t know! Perhaps she ran around recklessly and injured herself!”

“Go to hell!” Jing Hengbo called out loudly. “You old lecher, you kidnapped my maid, first wanting to give her to your son for good luck, but she refused unto death, then she was dragged to you for your amusement. My maid has a strong character and fought desperately, getting injured all over. I arrived in time to rescue her, and you even wanted to take advantage of me. Fortunately, I carry strange medicines. I just released some itching powder—in half a day, a certain important part of yours will fester, produce pus, and grow cauliflower… Ah, you don’t believe me? Touch it now, does it hurt a little?”

“Nonsense!” Zhao Shizhi scolded, but his face changed and his hand unconsciously moved downward…

Yi Qi suddenly flicked his finger, and Zhao Shizhi’s hand was precisely fixed at his crotch area…

“Hahaha!” Jing Hengbo laughed loudly—she knew old lechers like Zhao Shizhi, who did too many bad deeds, definitely had problems!

Footsteps clattered as a large group of people arrived—officers from the Capital Administration Office and soldiers from the Kang Long Capital Guards stationed in the capital. According to custom, important areas like West Song Square where high ministers lived had a battalion of soldiers stationed nearby for protection, so they arrived quickly.

These people arrived just in time to see this scene, and their faces immediately looked strange.

“Who’s harming me!” Zhao Shizhi’s hand was fixed in that embarrassing position under everyone’s gaze, his face turning purple-red with embarrassment. “Quickly help me release the acupoint! And capture this assassin—capture her!”

Yelu Qi sneered, raised his hand and waved. A large group of black-clothed figures suddenly rushed forward, blocking the courtyard entrance.

“You dare touch my people?” Yelu Qi brushed his sleeve and turned, stepping into the courtyard. He raised his hand and casually separated Yi Qi, then reached out to support Jing Hengbo’s shoulder, gazing at her eyes with tender affection. “Little Wave, you were frightened today. Come, return home with your husband.”

Jing Hengbo shuddered.

Little Wave…

What kind of ghostly nickname was that?

And what was with “your husband”?

Why did it sound so incongruous?

She rolled her eyes, thought about it, and decided to let it go. In urgent times, one must be flexible. It was just letting him take verbal advantage, right? Since Yelu Qi was being so kind, willing to take on the trouble for her, she could let him have some verbal benefits as repayment.

As for causing trouble for Yelu Qi, she felt no guilt whatsoever. In her view, if Yelu Qi had troubles, that meant Gong Yin had fewer troubles—excellent.

“Hey, hey.” Someone was displeased. Yi Qi’s claws reached over, rudely pushing away Yelu Qi’s hand and putting his arm around Jing Hengbo’s other shoulder. “She’s obviously my wife. What are you trying to steal?”

“Seventh Master of Seven Kills.” Yelu Qi smiled but not quite. “These mortal affairs are not for you divine sticks to meddle in. How about being smart—know when to quit while you’re ahead?”

“Wife.” Yi Qi ignored him, pulling at Jing Hengbo. “Let’s go. Don’t talk too much with scorpions—they’re poisonous.”

“Why are you causing trouble at a time like this!” Yelu Qi’s face turned cold.

Over there, Zhao Shizhi was loudly calling to the arriving Kang Long division commander, “Commander Yao, this woman impersonated the State Preceptor’s concubine and killed my wife. Quickly arrest her!”

Over there, the six idiots had returned. Seeing someone daring to confront their eldest senior brother, they immediately swarmed forward. “Who dares compete with us for people!”

Over there, the Capital Administration Office’s security officer called out loudly, “Lord Left State Preceptor, please explain—”

Over there, the Zhao family sisters who had come upon hearing the news began wailing, “Sister is dead! Catch the murderer!”

A chaotic mess, all crowding into Jing Hengbo’s mind, with people on both sides grabbing her and not letting go.

Yi Qi pulled her arm, “Let’s go. You can’t admit to being his concubine.”

On the right, Yelu Qi pressed her shoulder, “Seven Kills has unclear motives. Stay away from them and come with me!”

Over there, Zhao Shizhi shouted, “Without giving me an explanation today, none of you can leave! I’ll definitely tear this slut to pieces—”

Over there, Jing Hengbo yelled, “Let me go so I can leave—watch out!”

She looked up and was horrified to see a cold flash shooting from the crowd opposite!

The idiots perked up immediately, flashing to form a human wall in front of her. One of them, overly excited, shouted loudly, “Protect Her Majesty! Protect Her Majesty!”

…

Jing Hengbo’s mind buzzed.

The surroundings suddenly fell silent.

That shouting guy had a particularly loud voice and clear articulation—everyone heard it crystal clear.

The guards were dumbstruck.

Capital Administration Office officials stared wide-eyed.

The Kang Long division commander’s face changed.

The crying sisters-in-law were stunned.

The young master, who had been tremblingly supported upon hearing of his mother’s death, rolled his eyes and fainted again.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Zhao Shizhi in unison.

Zhao Shizhi’s face was indescribable, changing from white to blue, blue to red, finally turning liver-purple. Furious anger emanated from his brow, and even the corners of his eyes twitched slightly.

He turned to look at the Kang Long commander—among everyone present, he was most likely to recognize the Queen.

This commander only managed security for this one area of West Song Square. He hadn’t participated in the hundred-li royal escort or the previous Liuli Square incident, but during the coronation ceremony that day, he had been on distant guard duty and had an impression of Jing Hengbo. Earlier, separated by the courtyard and smoke, he couldn’t see clearly, and it was impossible to think of the Queen. Now looking carefully, his face turned very ugly as he nodded.

Jing Hengbo sighed.

Success by idiots, failure by idiots.

What now?

Once her identity was exposed, the current dispute would be temporarily resolved, but the subsequent impact would be much worse than the present conflict.

“So it’s Her Majesty the Queen.” In the silence, Zhao Shizhi finally spoke, bowing slightly with a strange voice. “I’ve long heard of Your Majesty’s reputation. Today I finally get to see your royal countenance—truly this humble minister’s fortune. Rumors say Your Majesty is fierce and decisive, acting with resolution. Seeing you today, it’s indeed not false. First killing the Kang Long General’s son in the marketplace, now entering a residence to kill this humble minister’s wife—what fine temperament, what killing intent! I just don’t know how this humble minister’s wife, merely a secluded woman who never met Your Majesty nor offended Your Majesty, somehow displeased Your Majesty and brought fatal disaster upon herself?”

Jing Hengbo saw the Kang Long military commander’s eyes flash with hidden hostility, silently cursing Zhao Shizhi as indeed an old fox. With one sentence, he had pulled the Kang Long army into his camp and stirred up old grievances.

“Your wife wasn’t killed by me.” She said frankly, “Though she forcibly took a palace lady with intent to abuse her, which is no light crime, if she were to be killed, it should be the Ministry of Justice doing the killing. She’s not worth dirtying my hands.”

“Hehe.” Zhao Shizhi laughed coldly. “Kill someone, then frame them with crimes. What wrong did my humble wife commit to suffer such treatment even after death!”

His voice was grief-stricken, and all around, people showed sympathetic expressions. The gaggle of spider-spirit sisters-in-law began crying and shouting chaotically.

Jing Hengbo rolled up her sleeves, looking toward the crowd. “The real killer must still be here. Let me find them for you.”

“The real killer is Your Majesty, isn’t it? Why bother searching? You surely have people willing to die for you around you. You can point at anyone randomly, and naturally someone will take the blame for you. Though this humble minister is dull, I can still understand this logic.” Zhao Shizhi’s lips curved in a mocking smile. He suddenly stepped aside, clearing the path. “Regardless, you are the Queen about to ascend the throne. This humble minister is your subject. I cannot block your way before all these eyes. Your Majesty, please.”

Yelu Qi’s face changed. Jing Hengbo narrowed her eyes. The idiots cheered triumphantly, “We knew you’d be scared.”

“But!” Zhao Shizhi seemed not to hear the Seven Kills brothers’ cheers, continuing sternly, “Even if Your Majesty is the ruler of our Dahuang, you cannot kill innocents arbitrarily! Though this humble minister’s old wife was a lowly life, she cannot just die wrongfully in her home! Even if this humble minister risks his old life, I must seek justice for my wife! Your Majesty, await the collective impeachment of Dahuang’s civil officials!” He flicked his sleeve, turned around, raised his head, tears streaming down his face.

The middle-aged man, debauched from excess, now stood tall with righteous bearing, infinite radiance. Everyone sighed with admiration, sympathy and respect. Their looks at Jing Hengbo became increasingly strange. The spider spirits rushed forward to embrace his robe hem, crying with emotion, “Brother-in-law! Thank you for not fearing powerful authority and seeking justice for sister!”

Yi Qi: “Disgusting!”

Seven Kills brothers: “Good acting!”

Yelu Qi: “All of you shut up!”

Jing Hengbo: “All of you shut up!”

Jing Hengbo also felt disgusted at this moment, as if she had eaten a pound of worms. This Zhao Shizhi was truly a politician—slick and agile. He was clearly planning to make a big fuss about his wife’s death to gain others’ sympathy and admiration. Today he seemed to let her go, but actually this was his more vicious strike. The story would spread as: “The Queen broke into a minister’s residence, arbitrarily killed a second-rank official’s wife over a quarrel. Minister Zhao observed his duty as a subject, first letting the Queen leave the residence, then with righteousness, submitted a memorial of remonstrance, resisting authority with upright character…”

He could gain others’ respect, win civil officials’ loyalty, earn political glory, take the opportunity to attack the State Preceptor. He could advance or retreat as needed, then return home in glory, collect his wife’s private assets, and marry a young, beautiful wife.

What a calculation.

So he wouldn’t allow her to find the real killer. So he insisted she was the murderer.

Leaving today would be easy, but it would certainly cause waves later.

She couldn’t leave. She had to find the real killer. But if the host wouldn’t cooperate, how could she search?

“Your Majesty, please!” Zhao Shizhi stood straight-backed, asking her to leave. Turning to gaze at his wife’s corpse, tears rolled in his eyes, earning everyone’s sighs.

Good politicians always had good acting skills.

Yelu Qi said nothing at this moment. He could certainly see what the outcome of this handling would be. But wasn’t it quite good?

Gong Yin would be overwhelmed with problems, and his civil official faction would split.

As for the Queen… maybe she couldn’t be Queen anymore. That would be quite good too—the Left State Preceptor’s residence could afford to keep her.

Yelu Qi smiled, folding his arms and standing aside to watch the drama.

He was also a politician. Politicians always prioritized the bigger picture and their own side’s interests. As long as Jing Hengbo’s life was safe, he was happy to see the current deadlock.

The Seven Kills brothers, with their limited brain capacity, couldn’t think of the stakes involved. They cheered, “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Only Yi Qi went around giving them hard slaps, “A bunch of idiots!”

“You want me to leave just because you say so?” Jing Hengbo chuckled. “I’m not leaving. I want to be a guest here. Since you keep talking about following the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, not making things difficult for me based on personal grudges, then prepare to receive me as your sovereign!”

“Your Majesty!” Zhao Shizhi hadn’t expected her to refuse to leave under such pressure. Shocked and enraged, he said, “You’re humiliating this humble minister!”

Jing Hengbo ignored him—since you’re going to risk everything to oppose me anyway, what’s wrong with me humiliating you early?

“Seven Kills handsome guys!” she called out. “The killer is in that crowd opposite. Can you surround them?”

“A small matter!”

“Right away!”

“Such a simple thing—let Third Brother do it alone. Someone as noble as I can stand guard.”

“I suggest we bet—each person guards one direction. Whoever lets one escape has to strip and run naked around the capital!”

…

“Surrounding my people in my residence? Do you really think you’re a founding queen?” Zhao Shizhi laughed in extreme anger. “You’re tyrannical and lawless. I need not respect or honor you! Men—”

“State Preceptor arrives—”

A clear, long announcement again shocked everyone into silence.

In Dahuang, when Yelu Qi arrived, it was announced as “Right State Preceptor arrives,” but when Gong Yin came, it was only announced as “State Preceptor,” indicating his honored position as First State Preceptor.

His arrival at this moment made everyone’s expressions subtle.

The crowd parted as a bright purple soft palanquin approached gracefully. It seemed unhurried but reached them in moments.

Everyone stood in two rows, bowing in greeting. Though their welcoming voices contained various emotions, no one dared to be negligent.

Jing Hengbo looked at the palanquin with its densely hanging curtains, thinking this guy was becoming more and more pretentious. Even entering someone else’s residence, he still rode in a palanquin with curtains hanging deep. Did he think he was a maiden?

In the silence, the spider spirits who had been crying for their sister quickly turned around, greeting him while nervously and excitedly stealing glances from the corners of their eyes.

Unlike the dashing, free-spirited Left State Preceptor Yelu Qi who loved to wander, Right State Preceptor Gong Yin lived reclusively in Dahuang with profound dignity, never visiting ministers’ residences. Most of the capital’s young ladies had only heard his name but never seen him.

Jing Hengbo curled her lips—so pretentious!

The palanquin stopped. Meng Hu stepped forward to lift the curtain. Inside the soft palanquin sat a figure in snow-white robes, majestic as a mountain. Everyone could only see fingers resting on his knees, each like jade, the lustrous pearls binding his collar collar creating a hazy glow, golden light reflecting a gentle lip line.

The spider spirits’ eyes nearly popped out, but even so, they couldn’t see his face clearly and could only drool over his noble elegance.

Gong Yin didn’t get out of the palanquin.

But Jing Hengbo could feel his gaze sweeping over her with great intensity. Because it was so intense, she only now realized that she was still being held by Yelu Qi and Yi Qi, one on each side, grabbing her arms and pressing her shoulders.

It looked rather… ambiguous.

That gaze was so cold that even Jing Hengbo, with her thick nerves, felt the air seemed tense—there was killing intent!

Gong Yin’s gaze coldly swept over the two men’s hands holding Jing Hengbo.

Yelu Qi’s smile didn’t change. Yi Qi was oblivious. Jing Hengbo gave each of them a high-heeled shoe to the shin. Two cries of “Ow!” solved the problem.

She moved her shoulders, giving Gong Yin in the palanquin an apologetic smile.

The apology wasn’t for being mixed up with Yelu Qi and Yi Qi, but because she had tried hard not to bring him trouble, yet problems still seemed to have arisen.

But Gong Yin was satisfied with her high-heeled shoe treatment of those two. His expression softened slightly, the curve of his lips became gentler. He glanced at her, then said to Zhao Shizhi, “Elder Zhao has been claiming illness at home recently. We haven’t met for some time. Seeing you today, you look quite well.”

Zhao Shizhi was stunned, as was everyone else.

No one had expected that when Gong Yin arrived at this moment, his opening words would be this sentence.

After Zhao Shizhi’s initial shock came joy.

He understood Gong Yin’s subtext.

He hadn’t actually been ill—he was claiming sickness and staying home because he hadn’t gotten the Vice Minister position, sulking in soft resistance against Gong Yin. But he also understood that Gong Yin had a strong style and wouldn’t give in because of his feigned illness. Staying home too long, he might not even keep his Minister position, so he had been planning to return to work in a couple of days.

Hearing this now, Gong Yin seemed to be inviting him back to court. Generally, when two people were locked in conflict, whoever spoke first was showing weakness and backing down. Once Gong Yin first opened his mouth to invite him back to court, it represented softening his stance, and he could demand the Vice Minister position.

Zhao Shizhi was overjoyed, almost forgetting his wife’s death.

“Thank you for State Preceptor’s concern,” he quickly bowed. “This old minister has rested for several days and his spirit has recovered. I was just planning to return to court and cancel my leave, to further serve the court.”

“Further serve” was a probe—he glanced sideways at Gong Yin.

Gong Yin’s expression didn’t change. He nodded, saying, “Excellent. Minister Zhao is in his prime with exceptional talent and knowledge. How can you remain idle for long? You should serve the country and people, bearing more important responsibilities.”

Zhao Shizhi received the hint, so delighted his voice trembled. “Thank you for State Preceptor’s regard! This old minister will certainly do his utmost to serve the country!”

The two exchanged just a few simple sentences that left most people confused.

Yelu Qi’s lips curved in a slight smile—decisive enough, enough to pay the price! What Gong Yin would do for her was truly…

Jing Hengbo blinked, wondering if they were exchanging pleasantries. But why did her intuition tell her that these two had completed a major transaction in just these few sentences?

Gong Yin never wasted words. He waved his hand to stop Zhao Shizhi’s continuous flattery, saying, “I came to escort the Queen back to the palace.”

Zhao Shizhi’s face changed. He straightened up, glanced at Jing Hengbo, then at his wife’s corpse.

Just one glance, and he made his decision.

He wanted to make a big fuss about this matter to gain the respect and sympathy of scholars and civil officials, adding another weight to his political goals. Now that his objective was achieved, what was the point of continuing?

Angering Gong Yin would mean the Vice Minister position he’d just secured would fly away again.

“Yes.” He immediately lowered his head and stepped back. “This humble minister respectfully sends off Your Majesty and the State Preceptor.”

Everyone around was stunned, then all showed contemptuous expressions.

They had expected at least a few words of reluctance or resistance, but he agreed so smoothly. The earlier deep love for his wife and passionate righteousness turned out to be nothing more than an emotionally invested solo performance.

Jing Hengbo’s lips curled again—were scholars’ spines really hard? When they went soft, they were softer than anyone.

Behind the bright purple soft palanquin was a bright yellow sedan chair. Gong Yin had also brought Jing Hengbo’s chair. He remained calm, saying no more than necessary, handling everything with composure, as if certain that once he arrived, Jing Hengbo could leave easily.

And indeed it was so. Jing Hengbo grudgingly admired this man’s aura of controlling situations.

With things resolved this way, she felt somewhat unwilling. The killer clearly wasn’t her, but letting it go now—what if it caused trouble later?

How could Gong Yin not think of this?

She frowned, thought about it, and decided to respect Gong Yin’s opinion first, not to complicate matters further and cause conflict between him and his important ministers.

She helped up Xia Zirui, and when she looked down and saw the wound at the corner of her lips, anger suddenly flared in her heart again.

Why should she?

She had simply gone out to buy a house, bothering no one, provoking no one. Yet her palace lady was kidnapped, humiliated, sent first to the son then the father, besieged, framed, and finally required Gong Yin to intervene and compromise, benefiting that old lecher?

What kind of justice was this?

She stopped walking and gritted her teeth.

“Your Majesty.” Gong Yin’s cool, cold voice came, emotionless but with audible urgency.

Jing Hengbo’s rising anger was immediately half-extinguished by this cool voice. The other half was conflicted.

She didn’t want to suffer injustice, but she also didn’t want to make things difficult for Gong Yin.

She knew he was working hard to maintain stability, not hesitating to make concessions for court stability and for her as Queen to live peacefully.

Politics was never about throwing punches and seeing blood splash. It was about pressure and probing, compromise and threats, concessions and calculations—not judged by right and wrong, not calculated by surface gains and losses.

Sometimes, even when you clearly knew things weren’t as they seemed, you could only accept them as they were. Swallow the knocked-out teeth with blood first, then find an opportunity to strike back.

This was the principle Gong Yin had taught her. When she heard it, she had just laughed, but now that she was truly faced with it, she discovered how difficult it was.

Her whole body trembled slightly. She turned to look at Gong Yin’s palanquin. He still hadn’t emerged, the curtains hanging deep, his fingers resting on his knees bloodlessly pale.

Her heart trembled as she remembered his gentle, light gestures when he had washed her hair.

He too had changed for her sake.

Why shouldn’t she make concessions for him?

Forget it…

She took a breath, turned away, and forcefully helped up Xia Zirui. When Yi Qi came to help, she irritably pushed him away.

The crowd automatically made way, bowing slightly. Walking through such a crowd, Jing Hengbo felt angry and humiliated.

She could feel everyone’s ambiguous gazes, their eyes seeming to write “murderer” word by word!

Zhao Shizhi stood aside, also seeming unwilling, his voice neither loud nor soft, reaching everyone’s ears with a laugh.

“Speaking of which, Your Majesty really loves to joke. One moment saying she’s State Preceptor Yelu’s concubine, the next saying she’s someone else’s wife—really scared us all. Who would have thought that our great Dahuang’s Queen would condescend so much, haha.”

Gong Yin’s fingers jumped in the palanquin.

Jing Hengbo whirled around.

Haha your ass!

“Your Majesty!”

Gong Yin’s cool, firm call seemed to ring beside her ear. At the same time, Jing Hengbo’s body involuntarily surged forward, rushing into the palanquin whose curtains had been lifted.

With a thud, she collapsed onto the seat, rolled over, and glared fiercely at Gong Yin’s palanquin ahead.

She wanted to beat up Zhao Shizhi first, then beat him up again!

“Your Majesty departs!” The eunuch’s voice was swift and shrill, seeming to pierce eardrums. The curtains fell, cutting off the probing gazes outside and her angry glare.

Jing Hengbo’s breathing rose and fell rapidly. She reached up and grabbed the curtains, the heavy silk being crumpled into wrinkles by her forceful fingers.

No!

Leaving like this would definitely cause future problems!

Gong Yin didn’t know there was a hidden enemy!

No, she had to—

“Swoosh.”

Just as her body moved, two steel rods suddenly shot out from behind, lightning-fast, flanking her about-to-leap form from both sides. With a snap, they locked around her waist and dragged her backward.

With a bang, the steel rods dragged her back and she fell onto the seat. The rods retracted and locked tight—she couldn’t move at all.

Jing Hengbo was shocked—there were mechanisms in the palanquin!

Just as she was about to shout a warning to Gong Yin, with a “click” from the palanquin roof, a damp cloth fell down, landing precisely over her mouth.

The cloth was heavy—she couldn’t spit it out. Now she could neither move nor call out. Jing Hengbo panicked, fearing the liquid on the cloth was poisonous. She tried spitting several times but felt nothing abnormal. The cloth’s liquid was even cool and fragrant, somewhat like Gong Yin’s usual scent.

This sensation immediately calmed her. She rolled her eyes, puzzled—could it really be Gong Yin? What was he trying to do?

…

“Lift the palanquin.” Gong Yin seemed completely unaware of the commotion in Jing Hengbo’s sedan, and apparently had no intention of staying longer. With a cool command, the palanquin was about to be lifted.

Zhao Shizhi hurriedly stepped forward to see them off. He was both excited and anxious about Gong Yin’s promise, hoping Gong Yin would stay longer and say more to reassure him. He approached Gong Yin’s palanquin curtain, smiling, “This humble minister plans to return to duty tomorrow. I wonder if the State Preceptor finds this suitable?”

Gong Yin raised his hand slightly, and the palanquin stopped. He chatted with Zhao Shizhi while Meng Hu and Yu Chun, following custom, arranged for the Kang Long guards and Capital Administration soldiers to withdraw from the residence first and set up defenses along the route.

When these soldiers and guards withdrew, they had to pass by Gong Yin’s palanquin.

The Kang Long soldiers marched in orderly formation, flowing past like water.

Gong Yin and Zhao Shizhi conversed through the palanquin curtains.

The Capital Administration soldiers, led by their officers, passed by the palanquin side.

Gong Yin’s palanquin didn’t move, still conversing with Zhao Shizhi.

Next came the Zhao residence guards, and another group following at the end—neighboring Young Master Shen Tie and his guards.

The two families were close neighbors, so mutual assistance was normal. Their appearance here didn’t surprise Meng Hu and the others, who similarly asked them to withdraw first, avoiding the path of Her Majesty and the State Preceptor.

Groups of people passed by in waves.

Yelu Qi passed with a smile. Meng Hu and others intentionally or unintentionally blocked Jing Hengbo’s sedan. Yelu Qi didn’t approach either, just smiled with a rather strange expression.

Gong Yin continued conversing with Zhao Shizhi.

Yi Qi and the other six came by fighting and fooling around. The seven were arguing about who could sit in Jing Hengbo’s sedan first. The argument escalated to fighting, and they fought their way out of the residence.

Gong Yin kept talking with Zhao Shizhi, whose smile grew broader, his bow deeper, and he leaned closer and closer.

Everyone had passed by Gong Yin’s palanquin, and Gong Yin and Zhao Shizhi were gradually running out of conversation. The palanquin curtains were about to be lowered.

Gong Yin suddenly said, “Minister Zhao, your wife died unnaturally. This matter is quite suspicious. May I examine the wound?”

Zhao Shizhi was agreeable about everything now, hurriedly saying, “Yes, I just fear it might offend the State Preceptor’s eyes.” He ordered people to bring his wife’s corpse forward.

Meng Hu used a golden hook to lift the palanquin curtain. Gong Yin glanced at the corpse on the ground—the double-pointed triangular spike pierced through Madam Zhao’s chest, gleaming with a purple-blue light.

Gong Yin swept his gaze over it, then suddenly commanded, “Rise!”

“Crack!” The purple-blue spike suddenly shot out from Madam Zhao’s body with a whoosh, flying into mid-air.

“Break!”

Gong Yin’s lips uttered a cold word, like a silver vase suddenly shattering!

“Pop!” The triangular spike suspended in air exploded! Purple-blue fragments filled the sky like a sudden purple-blue drizzle.

“Go!”

With the third command, a sudden wind arose. The large mass of purple-blue fragments from the shattered spike suddenly shot out in all directions!

Under that purple-blue sky domain were Yelu Qi, the Zhao residence guards, Young Master Shen Tie and his guards!

The triangular spike was lethal upon contact with blood. Shattered into powder, its killing range increased—one could imagine that touching even a little would mean death or serious injury!

The wind blew away the curtains of Jing Hengbo’s sedan. Trapped in her seat, she watched in horror as the purple-blue drizzle roared down toward that group of people.

She saw Meng Hu and others watching the crowd with blazing eyes.

She saw most people still standing there, not yet reacting.

She saw someone in the crowd reaching into their robes—

“Come!” With a low shout, a white figure flashed—Gong Yin finally emerged from the palanquin!

Just as he swept out, he kicked down Zhao Shizhi, who was still standing dazed by his palanquin!

Zhao Shizhi had just fallen with a bang when “whoosh”—a white light suddenly flashed from under Gong Yin’s palanquin crossbar, grazing Zhao Shizhi’s chest as it whistled past.

Meng Hu immediately pursued the white light.

Gong Yin had already swept into the center of the crowd, reached out to grab someone, lightning-fast sealed that person’s acupoints with one hand, and with the other hand, flicked his sleeve. The purple-blue drizzle suddenly formed into a beam, flying sideways three zhang away into nearby grass, instantly turning the green grass yellow and withered.

Then he flew back up, returning to his palanquin with a bang, throwing that person in front of the palanquin.

Simultaneously, Meng Hu flashed back, holding something in his hand.

These movements were swift as a rabbit startled and falcon diving—in just an instant, Gong Yin had raised the triangular spike, shattered it, threatened everyone’s lives with the poison mist, then suddenly grabbed someone from the crowd.

Others had barely blinked a few times before his business was finished.

Jing Hengbo stared wide-eyed, her gaze blank. Gong Yin’s actions were too fast and ruthless—human thinking speed couldn’t keep up at all.

With a click, Gong Yin returned to the palanquin, the wind ceased, and the curtains fell again, blocking her view.

Jing Hengbo was so anxious she nearly screamed.

In that instant, while others were still dazzled, she had inexplicably seen Gong Yin’s face.

It seemed a bit pale.

What exactly was happening? Would they let her see clearly or not!

…

The entire scene was silent.

Everyone stared in shock at Gong Yin’s palanquin—calm as before, even the golden hooks that had been raised earlier were lowered.

There was no sound from inside the palanquin. Meng Hu looked worriedly at the curtains but didn’t try to lift them.

This suffocating silence lasted a while before everyone heard Gong Yin’s voice again.

Calm, cool, everything as usual.

“The killer has been captured,” he said, “and has nothing to do with the Queen.”

Everyone’s mouths fell open again—some people’s actions and reactions always made you feel your intelligence was insufficient.

Gong Yin said nothing more. Meng Hu lifted up the person on the ground—a man dressed as a Capital Administration soldier, his expression still showing traces of shock.

Zhao Shizhi, covering the back of his head, climbed up from the ground in a daze, staring straight at that soldier.

“This is the killer.” Meng Hu said, “Just now the State Preceptor shattered the murder weapon, creating a poison rain to cover all suspicious persons. Everyone was surprised—the quick-reacting ones at most thought to flee. Only this person reached into his robes, trying to get an antidote. Because he knew he was in the center of the crowd with no time to escape, and he knew this poison was extremely deadly—touching even a little meant death. So in that life-or-death moment, he would naturally think to protect himself and reach for the antidote.”

He searched the man’s robes and found a purple bottle. Pouring a little of its liquid on Madam Zhao’s wound, they watched as the black poisonous blood that was still flowing gradually turned red.

It was indeed an antidote.

Zhao Shizhi was speechless.

Only the killer would have the antidote.

“Though we don’t know who this person is, obviously he wasn’t in the courtyard the whole time. He stood opposite the Queen, and the hidden weapon that killed Madam Zhao was shot from the opposite side.”

Zhao Shizhi’s face was iron-blue.

“And this.” Meng Hu patted Gong Yin’s palanquin crossbar, feeling under the bar to extract a small spring mechanism, then shook what was in his hand.

In his hand was clearly another triangular spike, held in his palm, looking identical to the one that killed Madam Zhao.

“This hidden weapon shot from under the State Preceptor’s crossbar just now was intended to kill you too, Minister Zhao.” Meng Hu sneered at Zhao Shizhi. “The State Preceptor deliberately conversed with you in the palanquin and arranged for everyone to pass by his palanquin, precisely to give the killer a chance to act. The killer didn’t waste this opportunity—he quietly inserted this mechanism under the crossbar while people were passing by. Later, once the State Preceptor lowered the curtains and lifted the palanquin, this mechanism would be triggered, shooting into your chest, Minister Zhao. Then things would be serious—it would become the Queen killing Minister Zhao’s wife, and the State Preceptor killing Minister Zhao to cover for her. With court and countryside enraged and officials chilled, the State Preceptor and Queen wouldn’t have an easy time. So the State Preceptor pushed you away first upon exiting the palanquin. Minister Zhao, you should thank the State Preceptor properly.”

“This…” Zhao Shizhi covered his head, his eyes spinning in circles. He seemed to have fallen hard and couldn’t follow the logic at all, but vaguely had to thank him first, “Thank you, State Preceptor, for saving my life…”

“State Preceptor!” Someone couldn’t hold back, “Our Capital Administration people only arrived after Madam Zhao was killed! Our people couldn’t possibly have killed Madam Zhao!”

Meng Hu looked back at the palanquin curtains. Gong Yin’s voice came from within the palanquin, “Poor eyesight—how can you investigate people? Look clearly whether that’s one of your people!”

The Capital Administration officer stepped forward for a careful look and said in shock, “He’s not one of ours! He’s just wearing our clothes!”

“Take him back for careful interrogation.” Gong Yin ordered.

Meng Hu and others received the command. Just as they were about to lift the killer and bind him again, someone suddenly shouted, “Watch his movements!”

Meng Hu was startled and looked down to see the killer, taking advantage of being lifted with his head near his shoulder, trying to lick a beast-shaped protrusion on his shoulder armor. Meng Hu quickly slapped his head away and tore off that piece of shoulder armor, indeed finding a small pill inside.

“Thank you, Young Master Shen Tie.” Meng Hu gratefully thanked the man. “Without your reminder, the killer would have taken poison to commit suicide.”

“Commander Meng is too kind. This was my duty. I noticed this person was vicious with shifty eyes, seeming to have suicidal intentions, so I kept watching him. If he had killed himself, there would be no evidence today, and everyone’s efforts would have been wasted.” The man replied clearly, his attitude neither servile nor arrogant, his tone neither hurried nor slow, making people feel he was proper and reliable upon hearing him.

Jing Hengbo felt this voice was familiar. This person should be that Young Master Shen Tie, the one who had earlier pulled Zhao Shizhi back. She didn’t blame him for intervening—after all, if she had really taken Zhao Shizhi hostage and then had her identity exposed, it would have been even harder for her as Queen to step down.

Who was this person?

Gong Yin’s attitude toward this young master seemed quite good too, actually saying, “Young Master hasn’t been to the palace for some time. When you have time, feel free to visit more often.”

Though his tone was indifferent, it was at least an active invitation. Jing Hengbo clicked her tongue in amazement.

“Receiving such favor from the State Preceptor, how dare I not respond to the summons?” The man thanked him, intimate yet measured.

Gong Yin said nothing more. Meng Hu called out to lift the palanquin, and this time it finally left its original position.

No one spoke. Since the so-called killer wasn’t the Queen, all previous conflicts naturally dissolved.

Yelu Qi had been silent throughout, not approaching again. The smile at his lips grew increasingly mysterious, seemingly not angry about being suspected earlier, as if watching a good show.

Watching the two palanquins leave, he immediately took hasty leave, walking very quickly as if ghosts were chasing him.

Just as his front foot returned to his own residence.

Zhao Shizhi, who had been holding his head in confusion but couldn’t suppress his excitement, his face glowing red, suddenly murmured, “My head hurts so much…” and with a thud, fell backward.

The Zhao residence fell silent for a moment.

Then erupted in people’s shocked cries.

“Master has fainted!”

Yelu Qi, who had already closed the connecting side door, stopped, tilted his head, and the smile at the corner of his mouth grew even deeper.

…

Once the palanquin left the Zhao residence, the Kang Long army and Capital Administration officials returned to their positions. The steel bands binding Jing Hengbo’s waist retracted with two clicks.

Jing Hengbo threw away the gag cloth, sat up, and suddenly stamped the bottom of the palanquin.

The palanquin stopped. Jing Hengbo couldn’t wait to crawl out of the palanquin. Not waiting for the eunuchs to come pay respects, she flashed and disappeared.

Immediately, the bearers of Gong Yin’s palanquin felt their shoulders grow heavier.

From inside the palanquin, Gong Yin’s voice came, seeming somewhat unclear, “Continue forward.”