Cheng Maoming smiled slightly: “I invited Deputy Commander Zhao to share my burdens.”

Zhao Helin cupped his hands, watertight: “This subordinate is delighted to do so.”

Cheng Maoming’s expression darkened: “Deputy Commander Zhao knows Yang Wu, doesn’t he?”

Zhao Helin glanced at those idlers and spoke in a casual tone: “I do know someone called Yang Wu. What of it?”

“Let’s speak outside.” Cheng Maoming clasped his hands behind his back and went to the adjacent room.

Zhao Helin followed: “What does the Grand Commander wish to say?”

Cheng Maoming scrutinized his expression, the corner of his mouth carrying mockery: “Deputy Commander Zhao really can keep his composure.”

Zhao Helin’s expression remained unchanged: “This subordinate doesn’t understand the Grand Commander’s meaning.”

“Don’t understand? I’d say you understand far too well!” Cheng Maoming sneered coldly. “This morning Cheng Shu was attacked. The assailant has confessed he was working for money, and the one who paid was precisely Yang Wu.”

Zhao Helin found this amusing: “But what does this have to do with this subordinate?”

Cheng Maoming stepped forward: “Deputy Commander Zhao, you and I have worked together for many years. Why persist in stubbornness now?”

Zhao Helin spread both hands: “I truly don’t understand the Grand Commander’s meaning. Please speak plainly, Grand Commander.”

“Then I shall speak plainly!” A cold light shot from Cheng Maoming’s eyes, staring straight at Zhao Helin. “The two important criminals who kidnapped First Miss Lin died in the Jinlin Guard. The mole who silenced them was you, and the one who hired assassins through Yang Wu was also you, because you feared Cheng Shu would remember the criminals’ identity!”

“Me?” Zhao Helin laughed. “Is the Grand Commander joking? As Deputy Commander of the Jinlin Guard, why would I have a grudge against a secluded young lady?”

Cheng Maoming stared fixedly at him: “This secluded young lady is also the Princess Consort of Wei.”

“But I have no reason to have a grudge against the Prince of Wei either. Moreover, where’s the evidence? Our Jinlin Guard often arrests people without much evidence, but surely the Grand Commander wouldn’t use this style on his own people? You keep claiming I ordered Yang Wu, but where is Yang Wu? Did Yang Wu say this personally? If I must bear this crime merely because this subordinate knows Yang Wu, the Grand Commander also knows this subordinate—does that mean the Grand Commander ordered this subordinate?”

Clap, clap—the sound of applause rang out.

“Only today did I learn Deputy Commander Zhao is so eloquent.”

Zhao Helin smiled: “This subordinate also only learned today that the Grand Commander holds such prejudice against me.”

“Hmph!” Cheng Maoming swept his sleeves and left.

This appearance of embarrassed rage pleased Zhao Helin, allowing his taut heart to relax.

By the look of things now, Cheng Maoming was just impotently arguing in frustration.

The Xuanwu Battalion was in the suburbs outside the capital. The Jinlin Guards sent to investigate returned by afternoon.

Cheng Maoming met with them quietly.

“Well?”

“Reporting to Grand Commander, the identities of the two important criminals have been confirmed. One was called Wang Hu, the other Zhang Shan. Both belonged to the same squad, with Wang Hu as squad leader. When we continued investigating deeper, we were obstructed by a superior officer—”

“Which superior officer?”

“Deputy Commander Dou Qisheng.”

Cheng Maoming’s expression changed.

In the capital, when mentioning the surname “Dou,” the first reaction was the imperial maternal family, the Dou clan.

The late Empress was surnamed Dou. Though she died early, the Dou family’s glory never diminished. Dou clan descendants thrived everywhere. Among those who did quite well was the late Empress’s younger brother Dou Qisheng—the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle.

The intended Princess Consort of Wei was kidnapped, and the kidnappers were the Crown Prince’s uncle’s subordinates. This matter was far too delicate.

Cheng Maoming knew there was no way to continue investigating. He couldn’t possibly apprehend and interrogate the Crown Prince’s uncle.

Yet His Majesty was still awaiting results.

“That Yang Wu—has he been found?” Cheng Maoming asked another subordinate.

“We’ve already traced clues to him leaving the city. Currently still pursuing.”

“Increase manpower. Spare no effort to find Yang Wu!”

The Xuanwu Battalion side couldn’t be touched for now. He could only seek a breakthrough through Zhao Helin.

Cheng Maoming’s display of embarrassed rage before Zhao Helin was to stabilize the other party. After relaxing for two days, however, Zhao Helin thought it over and found it increasingly suspicious.

These past two years he had repeatedly challenged Cheng Maoming’s authority, yet the other had endured it. Why would he impulsively tear off the veneer this time?

Could he be trying to lull him into complacency?

No, he needed to strike first!

Zhao Helin went directly to lodge a complaint with Emperor Tai’an.

His Majesty most despised those who acted on their own authority. Learning Cheng Maoming had concealed this information, he would surely fly into a rage. Perhaps he would even temporarily assign Zhao himself to take charge of this case.

With the case in his hands, whatever results he wanted to uncover would be up to his discretion.

After hearing the report, Emperor Tai’an indeed darkened his expression and immediately summoned Cheng Maoming to the palace.

After hearing the eunuch’s message, Cheng Maoming said politely: “Please allow me to give some instructions to my subordinates, Esteemed Eunuch.”

The eunuch quietly weighed the heavy purse and reminded: “Then the Grand Commander must hurry. It won’t do if His Majesty becomes impatient waiting.”

Cheng Maoming gave a few quiet instructions to his trusted subordinate, then followed the eunuch into the palace.

The familiar halls and pavilions, the familiar palace attendants’ faces—Cheng Maoming clearly sensed the oppressive atmosphere. Upon seeing Emperor Tai’an’s somber expression, his suspicions were confirmed.

He hastily saluted Emperor Tai’an.

Emperor Tai’an was silent for a moment, then asked calmly: “Those two criminals who kidnapped First Miss Lin—how did their interrogation go?”

Cheng Maoming almost without hesitation knelt down, his voice trembling: “This subject deserves death!”

“Oh?” Emperor Tai’an simply uttered a single word.

Cheng Maoming lowered his head in an appearance of shame and self-reproach: “The two criminals died in the Jinlin Guard. It’s all due to this subject’s poor management!”

“Dead?” Emperor Tai’an’s voice rose slightly. “When did they die?”

Cheng Maoming buried his head even lower: “Four days ago.”

“Four days ago, what a fine ‘four days ago’!” Emperor Tai’an slapped the dragon desk. “If I hadn’t inquired today, how long did you plan to conceal this?”

Cheng Maoming raised his head, his face full of panic: “This subject dares not deceive Your Majesty. This subject had planned to enter the palace today to report to you.”

Emperor Tai’an naturally didn’t believe it and sneered: “Is that truly so? If I hadn’t summoned you to the palace and asked, you could have kept concealing it?”

“Even with the greatest courage, this subject would not dare deceive the sovereign! The reason this subject waited until today was because there’s a mole in the Jinlin Guard. Fearing the trail would go cold, this subject dared not alert the enemy…”

“A mole? Who?”

Cheng Maoming’s lips moved, speaking word by word: “Jinlin Guard Deputy Commander Zhao Helin.”

A fierce light flashed in Emperor Tai’an’s eyes. So angry he laughed.

One said the other concealed and didn’t report, the other said the former was a mole. These two really were excellent partners.

“Summon Zhao Helin.” Emperor Tai’an coldly ordered the eunuch.

He wanted to see which of these two was loyal and which treacherous.

Zhao Helin was still in the palace and quickly came with the eunuch.

Emperor Tai’an had no patience for nonsense and said flatly: “Zhao Helin, Cheng Maoming says those two criminals were actually killed by someone you arranged. What do you have to say?”

Zhao Helin immediately knelt: “Cheng Maoming slanders with bloody accusations. May Your Majesty see clearly!”

He voluntarily mentioned knowing Yang Wu: “Your Majesty, merely because this subject knows this person, Cheng Maoming pins the mole’s hat on this subject’s head. He clearly wants to use this opportunity to eliminate subordinates with whom he has mediocre relations!”

Seeing Emperor Tai’an look over, Cheng Maoming said calmly: “Yang Wu has been found.”