"Elder brother, how could you deceive me?"
The Crown Princess screamed in despair. "If you and sister-in-law hadn’t kept us in the dark from the beginning, things would never have come to this."
By keeping the Eastern Palace uninformed and even fanning the flames, they had allowed the situation to escalate beyond control.
Chang Qing chuckled bitterly. If the Eastern Palace had lifted a finger to help the Chang family from the start, why would he have resorted to such desperate measures?
"At this point, we must work together to find a solution."
Upon hearing Chang Qing’s words, the Crown Prince was so enraged that he struck Chang Qing across the face, leaving his ears ringing.
"Chang Qing, remember this—this slap is on behalf of my two children," the Crown Prince said, his hands trembling. "They were innocently dragged into your schemes. They are your own nephews."
Chang Qing pressed his tongue against the inside of his swollen cheek. The Second and Third Imperial Grandsons were no saints either.
No one was truly innocent.
"Send men to Pingzhou immediately. No matter what, this matter must be buried there," the Crown Prince ordered, his face ashen. "And inform the court officials that there’s no need to impeach Song Yu during tomorrow’s morning court."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Chang Qing replied flatly.
The Crown Prince glared at him with venom. "Don’t celebrate too soon. Gu Zheng must have someone formidable by his side. None of the assassins I sent earlier have returned."
"Go home and pack your valuables. Be ready to flee at any moment."
Chang Qing staggered out of the Eastern Palace, his spirit broken. When he returned to the Chang residence, his legs gave way beneath him.
"My lord, what happened?"
The Lady of the Chang family had cried so much her eyes were swollen.
"The Crown Prince has sent men to Pingzhou to deal with Gu Zheng."
Hearing this, Lady Chang exhaled heavily in relief. "My lord, we—"
Only then did she notice the livid bruise on Chang Qing’s face. Covering her mouth in shock, she gasped.
"The Eastern Palace actually—"
They had dared to strike her husband.
"You were right. The Eastern Palace will never be our refuge, especially when the Chang family can no longer offer them obvious benefits," Chang Qing muttered, his eyes dark. "Fleeing would be a death sentence. We’ll stay here and wait for the Eastern Palace’s response."
If they chose to escape the capital, the Crown Prince might be the first to send assassins after them.
But as long as they remained in the city, for the sake of the two Imperial Grandsons, the Crown Prince would have no choice but to exhaust all means to protect the Chang family.
Yet Chang Qing had underestimated Emperor Yuanyou’s wrath.
The next morning, during court.
Emperor Yuanyou observed the unusually subdued officials, his gaze sharp.
"Why is no one denouncing Prince Qin today?" he asked with a mocking smile. "The court was lively for days, and now it’s suddenly quiet. I almost miss the excitement."
"Minister Chang, care to explain?"
Hearing his name, Chang Qing’s heart lurched. He stepped forward hastily. "Your Majesty, Princess Fu'an has been distributing porridge outside the prince’s residence with a sincere heart. The common people are beginning to believe Prince Qin was framed."
Emperor Yuanyou scoffed, glancing sidelong at the silent Crown Prince.
This incident had revealed just how much influence his son wielded in court.
......
After compiling all the evidence, Gu Zheng and Shen Qingping, accompanied by Qu Shen, began their journey back to the capital.
Meanwhile, Shen Xiao’s investigation had hit a dead end. The assassins were all trained killers, and the arrows they used offered no clues to their master.
Just as Shen Xiao was at a loss, a new wave of assassins arrived—sent by the Eastern Palace.
Unlike the previous elite killers, these were highly skilled guards.
Yet even they were subdued by Shen Xiao within moments.
The entire skirmish lasted less than the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
Even Gu Zheng looked at Shen Xiao with newfound respect. "Commander Shen, your martial prowess has improved."
"With the Emperor’s safety in my hands, I dare not slacken in my training," Shen Xiao replied.
He then searched the bodies one by one until he found a jade pendant on one of them.
"This kind of pendant is common in the capital. Finding its owner would be like searching for a needle in a haystack," Shen Qingping remarked. "With so many attackers, it’s obvious—either the Eastern Palace or the Chang family is behind this."
Shen Xiao’s expression darkened at his words.
He continued searching and soon discovered a silver coin from the imperial treasury in another corpse’s purse.
"Well, well. This just got serious," Shen Qingping said, relishing the drama. "Commander Shen, the Imperial Guards will have their hands full now."
Without a word, Shen Xiao carefully pocketed the pendant and the coin.
"Let’s keep moving."
......
By the time they reached the capital, it was already the sixth day of the seven-day deadline.
"Time is short. We’ll go straight to the palace to see the Emperor," Gu Zheng said. After bidding farewell to Shen Xiao, he and Shen Qingping headed for the palace gates—only to find the Crown Prince waiting for them.
"General Gu, why not visit the Eastern Palace first?" The Crown Prince’s smile was strained. "I’ve prepared tea and refreshments upon hearing of your return."
Gu Zheng tensed but, seeing the Crown Prince’s unyielding stance, nodded. "Since Your Highness insists, this humble subject has no choice but to comply."
Satisfied, the Crown Prince turned to Shen Qingping. "Minister Shen, you may leave first."
Shen Qingping’s eyes widened in outrage. The snobbish Crown Prince!
Gu Zheng intervened calmly. "Minister Shen, please return to the estate and wait for me."
As the Crown Prince and Gu Zheng walked away, Shen Qingping glared daggers at the Crown Prince’s back.
Now he’s desperate? Too late for regrets!
Eastern Palace.
Gu Zheng sat rigidly, barely touching his tea.
Noticing this, the Crown Prince paused with his cup in hand. "General Gu, did your trip to Pingzhou yield any results?"
"Your Highness, this matter concerns Prince Qin. I cannot disclose anything."
Gu Zheng’s stubbornness made the Crown Prince’s eyes narrow. A tough nut to crack indeed.
"Since you’re a smart man, I’ll be direct," the Crown Prince said, setting down his cup. "The Chang family is the Crown Princess’s maternal clan. I don’t wish to see them harmed. If you agree to my terms, I promise you’ll become the foremost military leader—and I’ll have a temple of merit built in your honor."
To be the greatest general, with a temple commemorating his deeds—it was every warrior’s dream.
But Gu Zheng stood abruptly, his face grim. "Your Highness, a general’s achievements are earned with blood and steel on the battlefield, not handed out through empty promises."
"If I sought undeserved glory, my late father would rise from his grave to haunt me."
"Gu Zheng, don’t you dare overstep!"
Humiliated, the Crown Prince’s fury erupted.
"I have nothing more to say. I take my leave." Gu Zheng bowed and turned to go—only to be blocked at the door.
Behind him, the Crown Prince’s voice dripped with menace:
"Gu Zheng, do you really think you’ll walk out of here so easily?"
