Chapter 448 - 298: Eight Meridians Achieve Perfection! A Pearl Gives Birth to Nine Meridians!

"..." Emperor Qin was silent for a moment, then said: "Master Tang, how are the counties?"

"King of North Snow is still frequently active in the western counties, and no trace has been found in other counties."

"Hmm," Emperor Qin nodded, "How is that matter going?"

"..." Tang Guang paused, and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the arrangements have been made, just waiting for Sikong Heng to present the captives from the Jingyue Kingdom."

"Good!" A cold smile appeared on Emperor Qin’s somber face, "With three hundred thousand Tiger Armor Army under control, once Sikong Heng is captured, let’s see what Chang Qin Wenshuo will use to fight against me!"

"Your Majesty, I heard yesterday that King of Border has returned, and Xiang Yue is his disciple. Could it be..."

"I have inquired; as long as I don’t touch Xiang Yue, King of Border will not interfere in state affairs."

"..."

"By the way, Master Tang," Emperor Qin suddenly looked at Tang Guang with a half-smile, "Although Tang Xuan is dead, shouldn’t there be an explanation to me about his collusion with the Blood Evil Sect?"

"Your Majesty..." Tang Guang’s face changed slightly, "This minister has investigated this matter thoroughly and has executed all associated individuals. There will be no connection between the Tang Family and King of North Snow ever again."

"Heh," Emperor Qin’s smile was more like a sneer, "I naturally believe in Master Tang."

"Your Majesty, I have recently discovered two suspicious matters."

"Concerning Prime Minister Zuo Yuan and Grand Commandant Pei Qing."

"Let me hear it."

"The Regent’s Mansion discovered that Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong embezzled national silver and formed a faction with many officials, with the shadow of the Left Minister behind it all."

"A few days ago, the Left Minister hired the Shadow Tower to assassinate the First-Grade Cold Scholar Chu Ming, who was the principal investigator in the Cui Ye case, which also implicates Secretary Luu Shizhong."

"Therefore, I suspect that the Left Minister must be guilty of something and is looking to kill to cover up his crimes."

Tang Guang articulated each word.

Emperor Qin lowered his eyes and said, "Go on, what’s going on with Grand Commandant Pei?"

"A few days ago, Grand Commandant Pei also had people stationed outside the residence of the First-Grade Cold Scholar Chu Ming and finally captured Tang Xuan’s confidant Tang Man."

"According to what I’ve gathered, before Tang Xuan was imprisoned, he gave Tang Man something life-saving, which worries Grand Commandant Pei greatly."

"What is it?" Emperor Qin looked at Tang Guang.

"..." Tang Guang paused and said solemnly, "Before his death, Tang Xuan pleaded with me and informed me of what he had given Tang Man."

"Speak."

"A golden jade box, inside it contains two auras, one with the Blood Evil Qi, and the other... Grand Commandant Pei’s aura."

"Hmm?" Killing intent flashed in Emperor Qin’s eyes, "Where is the golden jade box?"

"Grand Commandant Pei should have taken it."

"Then what does Master Tang think, real or fake?"

"Truth is uncertain, but it can be tested."

"How to test?"

"Every year before the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, an eastern suburb hunt is held, and this year coincides with Empress Dowager Duaan’s grand birthday. Your Majesty might personally hunt exotic beasts to celebrate her longevity."

The eastern suburb hunt is held a few days before the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition annually, usually led by the Crown Prince and the Princes. Now there are less than seven days left until the Grand Competition, and the date for the hunt has not been set.

"You want me to risk myself to test if Grand Commandant Pei will pass this information to the Blood Evil Sect?"

"Your Majesty, being the ruler of a nation, must not take risks. On the day of the hunt, a substitute can be sent in your place."

"Then let it be set for three days later, the eastern suburb hunt!"

"Let the matter of Sikong Heng presenting captives from the Jingyue Kingdom take place during the eastern suburb hunt!" Emperor Qin’s tone turned icy, "Also, have Zuo Yuan accompany!"

"Yes."

Tang Guang heard this and felt a slight joy in his heart.

The reason he brought up the matters of Left Minister Zuo Yuan and Grand Commandant Pei Qing was to divert the Emperor’s attention, and the result was satisfactory.

To put it plainly, he wanted Emperor Qin’s focus on Zuo Yuan and the Pei Family, thus diminishing the impact of Tang Xuan’s matters on the Tang Family.

"..."

...

Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince sat in the hall, with the Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince seated below.

"Elder brother, this year for the eastern suburb hunt, Father has decided to attend in person, to hunt the Cloud Beasts for Empress Dowager Duaan’s birthday celebration."

"Father also said, whoever hunts the most Cloud Beasts will be allowed to ascend the Celestial Longevity Platform to receive homage from all civil and military officials on Empress Dowager Duaan’s birthday."

"Such an honor must not be given to others!"

The "others" the Seventh Prince referred to was the Second Prince, who previously had people snatch his Yunxia Mud outside the Heavenly Inquiry Tower.

"Elder Brother, Seventh Brother makes sense. Second Brother has been frequently visiting Father’s sleeping quarters these past days..."

"..."

...

Western Palace, Chengqian Hall.

"Second Brother, in three days the eastern suburb hunt will take place, Father will personally hunt the Cloud Beasts and has decreed that the one who excels in the hunt will enjoy homage from both civil and military officials!"

"Haha, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you must prepare well."

"Second Brother doesn’t plan to participate?"

"Of course I’ll participate."

"With Second Brother participating, then Fourth Brother and I can rest easy."

"..."

In the depths of Chengqian Hall, in a certain pitch-black dark chamber, Ming Yu, clad in a black robe, sat within.

"Master." The Second Prince slightly cupped his hands.

"What is it?"

"Master, the eastern suburb hunt will take place three days from now."

"Eastern suburb hunt? What is different this year?"

"Father will personally hunt."

"Oh?" Ming Yu was somewhat surprised, as his gaze lifted, his gray robe rustling, "What about the matter of presenting captives?"

"It will also take place during the eastern suburb hunt."

"By His Majesty’s command?"

"Yes."

"Heh heh, prepare well then."

"..."

...

Left Minister’s Mansion.

Zuo Yuan sat with a gloomy face in the hall, and below him was Luu Xi, son of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong, who was about to participate in the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition.

"Luu Xi, do you know why you can still sit here?" Zuo Yuan asked coldly.

"Thank you, my lord, for your protection!" Luu Xi fell to his knees with a thud.

The Regent’s Mansion obtained evidence of Luu Shizhong’s collusion and corruption and immediately launched an investigation. Once the evidence was verified, Luu Shizhong was arrested.

Luu Xi, as the son of Luu Shizhong, was also supposed to be taken to the Regent’s Mansion for questioning.

"I pleaded with His Majesty, but His Majesty’s intent is clear, if you cannot distinguish yourself in the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, your father and your Luu Family will be executed to the last."