Chapter 693: Chapter 446: Unusual Movents of the Heavenly Book, Traces Finally Revealed!_2
“To beco the blade in my hand, is it not an honor for him?”
“As Your Majesty says.”
“So many desire such a privilege yet lack the qualification. However, we must now ascertain whether Chen Yuan is a fitting candidate. I certainly do not wish for this blade to turn against later on.”
Jingtai’s gaze was unfathomably deep as he stared off into the distance and spoke solemnly.
“As Your Majesty says.”
“I hope Chen Yuan is a wise man.”
…
…
Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, Chen Yuan headed straight to the Eastern Imperial City Bureau. He casually tossed the so-called ‘heirloom’ he had ntioned earlier into the Heavenly Book and then ceased to concern himself with it.
Now was the perfect opportunity to thoroughly search the Harem from top to bottom and locate the Dragon Vein suppressing the senior Moluo.
After tallying a handful of assistants within the Imperial City Departnt, Chen Yuan led them directly to the Harem. There was no need for a large number of people; Jingtai had made it clear that the matter was not to be publicized. If Chen Yuan still couldn’t take a hint, it would indeed be inappropriate.
But neither could he go with too few.
It was impossible for him to conduct the investigation alone; he needed a few astute subordinates at his side to follow his orders.
Before entering the Harem, Chen Yuan disclosed the mission to them. Tao Qingyuan, who accompanied him, was slightly astonished—it was clear he had not expected his own prediction to be so accurate.
And now, this entire ss had indirectly fallen upon him. How unpredictable life was…
Just as Chen Yuan and a few people including Tao Qingyuan arrived at the Harem, several eunuchs were already waiting, obviously having received Jingtai’s edict in advance.
They awaited Chen Yuan with the utmost respect.
When they saw him approaching with his group, the leading eunuch hastily said:
“This humble servant greets the Green Envoy, Chen.”
“Greetings, Eunuch. May I inquire about your honorable surna?” Chen Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
“This humble servant’s surna is Zhao.”
“Eunuch Zhao, were you waiting especially for Chen?”
“Indeed.”
The senior eunuch then proceeded to explain the reason.
Brandishing the token bestowed by Jingtai, Chen Yuan indeed encountered no obstacle at the outer checkpoints of the Harem; still, even with a token, one could not move freely within its bounds.
After all, it was filled with ladies…
A palace eunuch had to accompany him to prevent any offense to the noblewon within. Chen Yuan gave the matter so thought and readily agreed, deeming it indeed indisputable.
He harbored no discrimination against those ‘extinguishers of roots’;
Having soone follow along was fine, as long as they did not hinder his task.
He had no intention of causing disorder in the Harem, after all.
The leading eunuch had many years of experience in the Harem, and Chen Yuan sensed that his cultivation had almost reached the Reach Profound Peak level. The cultivation and status of those who followed him, however, were much lower.
The eunuch led Chen Yuan towards the site of the previous day’s ‘incident’, and along the way, Chen Yuan finally managed to extract so details about the case from the eunuch.
Honestly, this was the first Chen Yuan had heard of it.
Before this, all he knew was that a concubine in the Harem had drowned, and then… nothing more.
No information, no leads—what was there to investigate?
The senior eunuch spoke at length, daring not to conceal anything. This information had already been compiled into reports, and Chen Yuan, feeling that the eunuch’s account lacked detail,
took a look at the reports himself.
Only then did Chen Yuan begin to understand so of the backstory.
The deceased concubine was twenty-six this year, a consort that Jingtai had taken into the Harem a few years back. However, Jingtai seldom favored her afterward due to his busy cultivation schedule.
Overwheld with longing, the concubine often admired the moon from a pavilion, and it was during one such occasion that she inadvertently fell from a height and drowned on the spot…
That was the general scenario provided in the reports.
Even with just a cursory glance, anyone with sense could spot the discrepancies—for instance… did the concubine visit the pavilion occasionally, or was it a regular occurrence?
Why were there no attendants with the concubine while she admired the moon?
Why didn’t the concubine cry for help when she fell into the water? Were those nearby deaf?
To be frank, just from his first look, Chen Yuan was fairly certain that the concubine’s death was a murder, an issue that rightly should have been handled by the Ministry of Justice.
What exactly was Jingtai up to?
“Eunuch Zhao, do you suspect anyone in particular?” Chen Yuan asked, setting down the reports and speaking gravely.
“The two palace maids who served the concubine.”
“And their motive?”
“What motive?”
Chen Yuan paused for a mont, then added, “Why would they want to kill the concubine?”
“So far, nothing has been determined…”
Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes and gave him a look.
Was he being taken for a fool?
Even if a confession was obtained, wouldn’t it just be under duress?
“Take to see the pavilion where the concubine fell into the water,” Chen Yuan said softly after a pause.
“Follow , Captain Chen.”
The eunuch nodded and led Chen Yuan through the Harem, passing by vast stretches of palatial structures, until they finally arrived at their destination.
“The concubine fell into the water from this pavilion right here,” the eunuch explained, pointing to a pavilion directly ahead.
Chen Yuan nodded and then stepped forward, reaching the pavilion in an instant. The pavilion was not particularly tall or noticeable, and it was not an ideal place for moon-viewing.
Squinting his eyes, Chen Yuan surveyed the surroundings and finally focused on a section of broken railing with a missing piece, as if soone in panic had inadvertently grabbed it while falling.
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