Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 608: The Imperial Decree

"Huh?"

Chu Liang's response left the emperor, the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner, and Yao Dengxian visibly stunned.

The emperor had asked the question casually but hadn't expected him to actually know the answer.

"How do you know this?" the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner asked.

"Just a little guesswork," Chu Liang said with an awkward smile.

The truth was more complex. During his daring escape through the imperial consort's garden, the guards stopped pursuing him. It wasn't a coincidence; someone had intervened. And given the circumstances, it seemed likely that the consort herself had helped him.

At that time, he hadn't revealed his dashing and elegant appearance, appearing only as a stranger in a black robe. To the imperial consort, he should have been just a faceless fugitive. Why, then, would she help him?

Unless, of course, she somehow knew about it—or worse, had orchestrated the entire event herself.

This train of thought led Chu Liang to suspect her, and judging by their reactions, he was probably right.

The Imperial Supervisory Commissioner's lips curved into a faint smile. "Your Majesty, didn't I say he's exceptionally clever? He's undoubtedly the best candidate for this."

"What the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner said is absolutely true," the emperor remarked, nodding with quiet approval.

Hmm?

Chu Liang furrowed his brow, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. Something felt off. Their words seemed to imply more than they let on.

Best candidate... for what?

"First, there was this mess at the Dragon-Keeping Pool. Then, the imperial consort died. One incident after another—each pointing to traitors stirring unrest within the palace. And it's clear their schemes do not end there," the emperor said, leaning forward. His sharp and penetrating gaze locked onto Chu Liang. "I need someone to investigate the imperial consort's case."

Under the weight of the emperor's gaze, Chu Liang couldn't help but feel a slight unease. He hesitated for a moment before replying, "Warrior Yao possesses unparalleled cultivation and exceptional intellect. Surely, he is the stabilizing force of the imperial palace."

"It is inconvenient for the members of the palace to investigate matters that happened in the palace," Yao Dengxian replied immediately.

"This falls squarely under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau," Chu Liang said, trying once more to deflect responsibility.

"It is unsuitable for outsiders to meddle in the affairs of the palace," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner replied.

Chu Liang was at a loss. If palace insiders couldn't investigate, and outsiders weren't allowed to intervene, then who could handle it? Did the consort need to die on the imperial city walls before anyone would take action?

"When the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner first mentioned you, he described you as exceptionally clever and capable of handling great responsibilities. I was hesitant," the emperor said. "But now, I see he was right. As my Imperial Younger Brother, and someone unconnected to any factions within the palace, you are the perfect person to take on this case."

"But..." Chu Liang began, trying to think of another excuse to refuse.

The emperor raised a hand, cutting him off. "You needn't concern yourself with anything else. Others will handle the rest. Your sole responsibility is to investigate the imperial consort's case. There are six hours until the Qinghong Banquet begins. If you can uncover the real murderer within that time, I will pardon your theft of the Golden Dragon Orb—and allow you to take it with you. But if you fail..."

Chu Liang raised his eyes, meeting the emperor's gaze.

The emperor felt a little troubled.

Even if Chu Liang couldn't solve the case, what could I really do to him? The thought lingered in the emperor's mind. After all, my Second Aunt is still in the palace. If even a single hair on her disciple were harmed, she would undoubtedly cause havoc and turn the palace upside down. It's hard to come up with anything that could truly threaten him.

After a brief pause, the emperor finally spoke. "Then I will strip you of your title as Imperial Younger Brother, sever all cooperation between the imperial family and Red Cotton Peak, and forbid you from doing business in the Immortals' Square."

"What?" Chu Liang's face twisted in shock. "Please! Noooooooo!"

"Then do me this favor," the emperor said, picking up a brush. At his gesture, Warrior Lao immediately unrolled a silk scroll. "I will grant you an imperial decree. For the next six hours, anyone inside or outside the imperial city must treat this decree as if I am present in person."

"I'll have Chengfeng accompany you," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner added. "If anything arises, you can rely on him for assistance." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I'll also assign you a young eunuch," Yao Dengxian chimed in. "If you encounter any issues with palace matters, he'll provide guidance."

Chu Liang's face darkened.

I was just a thief. How did I suddenly become an imperial envoy?

...

Chu Liang was familiar with Li Chengfeng. The jade-faced celestial official carried himself with the same elegance and upright demeanor as always. His expression was serious, fully aware of the challenges this mission entailed.

Yao Guang, in contrast, was an inconspicuous young eunuch. His plain features were unremarkable, and years of bowing in palace service had left him slightly hunched, making his already short stature appear even smaller.

"Gentlemen, we're short on time and face a difficult mission. Let's work together," Chu Liang said earnestly as he greeted the two.

"Don't worry. If there's anything you need, you can count on me," Chengfeng Li assured.

"I will also fully cooperate with Your Highness the Imperial Younger Brother," Yao Guang replied respectfully.

Looking at these two, both willing to assist yet unwilling to come up with ideas, Chu Liang sighed softly.

In truth, he understood all too well why this case had been thrust upon him.

The imperial consort was dead. And who was the most obvious suspect?

Naturally, it was Empress Wu.

Yao Dengxian and the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner were both figures deeply rooted in court politics. Even with their status, they had to consider the Empress Wu and the powerful Wu family backing her and would have no choice but to handle such matters with utmost caution.

This was exactly why an outsider was needed—someone who could act without being entangled in the web of palace power struggles.

But that person also needed to be capable enough. It wasn't surprising that the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner had thought of him. Chu Liang suspected that even without the matter of the stolen Golden Dragon Orb, they would have sought him out anyway.

"Since this is a murder case, the first step is to examine the body," Chu Liang said decisively. "Is the corpse still at Qinghong Aviary?"

"It's already been moved," Yao Guang replied immediately. "I'll take you both there."

The three of them set out without guards. With Li Chengfeng's cultivation level, there was no danger in the palace. Armed with the imperial decree, they moved unimpeded through the palace and soon arrived at the place where the consort's body was kept.

The corpse lay peacefully, its face as lifelike as it had been in life, with almost no visible changes. It still wore the same elegant palace gown, identical to the figure Chu Liang had seen by the lake.

The palace staff had determined the time of death based on the lingering traces of her aura, a method unlikely to be mistaken. This meant that the person Chu Liang had seen earlier by the lake was someone else.

He suddenly recalled the story he had heard just days ago—how Chen Xuanlu had discovered a corpse identical to Empress Wu at the bottom of a lake.

Could there be a connection? What's with the trend of doppelgangers in the imperial palace? Chu Liang wondered.

After mulling it over for a moment, he asked, "Has the body been identified?"

"The emperor himself saw it and confirmed it was the imperial consort," Yao Guang replied.

"What was the cause of death?" Chu Liang pressed further.

"There are no visible injuries on the surface," Li Chengfeng replied. "A thorough autopsy might be necessary to uncover the cause."

"Well..." Chu Liang hesitated. An autopsy would require a far more invasive examination. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to perform it."

"I have a wife, so it's even more inappropriate for me," Li Chengfeng immediately added.

Yao Guang glanced between the two of them, sighed heavily, and said, "Alright, I'll do it."

But as he approached the body, his movements were hesitant.

To channel the flow of qi throughout the corpse, one would have to remove the clothing, and dissect the body. These steps were inevitable for a proper examination. If it were an ordinary corpse, it might not matter, but this was the body of a consort. Naturally, there were concerns.

"We really should have brought a woman along. This was an oversight," Li Chengfeng remarked.

"Agreed," Chu Liang added with a sigh. "Being a man is hard."

Li Chengfeng added with a deep sigh, "Being a man with a family and responsibilities is even harder."

"Ahem." Yao Guang couldn't help but clear his throat. "Gentlemen, let's not say such things in front of me... This humble eunuch feels that not being able to be a man is the hardest of all."