Chapter 391: Chen Family's Thirty-Four Members

The Right Guard of the Eastern Palace died.

Although the Right Guard was only a sixth-rank official, his death was akin to an assassination attempt on the Crown Prince. Even Prince Fu, who had come specifically to cause trouble, cursed the bad luck.

Behind the tables lining the red carpet, guests exchanged nervous glances, falling silent as cicadas in winter. No one had expected that attending the spring hunt ceremony would involve such a major incident.

The Crown Prince sat composed behind his table, quietly observing Prince Fu in the main seat, lost in thought.

Prince Fu raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me? If I wanted to kill someone, I'd kill you! Why would I kill a lowly Right Guard?"

His words shocked everyone present!

Zhou Kuang quickly reminded him in a low voice, "Your Highness, mind your words!"

Prince Fu cursed, "Damn it! If I find out who did this, I'll skin them alive! What's the difference between this and someone pulling down my pants in public?"

As if he hadn't heard Prince Fu's rebellious remarks, the Crown Prince said softly, "Of course, I know it wasn't you, Imperial Brother. But this matter is of great importance. We must immediately dispatch a swift horse to the capital to report it and have the imperial court send forensic examiners and the Jie Fan Guards!"

Prince Fu suddenly stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You're not trying to frame me, are you, Crown Prince? You've done things like this before!"

A servant beside the Crown Prince's face darkened. "Your Highness, mind your words. It is one thing for His Royal Highness not to suspect you, but how can you, in turn, suspect him?"

Prince Fu leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "You have no place speaking here! Slap him!"

Before the servant could react, Zhou Kuang had already flashed in front of him, raising his palm!

The palm, carrying a whistling gale, swept down but stopped abruptly before the Crown Prince's attendant!

A middle-aged man in a black Taoist robe had intercepted him, calmly grasping Zhou Kuang's wrist!

The two men grappled, evenly matched, neither gaining an advantage!

The middle-aged man, with a simple topknot and cloud-patterned shoes, turned to Prince Fu. "Your Highness, this is undignified in front of everyone!"

Zhou Kuang looked back at Prince Fu, who waved his sleeve. "Since Mr. Liao has intervened, I'll give him face. However, this Crown Prince's guard behind you needs to be taught some manners!"

Mr. Liao released his grip, humbly retreating behind the Crown Prince, his sharp demeanor completely hidden.

All the guests remained still and silent, not daring to speak.

The Crown Prince smiled at Prince Fu. "Imperial Brother, I will instruct my own people; there's no need for you to trouble yourself!"

Prince Fu, like a defiant ruffian, remained utterly unconcerned. He picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. "Then teach him well!"

The Crown Prince unhurriedly replied, "Imperial Brother, I didn't even know you would be here today, so how could I frame you? I also don't believe it was your doing, so let's not suspect each other. As for who is responsible, let's wait for the Jie Fan Guards or the Secret Intelligence Directorate to make a determination!"

Prince Fu smiled. "It had better not be someone trying to frame me, or I'll lose my temper. I haven't lost my temper in so long that everyone thinks I'm a pushover!"

Prince Fu stared intently at the Crown Prince. "Today, every time I recall the danger at the Altar of the First Silkworm, I get a fright! But don't forget, you're not the only ones who can kill; I can kill too!"

From the moment he appeared today, he had been aggressive. First, his words were barbed, then he seized the Crown Prince's main seat. Such rebellious acts, once reported to the capital, would surely provoke a barrage of criticism from the censors. Yet, he insisted on doing so, utterly unconcerned, practicing an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

At this point, the Crown Prince ignored Prince Fu and instructed Mr. Liao behind him, "Now, seal off the bedchamber. Do not let anyone approach. Have someone ride a swift horse back to the capital and report this matter to the Directorate of Ceremonial. Tell them to send the Jie Fan Guards and the Secret Intelligence Directorate to investigate!"

Mr. Liao humbly replied, "Rest assured, Your Royal Highness. I will have men take two swift horses for relay, and the Jie Fan Guards will be here before dawn!"

The Crown Prince nodded. "Go."

His gaze swept over the guests and stopped on Chen Ji. "Brother Chen Ji, I recall you have considerable experience in examining crime scenes. Why don't you go take a look first?"

Chen Ji rose and cupped his hands. "Your Royal Highness, I am not skilled in such matters. It would be best to wait until the Jie Fan Guards and the Secret Intelligence Directorate arrive!"

The Crown Prince smiled. "In Guyuan, you were willing to share my burdens, but now you seem unfamiliar with it!"

"Your Royal Highness misunderstands. I am indeed not skilled in this area!" Chen Ji sat back down.

Just as the Crown Prince was about to say more, a guest suddenly cupped his hands and said, "Your Royal Highness, I just remembered I have an urgent matter to attend to at home, so I must take my leave first!"

The Crown Prince gently asked, "Lord Zhao, what is the matter?"

Lord Zhao replied without changing his expression, "My mother caught a cold before I came to Xiangshan today. I wish to return and see if she has recovered!"

Prince Fu's uninvited appearance tonight was already intriguing.

The Right Guard of the Eastern Palace dying just as Prince Fu arrived made it even more intriguing!

Had Prince Fu killed the man? What else did Prince Fu intend to do? Would staying here embroil them in the succession struggle? No one knew.

The officials and nobles in the capital were most skilled at protecting themselves and avoiding trouble.

Lord Zhao set the precedent, and immediately two more people rose, finding excuses to bid the Crown Prince farewell.

News of the Crown Prince's waning influence had already spread from the palace. Not many guests had come to this spring hunt anyway! If these people left, the banquet would likely become even more desolate!

Chen Ji, however, ignored this, also rising to take his leave. "Your Royal Highness, tomorrow is the Imperial Examination. The Imperial Forest Army still needs to stand guard at the examination hall. Qi Zhenzhuo and I must also return!"

Qi Zhenzhuo was startled and carefully tugged at Chen Ji's sleeve, but Chen Ji paid him no mind.

Others might not guess who the culprit was, but Chen Ji had already figured it out. It was highly likely to be Si Cao Gui. If he didn't leave now, and Si Cao Gui was discovered by the Jie Fan Guards or the Secret Intelligence Directorate, he would also be implicated!

However, the Crown Prince remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "You all have important matters, and ordinarily, I shouldn't stop you. But as the culprit has not yet been found, I'm afraid I cannot let any of you leave. Not only can none of you leave, but no one in this Red Leaf Villa can leave!"

Lord Zhao had just opened his mouth to protest when he heard the Crown Prince continue, "Anyone eager to leave right now might be an accomplice to the murderer!"

Lord Zhao's expression changed, and he sheepishly sat back down.

Prince Fu, sitting casually in the main seat, said loudly, "Alright, stop thinking about leaving. Wait until the Jie Fan Guards arrive and clarify the truth! All of you, bear witness for me: he died just after I arrived, and I haven't left your sight for a moment! Neither have Zhou Kuang and the others!"

The guests exchanged glances, not daring to speak, while the Crown Prince, instead, smiled and said, "I will vouch for you, Imperial Brother!"

Prince Fu smiled. "That's good then! By the way, I heard the Imperial Music Bureau was supposed to perform the 'Immortal Guiding the Way' tonight. Where are they?"

The Crown Prince, composed behind his table, replied, "The musicians should still be preparing. We'll have to wait a little longer!"

Prince Fu grumbled, "How boring! So we just drink without entertainment?"

Qi Zhaoning said, "My younger sister, Qi Zhenzhu, is skilled with stringed instruments. Perhaps she could play a few tunes first!"

Qi Zhenzhu slowly rose, preparing to retrieve her pipa!

But Prince Fu, from the main seat, irritably said, "Wait, wait, don't demean people like that! How can you ask a guest to perform? Isn't that an insult to the Crown Prince?"

Qi Zhenzhu stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to stay or leave.

It wasn't until Qi Zhaoning mumbled, "Zhenzhu, just sit back down!"

Only then did Qi Zhenzhu sit back at a corner table.

Prince Fu raised his cup. "If we must drink without entertainment, then let's drink. Gentlemen, a toast!"

During the banquet, Qi Zhenzhuo put down his wine cup and muttered softly, "Prince Fu is a prince, yet he acts like a hooligan from the market!"

Zhang Zheng, sitting nearby, cheerfully retorted, "I actually think Prince Fu has more humanity than the Crown Prince. I prefer dealing with real people! What do you say, Chen Ji?" Chen Ji did not reply.

Zhang Xia looked at the frowning Chen Ji and suddenly said to Qi Zhenzhuo, "You sit here!"

Originally, siblings Zhang Zheng and Zhang Xia sat together, and the two Imperial Forest Army guards, Qi Zhenzhuo and Chen Ji, sat together. But now Zhang Xia wanted to switch seats to sit next to Chen Ji.

Qi Zhenzhuo paused, instinctively glancing at Qi Zhaoning across from him, but ultimately dared not refuse.

Zhang Xia sat down next to Chen Ji, completely ignoring the anger in Qi Zhaoning's eyes.

She whispered, "I guess you're thinking about the Guyuan incident!"

Chen Ji nodded slightly. "The thirty-four lives of the Chen family have remained unaccounted for. I don't intend to avenge them, but I've always been curious who committed the act!"

Zhang Xia softly said, "The Crown Prince!"

"Exactly!" Chen Ji calmly stated. "As I said before, it's not easy to make someone bleed from all seven orifices using poison. Leaving aside the pharmacology, just considering who would benefit, it could only be the Crown Prince!"

When the Chen family arrived in Guyuan, the poisoner deliberately waited for Chen Liqin to leave before acting. Therefore, the perpetrator did not intend to kill Chen Liqin, only the Chen family members.

At that time, there were only four powers in Guyuan: the Guyuan Border Army, the Crown Prince, Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence, and Ning Dynasty Secret Intelligence Directorate.

The Guyuan Border Army was busy planning to trap and annihilate the Tian Ce Army, so they paid no attention to the Crown Prince. Hu Junxian didn't even regard the Crown Prince as important.

Hu Junxian knew from the beginning that the case of killing innocent civilians for false merits could not be investigated thoroughly. If Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence wanted to use this to stir up trouble for the Crown Prince's border army, they should have killed Chen Liqin as well; there was no reason to specifically spare him.

As for the Secret Intelligence Directorate, Feng Wenzheng had personally denied it. Although Mr. Feng acted ruthlessly and disregarded human lives, he always admitted to what he had done and never flinched.

That left only the Crown Prince!

Chen Ji said in a deep voice, "The Crown Prince was ordered to investigate the case of killing innocent civilians for false merits, but he met with heavy resistance and made no progress. What would be the consequences if he were to kill the thirty-four members of the Chen family at that time?"

Zhang Xia understood his unspoken meaning. "The imperial court would be enraged and would certainly dispatch the Secret Intelligence Directorate to investigate, and they would surely unearth the truth of the matter. The Chen family would also be furious, and even for the sake of their reputation, they would pursue the Guyuan Border Army relentlessly. The Crown Prince wanted to escalate the situation, which is why he summoned Chen Liqin to Guyuan on short notice, and why he killed the Chen family's relatives to provoke a thorough investigation of Guyuan's core issues by the imperial court. However, he didn't wait for the imperial court's full investigation; instead, the Tian Ce Army arrived first. Once the Tian Ce Army came, Guyuan was put under lockdown, and all his plans were shattered. That's why the deaths of those thirty-four people seemed to have no follow-up, becoming insignificant or wasted moves on the chessboard."

If the Tian Ce Army hadn't arrived, things should have unfolded just as Zhang Xia described!

Chen Ji looked at the Crown Prince not far away. "When you came down from the roof of the Dragon Gate Inn, others saw the mutilated corpses and turned pale with nausea, but the Crown Prince didn't vomit. His eyes were very calm. There are only two possibilities: either the Crown Prince is naturally strong-willed and unaffected by external disturbances, or he had already witnessed similar scenes and was past the period of shock."

Chen Ji whispered a warning, "Be careful of the Crown Prince. This person is extremely sinister. This spring hunt won't be simple!"

Zhang Xia smiled. "Don't worry!"