Chapter 71: Shock

The old eunuch slowly glanced at the surrounding imperial consorts, hesitated a moment, then took a deep breath and spoke in a low tone:

“Just now, I went to Yixin Palace and found everyone dead—including Imperial Consort Ji—each with a horrific death.”

At these words, the Empress, who had been sipping tea, froze in place; the other consorts in the hall suddenly lifted their heads, and silence fell like a needle dropping.

“Say that again. What happened?”

The next instant, the Empress snapped out of her shock, leapt to her feet, her expression fraught with disbelief.

She knew full well that the old eunuch beside her would never dare lie—especially not about an Imperial Consort.

Yet she simply could not believe what he claimed was true.

“I saw it with my own eyes. No one survived in Yixin Palace. Imperial Consort Ji and all the servants were surely murdered.”

The old eunuch’s face was equally grim—he too found it unbelievable, yet it was what he had witnessed.

Moreover, the manner of Imperial Consort Ji’s death was so gruesome that even now, recalling it sent a chill through him.

The old eunuch bowed his head and spoke again in a low voice:

“Your Majesty, as mistress of the inner palace, you must now take charge of this matter.”

At these words, the consorts in the hall erupted into chaos, each face twisted with terror.

For the Great Li Imperial Palace was heavily guarded—even a mosquito could not fly in; it was the safest place in all of Great Li.

And now, an Imperial Consort had been murdered within its walls—this was utterly horrifying!

“All of you, be silent!”

The Empress snapped at the consorts, her expression shifting for a moment before she turned to the old eunuch and said:

“The Emperor has entered deep seclusion since last night and cannot be disturbed for at least half a month. Go at once and inform Li Tianyi of the Office of Ceremonial Affairs—he must go to Yixin Palace himself.”

The old eunuch bowed in response, then added softly:

“The killer’s whereabouts are unknown—he may still be hiding somewhere in the palace. You must be extra cautious.”

With that, he vanished in an instant like a shadowy gust of wind.

The Empress’s face darkened. She then summoned several eunuchs and ordered:

“Carry out my decree: immediately seal off the inner palace with the Imperial Guard, and command the Palace Commander, General Shenwei, to search every corner of the palace for the killer.”

Having spoken, she swept her gaze over the consorts before her and said coldly:

“No one is to spread word of this.”

…

Cangyuan Marquis Mansion.

Above a pit littered with bleached bones, the Chief Inspector Guan Tianqian stood with a grim expression, staring down in silence.

Nearby, Fu Yu—the head of the Ten Famous Captains of the Grand Inspectorate—and other captains including Ji Feiyun were also present.

This morning, before dawn, a constable on duty at the Six Ministries had found Guan Shanxue lying unconscious at the mansion’s entrance.

After barely reviving her, they discovered she was dazed, unable to recall why she had fainted—her only clear memory was declaring that Cang Yunning was a woman-rapist.

Upon learning this, the Six Ministries immediately sent men to question the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion—only to find this scene before them.

Given the gravity of the matter, the constables dared not act on their own and reported it up the chain.

The case drew not only Fu Yu and the others, but even Chief Inspector Guan Tianqian arrived at once upon hearing the news.

“What did the servants and maids say?”

Guan Tianqian frowned, turning to Fu Yu.

Fu Yu shook his head.

“The Marquis ordered everyone to stay in their rooms at night. Someone did hear fighting last night, but no one dared step out—so no one knows what truly happened.”

Guan Tianqian nodded slightly, then asked:

“Has Cang Yunning’s identity as a woman-rapist been confirmed?”

Fu Yu hesitated, then nodded.

He was about to speak when Guan Tianqian’s gaze suddenly shifted—he had noticed something—and he barked:

“Everyone, step back!”

Though confused, Fu Yu and the others quickly retreated from the courtyard.

At the same moment, Guan Tianqian shot upward without wind or aid, rising dozens of feet into the air. He flipped his palm and lightly slapped downward.

In the next instant, a massive hand-shaped shadow, the size of a house, descended from the sky and crashed into the courtyard.

Dirt flew, dust shook—the ground cracked open in deep fissures, forming several lines of characters.

Guan Tianqian, hovering above, scanned the characters, his expression changing slightly, then slowly descended.

Around him, Fu Yu and the others had now seen the words on the ground—each face turned pale with shock.

“This…”

Ji Feiyun was stunned—the few lines of writing revealed the hidden truth behind the bones in the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion.

But he could hardly believe it—this case involved an Imperial Consort from the palace.

“My lord.”

Fu Yu hurried to Guan Tianqian’s side, hesitated, then asked:

“Should we continue investigating this case?”

Guan Tianqian glanced at him but did not answer immediately. Instead, he said slowly:

“The killer’s strength is immense. From what I observed, he killed purely with true Qi—his martial style is untraceable.”

His gaze returned to the characters on the ground. He added:

“But I can confirm this man is a Tianren cultivator. The fact that he left these words beneath the earth without leaving a trace means his control over the true Qi of heaven and earth has reached the level of microscopic precision.”

Fu Yu said nothing, only frowned.

At that moment, Guan Tianqian shook his head.

“Since he left these words, he wants us to keep investigating. We have no reason to offend such a man—don’t you agree?”

“But what if we anger the one in the palace?”

Guan Tianqian waved his hand.

“The Six Ministries investigate according to law—we don’t owe allegiance to anyone. We only seek the truth. What happens after is the Ministry of Justice and the Emperor’s concern—not ours.”

Then he looked at Fu Yu, clapped his shoulder, and said:

“I know you’re close to the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion—but public duty is public duty, personal ties are personal ties. Don’t disappoint my trust in you.”

With that, Guan Tianqian turned and left without further delay.

Yet no one noticed that in his hand, Guan Tianqian held a small stone.

Only after leaving the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion did he slowly open his palm—on its surface was carved a single line of characters:

“Imperial Consort Ji is dead. Investigate well.”

…

“Interesting.”

Guan Tianqian narrowed his eyes, then gazed toward the palace:

“I’d like to see if Imperial Consort Ji is truly dead.”

The words on the stone clearly carried a threat.

Yet Guan Tianqian had never intended to bury this case.

But so many powerful figures were involved—he would face immense pressure going forward, and it was hard to guarantee he could investigate to the end.

Guan Tianqian’s face darkened with thought, then he shook his head.

He could not break into the palace and kill a consort—but if the killer could, then he might well need to take that threat seriously.

(End of Chapter)