Chapter 76: Confirmed Death

At these words, Guan Tianqian's gaze instantly grew sharp as he said:

"Are you saying you saw that young man at the Hou Fu last night?"

Guan Shanxue nodded, though her expression was momentarily somewhat unnatural.

For she not only remembered having seen the other party, but she also recalled all the rather shameful acts she had committed at that time.

Guan Tianqian narrowed his eyes, pondering in silence.

Obviously, from the current situation, that young man was undoubtedly highly suspicious.

Cang Cang Yin Yue's martial arts cultivation was insufficient to leave such profound acupoint-sealing techniques on Guan Shanxue; this matter was very likely done by the other party.

Cang Cang Yin Yue also lacked sufficient strength to capture the three wanted criminals and that Da Qi remnant; only someone else could have helped her, and coincidentally, the young man had displayed extremely powerful strength and had recently appeared by Cang Cang Yin Yue's side.

Adding to this, the other party had appeared at the Hou Fu last night; all these clues gathered together pointed to one thing: the deaths of the Hou of Cang Yuan and others might well be related to that young man.

Seeing Guan Tianqian remain silent for so long, Guan Shanxue frowned and said:

"You wouldn't suspect that white-faced pretty boy, would you? But he has not a shred of martial arts true qi within him."

Guan Tianqian glanced at the other party and said:

"Then explain to me why he appeared at the Hou Fu last night."

"This... isn't it simple? Cang Cang Yin Yue must have secretly met the other party at the Hou Fu under the cover of night."

"Foolish! Do you think anyone can enter the Hou Fu? Besides, use your brain and think: why did you fall unconscious and enter the Hou Fu? The Hou of Cang Yuan and others were all killed, yet why did they not kill you, but instead return you intact to the Six Fan Gate?"

Hearing this, Guan Shanxue's expression froze; she wanted to say the other party feared her identity as the daughter of the Divine Constable.

But upon second thought, silencing her by killing her would be even more reasonable.

Guan Tianqian shook his head slightly and said:

"That person is not simple, but he does not appear to be a vicious criminal. As for your claim that the other party has no martial arts true qi, it may be that your cultivation is too low, while the other party possesses some method to conceal his aura; it is normal that you cannot perceive it."

Speaking thus, Guan Tianqian unconsciously frowned again.

He could confirm that the person who acted at the Hou Fu was absolutely a master of the Heaven-and-Mortal Realm; however, it was highly unlikely that the young man could possess such a realm.

Perhaps he was in disguise, or perhaps there was another person behind him.

But regardless, the breakthrough in this matter lies in only one place: Cang Cang Yin Yue.

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the door, and a Constable outside urgently said:

"My lord, someone from the palace has come to see you."

Hearing this, Guan Tianqian's face showed a strange expression; he then glanced at Guan Shanxue and instructed:

"What was just said should be known only to the two of us; do not tell anyone else. I will handle this matter."

Guan Shanxue gave a slight snort, but she also understood this matter was no small affair, so she could only reluctantly nod her head.

Seeing this, Guan Tianqian said no more and walked out of the room.

Not long after, he, accompanied by two Gold Medal Constables of the Six Fan Gate, boarded a carriage with the palace Eunuch and together headed for the Great Li Imperial Palace.

"Eunuch, may I ask for what purpose we are summoned into the palace?"

Inside the carriage, Guan Tianqian clasped his hands and asked the Eunuch who was closing his eyes to rest.

However, the Eunuch merely shook his head and said:

"My lord Guan need not ask too much; once we arrive at the palace, you will know."

Having spoken, the Eunuch's face became indifferent and he ceased any further conversation with him.

Guan Tianqian frowned slightly but did not dare to continue asking.

The carriage passed through the "Xuanwu Gate," crossed the Golden Bridge, and then entered the outer city of the Imperial Palace.

At this moment, Guan Tianqian and the two senior Gold Medal Constables all showed slight changes in expression.

The guards throughout the Imperial Palace were far too strict; everywhere were soldiers in armor patrolling. Over such a short distance, the carriage they rode had undergone inspection five times.

Instantly, a thought surged into the minds of the three: something has happened in the palace.

Guan Tianqian suddenly remembered that stone, and his expression began to fluctuate uncertainly.

Could it be...

Not long after, he arrived outside the Yixin Hall by carriage.

Here, he also saw a Commander of the Secret Intelligence Bureau and his subordinates.

"Let us go in and see," an old Eunuch said.

Hearing this, Guan Tianqian led the two Gold Medal Constables toward the Yixin Hall.

Upon entering the hall, when Guan Tianqian personally witnessed the tragic scene within, he instinctively stopped in his tracks, his expression somewhat dazed:

"He really did kill Noble Consort Ji!"

Inside a hall of the Six Fan Gate's main headquarters.

Fu Yu stood by the window, gazing motionless at the ancient tree outside the hall.

Not long after, Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan entered; Ji Feiyun turned to close the door, then walked close and whispered:

"Brother Fu, I have already had someone notify the Fifth Imperial Prince regarding the matter at the Hou Fu."

Hearing this, Fu Yu nodded slightly.

Then, he turned his head to look at the two and asked:

"Did you see Cang Cang Yin Yue?"

Hearing this, both Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan shook their heads.

"Yesterday, the Hou Fu sent a messenger stating that Constable Cang will not be coming to the Six Fan Gate to serve for some time."

Gong Lishan spoke, then he and Ji Feiyun exchanged a glance, but neither continued further.

Fu Yu's gaze swept over the two, and he said:

"Given the relationship between us, there's no need to hold anything back—say it straight."

Ji Feiyun hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Yesterday, Marquis Cangyuan had actually already placed Cang Cang Yin Yue under house arrest at Hou Fu, but after the gruesome case occurred at the Hou Fu, we didn't find her."

"We only found a broken large lock in an underground chamber in the rear garden—Cang Cang Yin Yue has most likely already escaped from Hou Fu, her whereabouts unknown."

Gong Lishan deliberated for a moment, then said:

"Moreover, we cannot rule out that Constable Cang is connected to the deaths of Marquis Cangyuan and Lady Zhu."

Fu Yu's expression remained calm as he said:

"Could it be that you all believe Cang Cang Yin Yue is behind this matter?"

Ji Feiyun glanced at Fu Yu, his complexion suddenly turning somewhat solemn, and said:

"Brother Fu may not know this, but I have already confirmed and verified that the young man Cang Cang Yin Yue brought into Aurora Pavilion is undoubtedly the Eighth Imperial Prince newly acknowledged by Your Majesty."

At these words, a flash of surprise clearly crossed Fu Yu's previously impassive face.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at Ji Feiyun:

"Are you certain?"

Ji Feiyun nodded solemnly, while Fu Yu fell silent for a while, murmuring:

"She actually found the true Imperial Prince who had been living among the common folk—that is beyond my expectations."

Hearing this, Gong Lishan nodded lightly and said:

"Although Constable Cang's martial cultivation is somewhat lacking, her abilities in investigating cases and handling affairs are extremely strong—otherwise she wouldn't have been promoted to Silver-Medal Constable at such a young age."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Fu Yu, and he said:

"Now that Marquis Cangyuan and Lady Zhu are both dead, Marquis Cangyuan's Hou Fu already exists in name only, but Constable Cang has now latched onto the Eighth Imperial Prince's line—it's not impossible that she might revive the Hou Fu in the future."

Fu Yu waved his hand and said slowly:

"Regardless of whether she has found the Eighth Imperial Prince, I will not give up on the marriage contract with her."

(End of this chapter)