Chapter 616: First Volume, Chapter 616: The True Transmission of the Liang Emperor

First Volume, Chapter 616: The True Transmission of the Liang Emperor

"You and Lord Lin sent men to bring the old accountant back from the Ancestral Land and forced him to imitate Xie Bi's handwriting."

"You forged a secret letter implicating Xie Bi in treason; after it was done, you killed the old accountant to silence him."

"The body is buried twenty li outside the city, in the peach grove."

"Every single detail of this affair, from start to finish, was watched by the Black Guards."

"But since it involved the imperial clan, the Black Guards kept it secret, swiftly reported it to the Holy One, then filed it away in the Black Guards' secret archives."

"Brother Two, from the moment you sent men to capture the old accountant, the Black Guards recorded every detail, down to the smallest thing."

"Tell me, does this count as irrefutable evidence?"

"If Brother Two believes I've colluded with the Black Guards to slander your reputation, that's easily explained."

"After all, I've already sent men to dig up the old accountant's corpse, sealed it in a box, and brought it back into the city—it can be inspected at any time."

"Moreover, once tonight's night interrogation begins, no unauthorized personnel may enter the Dali Temple's Shen Xing Yuan."

"So…"

"Brother Two doesn't know that during this time, I've already had my men arrest everyone involved—including the men who went to capture the old accountant."

As he spoke, Li Yong's smile widened, his gaze at Li Qian like that of a man staring at a corpse.

Qin Feng watched, his heart thrumming with shock.

This Li Yong—when he doesn't act, he's silent; when he strikes, he seals Li Qian's death.

Especially the evidence he provided: not just witnesses, but physical proof too—he held the corpse and the accomplices in his palm, leaving Li Qian no room to maneuver.

At this moment, not just Qin Feng, but everyone present awoke as from a dream.

This seemingly kind and gentle Seventh Prince was, among all the princes, the most calculating and cunning.

To achieve this day, Li Yong had lain dormant for years!

Not even outsiders, but even Li Yong's own brother Li Qian, had sensed nothing.

The world all said Li Qian had truly inherited the Liang Emperor's legacy and would surely become the next Liang Emperor.

Yet no one realized Li Qian had only learned the surface.

And Li Yong, who showed no ambition and revealed nothing, had truly absorbed the Liang Emperor's essence—perhaps even surpassed him!

At least in patience and restraint, Li Yong had outdone the Liang Emperor.

"Brother Two, with your strategy and depth, how could you make such a crude mistake?"

"Have you forgotten what Father Emperor told us?"

"To become ruler of a nation, you must guard against everyone—even those closest to you."

"You knew Jingdu was under the Black Guards' tight surveillance—not a drop of water could leak in, not a breath of wind could pass—yet you made no precautions."

"Did you think the Black Guards, as imperial loyalists, could be fully trusted?"

"Heh, Jingdu isn't home to just one prince."

Li Qian slumped in his chair, his eyes glazed and distant.

He had thought tonight's prey was Qin Feng—that with Lord Lin's help, he could quickly close the case.

Instead, he discovered he himself was the prey being hunted.

And this seemingly harmless Seventh Brother before him was the cruelest, darkest, most venomous hunter of all.

All along, Li Qian had focused all his attention on Qin Feng.

He believed that once Qin Feng was eliminated, the Crown Prince position would be his.

He ignored Li Yong, right beside him—waiting until Li Qian and Qin Feng crippled each other, so Li Yong could reap the benefits.

Yet…

Li Qian refused to accept it. He couldn't understand.

He suddenly lifted his head, locking his eyes on Li Yong, teeth clenched, speaking each word with grinding fury.

"How did you gain access to the Black Guards' secret archives?!"

The Black Guards serve only the sovereign. Not even a prince, let alone the Empress, could ever interfere with them.

Li Yong seemed to have anticipated this question—he answered without hesitation.

"What if I told you I simply went to the Black Guards' headquarters and ordered them to hand over the archives—would you believe me?"

At these words, Li Qian recoiled as if struck, his body trembling violently, screaming hoarsely: "Impossible!"

To Li Qian, the Black Guards, like the Palace Guards, symbolized imperial authority.

The difference: the Palace Guards operated in the open; the Black Guards operated in the shadows.

One represented imperial majesty; the other, ruthless execution.

Only the Liang Emperor could threaten or compel the Black Guards to serve him.

Li Yong still smiled—but that seemingly kind smile sent chills down spines.

Li Yong sighed deeply, his tone heavy with regret, as if deeply disappointed in Li Qian.

Just as the Liang Emperor had once looked at Li Qian in the Imperial Study—with utter disillusionment.

"Brother Two, you still don't understand the true meaning of Father Emperor's words."

"No one in this world deserves Father Emperor's trust—not even the Black Guards."

"Without iron-fisted control, how could the Black Guards remain diligent and loyal?"

"The Black Guards fear the Holy One; I merely need them to fear me as well."

"With leverage, even someone like Qin Feng will submit—how much more so the Black Guards?"

As he spoke, Li Yong cast a meaningful glance at Qin Feng.

Perhaps Qin Feng is hard to control—but his weakness is clear: he values emotion too deeply.

Otherwise, Qin Feng would not have been burdened with the accusation of traitorous talk because of the Xie Family.

Qin Feng was also studying Li Yong, and at this moment, he indeed saw traces of the Liang Emperor in Li Yong.

Qin Feng even faintly felt that the current Li Yong was none other than the young Liang Emperor—his ambition, his ability, sent chills down one's spine.

Li Qian seemed to have realized this as well.

At this moment, he understood why Li Yong had always avoided contention, even appearing somewhat "timid," yet the Liang Emperor had never ceased to place hope in him.

Originally, from the very beginning, the Liang Emperor had known that Li Yong was a latent dragon, destined one day to summon wind and rain.

And he, Li Qian, was merely the Liang Emperor's "backup."

Li Qian suddenly clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, nearly frantic, yet suppressing that frenzy, his voice sank to an abyssal depth.

"Even if I lose and have no claim to the Crown Prince position, I will never let you succeed!"

"Younger brother seven, don't forget Chang You You Xu—I am the eldest prince. As long as I live, this Crown Prince position will never fall to you!"

"Besides, you are isolated and weak—who would obey you!"

Hearing this, Li Yong raised an eyebrow, his smile carrying a hint of mockery.

"Oh? Even now, Second Brother, do you still cling to illusions?"

"If so, I shall make you submit heart and soul."

Almost as soon as Li Yong finished speaking, a Temple Soldier, pale and frantic, rushed into DaTang.

With a thud, he fell to his knees, trembling in silence as he reported.

"L…Lord!"

"The Grand Tutor has returned to Beijing!"

The Dali Temple Minister frowned: "The Grand Tutor returned to Beijing? How is that possible? Wasn't he in the Ancestral Land observing Filial Mourning?"

"Moreover, the Grand Tutor's return is a major event—the Ministry of Personnel should have issued a notice. Why has there been not a single whisper?!"