Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 204 The Beauty Trap Has Arrived

"It's not that simple after all..."

Haiyue looked at the letter, not surprised.

Previously, Yan Shifan confidently stated that the two had already developed feelings for each other before marriage, but Xia Qingwu showed signs of wavering and was able to open her heart to him.

However, past performance records are available.

As it turned out, Yan Shifan easily overestimated his own charm and became complacent in advance.

Therefore, Haiyue contacted Yan Xiu just to be on the safe side.

Now it seems that it was indeed the right decision.

Xia Qingwu's level of skill is probably even higher than Yan Shifan's, and her loyalty to Liyuan Society is something that a fiancé who has not yet had in-depth contact with her cannot change.

Fortunately, Xia Qingwu did not expect that Yan Shifan had completely seen through her true colors as a member of the Liyuan Society and wanted to use her to his advantage through repeated manipulation.

This underestimates Yan Shifan, treating him as a mere lecherous man to be manipulated.

Based on this development, it is unlikely that either side will achieve its objectives, and it is highly probable that both sides will suffer losses.

That's certainly not the case now, but the key point is that the two women have uncovered an insider in the palace!
The fact that someone could learn of Empress Dowager Jiang's decision to adopt a daughter was not something an ordinary palace maid or eunuch could do; it must have been someone extremely close to her, or the information must have been leaked from someone extremely close to her.

Considering the arrogant words of "Prince Yuan," the grand assassination attempt at the Princess's residence might just be an illusion, but the silent conspiracy within the inner court is the real threat.

Under certain circumstances, subordinates who are misled by Li Yuanshe are absolutely capable of committing regicide and rebellion.

They believed that such actions were aimed at curbing monarchical power, rectifying the social order, and bringing benefits to all people.

After a moment's thought, Haiyue decided to inform Lu Bing of this discovery in a timely manner.

From a purely pragmatic perspective, it should be delayed. After all, this matter is directly related to him and Li Yuying. Reporting it too early would inevitably cause complications. It would be better to make Li Yuying the adopted daughter of Empress Dowager Jiang, settle the matter, and then reveal the truth, thus gaining more goodwill and consolidating his position.

However, such calculations are too utilitarian. The key point is that Empress Dowager Jiang was really willing to take Li Yuying as her goddaughter, which shows that she had a kind heart. How could she disregard her safety?

Haiyue got up and went outside. Seeing Xiaochuan still waiting, she asked, "The letters in the dark box were very valuable. How did you get the key?"

Ogawa replied, "It was stolen."

Haiyue understood: "He's still out there, hasn't returned home yet?"

"Yes……"

Xiao Chuan nodded: "Brother's meaning is that after Young Master Hai has finished looking at what's inside, he should return it if he can, but if he doesn't want to return it, then we'll just take him down!"

Haiyue decisively said, "There is indeed a crucial piece of evidence inside. Let's prepare to arrest him!"

"okay!"

Xiao Chuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and disappeared in a flash, while Hai Yue headed straight for the Northern Garrison.

"So brave!!"

When Lu Bing saw the letter, his expression immediately changed: "I must go to the palace immediately to report this. This matter is of utmost importance. We must launch a large-scale search and capture the thieves as soon as possible!"

Haiyue sensed something was off in his voice: "What's wrong?"

Lu Bing said urgently, "Your Majesty has been childless for many years. Now that your favorite concubine, Lady Yan, is pregnant, he is eagerly awaiting her arrival. How can we allow this to be taken advantage of by traitors?"

Haiyue, as a later generation, knew very well that Zhu Houcong had no problem with offspring. In addition to Prince Yu and Prince Jing, there was also a crown prince who suddenly died of illness after his coming-of-age ceremony. This is why Jiajing believed the saying that the two dragons could not meet.

The fetus in Yan's womb was also a boy, but he died young after only a few months of birth. He was the first prince of the Jiajing Emperor to be recorded.

However, at this point in time, the emperor has been on the throne for twelve years and is twenty-six years old. He has no sons, let alone daughters, which is indeed worrying.

What if, like Emperor Wuzong, he dies without an heir? Are we to find another vassal to succeed him? Wouldn't we have to go through another upheaval similar to the Great Rites Controversy? Who could possibly endure that…?

Therefore, while Emperor Jiajing was overjoyed at the news of Lady Yan's pregnancy, he was also quite cautious. Most of the officials in the outer court were unaware of it, and even Haiyue was hearing Lu Bing mention it for the first time. At this moment, she hurriedly advised him: "Wenfu, since it involves the imperial heir, we must be extremely cautious. What do you plan to do?"

Lu Bing said sternly, "Of course, we should first purge the Empress Dowager and the people in Consort Yan's palace. Anyone who has access to this information should be taken down!"

Haiyue disagreed with the standard Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) approach: "Wenfu, this method can indeed guarantee that the thief who leaked this information will be apprehended, but with so many eunuchs and maids in the harem, what if the Liyuan Society has more than one member? What if it causes panic and Yanfei's mood fluctuates, and something unexpected happens?"

"Well!"

Lu Bing's expression froze. He closed his eyes briefly and slowly said, "Yes! We can't act rashly! I must go to the palace to inform the Empress Dowager first and ask her to make a decision!"

Haiyue nodded: "That's how it should be." That's right.

When Empress Dowager Jiang and her fourteen-year-old son first came to the capital, they found themselves without any relatives or connections in the Forbidden City. They managed to seize imperial power and had seen all sorts of storms. Compared to Empress Dowager Zhang, who was arrogant and domineering because of Emperor Xiaozong's favor, it was far better to ask her to take charge.

Haiyue added, "If needed, Yuying can be sent to the palace to assist. I know her character; given the Empress Dowager's kindness, she will surely want to fulfill her filial duties to repay the Empress Dowager's grace!"

"it is good!"

Lu Bing was deeply moved.

This matter is still far from being finalized. Since the Empress Dowager has kept the matter of adopting a goddaughter a secret, this person could have simply pretended to be ignorant and waited for it to be confirmed. What he is doing now is the true way of returning the favor.

It's easier said than done, but when it comes to one's own interests, how many ungrateful people are there? Lu Bing couldn't help but feel that he hadn't misjudged him, and patted his arm heavily: "I'm going!"

Watching the figure hurriedly mount his horse, Haiyue didn't linger and headed straight for the Shen residence.

Upon arriving outside the house, it remained elegant under the night lights, but the gate was slightly ajar, and inside it was completely silent, so quiet that not even a single footstep could be heard.

Hai Yue stopped and did not rush in. After waiting for a while, Xiao Chuan's head popped out: "Young Master Hai! Over here!"

He then went inside and saw seven or eight people lying on the ground along the way, all of whom were from the Shen residence.

From Shen's parents to the servants and maids around them, everyone was motionless, with only their chests rising and falling slightly, indicating that they were unconscious rather than being directly wiped out.

Haiyue felt a slight sense of relief.

To be honest, he couldn't accept the act of wiping out an entire family at the drop of a hat.

His father, Haihao, had previously slaughtered Mo Dengyong and his entourage in Annan, which could be considered as a matter of no need to show mercy between hostile nations. If Yan Xiu were to wipe out the Shen family, it would be difficult for him to join forces with such a vicious and ruthless person.

Upon arriving at Shen Jinghong's boudoir, they saw candles burning and a woman in plain clothes kneeling on the ground. Her hair was slightly disheveled, which only made her snow-white face appear even more breathtaking. A streak of blood trickled down from the corner of her lips, like a misplaced dab of rouge, adding to her tragic beauty.

Haiyue glanced at him briefly, then turned her gaze directly to Yan Xiu without lingering.

Yan Xiu stood calmly not far behind the woman, arms crossed, without making any threatening gestures or even glancing at her. Instead, he stared intently at Hai Yue as she walked in.

Seeing that he showed no sign of being amazed or lingering, she immediately exclaimed, "So your honey trap really doesn't work on Brother Hai! Little lady, put away your pitiful act!"

Hearing the resentment in the man's tone, Xiao Chuan, who was leading the way, chuckled and whispered, "I've been burned before, and I hate this kind of tactic the most!"

Yan Xiu glared at him: "You think you're all grown up now? Looking for a beating?"

Xiao Chuan stuck out his tongue and chuckled twice.

Haiyue knew that Yan Xiu's reaction at this moment showed that he had completely let go of his past entanglements with the Winged Fire Serpent. On the contrary, his constant avoidance of the topic showed that he was still deeply in love and could not forget her. After the two finished joking around, she asked, "Brother Yan, have you interrogated him?"

"I asked, but I didn't get any information..."

Yan Xiu said helplessly, "I'm not good at interrogation, especially with fools like this who are misled by the Liyuan Society and think they're sacrificing themselves for the sake of the world. Let's leave it to Brother Hai!"

Shen Jinghong raised her eyes: "As expected of Young Master Hai, I once thought that if anyone could see through our identities one day, it would probably be you, Young Master Hai!"

"You flatter me, Madam Shen."

Haiyue said calmly, "You have done such heinous things, and one day you will be punished. I just happened to be there."

Shen Jinghong frowned: "Heinous and immoral? What makes you say such a thing, young master?"

Haiyue's voice turned cold: "They kidnapped nine children, picked out the two of you, and the rest of you died tragically. Isn't this an act of heinous crime? Of course, you can say that it was a misunderstanding, that you two girls were kidnapped by the kidnappers, and that it was Liyuan Society that saved you and made you the last ones alive... But with your talent, you know in your heart whether you have had any doubts about this matter over the years!"

Shen Jinghong fell silent.

Haiyue continued, "Your secret box contains a lot of letters. Some of these letters could have been read and then burned, but you kept them. Just now you said that you had long thought about me discovering your identity. It's clear that deep down, you also felt that it was meaningless to serve him for a lifetime, and you even had the idea of ​​simply having the truth exposed and ending it all!"

"Now, I'll grant your wish!"

Shen Jinghong's long eyelashes cast trembling shadows in the candlelight. Yan Xiu and Xiao Chuan were secretly amazed, witnessing firsthand what sharp and incisive words truly meant.

After a brief silence, Shen Jinghong spoke up: "Young master is truly insightful and perceptive, able to see into people's hearts. If I were to argue further, it would be beneath my dignity. Let's be frank! If you grant me a way out, I am willing to abandon darkness and embrace the light!"

Haiyue said, "Speak."

Shen Jinghong raised her head, her smile radiant, as if this were not a moment of exposed identity and impending imprisonment, but rather a gathering of talented women of the literati, a gathering of poetry and wine. Her slender fingers lightly brushed her hair together, her movements as elegant as if she were applying makeup in front of a mirror: "This humble woman asks for nothing more than the privilege of being granted a concubine's place."

(End of this chapter)