Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

April 1st, noon.

The repercussions of the blood-dropping kinship test at the Imperial Ancestral Temple have not yet completely subsided.

Faced with irrefutable facts and the chilling words of a child, the remaining forces of the Liu faction were completely silenced.

In the imperial court, the Liu family's decline was like a collapsing building, beyond saving.

However, although Liu Chengzong has fallen, Liu Chengming remains in the shadows.

The Liu family's deeply entrenched network of influence has not been completely dismantled.

The final counterattack might be even more frantic.

At this seemingly calm but actually turbulent moment,

A group of well-traveled, heavily guarded carriages and horses,

Holding the special token of the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion, just before the city gates were about to close,

They quietly drove into the capital.

The carriage did not go to any official residence or post station.

Instead, it meandered and twisted, eventually disappearing into the night.

They secretly entered Qingyi Garden, a secluded palace garden on the west side of the imperial city, which belonged to the Imperial Household Department and was rarely used.

The person leading the team was none other than Xiao Jue, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, who was supposed to be guarding the northern border.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, candlelight shone brightly.

Nangong Ye's expression was solemn as he listened to Xuan Ying's report on the progress of the overnight interrogation of the "Dark Fragrance" assassin captured the previous night.

That assassin leader was extremely tough.

Despite enduring torture, he only uttered trivial information, keeping the core secrets tightly under wraps.

"His Majesty,"

The eunuch outside the hall reported in a low voice.

"Xiao Jue, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, secretly entered the capital."

I have an urgent matter to discuss.

We have now arrived at Qingyi Garden and brought in a key witness.

Nangong Ye suddenly looked up:

"Xiao Jue? Isn't he in the Northern Border?"

"Summon them! Prepare to depart for Qingyi Garden immediately!"

He had a vague premonition that Xiao Jue's secret return to the capital at this time was not ordinary news.

Inside the warm pavilion of Qingyi Garden, the charcoal fire dispelled the chill of the spring night.

Xiao Jue was covered in the harsh weather of the northern border, his armor still on.

His brows showed the weariness of a long journey, but his eyes were sharp and bright.

Beside him stood a man who looked to be about forty years old, thin, with a sallow complexion and a fearful and uneasy look in his eyes.

The man was dressed in the cotton robe of an ordinary merchant.

He clutched an oilcloth bundle tightly in his arms, as if it were his life.

Nangong Ye strode in, and Xiao Jue and the man immediately knelt down to pay their respects.

"Xiao Qing, there's no need for such formalities."

Nangong Ye helped Xiao Jue up, but his gaze fell on the unfamiliar man.

"Who is this?"

Xiao Jue said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, this man's surname is Qian, and his given name is Youcai."

Originally one of the head accountants of the Jiangnan "Litong Money Shop",

Later, due to his "outstanding abilities," he was secretly recruited by Ryu Seung-myung.

Join his "Dark Fragrance" organization.

Specifically responsible for handling some of the Liu family's shady financial transactions.

And... accounts of "gifts and favors" exchanged with officials in various regions.

Money and wealth? Litong Money Exchange? Anxiang Accounting Firm?!

Nangong Ye's pupils contracted!

Litong Money Shop was the very entity listed in the military pay ledger presented by Shen Anbang.

The cover bank that appeared multiple times to transfer embezzled funds!

Qian Youcai trembled with fear and kowtowed repeatedly:

"This humble subject...this humble subject, Qian Youcai, kowtows to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Get up and speak."

Nangong Ye stared at him.

"Young Master Xiao says you are a key witness. What evidence do you have?"

Qian Youcai raised his head, trembling, his face filled with lingering fear and resentment:

Your Majesty! This humble subject...this humble subject was originally an honest accountant,

Under Liu Chengming's coercion and enticement, he made many false accounts for him and embezzled a lot of money.

Knowing too many secrets... Three months ago,

Liu Chengming suddenly said that my "accounts were wrong" and that he wanted to punish me.

I sensed something was wrong and secretly ran away.

As a result, he was hunted down by the "Dark Fragrance" assassins he sent in Jiangnan.

He was stabbed multiple times and thrown into the canal...

He thought he was going to die, but was fortunately rescued by a northern merchant ship on the canal.

Later... later he was found and protected by Prince Xiao...

He swallowed hard, carefully placed the oilcloth bundle he was clutching tightly on the ground, and untied it.

Inside were several poorly bound account books, their pages yellowed and clearly quite old.

And... a stack of letters neatly bound with silk thread!

The envelopes were of various styles, some simple, some luxurious.

However, most of them have special sealing wax marks at the seal.

Some were already damaged, revealing a corner of the letter inside.

"Your Majesty, these account books are a portion of the core internal accounts of 'Dark Fragrance,' which I secretly copied."

More detailed than what Minister Shen had previously obtained.

It includes the specific path the Liu family used for money laundering through money shops, and the final destination of each transaction.

And the code names of the people involved and their profit-sharing percentages.

Qian Youcai pointed to the account books, then to the stack of letters.

"And these... are the deadly things!"

He picked up the top few letters, his fingers trembling with excitement and fear:

"These...these are all original secret letters exchanged between Liu Chengming and officials and military generals from various regions!"

It was I who, taking advantage of my position, destroyed it before Liu Chengming ordered it to be destroyed.

They were secretly replaced and hidden away!

The original secret letter?!

Nangong Ye and Xuan Ying, who was standing by, were both greatly shocked!

Account books can be forged.

However, the original copies of the secret correspondence, especially the original letters bearing both parties' handwriting, seals, and sealing wax,

Its probative value is unparalleled!

"Who are the participants? What is the content of their message?"

Nangong Ye's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

Qian Youcai flipped through the letters, reciting them as if they were his own treasures.

With each name mentioned, Nangong Ye's expression grew even darker:

"This letter was written by Liu Chengming to Du Wenyuan, who was then the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, in the sixth year of the Jinghe era."

They discussed how to falsely report the salt ship's "sinking" and divide the 30,000 taels of salt tax among themselves.

It bears Liu Chengming's personal seal and Du Wenyuan's signature on the reply slip.

"This letter, written in the seventh year of the Jinghe era, is a 'letter of loyalty' from Zhou Meng, the deputy general of the Fuyuan Army, to Liu Chengming."

He thanked Liu Xiang for securing his current position and promised that he would "handle all matters concerning military pay as instructed" in the future.

Attached is a copy of the Ministry of War's approval document for Zhou Meng's promotion, which bears traces of Liu Chengming's instructions.

"This letter is even earlier, dated to the fourth year of the Jinghe era, written by Liu Chengming instructing his trusted confidants within the Ministry of Personnel."

This is a draft letter arranging a promotion for Zhao Yuanlang, who was then the county magistrate.

The list above details the officials who need to be bribed and the amounts involved!

"And these too,"

Qian Youcai then took out a few more envelopes.

"These are correspondence between Liu Chengming and several prefects and magistrates in Jiangnan regarding how to divide the 'disaster relief' funds;

Agreement with Ministry of Works officials regarding shoddy workmanship and embezzlement in royal projects

Even... there was a connection with a tribal chief in Xiling.

Transaction vouchers for the purchase of banned drugs such as "Crimson Death" and rare minerals!

He picked up the last letter, which looked the newest and had the most unusual sealing wax:

"This letter was sent three months ago by Liu Chengming to the Jiangnan branch of 'Dark Fragrance'."

The secret order was to thoroughly investigate the background of "Night Phoenix" and take "any necessary measures" to eliminate it when the opportunity arises!

It bears Liu Chengming's autograph and the "Dark Fragrance" leader's receipt mark!

The proof is like a mountain!

Each letter is like a poisoned dagger.

The attack precisely targeted the Liu family's alleged cronyism, selling of official positions, embezzlement of military funds, and misappropriation of state funds.

The core of a series of crimes, including colluding with foreign powers and framing murder!

And it is irrefutable original evidence!

With these, Shen Anbang's previous account books were no longer isolated evidence.

Liu Chengzong's counterattack in the Golden Hall, accusing the other party of "framing" him, became a joke.

Last night, the "Dark Fragrance" assassin's token also became more directly related!

This is no longer a report based on hearsay, nor is it an account book of dubious origin.

This is capable of involving the Liu family father and son, as well as all the officials mentioned in the letter.

A case that has been thoroughly investigated and condemned to the pillar of shame!

Nangong Ye flipped through the letters page by page, looking at the familiar and unfamiliar handwriting and seals of the officials.

Looking at those shocking details of the transactions and the figures for the spoils, I felt a surge of anger rising in my chest, almost bursting out of my chest!

This is the prime minister he relied on as his right-hand man! These are the court officials under his rule!

"Well done...well done Liu Chengzong! Well done, Liu family!"

Nangong Ye's voice was as cold as a Siberian frost.

"He truly is my 'good prime minister,' having trained a group of 'good officials'!"

He slammed the letter shut and looked at Xiao Jue:

"Xiao Qing, you have protected this person and this evidence very well!"

"You've done a great job!"

Xiao Jue cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty."

If you have money but a conscience, leaving behind evidence is also a matter of fate.

However, Liu Chengming and his cronies still wield influence both in and out of court. Your Majesty must act swiftly to lest things escalate.

Nangong Ye nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Xuan Ying!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Immediately mobilize the Imperial Guards and Secret Service, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate!"

Arrest them all according to the names listed in these secret letters, without missing a single one! Seize their residences and search for evidence!

"Keep a close watch on the Liu residence, especially Liu Chengming; we absolutely cannot let him escape!"

"As you command!"

Xuan Ying accepted the order and swiftly left to make arrangements.

Nangong Ye then looked at Qian Youcai, who was kneeling on the ground, trembling.

His tone softened slightly: "Qian Youcai, you have redeemed yourself by exposing a great traitor, and I will pardon your past crimes."

From this day forward, you will be the most important witness in this case, and I will send people to protect you and your family.

"Once the case is closed, I will bestow rewards upon you."

Qian Youcai wept with joy and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!

This humble citizen will certainly testify truthfully!

Nangong Ye finally looked at Xiao Jue and patted him on the shoulder:

"Xiao Qing, you've worked so hard all night. You must be exhausted."

Let's rest here for now. The capital... is about to change drastically.

"I need you to quell any potential chaos."

Xiao Jue solemnly replied, "Your subject would gladly die ten thousand deaths!"

Nangong Ye held the heavy stack of secret letters in his hands.

Stepping out of the warm pavilion, I looked out at the pitch-black night sky, where lightning could be faintly seen rolling across it.

Liu Chengming...

This time, let's see where you can run now!

This final blow is enough to completely crush you and your Liu family cronies!