Chapter 40: Assassinating the Empress

"Over the past couple of days, several senior generals from the Southern yamen have successively visited the Third Prince's residence. On the surface, it was to check on the ailing Third Prince, but in reality, I am afraid they are plotting something in secret!"

After finishing, Lin Jiang added, "By the Hai hour tonight, the imperial palace was placed under total lockdown. The Crown Prince has been handling state affairs in the Zhengtong Hall continuously and has not returned to the Eastern Palace for the last two days. As for the civil and military ministers, they are only allowed to have their official documents sent inside; not a single person has been granted entry."

Qiuyun raised an eyebrow. "Why are you telling me all this?"

"I know the Prince has informants inside the imperial palace. I need you to help me find out precisely what is going on."

Qiuyun rolled her eyes at Yang Zhan. "That wouldn't be a problem, but Second Brother, you should have your own people too, shouldn't you?"

"My men are with the army. I don't have anyone inside the imperial palace!"

Qiuyun nodded. "Alright. But what do you suspect is happening?"

"It could be a coup, but something about this feels bizarre!"

Qiuyun immediately stood up, looking astonished. "A coup? How is that possible? Neither the Northern衙 Garrison nor the Wuwei Army has made a single move!"

Lin Jiang spoke up again, "They haven't made a move, and that is what makes it so bizarre. Since the palace is on lockdown, the Northern yamen Garrison and the Wuwei Army should have been mobilized. Yet, the ones enforcing this lockdown are troops led by Xiao Rang, a senior general from one of the Sixteen Guards of the Southern yamen!"

Qiuyun's expression turned grave. "How is it that with an event this massive, I haven't caught even a whisper of wind about it?"

"That is the core of the problem, which is why we must investigate immediately!"

"I'll arrange it right away!"

Qiuyun suddenly stood up, walked over to a window, took out a token, hung it on the outside of the window, and tapped it a few times.

Then she walked back.

"If a major event has truly occurred, it cannot be kept under wraps for long, so news will reach us shortly!"

Having said that, Qiuyun frowned and asked, "Could it be that the aged Emperor has passed away?"

Yang Zhan frowned. "Probably not. When Han Zhong came to deliver the imperial decree to me today, there was nothing unusual about him. Han Zhong's loyalty to the old Emperor is beyond question."

"Then you mean the lockdown of the imperial palace is the old Emperor's own doing?"

Qiuyun furrowed her brow, then shook her head. "That doesn't make any sense, though. Why would he lockdown the palace?"

Yang Zhan had been watching Qiuyun the whole time.

At that moment, he said, "No need to guess. We'll know soon enough!"

Before long!

In the Chou hour of the night, a commotion was heard outside.

Qiuyun stood up, opened the window, and when she returned, she was holding a slip of paper.

She opened it, glanced at it, and her expression froze for a moment before she hurriedly handed it to Yang Zhan.

"Take a look at this, Second Brother!"

Yang Zhan unfolded the slip of paper. It contained only a few lines: "Someone was assassinated within the imperial palace tonight. The palace is locked down, and the specific details are extremely difficult to ascertain!"

Yang Zhan's expression grew solemn. "They couldn't even find out who was assassinated?"

"Getting this much information was already no easy feat."

Yang Zhan glanced at Qiuyun, then asked, "Can it be investigated further?"

"It's difficult. With the imperial palace locked down, many pieces of information are hard to reach. I'm afraid our people won't be able to find out much more."

Yang Zhan looked at Qiuyun once more and said, "This damn thing is getting more and more complicated. Let's call it a day for now. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Court of State Ceremonies to check out the situation!"

After saying this, Yang Zhan and Lin Jiang got up to leave, though Yang Zhan added, "Qiuyun, Lin Jiang, keep each other informed if you get any news. Whatever news Qiuyun has, pass it to Lin Jiang, and I will find out!"

"Understood!"

Yang Zhan left first.

Lin Jiang stayed behind to establish a communication method with Qiuyun.

After leaving the roasted chicken shop, Yang Zhan felt the whole affair was far too convoluted.

He immediately headed toward the Eastern Palace.

Although it was the middle of the night and a curfew was in effect, naturally, it could not stop Yang Zhan.

However, outside the Eastern Palace, Yang Zhan discovered numerous hidden sentries—people keeping a close eye on the place.

Without alerting them, Yang Zhan slipped quietly into the Eastern Palace!

Spotting Chen Shu, he immediately called out, "Chen Shu!"

Chen Shu was startled and spun around instantly. Upon seeing that it was Yang Zhan, he let out a sigh of relief. "General Yang, I thought someone else was sneaking around in the middle of the night."

"Keep your voice down. Quietly take me to see the Crown Princess!"

"Does the General suspect there are hidden spies from others inside my Eastern Palace?"

"Yes!"

"Very well, General, please follow me!"

Soon enough, Yang Zhan met with Yu Shu.

Yu Shu hurried over, looking extremely anxious.

At that moment, her hairpins and robes were unchanged, clearly indicating she had not slept at all.

"Second Brother, you're finally here. I have no idea what to do anymore!"

"What has happened?"

"The Eastern Palace has been placed under guard. No one is allowed to leave!"

"Why?"

"The Crown Prince is accused of instigating an assassin to murder the Empress. Now the Prince is trapped inside the palace, and I have no idea what the actual situation is!"

Yang Zhan took a deep breath.

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had instigated an assassin to kill the Empress, Yang Zhan's first reaction was that he had been framed.

After all, the Crown Prince was currently holding the upper hand; he would be even less likely to make such a foolish blunder unless he intended to force a coup!

The more she spoke, the more anxious Yu Shu became. "Second Brother, I truly don't know what to do now. I tried to send word to you earlier, but my people couldn't get out at all!"

"Who is guarding the Eastern Palace?"

"Senior General Xiao Rang!"

"Xiao Rang?"

Yang Zhan frowned. Wasn't this Empress Xiao's own brother?

"Has the Emperor issued any decrees?"

"It's precisely the Emperor's decree—confining everyone in the Eastern Palace and forbidding any news from leaking out!"

Hearing this news, Yang Zhan actually felt somewhat relieved.

Since the old Emperor was still standing firm, the Crown Prince should still be safe.

"Don't panic. As long as the old Emperor is around, the Crown Prince won't face any fatal danger."

"But right now, we can't contact him at all. How can I not worry?"

After pondering for a moment, Yang Zhan said, "Give me a room, somewhere discreet."

"What does Second Brother intend to do?"

"I'm going to stay here!"

Yu Shu was slightly stunned, but then she nodded without hesitation.

Under these circumstances, Yu Shu could no longer care about etiquette or propriety when it came to keeping a man overnight in the Eastern Palace.

"Alright, I'll arrange it!"

Yang Zhan entered the room.

Right after, he made a strange sound with his mouth.

A short while later, a small red bird flew over, and Yang Zhan fed it a piece of meat.

"Little Red, fly inside and check out the situation. Wait for my command!"

"Chirp, chirp!"

The little bird called out twice.

Soon, Yang Zhan sat cross-legged, then utilized the Beast Taming technique to establish a sensory connection with Little Red.

Following that, Little Red flew toward the imperial palace.

Under the influence of Yang Zhan's mind, Little Red flew straight to the Wude Hall.

Guards were strict within the Wude Hall.

Yet a small bird flew inside effortlessly.

It then landed on the roof.

A faint flash of golden light crossed the little bird's eyes as it peered down through a gap in the tiles.

Emperor Yang Wu was sitting in a rocking chair, gently swaying, seemingly resting.

Han Zhong stood rigidly to the side, silent.

Yang Zhan was somewhat baffled. At a time like this, the old Emperor could still sleep?

Unfortunately, Yang Zhan did not know where the Crown Prince was being imprisoned.

Without hesitation, Yang Zhan directed his mind to command Little Red to fly toward the Fengyi Palace.

The Empress was lying in bed, her complexion pale.

This sight somewhat surprised Yang Zhan; the Empress's condition appeared genuinely as though she had suffered severe injuries.

A bitter-flesh ruse?