NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Whoever did this wanted to eliminate them completely
Foreign Kingdom – Emperor David's Throne
In the grand palace of the Western Kingdom, Emperor David sat on his golden throne, surrounded by his ministers. The air was thick with tension as the news had just arrived from the Song Dynasty— the flood relief fund had disappeared.
A smirk played on the emperor's lips. "The Song Dynasty is in chaos," he said, his voice laced with satisfaction. "This is an opportunity we must seize."
His most trusted minister, Lord Vincent, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, with this crisis, the Song Emperor will be vulnerable. If we act wisely, we can strengthen our influence within their court."
Emperor David nodded. "Indeed. We shall proceed with the marriage alliance. Prince Dorian will represent our kingdom, and with him, General Kaede. The Song Emperor will not dare refuse."
The doors to the hall swung open, and in walked Prince Dorian, dressed in royal blue robes, his sharp gaze betraying curiosity. Behind him followed General Kaede, his armor polished and his sword resting at his hip.
"You summoned me, Father?" Prince Dorian asked, bowing slightly.
Emperor David leaned forward. "Yes, my son. You and General Kaede will depart for the Song Dynasty immediately. A marriage alliance will be proposed between our kingdoms. This is a necessary step for our greater goal."
Dorian raised an eyebrow. "A marriage alliance?"
"Yes. We must secure our position before making any further moves," the emperor replied.
General Kaede, always pragmatic, added, "If the Song Dynasty refuses, what shall be our course of action, Your Majesty?"
Emperor David chuckled darkly. "They won't refuse. Not when they are drowning in their own troubles. Now go, prepare for the journey."
Dorian and Kaede bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
As they turned to leave, a knowing look passed between them. The true purpose of this mission went far beyond marriage.
Capital - Xuanjing
Celestial Harmony Palace
The vast throne room of Celestial Harmony Palace was filled with ministers, their murmurs barely contained as Emperor Xu Tianguan sat on his dragon-carved throne, his expression dark with fury.
"Who will answer for this disgrace?" His voice thundered through the hall. "A fund meant for the suffering people has vanished into thin air! Prime Minister Feng, what do you have to say?"
Prime Minister Feng Wehao stepped forward, keeping his composure. "Your Majesty, this is indeed a great misfortune. However, we should allow a thorough investigation before making assumptions."
Imperial Princess Xu Jiayi stepped in. "Your Majesty, if I may— this is clearly an internal scheme. The criminals must still be within our borders. I request some time to uncover the truth."
"Time?" scoffed Grand Chancellor Yang Chenzi. "While the people suffer and our empire's reputation crumbles? Your Majesty, we must act immediately. Those responsible should be punished at once!"
"Indeed!" chimed in Minister Zhao Renshu. "The people are losing faith in the court. This is negligence of the highest order!"
Emperor Xu Tianguan clenched his fists. "Silence! I will not have this court turned into a place of useless bickering."
A heavy silence fell over the ministers.
The emperor took a deep breath. "This case will be handed over to Zhonghe Court. They will lead the investigation and report back directly to me."
The ministers exchanged glances. Zhonghe Court was known for its impartiality and ruthless efficiency.
"As you command, Your Majesty," Prime Minister Feng Wehao and Xu Jiayi said in unison.
"Dismissed!" the emperor commanded, slamming his scepter down.
The court session ended, but the battle for power had just begun.
Cangqiu - Mingzhu Village
A cool breeze passed through the Mingzhu Village as Feng Xiangling sat high on a tree branch, watching the horizon. Her eyes held a rare moment of peace.
"You like sitting in high places too?" came a voice.
Lin Liangchen appeared beside her, landing lightly on the branch using his martial arts skills.
Feng Xiangling smirked. "It helps me think."
Lin Liangchen nodded, looking over the village. "We've been through quite a journey to get here. You and your brother… why did you travel so far?"
Feng Xiangling hesitated for a moment. "My father is a businessman in the capital. My brother and I were sent on an errand, but things got complicated."
Her words were smooth, but Lin Liangchen wasn't convinced. He had been trained to notice lies— and her story had gaps.
"I see," he said simply. "And I am just an adventurer who enjoys seeing the world."
Feng Xiangling glanced at him. "You don't seem like just an adventurer."
Lin Liangchen chuckled. "Neither do you seem like a merchant's daughter."
Their gazes locked, unspoken truths hanging in the air. But neither pressed further.
For now, they enjoyed the fleeting peace before the storm.
The Road to Xianxi River
The investigation team from Zhonghe Court moved swiftly along the rugged path leading to Xianxi River. The once-bustling road was eerily silent now, haunted by the remnants of bloodshed. The faint metallic scent of dried blood still lingered in the air, and the broken wheels of the supply carts lay scattered across the dirt road.
Xu Zixuan, the head judge of Zhonghe Courtas well as Imperial Prince, brother of Emperor Xu Tianguan, rode at the front, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. His trusted subordinate, Cheng Li, dismounted from his horse and knelt to inspect the deep cuts in the earth—clear signs of an intense battle.
"Your Lord," Cheng Li called out, picking up a broken arrow shaft. "These arrows— they are not from the imperial army. They bear the markings of a private faction."
Xu Zixuan took the shaft and examined it carefully. "Not only that… look here." He pointed to the fletching—made of black eagle feathers, an insignia used by only a handful of elite mercenary groups.
Another investigator rushed forward. "We found something else!" He held up a piece of torn fabric, embroidered with golden cloud patterns—a symbol often associated with high-ranking officials.
Xu Zixuan's expression darkened. "Golden clouds… this isn't just a simple robbery."
Cheng Li exchanged glances with him. "Could it be—?"
Before he could finish, one of the scouts came running from up ahead, his face pale. "Your Highness! We found bodies— a few li ahead!"
The group hurried forward. As they approached, the grim sight unfolded before them— scattered corpses of imperial soldiers, some with fatal stab wounds, others with arrows piercing their armor. The ground was soaked with dried blood, but something was off.
Cheng Li frowned. "Their weapons… they are still intact. If this was a robbery, why didn't the attackers take their swords and armor?"
Xu Zixuan knelt beside one of the fallen men, pressing two fingers to the soldier's wrist. "These men didn't just die fighting. Look at their faces—"
Cheng Li's breath caught. The soldiers' expressions were frozen in agony, their lips darkened unnaturally.
"Poison," Xu Zixuan murmured. "Whoever did this wanted to eliminate them completely."
The weight of the discovery settled over the group. This was no ordinary robbery.
As Xu Zixuan straightened, his gaze turned toward the distant palace.
"This conspiracy runs deep," he muttered. "Send word to the Emperor— the flood fund theft was no mere act of bandits."
The wind howled through the trees as if whispering of an even greater storm yet to come.
To be continue...