Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 621 - 85 Edict [Seeking Monthly Votes!]_1

Chapter 621: Chapter 85 Edict [Seeking Monthly Votes!]_1

"Eh?"

The Emperor, the Regent Leader and Yao Dengxian all looked surprised by Chu Liang’s answer.

The Emperor had asked only as a matter of course; he had not anticipated that Chu Liang would actually know the answer.

The Regent Leader asked, "How did you know?"

"Merely a small guess," Chu Liang said, grinning awkwardly.

His supposition came from a sudden recall of the incident that had occurred in the Imperial Concubine Garden while he was making his escape. The guards had failed to pursue him, which could only have been a result of the concubine’s assistance.

At that time, Chu Liang had not revealed his handsome and confident form, but was simply an unfamiliar figure in black robes. So why would the concubine risk herself to conceal such a character?

It must be that she was aware of the whole deal, or even more shockingly, the driving force behind it all.

It was then that Chu Liang thought of her. The expressions on the faces of everyone around him seemed to confirm his guesses.

The Regent Leader gave a slight smile and said, "Your Majesty, didn’t I say that his an exceptionally smart person, making him the best candidate for this task?"

"You are indeed correct, noble Regent Leader," responded the Emperor, nodding.

Hm?

Chu Liang furrowed his brow, sensing that the situation was not as simple as it appeared.

What did he mean by ’the best candidate’?

"The disturbance at the Dragon Pool and the sudden death of our Concubine - all these incidents indicate that there are traitors causing chaos within the palace, and their motives are likely far more sinister," the Emperor said and leaning forward, continued to address Chu Liang, "Do I need someone to investigate the Consort’s case."

Chu Liang felt a chill as the Emperor’s gaze bore into him. He countered, "Officer Yao is highly skilled and intelligent, isn’t he the very anchor that steadies the Inner Palace?"

"The matters of the palace are unsuitable for those inside to investigate," retorted Yao Dengxian right away.

"But wouldn’t this fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Regent Residence?" protested Chu Liang again.

"An outsider to palace affairs is in no position to intervene," replied the Regent Leader.

So, neither an insider nor outsider can look into this matter?

Does a concubine have to die within the walls of the Imperial City before they can investigate?

These words left Chu Liang dumbstruck.

"At first, when the Regent Leader mentioned you, I was somewhat dubious," admitted the Emperor, "but when I saw with my own eyes the sharp minded person you are, I was convinced. I saw that, being my Royal Younger Brother, you have no connection with the people within the palace; hence, this case can be handed over to you."

"But..." Before Chu Liang could object once again...

He heard the emperor continuing, "You don’t need to worry about other matters, they have been assigned to others. Your only task is to investigate the case of the death of the concubine. We have about three more hours before the Qinghong Banquet. If within these three hours you can find the true culprit behind the murder of the concubine, I will forgive your previous theft of the Golden Dragon Ball, and you may take it with you. However, if in these three hours, you cannot find the culprit..."

Chu Liang looked up to meet the Emperor’s gaze.

The emperor felt a headache come on.

Even if I can’t figure it out, what can I do to him?

His aunt is in the palace.

Any harm done to his disciple and the temple would blow up instantly.

Even if it’s just a threat, it’s hard to come up with anything substantial.

After a pause, the Emperor said, "Then I will take away your title of Royal Younger Brother, cancel all cooperation between the Imperial Family and Red Cotton Peak, and you will have to close your shop in Immortal District."

"What?" Chu Liang exclaimed, "That can’t be."

"Then help me with this." The emperor picked up his pen, and Lao Lishi next to him immediately spread out a piece of fine silk. "I’ll give you a decree, and within three hours, anyone in and around the Imperial City who holds this decree shall be treated as if the Emperor was present."

"I’ll have Chengfeng accompany you and assist you with anything you need," the Regent Leader added.

"I’ll also assign you a eunuch to accompany you. If you don’t understand palace affairs, you could ask him," added Yao Dengxian.

Chu Liang grimaced.

I am a good thief, so how did I suddenly become an imperial envoy?

...

Chu Liang was familiar with Li Chengfeng. This handsome celestial officer was still as dashing as ever, but his expression had hardened slightly, apparently understanding the seriousness of their mission.

Yao Guang, on the other hand, looked like an ordinary eunuch. With his average facial features and slightly hunched back due to years of working in the palace, his not so tall stature seemed even shorter. \n

"Gentlemen, our mission is crucial and time is of the essence, so we must work together," Chu Liang said earnestly as soon as he met them.

"You can count on me. If there is ever a need, I am at your full disposal," responded Li Chengfeng.

"This humble servant will certainly cooperate fully with Your Highness the Royal Younger Brother," Yao Guang added dutifully.

Chu Liang sighed slightly as he took in the two men who seemed willing to help but showed no initiative.

As for why they had called him to solve the case, he clearly understood.

With the death of the concubine, who was the most obvious suspect?

Naturally, it was Empress Wu.

Both Yao Dengxian and the Regent Leader were deeply entrenched in the Imperial Court - even at their level, they were wary of Empress Wu and the powerful Wu Family backing her.

Hence, at this critical juncture, an outsider was needed to lead the investigation, in order to ensure a full and thorough inquiry.

However, this person still needed to be competent, so it wasn’t surprising that the Regent Leader thought of him. Even if he hadn’t stolen the Golden Dragon ball, he assumed that the Regent Leader still would have sought him out.

"Since we’re investigating a murder, we should first inspect the body," said Chu Liang. "Is the corpse still at Qinghong Garden?"

"It was removed a while ago. This humble servant will lead you there," Yao Guang immediately replied.

The three of them went to the place where the concubine’s body was being held, without any guards. Given Li Chengfeng’s level of cultivation, they would be safe in the palace. With the decree in hand, they had no problems getting around either.

The deceased’s face hadn’t changed at all from when she was alive - she was still wearing the same palace dress; she was the identical to the woman Chu Liang had encountered by the lake.

The palace servants were judging the time of death based on the body’s energy. There was no chance they could be wrong, meaning that the woman Chu Liang met that day was another person.

He suddenly thought of something he’d heard a few days earlier - the identical body of Empress Wu that Chen Xuanlu had unearthed from the bottom of the lake.

Could there be a connection...

Was this kind of thing popular in the palace?

After a short period of contemplation, he asked, "The body has been identified?"

"His Majesty examined it and confirmed that it was indeed the body of her ladyship, the concubine," reported Yao Guang.

"What was the cause of death?" asked Chu Liang.

"There are no visible injuries on the surface. A more detailed examination would be required," replied Li Chengfeng.

"Um..." Assuredly, an autopsy would require more intrusive inspection and Chu Liang hesitated, "I am not in a position to examine the body."

Li Chengfeng promptly replied, "I have a wife, so it’s even more inappropriate for me."

Yao Guang, looking helpless, said, "Alright, then I’ll do it."

However, he too was hesitant.

Several seemingly disrespectful steps were unavoidable, such as checking energy flow, removing clothing, and conducting an internal examination. If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t matter - they would just be seen as any other corpse. But this was a royal concubine’s body, which made matters much more delicate and sensitive.

"We should have asked a woman to accompany us earlier. I was negligent," said Li Chengfeng.

"Indeed." Chu Liang nodded in agreement, "It’s hard being a man."

At which point Li Chengfeng sighed, "It’s even harder being a man of family and property."

"Ahem." Unable to contain himself, Yao Guang let out a cough. "Gentlemen, it’s not appropriate to discuss this in front of me. In my opinion, not being able to become a man is even harder."