The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 262 The Worthless Fake Princess

Tian Shang was originally full of confidence in this matter, but after Wang Huai asked this question, he began to doubt himself and carefully reviewed the past, fearing that there might be something he had overlooked.

His expression was cold and he said slowly:

"The imperial guards who were on night watch outside the palace were all bribed by me early on, so there was no one on duty outside the palace.

The two imperial doctors who treated my father are both our people. They are still working under my nose. There are always secret guards monitoring their families, and there is no sign of any unusual movement.

The eunuchs and palace maids present at the time, except Shi Xiaofu, all dealt with it in secret, so it is impossible for anyone else to have witnessed the scene.

Shi Xiaofu now serves Tian Shang personally and is Tian Shang's most loyal lackey. Tian Shang spared his life and provided him with fine clothes and delicious food. Shi Xiaofu is the least likely to betray Tian Shang.

If Tian Shang fell, Shi Xiaofu would have no place to be buried.

Tian Shang and Wang Huai both understood this principle.

The Imperial Guards were not present at the time, and the imperial physician who treated the patient had left early. What went wrong?

Wang Huai suddenly looked up at Tian Shang, his expression slightly nervous.

"Oops! Looks like I was negligent!"

"What do you mean, sir?"

Tian Shang asked hurriedly.

"Everything has two sides. No one is on duty, which means that even if someone sneaks into the late emperor's bedroom, no one will see it!"

After Wang Huai finished speaking, he looked at Tian Shang intently. He believed that Tian Shang had also overlooked this point.

Sure enough, Tian Shang took a deep breath. This was really possible.

There was no one outside the hall. If someone really came quietly to the outside of the bedroom and saw something through the crack in the door, he would not be able to detect it from inside the hall.

"Damn it! Who leaked the news?!"

Tian Shang's chest heaved. Even the wisest man can make mistakes. He suppressed the regret and anger in his heart. He really should have sent a few trusted guards to guard outside the palace, just in case.

But it’s too late to say anything now, the only thing we can do is to mend the situation, Tian Shang asked Wang Huai.

"What clues have you found now, sir?"

Wang Huai stood up and paced back and forth in the room, sorting out his messy thoughts.

"The deposed Crown Prince has been missing ever since he escaped capture! I thought those who once followed him either defected to Your Majesty or have become frightened birds!

Now it seems that a few people may have been missed. This theory of regicide to ascend to power was first put forward by Chen Qian, the Minister of Personnel!

"It turned out to be him!"

Tian Shang couldn't believe it. He had heard a little about Chen Qian's character. He had always been honest and stayed in his position, following the rules all these years. When Tian Yuan was in power, he had never had any intersection with Chen Qian.

As Tian Yuan's confidant at the time, he was very sure of this. He recorded all the court officials who had dealings with Tian Yuan, including those with whom he had close contacts.

After he ascended the throne, he either subdued these people for his own use or tried his best to suppress them. He had already found excuses to deal with those who were stubborn and unruly. How could Chen Qian show up at this time?

"Then how did he know?"

Tian Shang asked Wang Huai about his doubts.

"I'm still investigating. Whoever I find will be eradicated for Your Majesty!"

Wang Huai paused when he said this. He never expected that a person who was loyal to the deposed prince would suddenly appear in the court that had been purged long ago. This was completely beyond his control.

The candlelight in the imperial study flickered. Tian Shang and Wang Huai were silent for a while, each thinking about how to deal with the unfavorable public opinion caused by Chen Qian.

Wang Huai pondered for a moment and stood in front of Tian Shang.

"Your Majesty, I believe that given the current situation, we should avoid premature hostility with the Xia Kingdom. Instead, we should create the illusion that we are eager for peaceful coexistence between the two countries!

Make time to concentrate your efforts on eradicating the forces of the deposed crown prince, and quickly reach cooperation with the Rongdi tribe in the northern grasslands of Xia State!"

Tian Shang understood what Wang Huai meant. For the sake of the overall situation, he asked him to let the fake princess go and not to worry too much about it.

"I originally just wanted to take this opportunity to take Shi Liu back to avoid a future war with the Xia Kingdom. Emperor Xia would vent his anger on Shi Liu. Now it seems..."

Tian Shang did not continue speaking, but his tightly pursed lips and murderous eyes revealed his hatred for the fake princess.

"What exactly is your Majesty planning?"

Wang Huai was a little anxious.

"I've been thinking about what you, sir, have reminded me. If we keep the virtuous king and his wife under house arrest here as leverage, and use Shi Liu's death as an excuse to start a war, we might even gain the upper hand in public opinion!"

Wang Huai narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't expect that Tian Shang would not let the fake princess go no matter what. This was not a good sign.

"What should we do with those people in the delegation?"

Tian Shang sneered disdainfully.

"He should have turned into a lonely ghost by now, wandering in the desolate wilderness!"

Tian Shang waved his arm. He never believed in ghosts and gods. Even patricide could not shake his soul in the slightest. He had never had a nightmare.

But now, he wanted to see how the ghosts of the delegation would cry and jump up and down trying to find a way to reincarnate, thinking that they could get away with it and try to deceive him, the emperor.

How ridiculous and disgusting!

"And Shi Liu indeed died in Xia. Now that the Xian Wang and his men have no evidence to support their claims, I insist that Shi Liu was killed by the current Xian Wang Consort. To avenge my sister, I am launching an attack on Xia!"

Tian Shang looked at Wang Huai with burning eyes.

"Don't you think this is a good reason, sir?"

He seemed to have seen the entire Qiankun Continent under his feet. He was high above, holding up the sky with both hands like a giant. He was the only one who was supreme in heaven and on earth!

Wang Huai smiled bitterly to himself. As an oppressed prince, Tian Shang was depressed and frustrated. He always thought more carefully than others and walked on thin ice every step he took.

Now that he has reached the pinnacle of power in the Kingdom of Yue, his former calmness and prudence have gradually faded away, replaced by his stubbornness and self-righteousness, which is difficult for an emperor to overcome.

Fortunately, Tian Shang was willing to listen to him. Wang Huai couldn't help but analyze the current situation to Tian Shang earnestly.

"Your Majesty, you also know that this virtuous princess is nothing more than a small-time bandit. I believe that if Emperor Xia dares to let her come, he must be planning to abandon her once Your Majesty is enraged, as a way of giving us an explanation.

Emperor Xia can completely shirk responsibility. He and all the ministers in the court were unaware of the fake princess. So now, Your Majesty can deal with this fake princess as you please. The Xia Kingdom does not mind whether she is killed or cut into pieces!

Does Your Majesty's advantage still exist?"

Tian Shang was stunned for a moment. That’s right. Emperor Xia pushed out an insignificant woman to exchange her life for Tian Shiliu’s. What else could he say?

Even if the fake princess and the virtuous king were deeply in love, and one of the princesses died, he could still marry another lady from a famous family soon. It wouldn't be a big deal!

When Tian Shang thought of this, he suddenly lost all interest in the fake princess. She was simply a piece of chicken ribs, a pity to throw away, but tasteless to eat.

Wang Huai saw that Tian Shang's expression was gradually calming down, and he had figured out the key point. He couldn't help but quietly wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Love between young men and women is really harmful. When two countries fight, they always compete with each other in national strength. How can a little woman stir up the political situation?

In his opinion, from the moment Emperor Xia allowed the fake princess to visit relatives in Yue State, the fake princess had already become an abandoned child of Emperor Xia.

She is worthless!

If Tian Shang tried to use the fake princess to threaten the Xia Kingdom, he would be truly foolish!