I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

Beijing.

The carriage carrying the empress entered the palace from the Shenwu Gate.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Chen Qingyun got off in a hurry and went straight towards Xiangfu Palace without stopping for a moment.

It was already evening. There was deathly silence inside and outside Xiangfu Palace. The dim and flickering candlelight made the place seem even more eerie.

Since a murder occurred here a few days ago, the Royal Guards had already blocked off the area.

Chen Qingyun came to Xiangfu Palace and stared at the big door.

"See Your Majesty!"

The guards everywhere knelt down and bowed.

"Stand up, where is Lu Xiuyuan?"

Chen Qingyun said with a dignified look.

After a while,

"Your Majesty, here is my minister."

A man in his forties walked out. He was the commander of the imperial guards, Lu Xiuyuan.

"Can we find out the truth about Fan Yuan's death?"

The empress's words were extremely cold, as if she was going to blame others the next moment.

Lu Xiuyuan knelt down and replied: "The truth has not yet been found out. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

He had already prepared himself mentally and was waiting for His Majesty's decision.

But Chen Qingyun did not attack immediately, but just asked: "Tell me the whole situation at that time."

Lu Xiuyuan immediately replied, "Captain Fan was stationed at Xiangfu Palace that night. At the second watch, it seemed that an assassin appeared in Xiangfu Palace. Captain Fan went forward to check and then died in Xiangfu Palace. The cause of death was three silver needles pierced into his throat... As for more details, I have no way of knowing."

Now there is no clue in the whole case, and it has become a mystery in the palace.

Chen Qingyun frowned and said, "You promised me that the palace would be airtight, but now the captain of the imperial guards has been assassinated, and the assassin managed to escape unscathed?"

The guards around were sweating profusely at this moment.

It sounds like Your Majesty will definitely punish them, possibly even with the death penalty!

"Your Majesty, I deserve death!"

Lu Xiuyuan kowtowed repeatedly and admitted his guilt.

As the commander of the imperial guards, he cannot escape blame for Fan Yuan's death.

"I don't need you to confess. Find out the truth within three days, otherwise you and the Imperial Guards will all be held accountable..."

There was a hint of anger on Chen Qingyun's face, and as he spoke he came to the gate of Xiangfu Palace.

Lu Xiuyuan then breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at the empress.

Although the truth may not be revealed in three days, at least there is room for redemption. I will give His Majesty an explanation.

At this time, Chen Qingyun stretched out his hand, touched the door of Xiangfu Palace, and prepared to push it open to enter.

"Your Majesty, be careful. This Xiangfu Palace is not safe yet."

Lu Xiuyuan said quickly.

This is how Fan Yuan walked into Xiangfu Palace a few days ago and then suddenly died.

Chen Qingyun disagreed and pushed open the door of Xiangfu Palace with both hands.

The palace was quiet and empty.

Gusts of cold and gloomy wind blew in my face, and the sound of the wind echoed in the huge and empty Xiangfu Palace, like a cry of sorrow.

This Xiangfu Palace was originally the residence of the late emperor's concubine, Concubine Zhang. At first, Concubine Zhang was the late emperor's favorite concubine, but later, for unknown reasons, Concubine Zhang lost the late emperor's favor and became depressed. Because of the late emperor's suspicion, she hanged herself in the palace to show her determination. Since then, no one has lived in Xiangfu Palace.

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt that there was a bit more gloomy atmosphere inside.

Chen Qingyun stood for a moment, and then walked into Xiangfu Palace.

The chief palace maid Qiuyue hurriedly followed behind His Majesty and observed the situation around him.

Upon seeing this, the imperial guards immediately rushed into Xiangfu Palace to protect the emperor's safety at any time.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Chen Qingyun walked slowly towards the innermost part, looking up and down the palace carefully.

She seemed to still smell a hint of blood in the palace.

The imperial guards remained vigilant and did not dare to slack off even for a moment.

There didn't seem to be anything unusual in this Xiangfu Palace.

"Are there any guards still alive among those stationed at Xiangfu Palace that night?"

Chen Qingyun suddenly asked again.

Lu Xiuyuan stepped forward, looking panicked: "Your Majesty, all the thirty guards stationed at Xiangfu Palace that night are dead..."

Hearing this, Chen Qingyun didn't seem too surprised, just a little uneasy.

Even the imperial guards of the imperial city were no match for the assassin. How could her safety as the empress be guaranteed?

No matter what, she had to get to the bottom of this mystery and not let Fan Yuan die in such an unclear manner.

"Continue to strengthen the defense of the palace. If anything unexpected happens, none of you will be able to escape!"

Chen Qingyun gave the order in a stern voice, then turned and left Xiangfu Palace.

After leaving Xiangfu Palace, Chen Qingyun did not return to the bedroom, but went towards the imperial study.

The first thing Chen Qingyun did when he arrived at the imperial study was to write a letter, which he prepared to send to Anding County to report his safety to Jiangzuo.

It has been several days since I said goodbye to Anding County. I wonder what the situation is like in Jiangzuo?

Chen Qingyun now not only has to worry about the safety of the palace, but is also quite worried about the situation on the border.

I only hope that Jiangzuo can handle the affairs in the north so that they can come to the capital to serve me...

Thinking of that, Chen Qingyun began to review memorials again.

Nowadays, there are constant troubles inside and outside the court.

Chen Qingyun couldn't sleep or eat because he couldn't find the truth in the Fan Yuan case.

The north had not yet been pacified, and the enemy countries in the south were ready to make a move, which made the empress quite upset.

The situation in the northern states had just begun to improve, and the imperial treasury was still empty and could no longer support the army in another major war.

Chen Qingyun is very anxious now. She is eager to make some achievements to cover up the unorthodox nature of her seizure of power and to prove to the world that she, a woman, is capable of governing the country well.

After a while, Qiuyue finished dealing with some affairs in the palace and returned to the empress.

"Is there any news from Xiangfu Palace?"

Chen Qingyun asked.

Qiuyue replied: "Not yet, but there are some more rumors in the palace now."

"What rumors?"

"they said……"

"What did you say?"

Chen Qingyun frowned.

"They said that there is a vengeful ghost in Xiangfu Palace, seeking revenge..."

Qiuyue's voice was low.

"Confused."

Chen Qingyun looked indifferent and disdained these shocking rumors.

"If there really are resentful ghosts in this world, I will send an army to destroy them!"

The empress had long been aware that a large number of forces must be involved behind the Fan Yuan case.

Maybe there is a traitor among the Imperial Guards...

No matter what, Chen Qingyun must find out who is behind this.

This is definitely not a simple assassination, but a premeditated rebellion!

There has been no movement from the Fourteen Kings of the Northwest, and the other royal relatives seem to be waiting and watching.

At this moment, Chen Qingyun felt a sense of crisis in his heart.

She was able to seize the throne so ruthlessly back then, there is no guarantee that others would not use the same method to snatch her current position.

Thinking of this, Chen Qingyun felt a headache coming on. He couldn't help but sigh helplessly, feeling extremely worried.

Since ascending the throne, Chen Qingyun has not been able to sleep peacefully in the palace for a single day. On the contrary, in that small county on the border, her heart is more peaceful...