Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Inside the Ministry of Justice prison, the screams continued, echoing between the cold and damp stone walls.

Ling Haoran stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed, his eyes sweeping across the rows of torture instruments in front of him like a knife.

In order to find clues as quickly as possible, he had no choice but to use these unconventional methods.

Although no relevant evidence was found in the residences of these people, he concluded that the news must have been leaked by one of them.

"Sir, some people have fainted. The situation is almost severe." An official from the Ministry of Justice came quickly and reported in a low voice.

There were beads of sweat on his forehead, obviously he had just come out of the torture chamber.

Ling Haoran then nodded slightly, a look of determination flashing in his eyes: "Bring those fifteen people up here, I will question them personally!"

Although he personally interrogated them at the beginning and did not get any clues, after this torture, he believed that these people would tell the truth.

The bailiffs quickly dragged up fifteen eunuchs and maids.

These people were ragged and bloodstained. Some of them could no longer stand and could only kneel on the ground.

The air was filled with the smell of blood and fear.

Ling Haoran stared at the group of people coldly, his voice as cold as ice: "You should know the consequences of assassinating Divine Doctor Sun, nearly causing Concubine Lan to have a difficult labor and the Second Prince to die in her womb!"

He swung his sleeves violently and said, "You have nine clans that are not enough to be destroyed. Now, don't you want to tell the truth?"

Everyone immediately cried out weakly, "Master Ling, I really don't know anything."

"Sir, how dare I commit such a serious crime?"

"Yes, sir, please be more discerning."

"I know nothing and have never passed on any information. Please understand, my lord."

Ling Haoran snorted coldly, his eyes gleaming even colder. "It seems you won't cry until you see the coffin. Do you have to let me arrest all your family members before you will tell the truth?"

These words were like a heavy hammer, causing everyone's faces to change drastically. An elderly eunuch struggled to crawl forward two steps:

"Sir! I have an eighty-year-old mother at home. Please show me mercy!"

Others also started crying and shouting, their voices were shrill.

Ling Haoran couldn't help but frown.

These people had been beaten half to death. Under normal circumstances, they would have confessed long ago.

But none of these people confessed. Did they withstand the pressure, or were they simply unaware of the situation?

With this in mind, Ling Haoran suddenly changed his strategy: "You were all serving in the Yangxin Palace that night. You were the first to know about the order issued by His Majesty. Even if you didn't leak this matter, you can't escape responsibility."

He slowed down his tone and said, "Unless you can prove that this matter has nothing to do with you, or provide useful clues."

As soon as these words were spoken, the fifteen people looked at each other, and began to ponder, trying hard to recall what happened that night.

The cell was silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the burning torches as the sound could be heard.

Suddenly, a palace maid's eyes lit up and she raised her hand tremblingly: "Master Ling^Ling, I remember that there was another person passing by the Yangxin Palace that night."

Ling Haoran narrowed his eyes and winked at the yamen runner beside him: "Take the others away."

The bailiffs immediately stepped forward and dragged the other eunuchs and maids out, leaving only Ling Haoran and the maid at the scene.

"What's your name?" Ling Haoran leaned over and asked.

"My name is Xiao'er." The maid's voice trembled, and she was obviously still in fear.

"Tell me in detail what you remember." Ling Haoran gestured to the master beside him to take notes.

Xiao Er took a deep breath and recalled, "That night...that night, after I had refilled tea for Your Majesty, I turned and left, but unexpectedly spotted a dark figure outside the palace."

Her voice gradually lowered: "Just when I was about to ask, the other party showed up on his own initiative."

When she said this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, as if she was still surprised by what happened that night.

Ling Haoran keenly noticed the change in her expression and asked, "Who is that person?"

Xiao Er was silent for a moment, then slowly uttered a name.

Ling Haoran's face suddenly changed when he heard this. This answer was beyond his expectations.

He immediately said in a deep voice: "You can't tell anyone about this except me!"

After saying this, he shouted outside the prison: "Come, protect this woman immediately. No one can see her without the order of His Majesty!"

Two bailiffs immediately came in and took Xiao'er away. Ling Haoran hurriedly left the prison, his mind full of thoughts.

If what Xiao Er said was true, then this matter was too complicated and he could not make the decision. He could only go to the palace to report to His Majesty.

It was already midnight, the first day of March, and the wind was howling coldly.

Ling Haoran, escorted by several yamen runners, rode his horse straight to the palace.

The sound of horse hooves was particularly clear in the quiet street, startling a few crows from their nests.

When they arrived at the palace, the guards saw that it was the Minister of Justice who asked to see them late at night, so they did not dare to be negligent and immediately informed him.

Not long after, Chu Ning yawned as he met Ling Haoran in the Yangxin Palace.

"Your Majesty! I apologize for disturbing you so late at night." Ling Haoran bowed and saluted.

Chu Ning waved his hand, motioning him to stand up. "Lord Ling, you've come here so late at night. You must have something important to tell me. Tell me, what brings you so anxious to see me?"

Although Chu Ning was yawning, his eyes were still sharp.

Ling Haoran was silent for a moment, then spoke out the words he had organized in his mind: "Your Majesty, I have found that there is someone in the palace who may be related to this matter, but this person's identity is special, so I dare not investigate without authorization."

Chu Ning frowned: "Who is it?"

Ling Haoran took two steps forward, lowered his voice, and slowly said the man's name.

This name was like a flash of lightning, instantly waking Chu Ning up.

He thought of many people, but never thought it would be this person!

His face was gloomy and his fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrests of the dragon throne.

"Is there any conclusive evidence?" Chu Ning asked in a deep voice.

Ling Haoran shook his head: "Currently, there is only testimony from a palace maid, who said she saw that person appear outside the Yangxin Palace that night."

"But I believe this matter is of great importance and must be reported to Your Majesty for a decision."

Chu Ning pondered for a long time, and finally snorted coldly: "Hmph, since it is possible that this person, then capture him! But we must act secretly and not alert too many people."

Ling Haoran bowed and said, "I understand. I will take people to get him right away!"

"and many more."

Chu Ning stopped him and said, "I've sent a few guards to accompany you. They're quite skilled in martial arts and are familiar with the palace. You must be careful."

"As you wish!" Ling Haoran saluted again, turned around and left quickly.

Walking out of the Yangxin Palace, Ling Haoran took a deep breath.

The night wind blew across his face, bringing a hint of coolness.

Several imperial guards in black were already waiting outside the palace. They looked at each other and followed Ling Haoran out tacitly.

The palace walls are tall and the moonlight is like water.

Ling Haoran thought to himself: If it is really found that the man is related to the assassin, then the forces involved behind the scenes might be...

He didn't dare to think any further and just quickened his pace.

I'm afraid this storm has just begun.