Crossing the Cultivation Realm: Two Souls Coexist

After Hu Qing was brought to the palace, the emperor sat on the dragon throne and began to question Hu Qing in detail.

The emperor needed to know all the details of the incident in order to make a fair judgment and deal with it.

The emperor's voice echoed in the hall, his gaze sharp and penetrating. "Guyang, what you've said is of grave importance. I need to know the full truth. How did you learn of Prince Zhu's crimes?"

Hu Qing stood in the center of the hall. Although he was a little nervous, he still answered firmly:

"Your Majesty, I'm investigating this matter with Zhao Tiezhu, Li Wenyuan, and others. They're also candidates from remote areas. We arrived at Haitian City at different times to register, but were all informed by the Master of Ceremonies that the registration period had expired. The three of us met because of a robbery. During the investigation, we discovered Prince Zhu's crimes and risked our lives to gather some evidence."

The face of the Master of Ceremonies turned extremely pale.

He realized that his collusion with Prince Zhu might have been exposed, and his heart was filled with fear and anxiety.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his eyes sharp as a torch, examining the reactions of the ceremonial room.

He noticed the abnormality in the gift room and had already made a judgment in his mind.

The emperor's voice echoed in the hall, full of majesty and decisiveness:

"My dear, I remember I once said that registration on the eve of the imperial examination would count. After all, the journey was long, and some candidates could only walk to the capital, which was time-consuming and laborious. How did you say that registration was due before the deadline? How do you explain this?"

When the official in charge of the imperial court heard the emperor's questioning, he became even more panicked.

He knew that if his guilt was proven, he would not only lose his official position but also face more severe punishment.

He answered in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, I...I have absolutely not done this. I have always been loyal to the court and to Your Majesty, and would never dare to do such a treasonous act."

The emperor did not relax his questioning despite the denial of the Master of Ceremonies. His eyes became even sharper.

"Then why is the number of candidates for this year's imperial examination one-quarter less than last year's? As the Lord of Rites, do you have any explanation for this?"

Lord Lifang felt unprecedented pressure and knew he had to give a reasonable explanation.

He tried to make his voice sound firm:

"Your Majesty, the decrease in the number of candidates this year may be due to... perhaps it is because the exam is more difficult this year, or the candidates' enthusiasm for the imperial examination has waned."

The emperor clearly didn't believe the Rites's explanation. A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. "I want facts, not excuses. Come, take him away and detain him for strict investigation!"

After the emperor finished speaking, he looked at Hu Qing calmly and said, "Go on."

Hu Qing recounted in detail how the three of them discovered Prince Zhu's crimes and the hunt they encountered.

There was a hint of sadness in his voice. "After we found the evidence, the three of us planned to report the prince together today. Unexpectedly, last night, Prince Zhu sent people to kill us. They set fire to Lichun Courtyard, and Zhao Tiezhu and Li Wenyuan were unfortunately killed. I was the only one who escaped."

The emperor's voice echoed in the hall, his eyes sharp and deep:

"County Magistrate, what's your explanation for the fire at Lichunyuan last night? Is this incident related to Prince Zhu?"

The county magistrate felt unprecedented pressure. He knew that the emperor's inquiry meant he had to give a reasonable explanation.

He replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have sent people to investigate this matter, but the truth has not yet been ascertained."

Hu Qing also stood up at this time and told the emperor what they knew:

"Your Majesty, we found a witness among the bandits. He was an attendant of the Zhu family. But the murderer killed the witness last night, and his body was taken away by the soldiers."

"Your Majesty, a body was indeed found at the back door of Lichunyuan, and the coroner is currently performing an autopsy."

"We were chased to the west of the city, where there were traces of fighting. I tried to ask the soldiers for help, but was told that Prince Zhu had taken full control of the area," Hu Qing continued.

The emperor looked at the county magistrate and Hu Qing, trying to find the truth from their words and expressions.

The emperor's expression was serious. "Sir, is what Hu Qing said true? Have you failed in your duty?"

The county magistrate sensed the emperor's suspicion and hurriedly defended himself:

"Your Majesty, I have absolutely not failed in my duty. I have been diligently investigating this matter, but Prince Zhu's men appear to be obstructing our investigation."

The emperor decided to intervene personally to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

"I have decided to take immediate action. Captain of the Guards, you will immediately organize the guards and march to the outskirts of the city to suppress those bandits. We must capture them all and uncover the truth."

The third person in the palace, who had been silent the entire time, knelt down and immediately accepted the order: "As you command, Your Majesty. I will depart immediately and ensure that the mission is completed."

The emperor's guards quickly gathered and prepared to set off.

They are well-equipped and well-trained, and are the most elite force of the court.

The captain of the guards led them straight to the mountains outside the city and began to encircle and suppress the bandits.

At the same time, the emperor also ordered a search of Prince Zhu's house.

He sent a team of loyal and reliable officials and guards to search Prince Zhu's residence.

"You must thoroughly search Prince Zhu's mansion and look for any possible evidence. I want to thoroughly investigate Prince Zhu's crimes." The emperor ordered.

Led by officials, the search team quickly headed to Prince Zhu's residence.

They searched every corner for possible evidence, including letters, account books and other items that might incriminate them.

The emperor sat in the hall with a firm gaze.

He knew that these actions could trigger a series of unrest, but he also knew that these measures were necessary for the stability of the country and the fairness of the imperial examinations.

"I will not tolerate any behavior that undermines national stability and justice. Whoever it is must be brought to justice."

The emperor's voice was full of decision and majesty.

Suddenly, the person in charge of the interrogation room

He hurried to the hall with a serious expression and brought shocking news.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" the person in charge of the interrogation room gasped, his eyes filled with panic. "Prince Zhu...Prince Zhu has killed the guards in the interrogation room and defected!"

When the emperor heard the news, his face instantly turned gloomy.

He didn't expect that Prince Zhu would be so bold as to openly kill the guards and defect.

"what?!"

The emperor's voice was filled with anger and disbelief. "How dare he do such a thing in my palace? Immediately organize forces and hunt down Prince Zhu with all our might. We must not let him escape!"

The emperor immediately issued a new order, his voice full of determination:

"Commander, lead your elite guards immediately to pursue Prince Zhu. He may have already escaped the palace, but we must apprehend him as soon as possible."

The commander stood at the palace gate and immediately accepted the order: "As ordered, Your Majesty. I will set out immediately and ensure that Prince Zhu is apprehended and brought to justice."

The commander quickly organized a pursuit team composed of the Imperial Guards, and they immediately began to hunt down Prince Zhu.

The guards inside and outside the palace were also strengthened to prevent Prince Zhu's possible accomplices from taking the opportunity to cause chaos.