With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

Lu Yan sneered and winked at Ye Xiao.

Night Owl understood, picked up the honey bucket, and poured the sticky honey on the assassin without hesitation.

The sticky honey slowly flowed down the assassin's body, wrapping him tightly.

Just a second later, the assassin felt a tingling sensation all over his body, as if his heart was being bitten by thousands of ants.

The honey seeped into the wounds on his body, causing waves of excruciating pain.

He couldn't help but let out a low groan, and his body trembled violently.

He couldn't even imagine what would happen to him if those bees were released again.

Just listening to the buzzing sound made him feel creepy, as if he was in endless fear.

"Buzzing..."

The sound of bees' wings flapping was getting closer and clearer.

Like a death note, it struck the assassin's psychological defenses again and again.

Finally, at the moment when the bee was about to be released, the assassin's psychological defenses completely collapsed.

"I said! I said!"

He shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice filled with fear and despair.

"Why not just say it earlier? Why suffer this physical pain?"

Lu Yan shook his head feigning helplessness and motioned for Night Owl to take the bee away.

The assassin collapsed against the wooden frame as if he had been pardoned.

He was gasping for breath, as if he had just been to the gates of hell.

"Tell me, who ordered you to commit the assassination?"

Lu Yan looked down at him with a hint of sharpness in his eyes.

The assassin hesitated for a moment, and finally said tremblingly:

"It's...it's the Prime Minister of the current dynasty...Liu An..."

"Liu An?"

The dim light reflected on Lu Yan's face.

There was no trace of surprise on his face, as if he had expected it.

"Sir, this old thief Liu An actually dared to attack you. He is so audacious!"

After hearing this, Night Owl said indignantly.

"Heh, does he think he can stop me like this?"

Lu Yan sneered, his eyes flashing with confidence.

"His actions only accelerated his own demise."

"Sir, what should we do next?" asked Night Owl.

"Now that we know who's behind this, it's time to have some fun with him."

An evil smile appeared on Lu Yan's lips, and a cunning light flashed in his eyes.

"Take him away and keep him under guard."

Night Owl responded and dragged the dying assassin out of the interrogation room.

Lu Yan stood there alone, not knowing what he was thinking about.

He slowly walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked at the dark night sky outside.

The night in Shannan Prefecture is eerily quiet.

This old fox appears to be loyal to the empress.

But secretly he has been building up his own power and is very ambitious.

This time, the people who came to assassinate the empress's side probably wanted to frame me.

"Liu An..."

Lu Yan murmured the name in a low voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"The game between you and me has just begun."

Lu Yan walked out of the interrogation room, crossed the corridor, and returned to the study.

He found Li Kui and ordered:

"Xiao Kui, arrange for a few smart people to secretly monitor Liu An's every move."

"Report any disturbance to me promptly."

When Li Kui heard this, he immediately became energetic:

"Sir, do you suspect that old fellow Liu An is planning a rebellion?"

Lu Yan did not give a direct answer, but said meaningfully:

"It's always better to be safe than sorry. It's always better to be more careful."

Li Kui nodded in understanding:

"Don't worry, sir. I promise to do this perfectly!"

Ye Xiao also arranged for the assassin to return to the study.

"Sir, what should we do now?" asked Night Owl.

Lu Yan walked to the desk, picked up the brush, and gently ground it on the inkstone.

"Since Liu An wants to play, then we will play with him."

"What do you mean, sir...?"

Night Owl asked in confusion.

A meaningful smile appeared on Lu Yan's lips.

"Spread the word... that the assassin has confessed and that someone else is behind this."

When Ye Xiao heard this, his eyes lit up and he immediately understood Lu Yan's intention.

"My subordinate understands and will do it now."

After saying this, he bowed and left the study.

Capital city, Prime Minister's Mansion.

Liu An was secretly proud when he heard his subordinates report this news.

"Lu Yan, this brat, actually dared to release such news. Does he really think I am a vegetarian?"

Liu An snorted coldly, with a hint of disdain in his tone.

He thought Lu Yan was just bluffing.

How could a small prefect dare to offend the powerful prime minister?

However, despite his pride, Liu An felt vaguely uneasy.

Lu Yan's behavior was too abnormal, and he couldn't help but doubt whether Lu Yan really had any evidence.

"Master, do you want to..."

Liu An's confidant, a thin man, stood hunched over, his eyes full of ferocity.

Liu An waved his hand and pondered for a moment:

"No, it's not the right time yet. Since Lu Yan dared to release the news, he must have something to rely on."

"Let's wait and see what tricks he has in mind."

"Master is wise." The confidant complimented.

"but,"

Liu An changed the subject, a sinister look flashing in his eyes.

"Don't let him get too complacent. Arrange a few people to sneak into Shannan Prefecture secretly."

"Create some chaos and test Lu Yan's reaction."

"Master wants to..." The confidant's eyes lit up.

"That's right," Liu An sneered.

"I want him to know the consequences of offending me!"

Lu Yan seemed to have guessed Liu An's approach long ago and began to strengthen the city's defenses.

Under the dim oil lamp, on the city defense map.

The outline of Shannan Prefecture's city wall looks like a sleeping dragon.

The streets and alleys in the city are as fine and complex as the scales on a dragon.

Lu Yan's eyes darted back and forth between several city gates and important roads, as if looking for weak points in the defense.

"Sir, the commanders of the city defense camp are all here."

Li Kui's voice broke the silence in the study.

Lu Yan raised his head, glanced at everyone in the hall, and said in a deep voice:

"Everyone, the city has been uneasy recently. I'm afraid there might be disturbances in the Prime Minister's Mansion. To maintain the peace of Shannan Prefecture, I have decided to strengthen the city's defenses."

"Sir, have you discovered anything unusual?"

A bearded city defense commander asked, clasping his fists.

Lu Yan did not answer directly, but pointed to several marks on the map.

"These areas are the focus of city defense. We must increase manpower and strengthen patrols."

"Also, the guards at the city gates must be extra vigilant and strictly check anyone entering and leaving, especially those who are suspicious."

"Sir, will strengthening the city's defenses with such fanfare cause unnecessary panic?"

Another young general asked with some concern.

Lu Yan smiled slightly.

"We told the public that it was to strengthen public security and deter scoundrels."

"Remember, our goal is to prevent problems before they occur. We must not alert the enemy."