Legend of the Embroiderer

Li Luxing, an official from the Dali Temple, trotted all the way, his hurried footsteps seemed to carry a hint of nervousness, as he hurried to the Prince's Mansion.

As soon as he entered, he eagerly reported to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, during our thorough search of Huang Jin's bedroom, we unexpectedly discovered a very special diary."

After saying that, he lowered his head slightly, an imperceptible solemnity flashed in his eyes, and his tightly furrowed brows were like a deep ravine, as if carrying countless doubts and thoughts.

Huang Jin, a seemingly ordinary eunuch in daily life, his death at this moment is like an intricate web, which is vaguely related to the mysterious Netherworld Sect.

Crown Prince Li Zhao knew very well that in order to completely unravel the mystery shrouding the court, uncovering this key relationship was undoubtedly the top priority and the key to uncovering the entire conspiracy.

"Wu Chen," Crown Prince Li Zhao said slowly, his voice filled with an indescribable seriousness, "There seem to be many strange things hidden in Huang Jin's relics."

When Wu Chen heard this, curiosity flashed in his eyes, and he quickly asked, "Your Highness, what secret is hidden in Huang Jin's relics?"

Crown Prince Li Zhao nodded gently, his gaze deep and resolute. He spoke slowly, "After a thorough search of his chambers, the Dali Temple finally discovered a slightly yellowed diary. The moment I opened it, the contents within resonated like thunder in my mind, shocking me to my core. He clearly mentioned the Netherworld Cult and their covert activities, which were like sharp daggers pointing directly at the conspiracy hidden in the darkness."

Wu Chen frowned slightly, an indescribable sense of solemnity welling up in his heart. He knew the importance of this interrogation, which concerned the exposure of the Netherworld Cult's conspiracy and the safety of the imperial court.

Crown Prince Li Zhao's sword-like gaze seemed to be able to see through all falsehoods and disguises, making Huang Quan feel unprecedented pressure at that moment.

Huang Quan's face turned pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He tried to conceal his inner panic, but his slightly trembling lips betrayed his uneasiness. "Your Highness, I... I really have no idea what you are talking about."

His eyes widened slightly, like a frightened deer, and although he tried hard to maintain a calm expression, the slightly trembling tone of his voice and the unconscious biting of his lower lip undoubtedly revealed the unconcealable guilt deep in his heart.

There were even fine beads of sweat on his forehead, slowly sliding down his cheeks, but he still tried to straighten his back, trying to make himself look less flustered, as if this could cover up the uneasiness and confusion deep in his heart.

Crown Prince Li Zhao snorted heavily, a sound that seemed to carry a biting chill that spread through the air. The flash of disappointment in his eyes was like lightning in the dark night, instantly illuminating the turmoil in his heart.

He stared intently at Huang Quan in front of him, his eyes revealing unquestionable determination. He spoke word by word, "Huang Quan, stop struggling in vain. The evidence of your collusion with the Netherworld Cult is as solid as a mountain. Whether it's clues or blatant facts, it's all clearly laid out there, leaving no room for you to quibble. Today, I must make you honestly tell the truth and reveal the entire conspiracy behind you, so that the world can see your true face!"

After saying this, he raised his head slightly, his eyes flashing with determination, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

Wu Chen stared at Huang Quan, thinking secretly in his heart. He understood that this interrogation was not only to obtain intelligence, but also to completely destroy the power of the Netherworld Cult and restore peace to the world.

The atmosphere in the interrogation room grew increasingly tense, as if the air itself had frozen. Crown Prince Li Zhao pressed on, constantly questioning Huang Quan about his connection to the Netherworld Cult, while Huang Quan struggled to find an excuse to escape responsibility.

At this moment, a faint sound suddenly came from outside the window, as if someone was peeping in secret.

Wu Chen and Crown Prince Li Zhao both became alert. They exchanged glances, realizing that this interrogation might not be as simple as it appeared. There might be a bigger conspiracy waiting for them...

Huang Quan slowly raised his head, and his eyes, which were originally a little cunning, now flashed as quickly as lightning, with an imperceptible glimmer of cunning. However, this cunning was like a flash in the pan, and was completely swallowed up by deep fear and endless despair in an instant.

His lips trembled slightly, and his voice grew hoarse. "Your Highness, I... I've been driven into a corner, completely helpless. Back in those distant frontiers, a sudden accident landed me in a quagmire, leaving me with a massive debt that could bankrupt me. I simply couldn't repay it, a mountain of debt. I still don't understand how the mysterious Netherworld Cult knew of my immense debt. They were like a group of venomous snakes lurking in the darkness, quietly appearing and offering to help me when I was most vulnerable. But the conditions they offered were cruel and ruthless: I must serve them wholeheartedly, become a pawn in their hands, and be manipulated at their will."

When Crown Prince Li Zhao heard this, a cold gleam of disdain flashed in his eyes. He snorted heavily, and his eyes, which were already as sharp as swords, were now like two poisoned blades.

He pointed directly at Huang Quan: "Huang Quan, don't be so optimistic that you think these little tricks of yours can easily get away with it. I have already secretly sent people to investigate everywhere, and now I have enough solid evidence. Your actions can no longer be hidden in the dark. Don't try to deceive me with lies. You must give me an explanation today!"

Huang Quan's face grew paler, his body swaying slightly with fear. His trembling hands seemed to reveal his inner turmoil and struggle. He knew he was now in a desperate situation, unable to escape the impending guilt.

A trace of anger flashed in Crown Prince Li Zhao's eyes. He stared at Huang Quan closely, and his sharp gaze seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts.

He asked again in a deep voice, "What specific information about the imperial court did you provide to the Netherworld Cult? And how did they use this information for their own benefit?"

Huang Quan bit his lip, a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but he finally opened his mouth slowly, revealing all the confidential information he had sold to the Netherworld Cult. Every word was like a sharp knife, piercing the hearts of everyone present.

As Huang Quan spoke, the situation grew increasingly dire. Crown Prince Li Zhao's brow furrowed as he began to ponder how to respond to this sudden crisis. The guards beside him wore solemn expressions, weapons clutched tightly in their hands, ready to respond to any eventuality.

Huang Quan, looking at the Crown Prince's furious expression, felt a surge of regret. He regretted why he had been seduced by the Netherworld Cult and why he had betrayed the court. But now, it was too late; he could only await the Crown Prince's judgment.

At that moment, a guard hurried into the hall, carrying the so-called "notebook." He handed it to the crown prince, who opened it. It was densely packed with crucial information about the court, many of which clearly pointed to Huang Quan. The crown prince's expression darkened. He slammed the notebook to the ground, glaring at Huang Quan and demanding, "What else do you have to say? The facts are all there. Do you still want to deny them?"

Huang Quan knelt on his knees. His originally straight body seemed to have lost all support and fell heavily to the ground like a collapsed mountain.

His head slowly drooped like a heavy lead block, his messy hair covering half of his face. In his eyes hidden in the shadows, crystal tears sparkled, like two pearls about to roll down, spinning in his eye sockets.

He knew very well that he was now in a desperate situation and could no longer find any loophole to escape the blame.

The high-spirited and loyal self of the past seemed to be completely shattered at that moment, leaving only endless regret and helplessness.

He parted his lips slightly, his voice hoarse and low, filled with deep guilt and remorse, as he spoke: "Your Highness, I acknowledge my guilt. I truly shouldn't have been so foolish as to be completely deceived by the evil allure of the Netherworld Cult, committing such a deed that brought shame upon the court and disappointment upon the people. I am willing to accept any punishment, only to atone for my mistakes and redeem the sins I have committed."

As he spoke, the tears in his eyes finally burst out, slowly flowing down his cheeks and dripping onto the cold ground, as if telling of the pain and struggle deep in his heart.

The Crown Prince looked at Huang Quan's remorseful expression and couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Since you know you are wrong, then repent sincerely. As for your crimes, the court's laws will punish you."

Huang Quan, who was holding on to a faint but hard-to-give-up hope like a candle in the wind, began to tremble slightly at this moment, as if his already slightly uneasy body was gently blown by an invisible cold wind.

He slowly raised his head, and in his originally dull eyes, a hint of imperceptible cunning flashed across his face like lightning. However, this cunning look was so short-lived, like a flash in the pan, and was quickly shrouded by endless despair.

He said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Your Highness, I...I know my crime. I...I really killed Huang Jin with my own hands."

Upon seeing this, Crown Prince Li Zhao's brows, which had been relaxed, were tightly furrowed together, forming a deep furrow. He never expected that Huang Quan, who seemed calm on weekdays, would admit his crimes so easily.

A trace of doubt and anger flashed in his eyes, and he asked, "Huang Quan, what exactly did you intend by putting Huang Jin to death? Is there some deep hatred between you two?"

A cold glint flashed in Crown Prince Li Zhao's eyes, like a star in the night sky, icy and sharp, as if it could pierce through a person's heart. He narrowed his eyes slightly, the light in his eyes growing darker as he pressed on, "Huang Quan, how did you kill Huang Jin? What unspeakable secret lies behind this?"

Huang Quan's face instantly turned as pale as paper at this moment. He knew that he was in a desperate situation and could no longer hide it.

He slowly lowered his head, and his already drooping head seemed to hide endless guilt and anxiety.

His hands seemed to have lost control, twisting wildly in the air unconsciously, as if this could ease the surging fear and struggle deep in his heart.

A whisper escaped him, a hint of trembling and hesitation as he spoke softly, "Your Highness, I… I truly never intended to kill Huang Jin. You see, we are all from the same clan, and we should have supported and loved each other. However, just before he was imprisoned, I couldn't believe how he had somehow, in some unbelievable way, discovered the shocking secret of my secret collusion with the enigmatic Netherworld Cult. I lived in constant fear, terrified that he would, at all costs, denounce me to the Emperor. If this were ever fully revealed, the consequences would be unimaginable. My life would be in jeopardy, and I could vanish from this world at any moment. It was precisely because of this that I had to make the painful decision to strike first. I was truly driven to desperation, and had no other choice but to make this decision..."