Chapter 33
It was not until the third day after the assassin had been sent away that Qi Junzhuo, far away in Qingzhou, learned of the news. He had originally wanted to meet the female assassin.
Yang Jinglei had already interrogated the captive assassin—her name was A Duo, while the other, who had vanished without a trace, was called A Nian. He had not been able to find out why they wanted to assassinate Qi Junzhuo.
But from the female assassin's attitude, it was clear they bore hatred toward the Emperor. Perhaps they had wanted to assassinate Qi Junmu, but since they had no way to enter the palace and get close to the Emperor, they had decided to kill Qi Junzhuo instead.
Yet no matter how he pressed her afterward, the assassin would not say another word.
If he employed various interrogation techniques, Yang Jinglei would certainly have been able to extract more. However, he chose not to do so. For one, this was a major incident in Qingzhou—many people believed the intended target had been Qi Junyou, and the Zhou family in particular was in a panic, terrified that Prince Ping might die here.
Since the assassins had not all been captured yet, this female assassin could not withstand such brutal torture, so he had to slow down and interrogate her gradually.
Second, no matter what he did, he first needed to report to the Emperor.
Though sending messages back and forth was troublesome, being cautious in this way was never wrong. Yang Jinglei was also a man with a family, and he did not wish to incur Qi Junmu's suspicion.
When Qi Junzhuo asked to see the female assassin, Yang Jinglei's expression hesitated.
The assassin's transfer to the capital had been carried out in secret; very few people around him even knew about it.
Seeing his reaction, Qi Junzhuo said, "If Commander Yang finds it difficult, then let it be."
Yang Jinglei looked at Qi Junzhuo's calm face and tried his best to maintain his usual composure: "It is not that it is difficult, but the assassin is no longer in Qingzhou. She was sent to the capital a few days ago. His Majesty was greatly enraged upon learning of the assassination attempt on Your Highness."
He had not intended to disclose this secret—but those were exactly the words Qi Junmu had written in the secret letter.
Written in the Emperor's own hand: if Prince Jin asked about the assassins, he was to tell the truth—the assassin was already in the capital.
After Yang Jinglei finished speaking, Qi Junzhuo's brows furrowed slightly. He looked at Yang Jinglei and said, "It was but a trivial matter, and I was not even injured. Why did you trouble His Majesty with this? Qingzhou is so far from the capital—you have only made him worry for nothing."
Yang Jinglei gave Qi Junzhuo a long, deep look. He did not know whether Qi Junzhuo was simply trying not to worry the Emperor, or if he harbored other thoughts. At this moment, he could only steel himself and say, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance—it is not something this humble official could have concealed."
After a moment of silence, Qi Junzhuo said, "Very well, then let the matter rest."
Yang Jinglei acknowledged and watched Qi Junzhuo leave.
Many small things—things that might seem insignificant in others' eyes—could be seen as betrayal in the Emperor's eyes.
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As for betrayal, Qi Junmu could not be bothered to think about it now. The disaster in Qingzhou had already been brought under control.
This time, he had expended a rather small amount of manpower and resources—and had not even needed to use treasury funds—yet achieved the best possible outcome.
This result pleased Qi Junmu greatly. Since the disaster in Qingzhou had been contained, he would send others to handle the remaining follow-up matters. For now, he waved his hand and wrote an imperial decree, summoning Qi Junzhuo and the others back to the capital.
This was a proper imperial edict, and he would dispatch someone specifically to Qingzhou to proclaim it.
After finishing this, Qi Junmu summoned Shen Nian.
Shen Nian had enjoyed a rare moment of leisure over the past two days. As soon as he heard the Emperor had summoned him, he hurried over eagerly.
This time, the Emperor did not make things difficult for him. He fixed his gaze on Shen Nian and asked directly, "I wish to repair and reinforce the West Frontier defenses. In whose hands do you think the funds would be best placed?"
Shen Nian had not expected Qi Junmu to suddenly ask such a question and answered without thinking, "This humble subject believes they would be best placed in this humble subject's hands."
"You are not suitable." The Emperor refuted without even blinking.
Shen Nian felt somewhat wounded. He blinked and said with a pitiful look, "This humble subject's loyalty to His Majesty is as clear as the heavens and as bright as the sun—surely His Majesty does not still doubt me?"
Qi Junmu looked at him impatiently and said, "You are currently in charge of the capital's security and the fifty thousand imperial guards at North Mountain. What, you think the burden on your shoulders is too light, and you want to take on the West Frontier as well? If you truly wish it, I will send you there right now."
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