Frost for a Thousand Years

The autumn night was chilly, and at midnight, the cold dew seeped through the cracks in the bricks. Wei Yiyuan slumped in the corner of his cell. The Imperial Guards had interrogated him all night, during which he hadn't drunk a drop of water. His lips were parched, and blood seeping from the cracks in his lower lip had frozen into dark red icicles. His pupils were dilated like stagnant pools, reflecting the sewage seeping from the stone ceiling.

Half a golden pheasant feather lay in the corner of the wall, his long hair disheveled and curly. Despite his royal lineage, he still retained a trace of unspeakable arrogance.

Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't truly treat him as a death row inmate. Even though he was particularly uncooperative during interrogation, no one dared to use torture on him, after all, he was the emperor's own son.

Such a thing had never happened before in the Great Yu Dynasty.

It wasn't that no princes rebelled.

The former Crown Prince and Prince Ning can both be considered traitors, and that's a proven fact.

However, he was the only one who survived the rebellion and was put on trial.

Without precedent, there is naturally no experience.

Outside the cell, Shen Kang's expression was solemn.

To be honest, the evidence is basically conclusive.

Although there were indeed some suspicious points, such as the fact that Wei Yiyuan bought the opera troupe, which was somewhat 'unclear' beforehand, and there was a money-spending owner behind the scenes, after the people in the opera troupe were questioned separately, it was found that no one knew anything about it.

He did have some subordinates in contact, but finding someone who was completely unknown was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Even with these reasons, Wei Yiyuan cannot completely clear his name.

If he weren't a prince, anyone else would have been convicted long ago.

Picking up the golden cudgel, Shen Kang studied it repeatedly. He slowly twisted the tail end with his hand. The structure of this 'screw' was too ingenious for the ancients. It was not as sturdy as a mortise and tenon joint, yet it was quite stable.

After spinning around for dozens of times, they were almost separated.

Then, simply pull it out gently.

The rapier was then drawn.

“This was definitely premeditated,” said a member of the Imperial Guard standing nearby. “Normally, it looks like just a wooden stick. That’s why it was able to slip through the cracks and be brought to the banquet.”

"Do you even need to tell me?" Shen Kang glanced at his henchman beside him, then asked, "How's that eunuch in charge of the ceremony's performance?"

"He was investigated, but he appears to be innocent. It was he who refused to let the actors bring weapons on stage. Originally, Sun Wukong's golden cudgel wouldn't have been allowed either, but it was only after the eunuch's suggestion that he reluctantly agreed," he said.

“These words he spoke are very important,” Shen Kang said.

“Shen Tou.” The man leaned closer and whispered, “The eunuch also said that before the ceremony began, when Prince Zhongping watched the rehearsal, Prince Jin came in person.”

Shen Kang's expression suddenly turned serious as he stared at the other person: "And then?"

"They didn't say anything after they arrived, and just took Prince Zhongping away. It seems like they had something urgent to attend to," he said.

"Keep this matter quiet. No one except me and Eunuch Xi should be informed," Shen Kang demanded, raising his hand.

"Yes."

This is definitely a very exciting detail.

Even without any evidence, the fact that the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhongping had urgent matters to discuss before the assassination was enough to arouse suspicion.

Of course, he was the Prince of Jin, a person of utmost nobility even among the many princes.

This is not something that can be casually brought up.

Just then, a few people carrying lanterns came over from not far away.

After they looked closely, they realized it was Xishan.

"Greetings, Grandpa Xi."

The two of them knelt down on one knee, clenched their fists, and bowed to him.

"Lord Shen, you've worked hard."

Xi Shan smiled gently and nodded in acknowledgment.

At this moment, their subordinates, being quite perceptive, quietly withdrew, giving the two men space to talk alone.

Shen Kang also revealed all the details of the interrogation, including the details of Prince Jin's meeting with Wei Yiyuan.

However, the other party seemed surprisingly calm.

Logically speaking, the Crown Prince should have wanted to take the opportunity to bring down the Prince of Jin as well. Shouldn't he have been excited upon hearing this news?

Based on this detail, Shen Kang, a veteran criminal investigator, basically understood what his superiors meant.

Don't escalate the issue.

The emperor did publicly declare a thorough investigation, with the spirit of the meeting that no one would be spared, but in practice, it couldn't be as unrestrained as it appeared.

We need to talk about the impact.

“Since this really happened, let’s record it,” Xishan said. “But only in the eunuch’s statement.”

"Yes, I understand."

Shen Kangquan understood.

After a case is closed, the main evidence to look at is the confession of the main culprit.

If the testimony of the Prince of Zhongping records the Prince of Jin's visit before the ceremony, then it would be impossible for him not to be implicated.

But if it's a eunuch's testimony, then nobody cares.

However, the evidence that the Prince of Jin sought out the Prince of Zhongping was indeed preserved.

In the future, once the crown prince ascends the throne, this old grievance can be brought up at any time.

The emperor wanted to protect Prince Jin, but he could only do so for a short time.

"Is the Prince of Zhongping still unwilling to surrender?" Xishan asked.

"..." Shen Kang lowered his head and replied, "At first, he refused to confess, but he would still try to explain. But now, he is no longer willing to cooperate."

"Has torture been used?"

Shen Kang was stunned when Xi Shan said this.

They stared at the chief eunuch in utter astonishment.

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze completely.

To torture a prince...

Shen Kang knew that this was no small matter.

Even if something is commendable, it should not be taken lightly.

The key question is, who will be responsible?
He cannot take responsibility.

No, it's impossible for one person to be responsible.

“The assassination is a matter of great importance,” Xi Shan said. “His Majesty entrusted this to us, and we cannot betray His Majesty’s trust.”

Xishan produced the emperor's endorsement.

"Then what did Your Highness say?" Shen Kang pressed.

The emperor's endorsement is nothing.

If the emperor dies and the crown prince succeeds him, what should be done if the crown prince refuses to acknowledge the throne?

Coincidentally, Xishan thought the same thing.

Then, meeting the other person's gaze, he said, "The Crown Prince ordered the use of torture."

This prince has a bad habit: he doesn't admit to his mistakes.

In terms of taking responsibility, he's really not very good at it.

Therefore, if they were to actually resort to torture, Xi Shan and Shen Kang needed to understand one thing clearly—they were acting on the orders of the Crown Prince.

"Then, sir, please."

Shen Kang extended his hand.

The two of them entered the dimly lit cell together.

Seeing these two top lackeys sitting in front of him, looking all high and mighty, Wei Yiyuan twitched his lips in utter disdain.

Then, he saw someone bring in a bucket of water and place it in front of him.

Wei Yiyuan, who was so thirsty that his throat was parched, suddenly widened his eyes. His survival instinct made him abandon his dignity and climb directly to the bucket, grabbing the edge of the bucket with one hand.

Just then, Shen Kang had already circled around behind him: "Your Highness, what was your purpose in assassinating His Majesty?"

Wei Yiyuan completely ignored the guy and went to get a drink of water.

The next moment, a hand suddenly gripped his neck.

They forcibly pushed his head underwater...

.........

The Prince of Jin was in his room, feeling as if he were in a prison cell, and was in great agony. Moreover, at some point, their guards were replaced.

Clearly, he has been placed under house arrest.

Sitting on the bed, his fear never subsided.

The thought of going to see Wei Yiyuan yesterday morning made him tremble with fear.

Damn it, why did I have to go there?
Moreover, he happened to be rehearsing that damn "Journey to the West" opera troupe.

He originally had absolutely no involvement in this matter, but yesterday's flash of inspiration made it impossible for him to clear his name.

Furthermore, Wei Yiyuan had previously been his henchman and ally.

Let alone the officials in the imperial court, even a lowly clerk would have the same thought—why would the Prince of Zhongping assassinate the emperor? Even if he did kill the emperor, the throne wouldn't be his!

Wei Yiyuan, what the hell are you thinking?!

Is this the surprise you gave the emperor?

You beast, you've really ruined my life!
I'm doomed, I'm definitely doomed...

The Crown Prince now possesses what is tantamount to having nuclear weapons.

Moreover, almost all the troops here are commanded by the Crown Prince's men; he could even kill himself right here...

Suddenly, he thought of someone.

East China University of Political Science and Law.

He was the Grand Master of the Palace, in charge of all the military horses in the land, and held considerable real power within the army.

If the Prince of Zhongping rebels, he will be implicated, and if he is implicated, then Hua Zheng will also be implicated.

If we can find him, there's still a sliver of a chance.

Fortunately, the others weren't here either, and weren't being controlled like him.

As long as the letter is sent out, he can go to Sheng'an and find the Empress.

My mother is Hua Zheng's aunt. If Hua Zheng speaks up for me and the Empress mediates, Zi Sheng would definitely not dare to kill me.

Thinking of this, the Prince of Jin stood up.

I walked to the basin, scooped up a handful of water, wet my face, and after I was fully awake, I dried my face.

He walked out with a strong and calm demeanor.

Upon opening the door, two Imperial Guards responsible for his safety were present.

"Your Highness."

The two men bowed to the King of Jin at the same time.

"Summon Eunuch Zhao over," the Prince of Jin said calmly. "I am hungry; have him bring me some porridge."

"Your Highness," one of them said, "I'll have the kitchen prepare some porridge and bring it to you right away..."

"I want to drink the wine cooked by Eunuch Zhao."

The Prince of Jin glared at him sternly, then turned and went back into the house.

"Yes!"

The soldiers dared not disobey and immediately agreed.

Back in his room, Prince Jin, holding his breath, wrote a letter on a scrap of cloth, then carefully removed his belt and cautiously opened it…

……

After receiving the Crown Prince's order, the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly went to report it.

After about half a day and a night, until noon the next day, they rode at full speed without stopping for a moment and finally arrived at Zhao Yi's barracks.

"General Zhao, a secret order from the Crown Prince!"

Zhao Yi accepted the secret order with great confusion.

After opening it, I was completely dumbfounded.

He never expected that such a shocking thing would happen in Huai County while he was away.

"Did these things really happen?" Zhao Yi asked incredulously.

“General, it’s true,” the Imperial Guard said. “The assassination attempt hasn’t spread completely yet. But it should reach here in a few days.”

In ancient times, news circulated freely.

However, the circulation is extremely slow.

Especially under such circumstances of deliberate containment, it won't spread so quickly.

Of course, Huai County is a huge network.

There are nearly 500,000 people on this plain.

The five military settlements would also experience troop movements due to the spread of the policy.

Besides, how could an assassination attempt on the emperor possibly be covered up?
"Hiss..." Zhao Yi frowned, feeling a real headache coming on from the chaotic situation. Thinking of another important matter at the same time, he asked cautiously, "Where is His Highness the Prince of Zhongshan?"

The original purpose of holding this land reclamation ceremony was to seize military power from the Northern Liang group.

That's why they went to such lengths to plan this.

"This matter can only be put on hold for now," the Imperial Guard said. "The situation is currently under control over there."

“That’s true.” Zhao Yi agreed.

Things can only be done one at a time.

If all the princes were dragged into this mess and executed one by one, it would definitely cause a mutiny.

Especially for Wei Wusheng and Song Shi'an, who have established a strong foundation in Huai County for so long, if they were to rebel, their power would be far greater than that of the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhongping.

"Then I'll have to go and appease East China University of Political Science and Law."

Zhao Yi looked at the letter and said solemnly.

“General,” the Imperial Guard said, “His Highness said we must not be too obvious, lest we cause Hua Taipu to panic.”

“No, there won’t be any problems,” Zhao Yi said confidently. “We’re both from Qinzhou, and our families are on good terms. As long as I talk to him in person, there won’t be any issues.”

"However, General, you must be careful," the Imperial Guard warned. "These tens of thousands of troops are extremely crucial."

If the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhongping are indeed rebels who have been plotting for a long time, then Hua Zheng is not trustworthy.

At this moment, Zhao Yi was shouldering an extremely heavy responsibility.

If military power is lost, the crown prince and the emperor will be completely surrounded.

Don't waste time.

“Alright,” Zhao Yi said. “Then let’s invite Grand Master Hua over under the pretext of matters related to land reclamation.”

.........

The Imperial Guards rushed from the agricultural settlement ceremony to the main camp without stopping for a moment.

During this period, only the horses were changed.

However, a person's energy is always limited.

If someone is working non-stop, and someone else can take over the relay.

Even the Imperial Guards couldn't match his speed.

Therefore, someone had already arrived before he did.

Furthermore, the news spread rapidly among the soldiers of the main camp like an explosion.

"What? His Majesty was assassinated during the land reclamation ceremony!"

"Moreover, the assassin was none other than the actor presented by the Prince of Zhongping?"

"Fortunately, His Majesty is unharmed, and the assassin has been killed."

Hua Zheng, who was in the commander's camp, was quickly informed of the news by the guards he had brought from Sheng'an.

Sitting in front of the desk, he was completely dumbfounded.

Wei Yiyuan, what are you doing?!

Wei Yixuan, does this have anything to do with you?

Wei Yiyun, what do you mean by transferring me to an outside position to take command of the military?
He swallowed hard, and East China University of Political Science and Law was already trembling.

At that moment, a clerk came to report, smiling, "Grand Master Hua, General Zhao has something to discuss with you and would like you to move to his barracks." (End of Chapter)