The playboy county magistrate

A night passes in the blink of an eye.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the palace gates were opened wide.

Holding the confessions obtained from Tang Zheng and others' overnight interrogation, along with evidence of the assassin's crimes, Li Xuanzhi entered the palace alone and went straight to the Imperial Study.

Inside the imperial study, the emperor sat upright before his desk.

His face was still pale and haggard, and his brows showed the weariness of a long illness, yet he still forced himself to process the memorials.

The emperor raised his eyes to look at Li Xuanzhi as he stepped into the hall, his voice gentle.

"Xuanzhi, did something happen to the Crown Prince that you entered the palace today?"

He asked what seemed like a casual question, but his eyes held a knowing look.

The emperor, with his keen insight into people's hearts, had already sensed the unusual activity in Li Xuanzhi's residence last night.

Li Xuanzhi stepped forward, laid out a stack of evidence and confessions on the imperial desk, bowed, and spoke in a deep voice, each word clear and distinct.

"Your Majesty, the Li residence was attacked last night, and all eleven assassins were captured. After an overnight interrogation, the evidence is irrefutable. The investigation into this assassination attempt on the Crown Prince and the plot to disrupt the government points to Consort Shu as the mastermind."

As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial study fell into a deathly silence.

The morning breeze wafted through the hall outside the window, rustling the edges of the folding tablets and making the hall even more solemn and serene.

The emperor lowered his eyes and slowly flipped through the confessions and evidence. His fingertips paused slightly, but there was no surprise or anger, only endless weariness and desolation.

After a long silence, he gave a low, bitter laugh, his voice hoarse and dry.

"As I suspected, how much of this was due to Consort Shu, and how much to her family? We still need to investigate carefully."

Li Xuanzhi was slightly taken aback, still hesitating whether or not to voice his doubts.

"Did His Majesty already know?"

"I knew, but I never imagined she would dare to be so crazy."

The emperor slowly raised his eyes, his gaze filled with coldness.

"After I was poisoned, I investigated all the clues in the palace, and they all ended with the hands of her personal maid. I did not take action against her. Firstly, I was worried that it would implicate too many people and disturb the court. Secondly, I thought of my innocent children and could not bear to leave my two young sons alone."

"But my forbearance and concessions only emboldened her to take advantage of me and gave her family the confidence to become even more ruthless."

What else could Li Xuanzhi not understand after hearing this? He immediately lowered his head and asked for permission in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, Consort Shu has colluded with traitors, interfering in state affairs and disrupting the court. She has also sent assassins to kill the Crown Prince, plotting against the nation. Her crimes are unforgivable. I request that Your Majesty order a thorough investigation of the inner palace, eliminating all remaining spies and henchmen, and severely punishing those in power and their associates. This is to uphold the law and maintain order in the court!"

The emperor just wanted the reputation of a wise ruler and didn't want to be seen as cold-blooded and heartless, disregarding years of friendship.

As a powerful minister favored by the emperor, Li Xuanzhi was naturally happy to play the villain.

Only by being willing to go all out can one secure a stable and unshakable position in the emperor's heart.

The emperor's statement actually had another layer of consideration; it was also a test for Li Xuanzhi.

Li Xuanzhi was well aware that if he chose his reputation over the emperor's face, the emperor would definitely be wary of him and might even start plotting when to take his head.

Or perhaps they could try to give him some colorless and odorless medicine that could prevent him from having children.

Li Xuanzhi remained a powerful and influential minister, but he had no hope of having any offspring.

Such a person can do nothing but be loyal to the emperor and love his country.

The emperor closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

When he opened his eyes again, all the warmth in them had vanished, leaving only the emperor's cold and ruthless decisiveness.

"Granted."

"Effective immediately, Chang Le Palace is sealed off, and Consort Shu is detained. A thorough investigation of all eunuchs and maids within Chang Le Palace is ordered. Anyone implicated in this case will be dealt with leniently!"

The chief steward immediately agreed and quickly went out to find the leader of the Imperial Guards.

The emperor leaned back behind his desk, his shoulders slightly slumped.

His pale face revealed extreme exhaustion. He raised a hand to rub his temples and softly instructed:

"This matter is entirely under your jurisdiction. You need not worry about the dignity of the harem, nor about the gossip of the imperial family. Anyone involved, regardless of rank or status, shall be investigated and dealt with according to the law."

He paused for a moment, a fleeting hint of melancholy flashing across his eyes, and added:

"As for those two brats, they are young and ignorant, and do not understand political intrigue. If they were not involved, spare their lives and send them to the royal villa to recuperate, and they shall never be allowed to interfere in politics for the rest of their lives."

Emperors may be ruthless, but they still retain a trace of compassion as fathers.

Li Xuan knew what he meant and solemnly agreed.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I will make proper arrangements for the two princes."

"Go," the emperor said gently, his voice hoarse. "Investigate and resolve this swiftly."

Li Xuanzhi said no more, took the imperial decree, turned around, and stepped out of the hall.

Outside the palace, the morning light was vast and bright, spreading across the long white jade steps. Today, the imperial city was calm and cloudless, yet it concealed a fierce storm that would sweep through the six palaces.

"grown ups!"

The Imperial Guards bowed in unison, their voices echoing through the corridor.

Li Xuanzhi stood atop the long steps, holding the imperial edict. His purple robes fluttered in the wind, and his eyes were cool and aloof.

"By imperial decree, a thorough investigation is ordered. Chang Le Palace is sealed off, and Consort Shu is detained. All palace staff, from top to bottom, are to be rigorously interrogated. Anyone who colludes with traitors or causes chaos within the palace shall be apprehended and severely punished!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Imperial Guards responded immediately, their steps firm and resounding as they headed straight for the inner palace.

……

Inside Chang Le Palace, the scene remained one of opulent luxury.

Consort Shu sat gracefully before her dressing table, her fingertips lightly caressing the exquisite pearl hairpin.

She received a message from outside the palace early this morning, which made her so angry that she couldn't even eat breakfast.

Last night, her family members attempted to assassinate her without her order, but the attempt failed and all the assassins were captured.

Fortunately, she felt that even if Li Xuanzhi was very good at investigating cases, there was no evidence that pointed to her, who was in the deep palace and had very little contact with the outside world.

Moreover, aside from chivalrous heroes who value loyalty and repay life-saving debts, the rest of these assassins were all loyalists from powerful families. They were extremely tight-lipped and there was no reason for them to confess easily.

As long as no one accuses her, given her high position and the fact that she has a prince, even the biggest problems can be easily overlooked.

The personal maid who delivered the message for Consort Shu yesterday never returned to the palace. The palace maid standing beside her was somewhat uneasy and whispered anxiously:

"Your Majesty, I feel a sense of emptiness and unease in my heart."

This palace maid was not brought into the palace by Consort Shu from her maiden family, but was assigned to the Imperial Household Department after entering the palace.

If it weren't for her consistently obedient behavior over the years, and the fact that her usual maidservants weren't around, Consort Shu really wouldn't want her to serve her.

Look at that! It's not good if they don't grow up by your side from childhood; they want to run away at the slightest disturbance.

If it weren't for the unrest in the palace during this period, she would have liked to find any excuse to get rid of him and avoid seeing him altogether.

Consort Shu glanced indifferently at the maid in the mirror, her tone languid and arrogant.

"What? Are you being mistreated by serving me? Do you want to find a different master?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than the sound of heavy, orderly footsteps broke the silence of the palace.

"By imperial decree, investigate the case! Seal off Chang Le Palace! Everyone, remain in place and do not move without authorization!"

A sharp shout pierced through the palace gates, which were then slowly pushed open.