After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Emperor Cangqi stared intently at Imperial Censor Wang, then swept his gaze over the kneeling officials filling the hall, his voice suddenly turning chillingly cold:

"Guards! Draft an imperial edict!" he practically roared. "Investigate thoroughly! Find out who forged this so-called copy of the secret edict! Who dared to forge an imperial edict and frame me!"

"Investigate this thoroughly for me. Anyone involved must be executed without exception!"

He took a deep breath and said, word by word, "From this day forward, anyone who dares to speak recklessly about Xie Dai's death, spread rumors, or slander the Emperor—"

"Regardless of rank or family background, all shall be punished for treason, executed without mercy, and their entire family shall be exterminated!"

He squeezed out the last three words through clenched teeth, carrying a heavy killing intent that echoed in the hall, sending a chill down everyone's spine.

Upon hearing this, Wang Heng not only did not flinch or back down, but instead slammed his head heavily on the ground, making a dull thud.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" His voice was hoarse, yet every word was filled with anguish. "While a thorough investigation into the forger of the secret edict is of utmost importance, the Duke's tragic death and the fact that his body is barely cold make the investigation of this case all the more urgent!"

He crawled two steps on his knees, almost falling to the imperial steps, and looked up at the ashen-faced Emperor Cangqi:

"If we do not thoroughly investigate the cause of the Duke's death, find the true culprit, and bring him to justice, how can we comfort his loyal soul in the afterlife? How can we quell the uproar throughout the land?"

"Your Majesty!" he raised his voice, with a resolute determination that bordered on the desperate, "How can you convince the people that their emperor is wise and just, and not... not a cruel and ungrateful ruler who persecutes his meritorious officials! Silencing the people is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing!"

"Only truth and justice can truly quell public opinion, restore the court's prestige, and win the hearts of the people! Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"

These words struck everyone like a heavy hammer.

Many ministers showed their agreement, but were too intimidated by Emperor Cangqi's rage of killing without mercy to utter a word.

Emperor Cangqi trembled with rage, pointing at Wang Heng, his lips quivering. A surge of violent killing intent completely shattered his already crumbling dam of reason.

"You...you...what a loyal minister! What an outspoken and courageous remonstrator!"

He forced out a few words through gritted teeth, "Guards! Bring this to me..."

"Father! Calm down!"

At the critical moment, the Crown Prince interrupted again, kneeling and crawling a few steps to stand in front of Imperial Censor Wang. He looked up at the enraged Emperor Cangqi, his gaze clear and firm:

"Father! Although Imperial Censor Wang's words were harsh and offended Your Majesty, his loyalty is unwavering, and his words are not without merit!"

The Crown Prince spoke quickly, yet with perfect clarity, "The Duke of Zhenguo is a pillar of the state, a veteran of two reigns, with outstanding achievements. His loyalty was personally praised by the late Emperor!"

"Now that he has been murdered in Qingzhou, this matter has attracted worldwide attention! If the court cannot quickly ascertain the truth and apprehend the real culprit, it will not only chill the hearts of loyal ministers and generals throughout the land, but will also give unscrupulous people an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, causing instability in all directions! At that time, the rumors will spread more and more wildly, which may not be a blessing for the country!"

The Crown Prince took a deep breath and continued, "In my opinion, the most urgent task is to immediately dispatch capable officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, as well as local officials from Qingzhou, to investigate this case with all their might."

"Investigate the origins of the man in black, track down the whereabouts of the Duke's remains, and give the world a clear explanation! As for the forgery of the secret edict and the spreading of rumors, these can be investigated together, but we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater, nor should we allow them to obstruct the investigation into the Duke's murder itself, Father!"

The Crown Prince's words were reasonable and well-founded, and many ministers in the hall nodded in agreement.

However, these words, when they reached Emperor Cangqi's ears, were like adding fuel to the fire.

His chest heaved violently as he stared intently at the crown prince below the steps.

At this moment, in the rage-distorted vision of Emperor Cangqi, the crown prince kneeling below the imperial steps faintly overlapped with Xie Jinchen's face.

Unfilial sons! They're all unfilial sons! They all want to seize his power, they all want to harm him!

Did the Crown Prince long ago hope that his father, the Emperor, would step down so that he could ascend the throne as soon as possible?

Have all these ministers who claim to be loyal to the emperor and love their country sided with the crown prince, plotting to seize his power and harm him?

Suspicion and paranoia instantly tightened around Emperor Cangqi's heart like poisonous vines, choking his breath.

He staggered backward, stammering, "You...you all..."

Emperor Cangqi's outstretched fingers trembled violently as they moved from the Crown Prince's face to Wang Heng's, then swept over the lowered heads, his voice laced with ruthlessness:

"Good...good very good! You're trying to force me to abdicate...you're trying to force me to abdicate!!"

Just then, an aged voice came clearly from outside the hall.

"Amitabha."

The sound wasn't loud, but like a gentle stream, it penetrated the stagnant air in the hall and reached everyone's ears.

The raging, furious fire in Emperor Cangqi's chest was strangely calmed by the Buddhist chant, and the surging killing intent and dizziness subsided slightly, allowing him to catch his breath.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed intently on the palace entrance.

An elderly monk, draped in a red-gold brocade robe and holding a string of prayer beads, slowly stepped into the hall.

His beard and eyebrows were as white as snow, his face was thin and gaunt, his cheekbones were slightly prominent, and a bright red cinnabar mark on his forehead was particularly eye-catching.

He seemed to be enveloped in an aura of peace and tranquility, which was completely out of place with the tense atmosphere inside the hall.

"Abbot! You've finally emerged from seclusion!" Emperor Cangqi cried out as if he were a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

Seeing this, Wang Heng frowned. "Your Majesty! This is a place for discussing state affairs. Even if Master Hong'an is the abbot of Huguo Temple, appointed by Your Majesty, and highly respected, he should not barge into the court without being summoned! If this precedent is set, it may cause controversy!"

Emperor Cangqi's anger, which had just subsided somewhat, was suddenly reignited.

He abruptly turned to Wang Heng, his finger trembling as he pointed at him, his roar seeming to echo through the hall's beams and pillars:

"Wang Heng! You have repeatedly offended me, showing contempt for the emperor, sowing discord between the ruler and his ministers, and shaking the foundation of the nation! Considering your years of hard work, I will grant you a lenient sentence."

"A year's salary will be deducted, and three months of confinement will be imposed for reflection! If he dares to utter another word of disrespect, he will be executed without mercy!"

"Your Majesty," Hong An's voice was calm and unhurried, "this old monk is a recluse and should not concern himself with worldly disputes."

"However, when a country is about to fall into chaos, there will surely be monstrous signs. The matter of Duke Xie is shrouded in mystery, and the autumn snow and strange phenomena are likely not a good omen."

He raised his eyes and continued, "If Your Majesty merely sends court officials to Qingzhou to investigate the case, ordinary methods will likely be insufficient to reach the root of the evil spirits and uncover the truth behind the mystery."

He bowed slightly, the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand slowly turning between his fingertips: "To relieve Your Majesty's worries, to put the minds of the people at ease, and to cleanse the evil that may disturb the nation's destiny, this old monk is willing to volunteer to go to Qingzhou."

"Using Buddhism as a guide may help Your Majesty distinguish between loyalty and treachery, calm people's hearts, and clear away confusion."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cangqi issued a decree almost without hesitation, speaking swiftly:

"Excellent! Your Excellency's willingness to share my burdens and pray for the nation's well-being is truly a blessing for the country!"

He swept his gaze across the assembled officials, whose expressions varied. "I have already made my decision regarding the case of Xie Dai's murder, as well as the forgery of secret edicts, the spreading of rumors, and the disruption of the court!"

Emperor Cangqi raised his voice, making sure everyone in the hall could hear him: "I hereby order Crown Prince Chu Jingyu and Abbot Hong'an of Huguo Temple to make preparations immediately and depart for Qingzhou at an appointed time to thoroughly investigate this case on my behalf!"

"We must find the real culprit, uncover the source of the rumors, eliminate the treacherous officials, stabilize the region, and give the world a clear and transparent explanation!"

Having said that, he abruptly waved his sleeve, "Court adjourned!"

Then, without giving anyone a chance to speak, he left hastily, supported by a eunuch, leaving behind a hall full of civil and military officials with varying expressions.