Chapter 1777: Chapter 1715: Ah Jiu’s Suspicion
Jia Yi came to Ah Jiu’s study, saluted, then stood in front of the desk, only to feel his scalp prickle under Ah Jiu’s stare.
"Your Highness?"
Ah Jiu fixed his gaze on the burly man before him; his features were hard and stern, more like a general on the battlefield than a commander lurking in the shadows.
"Jia Yi, are you my Imperial Brother’s man, or mine?" Ah Jiu narrowed his eyes and asked.
Jia Yi’s pupils abruptly contracted. Without thinking, he dropped to one knee, fist pressed to his chest, and said in a deep voice, "In life I belong to Your Highness, in death I am Your Highness’s ghost."
Ah Jiu looked down at him from on high, exerting a cool, quiet pressure.
Jia Yi only felt sweat bead on his forehead, but he did not dare raise his head, much less offer the slightest explanation; the more one explains, the more mistakes one makes.
"Stand up and speak." After a long while, Ah Jiu finally spoke.
Jia Yi stood, looking toward Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiu pressed his lips together and said, "I am going to the Northern Region to investigate last year’s embezzlement case concerning the disaster relief funds there."
"Subordinate will immediately arrange men to accompany you." Jia Yi said.
"No hurry." Ah Jiu flicked his hand and said, "I have a task here that I want you to carry out personally."
"Please give your orders, Your Highness."
"I want to know what has happened between my Imperial Brother and my Royal Mother." Ah Jiu said lightly.
Hearing this, Jia Yi’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, drained of all color, and he stared at Ah Jiu in shock.
What did this mean—he was to investigate the Emperor and the Empress Dowager?
This was simply the most horrifying assignment he had ever heard since becoming captain of the Secret Guards!
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager—what sort of figures were they? Both were beings of supreme status, and both were people of utmost importance to the prince.
Jia Yi swallowed subconsciously.
"What, is it very difficult?"
Jia Yi forcibly resisted the urge to wipe the cold sweat from his brow and said, "What kind of information does Your Highness wish to obtain?"
Ah Jiu lowered his eyes and said, "Anything and everything. Big or small, compile it all." He paused, then added, "Also, I do not wish too many people to know of this matter—especially those who belong to ’Imperial Brother.’"
"Your Highness!"
"Among the Hidden Guards there are bound to be my Imperial Brother’s people. Who they are depends on your ability to find out. I do not want those people to know." Ah Jiu said coldly, "If this matter leaks out, or reaches my Imperial Brother’s and Royal Mother’s ears, then do not bother coming back to see me—atone with your life!"
Jia Yi dropped to one knee, clasping his fists with both hands. "Subordinate accepts the order."
This kind of task was not only horrifying but of utmost secrecy. Even without Ah Jiu’s warning, he knew he could not let it slip; if by some mischance those two above truly discovered it, then he really would have no option but to die to settle the matter!
Ah Jiu said, "In my Imperial Brother’s palace, there is a little eunuch called Zhang Xi. You may seek contact through him."
Zhang Xi was an undercover line for Eagle Hall, hidden extremely deep.
"Subordinate understands."
Ah Jiu closed his eyes, thought for a moment, then added, "Keep an eye on the Empress’s side as well."
Jia Yi started, raising his head.
"I cannot quite put it into words, but I keep feeling something is off. Just pay attention to everything. Anything suspicious, collect it all together. We will decide what to do after I return." Ah Jiu said.
"Yes."
Ah Jiu waved his hand. "You may go."
Jia Yi cupped his hands in salute, then backed away two steps with his hands lowered before turning to leave. As one foot stepped out the door and the other was still inside, Ah Jiu’s voice came again from behind him.
"This matter is of great import. Jia Yi, you know what should be said, and what must not be said, yes?"
Jia Yi turned his head and said, "Subordinate understands."
At the same time, he gave a bitter smile in his heart. How could he not know how grave this matter was?
Though His Highness had not fully spoken it aloud, by assigning this task, he was clearly suspicious of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager...
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager having an illicit affair...
Jia Yi shuddered violently, not daring to think any further.
