Chapter 362: midnight inspection
The Imperial Capital slept beneath a silver moon.
The bustling streets that had echoed with merchants’ voices during the day were now silent.
Only the distant footsteps of night patrols broke the stillness.
Tonight, however—
The silence carried another purpose.
By secret imperial decree, the Imperial Guards had begun their investigation.
No drums.
No public announcement.
No official proclamation.
Only quiet footsteps beneath the moonlight.
---
Inside the Imperial Palace, Prince Liang stood before twenty carefully selected guards.
He looked at every face before speaking.
"What happens tonight never leaves this room."
The guards bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"No noble family is above suspicion."
"No official is exempt."
"If you discover anything unusual, you report directly to me and no one else."
One captain stepped forward.
"What if they resist?"
Prince Liang’s expression remained calm.
"Show the Imperial Token."
"If they still refuse..."
"...seal the residence."
The captain bowed.
"As you command."
---
Soon, groups of guards quietly dispersed across the capital.
Each carried a sealed imperial order bearing the Emperor’s dragon seal.
Their first destination—
The residence of Minister Gao.
The grand mansion stood peacefully beneath rows of lanterns.
Two sleepy gatekeepers looked up in surprise as armored guards approached.
"Halt!"
"What business do you have at this hour?"
The captain silently produced the golden imperial token.
The gatekeepers immediately knelt.
"The Emperor’s order."
"No one leaves."
"No one enters."
"Open the gates."
The heavy wooden doors creaked open.
---
Inside, servants hurried from their quarters, confused by the unexpected visit.
Minister Gao himself appeared wearing a simple night robe.
He bowed respectfully.
"Captain, has something happened?"
"The Emperor has ordered a confidential inspection."
Minister Gao looked surprised but stepped aside.
"You are welcome to search."
The guards moved methodically.
Bedrooms.
Storage rooms.
Libraries.
Wine cellars.
Prayer halls.
Gardens.
Nothing escaped inspection.
Every cabinet was opened.
Every locked chest examined.
Every hidden passage checked.
After nearly an hour...
The captain returned.
"Nothing suspicious."
Minister Gao smiled wearily.
"I hope this helps His Majesty."
The captain bowed.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
---
Across the capital...
The same scene repeated.
One noble mansion after another.
The residence of General Xu.
The estate of Lord Shen.
The manor of Lady Wen.
Every family awoke in confusion as the Imperial Guards arrived carrying the Emperor’s seal.
Some nobles looked offended.
Some appeared frightened.
Others welcomed the search without complaint.
Rumors began spreading quietly among servants.
"Why are the guards searching noble homes?"
"Did someone commit treason?"
"Is there an assassin hiding in the capital?"
No one knew.
---
At dawn, Prince Liang received the first reports.
He unfolded each scroll carefully.
Residence of Minister Gao.
Nothing unusual.
Residence of General Xu.
Nothing suspicious.
Residence of Lord Shen.
No forbidden items discovered.
Another report.
Nothing.
Another.
Nothing.
By sunrise, more than thirty noble residences had been inspected.
Not a single clue.
Prince Liang rubbed his temples.
"So even here..."
"...nothing."
---
Just then, a young guard hurried into the command hall.
He knelt immediately.
"Your Highness."
Prince Liang looked up.
"What is it?"
"We found nothing inside the residences..."
The guard hesitated.
"...but something strange happened during the inspection."
Prince Liang’s eyes sharpened.
"Speak."
"Several servants from different households all reported the same thing."
"What?"
"They said..."
The guard lowered his voice.
"...someone was watching the guards from the rooftops."
Prince Liang slowly stood.
"Did anyone see their face?"
The guard shook his head.
"No."
"Every witness described only..."
"...a black shadow."
The room fell silent.
Prince Liang looked toward the awakening capital outside the window.
Someone...
Already knew about the investigation.
And someone...
Was always one step ahead.
Far above the city, hidden on the roof of an abandoned tower, a hooded figure watched the Imperial Guards disappear into the morning mist.
A faint smile appeared beneath the hood.
"So..."
"The hunt has finally begun."
The figure turned and vanished into the shadows before the rising sun could reveal their face
The moon hung high above the Imperial Capital.
The city slept peacefully.
Behind closed doors, noble families rested, unaware that another round of secret inspections had already begun.
The Imperial Guards moved like shadows through the empty streets.
No drums announced their arrival.
No lanterns were raised.
Every step was silent.
Every order came directly from the Emperor.
---
Prince Liang rode at the front of the procession.
Beside him was the commander of the Imperial Guards.
"The first destination," the commander whispered.
"The Duke Residence."
Prince Liang nodded.
"Remember."
"Show respect."
"They are not suspects."
"We are simply following His Majesty’s orders."
The guards bowed.
"As commanded."
---
The Duke Residence
The gates of the Duke Residence opened quietly after the captain presented the Emperor’s golden seal.
The night steward immediately bowed.
"Your Highness..."
"We were not informed."
Prince Liang smiled politely.
"This inspection is confidential."
"Please do not wake the household unless necessary."
The steward nodded.
"I understand."
The guards divided into small groups.
Some inspected the library.
Others searched the warehouses.
Several checked the servants’ quarters.
Hidden compartments behind bookshelves were examined.
Account books were opened.
Family archives were inspected.
The training grounds.
The ancestral hall.
Even the kitchens.
Everything was searched carefully.
Inside the main residence...
The Duke and Duchess continued sleeping peacefully, unaware of the silent inspection taking place beyond their doors.
Lian Hua slept soundly, hugging a pillow.
Lian Rou’s room remained perfectly orderly.
The Empress’s chamber was untouched out of respect, with only a brief inspection of the outer room.
Nearly two hours later...
The captain returned.
"Your Highness."
Prince Liang looked up.
"Report."
"Nothing suspicious."
"No forbidden items."
"No hidden passages."
"No unusual correspondence."
Prince Liang nodded with relief.
"I expected as much."
---
The Chen Residence
Before dawn, the guards arrived at the Chen family estate.
Minister Chen himself was awakened.
Although surprised, he welcomed the inspection.
"My family has nothing to hide."
The search began immediately.
The guards inspected the treasury.
The study.
Guest rooms.
The family shrine.
The servants’ quarters.
Every sealed chest was opened.
Every document examined.
Madam Chen remained calm throughout the inspection.
"If this helps protect the Empire," she said gently, "then please search wherever necessary."
Prince Liang bowed respectfully.
"You have our gratitude."
By sunrise...
The report was complete.
Again—
Nothing.
Prince Liang quietly sighed.
Another dead end.
---
The Shen Residence
Just before dawn, the final destination awaited.
The residence of Minister Shen.
Unlike the previous homes, the atmosphere here felt strangely uneasy.
The gatekeeper appeared nervous upon seeing the imperial seal.
"Open the gates," the captain ordered.
The servant hesitated for the briefest moment.
Prince Liang noticed.
"Is something wrong?"
"N-No, Your Highness."
The gates slowly opened.
The guards entered.
Immediately, Prince Liang sensed disorder.
A servant hurriedly closed a cabinet.
Another appeared unusually pale.
Their fear was subtle...
But noticeable.
"Search everything," Prince Liang ordered calmly.
The guards spread throughout the estate.
Minutes turned into an hour.
Nothing.
Then—
A shout echoed from the western study.
"Your Highness!"
Prince Liang hurried inside.
A young guard stood beside an old writing desk.
"Look at this."
He carefully held up a folded letter hidden beneath a false drawer.
The imperial seal had already been broken long ago.
Prince Liang unfolded it carefully.
His expression changed.
The room fell silent.
The commander stepped closer.
"What is it?"
Prince Liang read aloud in a low voice.
> "When unrest spreads through the Empire and fear weakens the people, our armies shall advance from the northern border. Ensure the capital remains distracted."
The commander’s eyes widened.
Another paragraph read:
> "Delay the Imperial Court’s response until our forces cross the frontier. Rewards shall be granted when the Dragon Throne falls."
The room became deathly quiet.
Prince Liang slowly lowered the letter.
"This..."
"...is correspondence with a neighboring kingdom."
The commander frowned.
"Treason."
Prince Liang nodded grimly.
"Or someone wants us to believe it is."
He carefully examined the paper.
"The handwriting is disguised."
"The seal has been removed."
"No names."
The captain asked,
"Should we arrest Minister Shen immediately?"
Prince Liang remained silent for several moments.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
The guards looked confused.
"If we arrest him now..."
"...the true mastermind may disappear."
He folded the letter carefully.
"Return everything exactly as it was."
"No one is to know we found this."
The commander understood immediately.
"We watch him."
Prince Liang nodded.
"From this moment onward."
"Every visitor."
"Every letter."
"Every servant."
"I want to know everyone who enters or leaves this residence."
The guards bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
As dawn broke over the capital, Prince Liang looked once more at the hidden letter.
For days...
The investigation had uncovered nothing.
Now—
At last—
They had found a thread.
Whether it led to a traitor...
Or a carefully laid trap...
Only time would reveal.
Outside the Shen Residence, the first rays of sunlight touched the palace rooftops.
Unseen from the shadows across the street, a cloaked figure watched Prince Liang leave.
A faint smile appeared beneath the hood.
"The bait..."
"...has been taken."
The figure turned and vanished into the awakening city, leaving only the morning breeze behind.
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