Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 388: Chapter 283: Seizing Treasures at the Heavenly Inquiry Tower

"Luu Shizhong, I’m not negotiating with you," Zuo Yuan’s tone was harsh, and he continued, "Second, find a way into the Regent’s Mansion and figure out what evidence Cui Ye left behind. You must find out before the Regent’s Mansion does, or no one will be able to save you!"

"If you can’t get it out, remember, Luu Shizhong, only one kind of person is known to keep secrets very well!"

"Send someone to contact the illegitimate son, find the evidence if possible, if not..." Zuo Yuan’s expression turned fierce.

Luu Shizhong heard this, and a chill appeared in his eyes.

"Go."

"Yes."

"Luu Xi, before the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, you should go back with your father and help him strategize."

"Yes."

"..."

Luu Shizhong and Luu Xi departed, Zuo Yuan’s face was ominous, and he beckoned to the shadows, from which a person emerged.

"Master." It was someone wearing a black mask, with equally dark-red skin.

"Investigate Luu Shizhong, if you find any traces, report to me immediately."

The case of Cui Ye was a wake-up call for Zuo Yuan; did Luu Shizhong, like Cui Ye, also leave some fallback options?

He had Luu Shizhong press Cui Ye and contact Chu Ming as a superficial measure; to ensure nothing goes wrong, the best approach was to silence Luu Shizhong as well.

But now the atmosphere was tense, directly silencing Luu Shizhong would make it difficult for him as the Prime Minister to remain unharmed, so instead, he arranged someone else to investigate Luu Shizhong.

"Also, send someone to the Regent’s Mansion, and further investigate the illegitimate son."

He paused, then made a third arrangement, primarily because of his mistrust of Luu Shizhong.

"Yes."

"..."

...

Qin Capital, Tang Family.

Tang Ying, the current head of the Tang Family and Minister of War, sat in the main seat; Tang Xuan, from the River Transport Headquarters, sat at the lower left, while on the right was a handsome young man with harsh eyes.

"Tang Xuan, be honest with me, did you indeed collude with Cui Ye from the Ministry of Industry’s Repair Department?" Tang Ying’s expression was not good.

Today, while handling affairs at the Ministry of War, he heard from family members that the Regent’s Mansion was demanding someone from the Tang Family.

The Tang Family was a prominent family in Qin Capital, its members equally skilled in civil and military arts, when had there ever been a request from the Regent’s Mansion?

The Regent’s Mansion demanding someone, regardless of who, was an affront to the Tang Family.

In great anger, he sent a message to the Regent Envoy, temporarily securing Tang Xuan.

Securing Tang Xuan was for the honor of the family, not for Tang Xuan personally, leading to this interrogation now in the hall.

"Uncle, Cui Ye indeed attempted to attach himself to our Tang Family before, he sent me some gold and silver, but I didn’t accept them..."

Tang Xuan’s hands were hidden in his sleeves, secretly clenched.

"You’re still trying to dodge!" Tang Ying rebuked angrily, "I’ve already seen the evidence seized by the Regent’s Mansion, there’s your red seal and handwriting!"

"...Uncle," a jolt went through Tang Xuan’s heart, and beneath his lowered eyes flashed a chill, "it might be forged, I’ve spent the last years either overseeing the transport routes or on the way there, rarely staying in Qin Capital."

"I have almost no interactions with Cui Ye except on the court!"

Saying this, he was already calculating in his mind how to silence Cui Ye.

"Hmph!" Tang Ying, as Minister of War and head of the Tang Family, would not trust Tang Xuan so easily.

But he was also unwilling to see Tang Xuan truly collude with Cui Ye for private gain.

"After dinner tonight, I’ll personally take you to the Regent’s Mansion; the facts, the Regent’s Mansion will ascertain!"

"If the evidence is false, I’ll demand an explanation from the Regent’s Mansion for the Tang Family!"

"If the evidence is true, Tang Xuan, you are the Tang family’s criminal, prepare to die at the Regent’s Mansion!"

"...Yes." Tang Xuan lowered his head.

"Go back."

"..."

Tang Xuan departed, leaving Tang Ying and the handsome young man in the hall.

"Tang Zhe, did you notice anything?"

The handsome young man was none other than Tang Zhe, the rumored illegitimate son of Master of Painting Dao Tang Bai, soon to participate in the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition.

Tang Zhe rose and cupped his fist, "Second Uncle, Tang Xuan is suspicious."

"You think so too?" Tang Ying furrowed his brows.

If Tang Xuan was indeed suspicious, it would be a stain on the Tang Family, loyal to the Qin Dynasty, a stain difficult to remove.

"He must be hiding something."

Tang Zhe not only possessed superb painting skills but also remarkable knowledge, with a deeply insightful mind.

Tang Ying nodded, "The Ministry of War has many ongoing affairs recently, and I can’t spare much energy for Tang Xuan."

"Second Uncle, let me handle it."

"How do you plan to proceed?"

"Second Uncle, actually, ever since the Blood Evil Sect’s false allegations in Shan County, Pingzhong County, I’ve had my doubts."

"Oh?" Tang Ying raised a brow, slightly surprised at Tang Zhe’s insight.

"Tang Xuan is not just colluding with Cui Ye for personal gain at the Ministry of Industry’s Repair Department."

"Do you suspect he’s linked with the Blood Evil Sect..."

"Not necessarily with the Blood Evil Sect."

"The King of North Snow?" Tang Ying’s brows furrowed even more tightly.

Tang Zhe nodded, "That’s why, Second Uncle, I plan to first investigate Tang Xuan’s past, and simultaneously have someone investigate Cui Ye’s past."

"Once Tang Xuan is in the Regent’s Mansion, the Tang Family’s anxiety is secondary; those connected with Tang Xuan will be truly worried."

"Worried people will reveal their weaknesses."

"Good, you handle this matter, and if you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Second Uncle."

"By the way, the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition must not be neglected; earning a place on the Golden List concerns not just you, but also the Tang Family, and the Qin Dynasty as well."

Tang Ying’s expression was serious, "In the current situation, things are becoming increasingly adverse, with Western Jiurong, South Jingyue, and Eastern Yi Yang Tiger eyeing us; there are countless battles, big and small."

"In the North, there’s King of North Snow restless..."

"Surrounded by enemies, following this trend, it won’t be long before the entire dynasty is upheaving."

As Minister of War, Tang Ying understood the current situation better than anyone.

"His Majesty is holding the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition ahead of time, in hopes that someone can earn a place on the Golden List, capable of turning the tide like two hundred years ago to stabilize the dynasty."