Chapter 1652: Consistent Words and Actions, Hidden Malicious Intent

Yuwen Xu subtly exhaled in relief, then bowed and took his leave. He knew he was out of danger. As long as He Xiao's information was accurate and he was willing to cede the credit, there was nothing to worry about.

After Yuwen Xu left, King Yao's face was so grim it seemed to drip with gloom: "What He Xiao uncovered about the Shi family is true, and the warning on his note is very likely true as well."

Shi Song'en had not yet been brought back. And He Xiao claimed that Bai Tan and Qing Yang intended to rebel tonight!

Had it been anyone else, revealing such earth-shattering news in such a nonchalant manner via a note, King Yao would have dismissed them if he were in a good mood, or simply ordered their execution if he were in a bad mood. But the note was from He Xiao, which made all the difference. King Yao knew that man never made a baseless statement.

Qiu Long reminded him, "You originally anticipated Qing Yang's rebellion on the night of the Imperial Dew..."

"Perhaps Qing Yang is unwilling to wait any longer!" King Yao interrupted him. "Bai Tan is leading thousands of troops outside the palace, Bai Hengbo is coordinating the palace guards within, and even the three hundred guards outside my Frost Immortal Hall were placed there by him!"

Upon hearing this, cold sweat beaded on Qiu Long's forehead. This meant His Majesty was in grave danger!

Wait a moment! He suddenly recalled that He Xiao had given him this red jade box several days ago. Could it be...

Sweat trickled down Qiu Long's forehead.

Having been served by him for over two decades, King Yao noticed Qiu Long's shifting gaze and a nervous swallow. He instantly knew Qiu Long harbored unsaid thoughts, perhaps even a hidden truth. Slamming the table in a rage, he demanded, "At such a critical juncture, are you still keeping secrets? Shall I extract them from you myself?"

Qiu Long flinched, recognizing that this was no time for discretion. He quickly recounted the entire process of how he had received the red jade box.

"Several days ago?" King Yao's expression darkened further. "That means He Xiao knew then that Qing Yang intended to rebel, and also that Bai Tan was the very traitor I was seeking?"

Qiu Long dared not speak. He knew King Yao wasn't seeking his answer.

"Why did he only expose this today? Why the delay in reporting it? Why did he only flee today?" King Yao muttered to himself, "How did he know that Qing Yang and Bai Tan planned to rebel tonight?" These two would certainly not have specifically informed He Xiao of their rebellion.

"Unless this fellow possesses insider knowledge, then—" King Yao's eyes narrowed, each word forced through gritted teeth, "—then Qing Yang's rebellion is inextricably linked to him!"

Qiu Long was greatly startled. His initial thought was that He Xiao was complicit in Qing Yang's scheme, but he immediately dismissed it. That was impossible.

"He Xiao instigated Yuwen Xu today to present the clue about the Shi family's massive grain hoards!" Qiu Long, too, felt a chill creep down his spine. "Your Majesty only dispatched the Court Investigator to apprehend Shi Songwei this afternoon, and Qing Yang and Bai Tan are set to rebel tonight!"

These two events occurred in quick succession, indicating a direct temporal connection.

"They couldn't wait!" King Yao exclaimed, a sudden realization dawning on him. "It appears that tracing the Shi family's clues will inevitably lead to Bai Tan! Fearing I would uncover his involvement, they decided to strike first, no longer waiting for the night of the Imperial Dew!"

"Excellent! Excellent He Xiao indeed! He knew Bai Tan harbored ill intent, yet he concealed it and fled himself." King Yao's mind was shrouded in suspicion. "What exactly has he been plotting these past few days?"

At this point, he suddenly recalled Qing Yang's appraisal of He Xiao, made directly to him: "He Xiao harbors no good intentions towards you or the Kingdom of Yao. You believe he is helping you, but in truth, everything he does works against you."

At the time, King Yao had scoffed, dismissing it as the impotent roar of a defeated foe. But now, reflecting on it, could there truly have been a grain of truth in Qing Yang's words?

Originally, his conflict with Qing Yang had merely been a minor struggle within the court. But ever since He Xiao arrived, ever since He Xiao offered him counsel and managed projects for him, the contention between him and Qing Yang had grown increasingly bitter, and their hatred had deepened profoundly!

King Yao typically advised his ministers on the art of discerning character, emphasizing that one should not merely listen to words but observe actions. Yet, He Xiao was truly unsettling; unlike other courtiers, he never overtly slandered Qing Yang in King Yao's presence. No, King Yao now recalled with scrutiny that He Xiao had never uttered a single negative word about Qing Yang in his presence, nor had he ever betrayed any animosity towards him. Indeed, whether overseeing the Secluded Lake Villa or the Tianshui East Expansion project, He Xiao had always appeared meticulous and utterly devoted. Whether by his words or his actions, the man seemed irreproachable, entirely devoid of self-interest. Precisely because he appeared genuinely selfless, King Yao had lowered his guard against him.

Now, having abruptly come to this realization, King Yao looked back only to find that every matter He Xiao had handled invariably stirred up endless maelstroms! He himself had been drawn in, Qing Yang had been drawn in too, yet He Xiao, the instigator, had fled, seeking to remain outside the fray!

"How could this be? This is utterly preposterous!" King Yao furiously slammed the table repeatedly. "That vile scoundrel! I shall have his head!"

Qiu Long knew the King was in a fit of rage, but the current situation was critical; this was no time to dwell on hatred for He Xiao. He cautiously ventured, "My King, since you now know this villain Bai Tan to be a traitor..."

Indeed, this impending catastrophe must be addressed first! The moment Bai Tan's name appeared on He Xiao's note, King Yao realized he was in grave danger, yet paradoxically, his mind became remarkably clearer.

"Have no fear, no one can harm me within the Frost Immortal Hall!"

With flowing strokes, he swiftly penned three edicts, sealed them with the Green Phoenix Imperial Seal, and affixed three command tokens. He then handed them to Qiu Long: "Have trustworthy individuals deliver these three edicts separately to Lieutenant General Li Qibo, General Tu Han, and Zheng Da! Immediately, immediately!"

He was about to reinstate Zheng Da. Zheng Da was also the Minister of the Court Investigator. He had originally been responsible for the security of the palace city and the deployment of the imperial guards; Bai Hengbo had only recently been promoted and lacked sufficient experience. However, the Fourth Prince's recent food poisoning incident, caused by the negligence of a relative Zheng Da had arranged within the palace, had implicated him, leading to his recent sidelining. King Yao now suspected that the Fourth Prince's poisoning incident might well have been a conspiracy, designed to allow Bai Hengbo to effortlessly gain control over the imperial guards and, in turn, to infiltrate his own people into the Frost Immortal Hall!

Since King Yao was now alert, the most pressing task was to strip Bai Tan and his nephew of their authority and sabotage Qing Yang's plan! The Kingdom of Yao once boasted three renowned generals; after Xue Zongwu's death, only two remained. Tu Han was one of them, currently stationed in Tianshui City. King Yao intended for him to coordinate with Lieutenant General Li Qibo, who oversaw the capital's public security, to subdue Bai Tan!

Qiu Long carefully secured the edicts, preparing to depart. King Yao reminded him again, "Maintain your composure. Do not let Qing Yang or others discern any anomalies!"

Qiu Long took a deep breath, reasserting his usual composure. Just as he pushed open the back door, a junior palace attendant unexpectedly rushed forward, stumbling and falling flat on his face before him.

"...?" Had he no eyes?

"Lord Qiu, an urgent report!" The junior attendant held out a tray, upon which lay a piece of redwood. At first glance, it resembled a wooden chopstick, but it was snapped in half. "An urgent report from Yuquan Palace!"