Chapter 1896: I Investigate Myself?

Seeing she remained silent, the Empress reminded her again: "What does the Crown Princess think should be done about this matter?"

Bi Linglong cleared her throat. "I believe this matter is likely a misunderstanding. I trust Master Zu is not the kind of impulsive person. Why don't we first hear what he has to say?"

Upon learning that Zu An had killed Prince Jin in the street, her mind buzzed; she simply couldn't fathom why he would do such a thing. Now she could only let Zu An explain the situation, hoping to find a chance to save him.

The Empress nodded. "The Crown Princess has a point. Does Master Zu have anything to say about this matter?"

Bi Linglong was somewhat surprised; she had never expected the Empress to agree with her suggestion.

Seeing everyone in the room look at him, Zu An calmly replied, "What are you talking about?"

"Of course, it's about you killing Prince Jin! Don't pretend to be confused," a young man in a python robe boomed.

Zu An glanced at the speaker. His face was somewhat round, and coupled with soft bangs, his overall appearance was that of a youthful, baby-faced person. This person was Prince Dai, Zhao Ping, son of Zhao Hao's concubine, Lady Li. His consort was Meng Jing's daughter, who was strikingly beautiful, virtuous, and capable, often offering him strategies and advice. With their powerful family backgrounds forming a strong alliance, they were considered an enviable, divine couple by many in the capital. Rumor had it that the Meng family was supporting him in his bid for the throne against the Crown Prince.

"I did not kill Prince Jin," Zu An said calmly. "It's just that Prince Jin brought people to cause trouble at my residence, and his subordinates offended me. I merely disciplined them."

The Empress, seated at the head, secretly nodded. This young man wasn't foolish after all. She had been afraid he would brazenly admit it on the spot, which would have made the situation impossible to handle.

Bi Linglong, however, subtly frowned. The matter of killing Prince Jin was not something so easily glossed over.

As expected, no sooner had Zu An finished speaking than the entire hall erupted in an uproar. Prince Dai cursed, "That's absolute nonsense! So many people witnessed you kill Prince Jin, and you still dare to argue here!"

"Oh, who all saw it?" Zu An asked, his expression calm.

"Do you think killing Prince Jin's protector, Elder Shen, means everything is fine?" Prince Dai sneered. "Very well. Guards, bring the witnesses into the palace. That should convince you."

Many people in the room exchanged glances. It seemed Prince Dai had come prepared, having already arranged for the witnesses to wait outside the palace.

Bi Linglong's brows were etched with worry. It seemed Prince Dai intended to use this opportunity to completely eliminate Zu An, thereby crippling a key supporter of the Crown Prince and elevating his own prestige. Despite knowing this, she was helpless. After all, Zu An killing Prince Jin was simply too significant a matter, putting her in an utterly passive position. Still, no matter what, she had to protect him.

She couldn't help but look at Zu An. Instead, she saw him calmly find a seat and settle down, as if he were the host of the place, calling for palace maids to bring tea and water. He leisurely sipped tea there, acting not like a prisoner awaiting conviction, but rather the presiding judge.

A thought struck Bi Linglong. She had experienced countless life-and-death situations with Zu An and knew he was not someone who acted without reason. Since he was acting this way, he likely had something to rely on. Thinking this way, her previously anxious heart gradually calmed down.

Just then, several soldiers were brought in. Those with sharp eyes immediately recognized them as men from Prince Jin's manor.

A smug smile appeared on Prince Dai's face. "Tell us everything you saw that day, precisely as it happened."

The soldiers couldn't help but glance at Zu An, each involuntarily shivering. Clearly, the sight of him acting like a god of slaughter had left a deep psychological trauma on them.

Seeing them cower, Prince Dai was somewhat displeased. "What are you standing there for? Speak up!"

At this moment, Meng Yi, who was standing nearby, said in a deep voice, "Her Majesty the Empress, the Crown Princess, and many ministers are all here. Everyone here will ensure justice for you; there's no need to be afraid."

Only then did the guards feel slightly reassured. They looked around, thinking that no matter how powerful Zu An was, with so many important figures present, he couldn't possibly stir up much trouble. So the few of them began speaking, one after another: "That day, the Prince took us to the Marquis Shen's residence to apprehend a wanted criminal... Later, a conflict unexpectedly arose... Master Shen was killed by him..."

Although many in the room already knew what had happened, hearing this still surprised them. Master Shen, Prince Jin's protector, was a renowned Grandmaster-level expert in the capital; even the heads of prominent families treated him with respect. Yet he was killed so easily by Zu An. What exactly was this fellow's strength?

The guards continued recounting the events: "...Unexpectedly, the Prince and Marquis Shen got into an argument, and then the Prince was grabbed from behind by the neck and directly strangled to death."

Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in an uproar. Meng Yi loudly declared, "The methods were extremely cruel!"

Prince Dai also cursed, "How dare he brutally murder an imperial prince like this! If this scoundrel is not executed, neither natural justice nor national law will tolerate it! Our imperial family's prestige will be utterly destroyed! How can we face our ancestors in the future!"

Bi Linglong's brows furrowed subtly as she listened. Prince Dai had always been somewhat soft-natured, yet today he was so forceful. She wondered if these words were taught by Meng Yi or by his shrewd consort. She did not like Prince Dai's consort. Although the consort was beautiful, her personality was domineering. Each time, she would protect Prince Dai under her wing like a hen protecting her chicks, which always gave Bi Linglong a sense of crisis. This time, as expected, they no longer concealed their ambition; they had actually developed the audacity to contend for the throne.

With Prince Dai and Meng Yi leading the charge, the court was instantly filled with indignation. Officials from the Crown Prince's faction couldn't find an excuse to speak in Zu An's defense, and the situation instantly became utterly passive.

At this moment, Bi Linglong lightly coughed and glared at Zu An with a frosty expression. "How dare you! What do you have to say for yourself now!"

She figured there must be a reason for his calmness, so she deliberately cooperated to give him a chance to speak.

As expected, once everyone looked at Zu An, he calmly said, "Who said I brutally murdered an imperial prince? Did you personally see me strangle Prince Jin to death? Did my hand even touch his body?"

Staring back at him, the guards exchanged bewildered glances. "Although you didn't touch Prince Jin, you lifted him into the air from a distance and then crushed his throat bone from a distance."

Prince Dai spoke up, "Are you trying to deny it? So many people witnessed this scene. If you still refuse to admit it, I can bring in even more witnesses."

Zu An smiled slightly. "That won't be necessary. I did indeed lift Prince Jin into the air from a distance, but I did not lay a hand on him to kill him. Instead, he was frail and sickly, and too timid. He became so enraged and frightened that he simply died of fright."

"Died of fright?"

Everyone was momentarily stunned. They had never expected him to so cleanly deflect the blame. Prince Jin was indeed frail and sickly; everyone knew he didn't have many years left to live and could indeed die at any time. But this time, so many people had witnessed Zu An kill him! Even Bi Linglong couldn't help but give him another look. This fellow was truly shameless; he could tell blatant lies without blushing. However, with this pretext, she finally found a way to help him.

Subsequently, the ministers from Prince Dai and Meng Yi's faction cursed Zu An for his shameless sophistry, while those from the Crown Prince's faction spoke in his defense at Bi Linglong's instruction. For a time, both sides argued fiercely.

Midway through, Bi Linglong suddenly pretended to remember something. "Oh, Master Zu," she said, "when my subordinates went to find you just now, I seem to have heard the academy people calling you Grand Master?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the previously noisy room instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at Zu An with uncertainty and surprise. They naturally knew the old Grand Master, but how had this young man become the academy's Grand Master?

Zu An raised the thumb ring in his hand. "Back then, the Grand Master insisted on passing this position to me. I couldn't possibly refuse, and I couldn't let him die with regrets, so I reluctantly agreed."

Hearing his words, many in the hall cursed him inwardly. This fellow was truly getting a bargain and still acting coy. What kind of status was a Grand Master? Countless people yearned for the position but couldn't attain it, yet this young man had to pretend it was such a hardship. Seeing the constant stream of rage points appearing in his awareness, Zu An also felt helpless. He was clearly telling the truth, so why did no one believe him?

After this interruption, the sounds of argument in the room afterward were noticeably less intense than before. After all, Zu An, as the regent of the demon race and now the Grand Master, held an extremely special status.

Seeing the situation gradually turning unfavorable for his side, Prince Dai couldn't help but bow to the Empress. "Your Majesty, please say something! You must do justice for Prince Jin! You cannot let the culprit go free just because of his special status."

Liu Ning nodded solemnly. "Indeed, we must not let the culprit go unpunished. But of course, we also cannot wrongly accuse an important court official. How about this? This case will be handed over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for investigation. Golden Badge Eleven will investigate the cause of Prince Jin's death and provide an explanation to the world."

Prince Dai was delighted. "Your Majesty is wise!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was infamous; they never showed favoritism when investigating cases. This time, Zu An was surely doomed.

Bi Linglong's expression was strange. Others might not know the identity of Golden Badge Eleven, but she certainly did. Investigate himself? The Empress seemed to be secretly helping Zu An. Their relationship seemed closer than she had imagined.