MCSCPM -Chapter 132 Investigating the Truth

“Someone, summon the head of the guards,” Nangong Lin said, his face pale and his tone edged with anger.

He felt something strange about this matter. Though he had no real marital affection with the Empress, he could never believe she would secretly harm him. Now, the only way forward was to investigate thoroughly.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” Eunuch Li asked anxiously.

Technically, as a servant, he had no right to question the Emperor, but having grown up around Nangong Lin, he understood his thoughts well enough.

“I will investigate this matter thoroughly, to see who is attempting to harm me,” Nangong Lin said, anger lacing his words.

This display of anger was mostly for show—to rattle those around him. Beneath the surface, he remained calm.

“Your Majesty, this approach might alert the culprits,” Eunuch Li cautioned.

He knew the Emperor well. This remark was meant to make the performance more convincing, not to dissuade him.

“I trust the Divine Physician. Her words are already on the record. If I don’t investigate, it would not only break my word, but I would also lose face,” Nangong Lin said, casting a glance at Eunuch Li. A fleeting look of embarrassment crossed his face, but it quickly vanished.

In the Emperor’s chambers, even the imperial physicians and maids dared not speak, but Prince Jing was present to ensure nothing undermined the prestige of the throne. This matter had to be handled properly.

A black-clad guard captain entered. “Your Majesty, you summoned me?”

“Last time I sent you to search for a physician, you failed. Can you handle this matter?” Nangong Lin said slowly.

This was his personal guard, yet he couldn’t even locate a single physician. Nangong Lin brought it up to impress upon them the importance of vigilance. Being a guard by his side, failing to find a physician reflected poorly on the Emperor.

The guard captain’s face turned red with embarrassment. “I am incompetent. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

He knelt, awaiting the penalty, frustrated that in the capital, though not every corner was under royal watch, things should not have gone so out of control. How could a physician vanish without a trace?

“Rise. I don’t want you to make the same mistake twice,” Nangong Lin said.

Having ruled for many years, he understood the balance of reward and punishment. His intent was not to frighten the captain, but the captain handled delicate matters the Emperor couldn’t touch directly.

Yin Qingyue observed the Emperor and the guard, a faint, cold smile curling on her lips. The Empress poisoned, Consort Sun dead, the Emperor harmed—all clearly layered conspiracies. It was a pity she did not yet know who was behind it.

“I will not fail you again, Your Majesty,” the guard captain said respectfully. He knew the Emperor would not kill him; certain matters still required his handling.

“I will give you this one chance,” Nangong Lin said, satisfied. He did not want useless pieces on the board but capable ones who could act decisively. The captain’s performance pleased him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. What are your orders?” the captain asked humbly.

Though stationed outside, he could observe some happenings inside.

“This should be interesting,” Prince Jing said, lips curling into a faint smile.

Many interesting events were unfolding in the palace. He was curious to see what would happen next.

Yin Qingyue slowly moved behind Prince Jing, wanting to see what he was thinking, as he seemed to know everything—even the Empress’s unconscious state.

“Cough, cough.” Nangong Lin’s emotions flared.

At the thought of the Empress being poisoned, his anger surged. This useless group of people, collecting salaries every month, accomplishing nothing.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Eunuch Li asked worriedly. The Emperor’s violent coughing suggested he had been angered.

Nangong Lin said nothing, preferring to act before any words from his eunuchs.

“Go check that plant first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guard captain approached the plant carefully, inspecting it—nothing appeared amiss.

“Your Majesty, what is the purpose of having me examine this plant?” he asked respectfully. Though he had some suspicions, he revealed nothing. The Emperor did not favor those who acted too clever.

“Open those leaves and look inside,” Nangong Lin said coldly, secretly pleased. He did not want anyone too clever, especially pawns acting outside his control.

The captain opened the leaves, and a stench hit him instantly, making his eyes water.

“Your Majesty, why does it smell so foul?” he asked, pressing a sleeve to his mouth.

If before it had been speculation, now it was undeniable—the plant was the culprit.

“You are to find out who tampered with this plant,” Nangong Lin said, now satisfied with the captain’s performance. His expression softened.

He gestured to Eunuch Li to explain.

“Yesterday, Your Majesty’s chronic ailment suddenly flared. The Divine Physician’s investigation confirmed that the presence of this plant has been the source of your years-long suffering. Your task is to find who tampered with it. Understood?” Eunuch Li’s nasally voice echoed.

“I still do not understand,” the captain said. He had learned nothing about the plant’s origin, which complicated his task further.

“Do not ask what should not be asked,” Nangong Lin said, his smile gone. These were matters he preferred to keep private.

“Since I gave you this chance, make good use of it. Fail me, and I will hold you accountable,” Nangong Lin’s eyes hardened. This matter involved too many variables; he had to take it seriously.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The captain’s face showed reluctance, but inside he was wary. Even if the Emperor did not speak, he knew the plant’s origins were something the Emperor preferred not to know further.

“I was disappointed last time. Fail me again, and you’ll lose your post as captain,” Nangong Lin warned. His brows furrowed. One chance had been given; failure now would have predictable consequences.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The palace had others watching this matter closely.

Elsewhere, Nangong Mei, imprisoned in the Rose Pavilion, was reading a medical book.

“The Second Princess is quite relaxed, while Longwen Hall is lively,” someone commented.

Nangong Mei smirked coldly. “Since you’re so eager, I’m sure it’s quite exciting.”

The newcomer, clad in black and wearing a mask, revealed only a pale chin. “It’s indeed lively.”

“Then speak,” she said lightly, flipping her book casually, as if uninterested.

Suddenly, the book vanished from her hands in a blur.

“Are you really not interested?”

Pouring herself a cup of cold tea, Nangong Mei replied calmly, “Other than her death, nothing interests me.”

The newcomer snorted. “Then it’s certainly connected to her.”

Immediately, a silver needle pressed three inches from his temple.

“You are ruthless,” the newcomer remarked, unfazed.

Nangong Mei’s coldness deepened. “Speak quickly, or leave.”

Since her mother’s death, her remaining conscience had long disappeared. Survival now was only about delaying the hand of vengeance.

The newcomer spoke slowly: “Yesterday, your father was gravely ill. Yin Qingyue went to examine him and discovered the culprit was a plant. Though your father claims it was sent by an old acquaintance, you must know who that acquaintance is, right?”

“Original-leaf plant? What kind?” Nangong Mei sipped her tea, pondering.

The newcomer laughed. “You leap too quickly. Shouldn’t you be thinking about who the old acquaintance is?”

“Silver Phantom, speak if you want, remain silent if not,” Nangong Mei’s glare deepened. Her clenched fist betrayed her concern.

Silver Phantom smirked. “I am your elder. One does not call elders by name.”

He continued: “It is the type of plant you guessed, from the Western Regions. The old acquaintance is someone from Weiyang Palace.”

Nangong Mei could no longer contain herself; she smashed her teacup into pieces.

Silver Phantom silently gathered the shards, letting them fall into his hand.

“Do you believe she did it?” Nangong Mei asked calmly, her emotion now restrained but her eyes sharp.

He waved his hand. “Whether she did or not, it must be so. Have you forgotten your mother’s vengeance?”

“How did he decide?” Nangong Mei asked quietly, with a mixture of resentment and concern.

Silver Phantom sighed. “You know what he will do—why care?”

“Care? Long gone. From the moment he disbelieved my mother, disbelieved me, protecting only that woman—any affection for him is gone,” Nangong Mei said, her tone desolate, filled with deep resentment.

He said nothing. “Someone comes—I will leave first.”

He vanished from the room.

“Second Princess, are you alright?” a maid asked outside.

Nangong Mei said nothing. Another maid replied, “Do not concern yourself. She will not come out again.”

Hearing this, Nangong Mei dug her nails into her palm, the pain proving she was still alive, not dead.

Staring at the lonely Rose Pavilion, her heart desolate, she reflected: since her mother’s death and her own betrayal, she had harbored unending hatred. When her mother lived, she criticized and competed, thinking her mother too calculating. Now she understood: kindness only makes one a pawn; only ruthlessness ensures survival.