TRBDM -Chapter 180 Crown Prince Zhao Jingxuan

When Jiang Yuelin received the news, he was interrogating Zhao Jingrui at the Princess’s residence.

Zhao Jingrui had been unconscious for two days before the imperial physicians finally managed to revive him. He had originally intended to take his own life, but he was far too weak—barely clinging to a single breath, without even the strength to bite off his own tongue.

Jiang Yuelin’s interrogation was progressing slowly. Taking advantage of his frail condition, Zhao Jingrui either claimed ignorance to every question or simply closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. When he did manage to squeeze out a few words, they were useless.

With no progress in the questioning, Jiang Yuelin prepared to head to the residence in the western suburbs to continue the investigation.

Just then, someone rushed in.

“Lord Jiang, something terrible has happened. Lord Feng is in trouble!”

Jiang Yuelin’s eyes darkened. “What happened?”

“Lord Feng is dead.”

Jiang Yuelin’s pupils contracted sharply. “Back to the Court of Judicial Review!”

They galloped back at full speed and soon saw Feng Yun’s corpse.

“Lord Feng!”

Jiang Yuelin’s shoulders trembled. He could hardly believe that the man who had been chatting and laughing with him just yesterday had suddenly become a lifeless body.

“Have you found out why the carriage went out of control?”

Someone immediately reported, “We have. There was a needle stuck in the horse. It came from a concealed needle-tube arrow.”

The needle-tube arrow was simple to make and could fire a single long needle. Smaller than a sleeve arrow, it was easy to hide in one’s hand.

Which meant the killer had been very close to Feng Yun’s carriage at the time.

“Investigate who appeared in the marketplace then and see if there were any suspicious individuals.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Yuelin clenched his fists.

The Third Prince had just visited the Court of Judicial Review, and now Feng Yun was dead. Anyone could guess who the mastermind was.

The Court of Judicial Review belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction. The struggle for succession was growing increasingly fierce. Feng Yun was highly respected in court and had many followers.

Killing Feng Yun was like severing one of the Crown Prince’s arms.

A brilliant scheme.

With the Emperor gravely ill and unable to preside over court affairs in recent days, the Third Prince was acting brazenly—without fear.

Even if Jiang Yuelin pursued him relentlessly and found evidence, it would be impossible to convict Zhao Jingyan.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”

Crown Prince Zhao Jingxuan wore a crimson dragon robe embroidered with coiling dragons across the chest, back, and shoulders.

The robe should have radiated imposing majesty, but on the Crown Prince’s overly thin frame, it lost much of its intended dominance.

Zhao Jingxuan had been sickly since childhood. If not for the Empress sustaining him daily with ginseng broth, he would never have lived to see twenty.

Coupled with his timid nature and hesitancy in action, he was no match for Zhao Jingyan’s decisiveness and ruthlessness. Truth be told, Jiang Yuelin did not think highly of the Crown Prince.

Even if he ascended the throne smoothly, such a prince would struggle to command the empire.

Jiang Yuelin had originally been neutral. But because Feng Yun supported the Crown Prince, others naturally regarded him as part of the Crown Prince’s faction.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Jiang Yuelin said, bowing.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were slightly red as he helped him up. “Rise, Lord Jiang.”

His voice was choked with emotion.

“I have come to bid Lord Feng farewell.”

Zhao Jingxuan stepped before Feng Yun’s body. After a single glance, he could not bear to look any longer and turned his head away.

“Lord Jiang, Lord Feng’s death is surely suspicious. You must uncover the mastermind.”

His face was full of grief.

“Your Highness may rest assured. I will do everything in my power to find the culprit.”

After a while, Zhao Jingxuan calmed himself.

“Lord Jiang, now that Lord Feng has passed, the Court of Judicial Review is leaderless. By Father Emperor’s command, I have come to convey his oral decree.”

Jiang Yuelin immediately knelt to receive the decree.

“Since Lord Feng has died suddenly, the court decrees that Jiang Yuelin, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, shall temporarily assume the duties of Minister of the Court and oversee all its affairs.”

“I accept the decree.”

Zhao Jingxuan looked at him. “Though today’s decree names you only as acting minister, there is no one else who can replace you. Lord Feng maintained close ties with the Eastern Palace in life. I hope you will fulfill his final wishes.”

Jiang Yuelin understood. The Crown Prince’s visit was not truly for mourning—it was to win over hearts.

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I will devote myself fully to overseeing the Court of Judicial Review.”