The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 79

When the Emperor mentioned this, a shadow briefly crossed Zhao Jide’s downcast eyes.

Back then, Zhao Fuhai served the late Empress. The cooling tea was indeed delivered by Zhao Fuhai, but it was under the late Empress’s orders. However, the sudden deaths of the late Emperor and Empress left Zhao Fuhai, the Chief Eunuch serving the Empress, alive and well.

Kneeling there, Zhao Jide forced himself to focus. “During the imperial exams, Eunuch Zhao did take care of us candidates. We were all grateful. However, my mind was entirely on the exams, and I am ashamed to say that I did not pay attention to his appearance.”

Zhao Jide’s words were impeccable and reasonable.

The Emperor stared at him for a moment. “I remember, you and He Zhen were in the same cohort?”

Official of Justice He Zhen and Zhao Jide both responded simultaneously, “Yes.”

The Emperor then chuckled. “I thought you stayed in Yuzhou all these years, and He Zhen remained in the capital, with no contact between you two. Unexpectedly, your old school friendship remains strong.”

This comment left even Official of Justice He Zhen uneasy, and he immediately knelt.

Zhao Jide, however, remained calm and said slowly, “Official He and I were not friends in the academy. Although we later served in the same court, my abilities are far inferior to his, and I was not worthy of his friendship.”

His words carried a slight bitterness.

The Emperor’s suspicions eased a bit. He Zhen, too, breathed a sigh of relief. Top scholars truly had a way with words.

After a pause, the Emperor said, “Since this case involves Duke, the capital magistrate is not suitable to investigate it. You will handle the investigation.”

Official of Justice He Zhen immediately responded, “I obey.”

The Emperor turned to Zhao Jide. “Entering the capital without a summons is a grave offense. Considering the circumstances, I will not impose a severe punishment, but this does not mean you will go unpunished. The palace library is compiling a new chronicle and needs a scribe. You will copy texts for five days.”

This punishment… It was effectively putting Zhao Jide under house arrest.

Zhao Jide was startled and quickly said, “Your Majesty is wise. I know my guilt and am willing to accept any punishment. However, this journey was fraught with danger, and I feared for my family’s safety, so I brought them with me to the capital. Therefore…”

The Emperor looked at Zhao Jide and suddenly burst into laughter. He had initially suspected Zhao Jide and He Zhen of colluding within a faction against Duke. Zhao Jide’s reaction now suggested his innocence.

The Emperor smiled. “Since your family is here, they can stay at the inn. You can rest assured of their safety.”

Zhao Jide immediately kowtowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

Though the Emperor no longer suspected Zhao Jide of collusion with He Zhen, he still did not fully trust him. Only by keeping Zhao Jide under surveillance and away from everyone else could the Emperor observe who might be agitated by his presence.

After Zhao Jide withdrew, the Emperor instructed He Zhen to investigate quietly without alarming Duke, and then dismissed him.

Once again, the Emperor was alone in the Imperial Study. If the gold mine was truly being exploited by Duke, what was his objective? Was it merely for wealth? Or something else? If Duke’s guilt was confirmed, how would the Emperor deal with him? Where had Duke’s heir gone? Was Zhao Fuhai’s disappearance related to the gold mine?

As these questions arose one by one, the Emperor’s mind began to form a clearer picture. As the images grew sharper, the Emperor’s face darkened. He slammed his hand on the table in anger.

Just then, a young eunuch reported from outside, “Your Majesty, Consort Li requests an audience.”

The Emperor’s sharp gaze turned towards the door of the Imperial Study. Consort Li… Could her visit now be related to Duke’s case?

Originally, the Emperor was about to refuse in his anger, but then he changed his mind and a cold smile appeared on his lips. “Let her in.”

The door to the Imperial Study creaked open, and a graceful figure entered. Consort Li had been favored since she entered the palace. For three years, her favor had not waned, yet she had never conceived. Thus, she still had the figure of a young maiden.

Bowing low, she greeted the Emperor sweetly, “Your Consort heard that the Heavenly Hound has suddenly gained spiritual awareness and came to congratulate Your Majesty.” With that, she took out a box of small pastries from the food container she carried. “I made these myself. They are Your Majesty’s favorite.”

Seeing Consort Li’s charming smile, the Emperor, without changing his expression, picked up one of the pastries and put it in his mouth. “You always had skillful hands.”

Consort Li smiled radiantly. “It’s not that I am skillful, but that Your Majesty cherishes me.”

The Emperor smiled but said nothing. Consort Li stood there with her head lowered, her eyes moving slightly.

Her father, Duke, had just sent news that he was bitten by the Heavenly Hound. The Heavenly Hound belonged to the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince was investigating the murder case involving Duke’s third son. If the Heavenly Hound truly had gained spiritual awareness and discovered her third brother… The heir had been missing for some time, his fate unknown. Her third brother could not afford to be implicated further.

Clutching her handkerchief, tears welled up in Consort Li’s eyes as she looked at the Emperor pitifully. “Just now, my mother came to the palace.”

The Emperor, reaching for another pastry, paused. “Hmm?”

Tears streamed down Consort Li’s face. “Your Majesty, the Heavenly Hound gaining spiritual awareness is a good thing. I am happy along with you. But today, on the street, the Heavenly Hound, under the Fourth Prince’s command, severely injured my father, Duke. The wound on his calf, my mother said, was as deep as a thumb.”

The Emperor, about to pick up another pastry, froze. He looked at Consort Li in astonishment. “What did you say?”

Consort Li wept sorrowfully, looking up at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the Heavenly Hound is a divine beast. It would not attack someone without reason. The Fourth Prince must have maliciously instigated it. I beg Your Majesty to seek justice for me.”

The Emperor found it unbelievable. If Eunuch Liu had disobeyed him, the Heavenly Hound would have acted to protect him. But what about Duke? Could Duke have harbored disloyal intentions that the Heavenly Hound detected? Otherwise, why would the Heavenly Hound have wandered to Duke’s Estate last night and retrieved a half-dead person? And now, it attacked someone in broad daylight.

The Heavenly Hound was indeed a divine beast, but this seemed too miraculous. Or was someone truly manipulating the Heavenly Hound? The Heavenly Hound only gained spiritual awareness after contact with the Fourth Prince. Could the Fourth Prince have done something to it?

Consort Li, watching the Emperor’s expression, knew he was highly suspicious by nature. She felt slightly relieved. After a few more sobs, she said tremblingly, “Today, on the street, the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince were very close. My father…”

The Emperor’s deep, sharp eyes flashed again. “What did you say?”

Consort Li looked at him in confusion. “Ah?”

The Emperor’s face darkened. “You said the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince were close?”

Consort Li nodded. “My mother said many people saw it. The Fourth Prince was holding the Crown Prince’s arm, and they were very affectionate.”

The Emperor felt as if he had been kicked by a donkey.