C40 Part3

....

Shen Zhiyan looked at His Royal Highness and his eyes seemed to be asking:

'Do you want to talk about the case in front of the Regent?'

Murong Ci blinked his eyes brightly, and took a sip of the tea cup.

He understood what she meant, and said,

"Does the Prince Regent think Chang Qing's confession is credible?"

Murong Yu asked back:

"What do you think?"

"This official felt that Chang Qing's confession was very clear.

From the time he bought Xiao Yin and brought him into the Palace, he remembered everything very clearly and in details for so many years, and his feelings for Xiao Yin seemed quite true."

Shen Zhiyan said.

"However, he seemed to have expected that we would call him for questioning, and most likely prepared this confession in advance."

"Since Xiao Yin has committed such a big crime and Chang Qing had a close relationship with him, he should obviously be afraid of being suspected when being interrogated, and he should have panicked and been afraid of us.

However even if he wanted to show panic and fear, in fact he didn't seem too afraid." Murong Ci continued,

"He prepared a confession in advance, and explained the matter between him and Xiao Yin so clearly, but there seem to be something missing in his confession."

"This King feels the same way."

Murong Yu said in a deep voice,

"There's something fishy about this Chang Qing, but his confession was flawless...

If he was forcibly taken into custody, I believe we wouldn't be able to find more evidences."

"I say 'let the rabbit fall into the trap itself'.

How about leaving him be and sending someone to secretly spy on him and follow his every moves?"

Shen Zhiyan suggested.

Murong Yu nodded,

"This King will arrange this."

Murong Ci suddenly said:

"Xiao Yin has been serving Liu An for so many years.

Do you want to call Liu An for interrogation, too?"

Liu An was an old fox, and he would surely perform as flawless as Chang Qing.

Murong Yu's sword-like eyebrows darkened slightly, and he ordered:

"Go and pass on the message to Liu An."

Qin Ruo went immediately.

Shen Zhiyan said:

"Liu An must have already guessed that he will also be summoned, and he must have prepared a confession, too."

Murong Yu curled his lips and sneered,

"Even so, we must ask him as the usual investigating routine requires."

....

Not long after, that night, Manager Liu An was summoned.

Sure enough, as they had expected, Liu An's attitude was respectful, and his confession was also well prepared, and he guaranteed he had nothing to do with Xiao Yin's assassination.

However, it was no surprise.

As the Chief Manager of the Palace affairs, if he didn't have the resilience and ability to endure the accusations and prove his innocence, how could he have been in charge of the inner court for so many years?

Finally, he also assured the Regent and the Crown Prince that all Palace members would be strictly investigated the next day, and any suspicious ones would be taken into custody for trial.

After he stepped back, Shen Zhiyan thought to himself:

'Three years ago, Xiao Yin committed only trivial crimes...

But this time around, who's his accomplice?

Liu An, Chang Qing, or Jin Sheng? Or someone else?'

....

------------

END of CHAPTER 40 PART 3

.....................to be continued