Chapter 31: Speculation

"What is it?" Chen Mu noticed the look on Liu Susu's face and was a bit puzzled.

"Husband, every one of these items bears a single character," she replied.

Chen Mu had only just brought these things back and hadn't examined them closely yet. Hearing Liu Susu say this, he picked up a throwing knife and inspected it carefully.

Indeed, at the base of the blade, a single character, "Mei," was cast in bold relief.

He looked at the other weapons, and each bore the same character somewhere upon it.

How strange.

Chen Mu picked up the long saber again. Its edge was razor-sharp, its body solid and strong. More importantly, the blade was covered with countless fine patterns.

Chen Mu recognized these markings. They were the traces left after a metal has been folded and hammered hundreds or thousands of times.

In Xia, where technology was so primitive, there were only a handful of people capable of such craftsmanship.

This blade—calling it a peerless divine weapon was by no means an exaggeration.

How could a woman possess such an extraordinary saber?

He examined the other weapons; their quality was similarly exceptional.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Mu summoned his guards once more.

"Send men to keep watch at the prison. Guard that assassin's safety at all costs—no one is to approach her. Detain anyone who comes to visit, no matter who they are."

"She is not to have contact with outsiders or food from outside. Disobedience will be punished by death."

Though the guards were confused, they obeyed his orders with due respect.

Liu Susu, too, was baffled by Chen Mu's actions.

"Husband, that assassin tried to kill you. Why are you protecting her?"

Chen Mu smiled.

"Firstly, she bears no personal grudge against me—I'm certain she was hired for this. If she dies, we shall never know who was behind it. Only while she lives do we have a chance to discover the mastermind."

"Secondly, I suspect her background is anything but simple. These weapons are not something an ordinary person could possess. For such a person to become an assassin and undertake such a perilous task, there must be a hidden reason."

"Thirdly, the assassin's nature is not wholly evil. Just now, both of us were unarmed. She could easily have killed you first, stopping you from calling the guards, but she did not."

"Therefore, whatever comes next, for now, she must live."

As Chen Mu spoke, Liu Susu nodded repeatedly.

"Husband, you truly are thoughtful," she said at last, admiring him from the bottom of her heart.

Soon, his men came to report that arrangements had been made to guard the prison, day and night without pause.

Not long after, Li Biao returned with news from the palace.

The imperial physicians said that they could test the medicine, but it would take some time.

As for Chen Xingtian, he was furious. Had Li Biao not done his utmost to dissuade him, Chen Xingtian might have ordered the assassin’s immediate execution.

Even at the next morning’s court assembly, it was clear that Chen Xingtian’s anger had not subsided.

What a joke! His most trusted heir had narrowly escaped death at the hands of an assassin.

Where was this? This was the capital! The Emperor’s seat!

If an assassin could slip into the Crown Prince’s residence today, who was to say someone wouldn’t sneak into the palace itself tomorrow?

The officials, adept at reading the Emperor’s mood, all bowed their heads in silence, exchanging only uneasy glances.

Chen Mu stood among them, observing with a cold eye.

A casual glance revealed no flaws.

Yet, having analyzed the situation, Chen Mu was certain the mastermind behind the assassin must be among those present in the court.

Just wait. Sooner or later, I, Chen Mu, will drag you out from among those fishing in troubled waters.

Chen Xingtian sat on the dragon throne in long silence before finally speaking.

"My loyal subjects, last night a grave event occurred in the capital."

"My beloved son, the Crown Prince Chen Mu, was attacked by an assassin in his own residence, barely escaping with his life!"

Though Chen Xingtian’s voice was calm, every ear caught the fury simmering beneath his words.

With those few sentences, it was as if a stone had been cast into a tranquil lake.

The formerly quiet hall erupted in chaos.

Everyone assumed an expression of utmost fear and concern.

Many of those standing nearest to Chen Mu hurried forward with anxious inquiries about his health.

Chen Mu brushed them off with perfunctory responses.

He knew full well that few among them genuinely cared for him.

Most were simply playing their part, hoping to curry favor in the Emperor’s eyes.

Once the clamor had died down, Chen Xingtian spoke again.

"The assassin was captured last night by the guards of the Crown Prince’s residence, and is now held in the imperial prison."

A chorus of cheers rose from the crowd.

Some urged for the assassin’s immediate execution, others called for a rigorous investigation—all the voices blended together until Chen Mu’s head throbbed.

Chen Xingtian raised a hand, signaling for silence.

"Grand Chancellor Liu, what is your opinion?"

In recent events, Grand Chancellor Liu’s standing among the ministers had risen sharply.

Chen Xingtian valued him more and more, consulting him on matters both great and small.

The chancellor stepped forward, composed and dignified.

"Your Majesty, I believe this case is of the utmost importance. The assassin is unlikely to have acted alone."

"I propose a thorough investigation to uncover the mastermind behind this plot, so that justice may be done for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Chen Xingtian turned his gaze to Chen Mu.

Chen Mu nodded slightly.

This Chancellor Liu was indeed capable; his thinking closely mirrored Chen Mu’s own.

Indeed, such a bold attempt on the Crown Prince’s life could hardly have been the assassin’s idea alone.

Receiving Chen Mu’s affirmation, Chen Xingtian spoke.

"Very well! We shall follow Chancellor Liu’s recommendation and investigate thoroughly."

"But who among my loyal subjects is willing to interrogate the assassin?"

At these words, the noisy hall fell instantly silent.

The officials glanced at one another, then all lowered their heads.

Such a task was better left to someone else.

If the assassin dared to target the Crown Prince, who knew what other madness she might attempt?

And if nothing came of the interrogation, or something else went awry, the consequences would not be worth it.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Sensing the Emperor’s growing impatience, Chancellor Liu hurried to speak.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to undertake the task."

But before he had finished, another official stepped forward.

"I do not think that is wise."

The man was thin and middle-aged.

Chen Mu recognized him and felt a slight stir within.

It was Lord Meng, Vice Minister of Rites, once one of Lord Zhang’s most trusted aides.

"Lord Meng, why do you object?" asked Chancellor Liu, turning back with gentle courtesy.

"Chancellor Liu is advanced in years—it would not be fitting for you to enter such a filthy place as the imperial prison yourself."