Chapter 32: Exploring the Celestial Prison

Chen Mu remained silent, quietly watching as Lord Meng delivered his impassioned speech.

“Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the imperial prison and interrogate the assassin with the utmost severity, to provide His Highness the Crown Prince with a satisfactory explanation.”

Watching Lord Meng’s demeanor, Chen Mu began to suspect something. Yet the suspicion was so vague he dared not be certain.

Chen Xingtian, on the other hand, gave it little thought.

“Very well, then let Lord Meng—”

“That won’t be necessary.” As the central figure in this affair, Chen Mu finally spoke for the first time.

Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

“Then what do you propose?” Chen Xingtian asked.

“I will interrogate the assassin myself. There’s no need to trouble the esteemed ministers.”

Upon hearing this, the other officials showed little surprise. After all, the Crown Prince had narrowly escaped death at the hands of the assassin; it was only natural that he might wish to vent his anger through the interrogation.

Prime Minister Liu, awaiting instructions, said nothing more and withdrew quietly after a bow.

Only Lord Meng voiced his objection.

“Your Highness, you are burdened with the affairs of state. How can you be troubled by such a trivial matter?”

“Let me conduct the interrogation, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.”

Seeing Lord Meng’s eagerness to prevent him from conducting the interrogation, Chen Mu’s suspicions grew firmer.

“Lord Meng, your reluctance to let me interrogate the assassin—could it be that you fear the assassin will reveal something to me?”

This question left Lord Meng momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he managed a strained smile.

“Your Highness jests. I am merely concerned for your well-being.”

In this situation, Chen Xingtian naturally supported Chen Mu.

Granted authority to interrogate the assassin, Chen Mu did not rush to the imperial prison. Instead, he first sought out the palace physicians.

“Last night, the bottle of medicine sent from my residence—have you completed your analysis?”

“The results are in, Your Highness. Please have a look.”

Chen Mu took the sheet of paper handed to him and examined it carefully.

“Falling Sun Sand—a deadly poison. Upon ingestion, death follows within moments, with no cure. The formula is unknown.”

The report was simple, providing little useful information. It only confirmed what Chen Mu already suspected: it was indeed poison.

“Why is the formula unknown?”

“Your Highness, this poison was once the closely guarded secret of a martial family in the capital and was never shared outside.”

“Over ten years ago, the family was executed to the last for treason, and the formula was lost.”

These words caught Chen Mu’s attention.

“A martial family? How much do you know about them?”

“Your Highness, I only know that their surname was Mei, and they produced many formidable martial artists.”

“Many of our generals once hailed from the Mei family, but none survived the purge.”

Mei? Chen Mu was taken aback.

Was that not the very character engraved on the assassin’s weapon?

Yet, considering the timing, he had been just a child when the incident occurred, and thus had little recollection of it.

“Do you know any details about the Mei family’s conviction?”

The physician, unsure why the Crown Prince was suddenly interested in such an old case, paused to consider.

“Your Highness, if you wish to learn the specifics, perhaps you should consult the Ministry of Justice.”

After parting with the physician, Chen Mu hurried straight to the Ministry of Justice.

Upon hearing of the Crown Prince’s arrival, the Minister of Justice abandoned his half-finished tea and rushed out to greet him.

“Your Highness.”

Chen Mu had no patience for pleasantries and pulled him to his feet.

“Over a decade ago, a family surnamed Mei was executed in the capital for treason. Do you know of this case?”

“Of course,” the Minister replied quickly. “It was a sensational case in the capital. I personally oversaw the execution.”

“Why does Your Highness suddenly bring this up?”

Chen Mu motioned for him to sit, then addressed him solemnly.

“Tell me everything you know about this case, in full detail, without concealment.”

Though puzzled, the Minister obeyed, recounting all he knew.

In addition to his account, he retrieved the case files from that year and presented them to Chen Mu.

Dozens of pounds of bamboo slips were piled before him, making Chen Mu’s head ache.

Combining the oral account and the files, Chen Mu gradually pieced together an understanding of the events.

He organized his thoughts and then set out for the imperial prison.

Before leaving, he gave the Minister of Justice a stern warning.

“My visit here and this investigation must not be mentioned to anyone. If I discover you have leaked a word, you will share the Mei family’s fate.”

After the incident with Lord Zhang, Chen Mu had demonstrated that he was no longer the Crown Prince known only for his gentle smiles.

When he was ruthless, he was the equal of any man.

The Minister, terrified, nodded repeatedly, promising obedience.

Within the imperial prison, alongside the usual guards, there were also many soldiers from the Crown Prince’s residence.

Upon Chen Mu’s arrival, all immediately knelt in respect.

“Is the assassin well?”

“Rest assured, Your Highness, all is well.”

Chen Mu strode to the cell and signaled for the door to be opened.

“Your Highness, you—” The guard hesitated, concerned for his safety.

“Do not worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Once inside, the assassin merely glanced up at Chen Mu, a mocking smile at her lips.

“Your Highness, forgive me for not rising to pay you respect.”

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow.

Not bad—quite stubborn. Clearly, she was resolved to die.

“Miss, would you not like to speak with me?”

There was little ceremony to observe in the prison, so Chen Mu simply sat on the ground.

The assassin kept her face cold and said nothing.

“Miss Mei.”

This time, the assassin whipped her head around, shock written all over her face.

“I have investigated the Mei family case. There are many suspicious points.”

Chen Mu pretended not to notice her astonishment and continued at a measured pace.

“But if you refuse to speak with me, then there’s no point in continuing.”

She was silent for a long while before stammering out a question.

“How…how did you know…”

“If you didn’t want anyone to know your identity, why engrave your surname on your weapon?”

“You…was it you who searched me last night?”

Miss Mei suddenly realized the crucial point.

Chen Mu, aware of her thoughts, smiled faintly.

“You truly are a martial artist, Miss Mei. Even your touch is unlike that of ordinary women.”