Chapter 22: The Turning Point of the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

For these past days, Shen Fengmo has been leaving early and returning late, pouring his heart and soul into the investigation. He has had absolutely no time to concern himself with the trivialities of the marriage arrangements between the Shen family and the Crown Prince.

Though the Crown Prince was anxious, feeling like an ant on a hot pan, he was utterly helpless.

Just then, an attendant, looking flustered, ran up and breathlessly reported to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, urgent news has just arrived: the Imperial Mausoleum... has been attacked!"

Hearing this, the Crown Prince took a sharp breath, his expression instantly turning grave. Five thousand guards were stationed near the Imperial Mausoleum; who could possibly be so brazen as to commit such an act of sacrilege?

"Do we know who is responsible?" the Crown Prince asked in a low voice, suppressing his shock.

"It seems to be related to the black-clad men who have been running rampant lately," the attendant replied cautiously.

The Crown Prince frowned and paced back and forth. After a moment, he made up his mind and commanded: "This is a grave matter. I must see His Majesty. Prepare at once."

"As you command."

The Crown Prince did not arrive early; many had already been summoned by the Emperor to the Imperial Study to discuss the matter.

The atmosphere in the study was suffocating. The Emperor’s face was dark with rage, his expression terrifying. It was clear that, in his eyes, the attack on the Imperial Mausoleum was not a mere criminal case, but a naked provocation against imperial power—an act of treason that threatened the very foundations of the state.

With visible anger, he asked, "Lord Shen, what is the situation at the Imperial Mausoleum?"

Shen Fengmo replied respectfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the culprits intended to sever the dragon vein. Fortunately, the mausoleum guards fought to the death, and they were unsuccessful."

Everyone in the room gasped. To sever the dragon vein was equivalent to attempting to topple the nation and plunge the country into irreversible ruin; it was sheer madness!

The Emperor struck the table heavily and demanded, "What kind of madmen would dare to act so recklessly?"

Shen Fengmo hesitated, weighing his words carefully before speaking: "Your Majesty, those who attacked the mausoleum are the same black-clad men I have been investigating recently. I have gathered evidence and have some leads, but I dare not make premature conclusions. Now that the perpetrators have grown bold, they have left behind some clues, but as the mastermind holds a position of high status, I dare not judge lightly. I await your holy decree."

After he finished, some in the room began to whisper. Given Shen Fengmo’s status, was there really anyone he dared not investigate?

The Emperor’s face remained grim. "Who is it? Speak freely."

Shen Fengmo gritted his teeth, as if having made a difficult decision, and said resolutely: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die! The clues I have uncovered point toward the Empress."

The murmurs in the room grew louder. The Crown Prince was stunned, looking at Shen Fengmo in disbelief.

The Emperor did not respond immediately, instead furrowing his brows in deep thought. If Shen Fengmo felt compelled to speak this way, it could not be a minor matter. If this truly involved the Empress and there was solid evidence, would punishing her in the eyes of the court upset the delicate balance between the inner court and the government?

He quickly calculated the risks. An attack on the Imperial Mausoleum to sever the dragon vein was no small matter; to shield her now would be to lose his own authority.

Thinking this, the Emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Tell me everything in detail. Do not omit a single thing."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Shen Fengmo bowed slightly and presented his findings in detail. He described how the black-clad men hid among the common folk, scattered yet connected in secret; how they used hidden signals and special routes to mobilize; and how they utilized complex tunnels and disguises to retreat after their operations.

He spoke clearly about the unique martial arts techniques of the men, the style and origin of their weapons, and presented his evidence in a logical, interlocking manner that was highly convincing.

Ultimately, all clues pointed precisely to a nanny closest to the Empress. This woman, surnamed Zhang, had served the Empress for many years and held immense power within the palace. From key decisions in the Imperial Household Department to the assignment and movement of palace staff, her word was law.

The situation reached a stalemate. Was this woman acting on the Empress's orders, or was she merely exploiting the Empress's trust and the resources of the inner court to serve her own ends?

As the matter concerned the Mother of the Nation, no one dared to speak. The Crown Prince was forced to intervene: "Father, the Empress is your wife. Her status and honor are tied to yours. Destroying the dragon vein offers her no benefit; someone must be framing her."

At this moment, Duke Li stepped forward and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s words are logical. However, to clear the Empress's name, I daringly suggest that you summon this nanny for a direct confrontation immediately, so as not to give the culprits an opportunity to escape."

Duke Li was a relative of the Imperial Noble Consort; though he spoke to assist the Crown Prince, he was actually terrified that the nanny might collude with the Empress if given the chance.

The Emperor nodded slightly, finding the suggestion sound, and ordered the nanny brought to the Imperial Study.

When Nanny Zhang entered, she was calm and showed no fear. The Crown Prince glanced at her and felt a jolt in his heart, for the moment she entered, she had cast a swift, fleeting glance toward the Third Prince, Leng Zhaowen.

The Crown Prince grew suspicious. Could this matter involve Leng Zhaowen? The boy usually appeared harmless; was he hiding some unknown secrets?

Nanny Zhang stood before the Emperor without showing any weakness. Faced with the evidence Shen Fengmo had gathered, she did not panic or deny the charges; as if she had expected this, she frankly confessed.

The Emperor’s expression darkened further. "You are a mere servant; such a feat would be impossible for you alone. Who is the mastermind behind this? Speak now!"

Nanny Zhang kowtowed and said unhurriedly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I did indeed use the Empress’s authority, but I swear on my life that the Empress had no part in this. She was entirely unaware."

Duke Li laughed coldly. "You have served the Empress for years and earned her deep trust. Now that you have committed such a heinous crime, you claim she knew nothing? Do you take the Empress for such a fool that she could not perceive your treacherous heart?"

"Duke, there is no need to cast blame so eagerly. I was able to plot in secret and evade the Empress’s eyes because I had someone protecting me from the shadows."

"Oh? Then tell us, who was protecting you?"

Nanny Zhang said firmly: "The one protecting me is the Shen family."