Chapter Twenty-Four: Shadows in the Inner Palace, Truth Distorted

A few days slipped by like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall, amidst the suffocating tension that gripped the Imperial Palace. Every breath of air seemed heavy with the suspicion and unease surrounding the Crown Prince’s assassination.

Deng Feiqian, Commander of the Imperial Guard, had spent these days like an ant on a hot skillet. He was acutely aware of the sensitivity and complexity of the situation; caught between the Emperor’s stern demands for justice and the intricate web of power struggles behind the scenes, every step he took felt like walking on the edge of a blade.

When the Emperor summoned him once more to demand progress, Deng Feiqian entered the palace with heavy, faltering steps. His head was bowed low, and beads of sweat, large as peas, rolled down his cheeks to splatter against the pristine floor. His body trembled slightly, and his hands were clenched so tightly together that his knuckles had turned white.

The Emperor’s majestic gaze pierced him like a blade, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"Deng Feiqian, what of the matter I ordered you to investigate? Do not dare to deceive me!"

The Emperor’s voice was low and restrained, yet it carried an bone-chilling authority, like the rumbling of thunder before a storm.

Deng Feiqian collapsed to his knees with a thud. His lips quivered as he tried to speak, paralyzed by the fear of provoking the Emperor’s wrath. Under the Emperor’s relentless pressure, his psychological defenses finally crumbled. With a voice choked by tears, he stammered, "Your Majesty... this servant is terrified... the true culprit behind this is... the remnants of the former Crown Prince, Li Chengye."

He dared not look up, burying his head even lower until his body was nearly pressed against the ground, his heart consumed by the terror of the Emperor’s rage.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor froze for a moment, followed by a surge of fury. He stood abruptly, his dragon robes rustling behind him.

"Remnants of the former Crown Prince? How do you all handle your duties! To let these rebels run so rampant within the palace walls!"

The Emperor’s roar echoed through the hall, making the very rafters seem to tremble. Yet, a moment later, as if struck by a sudden realization, he slowly sat back down upon his throne. He took a deep breath, the rage fading from his face to be replaced by his usual calm—a mask that concealed endless calculations and power maneuvers.

In truth, the Emperor knew this matter was far from simple.

Chancellor Gao held immense power in the court, a thorn in the Emperor’s side for years. Like a great tree deeply rooted, his influence permeated every corner of the government. To uproot him rashly would incite his numerous partisans to rebellion, plunging the court into chaos and shaking the very foundations of the state.

As for the Empress, as the mistress of the six palaces, her reputation and status were tied to the stability of the inner court. Should word spread that she had been involved in the assassination of the Crown Prince, it would undoubtedly trigger a massive public outcry, sowing panic and threatening the stability of the nation.

Faced with this entanglement of interests and power, the Emperor weighed his options and made a cold, calculated decision: he would sacrifice Li Chengyin if it meant preserving his throne and the hard-won peace of his empire.

When Li Chengyin heard the imperial decree announcing this so-called "truth" while in the Eastern Palace, his face turned deathly pale, followed immediately by a flush of indignant rage. His eyes widened, filled with disbelief and fury.

"How can this be? This is clearly a blatant cover-up!"

His hands clenched into fists, his body trembling with anger like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Then, a wave of sorrow washed over him. He thought of how he had worked tirelessly for the imperial court and his father, only to be met with such an end. His heart felt as though it were being squeezed by a cold, invisible hand, leaving him unable to breathe.

"Father, you are truly so heartless. For the sake of power, you would sacrifice your own son and allow the truth to be buried."

Li Chengyin’s voice choked with emotion. He slowly raised his head, staring in the direction of the main palace, his eyes brimming with disappointment and resentment.

At that moment, he finally understood the words Li Chengye had once spoken: in this game of palace power, they were nothing more than chess pieces in the Emperor’s hand. For the sake of absolute power, the Emperor could sit by and watch them destroy one another, while he remained safely perched above, reaping the rewards of the victor.