The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 245 - Gathering Evidence

Once in the capital, Pei Yao could mobilize his resources. With King Dun's secret support, collecting evidence of King Ming's covert meddling in the search was feasible. However, proving that these men intended to kill Pei Yao rather than help was challenging.

Given Emperor Chengjing's bias towards King Ming, the latter could easily claim he sent men out of concern for Pei Yao's safety, complicating refutation. Pei Yao had one piece of evidence: the sword Fang Yun took from King Ming's guard. However, it was confiscated during the Liu family's search.

Therefore, Pei Yao needed new evidence.

Beyond King Ming's estate, Pei Yao reconnected with Rui Pin in the palace to investigate Empress Li's involvement. Having contended with King Ming for years, Pei Yao knew him well—a man with ambition but reliant on his mother. Empress Li's involvement was a crucial angle.

To buy Pei Yao time to gather evidence, Chancellor Lu and Commander Hu Daixu pretended to continue searching for Pei Yao along Xiang River, maintaining King Ming's hope and deterring further rash actions. Though this ruse wouldn't last long, it was valuable.

If evidence couldn't be found, it had to be created. Fortunately, King Ming's impatience and careless execution left traces. Seizing the opportunity, Pei Yao ordered his men to capture live witnesses. Any of King Ming's guards discovered were captured and interrogated—those who confessed were spared, becoming witnesses; the rest were eliminated.

Among the captured guards, the most crucial was Zhang Jing'an, King Ming's trusted aide who had served him for years. With a reward posted for his capture, Zhang Jing'an was apprehended within a day.

Zhang Jing'an had been elusive, usually staying close to King Ming. However, searching for Pei Yao had forced him out, providing an opportunity for capture. Pei Yao's forces, driven to achieve results, captured Zhang Jing'an and his group.

Brought before Pei Yao, Zhang Jing'an maintained his defiant demeanor, despite his disheveled state.

"Your Highness, I expected you would escape danger," Zhang Jing'an said, trying to maintain his composure.

"Knowing my capabilities, why oppose me?" Pei Yao replied, gracefully preparing tea, exuding confidence and control.

Zhang Jing'an wavered, having expected Pei Yao to be in a dire state, not calm and dignified.

"We serve our masters," Zhang Jing'an said, holding his ground.

Pei Yao's eyes sharpened, piercing Zhang Jing'an's resolve. "The wise choose their allegiance. Have you no regard for your own life?"

Overwhelmed by Pei Yao's presence, Zhang Jing'an felt paralyzed, unable to respond.

Pei Yao, showing no patience, splashed the freshly brewed tea and ordered, "Take him away. Return when he's willing to talk."

After Zhang Jing'an was removed, King Dun emerged from behind a screen. "What's next, Your Highness? It's been days since your disappearance."

"With evidence and witnesses, it's time for a confrontation," Pei Yao said, handing tea to King Dun. "Thank you, brother. I owe you much."

"It's my duty," King Dun replied respectfully.

Meanwhile, King Ming grew uneasy when Zhang Jing'an didn't return. His trusted aide's absence was alarming, but there were no reports of an incident. Sending more men to search proved futile; Zhang Jing'an and his group seemed to have vanished.

Unable to sleep, King Ming's anxiety peaked. The following morning, entering the court, he froze upon seeing Pei Yao, dressed in his princely robes, standing confidently.

"You... you..." King Ming stammered.

"Surprised to see me, brother?" Pei Yao asked, his tone calm and mocking. "Disappointed I'm alive?"

Realizing the implications of Pei Yao's presence and Zhang Jing'an's absence, King Ming's mind raced. Zhang Jing'an had either betrayed him or been captured and likely revealed everything.

His father-in-law, Minister Liu Minghe, snapped him back to reality, but before he could react, Emperor Chengjing entered, equally shocked to see Pei Yao.

Knowing his own complicity through inaction, Emperor Chengjing's shock was coupled with guilt as he faced his very much alive nephew.