"The principal offender is lost, the clues are cut off, I am powerless, and cannot continue the investigation further."
Emperor Qian gazed at Song Chengyue, and suddenly a slight smile appeared in his eyes.
He valued Song Chengyue more and more because Song Chengyue always had a clear understanding in his heart.
He was not pursuing solving a case, nor pursuing the truth, instead he was devotedly loyal to the Emperor.
Because it's only the tenth day of the month, not yet the fifteenth.
"Beloved minister, you have failed in your duty, your salary is docked for ten years."
After speaking, Emperor Qian looked at the eunuch beside him.
"I remember there is still a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure for nurturing health and condensing energy in the palace. Song Qing, having worked hard on the case, shall be rewarded with it."
"Your minister thanks Your Majesty."
"Go prepare, wait for the situation on the front line to stabilize, then lead the troops to sweep Mother River."
"Your minister obeys the order."
Upon leaving the palace city, Song Chengyue's heart was still pounding.
Emperor Qian didn't need to see evidence. When Song Chengyue wanted to see a case through, ironclad evidence was required.
However, if he didn't want to continue, he could fabricate anything at will.
Five days later, Song Chengyue received the imperial order.
To raid the Jiang Clan, which was the Crown Princess Consort's family.
Emperor Qian further issued a decree, reprimanding the Crown Prince and Second Prince, reducing many of their powers.
Also, he approved Minister of Rites Bian, the old minister's request to retire and return to his hometown.
That day, the Jinyi Wei went out in numbers to ransack, and the two unconscious White Water Eggs managed to escape with the aid of accomplices outside.
Emperor Qian was furious, berating Song Chengyue with the demeanor of wanting to execute him, yet in the end, the punishment was mild, docking his salary for ten years.
A major incident of swapping out death row prisoners turned into a scenario of light punishment for all involved.
Regarding the front line's war, it became a chance to start peace talks with Dali, entering a phase of mutual wrangling.
In the Seventh Floor, Song Chengyue and Yu Ziqing sat opposite each other.
"Ah, when I was young, I thought a Jinyi Wei should administer justice impartially.
Later, after seeing a lot, I knew this kind of Jinyi Wei would likely meet an unfavorable end, so I began to act shrewdly.
Now that I am sufficiently shrewd, I find it quite sad.
For an incident as colossal as swapping out death row prisoners, the emperor actually intends to let it slide, under the pretext of stability.
The public thinks the emperor doesn't want to give power to the princes, fearing they might usurp the throne.
In reality, I think he's the one indulging the Crown Prince and the Second Prince the most.
They committed such grave errors, yet the punishment was minimal.
If my son committed such a mistake, not breaking all his bones would be merciful."
Song Chengyue sighed, though everything had gone as he expected, he couldn't feel pleased, only found it meaningless.
"Hasn't it always been since ancient times? Did you just realize it today?"
"Does that mean it's right because it's always been ?"
"..." Yu Ziqing was left speechless, after pondering, he felt something was amiss: "Did you steal my line? Isn't this something I should've said?"
"Forget it, let's not bother with these. There's a big show, do you want to watch?"
"The confrontation with Dali, truthfully, they've no desire to fight anymore, peace talks are inevitable.
This incident happened to clear out the court, so negotiations are underway.
After the talks conclude, troops will move to Mother River.
Emperor Qian can tolerate Crown Prince and the Second Prince, but not those Faceless Men.
"Of course, I'd want to watch the show."
"Alright, when the time comes, I'll give you a set of Wyrm Suits, so it won't matter if you get in to watch. In the offices, there are still a dozen people listed as nonexistent kept for emergencies."
"What about the two White Water Eggs?"
"Sent to the Northwest Border of Daqian, they'll enter Kuihou Country. If you want, you can go receive them."
"No, they were rescued by White Water Egg, I wasn't the one who wanted them." Yu Ziqing sternly corrected.
"Oh..." Song Chengyue was slightly taken aback, then smiled and didn't inquire further.
Now he knew where Yu Ziqing's intelligence came from.
Why provoke Qing Ziyu without reason.
Being targeted by this fellow, how could things end well, what wishful thinking.
Yu Ziqing opened his eyes, looking at the New No. Ten.
"Continue, No.1 asked you to find a way to rescue those two White Water Eggs, right?"
"Yes, the rumor is they escaped, but we didn't have time to provide aid, we know that it's the Jinyi Wei purposefully releasing this information.
It's just a way to give the Crown Prince and Second Prince a way out, Emperor Qian simply doesn't want to investigate further.
We are mostly certain those two are still in the hands of Jinyi Wei, just not in death row, which makes it easier to rescue."
"Hmm, if there's an opportunity, can you act alone?"
"Alright, go rescue the two of them, when you're done, come find me at this place, I need to meet with them first."
He gave New No. Ten two destinations, and New No. Ten then left.
Yu Ziqing himself went to Kuihou Country to await the developments.
It's not that he looked down on the power of Daqian, removing the White Water Egg base isn't difficult, but completely eradicating it is unlikely.
Just gives him an opportunity to secretly implant an undercover during the chaos.
To understand who that Wig White Water Egg is, and to clarify many things, can only be achieved from within the White Water Egg organization.
A person without a face, without a true name, yet possessing formidable strength, indeed left him restless.
He couldn't gamble on the chance they won't descend within a millennium, what if they do?
The world is ever-changing, nothing is certain.
A being surpassing the Ninth Tier's limit, at least of the Tenth Tier, even modestly assuming, would have ninety percent confidence to sweep through today's Jinlan Mountain.
The necessary preparations must be made.
Several days later, Yu Ziqing arrived in Kuihou Country, chatting with Emperor Kuihou, throwing out some ideas, which pleased a man who regarded establishing a brothel as his life's ambition, leaving him joyfully.
He waited there quietly.
In merely three days, New No. Ten brought along the two unconscious White Water Eggs to him.
Yu Ziqing looked at the two, limp and unconscious, their bodies reeking of medicine, rendering him speechless.
Old Song didn't even bother to act, did they escape the Jinyi Wei death cell on their own?
Yu Ziqing summoned Wu Shuangge, needing to detoxify the two first, or else they'd never awaken in this lifetime.
Upon awakening, the death row White Water Egg felt weak all over, an empty stomach, and a burning pain.
Raising his head, he saw Yu Ziqing sitting cross-legged, smiling at him.
"Awake, huh, I went to great lengths to save you, must be hungry, have something to eat first."