Of course, Jiang Wang now knew that the “Zhang Yong” who had just died was absolutely not of the Fengxian Zhang family bloodline.
The Capital Patrol Office’s Blue Plaques now had enough methods to create irrefutable evidence, without any clues, to prove that this “Zhang Yong” was not that Zhang Yong.
But who would believe it?
Before today, Zhang Yong was the sole surviving bloodline of the Fengxian Zhang family. He had gained an opportunity in the Heavenly Mansion Secret Realm and was working alongside the Great Qi Prince Jiang Wuqi, diligently and aspiringly, determined to restore his ancestors’ glory.
After today, and precisely after he had done such a deed, the Capital Patrol Office would suddenly announce that he was not the true Zhang Yong.
No matter how sufficient the evidence, it would be difficult to convince people.
Therefore, the person who died in the Nine Returns Marquis’s Spirit Hall, whether he was the real Zhang Yong or not, was Zhang Yong.
Before his death, he had written a blood plea on the statue of the Nine Returns Marquis.
It was as “Zhang Yong”, weeping to his Zhang family ancestors.
This was a bloody accusation from the descendant of a national hero against the Qi court!
Oh, vast heaven, what kind of person is this!
This was clearly linked to the matter of Cui Zhu assassinating the Qi sovereign!
First, a Xia Kingdom assassin, under the cover of forces within Qi, had assassinated the Qi sovereign during the “Grandmaster’s Ceremony”.
Later, the descendant of a restorer hero died weeping in the temple, accusing the Qi sovereign of mistreating the hero’s descendants while being infatuated with female beauty and lavishing rewards on the undeserving Gao family.
Looking at these two matters alone, it seemed to paint a picture of a decadent Qi Emperor, unstable Qi court rule, and a precarious domestic situation.
If not handled well…
People’s hearts would waver!
Upon seeing the contents of the blood letter, the Fourth Rank Blue Plaque Constable Ma Xiong’s face drastically changed. He immediately covered the Nine Returns Marquis statue with the purple robe again and turned sharply: “No one is allowed to enter! Seal off the Protector of the Nation Hall! No one is allowed in or out!”
This scene should indeed be sealed off, but the significance was already minimal.
They had entered and quickly exited.
What happened today would inevitably spread.
Even if all these people kept their mouths shut, the force behind Cui Zhu and “Zhang Yong” would certainly ensure that what happened in the Nine Returns Marquis’s Spirit Hall today spread throughout the world.
They wouldn’t let “Zhang Yong’s” tragic death be completely meaningless.
It was just that Jiang Wang, who happened to be present, was bound to face some trouble…
The other Blue Plaque constables withdrew, but he was not convenient to leave.
As the person who had had the last communication with “Zhang Yong” before his death, many people wanted to know what Jiang Wang had heard and seen.
This, of course, included Ma Xiong.
He glanced at the statue covered by the purple robe with lingering fear, as if looking at some monstrous beast.
Years of experience in handling cases allowed him to quickly suppress his emotions. He scanned the incense burner and offering table with vigilant eyes, examining the entire spirit hall. After confirming that no other clues were immediately visible, he looked at Jiang Wang.
“Why is Constable Jiang here?” he asked.
Although they had interacted before and gotten along well, at this moment, Ma Xiong was clearly and necessarily going to handle matters officially.
But at this time, Jiang Wang suddenly thought of another question.
Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt and Zhang Yong’s death plea, the forces behind the scenes had struck twice in succession, both attempting to shake the Qi Emperor’s rule. The scale of these actions, capable of stirring up a monstrous wave, did indeed stun him on the spot.
But in fact, there was another very important question.
That was… why would Ma Xiong bring people here?
The answer was obvious, he had come here following Zhang Yong.
The most important task of the entire Capital Patrol Office now was to investigate the Cui Zhu assassination case.
With Cui Zhu on the list of candidates for the Yellow River Assembly, from the Political Affairs Office to the Lightning Prison Army, there were too many places to investigate.
Countless Blue Plaque constables had been working tirelessly for the past two days.
And now, it was evident that on Ma Xiong’s lead, they had discovered some connection between Zhang Yong and Cui Zhu. They had even gathered some evidence, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought people directly to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
This could also explain why Zhang Yong no longer hid in front of Jiang Wang. Because he couldn’t hide anymore. As he said, once he revealed a single hair, his tracks had already been caught.
But the other important aspect of this question was that Zhang Yong was previously… a person of the Longevity Palace Master, Jiang Wuqi.
It was even possible that Cui Zhu’s inclusion on the Yellow River Assembly list was aided by Zhang Yong using the power of the Longevity Palace…
In this way, the fire of Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt… had actually first burned Jiang Wuqi.
This Eleventh Prince of Great Qi, whom people called “most like the current Emperor,” and who indeed received the Qi Emperor’s special favor!
Jiang Wuqi was one of the most promising candidates to contend for that throne. He himself had a certain foundation in Qi’s political circle, and the power of the Longevity Palace was by no means inferior to any other prince or princess.
Once he was involved in the Cui Zhu assassination case…
What would happen next was simply unimaginable!
This was a terrifying storm, one where who knew how many people would die and how many families would perish!
Jiang Wang settled his mind and replied, “Before going to war at the Yellow River Assembly, I specifically came to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices, hoping to inherit the valor of the Great Qi’s fallen heroes.”
This was indeed the truth, there was nothing to hide.
Ma Xiong asked again, “Came to the Nine Returns Marquis’s Spirit Hall to offer sacrifices?”
Jiang Wang answered truthfully, “I first went to the Spirit Hall of the First Generation Bowang Marquis, then to the Spirit Hall of the First Generation City Breaker Marquis, and then came here. After all, the First Generation Nine Returns Marquis and the First Generation City Breaker Marquis were heroes of equal renown.”
“Did you and the person who just died agree to come here to offer sacrifices?” Ma Xiong asked.
In this semi-public setting, he refused to refer to the person by the name Zhang Yong, indicating that from now on he would not acknowledge this person’s identity. Although this Fourth Rank Blue Plaque, who had climbed up step by step from the bottom, was very clear that Zhang Yong’s identity was now beyond their control to deny.
But the attitude of the Capital Patrol Office had to be displayed.
Jiang Wang of course agreed, because he was also within the Blue Plaque system now.
So he also didn’t mention the name Zhang Yong, only shaking his head: “We had no contact beforehand. After the martial competition in front of the palace that day, I did not leave the Xiashan Residence. It was a temporary idea to come and offer sacrifices today. This can be investigated.”
“Only you were present when he died. What happened between you before we arrived?” Ma Xiong showed the Image Stone in his hand: “Your explanation to me now will be fully recorded. You don’t have to worry about me deliberately distorting it.”
Jiang Wang shook his head: “I also wear a Blue Plaque around my waist and should help the Northern Bureau restore the truth. However…”
He glanced at Ma Xiong: “Shouldn’t we discuss this in detail in front of the adults? After all, there are only you and I here.”
His meaning was clear: I am also a Fourth Rank Blue Plaque Constable, we are of equal rank! And I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s not appropriate for you to interrogate me alone.
It wasn’t that he suspected Ma Xiong of anything, but at such a sensitive time, he had to be cautious.
The two major events of Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt and Zhang Yong’s death plea had themselves demonstrated the power of the forces behind the scenes.
Ma Xiong’s pursuit of Zhang Yong here seemed to be without any issues. And in their previous interactions, he had acted very normally.
But who knew?
Cui Zhu was able to participate in the “Grandmaster’s Ceremony”, he was much cleaner and more innocent!
As for the reliability of the Image Stone… just listen to it.
Even a Heart Demon Oath is unreliable, how can one expect a dead object to be?
It’s a day late, but the scheduled bonus chapters for February are finally done.
I will work even harder in March!
So I ask for