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"Bang!"

Emperor Dugu Jingtian slammed the table and said angrily, "Even the Prince Consort dares to assassinate, such audacity! I'll dispatch investigators immediately; we must catch the assassin!"

"No need for an investigation, I already know who the assassin is." Dugu Xiu said through gritted teeth.

"Oh?" Dugu Jingtian raised an eyebrow, "Who is the assassin?"

"Bai Daqing." Dugu Xiu squeezed out three words through clenched teeth.

"Impossible?" Dugu Jingtian furrowed his brow, "How could it be Bai Daqing? He couldn't possibly do such a thing."

"It is Bai Daqing! There's absolutely no mistake!" Dugu Xiu said emphatically, "The guards found a token on the dead assassin, with the words 'Prince's Mansion' on it. What does this imply? It implies that the assassin was sent by Prince Bai Daqing himself!"

"A token from the Prince's Mansion was found on him?" Dugu Jingtian was stunned for a moment, "Did you see it clearly? Could it be a counterfeit?"

"I have brought the token for Father to examine," Dugu Xiu said as he produced a delicately crafted token from his bosom and handed it over.

Dugu Jingtian carefully examined it and found the token to be genuine, not a counterfeit! Dugu Jingtian pondered for a moment, "Even if a token from the Prince's Mansion was found on the assassin, it doesn't necessarily mean it's related to Bai Daqing. It could be someone trying to frame him." Pausing, Dugu Jingtian added, "Bai Daqing is a smart man. If he truly sent someone to assassinate Dongfang Jian, he would have reclaimed the token beforehand. Even if the assassin died, no one would have known his identity."

"Perhaps he was negligent."

"Negligent? How could one be negligent about such a serious matter? Assassinating the current Prince Consort is a capital offense. If it is verified, beheading awaits. Bai Daqing would never commit such a foolish act."

"In any case, Bai Daqing is the most suspicious. Dongfang Jian repudiated Bai Daqing's daughter; Bai Daqing must harbor a grudge."

"I've already warned Bai Daqing to restrain himself and not to trouble Dongfang Jian. Bai Daqing also agreed to it."

"He was just placating Father! Paralyzing Father's vigilance! Then he secretly sent someone to assassinate Dongfang Jian! Such actions are despicable! Shameless! They deserve death!"

"At the end of the day, these are just your speculations," Dugu Jingtian said.

"What's wrong with speculation? Is my speculation incorrect?"

"Everything must be supported by evidence. You keep saying Bai Daqing is the assassin; can you present evidence? Produce irrefutable evidence, and I shall punish Bai Daqing's crime!" Dugu Jingtian paused then added, "The token doesn't count; anyone with a little skill could have stolen it from the Prince's Mansion."

"Father!" Dugu Xiu's eyes widened, "You're deliberately favoring Bai Daqing! Dongfang Jian is your son-in-law. How can you favor an outsider?"

"Nonsense!" Dugu Jingtian's face darkened, "I haven't favored anyone, I'm discussing the matter as it is. I'm the Human Emperor, ruler of the Human Race; I must act with impartiality. Only in this way will all under heaven submit to me. If I were to act rashly and kill without evidence, it would surely bring tremendous trouble."

"Stop making excuses; you're just showing favoritism toward Bai Daqing! Because you dislike Dongfang Jian, you don't want to stand up for him! How could you do this? I'm so disappointed in you!"

"Silence!"

Dugu Jingtian grew furious, "How dare you accuse your father, what nerve! Don't think that because I cherish you, you can recklessly provoke me. I'm telling you, if you truly anger me, I'll banish you to the Cold Palace to end your days in loneliness!"

"You..." Dugu Xiu, perhaps intimidated, turned pale and dared not talk back to Dugu Jingtian anymore. The man across from him was not only his father but also the exalted Human Emperor. Angering Dugu Jingtian could have severe consequences.

"Enough, let's not talk about this. Go back and take care of Dongfang Jian," Dugu Jingtian said impatiently, waving his hand, "Rest assured, I will send people to investigate. No matter the cost, we must find the assassin. If it really is related to Bai Daqing, I shall punish him severely."

"Then I'll go back and await news," Dugu Xiu said with his head bowed as he left.

Once Dugu Xiu had left, Dugu Jingtian's brow furrowed as he silently thought: Could this matter really be related to Bai Daqing? Firstly, Bai Daqing had a motive and secondly, Bai Daqing had the capability to assassinate Dongfang Jian... Now, a token from the Prince's Mansion has been found on the assassin...

"Bai Daqing is indeed a major suspect," Dugu Jingtian mused for a moment before calling out loudly, "Someone come!"

"What are Your Majesty's orders?" A guard walked in from outside.

"Prince Consort Dongfang Jian has been attacked and is gravely injured. Someone dared to commit such a bold crime within the capital. I'm giving you one month to track down the assassin!"

"Yes!"

The guard accepted the order and left.

...

Ten days later.

The guard tasked with chasing the assassin returned, his hair disheveled, his complexion pale and sickly, his body covered in filth—it was clear he had suffered greatly during this period.

"How did it go? Have you found the assassin?" Dugu Jingtian asked forbiddingly.

"I have a target in my investigation… but…"

"But what?"

"The identity of this target is somewhat special."

"Special?" A sharp glint flashed in Dugu Jingtian's eyes. "What's so special about it?"

"The person is Prince Bai Daqing," the guard replied.

"What? Bai Daqing?" Dugu Jingtian's expression darkened. "Why do you suspect Bai Daqing?"

"After thorough investigation, I came to believe that Prince Bai Daqing was highly suspicious, so I hurried to investigate him... and indeed, I discovered some problems," the guard explained. "Half a month ago, ten guards disappeared from the Prince's Mansion, and they were all formidable guards. The ten vanished without a trace, and nobody knew where they went…"

"Continue," Dugu Jingtian said, his face gradually turning more grim. "What else have you found?"

The guard licked his dry lips and continued, "I also heard that recently, Prince Bai Daqing has been in high spirits, entertaining his subordinates with drink daily. Once, during a banquet, Bai Daqing suddenly burst into laughter and spoke some incoherent words."

Dugu Jingtian's eyes narrowed. "What did he say?"

"Bai Daqing said, 'That Dongfang Jian is such a petty man. He's so lucky to have survived the assassination attempts from so many people. Heaven really is blind. But no matter, Dongfang Jian won't live much longer.'

"Did Bai Daqing really say that?"

"Absolutely certain."

Dugu Jingtian fell silent for a moment, then instructed, "Issue my command for Bai Daqing to come see me." Initially, Dugu Jingtian had some suspicions about Bai Daqing, but now, after hearing what the guard had said, his suspicion towards Bai Daqing only grew stronger.

"Yes." The guard turned and left.

...

Several days later.

Bai Daqing arrived at the capital and without a moment's delay, hastened to the palace to meet with Dugu Jingtian.