The Imperial College's

Eps. 27: A Step Closer

After the incident in the reading room a few days ago, Yuwen Yue and Huang Yunxi did not meet each other. Yuwen Yue busied himself with teaching and taking care of the reports from the Vice Head of the Royal Academy on the development of each student and the preparation of the Royal Academy Examination as well as drawing up a plan for the recruitment of new students in early spring.

Although there is still a lot of time, but the recruitment of new students and exams must be carefully prepared. All of them had an effect on the future of the Hu Dynasty. There can be no mistakes.

In addition to taking care of the affairs of the Royal Academy, Yuwen Yue was also preoccupied with the investigation of Huang Yunxi's attempted murder case at the palace on the night of the lantern festival. The Emperor asked him to come investigate because he knew Yuwen Yue was clever and talented. Already many mysterious cases were solved with the help of Yuwen Yue. Besides, he was the only witness to the incident that night.

Today, he was summoned to the palace by Emperor Huang Yun Yi to discuss the progress of the case. The first clue obtained was the origin of the arrowhead that injured Huang Yunxi. Incidentally, the arrow fell into the lake and was taken by the soldier. The Emperor then ordered the Yindai Pavilion and the Palace Bureau of Investigation to cooperate. After being traced, the arrowhead is known to come from West Turk.

"Your Majesty, the case is not as simple as we think," Yuwen Yue said before Emperor Huang Yun Yi. Emperor Huang Yun Yi nodded in agreement. He also thinks that his daughter's attempted murder isn't simple.

"You found something?"

"Your Majesty, the arrowhead that wounded your daughter is from Western Turk. If ordinary people were to do so, they could not possibly use those arrowheads. In addition, the poison present in the eyes of the arrow was an extremely rare poison. It would take a lot of money to get both of those things."

Emperor Huang Yun Yi nodded. The statement of his son-in-law makes perfect sense. He also argued that the person behind all this must be an influential person in his kingdom. Dong Hua did establish good relations with the Western Turks, but it was impossible to trade weapons carelessly.

What astonished the Emperor was why the person was targeting his daughter. Although Huang Yunxi was mischievous, but she had never dealt with anyone other than the people in the Royal Academy and his palace. The daughter never offended officials or other members of the harem and the royal family. So, it was very strange for someone to want to kill him only if he was often troublemaking.

"yes too. Somehow the boy could recover instantly. Perhaps, my First Queen blesses her life."

As a father, no matter what his daughter was, he would still love her. Huang Yunxi was the only daughter who would not be replaced. Seeing him in danger and in danger of death certainly made Emperor Huang Yun Yi agitated half to death. Even after the incident he was no longer able to sleep well and often did not focus on court hearings.

"Vice Counselor, since you are my daughter's future husband, give me an explanation that makes me satisfied."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

After which, Yuwen Yue pleaded for resignation. He came out of Mingyan Palace alone. When he was at a crossroads, Yuwen Yue turned towards the palace lake. There was already Tianqi with a few guards.

Yuwen Yue retraced the scene of the crime. He believes there is a clue left behind. Yuwen Yue also wanted to know how the perpetrator shot his arrows out of the dark and where he shot them from. Yuwen Yue then went inside the bushes. With his skills in good martial arts, he could briefly estimate where the perpetrator shot his arrow.

In addition, he also discovered another small star-shaped weapon whose five ends were extremely sharp. The object is thought to belong to the perpetrator who accidentally fell. Yuwen Yue picked it up, then stuffed it into a wooden box to investigate.

That night, Yuwen Yue returned to the palace secretly. After a late night, he sneaked into the Inner Palace. His goal was to seek guidance from the Emperor's women because he was very confident that all of this must have something to do with one of them. Yuwen Yue traced every palace building where the concubines lived very carefully.

Not long after, he arrived at the terrace of Consort Di's palace. It was easy for him to enter because the guard there was the most lenient at night. Moreover, there were not many servants working because the Emperor had already ordered to confine Consort Di so that he would not harm others.

Yuwen Yue walked backwards, down the palace walls and sharpened his hearing. However, he jumped in shock as his back collided with someone's back. Yuwen Yue was on standby, he turned around and directly aimed a sharp dagger at the person who collided with him.

The man was wearing all black clothes and his face was covered in a veil. His clear eyes also looked extremely shocked as his gaze caught the figure of Yuwen Yue who was pointing a dagger at him.

"Teacher, it's me!"

Yuwen Yue instantly lowered his dagger as the person opened his veil. His forehead wrinkled because he did not expect the man in black clothes was a woman he knew very well.

"Yunxi? What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for a clue."

"I'm the same. Teacher, how about we work together?"

"Oh?"

"No need to doubt. I'm sure I'll be of use to you. Besides, the case is related to me. I have to find the culprit and punish him with my own hands!"

Yuwen Yue finally believed. He was willing to bring Huang Yunxi as long as the girl did not ask him many things and did not bother him. The two again walked quietly on the terrace of Consort Di's palace. Yuwen Yue and Huang Yunxi looked like a pair of fierce-grade thieves.

Their net then caught the mysterious figure of the bayanyan entering into the room within the palace. The figure then sits in a corner, which is thought to be the bed of Consort Di. From behind the paper window, Yuwen Yue and Huang Yunxi could see that the figure was stroking Concubine Di's hair who was fast asleep.

"Mei-mei, you hold it for a second. After Gege kills her, gege will make you a real queen."

Yuwen Yue immediately knew that the figure was Liu Yang, Consort Di's older brother who now served as the Minister of Forestry. Liu Yang was the Great Lord Yang who was very famous for his wisdom. He has extensive connections abroad. Richness abundant. Consort Di whose full name was Liu Ming was his only sister. Liu Yang loved Consort Di very much.

Perhaps, she considered Huang Yunxi's presence as the Emperor's only daughter to be a barrier for her sister to ascend to the position of queen. Since the First Queen's death, the Emperor has never bothered a concubine to be Empress and Queen Dong Hua for the reason that she is still grieving and wants to take good care of her only daughter. If Huang Yunxi were to die, then the Emperor would have no reason to refuse anymore.

Of the many concubines and mistresses of the Emperor who were in the harem, Consort Di as the main concubine was the best candidate to continue the position. Just playing a little trick, then she could become the second Queen of Dong Hua. Liu Yang had a strong backer and background. He would definitely be able to realize his wish if he managed to finish off Huang Yunxi's life.

The look of disbelief was clearly drawn on Yuwen Yue's face. He did not expect that a wise official like Liu Yang was a sheep-wool wolf and an enemy in a very cunning and cruel blanket. Now he was doubtful whether Liu Yang was really a clean official or just a thick-faced human who always wore masks everywhere. The other was Huang Yunxi. The girl was not surprised at all. Instead, he smiled mysteriously.

"Ming'er, patience. After everything has passed, Gege will find the best healer to heal you. You must be healthy so that you are strong when standing on your throne later. Gege will make the unlucky girl feel the consequences of being a barrier to the ambition of a Liu Yang and Liu Ming, just like her mother used to."

From Liu Yang's words, Huang Yunxi finally knew that the First Queen's death was not natural due to bleeding during childbirth. Liu Yang must have used someone else's hand to have the First Queen die after giving birth and made it seem like an ordinary death. That way, he will more easily run the ambition and go back to hiding.

The puzzle of the mastermind's search behind Princess Xiyue's assassination attempt is finally solved. It was only fitting that the arrowheads and Western Turk star weapons could reach the palace. Apparently, the one who used it was a famous and respected person among the nobles and officials of Dong Hua.

"It turns out the wolf is in sheep's clothing" Yuwen Yue said involuntarily. He then turned to Huang Yunxi and found that the girl was smiling mysteriously.

"You okay?" asked Yuwen Yue.

"Yes. Teacher, let's go home."

Huang Yunxi withdrew Yuwen Yue's hand forcefully. The two then left the Inner Palace complex in silence. The word 'home' that Huang Yunxi meant was not to return to the Royal Academy, but to return to Liuli Palace.

After tonight, the big show is definitely about to start.

...***...

...Wow, the mastermind has met! How did Yunxi & Yue dismantle Liu Yang's crimes? What will happen to Consort Di? Stay tuned, see you in the next episode!...

...(.(.Yes, the next episodes will bring Yue & Yunxi closer to each other!)...