The mind-reading coroner drove the court crazy

Chapter 202 The Emperor’s Secret Order?

At the same time, Shi Xinzhe had hurried to the palace with a black shadow.

He went straight to the imperial study with Cui Zhibao's private order in his hand.

Eunuch Wu, who was guarding the door, saw that it was him and did not stop him. He just reminded him in a low voice: "Master Shi, the emperor is reviewing the memorials. Please be careful."

Shi Xinzhe nodded and pushed the door open.

In the imperial study, candlelight flickered as the emperor was bent over his desk reviewing memorials. Upon hearing the noise, he looked up with a stern gaze, "Lord Shi, it's so late. What's the urgent matter?"

Shi Xinzhe knelt on one knee and presented the private order with both hands. His voice was low and firm: "Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report. Cui Zhibao was reckless and killed more than a dozen people. I have captured his men and found this item. Please review it, Your Majesty."

The emperor's expression darkened as he took the order, examined it carefully, and his face gradually darkened.

He stood up slowly, his eyes sharp as a knife: "What did Cui Zhibao do? Tell me in detail."

Shi Xinzhe immediately informed the emperor of Cui Zhibao's use of human sacrifices, and even the nephew of the Minister of Rites was killed as a result. The more the emperor listened, the gloomier his face became, and he tightly grasped the private order in his hand.

He slowly stood up, his eyes sharp as knives, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Cui Zhibao...how dare you be so audacious! Using living people for sacrifice, taking human lives so lightly, you are totally devoid of conscience!"

Shi Xinzhe lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely true. I have captured the assassins sent by Cui Zhibao and recovered this private order as evidence. Furthermore, I have discovered that in order to cover up his crimes, Cui Zhibao has repeatedly sent people to assassinate those who knew about the incident, even officials appointed by the imperial court. The death of Zhao Bianxiu and the assassination of Qin Juzuo and Zhao Tongpan were his work."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with shock, and then he laughed in anger: "What a Cui Zhibao! I always thought he was just greedy for power and wealth, but I didn't expect him to do such a cruel thing! My dear Minister Shi, you have handled this matter very well. Pass on my decree to immediately seal off the Cui Mansion and arrest Cui Zhibao. I want to interrogate him personally!"

Shi Xinzhe bowed his head and replied, "I obey your command! However, Your Majesty, Cui Zhibao has been operating in the court for many years and has many followers. If we act rashly, we may alert the enemy. I suggest that we first secretly control Cui's residence and then investigate his followers one by one to prevent anyone from escaping."

The emperor nodded, his tone filled with approval. "Minister Shi, you have been thoughtful. I will do as you say. However, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible. Cui Zhibao must not be allowed to harm the people again!"

Shi Xinzhe bowed and said, "I understand. I will make arrangements right away. We must capture Cui Zhibao and his followers in the shortest possible time."

The emperor waved his hand, his tone somewhat weary: "Go, but be sure to be careful."

When Shi Xinzhe received the order and left the imperial study, the emperor's face became gloomy, and with a "bang", another inkstone broke into pieces.

Eunuch Wu was standing outside the palace, trembling with fear. He quickly ordered his disciple, "Go prepare a pot of pine moss tea."

The apprentice responded repeatedly and went to prepare without slacking off.

Meanwhile, the Cui Mansion's tight security was being controlled bit by bit silently.

The yamen runners that Qin Miaoxi had arranged long ago sneaked into the mansion like ghosts and quietly eliminated the guards outside.

Every sentry post and every hidden stake were removed in a very short time, as if an invisible net was slowly tightening.

Inside the Cui Mansion, the courtyard that was originally heavily guarded now seemed unusually quiet. The guards didn't even have time to issue any warnings before they were quickly subdued and dragged into the darkness.

The whole process was clean and neat, without causing any commotion.

Qin Miaoxi stood on a high place in Cui Mansion, looking down at everything coldly, for fear that she would accidentally disturb the master of Cui Mansion and alert the enemy.

While these guards weren't as skilled as the assassins who had intended to kill her and Zhao Tongpan, they were certainly not mediocre either. Fortunately, she had made some preparations beforehand, otherwise things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

At this moment, a yamen runner hurried over and reported in a low voice: "Commander Qin, we have taken control of the back door of Cui's mansion. All exits have been blocked. Cui Zhibao can't escape even if he has wings."

Qin Miaoxi nodded, her tone cold: "Very good. Keep watching him closely, and don't let him get away."

The bailiff took the order and left, and Qin Miaoxi turned and walked towards Cui Zhibao's study. Her figure shuttled through the night like a ghost, heading straight for Cui Zhibao's study.

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered in the darkness, illuminating Cui Zhibao's furrowed brow. He sat at his desk, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the tabletop, as if plotting some unspeakable secret.

Suddenly, a very subtle sound came from outside the door, like the sound of the corner of a piece of clothing scraping against the wall. Cui Zhibao was instantly alert, stood up suddenly, and shouted sharply, "Who?"

The voice was particularly abrupt in the silent night, carrying the majesty and inviolability of a superior.

The door was slowly pushed open, and Qin Miaoxi, dressed in black, appeared particularly stern in the dim light.

Her eyes were like knives, piercing Cui Zhibao directly: "Master Cui, it's so late, are you still racking your brains to cover up your crimes?"

Cui Zhibao's expression suddenly changed, but it only lasted a moment before returning to normal. He then sneered, "Qin the Coroner? What a rare visitor. However, you trespassed into my residence late at night. Do you know that this is a grave offense punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan?"

His words were full of threats and his eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness.

Qin Miaoxi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sarcastic smile. "Death penalty? Lord Cui, you disregard human life, using the flesh and blood of the living to nourish your aging body, hoping to achieve rejuvenation and immortality. You have committed a heinous crime punishable by the death of all nine generations of your clan. After tonight, it is unclear whether it will be you who dies or me."

She took a step forward, not afraid of Cui Zhibao's threat.

Cui Zhibao, instead of panicking, laughed out loud, his laughter echoing through the study room and sending chills down one's spine. He slowly stood up and walked towards Qin Miaoxi, each step a step, like stepping on someone's heart. "Just you? Come on, take down this arrogant woman."

Qin Miaoxi stood firm, gazing at him intently. "Master Cui, there's no need to fight like a trapped beast. Your men have been apprehended, and Master Shi is already before the Emperor. Your crimes will soon be exposed to the world. Just await His Majesty's judgment!"

However, Cui Zhibao suddenly stopped smiling and a strange expression appeared on his face, which made Qin Miaoxi's heart tremble.

"Do you think the emperor will believe your unfounded nonsense?" There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, as if he was disdainful of Qin Miaoxi's words.

[Humph! You guys are really dreaming of punishing me.]

Qin Miaoxi stared at him with a sharp gaze, trying to find a clue from his face. But Cui Zhibao in front of her had a slightly raised mouth and his eyes were full of confidence. He was really fearless.

Why is he so confident? Does he have another trick up his sleeve?

At this moment, the door was slammed open, and Shi Xinzhe rushed in with a group of people, surrounding Cui Zhibao in an instant.

Shi Xinzhe held the imperial edict in his hand and looked at Cui Zhibao coldly, his tone carrying a hint of murderous intent: "Cui Zhibao, your crime has been exposed. The emperor has issued an order to bring you to justice immediately!"

"How dare you, Shi Xinzhe, to forge an imperial edict, you..." His words were stuck in his throat, his face turned pale, and he stared at the imperial edict in Shi Xinzhe's hand with wide eyes in disbelief.

Regardless of his old age, he quickly stepped forward and snatched the imperial edict away. "Impossible! The Emperor can't arrest me. I'm his confidant, an old Hanlin scholar. It's you... you who framed me!"

His voice was filled with anger and resentment, but Shi Xinzhe would not listen to his excuses. He waved his hand, signaling his men to take Cui Zhibao away. Just as the soldiers approached, Cui Zhibao suddenly struggled, shouting frantically, "How dare you touch me? I have a secret order from the emperor, and you are disobeying his order!"

This shout stunned everyone. Shi Xinzhe and Qin Miaoxi looked at each other, with a hint of confusion and surprise in their eyes.

The emperor's secret order?