But… the emperor was actually stabbed to death with a short sword. The results of the investigation revealed that the weapon used by the assassin was a single short sword, which was planted directly into the heart. There were no other signs of injury, just as the author stated.
‘Considering he knows the method of assassination, he isn’t completely unrelated. Shall I ask more questions?’
“How did you enter the palace?”
“Pardon?”
“The intruder didn’t leave any traces, right? So, I was always curious. How did you get in?”
“That’s… I just climbed over the wall and moved around avoiding people’s eyes.”
“So, you are strong enough to do that?”
“Yes, eh?”
“It’s nice to say ‘avoiding eyes’, but do you know how many eyes are in this palace?”
“Uh, there are fifty guards stationed around the main gate… in three shifts…”
‘He even knows the number of guards?’
“When you snuck into the bedroom, how many people were in the room?”
“There was nobody in the room. Uh, and…”
Observing Latrasil’s reactions, the criminal mumbled in a shrinking voice.
“It was not the bedroom… but the office…”
‘He’s not falling for it.’
Latrasil frowned. The criminal knew the method of assassination, the shift situation, the number of guards, and didn’t fall for the trap she set in her words. It wasn’t a simple confession. But still, she couldn’t understand.
“Why did you confess?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you know what happens to the emperor’s assassins? You’ll receive a punishment so painful you’d rather beg for death. Even after death, you won’t rest in peace, and your family might be executed at worst or become slaves at best.”
“!”
“I can definitely tell you that you won’t be the kind of slave who serves the daughters of rich houses. You don’t have a family or relatives? Even if you hide it, it will come out in the investigation. They can even find relatives you didn’t know you had. Even if you are really a lonely orphan without a single relative, you must have friends or a lover, right?”
The criminal’s face paled. With a cold smile, Latrasil informed him of the chilling fact.
“According to the law, the Collective Responsibility System applies only to emperor’s assassination and treason. But I’m curious, do you know why I’m talking about friends and lovers?”
“!”
“Although they don’t fall under the Collective Responsibility System, friends or lovers can be punished as related parties.”
The criminal’s face turned as pale as if not a single drop of blood was left. As he cast his eyes down, unable to utter a word, Latrasil asked him again.
“And yet, why did you confess everything and endure all this? I’m curious about that.”
[This is the time separator]After interrogating the selfconfessed criminal for about 40 minutes, Latrasil, on her way out of the underground prison, gave her orders.
“Tie his hands loosely, then lure him into escaping the prison himself.”
The head servant and a few others who were following behind her were startled.
“Pardon?”
“You’re going to let him loose? The criminal?”
“Yes. I don’t think he’s the real culprit. But given how much he knows, he doesn’t seem completely innocent either.”
However, it was while she was heading back to the main office after giving her orders. A secretary, who had run hurriedly to her, panting heavily, delivered surprising news.
“Your Majesty. Prince Klein, Prince Klein is assaulting Guesta’s servant.”
“What?”
Only then did she recall what had happened before hearing about the assassin’s confession. Guesta and Klein had been fighting.
She seemed to have hurriedly left the scene, not wanting to take sides, just directing them to conclude the matter hastily…
“Because of that water glass?”
When Latil asked in disbelief, the knight hurriedly shook his head.
“No. This time, Guesta was struck by a water prank during his stroll.”
“!”
“The servant who saw this went to protest, assuming it was definitely Prince Klein’s doing…”
Latil made a grumbling sound and rushed to the harem.
She did think that if she left them alone, they would engage in palace intrigue on their own, but what about this outright brawl…
Entering the harem, Latil went to Prince Klein’s room. It was easy to find. The door was open, and people were anxiously gathered in front of it.
Despite the atmosphere, only Tasir from the harem was among the gathered people, and he was peeping inside with a smirk, as if he found this battleground amusing.
‘Who is going to deny that he’s an assassin. And you’re enjoying watching it.’
“Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, greetings.”
As Latil appeared, the crowd quickly parted into two. Latil passed through the two doors and went inside.
‘Oh my?’
The sight that greeted her as she entered was a spectacle. Latil put a hand to her forehead.
The one who appeared to be Guesta’s servant was lying on the floor, and Klein was forcibly pouring water into the servant’s mouth.
“Klein.”
When Latil quietly called his name, Klein finally put down the cup and backed off. It seemed like he was full of fighting spirit. So unjust, his face was flushed with rage.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
