He said in a deep voice, looking at Zhou Quan and the others outside, "Seal off the news. No one is to enter or leave the Crown Prince's mansion. This news must be kept strictly confidential. No one is to speak of it."
"If even one person outside the Crown Prince's mansion learns of this, I will hold you accountable."
Zhou Quan bowed and agreed, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will not let anyone leave, and the news will absolutely not leak."
"Very good. Also, go and find Liu Xiangnan personally. Tell him to expedite the search for the killer. If the killer is not found within three days, I will hold him accountable."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Quan couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Liu Xiangnan.
Catching the killer in three days was an almost impossible task, but it was clear that Xiao An was losing his reason.
If the killer was not found, Liu Xiangnan, who had only recently been reinstated, might have to be buried with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
"Your Majesty, can the Crown Prince's true condition be revealed to Lord Liu?" Zhou Quan asked tentatively.
Xiao An thought for a long time and nodded gently.
Liu Xiangnan was already exhausted and mentally drained. Upon hearing that Zhou Quan had arrived, he forced himself to gather his spirits and sat in the reception hall, waiting for Zhou Quan.
When Zhou Quan entered the reception hall, before he could even bow, he was startled by Liu Xiangnan's appearance. Liu Xiangnan's eyes were swollen, bloodshot, and filled with worry and weariness. It was evident that he had not slept all night, and his swollen eyelids made him look as if he had been crying.
Zhou Quan felt a flicker of doubt but suppressed it and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Lord Liu."
Liu Xiangnan lightly waved his hand, "Zhou Quan, no need for formalities. What brings you to see me?"
"My Lord, His Majesty has again pressed for the capture of the killer, stating that you have three days to solve the case of the Crown Prince's assassination, or else..."
Hearing this, Liu Xiangnan sighed deeply. "When you failed to capture the culprits before, it was tantamount to letting the tiger return to the mountains. Now, His Majesty wants me to deliver the culprit in three days. I cannot guarantee it. Perhaps after three days, there will be nothing."
Zhou Quan understood Liu Xiangnan's words perfectly. It was the truth. With so many days having passed without any progress, who could guarantee that the killer would be apprehended within three days?
But this was His Majesty Xiao An's direct order. While His Majesty might go back on his word on other matters, he would certainly keep his promise on this. However, looking at Liu Xiangnan's state, Zhou Quan decided to conceal the news of the Crown Prince's death. He hesitated for a moment and said, "My Lord, the Crown Prince's condition is serious. His Majesty is anxious, please bear with him." Su Dan Novel Network
Before Liu Xiangnan could reply, Liu Kai, who was standing nearby, could no longer contain himself. He cupped his fists towards Zhou Quan and said, "Captain Zhou, we understand what you're saying, but you only know that the Crown Prince is in critical condition. You don't know that something catastrophic has also happened in our mansion."
Liu Kai's words stunned Zhou Quan. He looked at Liu Xiangnan's expression and a sense of unease suddenly filled him, as he noticed the absence of Liu Yuanwen. In the past, Liu Yuanwen was always present when he visited.
"Head Steward, what exactly has happened?"
Liu Kai sighed, "Last night, the Eldest Young Master was also struck by a poisoned arrow and died. His Lordship has not slept all night."
Zhou Quan was shocked and his eyes widened in disbelief. After several attempts, he finally bowed deeply to Liu Xiangnan, "This subordinate was unaware of this matter. I apologize for my presumptuousness in rushing you. I will report back to His Majesty immediately..."
Liu Xiangnan waved his hand, "It's fine. I do not blame you. Please relay to His Majesty that I am using Chen Xiaobei as bait to lure out the killer. If I fail, I, Liu Xiangnan, am willing to atone with my death."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Quan knelt on one knee, "My Lord, please do not take such a rash action. I will go back and inform His Majesty immediately."
He turned to leave, and Liu Kai hurried after him. Liu Kai reiterated, "His Lordship said that to prevent panic among the city's populace, the death of the Eldest Young Master is to be kept secret."
Zhou Quan nodded. This was the right approach, just like His Majesty Xiao An's handling of the matter concerning Xiao Jingyun. As long as the news was not announced, the killer would not feel at ease and would not flee immediately, thus providing an opportunity to capture them.
Upon returning to the Crown Prince's mansion, Zhou Quan went directly to see His Majesty Xiao An.
Xiao An was waiting in Xiao Jingyun's study.
Zhou Quan stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Xiao An looked up at him, "Have you seen Liu Xiangnan?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have seen Lord Liu. He is in the mansion!"
Xiao An nodded, "Did you convey my message to him?"
Zhou Quan hesitated and remained silent.
Perhaps sensing his hesitation, Xiao An looked up, "What is it?"
Zhou Quan suddenly knelt on the floor, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I, Zhou Quan, implore you with all my might to plead for the old Lord. Please rescind the three-day deadline!"
Seeing Zhou Quan in this state, Xiao An was inexplicably enraged. He raised his hand and slammed the table, "Zhou Quan, how dare you openly defy my decree?"
Zhou Quan cupped his fists again, "Your Majesty, Zhou Quan has no such intention. It is just that Lord Liu... he..."
"Why are you hesitating? Speak plainly..." Xiao An said impatiently, waving his hand.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lord Liu is experiencing the grief of losing his son. Liu Yuanwen was assassinated last night."
"To mislead the killer, the old Lord has kept the death a secret."
As he finished speaking, tears welled up in Zhou Quan's eyes.
To be honest, he was heartbroken by the death of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, but Liu Xiangnan's experience and plight moved him even more. Both his sons were dead, and his daughter was missing.
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, Xiao An was also stunned. "What did you say? Liu Yuanwen was also assassinated?"
Zhou Quan nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. He also died of poisoning. Lord Liu said that to lure out the killer, he is using Chen Xiaobei as bait and will be parading through the streets, hoping to achieve his goal."
At this, Xiao An's mind reeled. "No, no, absolutely not! Quickly send my decree. Chen Xiaobei must be given top priority protection and must not appear in public again. If anything happens to him, how will Jingfeng live?"
Zhou Quan was first stunned by Xiao An's words, then he came to his senses. That's right, Chen Xiaobei was now the驸马 (Imperial Son-in-Law), and His Majesty had just issued a decree of marriage. If Chen Xiaobei were to die before the wedding, Xiao Jingfeng would be a woman waiting for a groom who would never return.
Xiao An's urgency stemmed from his recent realization. Frankly speaking, Chen Xiaobei was far superior to the sons of princes and nobles. What was most valuable was that this marriage was what Xiao Jingfeng genuinely desired.
Therefore, Xiao An had accepted Chen Xiaobei as his son-in-law, and parading him in public was far too risky.