MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again-Chapter 1364 - 340: Secrets

"So what’s the situation? Have those criminals been caught?" Tian Shengji asked eagerly.

Yu Zequan, curious, replied, "Why is the Empress so concerned about the criminals? Why not worry about your maid, Xiao Cui?"

Tian Shengji, realizing her lapse, coughed twice and then said, "You just mentioned Xiao Cui left, so she must be safe."

"But..." Yu Zequan raised his eyebrow. "Xiao Cui is still dead, found in a dark alley."

"This..." The death of Xiao Cui saddened Tian Shengji, but her priority now was whether the Sky Family’s secret base in the Imperial Capital had been fully investigated by the Hidden Guard.

"Surely Xiao Cui was harmed by those criminals. Does Lord Yu have any initial insights on these criminals?"

Facing Tian Shengji’s inquiry, Yu Zequan bowed, "Although some clues have been found, the matter is significant, and before it’s completely determined, I cannot report to you. Unless, of course, Your Majesty issues an edict."

"Audacious!" The Second Family master reprimanded.

Yu Zequan raised his brow, "National Guardian, where have I been audacious?"

The Second Family master snorted coldly, and then said, "Before you stands the Empress, the Emperor’s consort. How dare you hide anything from her inquiries! It’s disrespectful to the Emperor of Da Qin!"

Yu Zequan chuckled at the accusation, "Forgive my bluntness, but the Hidden Guards are under the direct command of His Majesty. Besides the current Emperor, we heed no one. His Majesty specifically instructed us not to disclose any Hidden Guard information without his consent, so I ask for understanding from you both, National Guardian and Empress!"

"Let it be," Tian Shengji realized there was nothing useful to extract from Yu Zequan, who seemed to be here probing her attitude; her earlier urgency had probably led Yu Zequan to suspect that she, despite Xiao Cui’s collusion with the criminals, might not be involved. Without evidence, no one could investigate the Empress, but suspicions were inevitable. Yu Zequan’s visit was undoubtedly a test of her stance; failing to find anything would embolden Yu Zequan to hunt down evidence against her.

Tian Shengji’s thoughts were chaotic, while the Second Family master, seeing her silence, continued, "What’s your purpose in coming here?"

"Reporting to National Guardian, I am here hoping the Empress would cooperate and let us Hidden Guards search the harem, as Xiao Cui’s death is connected to the criminals. Since she resided deep in the harem, useful clues might remain. I request the Empress’s permission!"

Tian Shengji was indifferent to such a search since all potential evidence would only be found in her sleeping quarters, which the Hidden Guard wouldn’t dare search.

Hence, Tian Shengji nodded, "I will issue a decree permitting the Hidden Guard to search the harem without obstruction. Is Lord Yu satisfied?"

Yu Zequan bowed, "Thank you, Empress, but..."

"Yes? Lord Yu has more to say?"

"Empress, we also need to search your quarters; please don’t refuse."

"How dare you!" The Second Family master was furious, pointing at Yu Zequan’s nose and berating, "That is the Empress’s quarters! How can you coarse outsiders enter? It’s an insult to the Empress! Don’t misuse the trust His Majesty places in you!"

Ignoring the reprimand, Yu Zequan continued to bow to Tian Shengji, "Empress, I request your permission!"

This infuriated Tian Shengji—if they searched, surely they’d find irrefutable evidence. She hadn’t destroyed many letters of communication with the Sky Family. Such a search would be disastrous.

Immediately, Tian Shengji coldly pointed at Yu Zequan, "Have I shown too much favor to you Hidden Guards, which makes you feel emboldened?! From now on, you Hidden Guards shall not step into the harem unless I am dethroned as Empress!"

"Guards!"

With Tian Shengji’s rebuke.

"At your service!"

Two Golden armored Men quickly entered the palace, bowing to Tian Shengji.

"I hereby order all Hidden Guards to be expelled from the harem; from today onwards, none shall enter the harem. Violators shall be executed immediately without petition!"

"I obey!"

The two Golden armored Men took the order, then reached to capture Yu Zequan.

Yu Zequan evaded quickly, escaping the palace, shouting as he ran, "Empress, a clear conscience fears no ghost knocking at midnight!"

He fled, with the Golden armored Men in hot pursuit, leaving the palace.

After the commotion, the vast palace was left with only Tian Shengji and the Second Family master.

Gazing at his daughter, the Second Family master sighed, "Shengji, tell me the truth. I will find a way to help resolve this matter. But if you don’t speak honestly, being targeted by the Hidden Guard means you can’t evade their investigation. Soon, Qin Hong will strip you of the Empress title, and the Sky Family’s Second Branch will accompany you in demise."

Upon hearing her father, Tian Shengji bit her lips hard, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Eventually, overwhelmed by pressure, Tian Shengji spoke, "Father, do you remember the day Qin Hong was sent to Songhu Courtyard?"

Why bring that up now?

The Second Family master frowned, "I remember. Why?"

He couldn’t fathom why his daughter’s betrayal of Qin Hong started on that day...

The Second Family master recalled the events of that day, then...

Then... 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Suddenly, his face turned pale, "You... you..."

He pointed at Tian Shengji, his expression of horror, "Your first time wasn’t with Qin Hong?!"

Tian Shengji nodded, "That day, Tian Lishu was sent with Qin Hong. My cousin and I have always been close, familiar. Father forcing me to that City Lord’s disciple was disheartening, so I gave my first time to my cousin. But I didn’t expect my cousin to use it to blackmail me continually. I..."

In this moment, the Second Family master was silent; it was indeed a secret that could ruin Tian Shengji for life.

If news spread about her cuckolding the Emperor of Da Qin, Qin Hong’s reputation would be tarnished, and he’d surely kill Tian Shengji, implicating the entire Sky Family.

To conceal this, Tian Shengji had to work for the Mingze Domain Sky Family’s main lineage. The more she did, the higher the risk of exposure—an inevitable dead end.

Now, the Second Family master’s eyes were filled with sorrow, looking at Tian Shengji: "Daughter, no matter how you struggle, the end won’t change, alas!"

"No!" Tian Shengji shook her head, "There’s still a possibility—the Sky Family overcoming Da Qin, allowing me to return to the Sky Family. It’s our only chance of survival!"

The Second Family master fell silent at this potential; unwilling to accept it, he loved Da Qin more than the Sky Family’s main branch. Though a Second Branch member, if the Mingze Main Lineage fell, they could establish a separate lineage, not an impossible scenario!

But now it’s too late for such consideration.

Initially, the Second Family master thought he could take the blame if the threat was manageable. Even for a capital crime, Qin Hong might spare most of the Second Branch out of favor for Tian Shengji.

Yet, even admitting to collusion, Tian Shengji couldn’t be saved; the Mingze Domain would continue blackmailing her for intelligence. Such treason would eventually be uncovered—however he considered it, it seemed his daughter was beyond saving, and the Sky Family as well!