Confession

ball while those near the stage focused all of their attention on the flying ball in the air, raising their hands high in hopes of catching this unexpected good fortune.The moment Yao Ji raised her ha...124. Confession

124. Confession

"Your Excellency."

In the study, Ye Li put down her unfinished chess game and looked at Qin Feng who had entered the room. "What's wrong" Qin Feng said, "The assassin has confessed." Mo Hua, sitting opposite Ye Li, brightened up and also put down his chess pieces to stare fixedly at Qin Feng. Qin Feng smiled, "Your Excellency’s method indeed worked. Some of those assassins gave in yesterday noon. However, the leader of the assassination team only confessed now after enduring for so long." Ye Li nodded approvingly as she started packing up the chess pieces and board. "Bring him over here and bring his confession along with that of others too," she said. Qin Feng nodded and left.

Soon enough, a man who looked tired and haggard was brought in by two guards on either side of him. It was obvious from the bloodshot eyes and wary look he gave Ye Li that this person had reached his limit. Not eating or sleeping for several days and nights straight left both his body and spirit severely weakened. Even if she let him go, he would likely collapse outside Dinhui Palace's main gate.

Smiling as she looked at the man who was forced to kneel on the ground, Ye Li said with a slight smile, "Not having seen you for several days, how are you doing" The bloodshot eyes of the man seemed like they would spit fire out. He glared fiercely at the woman in green robe before him. Ye Li didn’t care and played with her jade bracelet as she sighed softly. “You don’t need to look at me that way. I was forced into using such methods against you. After all, my husband isn’t here. You bullying a weak woman like me with so many of you wouldn't count as fair play, would it”

The man was already mentally and physically exhausted. His ability to glare at Ye Li now showed just how strong-willed he was. Unfortunately for him, this had no effect on Ye Li who quickly stopped staring back and asked in a hoarse voice, "What do you want" Ye Li slowly wiped the smile off her face and said seriously, "Tell me who ordered you."

"I’ve already told you."

Ye Li sneered and casually threw the confession on the table with a laugh. "As for making false confessions, you’re still far from an expert. Zhuo Jing…"

The Dark Triad nodded. “Understood, I will double up on the interrogation and intelligence analysis training.”

Ye Li was satisfied as she glanced at the man on the floor. "You don’t want to say anything Alright then, go back and rest for a while. Don’t worry; I won't take your life. Let him rest for an hour before interrogating him again." Hearing Ye Li's words, the man finally changed expression. Qin Feng frowned. "Do you think his performance will be affected if we let him rest" Ye Li smiled. “An hour is sufficient, there’s no need to worry. I believe he should have a better understanding of this type of interrogation after a brief rest.”

"No! I’ll say…" The man said with an ashen expression.

Ye Li said, "That's good, who sent you Stop telling me it’s that person in the palace. Although you only confessed now, your men are not truly clueless either. Leader of a number three ranked assassin organization on the martial world rankings called Night Kill Hmm" The man paled as he stared weakly at Ye Li and said hoarsely, "Your Excellency is indeed all-powerful." Smiling, Ye Li took it as flattery and arched an eyebrow with a smile. “The answer”

The man said, "I don’t know who the other party is either. But from their appearance and accent, they seem to be Western Xiling people."

Ye Li pondered for a moment before asking, "Where did he contact you again"

The man replied, "Night Kill was operating in southern regions near Yongzhou at the time. When the other party approached us, Prince Dingtang had not yet left the capital city, so we didn’t plan on taking this job. But the person assured us that no more than a month later, Prince Dingtang would definitely leave the capital city. Therefore, they offered a huge sum of money and requested us to enter the city first and observe for them. If Prince Dingtang had not left by then, we wouldn’t have taken action. A few weeks ago, Prince Dingtang indeed departed from the capital city. We observed further for ten more days and found that those who attempted an assassination were not Night Kill. That’s why we decided to act."

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "Good work. Where is your leader"

The man was startled and looked at Ye Li in astonishment. Ye Li calmly replied, “You guys observed for ten days before acting; you are not the type to act rashly without careful consideration. I don’t believe that the previous attempts of assassins could have been carried out without assessing Prince Dingtang’s mansion's strength beforehand. To knowingly attempt something impossible This can only mean one thing: You…are not Night Kill's true leader, aren't you” Seeing the man remained silent with his head down, Ye Li ignored him and took a piece of paper from the table to write on it for a while before handing it over to Qin Feng, saying, “Take this away and question him based on what’s written here. If he still doesn’t talk after that, there’s no need to bring him back. I don't have so much patience anymore.” Qin Feng glanced at the paper in his hand and waved to a guard before leading everyone out.

Mohua stared at Ye Li and said, "Did you know from the beginning he was not the real leader If that’s the case, why waste time on him"

Ye Li smiled helplessly and replied, "Although we knew he was just a scout, we still don’t know where the rest of Night Kill is, right I think… if we can’t find these people soon, we’ll have major problems." Mohua clenched his teeth and said, “Even though that person in the palace may not be involved, they must certainly be aware of this group’s plan. The Dark Guards were obstructed everywhere while searching for them over the past few days; it had to be done by that person.” Ye Li calmly replied, "Are the Dark Guards now at a level where they can easily be hindered by palace guards" Mohua's face turned ashen and he couldn’t speak for a long time. After a moment, he clenched his teeth again and asked, “What does Your Excellency have in mind”

Ye Li shrugged and said with a smile, "No high strategy, just adaptability."

Half an hour later, Qin Feng delivered the confession of another assassin. His expression was even more stern than before. Ye Li didn’t rush to read the statement but instead asked, “Is he dead” Qin Feng shook his head and replied, “He’s not dead, just unconscious.” Ye Li nodded her head, lowered it to look at the statement in her hand, and a cold smile gradually spread across her lips, "Good…" She then handed over the statement to Mohua and Zhuo Jing. Upon seeing the statement, both their faces turned serious. Mohua stood up and said, “I will immediately recall all Dark Guards near the capital city back to the mansion!”

"Stop!" Ye Li said calmly.

Mohua angrily turned around and glared at Ye Li, "Your Excellency, clearly various factions have united their forces to attack the royal residence. If they…"

“Once they get in here, I’ll make sure none of them return,” said Ye Li coldly. Mohua was taken aback for a moment and seemed to be intimidated by the murderous aura that Ye Li was exuding without reservation at this time. He frowned and said, “Although our mansion’s defenses are strict, it is impossible to defend against so many masters simultaneously. Not only Your Excellency's safety, but also other important places within the compound…"

Ye Li smiled gently, but her words sent a chill down the spine of those who heard them, "Don’t worry about it. Send someone to tell General Sun to lead the Black Cloud Cavalry and secure all entrances and exits to the capital city. Once any assassins are spotted trying to escape, they should be killed without hesitation. The Dark Guards will station themselves at various locations around the city; if any escaping individuals are found, kill them! Furthermore, the Dark Guards near Prince Dingtang's mansion should immediately encircle it upon seeing the guards' signal from inside and prevent anyone from leaving.”

"Subordinate obeys the order," Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing respectfully said.

Mohua looked at both of them and respectfully agreed. Ye Li nodded, then said to Qin Feng: "Let your people out for training. Their first mission will be codenamed 'Annihilation'."

Qin Feng nodded excitedly, saying: "Subordinate understands, and won’t let the duchess down."

Ye Li waved her hand to dismiss them and looked up at the bright sunlight outside the window with a sigh. In just ten-odd days, Duke Ding’s mansion had turned into a sea of blood. Yet no matter what, she must protect this residence; it was not only an imposing ducal mansion but also her home.

Since Duke Ding left the capital city, influential figures in the imperial capital clearly felt a heavy and oppressive atmosphere as if a storm was imminent. Not everyone was unaware of the consecutive attacks on Duke Ding's Mansion; after all, fighting sounds weren’t small at all. However, there were no signs from the palace, leading people to understand the thoughts of the person inside. Yet occasionally, they would feel unease in their hearts. If something bad happened to Duke Ding’s mansion, it could be a very troublesome matter when he returned.

After several days, news spread that Duchess Ding was bedridden due to shock and had declined all imperial summons. With the mansion closed off to visitors, neither those who were worried nor those trying to gather information could learn about the true situation of Duchess Ding. Many people secretly believed rumors that she was seriously ill; after all, it was a teenage girl, even if very capable, without Duke Ding beside her, and having been continuously attacked for over ten days, not only women but even ordinary men would likely struggle to endure.

"My lady, Imperial Censorate's Xu Daoren requests an audience," said the head steward respectfully.

Ye Li paused in her writing, saying coldly: "No need to see him. Please ask Xu Daoren to return home. Once I recover, I will visit my aunt and uncle at the Imperial Censorate another day."

The head steward hesitated, then said: "Xu Daoren insists very much. He also said that if you don’t want to see him, he will immediately go to the palace to report on recent attacks on Duke Ding’s Mansion." Actually, there were people who reported this matter to the emperor, but all memorials were retained for further consideration and treated as though nothing happened. Some people refrained out of respect for the emperor's wishes while others had been quietly pacified by personnel from Duke Ding’s mansion. So although it was a public secret that Duke Ding’s Mansion had been attacked, everyone still pretended to know nothing in accordance with the emperor’s stance.

Ye Li fell silent for a moment before finally saying: "Please let my uncle come in."

Xu Hongyan followed the head steward in. The head steward bowed and asked Xu Hongyan to enter the study alone. Ye Li put down her pen, got up, and welcomed him with a smile: “Uncle, how did you come here”

Xu Hongyan glared at her unhappily and said: "If I don’t come, will I just leave you to die or live in Duke Ding’s Mansion"

Ye Li smiled slightly, pulling Xu Hongyan into the study and sitting down with a smile: “What is this nonsense about life or death Liye is perfectly fine. These few days must have worried uncle and aunt.”

Uncle Xu Hongyan looked at her coldly, "Do you know that we are worried and stopped your second brother from coming inside If I were to come personally today, would you still not inform the family" Ye Li had some difficulty as she said to Uncle Xu Hongyan, "Uncle, in this manor these few days…" Xu Hongyan frowned and asked, "The capital has been chaotic for quite a long time. Who among those people are sent by you" Ye Li nodded her head and replied, "There might be more chaos in the capital recently. It is better for Uncle and Auntie to be careful." Xu Hongyan frowned again as he said, "What does the emperor mean by this!"

Ye Li smiled helplessly, "How can there be other meanings He’s taking advantage of the absence of the Prince to destroy Dingguo Manor with someone else's hands. Even if the Prince returns, he cannot blame it on the emperor right At that time, either the Prince will swallow his loss or he will blame the Emperor and cause a disaster. Then, the whole Dingguo Manor would be seen as ungrateful and I might become an evil woman."

Xu Hongyan knew all of this so he was more disappointed in what the emperor did. He looked at Ye Li softly and asked, "You also cannot pretend to be sick forever Is there something you are planning"

Ye Li smiled with her eyes downcast, "I will snare them all in a net, making sure that no one would dare to take an interest in the Dingguo Manor."

Xu Hongyan looked at Ye Li in surprise. His niece seemed as gentle and warm as before but the coldness flashed across her eyes revealed she was not harmless as it appeared on the surface. Xu Hongyan sighed and said, "Is there a problem for me to stay temporarily in your manor" Ye Li frowned and replied unwillingly, "Uncle, this is impossible."

Xu Hongyan raised his eyebrows and asked, "Isn’t it said that uncles are like mothers Can I not enjoy the benefits of being an uncle then"

Ye Li smiled bitterly. She had never invited her parents even in good days out of fear that they might bring trouble to herself or Dingguo Manor which would anger the emperor. Now there was a lot of chaos and Uncle Xu Hongyan coming over could only cause more worry for him, how could he enjoy any benefits "Uncle, isn’t it fine if I invite you and Auntie into the manor in some days to enjoy your life"

Xu Hongyan looked at her neither agreeing nor refusing. Ye Li felt helpless as she patted his nose with her hand and lowered her head. She was not unfamiliar with this expression of Uncle’s, which meant that it would be useless no matter what she said since he had made up his mind already. Ye Li could only give in and asked, "Since that is the case, I will have someone clean your courtyard for you, Uncle. Qin Feng, Mo Hua."

Qin Feng and Mo Hua came over from outside and looked at Xu Hongyan respectfully as they bowed to him, "Greetings to the Prince’s Consort. Greetings to Mr. Xu."

Ye Li waved her hand and said, "You don’t need to be so courteous. Uncle can stay in the manor temporarily. Mo Hua, you take care of this." Mo Hua nodded his head and understood that she wanted him to arrange for her secret guards to protect Xu Hongyan secretly. Qin Feng asked, "Princess Consort, should we send more people over there" Ye Li replied, "Mo Hua, please arrange a few secret guards to stay by Auntie’s and Second Young Master Xu’s side at all times. No need on the Ye Manor’s side. Everyone knows that I have cold relations with my family in the capital so sending too many people might put them into danger."

"I understand, Princess Consort. I will go right away," Mo Hua nodded his head and left.

Qin Feng looked at Xu Hongyan and said to Ye Li, "Princess Consort, Mr. Xu’s courtyard is arranged in…"

Ye Li replied, "Arrange the nearest courtyard near the main one for him then. In addition, have someone go tell Feng San to speed things up. The sooner we solve these matters the better."watched as Mo Jingyu turned away with a tired expression. His wrinkled face showed sorrow and helplessness but also determination and resolve."Bring me to the palace," said Duke Huaguo after some time...