385: Chapter 385 He's Lying

Seeing that Lin Xiao was unaware, Xiao Qingxuan explained the whole story.

The Great Peacock Kingdom had the longest history among the sixteen foreign nations.

In ancient times, the region where those sixteen nations were located was filled with miasma and wild beasts.

The local people were called "Tree People" by the Central Plains because they only dared to live in the trees and didn't dare to descend to the ground.

It was a tribe from the Central Plains that developed agriculture there and civilized the local indigenous people, leading to the creation of the later sixteen nations.

And the nation established by the earliest preachers was the Great Peacock Kingdom.

Therefore, the written language of the Great Peacock Kingdom is still shared with the Central Plains, making it the small nation with the closest ties.

"Throughout the dynasties, the Great Peacock Kingdom has been very proactive in seeking marriage alliances with the Central Plains dynasties to gain their support."

"Back then, Emperor Hong married their princess, who gave birth to the First Prince Li Chengqi."

"As a mother whose status rose because of her son, that foreign princess became Consort De and was once highly favored."

"But ever since First Prince Li Chengqi was murdered, Consort De was cast into the Cold Palace."

"And Consort De is A-Lai's biological aunt."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao realized, "So, formerly Alai and First Prince Li Chengqi are cousins."

"His biological aunt and cousin losing power is what led to him being usurped by his paternal cousin?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head slightly. "I don't know much about the specifics."

"But in my impression, the old king was a wise man. Since he chose A-Lai as his successor, he must have recognized A-Lai's abilities."

"Normally, even if Consort De and her son lost power, it shouldn't have led to a sudden usurpation."

Zhao Caiwei suddenly chimed in, "Could it be that, like the Great Zheng Dynasty, they were interfered with by a third force?"

"The Heavenly Palace? Surely not. Would the Heavenly Palace even bother with a small foreign nation? Are they that bored?" Mu Wanying frowned.

Zhao Caiwei shook her head. "The Peacock Kingdom is a big player in the eyes of foreigners, but in the eyes of the nobles of the Central Plains, it's just a makeshift troupe."

"If it really came to a fight, it wouldn't even compare to a large province in the Central Plains. Toppling a throne wouldn't require the Heavenly Palace at all."

"That's true. My father once went to the foreign regions, and after he returned, he said it was too poor and chaotic, and he'd never go back," Xie Juner confirmed.

Zhao Caiwei continued, "Didn't Qingxuan say that A-Lai's father even took him to Yan City to see the Emperor of Western Shu?"

"From the perspective of the Great Gan imperial family, wouldn't this be seen as a form of 'betrayal' or 'fence-sitting'?"

Xiao Qingxuan became thoughtful. "Now that Caiwei mentions it, it is indeed possible. I overlooked that point."

"Mainly because many of the sixteen foreign nations admire the Great Zheng Dynasty, so they've always had trade relations with us in Western Shu. I've just grown used to it."

Su Wansha sighed. "So, formerly Alai's misfortune might really be because Great Gan did something behind the scenes."

"It's the Prince of Nanling. It would be quite normal for him to strike the Great Peacock Kingdom before attacking Western Shu, cutting off one of our retreat paths," Leng Bingyan huffed.

Mu Wanying felt a bit sentimental. "Speaking of which, I met Lady Consort De when I was a child. She was beautiful and kind. If not for her background, the position of Empress should have been hers."

"Later, when the First Prince had his accident, she cried and made a scene and was thrown into the Cold Palace... It's all the fault of that dog emperor, cold-blooded and heartless!"

"If you ask me, even though that First Prince had foreign blood, he was much more reliable than that foolish Crown Prince!"

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Wanying, was that Li Chengqi very outstanding?"

Mu Wanying hurried to hug the man's arm, smiling charmingly. "In front of you, Husband, he is naturally not worth mentioning. But at least he wouldn't have been a faint-hearted ruler. Unlike the current Crown Prince, who aims high but achieves little. Having lived for thirty-some years, he only knows how to do one thing..."

"What thing?"

"Waiting to become Emperor!"

The women burst into uncontrollable laughter at her words.

During their idle talk, the group arrived at the place where vegetarian meals were served.

Lin Xiao ate simply, but he seemed somewhat preoccupied.

He had just remembered something—the imperial fugitive they had captured from the Linyuan Marquis Mansion earlier, Liu Qihai.

"Wife, is that Liu Qihai... still in the Yangquan prison?"

Xiao Qingxuan was startled; she hadn't expected the man to suddenly bring up this person.

"Yes. Since you didn't give the word, Husband, we naturally haven't moved him."

"Have you questioned him about anything?"

Xiao Qingxuan said, "Liu Qihai is a witness to the Crown Prince sending people to assassinate the First Prince. He named several experts from the inner palace and said he could identify them."

"Just that?" Lin Xiao frowned. "Even if he identifies them, those people have to still be around. What about physical evidence?"

"This... he hasn't mentioned any," Xiao Qingxuan recalled.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes. "That brat is most likely lying. Send word back to have him severely tortured. It doesn't matter if he lives or dies!"

Xiao Qingxuan and the others showed looks of surprise.

"Husband, why do you think Liu Qihai is lying?"

Lin Xiao said, "You just mentioned that Consort De and the First Prince were more talented and popular than the Empress and the Crown Prince."

"But even so, the First Prince could not possibly succeed the throne because he had foreign blood, right?"

The women nodded.

"Then here's the question: since the First Prince couldn't possibly succeed the throne, why did the Crown Prince insist on killing him?"

"Moreover, he didn't kill him sooner or later, but specifically on the way to reward the border troops on behalf of the Emperor. Isn't this clearly splashing dirty water on the Crown Prince?"

"Even if we take a step back and say the Crown Prince's head was clouded by stupidity and jealousy and he sent assassins to do the job..."

"Knowing that Liu Qihai escaped, wouldn't he have wiped out the evidence? Wouldn't he have killed those assassins?"

"Taking another step back, why is it that all the other guards died, but Liu Qihai, the leader, is still alive?"

"Since he was responsible for protecting Li Chengqi, shouldn't he have been a primary target to be eliminated?"

Faced with this series of rhetorical questions from Lin Xiao, the women were all stunned.

That's right!

Thinking about it this way, the assassination of Li Chengqi didn't make sense at all!

It was just that everyone was used to the imperial family's fratricide and internal strife, and coupled with the Crown Prince's incompetence, they felt he would naturally envy Li Chengqi.

But how could organizing and plotting the murder of a prince in the Northern Territory, which was ruled by Prince Bai at the time, be so simple?

"I'll send word right away! Have them interrogate him ruthlessly!"

Xiao Qingxuan realized the severity of the situation and hurriedly stood up, intending to go to a nearby intelligence point to release a carrier pigeon.

Normally, this kind of task would be for Leng Bingyan, but since she still had to compete, she naturally couldn't run the errand.

Fortunately, with her current light-body skills, she could make the round trip in less than an hour.

"Wait a moment..."

Lin Xiao remembered something and said, "If he refuses to talk, send that Liao Meier. Perhaps she'll be of some use."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled knowingly. "Husband, you really do 'make the best use of everything.' I understand."