Chapter Forty-Three: The End

Karasu’s words made Zhu Yu burst out laughing, and he retorted, “What else could it be?”

Karasu clasped his hands respectfully. “Otherwise, I fear Your Highness may regret refusing the marriage alliance with the Eastern Isles.”

“So, you’re threatening me? Want a concubine? Why not have your princess become empress while you’re at it?” Zhu Yu was incredulous—was this man out of his mind?

“I wouldn’t dare threaten Your Majesty,” Karasu replied. “I have studied all the marriage alliances of the Kingdom of Peace. The foreign princesses are always granted the title of noble concubine, so the Princess of Izumo should not be treated any less. Moreover, I have studied the imperial calendar and learned that the day after tomorrow is the most auspicious day for weddings this year. It is proper for the Empress Dowager to meet her today, and, in accordance with Han customs, issue the decree to accept Princess Rishou in marriage. May I ask, Your Majesty, can the Empress Dowager meet Princess Rishou at three quarters past noon today?”

Zhu Yu let out a genuine laugh this time. “Etiquette, you say? Do you understand etiquette? Standing here and uttering such nonsense to me. But I won’t blame you—those with ulterior motives rarely remember proper conduct.”

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?” Karasu’s ever-unchanging expression finally shifted at Zhu Yu’s words.

Zhu Yu ignored him and turned to Cao Zhengchun at his side. “I’ve always heard there’s nothing the Eastern Bureau can’t uncover. Karasu and Princess Rishou are in your hands now. I want to know everything!”

“Your servant accepts the order. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will not disappoint you.” Cao Zhengchun was overjoyed; to him, this was a gift from heaven.

Hearing Zhu Yu and Cao Zhengchun’s exchange, Karasu’s patience snapped. He lunged forward with a ghostly speed, aiming straight for Zhu Yu.

The instant Karasu moved, Zhu Wushi stepped in to block him. With a quick turn of his eye, Zhu Wushi struck Karasu’s shoulder, inflicting a serious injury, but Karasu’s charge did not falter—he moved even faster.

At that moment, Cao Zhengchun was bowing to Zhu Yu, his back to Karasu. Yet his mastery was not for nothing; his ears caught Karasu’s position instantly. Normally, a turning punch would have killed Karasu, but with his back turned, Cao Zhengchun couldn’t guarantee a flawless strike. Instead, he stood tall and blocked Zhu Yu, prepared to take the blow and subdue Karasu afterward.

But Cao Zhengchun was surprised—the expected attack never came. Turning, he saw Karasu’s hand poised like a blade, a hair’s breadth from striking him. Looking up, he saw Karasu’s wrist gripped firmly by a hand, its deep blue hue betraying its ruin. What shocked Cao Zhengchun was that the hand belonged to the emperor!

All three—Cao Zhengchun, Zhu Wushi, and Karasu—were stunned.

Karasu was shocked that Zhu Yu knew martial arts.

Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, who frequented the palace and were themselves grandmasters, knew the emperor had begun training recently, but never imagined his skill would be so formidable!

Judging by his aura, Karasu was at least a mid-tier elite, yet the emperor subdued him with one hand!

“What are you standing around for? He’s yours now, and don’t let that Princess Rishou escape either. If she does, bring me your head,” Zhu Yu snapped, breaking the silence.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle this beautifully. And forgive my blindness—I’ve served at your side day and night, yet never saw you were a peerless genius. Had I realized sooner, you’d already be a grandmaster,” Cao Zhengchun pledged, unable to resist a note of admiration.

“Enough flattery. Just do your job,” Zhu Yu replied impatiently, though a hint of concealed delight flickered across his face, showing that the seasoned grandmaster’s praise was not unwelcome.

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Three days later, Cao Zhengchun presented his findings to Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu dispensed with formalities. “What did you uncover? Speak quickly.”

Cao Zhengchun bowed. “Your Majesty, Karasu was extremely tight-lipped—I learned nothing from him. But there was great progress with Princess Rishou. After interrogation, it turned out she was an imposter—a man in disguise. And the Empress Dowager was not killed by them.

I gleaned more: their purpose was to assassinate Your Majesty. The one posing as Princess Rishou was a master of disguise. Their original plan was to strike during the wedding night. But when the Empress Dowager suddenly died, they were forced to change course.

The revised plan had Karasu enter the palace to force a marriage, while the fake Princess Rishou impersonated the Empress Dowager, waiting for a chance to assassinate you.

During the interrogation, I discovered they hid much about their backgrounds. I was preparing to continue when, unexpectedly, Karasu broke free of his restraints, killed the impostor, and committed suicide.”

Cao Zhengchun’s report made Zhu Yu’s face darken. What use was this? The events were detailed, but the unknowns remained just as unknown.

He had barely begun to scold Cao Zhengchun when Zhu Wushi requested an audience from outside.

Zhu Yu shot Cao Zhengchun a fierce glare, then summoned Zhu Wushi in.

“Uncle, what brings you here?” Zhu Yu asked directly.

Zhu Wushi glanced at the bowed Cao Zhengchun and said, “Your Majesty, the Dragon Guard Manor’s agents found several unidentified corpses in Yizhou. Upon investigation, two were Karasu and Princess Rishou of Izumo. The weapon that killed them was a meteor dart.”

“Meteor dart?” Cao Zhengchun echoed thoughtfully.

“You know of this weapon?” Zhu Yu asked, catching his remark.

“Yes, Your Majesty, the meteor dart is a concealed weapon used only by the top ninja of the Eastern Isles. So, the assassins were not from Izumo, but from the Eastern Isles.”

“After the fact,” Zhu Yu said irritably at Cao Zhengchun’s conclusion.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, Dragon Guard Manor will get to the bottom of this. I won’t just talk—unlike some,” Zhu Wushi promised.

“That’s rich, coming from you. You always boast Dragon Guard Manor’s intelligence is unrivaled, the best of the four agencies. Yet how did the Eastern Isles’ elite enter the realm without a word from you?” Cao Zhengchun retorted, unable to stand the mockery.

“Enough. Let my uncle handle this,” Zhu Yu declared, cutting off their argument.

To Zhu Yu, knowing the culprits hailed from the Eastern Isles was enough. As for the investigation? It mattered little who he assigned—he trusted Zhu Wushi’s abilities, yet doubted anyone would uncover much.