Live-in Son-in-law-Chapter 1159: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

Qin Yi returned to the Imperial City, silently infiltrated the Royal Family, and met Qiu Tang.

Qiu Tang was in awe of Qin Yi, never before had someone infiltrated the Royal Family as if returning to their own home.

"Is Yun Mengyao alright?" This was the first question Qin Yi asked upon seeing Qiu Tang.

"You really are concerned about her."

"Nonsense, if it weren't for her, why would I bother running back and forth."

Qiu Tang was speechless, she had long seen through Qin Yi's tough facade and soft heart.

"Rest assured! Yun Mengyao is fine."

Qin Yi nodded slightly, then said, "Aren't you going to ask how my business went?"

"Surely it's taken care of, if you handled it, why should I worry. If even you can't get it done, who else could."

Qin Yi looked disdainful, "Stop buttering me up, your ways of manipulating subordinates don't work on me."

"You've misunderstood me. I truly admire your skills."

Qin Yi rolled his eyes, never believing flattery, and asked, "How are things on your side?"

"Just waiting for you to come back. In tomorrow's morning court, someone will list the Second Prince's numerous crimes, each one enough to condemn him to death."

Qin Yi nodded, "I've basically settled things on my side. Just missed one Li Ying."

"Why?"

"There's chaos at the border, Li Ying went there, I couldn't meet him."

Qiu Tang said, "It's okay, one Li Ying can't stir up any trouble."

"Alright then, I'll leave the rest to you."

"There's still one more thing," Qiu Tang said.

Qin Yi looked at her, "What is it?"

"The assassin, the one who tried to kill me that night. You know the Second Prince's circle well, who do you think has the skill to infiltrate the Royal Family and assassinate me? I need a scapegoat, and it would be best if this person is linked to the Second Prince."

Qin Yi thought for a moment, shook his head slightly, "No one. The Second Prince has many experts around him, but none with the ability to infiltrate and assassinate you."

Qiu Tang frowned slightly, "Forget it then. What we have now is enough to ensure the Second Prince's downfall. Finding a scapegoat would just be extra insurance."

"You're too confident," Qin Yi said.

"What do you mean?" Qiu Tang asked puzzled.

"The current Empress is the Second Prince's biological mother, she could dethrone you, she's certainly not easy to deal with. The Second Prince is currently under house arrest, as his mother, has there been any movement from her lately?"

Qiu Tang said worriedly, "That's exactly what I'm concerned about, I've had people watching her closely. But she's made no moves at all lately."

"If something unusual happens, there must be something behind it. Keep a closer watch, no mother would stay indifferent if her child is in trouble. I'm sure she's up to something, perhaps her actions are just too secretive for your people to notice."

Qiu Tang nodded slightly.

Qin Yi's eyes glinted, "I have a plan, but it's difficult to execute."

"Let me hear it," Qiu Tang said.

Qin Yi's eyes were sinister, "What if the one who attempted to assassinate you that night was a Black Armor Warrior?"

Qiu Tang was slightly startled, then her face changed, "The Black Armor Warriors are the Emperor's greatest support. If they colluded with the Second Prince to assassinate me, given the Emperor's character, even if the Second Prince is his son, he would not hesitate to condemn him."

"Then let's make the Black Armor Warrior the scapegoat. Since we're striking, it must be a decisive blow, leaving no chance for the enemy to recover," Qin Yi said sternly.

Qiu Tang hesitated for a long moment, "But we have no evidence of collusion between the Second Prince and the Black Armor Warrior."

"What about the current Empress?" Qin Yi asked.

Qiu Tang shook her head, "No evidence there either."

Qin Yi said, "I've heard from Susu that you were deposed because some ministers accused you of colluding with the Black Armor Warriors."

Qiu Tang's eyes turned cold, she nodded slightly, "That's right, but they had no solid proof. Otherwise, I wouldn't just be deposed, I'd be dead."

"Can you tell me how they framed you?"

Qiu Tang hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, "That night, the Emperor sent a Black Armor Warrior with a message that I was to... attend to him in bed."

Qiu Tang seemed a bit embarrassed as she spoke, paused, then continued, "In fact, I found it strange at the time. Normally, such messages are conveyed by a specific eunuch close to the Emperor. But since it was a Black Armor Warrior, the Emperor's trusted one, I didn't suspect much and got everything ready, waiting for the Emperor's arrival.

But the Emperor never came. The next day, a minister reported that I was conspiring with a Black Armor Warrior. The key point being, a Royal Family Patrol witnessed a Black Armor Warrior entering my palace."

Qin Yi was momentarily stunned, "You were deposed just because of this?"

Qiu Tang smiled bitterly and nodded slightly.

"That's too rash, isn't it?"

"You don't understand. The Black Armor Warriors are the Emperor's greatest reliance. The throne is secured because of them. Anyone conspiring with them touches the Emperor's most sensitive areas," Qiu Tang explained.

Qin Yi said, "In that case, why not find the Black Armor Warrior and confront him?"

"It's not that simple. The Black Armor Warriors are shrouded under black helmets, I never saw his true face that night. Besides, it was obviously a setup. I can only staunchly deny ever meeting the Black Armor Warrior. Those patrolling soldiers never saw his true face either, so they can't confirm who it was.

If this person is found and insists on our conspiring, I'd definitely be dead. I have no choice but to bear the injustice and deny it. At least that way, I can keep my life," Qiu Tang said with a bitter smile.

Qin Yi looked disdainful, "The Emperor is way too petty, doesn't he trust his own woman? To depose you over such unfounded accusations, it's simply ridiculous."

Qiu Tang smiled bitterly, "The whole Yunyue Empire is his, and he can have any wealth or beauty he wants. I'm just one among many of his women, insignificant. There are countless women he can have. But if the Black Armor Warriors betray him, it threatens his throne, a straightforward choice."

"Damn it, what a scumbag!" Qin Yi said with disdain.

"By the way, do you remember any traits of the Black Armor Warrior who approached you back then? Since someone set you up, that warrior must've been part of it. We should start with him. If we can find him, have him take the blame for attempting to assassinate you that night, we'll have avenged you and framed Yun Baixuan, killing two birds with one stone."

Qiu Tang shook her head slowly, "I did have people investigate afterward, but they found nothing."

Qin Yi rubbed his forehead, "They say there are a thousand Black Armor Warriors, is that true?"

Qiu Tang nodded slowly.

Qin Yi said, "Finding the one who framed you among a thousand lookalikes is indeed difficult. But think again, maybe their walking posture, habitual actions, perhaps from these clues you might identify them."