Extra 16
168.
The murder mystery ga began according to the procedure, starting with each person introducing themselves.
First to speak was Lord Lu, a man above tens of thousands.
Lu Haochu cleared his throat and squeezed his voice to say, Im sure you all know . I am Grand Eunuch Lu, the Emperors close confidant and personal attendant.
He embodied his role fully, portraying it vividly.
This sentence caused the two girls to cover their mouths and burst into laughter.
Lu Haochu continued, I take care of the Emperors daily life, food, and drink Last night, I saw the General, the Pri Minister, and the Prince all paying their respects to the Emperor in succession. Then, the Emperor summoned Lady Zhang to attend to him. I spent the whole night outside the palace, keeping watch, but I didnt see anyone enter or leave.
The Pri Minister beside him skeptically asked, So, the Emperor disappeared, and you dont know where he went?
Lu Haochu protested, No matter how closely I watched, I couldnt possibly see through the bedcovers. The one who shared the bed with the Emperor last night was Lady Zhang.
Next ca Lady Zhangs self-introduction
Su Hui listened attentively, taking notes and analyzing.
He wrote while contemplating how to make others overlook him as the culprit and how to shift the bla.
First, he needed to understand the motives of the others to determine a strategy for shifting the bla based on the information.
This murder mystery was set in a palace, with characters from the court, so naturally, they were all influential figures. Many of them had reasons to want to kill the Emperor.
The grand eunuch who held sway over the palace, the favored concubines, the ambitious Pri Minister, the powerful General, and his own roleall the characters setups already indicated the authors intentions.
It seed like each character was just a step away from higher authority.
However, the power struggle seed too obvious; it was definitely just the surface motive.
The true motive would be hidden underneath.
In such gas, several characters often have motives, and during voting, when players decide who is more likely the culprit, an essential factor cos into playthe urgency to commit the murder.
By weakening the urgency for the Regent, the urgency for the other characters motives becos stronger, and it makes him safer.
Su Hui looked down at the script he had received. His reason for committing the murder was written there:
This year, there had been droughts and locust plagues. The Regent had repeatedly requested disaster relief funds, but the Emperor had consistently rejected them, granting only a small sum and even planning a grand birthday celebration.
The peasants on the brink of entering the capital were forming a rebellion, and so had even started collaborating with foreign enemies. anwhile, the palace remained caught in its own web of intrigue, with the nobles reveling in luxury.
The first wave of peasants had already entered the capital.
To prevent further suffering, the Regent had to kill the Emperor, or else the downfall of the entire capital was imminent.
As the Regent, he had no power to quell the storm, leaving him no choice but to resort to a sche to seize the throne.
Reading up to this point, Su Hui felt a bit sympathetic towards this character.
If only the Emperor were more reliable; the Regent might not have resorted to such asures.
Afterward, Su Hui began a ticulous analysis.
The hints that he was the murderer were actually hidden in the opening lines, but many people wouldnt scrutinize these details. Most would consider the opening lines as just setting the scene, overlooking any hidden aning, and quickly move past them.
Only those familiar with advanced gaplay would ticulously study every word and sentence, discovering the subtle clues.
The fact that he was the murderer would likely also be presented in other parts of the script and the props.
For instance, the script of the Pri Minister might contain a detailed description of the current situation in the capital.
Looking at the young man playing the Pri Minister, Su Hui felt relieved. He didnt seem like a seasoned player; if he hadnt played many murder mysteries, he might ignore the hints concealed within the script.
The Regents motive was a result of the larger circumstances, while the apparent urgency seed to stem from personal enmity or revenge.
If another character had strong personal enmity or was in a life-threatening situation, it would be more suitable to shift the bla to them.
However, the bla-shifting couldnt be too obvious; it had to be a single, decisive move.
Several people introduced themselves, and it was finally Su Huis turn.
As Su Hui stepped forward, he began, Today, I invited Inspector Lu to join us.
This statent substituted one person for another, revealing the character dynamics.
Su Hui subtly planted suggestions into the minds of the others, bringing himself closer to the detective role.
By revealing that he had invited the inspector himself, he took a bold step in manipulating perceptions. How could soone who had actively called for the inspectors help be the audacious murderer?
Su Hui continued, The Emperor ascended to the throne at the age of twelve, and Ive been assisting him since thirteen years ago, serving as the Regent. I am the person the Emperor trusts most, and he consults on all matters, big and small. Last night, I visited the Emperor after the Lord, and we discussed court affairs for a while. Later, I left. When I left, the Emperor was perfectly fine, and everything was normal.
According to the testimonies of the others, Lady Zhang was likely the last person to see the Emperor. She woke up in the middle of the night and found the Emperor missing from the palace. In a hurry, she summoned the eunuch guarding the hall, Lord Lu, but no one had seen the Emperor, so she hastily sought the Regents presence in the palace.
At this point, the script introduced a plot twist. A eunuch who was outside the palace encountered the Regent at the palace gate and urgently ushered him inside.
As a detective, Lu Suyu noticed this detail and asked Su Hui, How did the Regent manage to enter the palace so quickly? Were you forewarned about the Emperors disappearance?
Su Hui explained, As the Regent, Im usually the first to arrive every morning and often discuss matters with the Emperor before the morning court session.
Lu Suyu further inquired, What were you planning to discuss with the Emperor?
With Lu Suyus question, Su Huis response would differ from what was in the script. If he were any other character, he would answer according to the script. Lately, he had been discussing arrangents for the displaced peasants and relief efforts with the Emperor, but telling the truth might lead to his exposure. As the murderer, he had the privilege to lie. Now, he hadnt chosen a specific scapegoat yet and began casting bla around.
He lowered his head and replied, Border conflicts. I received a battle report last nightenemy forces have been invading the borders.
One bla was shifted onto General Lis shoulders. It seed that General Li might have received advance information and was suspected of collusion.
Lu Suyu acknowledged with a nod, jotting sothing down on paper.
After everyone had introduced themselves and their tilines, the ga moved on to the collection of clues and simple investigations.
The setup even included a replica of the Emperors dragon throne, study, and sleeping chamber. Each person had their designated investigation area.
As clues were found one by one, the situation beca less straightforward.
Three days before the Emperors disappearance, a masked figure dressed in black had infiltrated the palace in an attempt to assassinate the Emperor. The culprit had left an arrow behind, inscribed with the Pri Ministers seal.
Although Lu Haochus character held a high position in the palace, he had been a target of criticism within the court. Not long ago, while the Emperor was admiring flowers in the rear garden, he had docked Lus salary for the month over a minor incident and even promoted a young eunuch, hinting at his replacent.
Lady Zhang also faced various crises. With the harem unattended, her family held significant power and she was a popular candidate for Empress. Yet rumors circulated in the palace that she had been unfaithful. A mysterious white powder had been found in her sleeping chamber.
General Li, with control over the military, was soone the Emperor had long wanted to weaken. She possessed a jade pendant suspected to belong to an enemy general.
The Pri Minister had taken bribes, managed disaster relief poorly, and created financial deficits, fearing the Emperors reproach.
After reviewing the clues he had gathered and visiting the Emperors study, Su Hui deliberately placed his own dissenting morial in a discreet spot, among others, where it wouldnt stand out.
However, Lu Suyu discovered the morial as evidence and placed it on the table.
The Emperors response was ruthless, rejecting not only the Regents plea but also blocking aid to the disaster-stricken.
This morial exposed the Regents direct motive.
Yet this motive wasnt conventional, and it seed other players hadnt realized it by this point.
With the investigations completed, the group started their deliberation. A staff mber, dressed like a palace maid, opened the door, carrying pastries and beverages.
The maid curtsied, saying, Esteed guests, youve worked hard on solving the case. These pastries and drinks are gifts from our establishnt. Please enjoy.
Thats perfect timing. Im a bit hungry, Lu Haochu remarked as he picked up a piece of mung bean cake and began eating, even lifting his pinky finger, fully imrsing himself in the role.
Others also got their afternoon tea. The actress portraying the Empress picked up a handful of lon seeds.
Su Hui fetched a few nuts, not eating them but playing with them in his hand. Then, he took a cup of hot tea.
Only Lu Suyu ordered plain water. He wrote the character relationships on a whiteboard, organizing the connections and various clues professionally.
When he got to the Regents character, he drew a question mark next to it.
Su Hui beca increasingly aware that he seed to have attracted the attention of this Inspector.
Everyone ate, drank, and began sharing the clues they had found during the investigations.
Next ca the most exciting part: the revelations and exposing each others secrets.
They began by discussing the markings on the arrow.
The Pri Minister imdiately countered, This definitely isnt mine. Who would try to assassinate soone and use an arrow with their own emblem so conspicuously? Its like leaving a logo behind for everyone to see.
Lu Haochu asked, What if you had planned to explain it exactly like that to the Emperor, as an excuse?
Su Hui pretended to speak impartially, The Emperor is naturally suspicious. Soone might have wanted to fra the Pri Minister.
Lu Suyu also sealed this conclusion with his agreent, The arrow definitely doesnt belong to the Pri Minister.
Everyone nodded and began discussing who might have frad the Pri Minister.
At the scene, only Su Hui knew the truth: he was the one who attempted the assassination, deliberately using the Pri Ministers emblem to cast suspicion on him. However, during the preparation of the tools, he accidentally left a half-finished piece with the sa emblem at his residence.
Su Hui had found this crucial piece of evidence, which other players hadnt. Now he proactively revealed it, and no one suspected him anymore.
He cast another scapegoat, took a sip of tea with his head lowered, and when he looked up, he saw Lu Suyu staring at him.
Su Hui lowered his head again.
The subsequent plot beca even more intricate, featuring so unexpected twists.
The Empresss secret lover was General Li?
In fact, they were just very close friends, and General Li was trying to help the Empress escape from the palace?
General Li was actually pregnant, and the child was the offspring of an enemy general? They were truly in love?
Lord Lu was a fake eunuch; he was actually a loyal noble whose whole family had been frad by the Pri Minister. The Emperor ordered their execution, while the others were exiled. Lord Lu entered the palace with the intention of seeking revenge?
After finding the evidence, Lu Haochu revealed his identity as the fake eunuch, feeling triumphant.
He was quite active in this round, clearly enjoying himself and generating a lot of laughter. He had injected humor into the situation, making everyone laugh along.
The Pri Minister, fearing suspicion about embezzlent of disaster relief funds, didnt offer much analysis about the dostic situation, which eased Su Huis worries. As he watched everyone bantering, he felt like he was watching a lodramatic soap opera, slightly exaggerated but well set up. Everyones acting skills were excellent.
At this point, the script arrived at another plot point.
The partition of the secret chamber was opened, and a dummy wearing dragon robes fell in.
Lu Haochu rushed over and shook the dummy, wailing, Emperor, what happened to you?!
Finally, there was a body, which would greatly assist in finding the murderer.
A doctor-like NPC ca to examine, saying, The Emperor was poisoned and has been dead for a while. I am powerless to reverse this. Our forr Emperor has passed away, wiping a few tears.
Lu Suyu led a few players to the place where the body was laid out. They stripped the dummys clothes, leaving nothing behind, not even underwear.
Finally, Lu Haochu shouted, Please spare the Emperors dignity
Li Yanyan pushed him, Wow, even now youre concerned about the Emperors dignity. Could it be youre the murderer and afraid we might discover sothing?
Laughter rippled through the group again.
On the sidelines, Su Hui calculated the situation. Originally, he had planned to change his strategy this round, not shifting the bla onto Lu Haochu. This way, he would naturally have Lu Haochus voting support.
However, Lu Haochus character had a complete motive, and he was very active. Passing the bla to him was the best choice. Su Hui was about 80% confident he could deceive the others this way. Still, this would arouse Lu Haochus suspicions, as well as that Inspector
To throw the bla seamlessly, he needed to co up with a plan.
Though Lu Suyu didnt say much, he occasionally glanced at him, giving Su Hui a sense of playing against a worthy opponent.
As the murderer, winning the ga ant guiding the majority of players to vote incorrectly.
Although a few elite players might see through everything, if the murderer could secure the votes of most common players, they could still win.
In other words, the outco and direction of the ga were decided by the common players.
Ti quickly passed, and the ga had already been underway for two hours.
In the final self-defense phase, everyone pulled out all their tricks, asserting that they werent responsible for the Emperors demise.
The Empress even ntioned she had planned to poison the Emperor, but before she could, he disappeared.
General Li claid she couldnt have attempted assassination due to her pregnancy, asserting her innocence.
Lu Haochu stated his direct enemy was the Pri Minister, and killing the Emperor wasnt his primary goal.
When it ca to Su Huis turn, he began, In fact, during the investigation, so clues were found. Todays interrogation was a sche between and the Emperor. The late Emperor suspected that soone wanted to kill him, so he had cooperate. He intended to hide in the secret chamber and observe who the murderer was. Thats also the reason why I was able to arrive at the palace in ti
He chose to half-reveal so plot details, not saying everything explicitly but shifting the suspicion onto those in the palace.
Upon hearing this, the crowd received new information, leading to another intense discussion.
Lu Suyu raised his head sharply and asked Su Hui, So you an, Lord, you already knew the Emperor was hiding in the secret chamber?
Su Hui calmly admitted, Yes. But obviously, I wasnt the only one aware of this. The plan for the Emperor to enter the secret chamber was discovered and exploited by soone.
Theres an unwritten rule in murder mystery gas that the decisive conditions wont be t by only one person; otherwise, the murderer would be too obvious. Others likely knew about this plan, making it highly probable that the person was the murderer.
Going by regular reasoning, the Empress and the eunuch were the most suspicious, but the Empresss motives were insufficient.
In this case
Lu Haochus suspicion beca the greatest. Seeking revenge for family and self-preservation. His self-defense also lacked conviction.
While Su Hui didnt explicitly state who else was suspicious, Lu Haochu still felt several glances were directed at him.
He sensed a familiar pattern
Lu Suyu stood up, opened his fan, and began to summarize, Ti is almost up. Next, we will proceed to the voting. As the detective in this case, I want to remind everyone that I believe the environnt of the case, the background of the entire story, is crucial. With internal and external troubles, various signs indicate that this Emperor isnt a benevolent ruler. Sotis, in such tumultuous circumstances, the Emperors passing might not necessarily be a bad thing. The culprit might not be acting out of malice either. Therefore, please treasure your vote, cast it for the true culprit, and win the ga.
Su Hui thought to himself that Lu Suyu indeed saw through everything. Those words were quite suggestive, just stopping short of outright accusing him of being the murderer.
Without Lu Suyu, his chances of winning today might have been around 80%, but now, with Lu Suyu having hinted a few tis, Su Hui felt his winning odds wavered around 50%. He wasnt sure if he could successfully escape.
The selected culprits were written on pieces of paper and placed into the box, awaiting the revelation of the answer.
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