Xia Yu rolled up his sleeves in anger.

"You lackey, do you even have the right to speak here?"

Guo Hao immediately stepped in front of Jiang Qingwan.

"Don't boss your man around like that. If you haven't done anything wrong, what are you afraid of? Are you feeling guilty?"

Some people in the crowd echoed this sentiment.

"Lord Xia, let your son undergo a test to prove his innocence."

Xia Shihui would certainly agree and urged Xia Yu to step forward quickly.

Xia Yu glared fiercely at Guo Hao.

"Wait until I finish the test, then we can talk about arson. If you dare to burn down the ancestral hall of the Prince's Mansion, you're dead today."

He placed his hand on the sphere as he spoke.

The sphere, which had been emitting a white light, suddenly changed color.

Everyone saw that his fingers were tinged with a faint blue in the halo of light.

"He really did steal the Nine Dragon Cup!"

Xia Yu stared at his hands in disbelief.

"I...I didn't steal it."

Xia Shihui was so angry that he slapped him across the face.

"You scoundrel, how dare you do such a thing? Where is the Nine Dragon Cup? It's an imperial gift! Hand it over right now!"

Xia Yu covered his face, almost crying.

"I didn't steal it. I've never seen that Nine Dragon Cup. I'm innocent."

Then, as if remembering something, Xia Shihui asked urgently, "Where did you go after leaving the manor?"

As soon as Xia Yu thought of something, he immediately pointed in the direction of the courtyard wall.

"I...I clearly remember coming here with Guo Hao, but I can't remember anything after that. Then I ended up in the alley outside. I heard someone in the Prince's mansion shouting that there was a fire, so I ran back."

Guo Hao immediately responded with an "Oh".

"So you didn't see anything at all, and you're just lying to frame me. Lord Xia, you must give me an explanation for this."

Xia Shihui was in a real bind and hurriedly bowed and apologized.

"Young Marquis, once the matter concerning my son is investigated, I will make him kneel down and apologize to you."

At this moment, Su Weichuan slowly spoke.

"There's no need to wait for the investigation to be completed. Since we didn't see it with our own eyes, it's already an accusation, and we should pay for it."

Xia Shihui's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly pulled Xia Yu down to his knees.

"Kowtowing to the young marquis until he forgives you."

Xia Yu was filled with hatred, but also with fear.

Seeing that he had gotten out of the situation, Guo Hao immediately waved his hand magnanimously.

"We were classmates. You only target me because you know you look down on me. Fine, I'm magnanimous and won't hold it against you."

This move instantly drew praise from everyone.

Su Weichuan patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"As expected of the old Marquis's son, he is sensible and broad-minded."

After he finished speaking, he looked at the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the banquet is now over. I will not see you off. Lord Xia, you and your son, please stay a while."

Xia Shihui felt as if the sky had fallen.

After everyone had left, he knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Your Highness, my son's crimes are unforgivable. I beg you to spare his life, for he is the only son of the Xia family. I am willing to give my life and follow Your Highness's lead."

Su Weichuan did not respond to him, but walked up to Xia Yu and bent down slightly.

"You just said that you didn't know why you appeared outside the manor, and you don't remember what happened during that time, is that right?"

Xia Yu, confused, timidly raised his head.

"Your Highness, everything I said is true. I did not lie."

Xia Shihui was furious.

"Even at this point, you still dare to be stubborn? I'll beat you to death."

He made a move to attack, but Su Weichuan stopped him.

"I believe him."

Xia Shihui and his son both looked at Su Weichuan with shock on their faces.

"Your Highness, you...you believe me?"

Xia Shihui asked blankly.

To be honest, he didn't believe it at all.

Xia Yu became excited.

“Your Highness, everything I said is true. Although I did not see Guo Hao set fire to the ancestral hall, I just feel that it was him. Please believe me and immediately send troops to capture that scoundrel and bring him here to be punished.”

He had barely finished speaking when Xia Shihui slapped him on the head.

Having served as an official for many years, his mind naturally works faster than Xia Yu's.

If the prince wanted to arrest someone, he wouldn't have let Guo Hao leave just now.

He adjusted his sleeves and said, “Your Highness, I believe that the young marquis is unruly and ignorant of his own limitations. He might indeed be capable of such a thing, but his motives are difficult to fathom, and there is currently insufficient evidence. Since Your Highness is willing to give my son a chance and believe what he says, why not let him investigate this matter thoroughly?”

He then knelt down on the ground.

Su Weichuan straightened up, his eyes cold and sharp.

"The old marquis and I fought side by side on the battlefield. Without any evidence, I will not harm my comrade."

Xia Shihui understood immediately.

"Your humble servant understands."

With that, he grabbed the still bewildered Xia Yu and hurriedly left.

The carriages and horses outside the mansion gate had already dispersed. The two got into the carriage, and Xia Shihui said, "After you go to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, take the initiative to go and apologize to Guo Hao."

Xia Yu's face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

"Father, even the Prince believes me, why don't you believe me? I won't go and apologize."

"Smack!"

Xia Shihui was so angry that he slapped him on the arm.

"You know nothing! If His Highness intends to investigate Guo Hao, he's definitely targeting the Guo family. Do you really think His Highness only lost the Nine Dragon Cup?"

Xia Yu wasn't stupid.

He sensed something was amiss and rubbed his arm, saying, "Dad, you mean I should use the opportunity of apologizing to get close to Guo Hao? But what am I supposed to investigate? I can't just ask him directly if he set the fire, can I?"

"Stupid!"

Xia Shihui tapped his forehead in exasperation.

"You should maintain a normal attitude and interact with him normally. Record what happens to him in his daily life and give it to your father. As for the rest, you don't need to ask any questions."

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