Chapter 267 The Truth Doesn't Matter

Hu Si gripped the reins with one hand, his expression urgent: "Sir, Miss Qiu Liu has been thrown into the inner prison!"

Xue Han's eyes narrowed: "Why?"

"They said they killed a palace maid from Yuchen Palace."

"That's impossible. What are the specific details?"

Hu Si shook his head: "His Majesty has handed this case over to the Imperial City Guard, and appointed Eunuch Xue to be in charge of the interrogation. I went to inquire about the situation but didn't find out anything, only that the palace maid's name was Fang Rui, and that she was—"

Xue Han replied, "The granddaughter of the treacherous minister Fang Yuanzhi?"

"Yes, it's that Miss Fang."

"Return to the city immediately."

The two men galloped into the city, and Xue Han shoved the reins into Hu Si's hand, switching from riding to running.

The February wind still carried a chill, but Xue Han felt a fire burning in his heart, making every breath he took scorching.

Upon arriving at the capital, Xue Han had no choice but to walk, no matter how anxious he was. He hurried along, not bothering to respond to those who greeted him, and ignoring the strange looks he received after hearing about Qiu Heng's situation, heading straight for the inner prison.

"Lord Xue, please wait." The imperial guards watching over the inner prison stopped Xue Han.

Xue Han did not force his way in, but calmly asked, "Is Chief Administrator Xue inside?"

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Xue Han bowed respectfully and said, "Please trouble you to pass on a message to Chief Xue."

The imperial guards, naturally not wanting to offend Xue Han, returned the greeting: "Lord Xue, please wait a moment."

A short while later, Xue Quan came out.

"Father--"

"You want to see Qiu Heng?" Xue Quan asked directly.

"Yes, I want to see her."

Xue Quan flatly refused: "No way."

"Please do me a favor."

Xue Quan took a few steps forward and stopped beside a tree. He said slowly, "His Majesty has entrusted me with the interrogation of Qiu Heng. However, everyone in the court and the palace knows that you have a close relationship with Qiu Heng. How will His Majesty view me when I am sent to see Qiu Heng at such a critical time? What will others say about me?"

Knowing he couldn't persuade Xue Quan, Xue Han lowered his eyes slightly and said, "It was my oversight. His Majesty has entrusted this matter to you for investigation, so I should avoid suspicion and prevent you from being put in a difficult position."

Xue Quan found these words somewhat agreeable and nodded, but he knew in his heart that there was more to say.

"I do not insist on seeing Qiuheng, I only ask that you tell me the specific details."

Xue Quan stared at Xue Han for a long time, then said in a slightly somber tone, "Then you must promise not to see Qiu Heng behind my back."

"I promise."

Feeling that these words were too light, and fearing that Xue Quan wouldn't budge, Xue Han raised one hand: "Your son can swear—"

Xue Quan's face darkened: "Who taught you to swear oaths so easily?"

If his oath comes true, his lineage will be cut off. Who is this scoundrel threatening?

"According to what we know so far, Fang Rui took Qiu Heng to the changing room to change clothes. Two palace maids who were guarding outside heard screams and went in. They found Fang Rui lying on the ground with a gold hairpin stuck in her neck. Before she died, she said that Qiu Heng was the one who killed her..."

Xue Han listened quietly and bowed: "Thank you for informing me, Father. I hope you will take good care of Qiu Heng and spare her from physical suffering."

Xue Quan smiled and said, "Don't worry, we won't need to use torture on her."

There are certainly some doubts about the current situation, but does it matter? Consort Yu said that Fang Rui was killed by Qiu Heng, and the Emperor is happy to believe it.

"Then I'll take my leave." Xue Han bowed deeply and turned to leave.

Xue Quan was somewhat surprised to see Xue Han leave so decisively.

Is he attentive to Qiuheng, or not?

He entered the inner prison with doubts, stood in front of Qiu Heng, and someone presented him with a written confession as soon as he stretched out his hand.

"Qiuheng, you're a smart person. Just sign the document and you can get some rest."

Qiu Heng glanced at the confession, her lips tightening: "Is Eunuch Xue skipping the interrogation process and going straight to the result?"

Xue Quan waved his hand, and the others present silently withdrew, leaving only him and Qiu Heng in the interrogation room.

"I already asked the questions I needed to before I went out."

Qiu Heng raised her hand: "I am wearing a light-colored, wide-sleeved top today. If I had killed Fang Rui with a gold hairpin, there would have been bloodstains on my clothes."

Xue Quan said coldly, "That's not necessarily true. Everyone knows that Miss Qiu is agile and capable of escaping from the encirclement and pursuit of hundreds of people in Xijiang."

“I said there was something wrong with the incense burner, and then someone knocked it into the auspicious vat. This is not a coincidence, but the destruction of evidence.”

"Whether it's destroying evidence or not, Miss Qiu can't prove it now." A sneer flashed in Xue Quan's eyes. "Miss Qiu, as I just said, you're a smart woman. Signing the document early will save you some trouble."

Qiu Heng's confession was the outcome Consort Yu desired, and what Consort Yu wanted was exactly what the Emperor wanted. Since the Emperor entrusted this matter to him, he naturally wouldn't disappoint him.

Moreover, this is something he would like to see.

I was already annoyed that my trip to Xijiang had tied my adopted son and this girl together, but now things have taken a turn for the better.

Qiu Heng smiled and said, "So, the facts aren't really important."

"Sixth Miss Qiu, you can't say that."

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes and fell silent.

Xue Quan wasn't in a hurry to do anything, and said calmly, "Miss Qiu, please think it over carefully."

The messenger to the Yongqing Earl's residence was a young eunuch.

"Miss Qiu is suspected of murdering a palace maid from Yu Chen Palace. She is currently imprisoned in the Imperial City's inner prison. We hope the Earl's residence will be aware of this." The young eunuch delivered the message and turned to leave.

"Wait!" The old lady called out to him, took a few steps forward and stuffed the entire money bag into the young eunuch's hand. "Please tell me what happened, sir. My granddaughter is not an impulsive person and would never do such a thing in the palace."

The young eunuch gripped the money pouch tightly, and though his tone was harsh, he still managed to say a few more words: "...Fang Rui said herself before she died that two palace maids were present..."

"It must be Fang Rui who framed my granddaughter—"

"Oh dear, Madam Yongqing, you have no right to say such things to a lowly eunuch like me. Besides, who would risk their life to frame someone?" The eunuch scoffed and quickly left.

The old lady swayed slightly, then gripped her auspicious cloud-patterned cane tightly.

After a moment of stunned silence, the Earl of Yongqing gasped and stared intently at the old lady to confirm, "Sixth Miss is in jail again?"

The old lady was in a state of confusion, but Yongqingbo's question calmed her down a bit. She frowned as she looked at Yongqingbo, who had a look of fear on his face.

"Sixth Miss only killed a palace maid. She should pay with her life. This time, it shouldn't implicate the Earl's mansion..." Earl Yongqing murmured to himself, not waiting for the old lady's reply.

We can't just arrest him again, can we?

"Are you even speaking human language?" The old lady's worry turned into anger, and she raised her cane to strike Yongqing Earl.

Master Qiu staggered over: "Mother, I need to go and inquire about Heng'er's situation."

While dodging the old lady's blows with her cane, Yongqing Bo scolded his son, "What can you do? Stay home and behave yourself!"

Taking advantage of Yongqing Earl's distraction, the old lady struck him on the calf with her cane, ignoring his screams: "Go. Eldest son, second son, both of you go!"