Qin Wen took a deep breath, slowly pulled a man's belt from her bosom, and presented it with trembling hands.
Zhao Yuan gestured to the jailer to bring over the belt.
He examined the belt closely, gazing thoughtfully at Qin Wen kneeling below him, and said softly, "Miss Qin, you wouldn't be telling me that this belt belongs to Physician Song, would you?"
"My lord, please let me tell you the story in detail." Qin Wen's voice trembled slightly, but she had gradually regained some composure. "That day, I was ordered by my sister to go to the side hall to ask Physician Song to check my sister's pulse. Unexpectedly, Physician Song... Physician Song was drinking alone for some reason. Physician Song, my sister, and I grew up together and are very familiar with each other. Seeing that he was in a bad mood, I drank a few cups with him."
Physician Song's words revealed a great deal of dissatisfaction with the Empress, and even... he even mentioned plotting to harm her.
Later, I couldn't hold my liquor and unknowingly passed out drunk. Little did I know, Physician Song, he took advantage of me…
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan frowned.
He scrutinized Qin Wen's every subtle expression, trying to find traces of a lie. "Continue, why did he harbor murderous intentions towards the Empress?"
Qin Wen lowered her head, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly covered by tears.
"Song Jin said that he had worked diligently in the palace for many years, but had never been given the Emperor's favor, and had long harbored resentment in his heart. The Empress was about to give birth to a prince, and if it was a prince, her position would be even more secure. At that time, Song Jin would have no chance to rise. So, he had a wicked idea and wanted to use me to get rid of the Empress. He wanted to reshuffle the harem and perhaps take this opportunity to rise to power."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan did not immediately respond, but remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering the credibility of these words.
"Do you have any evidence? Your one-sided statement alone is not convincing enough to convince the public."
Qin Wen knew that she had to produce something at this moment, otherwise it would be difficult to gain people's trust.
"My lord, Song Jin usually prepares medicine in the side hall. He once told me to add some potent drugs to my sister's medicine on the day she gave birth. The powder I used was also added under Song Jin's threat. He threatened that if I didn't do as he asked, he would spread rumors about our relationship everywhere. I... I was forced into it!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan's lips curled into a barely perceptible cold smile.
He stood up, slowly walked to Qin Wen, and looked down at her. "Do you know that the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family?"
Qin Wen's heart skipped a beat, but she still forced herself to remain calm. "My lord, everything I have said is true. If there is even a single lie, may I be struck by lightning!"
“Miss Qin, if oaths were effective, why would I need these instruments of torture? If oaths were effective, then there would be no need for the Dali Temple to exist in Daxuan.”
At this point, Zhao Yuan gestured for the guards to leave temporarily, leaving only the two of them in the interrogation room.
"Qin Wen, I'm giving you a chance. If you can truly testify against Song Jin, I will investigate. But if I discover that you are lying, you should know the consequences."
Qin Wen quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Excellency. I will tell you everything I know without reservation."
Over the next few hours, Qin Wen followed the pre-written script, describing in detail how Song Jin gradually lured her into participating in the plot to murder the Empress. She even fabricated some details, such as how Song Jin secretly met with her late at night and how he threatened her family if she did not comply.
Her words were earnest and her emotions were genuine, as if she had truly experienced it all.
Zhao Yuan, however, remained calm and discerning, not readily believing a single word she uttered. He knew the case was complex, involving palace secrets, and required utmost caution.
After the interrogation, Zhao Yuan immediately sent people to search the side hall where Song Jin lived. Sure enough, they found the medicinal herbs he had hidden in a secret compartment under the bed.
He immediately sent men to interrogate Song Jin.
On the other hand, Song Jin was also terrified after learning that Qin Wen had been interrogated.
Soon after, jailers came to interrogate him.
Song Jin kept his eyes down the whole way. When he was taken to the interrogation room, his face was as pale as paper and his expression was full of panic.
"Song Jin, do you recognize who is kneeling below?" Zhao Yuan's voice suddenly rang out from the front.
Song Jin barely managed to calm himself down. His gaze swept over Qin Wen, who was kneeling to the side, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He then turned to Zhao Yuan and said innocently, "Your Excellency, that is Qin Wen, the second young lady of the Qin family. She has been on good terms with me and Her Majesty the Empress since childhood. But recently, her behavior has been quite unusual, which I don't understand either."
Zhao Yuan's eyes narrowed, but he remained noncommittal and continued to ask, "Qin Wen accuses you of attempting to harm the Empress and forcing her to assist you. What is your explanation for this?"
Upon hearing this, Song Jin immediately knelt down, prostrated himself on the ground, and cried out in tears, "Your Excellency, please understand! This is only Qin Wen's side of the story. She is trying to frame me out of personal greed! She is jealous that the Empress is about to give birth to a prince and that her position is secure. She has also long coveted the position of Empress. So she devised this vicious plan to use me to get rid of the Empress, and then use Your Excellency's power to get rid of me. She wants to kill two birds with one stone and reap the benefits!"
"Oh? What ulterior motives does she have that would make you so certain?" Zhao Yuan raised an eyebrow, clearly doubting Song Jin's explanation.
Song Jin took a deep breath, seemingly having made a great decision, and continued, "Qin Wen has harbored fantasies about the position of Empress since childhood. She has expressed her feelings to me privately on several occasions, wanting to use my medical skills to help her ascend to the throne."
Out of consideration for our past relationship, I initially ignored her, but she became even more aggressive, even threatening my family's lives to force me to prepare some tonics for her, claiming they were for the Empress's health. Although I knew it was inappropriate, I never expected her to use this to frame me!
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