Chapter 252 Innocence
Minister Shen's ears were filled with the crackling sound of the whip hitting flesh and the man's pale face, which confirmed his judgment. "Yang Zhe was a top scholar and had the Crown Prince's favor. With such an opportunity, there was no reason for him to harm the Crown Prince. There are only two possibilities: either he was framed, or there was an irreconcilable conflict. If he was framed, how could the villain who harmed the Crown Prince be so sure that Yang Zhe would go to the cemetery at that time? If he was from Qi, then it would make sense."
Emperor Tai'an looked at Cheng Maoming.
Cheng Maoming looked conflicted. "Your humble servant... has a different opinion from Minister Shen."
Minister Shen's eyes widened slightly, unable to hide his surprise.
"Not long ago, maid Yu Liu disappeared. She was disguised as a shopper and left the inn. This incident is related to the remnants of the previous dynasty. Now, someone has disguised themselves as Yang Zhe, and the mask is so convincing that it can be hidden from regular friends. In my humble opinion, the possibility of two masters of disguise appearing in such a short period of time is extremely small. The two incidents must be caused by the same master of mask making."
If such masters of disguise were everywhere, the world would have been in chaos long ago.
Cheng Maoming speculated, "I'm more inclined to believe that the villain said this on purpose."
"Then why did he choose to slander Yang Zhe?" Minister Shen was a little dissatisfied.
"Among those who accompanied the Crown Prince for a drink, Yang Zhe is the most favored and trusted by the Crown Prince. Disguising as Yang Zhe gives us the most opportunities to take action. After we capture him, we can drag Yang Zhe into the water. At least there will be no loss."
Emperor Tai'an listened to the two people's different opinions and his eyes darkened.
Judging from his dealings with the Qi people over the years, this matter does not seem to be the work of the Qi people.
Was Yang Zhe wronged?
As this thought flashed through his mind, Emperor Tai'an's eyes remained cold.
When it comes to the death of the crown prince, no matter how reliable the speculation is, he will not let it go as long as it is not confirmed.
Even if it is the top scholar who has won three prizes in a row.
"Send Yang Zhe to the palace."
Before long, Yang Zhe came in with a eunuch.
After several days of imprisonment, unable to bathe or change clothes, and filled with anxiety about his future and life, it was already difficult for him to maintain basic decency. However, he walked slowly, still as tall and straight as a bamboo, and his outward dishevel could not hide his dignity.
Emperor Tai'an silently watched the young man approach and kneel down, and sighed in his heart.
Who doesn’t like such young people?
"Your humble servant greets His Majesty."
Emperor Tai'an did not let him get up. His eyes, which were as dark as ink, were enough to scare all his ministers.
"Tell Yang Xiu about the situation." Emperor Tai'an glanced at Cheng Maoming.
Cheng Maoming gave Yang Zhe a cold smile: "The person who pretended to be Yang Xiuzhuan has been found. After interrogation, he admitted that it was Yang Xiuzhuan who ordered it."
Yang Zhe was stunned.
"Yang Zhe, what do you say?" Emperor Tai'an asked in a deep voice.
Yang Zhe lowered his forehead to the ground, his voice remaining calm: "My humble servant's ancestors have all been from the Great Zhou. Your Majesty will understand."
Emperor Tai'an raised his eyebrows: "So, that person framed you?"
"I am innocent. I and the Crown Prince—" The young man, who had always been calm and composed, choked up at this moment, and in his raised eyes was a deep sadness. "I and the Crown Prince have similar personalities. In my heart, the Crown Prince is not only the crown prince, but also a friend. If I could choose, I would rather die..."
Emperor Tai'an listened quietly, his heart without any ripples.
With his status and experience, no matter how sweet the words are, they cannot shake his mind. Only real action can make him change.
"Then how do you prove your innocence?" Emperor Tai'an asked after listening to Yang Zhe.
Yang Zhe was silent for a moment, clenching and unclenching his hands at his side. "I have a clear conscience and am willing to accept interrogation."
Cheng Maoming understood Emperor Tai'an's thoughts and said with a forced smile, "I'm afraid Yang Xiuzhuan doesn't know that interrogation is at least painful, and it's not suitable for a scholar like you."
Yang Zhe lowered his eyes and said, "If it can prove my innocence, then anything is fine."
"Why bother with so much trouble?" Emperor Tai'an suddenly said, "Liu Chuan——"
Liu Chuan entered from a side door and came out with a tray soon after. He walked straight to Yang Zhe.
There was a white jade wine glass on the tray, and the wine in the glass was rippling, as if there was a bottomless whirlpool hidden inside.
"After drinking this glass of wine, I will believe in your innocence." Emperor Tai'an said lightly.
He had deep eyebrows and eyes with traces of time engraved at the corners of his eyes. His tense facial lines revealed the coldness of an emperor.
A top scholar who won the first place in the imperial examination three times in a row had a flawless background. In his opinion, if he was really from Qi, or was related to Emperor Pingle, his identity must be extraordinary.
No matter how calm and composed such a person appears in normal times, he is still afraid of death.
The higher a person's status, the more he values his life. As an emperor, he knows this only too well.
He wanted to see how Yang Zhe would react when faced with life and death.
Yang Zhe stared at the white jade wine glass on the tray, slowly reached out and held the glass in his hand.
His action made Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen hold their breath unconsciously, while Emperor Tai'an remained calm and watched coldly.
Yang Zhe gripped the wine glass tightly and looked up at Emperor Tai'an.
"If death can prove my innocence, I would be more than happy to do so. My only regret is that I cannot use my knowledge to serve my country." After he finished speaking, a bitter smile flashed across his lips, and he brought the wine glass to his lips and drank it all.
The wine glass fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Yang Zhe knelt down, and tension finally appeared on his pale face.
Emperor Tai'an raised his eyebrows and said, "I thought Yang Xiuzhuan wouldn't be afraid."
Yang Zhe's breathing became heavier, as if he was struggling. The bitter smile on his lips deepened: "I am also a human being. Everyone is afraid of death."
"Then why did you drink it without hesitation?"
"Because to me, there are things more important than death."
By this time, he felt a burning pain in his stomach, and the poison seemed to be taking effect.
"Oh, what's more important than death?"
"This is what I have always wanted to prove to the Emperor—my innocence." The young man looked pained, but his eyes were clear. "I do not wish to bear the burden of the speculation and gossip that I have murdered the Crown Prince. That is more important than death."
He covered his abdomen, and beads of sweat rolled down his white forehead and hit the mirror-smooth floor tiles.
The pain was more unbearable than I had imagined, and it was a little strange—
A sigh came from above.
"I believe you."
Yang Zhe raised his head with great effort, joy in his eyes: "Your humble servant... thank you, Your Majesty..."
Emperor Tai'an glanced at Liu Chuan.
Liu Chuan raised his lips in a friendly manner towards Yang Zhe: "Yang Xiuzhuan, do you want to go wash your hands?"
Yang Zhe was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "I——"
"Yang Xiuzhuan, please come with us."
Yang Zhe kowtowed deeply to Emperor Tai'an.
Emperor Tai'an said nothing. After Liu Chuan and Yang Zhe left, he instructed Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen, "Go and talk to that villain."
"yes."
In the interrogation room filled with the lingering smell of blood, Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen appeared in front of the man again.
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