Lu Xingzhou is a prince, and Fang Zhiran himself is also a marquis, but there is a difference between a marquis and a prince. Fang Zhiran is very clear about his status as a marquis, which means nothing among all the dignitaries in Wangjing City.
But Lu Xingzhou was a child of destiny, and he could never understand Fang Zhiran's pain.
What’s more, Lu Xingzhou married Shen Liyue.
This was the person that Fang Zhiran had been thinking about but dared not say out loud, and yet she married Lu Xingzhou.
If Chen Liyue was not doing well, Fang Zhiran would feel sorry for her, but he might still feel a little more balanced. But now, seeing Chen Liyue and Lu Xingzhou together every day, Fang Zhiran felt even more uncomfortable.
He felt bad because he was worried that Shen Liyue was not doing well.
He was worried that Shen Liyue would live too well, which would make him feel even more uncomfortable.
What Lu Xingzhou just said was like a heavy punch to Fang Zhiran. It was completely different from what he had thought before.
In fact, it was He Yinxue who came up with the idea of cooperating with the second prince.
He Yinxue said, "Since the Marquis is not valued by Prince Yi, then we should think of other ways. As the old saying goes, 'A good bird chooses a good tree to roost in.' There are more than one prince in Wangjing."
Fang Zhiran originally disagreed, but he could not resist He Yinxue's persuasion. He Yinxue thought very simply that all these changes were due to Lu Xingzhou. If Lu Xingzhou died, all problems would be solved.
Fang Zhiran didn't know how He Yinxue contacted the second prince, and he reluctantly established this relationship.
Originally, Fang Zhiran had discussed a plan with He Yinxue to escape unscathed, but when the action took place that day, Fang Zhiran, overcome with rage, drew his sword in desperation. Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back. With the situation now at hand, Fang Zhiran is undeniably to blame.
Seeing Fang Zhiran's dejected look, Lu Xingzhou said coldly, "You were instrumental in retaking Luancheng, but this assassination attempt is very serious. Even if I want to spare you, it depends on your performance."
Fang Zhiran's eyes lit up, then he shook his head dejectedly: "I assassinated the prince, my crime is unforgivable, I dare not make any more excuses."
Lu Xingzhou said, "Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about the Yong'an Marquisate. Even if your position as Marquis is lost, do you want your mother to be implicated as well?"
Fang Zhiran looked up at Lu Xingzhou, tears welling up in his eyes.
Although he also had some opinions about his mother, she was the one who gave birth to him and raised him. His father passed away early, and it was his mother who raised him to this age. He saw how difficult his mother's life was over the years. If his mother was implicated because of his fault, wouldn't he be a sinner for all eternity?
Fang Zhiran collected his thoughts and stopped struggling. He said calmly, "Your Highness, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."
Seeing that Fang Zhiran was willing to cooperate, Lu Xingzhou's tone softened a little.
Lu Xingzhou winked at the civil servant who was taking notes, and the civil servant picked up the brush to take notes.
"I'm asking you, how did you get involved with the Second Prince?"
Fang Zhiran hesitated for a moment. At that moment, he still wanted to protect He Yinxue. After all, He Yinxue was his woman.
"Tell the truth. This is your chance to redeem yourself from your crimes. But even if you don't, I will send someone to investigate, and I won't be questioning you this way."
Fang Zhiran had no choice but to say, "It was my...concubine, He Yinxue. She contacted the Second Prince through the monk Shi Nan from the Fahua Temple."
Lu Xingzhou continued to ask, "Then were you involved in the assassination of He Zan that day?"
Fang Zhiran knew that Lu Xingzhou was giving him a chance, otherwise Lu Xingzhou could have directly convicted him. After all, he really had secret dealings with the second prince.
But Fang Zhiran was truly unaware of this matter, so he shook his head: "I don't know about this matter. The Second Prince only said that he would take action against the prince, and did not inform me of the assassination of Prince Hezan."
Lu Xingzhou nodded. He had just realized that he had read the correspondence between Ran and Lu Yu'an, and there was indeed no mention of He Zan's assassination.
As long as it does not involve the fundamental interests of Da Chu, Lu Xingzhou is still willing to let Fang Zhiran go.
However, Lu Yu'an sent Shi Nan to assassinate He Zan in an attempt to destroy the alliance between Da Chu and Jin, which was something Lu Xingzhou could not tolerate.
"What did Lu Yu'an promise you?" Lu Xingzhou asked again.
Fang Zhiran glanced at the civil servant who was taking notes, and Lu Xingzhou said, "Record it truthfully."
Fang Zhiran had no choice but to say, "The Second Prince promised that if he ascended to the throne in the future, he would grant me the title of Duke of the State. I can be considered to have served the emperor well."
Lu Xingzhou touched his chin. The position of Duke Zhenguo was indeed very tempting, but Lu Xingzhou was almost certain that Lu Yu'an would not fulfill his promise.
After asking Fang Zhiran, Lu Xingzhou stood up and said, "This king promises to spare your life, but you can no longer keep your title of marquis. When this is over, this king will set you free. You can live a good life with your mother."
Fang Zhiran looked up at Lu Xingzhou, knowing that all this was his own fault, but there was nothing to say, so he kowtowed heavily.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for not killing me."
Lu Xingzhou came out of the prison and happened to meet Shen Liyue who was coming here.
Shen Liyue came here specifically after hearing the news that He Yinxue was arrested. Although it was not convenient for her to interfere in official matters, she and He Yinxue were old acquaintances after all, and they also had a fatal grudge in their previous life, so Shen Liyue had to come.
Lu Xingzhou knew the relationship between He Yinxue and Shen Liyue, so he was not too surprised to see Shen Liyue.
"Prince." Shen Liyue called out softly.
Lu Xingzhou asked, "Do you want to interrogate He Yinxue with me?"
Shen Liyue nodded, and Lu Xingzhou happily agreed.
Lu Xingzhou and Shen Liyue entered the interrogation room one after another. He Yinxue had already been taken out of the cell by the guards.
Seeing Shen Liyue, He Yinxue's eyes revealed a hint of resentment.
"Hey, isn't this my big sister? Why didn't I see you when I looked for you in the barracks before? Do you prefer to meet in the prison?"
Lu Xingzhou frowned when he heard He Yinxue's sarcastic words. Before Lu Xingzhou could speak, Shen Liyue said:
"Don't call me big sister, we are not related at all."
He Yinxue chuckled: "Yes, the He family is now in decline, so naturally I can no longer be related to the princess."
Chen Liyue said: "It has nothing to do with the He family. The Shen family has long been separated. Even if Chen Lijiao is still alive, I have nothing to do with her, let alone you."
He Yinxue paused. What Chen Liyue said was correct. She was from the He family and was somewhat related to Chen Lijiao, but she was indeed more distant from Chen Liyue.
But Shen Liyue's words still made her feel embarrassed.
"He Yinxue, do you admit your guilt?" Lu Xingzhou asked in a cold voice. He didn't want to hear He Yinxue say a word against Chen Liyue again.
He Yinxue straightened her back and looked directly at Lu Xingzhou. "What crime have I committed? I'm just a traitor."
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