Novel website. However, whether or not it was a case of injustice seems to be no longer important.
The Imperial Clan Court merely went through the motions. Two uncles from the clan came, asked Jun Qiming a few questions indifferently, and then the verdict was handed down: execution in three days.
This is the treatment reserved for the most vicious and ruthless; they are executed without even waiting until autumn.
Upon hearing the news, Jun Qiming collapsed heavily into the cold, damp prison cell of the Imperial Clan Court. Then, unwilling to give up, he got up. He couldn't die; his grand ambitions, his vast empire—he couldn't die.
"Injustice! Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have been loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Liang. I am innocent!"
He called out from morning till night, but no one answered.
Silent despair permeated him. He was only holding on by sheer willpower to keep from collapsing. He still had confidants in the palace, and his several senior uncles trusted him implicitly. Surely someone would come to his rescue at a time like this?
However, there was still no news the next day.
On the third day, the cold, damp cell finally stirred with a slight movement.
Several sets of footsteps came from the other end of the cell. He could tell that the footsteps were slow and gentle, and were undoubtedly those of a woman.
He quickly searched his mind for a few women. Could they be from the Duke of Ling's mansion? If he hadn't been apprehended and brought to justice, he would probably already be the Duke of Ling's son-in-law by now.
With hope in his heart, he stood up and stared intently at that spot.
The figure of a woman slowly came into his view.
Empress!
Moon Phoenix Sound!
His breath almost stopped, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Yue Huangyin was once a woman who had captured his heart, but when he thought of that broken bowl, he felt that she was really mean-spirited.
He harbored resentment towards the Empress, but being under her roof, he had no choice but to bow his head. He knelt down and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
Linghu Lan chuckled softly and slowly lifted her hood, revealing a graceful and elegant face.
Are you truly innocent?
Her voice was devoid of emotion, and Jun Qiming couldn't make a judgment for a moment, so he could only anxiously defend himself.
"Your Majesty, I have always been loyal and have been a carefree prince. Recently, due to the arrival of the Rong Kingdom delegation, His Majesty has been kind enough to grant me some tasks. I have no soldiers or power, I am just a nobody, how could I possibly rebel? As for the dragon robe and jade belt found in my residence, I have never done anything about them. I have been framed. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me."
Linghu Lan stared quietly at Jun Qiming. Jun Qiming was now covered in dirt and was no longer the dashing young man he once was. Yet, his will to survive was still so strong. His ambition had never been small, and it was clear from his eyes.
"I know that the poisoned wine is not yours, nor is the dragon robe and jade belt."
Linghu Lan's voice was clear and melodious, and could be heard particularly clearly in the empty dungeon.
Jun Qiming's heart leaped into his throat, and he broke out in a cold sweat: if the Empress knew everything, it meant that the one who framed him was none other than the Empress herself.
He suddenly stood up and loudly questioned, "May I ask, Your Majesty the Empress, how do you know all this so clearly?"
At this moment, he wished someone could hear the Empress's words, understand that he had been framed, and clear his name. However, the prison was quiet, and all the palace maids, eunuchs, and guards were pretending to be deaf and dumb, as if no one had heard their words.
Jun Qiming was in despair.
Linghu Lan smiled, her bright eyes gleaming in the firelight.
"However, is it a false accusation? Not necessarily!"
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