The north wind was blowing hard and a thin layer of white snow had already fallen in the courtyard.
In the room, Chu Qiyuan was unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
He frowned, and no matter how he thought about it, he felt that the possibility of this happening was too small.
"How could that be? Not many people know that His Majesty has a heart disease, and he only started to feel unwell after the incident during the autumn hunt. There's nothing wrong with that..."
Everyone knows that during the autumn hunt, the Nanhu swordsman ambushed the royal hunting ground and assassinated Xiao Chengqi.
It's normal for Emperor Mu Wu to be unhappy after such a big thing happened.
There's really nothing wrong with this.
Ye Chutang didn't think so.
——What a coincidence, everything about this is just such a coincidence.
There are all kinds of coincidences in the world, but if all coincidences lead to the same result, people can't help but be suspicious.
"I'm just guessing." Ye Chutang smiled, as if he didn't realize how thrilling what he just said was.
Chu Qiyuan's heart was hanging in his throat.
He stood up and paced back and forth, going over the previous events in his mind, and gradually he felt that something was wrong.
"...Speaking of which, His Majesty's condition did suddenly worsen. Before I left Beijing, he was just a little uncomfortable occasionally, but not to this extent. Even if those things about the Second Prince were suddenly revealed, His Majesty shouldn't have been so shocked that he couldn't even get out of bed overnight."
Could it be true that someone who had sat on the throne his entire life would be easily defeated and collapsed by those things?
Or... is there someone interfering? Taking advantage of the chaos?
"It seems that many people know about your departure from Beijing." Ye Chutang reminded.
Chu Qiyuan's mind seemed to tighten instantly - yes! Although most people didn't know that he left the capital to find medicine for Emperor Mu Wu, the news of his absence was well known.
If it weren’t for Ye Chutang, Emperor Mu Wu would have been in great danger this time.
I didn’t realize it at first, but now looking back, I realize that every step seemed like a trap set by someone.
Ye Chutang is the only exception.
Her appearance destroyed this perfect chain.
Chu Qiyuan frowned tightly, his heart was in turmoil.
"If someone really planned all this... then who could it be?"
Ye Chutang was very calm: "There are so many people who have died, it's really hard to guess."
Chu Qiyuan: “…”
He glanced at Ye Chutang quietly, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.
Although her words are blunt, their logic is sound, but they are too blunt!
"So what do you think?"
Directly report to Emperor Mu Wu that someone was plotting to murder him?
Don't joke. Emperor Mu Wu has difficulty even getting up now. Even if he knew, what could he do? It would be even more difficult to deal with if the blood and qi surged up and worsened his condition.
Besides, all this is just their speculation.
How to testify without evidence?
“Just wait and see.” Ye Chutang was quite open-minded.
In her hands, Emperor Mu Wu will not be able to die for a while. Seeing that the plan has failed, the people behind him will surely be unable to hold back and take action again and jump out themselves.
Chu Qiyuan understood what she meant, but was still a little worried: "But if that's the case, won't the other party use you as a target?"
Ye Chutang’s situation will definitely be very dangerous next!
Ye Chutang curled his eyes and said, "Under the feet of the emperor, in the prosperous capital, where is there a safer place than here?"
…
In the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, the three judges held a joint trial.
When Xiao Chengxuan was brought here, he thought for a moment that he was hallucinating.
It was not until he saw the familiar faces of ministers in the hall that he realized that those people actually suspected that he was in collusion with the Nanhu Swordsman!
"Xiao Chengxuan."
Xu Fengchi spoke first.
"According to the law, you can answer while standing. From now on, just answer truthfully."
Xiao Chengxuan just felt it was ridiculous.
——In the past, when these people saw him, who wouldn't bow respectfully? Now, they were showing him a favor, saying that he didn't have to kneel! ?
A huge sense of shame surged into his heart, causing his temple to throb.
This was the first time he stepped out of that threshold since being imprisoned in Chengxin Lake. It was also the first time he truly felt that he was no longer the glorious King of Qi!
Forcing down the intense emotions in his heart, Xiao Chengxuan straightened his shoulders.
"If you have anything to say, just ask!"
Su Wei, who was sitting on the other side, ordered, "Come here, take out the jade pendant and let him take a closer look."
Soon, someone came forward with a tray. The tray was clean except for a round jade pendant with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns.
The texture is warm and transparent, and the dragon and phoenix heads are bright green. You can tell at first glance that they are of great value.
Su Wei asked, "Do you recognize this jade pendant?"
Before Xiao Chengxuan arrived, he had already learned from an insider about the scrutiny he would face today.
He knew very well that he had to clear himself in today's trial!
Therefore, he only glanced at the jade pendant and denied it coldly: "I don't know it."
Su Wei was not surprised by his answer, and continued, "This jade pendant was found from the Nanhu swordsman. He said it was a token of trust from you. Do you really not recognize it?"
Xiao Chengxuan sneered angrily: "Whatever they say, it's true? Don't say I don't recognize this jade pendant. Even if I do, what does it matter? There are many jade pendants like this in the Qi Wang Mansion. If you search, you may find a lot! Besides, just a jade pendant and an accusation that is not known to be true or false, it seems that it is not enough to determine that all this was really done by me, right?"
Xu Fengchi said, "You are right. Although jade pendants of this level are rare, they are not lacking among the royal family. However... there are words engraved on the back. If I remember correctly, it should have been given by His Majesty on your twelfth birthday."
Xiao Chengxuan was shocked and couldn't believe it: "How is it possible!?"
He had indeed received a jade pendant as a reward from his father, but it had been accidentally lost long ago.
He kept it a secret because he was afraid of being scolded.
But why are you here now?!
Xiao Chengxuan looked at the jade pendant again, and the more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.
He simply picked it up and turned the jade pendant over to examine it carefully.
When he saw the words engraved on it, his heart suddenly sank - this was the one he lost that year!
Can!
How can you admit it at this time? How can you explain it!?
Xiao Chengxuan was sweating profusely and racked his brains but still couldn't think of how to defend himself.
However, this reaction, in the eyes of everyone, could not be more guilty.
Xu Fengchi said: "The record of the jade pendant's departure from the warehouse is still there. Do we need to find someone to confirm it?"
Xiao Chengxuan's hands were trembling slightly.
He threw the jade pendant back, took a deep breath, and spoke calmly:
"I remember now. I did receive this jade pendant back then. But not long after, it disappeared. Maybe it was picked up by a palace servant. As for why this jade pendant appeared on those Nanhu swordsmen later, I have no idea!" (End of this chapter)
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