Chapter 208 The Scapegoat
Xie Wuyou spoke these words with all his might, feeling extremely happy.
She is not afraid of death now; she even longs for it. If saying these words could hasten her descent into hell, she would say them every day and every moment!
Wei Zikai, on the other hand, was clearly dealt a heavy blow!
The words "brainless brute" pierced Wei Zikai's most sensitive and insecure nerves!
Born into a noble family, he wasn't as academically gifted as others from a young age. He relied on brute force and connections to climb to the rank of a fifth-grade general. Outsiders were unaware of this, and everyone said he was a prodigy, even the emperor thought so...
He hates it most when people say he's brave but reckless! That's like saying he has no brains!
Xie Wuyou's words struck him squarely at his Achilles' heel!
"You're asking for it!!"
Wei Zikai's eyes were bloodshot, and he tightened his grip on Xie Wuyou's neck!
He had only one thought at that moment: strangle her! Immediately! Right now! Shut this bitch up forever!
Xie Wuyou's pupils began to dilate, but a smile appeared on his face.
Is it finally over?
However, just a second before her consciousness was about to completely sink into darkness, Wei Zikai suddenly loosened his grip!
Fresh air rushed into my lungs, bringing with it a heart-wrenching cough.
Xie Wuyou gasped for breath, his eyes filled with disappointment and pain.
"Want to die?" Wei Zikai released his grip, a twisted smile appearing on his face as he looked at Xie Wuyou's painful coughing and disheveled state.
"Not so easy! You think that by angering this general, I will grant your wish and let you die a quick and painless death?"
He leaned down, his bloody breath washing over Xie Wuyou's face, savoring the rekindled flames of despair in her eyes:
"I, the general, will not let you die! I, the general, will make you live, suffer torture every day, and live in constant fear. This is the consequence of your scheming against me! How about it? Do you still think that the general's wife is extremely glamorous?"
Wei Zikai's words were cruel, but they gave Xie Wuyou a new idea.
How could she die in peace if she didn't see Wei Zikai's utter ruin?
She forced back the sharp pain in her throat and uttered sarcastic words:
"Heh...cough cough...With your current abilities, you can't even solve a single case. The Emperor will soon hold you accountable. How many more good days do you have left? You still have the mind to torment me? No wonder you're a brute..."
Seeing Wei Zikai's face turn ashen again, and his eyes blazing with murderous intent, she spoke immediately before he could retaliate.
"He is, after all, my husband in name only. If the Emperor punishes me, I will be in deep trouble..."
"If we can't find any scapegoats, can't we just find some?"
"Don't tell me you're a kind person... that's too fake..."
A scapegoat?!
Yes! Why is he so determined to find the real source?
The emperor wanted results! He wanted to quell the rumors! He wanted to make an example of someone!
As for whether this "chicken" is the one that first laid the egg... who cares?
Once the "chicken" is caught, its head is chopped off and hung on the city wall, proving the emperor's authority and that the rumors were the work of malicious villains, wouldn't that solve the problem?
He had been fixated on a single point and was intimidated by the emperor's wrath!
He was only thinking about finding the real culprit to prove his ability, but he forgot that in the game of power, the truth is often the least important thing!
The important thing is... to satisfy the one on the dragon throne!
Wei Zikai was overjoyed when he figured it out!
He stared intently at Xie Wuyou, never expecting that Xie Wuyou would have such a role!
As expected, someone who has fought against smart people can still come up with some tricks, no matter how stupid they are.
"Men! Prepare the horses! We're heading to the imperial prison!"
He was in a rare good mood and let go of Xie Wuyou. When he left, he instructed his servants to find the palace physician to examine Xie Wuyou and to bring him some food.
The door slammed shut again. Xie Wuyou lay there, listening to Wei Zikai's receding footsteps, looking at the ceiling, a slow smile playing on his lips.
It was a success.
You beast... Go away.
Go catch your scapegoat...
Go and accomplish your feat…
Go and fawn over your emperor…
Go...beg for that death warrant-like imperial decree of marriage!
Although Wei Zikai was a brainless idiot, the people who cooperated with him to investigate rumors were all highly capable.
To be able to spread rumors so quickly in Daqing, a center of power, and to hide people so well...
She thought of someone: Xie Sangning.
She absolutely can do it.
If it really is Xie Sangning, then she is currently dissatisfied with the Emperor, and Wei Zikai, as the Emperor's loyal dog, will definitely be in deep trouble.
She had never longed for Xie Sangning to win as much as she did now.
If Wei Zikai were to ask the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon him, it would instantly enrage the Emperor and make him suspicious of him. At that time, Wei Zikai would be in a difficult situation, besieged on all sides.
Even if the Emperor were to grant the marriage... Wei Zikai would die an even more gruesome death.
Xie Sangning would never marry a fool like Wei Zikai, even if it meant proving her innocence with her death. But who says that one can only prove their innocence with their own death?
Since Xie Wuyou married into the family, she had never been as excited as she was today, so eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new day.
——
Deep within the imperial prison, the stench of blood was so strong it was almost unbearable.
Wei Zikai seemed like a different person, his previous rage and dejection gone, replaced by high spirits.
He bypassed the half-dead communicators and scanned the prisoners with his gaze.
What kind of scapegoat does he need?
First, it has to look like the real deal. It can't be an ordinary beggar; it has to have some status, but it can't actually have a powerful background that could cause trouble.
Secondly, one must be willing to confess!
Finally, and most importantly, their testimonies must point to a dubious motive that pleases the emperor!
His gaze eventually settled on a few targets: an old eunuch who had returned home, a scholar who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, and a peddler who roamed the streets.
Although a scholar may be down on his luck, he still retains the title of a learned man, which makes him easy to associate with resentment and incitement.
The old eunuch harbored resentment towards the emperor and had feelings for the previous dynasty even while he was in the palace...
It could even be said that the old eunuch had doubts about the death of the previous emperor!
To be honest, Wei Zikai actually guessed part of the truth correctly, but he knew nothing about it.
As for that peddler who roams the streets, he has the perfect source of rumors!
They said that the old eunuch and the scholar found the peddler to cooperate with them, and the peddler, being greedy, came up with this idea together and spread such a ridiculous rumor!
"Take those three to the interrogation room! 'Take good care' of them!"
Wei Zikai gave the order with a sinister grin.
The following scene is a manifestation of hell.
Wei Zikai personally oversaw the interrogation room.
He doesn't need the truth, he just needs a confession!
A day and a night later, Wei Zikai was overjoyed as he looked at the three confessions, the ink still wet and stained with blood!
Mission accomplished! He immediately ordered his men:
"Keep these three treacherous villains, who spread rumors and slander the emperor, under strict guard! I will request permission to execute them after I have an audience with the emperor!"
"Prepare the horses immediately! This general is going to the palace to meet the Emperor!"
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