Chi Yan's indifferent attitude finally made Tang Xu panic:
"Chi Er! It was my fault before, I'm sorry, but we've known each other for so many years, you can't really just stand by and watch me die, can you?"
"Friendship? You can fool others, but don't fool yourself." Chi Yan's expression was mocking. He glanced at him one last time, then ignored the person behind him's desperate pleas and left without looking back.
If he truly cared about their past relationship, he wouldn't have schemed against him time and time again!
Tang Xu collapsed to the ground, his eyes glazed over, staring blankly.
Many images flashed through his mind: the carefree days he spent eating, drinking, and having fun with Chi Yan and Ji Wuyai. Back then, his happiness was genuine, and even his laughter came from the bottom of his heart.
How did things get to this point?
He was too greedy. He didn't want to be subservient to others forever. His burning desire to climb the social ladder overcame his reason, and so one wrong step led to another...
He suddenly covered his face with his hands and burst into tears.
Hearing the crying behind him, Chi Yan did not stop, his heart remaining calm.
He regretted it because he knew he was going to die, not because he truly recognized his mistakes.
After leaving Dali Temple, Chi Yan looked up at the clear blue sky and gently narrowed his eyes.
He considered Tang Xu as if he were already dead.
...
The following day, news broke that Tang Xu had committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment.
He strangled himself to death with a belt; if it was truly suicide, such a method of death undoubtedly required immense courage.
Clearly, he was murdered.
When Chi Yan heard the news, he remained silent for a while, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow, before returning to the work at hand.
He also went to Dali Temple to bring Chi Jingyu out.
The other person glanced at him, a faint smile in his eyes: "I said, the Dali Temple will naturally clear my name. In the end, my second brother's efforts have all come to nothing."
Chi Yan glanced at him sideways, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Is that so? Then you'd better pray that you're this lucky every time, brother."
Chi Jingyu's smile faded, his expression turning cold: "What goes around comes around. Who knows what will happen in the future?"
Chi Yan watched his departing figure, her gaze darkening.
——
After returning home from her shift, Shen Tangning scrutinized Chi Yan's expression: "I heard that before Tang Xu died, he wrote a letter in blood, revealing the whereabouts of the mastermind?"
He composed himself and curled his lips into a smile: "Just a scapegoat."
This was probably Emperor Chongde's arrangement: find a scapegoat to take the blame, and the case would be closed.
“Lord Liu is not so easily fooled.” Shen Tangning frowned slightly. With Liu Yifu’s keen senses, it was impossible for him not to notice the suspicious circumstances surrounding Tang Xu’s death.
If he insists on investigating to the end...
“I reminded him not to continue investigating.” Chi Yan pursed his thin lips, his gaze darkening.
No matter how upright and unyielding Liu Yifu was, he could not openly fight against imperial power; he was a subject, and His Majesty was the sovereign.
Shen Tangning nodded, then suddenly remembered something and paused: "What about Chi Jingyu?"
A cold glint flashed in Chi Yan's eyes: "He said he was coerced, and His Majesty has decided to suspend him from his post for a month as punishment."
Such punishment was insignificant to Chi Jingyu, and he was able to return to his original position a month later.
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