Changxi's body was found at the foot of Ye Xiaowei's bed in his room. When it was carried out, his body was already stiff and cold.
His body and face were covered in blood, and a bloodstained dagger was found under his body.
Ye Cunjin stared at the scene in disbelief, unable to recover for a long time.
Originally, they were heading towards the stables after leaving Guanju Courtyard, but halfway there, the guards of the Palace Guard noticed some movement in the distance and immediately gave chase.
He and Cui Shao followed, eventually ending up in Jiangyunxuan, where they witnessed Ye Xiaowei sitting frantically on the edge of the bed, trying to cover something up.
Cui Shao immediately ordered a search of his house, where he found Changxi, who had died, under the bed.
"I didn't kill this person. My arm was broken, and I was lying in bed recovering. When I woke up, I saw this corpse lying next to me. I had no idea who he was!" Ye Xiaowei waved his only remaining left hand repeatedly, trying to explain himself.
Cui Shao stepped forward, confirmed Changxi's identity, and said, "Since you didn't kill him, why did you hide him under the bed?"
Ye Xiaowei stammered, "I was terrified. Then I heard people searching, and I was afraid you would misunderstand and think I killed him, so I hid the body under the bed..."
As he spoke, Ye Xiaowei belatedly realized that his actions just now were incredibly foolish. Even if he hadn't actually killed the person, his choice to hide the body only increased the suspicion that he was the murderer.
Thinking about this, he panicked even more.
He looked at Ye Cunjin pleadingly, "Jin'er, you have to believe me. I really didn't kill anyone. I wouldn't dare. Besides, I only have one hand. How could I possibly kill him?"
When Ye Cunjin was away from home, he was very reluctant to admit that his biological father was Ye Xiaowei, and he was very glad that he had already been adopted by Ye Xiaobai.
Ye Xiaowei usually looked down on his behavior and didn't want to bother with him, but Changxi's matter today was no small thing.
If Ye Xiaowei were to be accused of murder, it would affect his or the Hou family's reputation. Moreover, Changxi was the one he used to kill Ye Qingxue, so he would naturally instinctively want to protect Ye Xiaowei.
“Lord Cui, you see, what my second uncle said isn’t without merit. He only lost an arm; he was no match for the deceased at all…”
Cui Shaodao said, "Although Master Ye only has his left hand available, the deceased was thin and had been imprisoned for many days. Now he is on the run and his strength is insufficient. It is entirely possible that he is no match for Master Ye."
"Moreover, this dagger belongs to Master Ye. Master Ye's hands and body are stained with the victim's blood, and Master Ye also hid the body... Master Ye is highly suspected of murder."
Cui Shao looked at Ye Cunjin with a serious expression: "I'm sorry, Minister Ye, based on the above information, I must take Second Master Ye away in order to investigate the truth!"
Cui Shao waved his hand, and the guards behind him immediately stepped forward and took Ye Xiaowei down.
Ye Xiaowei struggled desperately, and when he couldn't break free, he cried out, "Jin'er, I really didn't kill anyone! You can't let them take me away! You have to save me! I'm your biological father!"
Ye Cunjin frowned, feeling extremely nervous. Ye Xiaowei was being taken away and would definitely be thrown into prison. Prison was not a place that ordinary people could endure.
"Lord Cui, there are many suspicious points in this matter. Could you please do me a favor..."
Cui Shao interrupted him, saying, "I am only serving the Emperor, so please don't make things difficult for me, Vice Minister Ye. However, I must remind you, Vice Minister Ye, that as a court official, you should serve the Emperor. Do not favor your family members just because you hold an important position, lest you disappoint the Emperor."
"The Crown Prince was deposed, and everyone in the Eastern Palace suffered the same fate. Minister Ye has witnessed it all. Today, Second Master Ye's crimes are related to the Eastern Palace. Minister Ye should know that sometimes putting righteousness before family is good for everyone."
Ye Cunjin was struck dumb, staring blankly as the guards of the Palace Guard took Ye Xiaowei away, unable to utter a single word.
"What are you going to do to my son? With me here, no one can take him away!" The old woman's voice came from outside the door.
Ye Cunjin immediately went out and saw that not only the old lady had arrived, but also Madam Min, Ye Qingxue and others.
He was extremely jealous when he saw Ye Qingxue.
He couldn't understand why Changxi, who had been sent to Guanjuyuan, ended up appearing in Ye Xiaowei's room as a corpse.
What's even more infuriating is that Ye Xiaowei, that pig-brain, reacted like that when faced with a corpse. Was his brain completely focused on the woman's body?
Cui Shao bowed to the old lady and said, "I'm sorry, Madam. Second Master Ye is suspected of killing a fugitive from the Eastern Palace. I must take him back for investigation. As long as he didn't kill the person, he will be released sooner or later!"
The old woman angrily said, "Are you going to throw my son into jail? Who doesn't know that prison is a place that eats people alive? Do you think my son will come out unscathed after going in?"
"In short, you are not allowed to take him away until you are certain he is the real murderer! My son may be a bit of a spoiled brat, but he has absolutely no heart or courage to kill!"
Cui Shao remained calm and composed: "I am merely following the Emperor's orders and acting in accordance with the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If the old lady has any objections, she may go and reason with the Emperor. As for the rest, please forgive me for being powerless to help."
"Oh, right, it was Vice Minister Ye who took the initiative to tell the Emperor that the fugitive from the Eastern Palace had escaped and was heading towards the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence. The people at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence are suspected of harboring the fugitive from the Eastern Palace. After hearing this, the Emperor sent me to quickly lead people to arrest him!"
"If you, Madam and everyone else, have any questions, please feel free to ask Minister Ye. I'll take my leave now!"
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