Chapter 474: Interrogation
The north wind was biting, and a thin layer of white snow already covered the courtyard.
Inside the room, Chu Qiyuan couldn’t snap back to reality for a long time.
His brow was tightly furrowed. No matter how he thought about it, the possibility seemed too remote.
"How could that be? Very few people know about Your Majesty’s heart condition. Besides, he only started feeling unwell after the incident at the autumn hunt. There’s nothing strange about that..."
Everyone knew that during the autumn hunt, Southern Hu Blade Men had laid an ambush at the Royal Hunting Ground to assassinate Xiao Chengqi.
After such a major incident, it was only normal for Emperor Muwu to be upset.
There was really nothing that seemed amiss.
But Ye Chutang didn’t think so.
’It’s too much of a coincidence. All of this is just far too convenient.’
Coincidences happen, of course, but when all the coincidences lead to the same outcome, one can’t help but become suspicious.
"It’s just a guess," Ye Chutang said with a smile, seemingly unfazed by the shocking nature of her own words.
But Chu Qiyuan’s heart leaped into his throat.
He stood up and began to pace, replaying the sequence of events in his mind. Gradually, he too sensed that something was wrong.
"...Come to think of it, Your Majesty’s condition did worsen quite suddenly. Before I left the Capital City, he was only feeling unwell occasionally, nothing this severe. Even with the sudden revelations about the Second Prince, it seems unlikely that Your Majesty would be so devastated as to become bedridden overnight."
Would a man who has sat on the throne his entire life really be so easily crushed by such matters?
Or... was someone interfering? Taking advantage of the chaos to make a move?
"It seems quite a few people knew you had left the Capital City," Ye Chutang reminded him.
A string in Chu Qiyuan’s mind snapped taut. ’That’s right! Although most people didn’t know he had left the Capital City to find medicine for Emperor Muwu, the fact that he was gone was common knowledge.’
If Ye Chutang hadn’t been here for Emperor Muwu’s latest attack, the outcome would have likely been fatal.
He hadn’t thought much of it at first, but looking back now, he was shocked to realize that every step seemed like a carefully laid trap.
Ye Chutang was the only exception.
Her appearance had broken the perfect chain.
Chu Qiyuan’s brow furrowed deeply, a storm raging in his chest.
"If someone truly did plan all this... then who could it be?"
Ye Chutang, however, was perfectly calm. "Plenty of people want him dead. It’s truly hard to guess."
Chu Qiyuan: "..."
He shot Ye Chutang a dark look, wanting to speak but holding his tongue.
’It’s a coarse truth, but a truth nonetheless. Still, her words are far too blunt!’
"Then what, in your opinion, should be done?"
Expose the plot to Emperor Muwu directly?
Don’t be ridiculous. Emperor Muwu can barely get out of bed as it is. Even if he knew, what could he do? If he got worked up and his condition worsened, things would be even more difficult.
Besides, this was all just their speculation.
Without evidence, how could they make an accusation?
"We just watch and wait," Ye Chutang said, taking it in stride.
In her hands, Emperor Muwu wasn’t going to die anytime soon. When the person behind this sees their plan has failed, they’ll surely be unable to resist taking action again, revealing themselves in the process.
Chu Qiyuan understood her meaning but was still worried. "But in that case, wouldn’t the culprit make you their target?"
Ye Chutang’s situation was about to become extremely dangerous!
Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into a smile. "We’re right here in the bustling Capital City, at the Emperor’s feet. What place could be safer?"
...
「The Grand Hall of the Ministry of Justice. A joint hearing by the three high courts.」
When Xiao Chengxuan was brought here, he thought for a moment that he was hallucinating.
It was only when he saw the hall filled with the familiar faces of court ministers that he realized—they truly suspected him of colluding with the Southern Hu Blade Men!
"Xiao Chengxuan."
Xu Fengchi was the first to speak.
"According to the law, you may remain standing to answer. From now on, you need only answer truthfully."
Xiao Chengxuan found it utterly absurd.
’In the past, which one of these men didn’t greet me with the utmost respect? And now, they’re acting gracious by telling me I don’t have to kneel?!’
An overwhelming sense of humiliation washed over him, making his temples throb violently.
This was the first time he had stepped outside since being imprisoned at Chengxin Lake, and the first time he truly felt it—he was no longer the glorious and celebrated Prince Qi!
Forcibly suppressing the fierce emotions in his heart, Xiao Chengxuan straightened his back.
"Whatever you want to ask, just ask it!"
Sitting on the other side, Su Wei ordered, "Someone, bring out the Jade Pendant and let him have a good look."
An attendant soon approached with head bowed, carrying a tray. On the pristine tray sat a single, round Jade Pendant with a motif of a dragon and phoenix bringing prosperity.
Its texture was smooth and translucent, and the heads of the dragon and phoenix were a vibrant apple-green. A single glance told you it was incredibly valuable.
Su Wei asked, "Do you recognize this Jade Pendant?"
Before arriving, Xiao Chengxuan had already learned about today’s interrogation through his inside contacts.
He knew full well that he had to completely clear his name in today’s trial!
Therefore, he only glanced at the Jade Pendant before coldly denying it. "I don’t recognize it."
Su Wei was not surprised by his answer and continued, "This Jade Pendant was found on one of the Southern Hu Blade Men. He claims it was a token from you. Are you sure you don’t recognize it?"
Xiao Chengxuan laughed coldly in anger. "Am I to be condemned by their word alone? Let’s say I don’t recognize this Jade Pendant—so what if I did? The Prince Qi Mansion is filled with pendants like this. If you were to search it, you’d likely find quite a few! Besides, a single Jade Pendant and an unverified accusation are hardly enough to prove I did any of this, are they?"
Xu Fengchi said, "You have a point. While a Jade Pendant of this quality is rare, it’s not something Royal Nobles lack. However... there’s an inscription on the back. If I recall correctly, it was a gift from Your Majesty on your twelfth birthday."
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart jolted. In disbelief, he said, "How is that possible?!"
He had indeed received a Jade Pendant from his father, the Emperor, but he had carelessly lost it long ago.
He had hidden the fact all this time, afraid of being reprimanded.
So how could it possibly appear here now?!
Xiao Chengxuan looked at the Jade Pendant again, and sure enough, the more he looked, the more familiar it seemed.
He snatched it up and turned it over to inspect it closely.
When he saw the inscription, his heart went cold—it really was the one he had lost all those years ago!
But!
At a time like this, how could he admit it? How could he possibly explain?!
Xiao Chengxuan broke out in a cold sweat. He racked his brain but still couldn’t think of a defense.
But in the eyes of the others, this reaction was the very picture of a guilty conscience.
Xu Fengchi said, "The disbursement record for this Jade Pendant still exists. Do we need to summon someone to confirm it?"
Xiao Chengxuan’s hands were trembling slightly.
He threw the Jade Pendant back onto the tray, took a deep breath, and forced himself to speak calmly:
"I remember now. I did indeed receive this Jade Pendant back then. But not long after, it went missing. Perhaps some palace servant found it. As for how it later ended up with those Southern Hu Blade Men, I have absolutely no idea!"