Jade Without Fragrance Chapter 253

Chapter 253 Innocence

What kept echoing in Shen Shangshu's ears was the crack of the whip hitting the flesh, and the man's pale face, which made him firm up his judgment: "Yang Zhe was born as a champion, and the prince favored him. Such an opportunity There is no reason to harm the prince at all. Then there are only two possibilities, either he was framed, or there are irreconcilable conflicts. If he was framed, how could the villain who harmed the prince be sure that Yang Zhe would go to clean the house at that time? ? If he is from Qi, it would make sense."

 Emperor Tai'an looked at Cheng Maoming.

Cheng Maoming showed a tangled look on his face: "Wei Chen... and Shen Shangshu have different opinions."

Shen Shangshu's eyes widened slightly, unable to hide his surprise.

"Not long ago, the maid Yu Liu disappeared. She disguised herself as a purchaser and left the guest house. The matter was related to the remnants of the previous dynasty. Now there is someone disguised as Yang Zhe. The mask is so realistic that it can be hidden from friends who often come and go. Watch it in Weichen Come on, it is extremely unlikely that two disguise masters will appear in such a short period of time. Behind the two incidents, there should be the same disguise master who is good at making masks."

If such disguise masters could be seen everywhere, the world would have been in chaos.

Cheng Maoming speculated: "I am more inclined to think that the villain said this deliberately."

"Then why did he slander Yang Zhe?" Shen Shangshu was a little unconvinced.

“Among the people who drank with the prince, Yang Zhe was favored and trusted by the prince the most. He had the most opportunities to disguise himself as Yang Zhe. After being arrested, he dragged Yang Zhe into the water, at least he didn't lose anything.”

Emperor Tai'an's eyes darkened after hearing the two people's different opinions.

 Judging from his dealings with Qi people over the years, this matter does not look like Qi people's handiwork.

Is Yang Zhe wrongly accused?

This thought passed by, but Emperor Tai'an's eyes were still cold.

Concerning the death of the prince, no matter how reliable the guess is, he will not let it go as long as it is not certain.

 Even if he is the champion who wins three yuan in a row.

 “It is reported that Yang Zhe has entered the palace.”

Without waiting for too long, Yang Zhe walked in followed by a chamberlain.

 After several days of imprisonment, he was not allowed to bathe or change clothes. He was only worried about his future life. It was not easy to maintain his basic dignity. However, he walked slowly like a tall bamboo, and his appearance of embarrassment could not hide his demeanor.

Emperor Tai'an silently looked at the young man approaching and kneeling, and sighed in his heart.

 Who wouldn't like such a young man?

 “Wei Chen has met the emperor.”

Emperor Tai'an did not let him get up. His eyes were as dark as black clouds, which was enough to make all his ministers tremble.

"Tell Yang Xiuzhuan about the situation." Emperor Tai'an glanced at Cheng Maoming.

Cheng Maoming gave Yang Zhe a warm smile: "The person pretending to be Yang Xiuzuan was found. After interrogation, he admitted that Yang Xiuzuan was the instigator."

Yang Zhe was stunned.

"Yang Zhe, what do you say?" Emperor Tai'an asked in a deep voice.

Yang Zhe put his forehead to the ground and kept his voice calm: "My ancestors have been from the Zhou Dynasty for generations. Your Majesty knows it clearly."

Emperor Tai'an raised his eyebrows: "So, that person framed you?"

"Weichen is innocent. Weichen and the prince -" the young man who had always been calm and composed choked up his voice at this moment, and his raised eyes were full of sadness, "Weichen and the prince have the same temperament, and in Weichen In my heart, the prince is not only a prince, but also a friend. If I could choose, I would rather die..."

Emperor Tai'an listened quietly, without any disturbance in his heart.

 With his status and experience, no amount of nice words can shake his mind, only real actions can change him.

"Then how do you prove your innocence?" Emperor Tai'an asked after hearing what Yang Zhe said.

Yang Zhe was silent for a moment, clenching and unclenching the hands hanging by his sides: "Wei Chen has a clear conscience and is willing to accept the interrogation."

Cheng Maoming understood Emperor Tai'an's thoughts and said with a smile but not a smile: "I'm afraid Yang Xiuzhan doesn't know that interrogation requires at least one layer of skin peeling off, which is not suitable for a scholar like you."

Yang Zhe lowered his eyes: "If it can prove my innocence, no matter what."

"Why bother?" Emperor Tai'an suddenly said, "Liu Chuan—"

Liu Chuan went in through the door on one side, and soon walked out with a tray, until he walked up to Yang Zhe. There is a white jade wine glass placed on the tray. The wine in the glass ripples, as if there is a bottomless whirlpool hidden inside.

"After drinking this glass of wine, I will believe in your innocence." Emperor Tai'an said lightly.

His eyebrows are deep, the traces of time are engraved on the ends of his eyes, and the tight lines of his face reveal the coldness of an emperor.

A number one scholar who has won three yuan in a row has no flaws in his origins. In his opinion, if he is really from Qi or related to Emperor Pingle, his status must be extraordinary.

 Such a person, no matter how calm and calm he usually behaves, is still afraid of death.

 The higher a person's status, the more he cherishes his life. As an emperor, he knows this very well.

 He wanted to see how Yang Zhe would react when faced with life and death.

Yang Zhe stared at the white jade wine glass on the tray, slowly stretched out his hand, and held the wine glass in his hand.

His actions made Cheng Maoming and Shen Shangshu hold their breath unconsciously, but Emperor Tai'an looked on calmly and looked at him coldly.

Yang Zhe clenched his wine glass and raised his eyes to look at Emperor Tai'an.

"If death can prove my innocence, I will never ask for it. My only regret is that I cannot learn to serve the country." After he finished speaking, a bitter smile flashed at the corner of his mouth, and he put the wine glass to his lips and drank it all.

 The wine glass fell to the ground with a crisp clang.

Yang Zhe sat on his knees, nervousness finally appearing on his pale face.

Emperor Tai'an raised his eyebrows: "I thought Yang Xiuzan wouldn't be afraid."

Yang Zhe's breathing became heavier and seemed labored. The bitter smile on his lips deepened: "Wei Chen is also a human being, and everyone is afraid of death."

“Then why did you drink it without hesitation?”

“Because for Wei Chen, there are more important things than death.”

By this time, he felt a burning and cramping pain in his abdomen, and the poisonous wine seemed to have begun to take effect.

 “Oh, what's more important than death?”

“This is what I have always wanted to prove to the emperor—Wei Chen's innocence.” The young man's expression was painful, but his eyes were exceptionally clear. “Wei Chen does not want to bear the burden of speculation about killing the prince. That is more important than death.”

He clutched his abdomen, beads of sweat rolling down his fair forehead and hitting the smooth mirror-like floor tiles.

The pain was more unbearable than imagined, and a little strange—

 There was a sigh coming from above.

 “I believe you.”

Yang Zhe raised his head with difficulty, and there was joy in his eyes: "Wei Chen...I thank the emperor..."

Emperor Tai'an glanced at Liu Chuan.

　　Liu Chuan smiled kindly at Yang Zhe and said, "Do you want Yang Xiuzhan to clean his hands?"

Yang Zhe was startled and suddenly realized: "I-"

 “Yang Xiuzan, come with our family.”

Yang Zhe kowtowed heavily to Emperor Tai'an.

Emperor Tai'an didn't say anything. When Liu Chuan took Yang Zhe out, he told Cheng Maoming and Shen Shangshu: "Go talk to the villain."

"yes."

 In the interrogation room where the smell of blood lingered, Cheng Maoming and Shen Shangshu appeared in front of the man again.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end