Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

After returning to the yamen from the execution ground, Xu Zheng couldn't calm down. He kept thinking about it and felt uneasy. To avoid any complications, he immediately decided to go to the dungeon for questioning.

Since the matter concerned the fate of the nation and was still unresolved, Xu Zheng dared not attract attention, so he went alone quietly. However, before going, he sent someone to inquire about matters related to the boy.

It was still a dark dungeon, but this time, Xu Zheng stood in front of You Lu and Shen Yuyao.

Xu Zheng carefully examined the boy in the prison, and his heart pounded with fear at the sight.

He couldn't see clearly from a distance before, but now in the dungeon, even though the light was dim and he could only make out a rough outline, he could still tell at a glance that the boy's eyebrows and eyes were about 60% similar to that of the other person, only softer and more youthful.

Recalling the words the boy shouted at the execution ground, he wondered, could this boy really be that person's child?

He couldn't help but feel secretly glad that he had spared the boy's life because he had heard his thoughts; otherwise, his head would probably have been chopped off.

Xu Zheng hadn't forgotten the purpose of his trip. He cleared his throat and solemnly said, "You two were caught in the act of adultery, and the evidence is irrefutable. However, upon closer examination before the execution, I discovered some doubts in the case. Therefore, I have postponed the execution and am giving you both a chance to defend yourselves. Do you have anything to say?"

He certainly couldn't say that he had heard the boy's thoughts, so he just made up an excuse and planned to take things one step at a time and solve the case at hand first.

Hearing that he had come for the affair case, not for his own background, You Lu was both happy and a little disappointed. It seemed that Xu Zheng still did not believe that he was a prince, and he would have to find another way to prove his identity.

"This humble woman has something to say." Shen Yuyao knelt down and kowtowed.

She tidied herself up a bit; though her clothes were tattered, her demeanor was dignified, which naturally made people feel good about her.

Xu Zheng nodded secretly. Shen Yuyao was neither servile nor arrogant, and was poised and generous. She didn't seem like a lewd person at all. It seemed that they were indeed wronged. He remembered that the boy had said at the execution ground that the second young master of the Weiyuan General's Mansion had evidence. It seemed that he had to go and find this second young master Gu.

Shen Yuyao continued, "Please investigate, Your Excellency. That day, I was invited to go on an outing with my cousin, Liu Yanran. However, after eating the pastries my cousin made, I fainted. When I woke up, I was lying in bed with this young master, his clothes disheveled. But I have never met this young master before, so how could there be any illicit affair? I beg Your Excellency to give me justice!"

She spoke earnestly and then kowtowed deeply.

"You mean someone drugged you and ruined your reputation? Do you have any evidence?" Xu Zheng stroked his goatee, his eyes subtly glancing at the boy beside him.

"I have a witness, Li Gou," You Lu said at the opportune moment.

The Pixiu's large head was filled with tiny question marks. [Boss, where did you get this witness?]

[The original owner didn't have it, but I did. He didn't see who knocked him unconscious, but I saw it in Shen Yuyao's future—it was Li Gou, the petty thug who lived in Huaihua Lane.]

[He was one of the original owner's cronies. Gu Cheng bribed him to attack the original owner because he knew about this relationship. Later, Li Gou would even join forces with the Gu brothers to turn the tables on the original owner, accusing him of coveting Shen Yuyao.]

Youlu grew angrier the more he thought about it, clenching his fists and sneering inwardly, "He's brought me to this state! Wait till I get out here, I'll skin him alive, grind his bones to dust, and throw him into the moat to feed the fish!"

Upon hearing his thoughts, Shen Yuyao and Xu Zheng couldn't help but shudder. This little devil was truly ruthless. Moreover, judging from his words, he wasn't the boy himself, but rather borrowing this body.

Compared to Shen Yuyao, who had already guessed Youlu's identity, Xu Zheng was both shocked and frightened. He was afraid that the boy was possessed by the mountain spirit of the victim, but he was also surprised that the boy could see the future of others.

In any case, for the sake of Dayong's future, this young man must be kept.

Xu Zheng coughed twice and said, "Since there is a witness, I will immediately send someone to arrest Li Gou for questioning. However, I'm afraid one person's words alone cannot prove your innocence."

He thought anxiously to himself: [My little ancestor, forget about those nameless nobodyes, think about our soon-to-be-extinct Great Yong Dynasty!]

Shen Yuyao hurriedly said, "The second young master of General Weiyuan's mansion still has evidence. He told me this himself when he came to visit me just now."

Upon hearing what Lord Xu said, she knew that Gu Zheng, who had repeatedly said he would immediately go to overturn her case, had not gone to see Lord Xu at all. Sure enough, this man was not worthy of her trust in the slightest.

Xu Zheng nodded, "Alright, I'll send someone to invite Young Master Gu right away."

Although he already knew that Young Master Gu had evidence, he couldn't just invite him over rashly. Only with Shen Yuyao's words did he have a legitimate reason to act.

At the same time, his opinion of Gu Zheng plummeted. He had evidence but concealed it. This second young master of the Weiyuan General's Mansion was either involved or had other motives. No matter which one it was, he looked down on him.

Having obtained a clue, Xu Zheng immediately summoned the jailer to relay the order.

Watching him issue orders methodically and meticulously, considering every aspect with utmost care, Youlu couldn't help but sigh: "Truly a worthy official revered by all. What a pity, though; he was too upright. As the saying goes, the rigid are easily broken. He knew the Third Prince was no good, yet he refused to yield, constantly opposing the Third Prince. In the end, he was falsely accused of treason, not only dying a gruesome death and leaving behind an everlasting infamy, but his entire family, including his three-year-old son, were also subjected to the death by a thousand cuts. How tragic!"

Xu Zheng, who was carefully instructing the prison guards, stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

he?

Colluding with the enemy and betraying the country?

In the past, if someone had said these words to him, he would have just laughed at their arrogance, but now he had no choice but to believe them.

Although the current emperor is not a foolish ruler, he is somewhat tyrannical and suspicious. If the third prince fabricates evidence to frame him for treason, the emperor is very likely to believe it. It is pitiful that he has devoted himself to Dayong for so many years, only to end up with his family destroyed and his people killed. It is truly both tragic and laughable!

Xu Zheng weakly gripped the prison door, tears streaming down his face.

Shen Yuyao secretly glanced at Xu Zheng, then shook her head and sighed inwardly.

Although she was raised in seclusion, she had heard of Xu Zheng's reputation for integrity and incorruptibility, and knew that he was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people, but she never expected it to end like that.

Youlu glanced at Xu Zheng, who had suddenly turned from sorrow to laughter and tears, then at Shen Yuyao, whose eyes were slightly red and who was sighing deeply. Puzzled, she asked Pixiu, "What's wrong with them? Why do they look like the heavens have been unjust?"

I don't know, maybe I ate something wrong.

The Pixiu was nibbling on its paws and drooling; it would act strangely like this if it ate something wrong.

Youlu nodded, seemingly understanding.

Fearing the boy might notice something amiss, Xu Zheng quickly composed himself and waved for the jailer to go out and deliver a message.

He then turned to You Lu and Shen Yuyao and said, "I will now hold court to retry this case. Please come with me."

With a wave of his hand, a jailer immediately stepped forward, opened the cell door, and unlocked the shackles on the two men.

"Gurgle..."

The deer's belly began to drum quite appropriately.

Pixiu innocently said: [Boss, boss, you're hungry too!]

Youlu felt no shame whatsoever, thinking to himself: "Man is made of iron, food is made of steel. This body is just mortal flesh and blood; isn't it normal to get hungry?"

Xu Zheng chuckled and said, "There's no rush. We need to eat our fill to have the strength to seek justice." He then turned and ordered the jailer to fetch food.

Shen Yuyao covered her mouth and chuckled, then bowed her head and said, "Thank you, Lord Xu."

Youlu raised an eyebrow and said to the Pixiu, "This Xu Zheng is quite shrewd. Considering his diligence and love for the people, I've decided to help him."

Yes, yes, good people should be rewarded. No wonder the God of Destiny sent us here; so many good people in this world meet tragic ends, which is abnormal.

The Pixiu nodded repeatedly.

Xu Zheng was overjoyed. He had only asked someone to prepare a meal for the boy, but the boy wanted to save him. This was truly an unexpected delight!

He made up his mind to find out the boy's background. If he was really a prince, he would follow him to the death!

Without his knowledge, Deer gained a loyal follower.