Free Web NovelChapter 417: Chapter 417: Dragon’s Wrath
Xiao Chengxuan felt as if he had been struck over the head, his mind going completely blank.
He whipped around. "Xu Fengchi! Don’t you dare spout such slander!"
But Xu Fengchi stared straight ahead, his expression firm.
"Every word I have spoken is true. I implore Your Majesty to pass judgment!"
Everyone was stunned.
Although there had been rumors that Xiao Chengxuan was connected to Huo Yucheng’s case, to actually hear Xu Fengchi say it aloud was still a tremendous shock.
His Majesty was still seated high on the Dragon Throne!
For Xu Fengchi to impeach the emperor’s favorite, the Second Prince, was simply too audacious!
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart burned with anxiety as he turned his head to look at Emperor Muwu.
Meeting those cold, stern, and indifferent eyes, he shuddered and immediately lifted the hem of his robes to kneel.
"Father Emperor! I have been wronged!"
His knees slammed heavily onto the floor with a dull thud that seemed to strike everyone’s heart.
Everyone knew today would not be peaceful, but no one had expected such a tempest to be unleashed!
Emperor Muwu’s heavy gaze fell upon Xu Fengchi.
Finally, he spoke in a low voice.
"You claim the mastermind behind Huo Yucheng’s case is Prince Qi. Where is your evidence?"
Xu Fengchi produced a dossier from his sleeve and said, enunciating every word,
"Your Majesty, this is Xu Jie’s testimony. It clearly details how he acted on Prince Qi’s orders, collaborating from both inside and out to plot the murder of Huo Yucheng!"
He took a deep breath and continued,
"From the banquet on the eve of General Huo’s departure from the capital, to his betrayal and entrapment during the march, to his final moments, trapped on the battlefield, succumbing to poison and his grievous wounds... every step was linked, a determined plot to ensure Huo Yucheng met his end!"
Xiao Chengxuan’s mind went blank with a deafening BUZZ, and he nearly coughed up the blood that surged into his throat.
His hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and a bone-deep chill enveloped him, as if he had been plunged into an icy cavern.
Only one thought remained in his mind: ’How could this be?!’
’How could Xu Jie have said such things!’
’Has he gone mad?!’
Xiao Chengxuan frantically tried to figure out what had gone wrong. Based on his understanding of Xu Jie, even if faced with death, Xu Jie would never have uttered a single word!
But now—
Emperor Muwu stared at the dossier. "Bring it here."
Eunuch Li quickly responded, hurrying over to take the dossier and present it with both hands.
The faint rustle of the pages being turned, in this vast hall, was like a clap of thunder over a calm lake, shocking everyone into deathly silence.
As Emperor Muwu flipped through the pages one by one, many of the officials standing below were already drenched in sweat.
Xiao Chengxuan remained kneeling.
Xie Pei’s brows were tightly furrowed, his heart rising into his throat.
’Why is everything today pointing directly at Prince Qi?’
’If it were anyone else, that would be one thing, but he knew Xu Fengchi. The man was a tough nut to crack!’
’Unless he was absolutely certain, Xu Fengchi would never have exposed Prince Qi in public!’
’And that testimony from Xu Jie... who knows what else he said!?’
Thinking of what happened last night, Xie Pei felt his entire body tense up, overwhelmed with unease.
Suddenly, he froze.
’Wait, that’s not right!’
’Why isn’t the Heir of Duke Dingbei here today?’
Realizing this, Xie Pei felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
He scanned his surroundings again and confirmed that Shen Yanchuan was indeed not present today!
’How could Shen Yanchuan be absent on such an important day?’
However, before Xie Pei could figure it out, he heard Emperor Muwu slam the dossier down and roar in fury,
"How audacious!"
All the civil and military officials dropped to their knees in unison.
"Your Majesty, please quell your anger!"
But Emperor Muwu paid them no heed.
His face was ashen as he suddenly raised a hand and pointed at Xiao Chengxuan.
"You wretched son!"
