Chapter 421: Chapter 421: Confrontation
The arrow was nocked.
At this moment, regardless of how Ye Heng had come back from the dead or how he had returned to the Capital City from Tongbei, Emperor Muwu had no other choice.
He took a deep breath.
"Bring him in!"
Xiao Chengxuan’s mind was about to explode.
He could no longer control his emotions and turned to look outside the grand hall.
’This is the heart of the palace. I’d like to see how a convicted criminal like Ye Heng could possibly get in here without a sound!’
In the dead silence of the hall, the sound of unhurried footsteps seemed to approach.
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart felt as if it were being squeezed in a tight grip. He forgot to breathe, his eyes fixed on the entrance.
The next moment, a tall, erect figure dressed in snow-white entered everyone’s view.
The moment he saw the man, Xiao Chengxuan’s heart gave a violent THUMP.
It was—
"The Heir of Duke Dingbei!?"
Someone couldn’t help but cry out in shock.
The man stood tall and graceful, the hem of his snow-white cloak fluttering gently. His every movement exuded an air of noble refinement.
Who else could it be but Shen Yanchuan!?
Xie Pei’s heart also skipped a beat.
’No wonder I didn’t see Shen Yanchuan at the morning court session today. So... he was waiting for this!’
Countless gazes fell upon him, but Shen Yanchuan seemed oblivious as he stopped in the center of the hall and saluted.
Emperor Muwu watched him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You previously requested leave, telling me you had a vital matter to attend to today. I never imagined it was related to Ye Heng."
His tone carried a hint of reproach.
Shen Yanchuan clasped his fists and bowed.
"Your Majesty ordered a thorough investigation into General Huo’s case. Since Ye Heng is connected to this case, and may even be the most important witness, this humble servant naturally dared not be remiss. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
At these words, no matter how furious Emperor Muwu might have been, he had to suppress it.
After all, everything Shen Yanchuan said was the truth!
Emperor Muwu knew this was not the time to dwell on such things, so he didn’t pursue the matter and changed the subject. "So, you have him?"
Shen Yanchuan nodded lightly. "Ye Heng is waiting outside the hall. However, his legs have been crippled and he is unable to walk, which is why he did not enter with me to see Your Majesty."
Emperor Muwu frowned.
"Just bring him in!"
Eunuch Li hurried to give the order.
Soon, two guards came in, supporting a man between them.
All eyes turned to them. The man in the middle was gaunt and haggard, his hair streaked with white. His legs dangled limply, hanging at an unnatural angle.
Although his appearance had changed drastically, some quickly recognized his face.
"It really is Ye Heng!"
THUD!
The guards forced Ye Heng to his knees with a dull thud.
The sound was like a clap of thunder exploding in Xiao Chengxuan’s heart.
He stared wide-eyed, watching the man in disbelief, almost thinking he was hallucinating.
But his clenched fists, swelling from the tension, pricked him like needles, repeatedly reminding him—this was Ye Heng!
He really wasn’t dead! And he had returned to the Capital City alive!
"The road to exile is harsh. Ye Heng’s legs were ruined by the frost, and he is now a cripple," Shen Yanchuan explained, turning slightly to the side. "Fortunately, his mind is still clear. Ye Heng, you are before the Holy Emperor. Will you not pay your respects?"
Shen Yanchuan’s words were calm and light, but Ye Heng reacted as if he had been struck, shuddering violently.
He raised his head, trembling, but as soon as his gaze touched the magnificent golden steps of the dais, he dared not look further and quickly lowered his head again.
He had been to this place many times, but never in such a wretched state.
However, he no longer had a choice.
It was a miracle he had even made it back here alive!
Perhaps due to his agitation, Ye Heng’s body began to tremble slightly.
With great difficulty, he bowed forward, his forehead striking the ground hard. The sharp pain was all too real.
"Your convicted servant, Ye Heng, greets Your Majesty!"
With those words, he confirmed his identity.
All eyes focused on him, and the mood among the officials was complicated.
Only a few months had passed, yet the once dashing and glorious Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice had been reduced to this.
Not only did he look more than ten years older, but his legs were also crippled.
In this state, he was practically indistinguishable from a beggar on the street.
Who could have imagined that this was Ye Heng?!
Emperor Muwu’s expression was cold and grave.
He, of course, did not care what Ye Heng looked like now, much less whether he was crippled.
He only cared about one thing—what words would come out of Ye Heng’s mouth!
Emperor Muwu spoke in a deep voice:
"The Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Supervision Office’s joint investigation claims that Xu Jie framed Huo Yucheng back then, leading to the execution of his entire family, and that this was done on the order of Prince Qi. Are you aware of this matter?"
The entire hall fell terrifyingly silent.
Everyone was waiting for Ye Heng’s answer.
Everyone knew he used to be Xiao Chengxuan’s man!
If Xiao Chengxuan truly did those things, then Ye Heng, as his confidant, would surely know the inside story!
Once he testified, then... Prince Qi’s situation would become dire!
Xiao Chengxuan remained motionless, frozen in his initial posture.
He appeared as still as a mountain, but inside, his heart was a chaotic mess of panic.
Of all the things he had planned for, he had never calculated that Ye Heng would still be alive!
’I want to shoot Ye Heng a warning glance, but with so many eyes on me, how can I possibly move!?’
Ye Heng finally looked toward the figure to his front right.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind as a torrent of emotions erupted from the depths of his heart!
A flood of hatred instantly engulfed him!
Ye Heng glared at Xiao Chengxuan, his teeth clenched.
"That’s right! The death of Huo Yucheng was single-handedly orchestrated by Prince Qi!"
Xiao Chengxuan could hold back no longer. He whirled around. "Ye Heng! Who bribed you to come here and slander this prince!"
But Ye Heng just let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with scorn.
He raised a hand and pointed directly at Xiao Chengxuan.
Only then did the crowd see that his hands were red and swollen, covered with frostbite, with several sores already festering.
It wasn’t hard to imagine how much he had suffered on the road to exile.
"I am telling the truth! Not a single word is false!"
"You!"
"As for a bribe...? I am now all alone in this world. What use would even the greatest reward be to me!?"
Xiao Chengxuan was startled. ’Has Ye Heng already found out what happened in the capital!?’
Ye Heng’s heart was already consumed by extreme hatred.
Before he left the capital, Xiao Chengxuan had repeatedly assured him that he would protect his wife and children.
But now—
His face twisted into a savage expression.
"What, are you disappointed that I didn’t die in Tongbei?!"
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