roccoschili Chapter 179: Frame-up? Set up the game first
Chapter 179: Frame-up? Set up the game first
Chai Zhen's command was like a giant rock crashing down upon a calm lake, sending turbulent waves surging across Linkang Prefecture, the atmosphere suddenly tense. The once bustling streets seemed to pause as pedestrians exchanged glances, whispers mingled, and a sense of unease permeated the air. The officials investigating the case were trembling with fear, treading on thin ice. Their backs drenched in sweat, their hands trembling as they gripped the files, fearing that a single misstep would draw them into the maelstrom of court struggle and bring them to an irretrievable end. Cen Jiexiao appeared calm and composed, as if nothing had happened to her. However, her deep eyes gleamed with a penetrating glint, secretly guiding the investigation and keeping this complex chess game firmly in her grasp.
Meanwhile, Mo Lei was "invited" before Chai Zhen. It wasn't an invitation, but more of an escort. Several sturdy guards surrounded him and roughly shoved him to the center of the hall. Despite this predicament, Mo Lei remained inexplicably calm. His expression was composed, his steps steady, as if the assassinated person wasn't a princess of another kingdom, but an insignificant ant. His deep eyes held no trace of fear, only an icy chill, making it impossible to fathom his true thoughts.
"Deputy Envoy Mo, do you admit your guilt?" Chai Zhen played with the jade ring in his hand, his tone flat and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. But the more calm he was, the more people felt an invisible pressure, like the calm before the storm.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean? I don't understand." Mo Lei lowered his head slightly, his tone respectful, but without any remorse, as if he really didn't know what had happened, which made it even more difficult to understand his true thoughts.
"Hmph, at this point, are you still pretending to be stupid? Come here, present the evidence!" Chai Zhen snorted coldly, breaking the silence in the hall.
At Shai Zhen's command, several guards filed in, carrying three trays covered in red silk, which they placed steadily in the center of the hall. The red silk, as piercing as blood, foreshadowed the depths of what lay ahead. When the silk was peeled back, the gleaming dagger, the secret letter filled with conspiracy, and the delicate white jade vase revealed Mo Lei's crimes.
When Mo Lei saw these things, his expression finally changed slightly, his pupils shrinking slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. He sneered at Cen Jiexiao, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Lord Cen is quite resourceful. This ability to frame someone else is truly admirable!"
"Words are not enough. Deputy Envoy Mo, please tell me why these things are in your room." Cen Jiexiao walked calmly to the tray, picked up the dagger, and pointed at the poison residue on the blade. "The poison on this dagger has been tested and is exactly the same as the 'Soul-Intoxicating Incense' used by your Liaodan royal family. What else do you have to say, Deputy Envoy Mo?"
"If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext!" Mo Lei raised his head abruptly, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Princess Jue Ling and I have no grudges against each other. Besides, we had a connection three years ago. Why would I want to assassinate her? This is clearly a deliberate frame-up!"
"Framed? Then could Deputy Envoy Mo explain this secret letter to Empress Dowager Dan of Liao?" Cen Jiexiao slowly opened the letter and read it word for word. In the letter, Empress Dowager Dan of Liao earnestly pleaded with Mo Lei to find a way to disrupt the peace talks, even resorting to "extraordinary measures" if necessary.
The contents of the letter reached Mo Lei's ears word by word, his face became paler and paler, and beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead, because he knew that he might meet a tough opponent this time. In order to frame him, Cen Jiexiao really made all the necessary preparations.
"This... this is just an ordinary letter and doesn't mean anything! Besides, how could the way I convey information be so easily discovered?" Mo Lei wanted to argue, but was ruthlessly interrupted by Cen Jiexiao.
"Then why does this letter mention 'Soul-Intoxicating Incense'? And why did this poison appear in your room?!"
Cen Jiexiao pressed on, not giving Mo Lei a moment to breathe. Every word she spoke was like a hammer, hammering down on Mo Lei's heart, completely crumbling his already fragile mental defenses. Mo Lei's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat, and his back was soaked with cold sweat, but he didn't dare reach out to wipe it, knowing that his every move was under Cen Jiexiao's control. He finally realized that he was completely defeated this time, and there was no chance of recovery.
The evidence was irrefutable, leaving Mo Lei no room for denial. Chai Zhen sat on the dragon throne, his eyes filled with disgust and anger as he looked at the usually gentle and courteous Liaodan envoy. He had always thought Mo Lei was a humble and polite man, but he had never imagined he harbored such evil intentions, daring to assassinate the Princess of Da Zhou! The more Chai Zhen thought about it, the angrier he became. In a rage, he slammed the table with a deafening bang, startling everyone in the hall, unable to breathe.
"Someone come! Drag this madman who dared to assassinate the Princess of Da Zhou away and put him in the Sky Prison!" Chai Zhen roared, his voice full of irresistible majesty.
Upon hearing the emperor's order, the two guards immediately stepped forward, one on each side holding Mo Lei's arms, and dragged him out of the hall. As Mo Lei was dragged away by the guards, he stared at Cen Jiexiao with resentment, as if he wanted to eat her alive. He hated this woman, hated her for destroying everything he had, hated her for making him a prisoner!
Cen Jiexiao met Mo Lei's hateful gaze with a cold smile, her eyes filled with disdain. She had known Mo Lei would react like this, but to her, it didn't matter at all. She just wanted Mo Lei to pay for his actions!
This farce ended in humiliation for the Liaodan envoys. When the news reached Liaodan, the nation was shocked. Upon hearing the news, the Liaodan emperor, Yelü Zhu, flew into a rage and immediately ordered his troops to march south to seek justice for his envoys.
However, just then, a letter arrived from the Great Zhou Dynasty. In it, Chai Zhen detailed the circumstances surrounding Mo Lei's assassination of Princess Jue Ling, stating that the assassination was solely Mo Lei's and had nothing to do with the Liao and Dan imperial families. Chai Zhen concluded by urging Liao and Dan to prioritize diplomatic relations and not let this incident affect peace talks.
After reading the letter, Yelu Zhu's face darkened. He knew it was just a smokescreen thrown by Chai Zhen to stabilize the Liao and Dan states. But he also understood that the Liao and Dan states, having just experienced a snowstorm and with their treasuries empty, were completely unable to wage war against the Great Zhou. Ultimately, he could only suppress his anger and choose to maintain peace.