The so-called “Court of Judicial Review proceeding with the case as usual” meant relying on witness testimony and physical evidence!

And both of these things existed, all pointing to Li Shiyan as the murderer!

If there was no evidence to prove his innocence, Lord Huang of the Court of Judicial Review would apprehend him and carry out punishment according to each provision of Qujiang’s criminal law.

This was equivalent to sentencing Li Shiyan to death!

Now, Li Shiyan could only place all his hopes on Su Ziluo. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths to avoid all those people outside just to sneak in and see him. To him, Su Ziluo was his only lifeline.

Only he could save him!

“Ziluo, what should I do now? How can I clear my name?”

Su Ziluo also found this extremely tricky.

He pondered for a moment.

Hoping to think of a solution.

At this time, Qi’er, who was standing guard outside, suddenly knocked on the door and said, “Young Master, Minister Li just sent someone over saying that the Marquis has arrived. He’s now asking you to come to the side hall, saying that several ministers are all there and want you to also come discuss the matter concerning the heir.”

Hearing this, Li Shiyan’s pupils dilated suddenly. “Father?”

One could imagine how serious the situation had become!

Even the capital had already received the news, which meant Wang Huai’s death had naturally spread as well.

By now, the entire city must be gossiping about it.

With all the evidence present, who knew if Marquis Kangding might righteously turn against his own kin.

Thinking of this, Li Shiyan’s heart grew chaotic. “Ziluo, do you think my father will believe me? If even he doesn’t believe me, what will I do? Maybe my father will personally hand me over to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Su Ziluo calmly considered the matter, quickly made a decision, then took out a set of clean clothes for him. “Change into these clothes first, then come with me to see Minister Li and the Marquis.”

What?

Li Shiyan looked shocked, gripping the clothes in his arms with both hands. “That won’t work! Right now there’s no evidence to prove my innocence. If I go over there now, the people from the Court of Judicial Review will immediately arrest me and send me to prison.”

Su Ziluo’s expression was serious as he analyzed the situation earnestly with him. “This is your only way to survive. If you continue to run, even if you’re not the murderer, you’ll become the murderer! Only by standing up yourself and explaining things clearly is the real way to clear yourself of guilt.”

This…

Li Shiyan hesitated.

But his heart lacked confidence.

He felt somewhat panicked!

Su Ziluo then gripped his arm and said, “Heir, if you truly didn’t kill anyone, I guarantee I absolutely won’t let them take you to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Li Shiyan had always trusted him!

So after hearing these words, he gritted his teeth and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Shiyan washed up and then openly and properly followed Su Ziluo toward the direction of the manor’s side hall.

When Su Ziluo, Li Shiyan, and Qi’er emerged from the courtyard, the elite soldiers from the Court of Judicial Review outside were momentarily stunned, then immediately reacted.

A group of people surrounded the three of them!

“Men, arrest the heir!”

The people from the Court of Judicial Review worked for the Emperor and didn’t care at all about Li Shiyan’s status as heir, so naturally they wouldn’t show him any face!

Li Shiyan showed no fear. “Which of you dares to lay hands on me?”

“Heir, Wang Huai is already dead. Someone has testified that you killed him. Now we must take you back to the Court of Judicial Review.”

“I didn’t kill anyone!”

“Then you can tell that to the minister. Arrest him!”

“Wait!” Su Ziluo, sitting in his wheelchair, called out to stop them. His expression was calm, and his spirited eyes looked at each of the elite soldiers as he said coldly, “All of you, stand aside!”

One elite soldier said, “General Wen, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

“This general is taking the heir to see Minister Li. Are you going to block that too?”

“This…”

“The matter hasn’t even been thoroughly investigated yet, and you’re arresting people like this—you’re declaring the heir guilty! After this general takes the heir to see Minister Li and Minister Huang of the Court of Judicial Review, there will naturally be an explanation. Stand aside!” Though Su Ziluo’s tone was even, it carried an intimidating authority.

The elite soldiers from the Court of Judicial Review looked at each other, and finally chose a compromise solution—they would follow closely behind Li Shiyan and go to the side hall together. This way, they could also prevent him from escaping again.

…

The news that Li Shiyan had suddenly appeared immediately spread throughout the manor.

At this moment, Zhu Yao, having cried herself exhausted and just waking up, heard the commotion outside.

Cai’er quickly pushed the door open and came in, saying urgently, “Miss, Miss…”

Zhu Yao propped herself up from the bed. “What is it?”

“The heir has arrived.”

“Really?” Zhu Yao got down from the bed and grabbed Cai’er’s hand, asking, “Where is he? Where is he now?”

“The heir is currently with General Su going to see Minister Li. The people from the Court of Judicial Review don’t dare arrest him, so they’re following along the way. And they say the Marquis has already arrived, and Master has also come—they’re all in the side hall!”

Hearing this, Zhu Yao walked quickly toward the door, saying as she went, “I need to go too. I’ll go plead with Father. Father will definitely protect the heir.”

Her body was frail, and combined with her recent grief, she nearly fell before even reaching the door. Cai’er quickly supported her and urged, “Miss, you absolutely cannot go at this time.”

“I need to see Shiyan. I need to see Father.”

“But Miss, even if you go, there’s nothing you can do! Your body is so weak—you should wait for news in your room instead. Trust that the Marquis and Master will definitely protect the heir. Just rest assured.” Cai’er said.

Zhu Yao’s complexion was poor. She was helped to sit on the bed, tears glimmering in her eyes as she prayed, “Shiyan must not come to any harm. If something really happens to him, I…” As she spoke, both hands gripped tightly at the fabric on her chest.

If something really happened to Li Shiyan, she didn’t want to live either!

Cai’er could only comfort her from the side.

After Zhu Yao’s emotions gradually calmed down, she instructed Cai’er to go to the side hall to gather information and immediately tell her if there was any news.

“Yes!” Cai’er quickly went.

And it wasn’t just Cai’er going to gather information—many people from the manor went as well, though they didn’t dare approach the side hall and could only wait from a distance.

At this moment, Su Ziluo had Qi’er wait outside while he personally brought Li Shiyan into the side hall.

Inside the hall sat Minister Li, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Marquis Kangding, Minister Zhu, and Minister Wang.

When they saw Su Ziluo and Li Shiyan enter together, everyone was quite shocked!

At that moment, Marquis Kangding’s heart also settled somewhat. He had been constantly worried that his son’s disappearance meant something had happened to him, but now seeing him safe and sound, he finally felt at ease.

He slowly rose and walked forward two steps, looking at his son whose figure had become somewhat thin and who had lost his graceful bearing. He called out, “Shiyan?”

When Li Shiyan saw the Marquis, he couldn’t hold himself together any longer and immediately knelt down. “Father, you must uphold justice for your son!”

“What exactly is going on here?”

“I didn’t kill anyone! Father, you must believe me!”

Before the Marquis could speak, Minister Wang at the side became extremely agitated. His face full of savage anger, he pointed at him and said, “You’ve finally appeared! You cruelly killed Huai’er and left him without an intact corpse, yet now you still dare say you didn’t kill anyone! Now the evidence is irrefutable—you’re the one who killed Huai’er!”

Li Shiyan retorted, “I didn’t kill anyone!”

“If you didn’t kill anyone, why did you run?” After Minister Wang finished speaking, he turned his head and instructed Minister Huang, “Minister Huang, the murderer is right before your eyes. Why don’t you send people to arrest him?”

This…

Minister Huang found this difficult to handle!

Right now it wasn’t a matter of arresting someone just because he wanted to!

After all, Marquis Kangding was present, and Minister Li was present. Even if he wanted to arrest someone, he couldn’t do it now.

He had to consider saving face for both sides first.

So he said, “Minister Wang, now that the heir has come forward, why don’t we investigate the matter clearly first?”

Minister Wang rebuked, “Investigate? It’s already been investigated clearly! He’s the one who killed him!”

Marquis Kang’s expression was extremely ugly. In grave and solemn words, he said to Minister Wang, “Minister Wang, you keep insisting that Shiyan killed someone, issuing a death sentence based solely on that so-called evidence. I’m afraid you have ulterior motives!”

“Hmph! I know you Marquis only have this one son, but now that your son has killed someone, are you still going to shield him?”

“If Shiyan truly killed someone, I will personally send him to the Court of Judicial Review myself. But right now the case hasn’t been thoroughly investigated yet and you’re directly arresting people—this completely violates proper procedure.”

“You…”

The Marquis said, “In any case, whoever dares to arrest him is opposing this Marquis!”

The two men confronted each other.

Suddenly—

Minister Li, who had been silent all along, raised his hand and forcefully slapped the tea table beside him.

“Bang!”

A resounding crash. The teacup placed on top clattered several times, shocking everyone present into silence.