Chapter 613: First Volume, Chapter 613: Cornered

First Volume, Chapter 613: Cornered

Everyone present assumed Qin Feng was about to pull another stunt, and they instinctively held their breath.

But Qin Feng's words left everyone staggering in shock.

The Minister of Dali Temple stroked his trembling beard, seething inside.

"You brat… cough, Qin Feng, this is the Shen Xing Yuan—your reckless words are not permitted. Don't spout nonsense unrelated to the case."

"If you don't rein yourself in, don't blame me for treating you harshly!"

Tonight's interrogation carried stakes unlike any before.

War heroes, a Duke, a Prince, and the Grand Protector were all entangled—no matter the outcome, it would shake Jingdu, even Shedynasty.

Under such grave and dangerous circumstances, Qin Feng still had the leisure to joke frivolously.

One couldn't tell whether this brat was truly fearless, unmoved even as Mount Taishan collapsed before him.

Or… just clueless!

Li Qian and Grand Protector Lin were both furious, their faces dark with rage.

That scoundrel Qin Feng had the audacity to flatter the Minister of Dali Temple in public—anywhere else, he'd have been given twenty lashes first.

Yet Qin Feng wore an expression of utter impunity, as if the Dali Temple were his own home.

Had the Minister not immediately rebuked him, Li Qian might have believed Qin Feng had some secret alliance with the Minister.

Beside him, Li Yong watched Qin Feng with a faint, knowing smile.

Since Qin Feng returned to Jingdu, he'd nearly torn the sky apart—and now, with the blade at his throat, he remained as calm as ever.

A true talent!

To prevent Qin Feng from uttering another shocking remark, the Minister of Dali Temple did not hesitate—he swiftly opened the case file.

"The case of Xie Bi colluding with a Foreign Country: physical evidence is conclusive. A secret letter submitted jointly by the Second Prince and Grand Protector Lin proves Xie Bi, seeking wealth and glory, secretly conspired with the Di envoy Chen Si."

"In the letter, Xie Bi promised to secretly aid Chen Si during the State Peace Talks, thereby harming Shedynasty's interests."

"This letter has been examined by officials of the Evidence Office; the handwriting is confirmed to be Xie Bi's."

"Though there are no eyewitnesses, this physical evidence alone is sufficient to convict Xie Bi."

After reading the case summary, the Minister of Dali Temple picked up the "secret letter of collusion" as key evidence.

His piercing eyes, stern and commanding, fixed on Xie Bi.

"Xie Bi, I ask you: do you admit this letter was written by you?"

"If you deny it, present evidence to refute it."

The core of the case rested on this letter.

If Xie Bi could prove his innocence—that the letter had nothing to do with him—he could clear his name and turn the tables on Li Qian.

Conversely, this single letter alone was enough to condemn Xie Bi to Death Penalty.

Xie Bi stared at the letter in the Minister's hand, his gaze unwavering.

"This so-called evidence was never written by me. Someone must have forged my handwriting to frame me."

"Since the Evidence Office officials have already examined this letter, the forger must have reached a level of mastery beyond compare."

"His handwriting is indistinguishable from mine."

"Unless the forger is caught, I could jump into the Yellow River and still not wash away the suspicion."

"Moreover, the one who framed me could produce this letter only because their actions were extremely covert—likely, the forger has already been silenced."

Xie Bi's words held logic, but logic alone was not enough—Shen Xing Yuan cared only for evidence.

The Minister of Dali Temple's expression remained utterly impassive; having taken this position, he must uphold impartiality.

He would not favor Xie Bi because of his special relationship with Qin Feng.

If Xie Bi truly committed Traitorous Talk, he would execute him without hesitation.

But equally, he would never allow anyone to falsely accuse Xie Bi.

"Accused Xie Bi, your words carry no weight—do you have tangible proof?"

Xie Bi had never been one to beg or plead; faced with the Minister's question, he answered without pause.

"I have no evidence."

His words echoed through the Shen Xing Yuan like Li Qian's laughter.

Li Qian shook his head in disbelief.

"After all that, it's still just empty words?"

"Xie Bi, you were once a man of iron will—how have you lost even the Courage to own up?"

"Has the comfort of Jingdu worn away your spirit?"

"Ha! Clear evidence lies before you—how dare you deny it with mere words?"

Grand Protector Lin's gaze turned sharp as a blade, fixed on Xie Bi like he was already a corpse.

Inside, he sneered coldly.

The forger had long ago been buried alive by his own men.

No matter how powerful Qin Feng and Xie Bi were, they would never find the forger again.

Without this crucial eyewitness, Xie Bi could never overturn the case!

Grand Protector Lin held victory in his grasp.

"Bold Xie Bi! If you claim someone framed you, then name that person!"

"I see—you old dog, you're just terrified of death, trying to twist your confession at the last moment."

"A disloyal, faithless wretch like you deserves to be flayed alive."

Grand Protector Lin, as cunning as ever, deliberately provoked Xie Bi, forcing him to turn on someone else.

Everyone knows that the one who framed Xie Bi is Lin Taibao and Li Qian, but so what?

Without concrete evidence, merely on word of mouth, anyone who dares to accuse Lin Taibao and Li Qian can be charged with "falsely accusing a Prince and senior minister."

Facing the relentless pressure from Li Qian and Lin Taibao, Xie Bi did not take the bait; even as he knelt on the ground, his body remained straight, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Justice resides in the hearts of men!"

Li Qian snorted softly: "What a fine notion—justice resides in the hearts of men."

"If that's the case, then executing the traitor here who colludes with Foreign Country is surely justice!"

The Chief of Dali Temple frowned slightly; though he clearly knew Xie Bi was wronged, without evidence, how could he overturn the case?

This nighttime interrogation was originally the Liang Emperor's opportunity for Qin Feng.

To appease Qin Feng, and thereby coax Qin Feng back into serving the Liang Emperor, intimidating all Powerful Clans and Aristocratic Clans.

If the case cannot be overturned, or worse, backfires, this matter will spiral out of control.

And judging by this posture, it was clear that Li Qian and Lin Taibao cared nothing for the future of Shedynasty—they cared only about seizing power.

The situation was extremely unfavorable for Xie Bi.

Xie Yun'er, listening in from the adjacent room, had her heart in her throat.

Two snow-white fists clenched tightly.

Xie Yun'er had long prepared herself mentally—overturning the case would be no easy feat—but she never imagined it would be this hard.

Especially since Li Qian and Lin Taibao knew full well the Liang Emperor wished to reconcile with Qin Feng.

Yet for the sake of their own future careers, they left not the slightest room for mercy, utterly determined to see Xie Bi dead.

Xie Yun'er's heart was now tightly clenched.

Just as Xie Yun'er was about to rush out and defend Xie Bi, a small hand grabbed her.