"Su Qing!" Fang Zhengzhi confirmed.
"Impossible. There's no way Su Qing would poison someone. Furthermore, he doesn't have the qualifications to poison someone in the Southern Region Palace." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's face darkened.
He knew that Fang Zhengzhi knew the truth.
Shan Ling was the culprit. However, Fang Zhengzhi had purposely said that Su Qing was the culprit. There could only be one reason …
He was trying to sow discord.
He was trying to sow discord between him and Su Qing.
As such, he told Fang Zhengzhi everything that had happened. He wanted to prove that Su Qing did not have the opportunity to poison Shan Ling.
"If it wasn't Su Qing, who else could it be? Official Su Qing was the only one not present. Your Highness, you can't possibly think that Shan Ling was the culprit, right? "Fang Zhengzhi smirked when he heard Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's words.
"Why can't it be …" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong paused, his eyes flashing icily. He knew that if he said that Shan Ling was the culprit …
Then, Fang Zhengzhi would definitely reveal the reason why Shan Ling did it.
And now that things had reached that stage …
All the truth would be peeled away layer by layer.
This was an outcome that Crown Prince Lin Tianrong did not wish to see. It was also an outcome that he could not have imagined. As such, he could not say it out loud.
"Your Highness, you are not saying anything. It looks like you are unsure." Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.
"Fang Zhengzhi, without any evidence, I advise you not to make any guesses. Otherwise, you will be charged with slandering an important official. You will not be able to bear the consequences!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was not about to let Fang Zhengzhi continue.
This was because the current situation had reached a point where he could no longer control it.
This gave him a strong sense of unease. He felt as if he was stepping into Fang Zhengzhi's trap.
This feeling was so strong that it made his heart tremble.
Most importantly, he could not deny that the ingredients were poisoned. After all, it was a fact that all of the officials had been poisoned.
All he had to do was find a doctor who knew how to diagnose the poison. He would be able to find out if the officials were poisoned.
Therefore, he could only try his best to calm himself down.
All of the officials who had yet to eat nodded in agreement. They were doubtful of Fang Zhengzhi's accusation.
When Fang Zhengzhi saw this, he chuckled, "Looks like Your Highness is really going to push the blame to the late Crown Prince?"
"I don't know what happened, and I will not accuse anyone without evidence!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong said sternly, making his stance clear.
"Actually, it's very simple to solve this problem. We just need to call Su Qing over and ask him." Fang Zhengzhi suggested.
"Hahaha … Fang Zhengzhi, you are really naive. Forget about whether or not anyone will believe you, Su Qing's status as the Northern Lands Five Constabularies' Chief is not something you can just call him that without evidence!" The Crown Prince chuckled icily.
"What if there is evidence?"
"Do you have proof?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was shocked.
Of course, he knew that there was no evidence left behind in the Southern Region.
He had killed eight of the Eastern Palace's hangers-on? Furthermore, Su Qing was his trusted aide. He could not think of any evidence that Fang Zhengzhi could have.
However, could he say these words?
No!
"Of course I have evidence. Your Highness, do you really think that I would accuse an important official?" Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
The other courtiers widened their eyes when they heard this.
"Su Qing was the one who poisoned them?"
"How is that possible?"
"If not, where did he get the evidence from?"
The officials did not understand. This matter was getting more and more complicated. They could not even begin to guess the truth.
The crowd looked at each other. They had thought that Fang Zhengzhi would continue to 'quibble'. They did not expect him to say that he had evidence.
Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
In fact, when she saw the officials fall to the ground one by one, she understood why Fang Zhengzhi wanted them to eat first.
But …
Speaking of evidence, did this shameless guy really have any?
Ping Yang was in disbelief, but Fang Zhengzhi's expression was so calm that she had no choice but to believe him, or rather, to question him.
Xing Yuanguo and Chi Hou were also confused.
Evidence? How was it possible that Su Qing was the culprit? They did not expect Fang Zhengzhi to have such evidence.
"What … evidence do you have?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's gaze froze. As the culprit, he was in even more disbelief than anyone else.
"Your Highness, do you really want to hear it?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled.
"Of course!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded.
All of the other officials pricked up their ears, waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to reveal the evidence that proved that Su Qing was the culprit.
"Alright … Even though Your Highness wants to hear it, I still can't say it." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head and shrugged helplessly.
"F * ck!"
"Is he messing with us?"
"Is there anyone more shameless than him?"
All of the officials cursed when they heard this. All of them looked at Fang Zhengzhi condescendingly.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression was equally dark.
He was the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. How could he not be infuriated that he was being played like this in front of all of the officials and citizens?
"Fang Zhengzhi, what do you mean?"
"Nothing much. Your Highness, you should know that some evidence can be destroyed if it is revealed. As such, I cannot reveal it now." Fang Zhengzhi explained matter-of-factly.
"If you can't reveal it, then what evidence do you have?"
"I do have evidence, but I cannot reveal it now. Is there a problem with that, Your Highness? Or do you want to know now? "Fang Zhengzhi retorted.
"You …" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong clenched his fists as he seethed with rage. However, he had no choice but to suppress it. "When do you want to reveal it?"
"Of course we will wait until we reach the Law Ministry." Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
"Law Court?!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was taken aback. Then, he regained his senses. "This case has already been settled. Why do we need to bring it to the Law Court?"
"Your Highness, can't you see that all the officials have been poisoned?" Fang Zhengzhi pointed at the officials lying on the ground.
"So what?"
"I have already said that I was poisoned a year ago. As such, I do not have the ability to kill the Southern Region Noblelite."
"Hmph, do you think it is the same poison just because you say so? How can you prove it? "Lin Tianrong was shocked, but he still gritted his teeth and asked.
"Do I have to prove it?" Fang Zhengzhi asked curiously.
"Of course. Everyone knows that you have a glib tongue. Without evidence, how can you convince them?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at Fang Zhengzhi's expression.
This reason was extremely far-fetched. In fact, it was unreasonable.
That was because Fang Zhengzhi had already proven that Shan Yu's condiments had been tampered with more than a year ago. Now, many of the officials had fallen.
This was enough to prove that Fang Zhengzhi was poisoned a year ago.
However …
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had to take this gamble.
He was betting on Emperor Lin Mubai's attitude.
He knew how big the impact of this incident was. As long as he was still the Crown Prince, Emperor Lin Mubai would not be able to pin the crime of killing the Southern Region Noblelite on him.
Moreover, taking ten thousand steps back, he had killed the Southern Region Crown Prince in order to stabilize the situation of the rebellion in the Southern Region. It was beneficial to the country and the people.
However, Emperor Lin Mubai needed a reason.
As for whether this reason was far-fetched or unreasonable, it was not as important as it seemed.
After Crown Prince Lin Tianrong finished speaking, he subconsciously glanced at Emperor Lin Mubai. From Emperor Lin Mubai's expression, he could tell that Emperor Lin Mubai was deep in thought.
This also made him feel slightly more at ease.
He was the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne. As long as he refused to admit it, what could Fang Zhengzhi do to him?
"If that is the case, we can only do another experiment." Fang Zhengzhi nodded. He did not expose Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
"What experiment?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's gaze turned icy.
"If I am not wrong, the officials who were poisoned should have no energy left in their bodies. However, their minds should be fine. In other words, they could clearly hear every word we said." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"What can this prove?"
"A year ago, I was in the same state. If I am right, then I can prove that I was poisoned a year ago."
"Alright, then we will wait for the officials to wake up and let the Law Ministry interrogate them!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at the unconscious officials and hesitated for a moment. Then, he nodded.
If Fang Zhengzhi had chosen to experiment with other methods, he would not have agreed.
However, when it came to the officials, he was 100% confident that they would never agree with Fang Zhengzhi to go against him.
"No need, I can wake them up now." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
"Now?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong squinted.
"Yes, I was poisoned a year ago. After asking around, I finally found out the name of this poison. As a precaution, I brought some antidote with me. Your Highness, you seem rather nervous. Are you afraid?" Fang Zhengzhi explained.
"Afraid? Why would I be afraid? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong gritted his teeth.
"In order to be fair, I will pick Official Yue Hu. I wonder if Your Highness has any objections?" Fang Zhengzhi continued.
"You are choosing Yue Hu?!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was stunned.
In his mind, Fang Zhengzhi would definitely choose someone who was neutral in the court. However, Fang Zhengzhi actually chose the Minister of Revenue, Yue Hu …
How could he not be shocked?
It was not just the Crown Prince. Ping Yang, King Duan, Xing Yuanguo, Chi Hou, and even Wen Dabao were all shocked.
He actually chose Official Yue Hu for this experiment?
How was this any different from suicide?
"Your Highness, do you think it is inappropriate? Should I change to someone else? "Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"No need, Official Yue Hu has been the Minister of Finance for more than five years. He has always been fair and just. I have no objections!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong did not understand why Fang Zhengzhi would do this.
However, he knew that when Fang Zhengzhi chose the Minister of Revenue, Yue Hu, it meant that Fang Zhengzhi was walking towards death.
"So fair? Looks like I have good taste. " Fang Zhengzhi nodded and walked towards the fainted Minister of Revenue, Yue Hu.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong smirked as he watched Fang Zhengzhi walk towards Yue Hu. Despite his shock, he was able to suppress his laughter.
He wanted to say something to Fang Zhengzhi's back.
Don't you know that Yue Hu is on my side?
Chi Hou looked at Fang Zhengzhi as well. However, he shook his head subconsciously. At this point, he was only one step away from success.
Yet, Fang Zhengzhi had made such a choice.
How could he not be heartbroken?
Yue Hu had been an official for decades. Before he became the Minister of Finance, he was already on Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's side. This was something that all of the officials knew.
Fang Zhengzhi chose the Minister of Revenue, Yue Hu, for this experiment, but how could it possibly succeed?
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who had already walked in front of the Ministry of Revenue Minister Yue Hu, lowered his body, and picked up Yue Hu's ear. A trace of astonishment flashed across Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes. Then, he waved at Eunuch Wei beside him.
Eunuch Wei received the signal and immediately brought over the hot tea that he had prepared earlier.
Emperor Lin Mubai reached out and took the teacup. He opened the lid and took a whiff. Then, he opened his mouth slightly and took a sip, savoring the taste of the tea in his mouth.
At that moment …
An incomparably loud and clear voice rang out.
"Yue Hu, your fifth concubine, Liu Lan, is having an affair with your second son, Yue Tianxiao, in the second room of the 'Qingtian Inn' in the west of the city. Did you hear that?!"
"Pfft!" Emperor Lin Mubai spat out the mouthful of tea in his mouth.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
