Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1762 Involvement
"The culprit?" Xiahou Yunzhao repeated the word, a smirk playing on her lips. "Although I wasn't involved, I'm not entirely ignorant. If you want me to plead guilty, you should at least provide some evidence."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the people kneeling or standing in the courtroom: the head of the Wu family, Wu Ying, Lord Liu, and Madam Fu. Each and every one of them was a mastermind behind the scenes, yet they all pushed her out to be the instigator.

But only now did she realize that the mastermind behind it all might not be any specific person at all. Ultimately, it was the word "power" that, when placed in people's hearts, became a knife capable of any evil.

From General of Baiyue to Duke of Dajing, wasn't she also caught up in the power struggles? There were many times when she used power as a weapon.

If that's the case, if she were to use herself as bait, she might be able to lure out all those who are immersed in these sordid affairs. At that time, she might be able to fight for fairness and the truth.

"General Xiahou?" Xie Chen's voice pulled Xiahou Yunzhao back to reality. She looked up and met his calm eyes.

She knew that no matter what decision she made or what the outcome, it wouldn't shake Xie Chen's position as presiding judge. Since that was the case, what harm was there in giving Fang Zilan the fairness she wanted and turning Southeast China upside down completely?

“Now everyone has their own reasons, but no one dares to produce any substantial evidence.” Xiahou Yunzhao said in a deep voice, word by word, “If there is really evidence, I am willing to accept the charges and be temporarily detained.”

"General Xiahou..." Xie Chen and Li Qiyou spoke at the same time, but their thoughts were completely different.

However, in just a short while, Lord Liu and others were enough to seize upon the situation again, asking, "If you were truly innocent, why would you willingly be imprisoned?"

“I said, the premise is that there is evidence.” Xiahou Yunzhao looked down at Lord Liu condescendingly. “If you have evidence, then just produce it.”

“I have it.” Dugu Linxiu’s voice trembled slightly, yet it was so sharp that it drew everyone’s attention. “It’s in the ledger I gave to Mr. Xie earlier.”

“Madam Fu, I have reviewed all the account books. Let me remind you of something,” Xie Chen said solemnly. “There are some things that you simply cannot do alone, and most people cannot do either.”

"Mr. Xie's words are interesting." Lord Liu quickly grasped Xie Chen's underlying meaning and smiled sinisterly. "Ordinary people can't do it, so who can? The Dugu family?"

The head of the Wu family immediately understood and chimed in, "If the Dugu family didn't have their backing, why would the five families of Lingnan have asked Madam Fu to be their gatekeeper?"

Dugu Linxiu clenched her fists, which were hidden in her sleeves. "Why would the five families of Lingnan ask me to be their gatekeeper? Let's explain this properly in front of everyone."

"Madam Fu, you are the gatekeeper of the five families of Lingnan, and the daughter of the Dugu family—that is an indisputable fact." Lord Liu wore a pained expression. "Are you just spouting lies to absolve the Dugu family?"

Li Shengxuan said with a half-smile, "When I was Qiyou's age, I fought bandits and guarded the northern border. Back then, no one said it was impossible."

The Empress Dowager paused, thinking that Li Shengxuan was going to bring up old grievances. Before she could refute him, she heard him say to himself, "If Qiyou wants my position, then nothing is impossible."

"What did Your Majesty say..." The Empress Dowager looked at Li Shengxuan in disbelief. Even though they all shared the same sentiment, the way he said it carried a completely different meaning.

He allowed them to have such ambitions, and even didn't care that they had such ambitions.

Li Shengxuan looked with interest at the Empress Dowager, whose face had turned pale, and the Grand Empress Dowager, who remained as steady as a mountain. "Did I say something wrong?"

"If Qiyou cannot..." The Empress Dowager heard her own voice, deep and resonant, "What will Your Majesty do?" "Your Majesty seems to lack confidence in Qiyou," Li Shengxuan said, his expression hardening. The Empress Dowager took a deep breath and asked again, "If Qiyou cannot, what will Your Majesty do?"

"Although I've allowed Qiyou to remain in the southeast, I haven't abandoned him completely," Li Shengxuan smiled slightly. "If Qiyou can't manage, then I'm still here, aren't I?"

He paused for a moment, then said, "As long as I am here, Qiyou will always be the Jade Emperor of Dajing."

For some reason, the Empress Dowager suddenly felt relieved, as if as long as Li Shengxuan's words were there, no matter what happened in the southeast, Li Qiyou would be safe.

As long as I'm alive, that's enough. As for whether I'll become King Yucheng or the future ruler of the world, there's plenty of time.

However, before the Empress Dowager could even breathe a sigh of relief, Li Shengxuan said, "However, if the case of Prince Rong'an involves the Pei family and the Dugu family..."

He didn't continue, and the Empress Dowager's face turned cold. "Do what needs to be done. Now that things have come to this, does His Majesty expect him to punish everyone equally to maintain appearances?"

"The Empress Dowager understands me." Li Shengxuan's smile widened. "I will certainly not disappoint the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and turned to leave. The Empress Dowager herself looked ashen, lowered her head, and quickly followed, only speaking when they reached a secluded spot: "Mother..."

"You heard what His Majesty said just now." The Empress Dowager slowed her pace and said in a low voice, "Consider the case of Prince Rong'an as a trial. As long as Qiyou is protected, nothing else matters."

"Not important?" The Empress Dowager finally couldn't hold back and burst out, "Your Majesty can disregard the Pei family, but I cannot disregard the Dugu family!"

"How do you intend to handle this?" The Empress Dowager stopped in her tracks. "Since he has set his mind on this, things will not end well."

"There are countless powerful families in the world, far more than just the Pei and Dugu families." A ruthless glint appeared in the Empress Dowager's eyes. "If he insists on investigating to the end, all the powerful families will rise up against him..."

"Shut up." The Empress Dowager's face was as cold as ice. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

"Mother, the Pei family has few members left, so abandoning them is not a loss." The Empress Dowager remained unmoved, saying, "But the Dugu family is different. Generations of meritorious service cannot be lost..."

A sharp "slap" interrupted the Empress Dowager's words. She covered her face and looked at the Grand Empress Dowager in disbelief, as if she had been hit hard by the slap.

"I will pretend I never heard these words today." The Empress Dowager withdrew her hand and warned, "He is far more powerful than you think. If you still want to leave a way out for Qiyou, then you should give up any thoughts you shouldn't have."

While undercurrents were surging in the capital, in the southeastern region, the Suzhou government office was also in turmoil.

Cheng Zhiyan's face turned ashen, and he vehemently denied all the crimes. "Your Highness, it is far too hasty to say that I colluded with foreign enemies and had dealings with Mr. Zuo of Miluo based solely on a notarized statement from the former Yue Kingdom."

He raised his voice as he spoke, "Without concrete evidence, I would rather die than admit it."