Chapter 718: I Have a Friend

Zuan’s expression changed as he realized he had forgotten about that.

After they had woken up, he and the Crown Princess had searched everywhere for clothes but found none. They must have been hidden by the mastermind, who was waiting for an opportunity to plant them at the scene.

"What, speechless?" Murong Tong sneered, seeing the change in his expression.

Zuan sighed, "Isn't that easy enough? All the person who framed us has to do is find an opportunity to steal one of my clothes and drop it at the scene, right?"

"You know, my residence in the capital is no secret, and it's undefended. For a master to sneak in and steal a piece of clothing would be incredibly easy."

Murong Tong frowned. "Stealing your clothes is easy, but the Crown Princess resides in the Eastern Palace. How could her clothes be so easy to steal?"

Zuan replied, "You should ask the Crown Princess about that; how would I know?"

Murong Tong angrily retorted, "You're sharp-tongued, you scoundrel! It seems we'll have to resort to torture!"

Zuan said in a deep voice, "Lord Murong, do you really want to believe the Crown Princess had an affair with me? I wonder what your true intentions are."

"Stop slandering me!" Murong Tong retorted, now somewhat accustomed to the fellow's occasional barbed remarks. "This official is merely investigating the case."

"If it's for investigation, then isn't it simple?" Zuan said. "You can find an experienced matron in the palace to examine the Crown Princess's body and see if there are any signs of her being violated by a man. Wouldn't that easily clarify the facts?"

Hearing his words, the room immediately fell silent. A few people exchanged glances before Murong Tong exclaimed, "You speak with such confidence. Is it because you know the Crown Princess is a virgin that you deliberately asked us to investigate?"

Zuan feigned surprise, "What? The Crown Princess is still a virgin? She's been married to the Crown Prince for so long!"

He admired his own acting skills, knowing he certainly wouldn't admit that he had already learned this information from the jailers.

Murong Tong snorted, "If you didn't know that, why would you be so confident nothing would be found? Did she tell you when you were secretly meeting her?"

Zhen Xueyi, standing nearby, frowned and unhappily reminded him, "Brother Murong, mind your words."

Only then did Zuan reply, "I don't know the Crown Princess's situation. However, to check for signs of violation, she doesn't need to be a virgin; you can simply check if she is intact."

"Intact?" The chief interrogators' eyes were somewhat bewildered. But having lived for so many years, and having visited brothels in their youth – now with white hair, they were truly seasoned veterans – they immediately understood. Their gazes toward Zuan became strange. *This guy is truly a genius! Can that term even be used like that?*

Zuan found their gazes a bit strange, but he continued, "Aside from that, you can also examine the Crown Princess's intimate apparel for any male bodily fluid residue. And scent cannot be hidden either. Checking these things would naturally determine the innocence between the Crown Princess and me."

Jiang Boyang coughed, "These things have actually already been investigated in the palace. The Crown Princess is indeed pure and blameless, but..."

At this point, Murong Tong took over, saying, "But there's another possibility: you were about to commit illicit acts when you were discovered by palace attendants and thus stopped. This doesn't completely prove your innocence."

Zuan spread his hands. "If you put it that way, there's nothing I can do."

At the same time, he secretly marveled. Murong Tong and Jiang Boyang were indeed worthy of being master investigators; they had, in fact, already guessed his and the Crown Princess's relationship with considerable accuracy.

At this point, Zhen Xueyi spoke, "What do you two think?"

Jiang Boyang said in a deep voice, "From all indications, Zuan was likely framed."

Zuan’s heart warmed. He truly was worthy of being the beautiful principal's father; he certainly knew how to look out for his future son-in-law.

At this point, Murong Tong coldly snorted, "But the possibility of him having an affair with the Crown Princess cannot be ruled out."

Zuan thought to himself, *I won't agree to the marriage between your granddaughter and Youzhao. We'll see what you do then!*

Zhen Xueyi said, "Since both sides have their points, and crucial evidence is lacking, it seems we can only turn to that person."

"Exactly," Jiang Boyang nodded in agreement. "If he steps in, everything will be revealed."

Murong Tong hesitated, "But he has always refused to get involved in these matters. He might not agree."

Zhen Xueyi chuckled a few times. "This matter involves the Crown Princess and has already affected the foundation of the nation. He'll have to agree, whether he wants to or not."

Zuan was utterly confused. "Who are you talking about?"

"Chen Si, the Libationer of the Imperial Academy," Murong Tong sneered. "Libationer Chen is skilled at observing auras. He can discern loyalty from treachery and read people's hearts. No one can speak falsely in front of him."

The title of Libationer was roughly equivalent to a principal, but with far greater authority than a principal in later eras.

Zuan’s heart skipped a beat. *An anomalous person like that exists?*

From their words, it sounded like Chen Si was a 100% accurate lie detector.

*Then I'm truly screwed.*

A hint of triumphant smile flashed across Murong Tong's face. "Your heartbeat has quickened. It seems you're scared?"

Zuan’s heart went cold. These guys were all masters, their senses surprisingly keen. But his reaction was quick, and he immediately smiled and said, "Not fear, but excitement! I can finally clear my name. Could you please ask Libationer Chen to come and interrogate me quickly?"

Seeing his excited expression, even Murong Tong lost his confidence. Could this guy truly have a clear conscience?

The few of them quickly left to discuss the case and report to the Emperor, and also to consider seeking the Libationer's assistance.

Zuan was taken back to his cell. The things in his room had been cleaned up, and Guo Zhi had specifically ordered jailers to guard outside without leaving their posts, fearing that someone might exploit a loophole again.

Zhuxie Chixin also rushed over upon hearing the news, dispatching a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards to supervise, to ensure there were no issues with the imperial prison staff.

With both sides now checking each other, not even a fly could get in.

Seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Zuan fell into deep thought. *It seems the one trying to kill me truly isn't the Emperor. So who is it?*

*And what about that lie-detecting Libationer? Actually, I'm not too afraid of him. With the heaven-defying skill 'Jian Lai' in existence, I'll always find a way to deal with it, even if the side effects are a bit severe.*

*But even if I pass the test, what about the Crown Princess?*

*What if they have Libationer Chen test the Crown Princess? Wouldn't everything be exposed then?*

A wave of frustration washed over him at this thought. Unfortunately, he was trapped in prison, powerless to act.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He realized he hadn't drawn a lottery in a long time. Since he was idle now, he might as well try his luck.

He calculated that he had a total of 358,655 Rage points. He had to admit that after arriving in the capital, people's cultivation levels were higher, and each person provided more Rage points.

He glanced at the surrounding jailers and Embroidered Uniform Guards. Seeing that they hadn't noticed him, he began the lottery draw.

"Thank you for participating... Thank you for participating... Thank you for participating..."

Suddenly, the cursor stopped on the letter 'P'.

"Congratulations! You have drawn the skill: 'I Have a Friend!'"