The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 110: Framing

The statement shocked everyone present.

The painters all stopped their brushes, looking anxiously toward the Emperor.

The Empress couldn’t help but ask, "How is this possible? Is there some mistake?"

Wu Wang spoke respectfully.

"Li Zhaoyuan said it herself. She’s right outside. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, you can summon her for questioning."

The Empress was even more surprised. ’How is Li Zhaoyuan involved in this?’

She immediately ordered someone to call Li Zhaoyuan in.

Li Zhaoyuan entered Mingxiu Pavilion, supported by attendants.

She had clearly run here in a panic. Her face was covered in a cold sweat, and her eyes were wide with terror.

The moment she saw the Emperor, it was as if she’d seen her savior, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.

"Your Majesty, Prince Zhao has been secretly hiding the Jade Seal! He plans to rebel!"

The Emperor frowned, deeply displeased. "Nonsense! The Jade Seal has always been here with me and has never been lost. Besides, Prince Zhao is utterly loyal to me. How could he possibly rebel?!"

Li Zhaoyuan was frightened by his piercing gaze, but she still summoned her courage. She recounted, from start to finish, how she had discovered the Jade Seal in Prince Zhao’s residence.

At the end, she took the Jade Seal from her robes and presented it with both hands.

She was so nervous that her hands trembled uncontrollably, and she could barely hold the seal steady.

Inside Mingxiu Pavilion, everyone’s gaze was focused on the Jade Seal.

The Emperor glanced at Wu Wang.

Understanding the silent command, Wu Wang took the Jade Seal and presented it to the Emperor.

The Emperor used the Jade Seal every day; no one was more familiar with it than he was.

He only needed one look to tell.

"This is a Fake Jade Seal."

Li Zhaoyuan clearly hadn’t expected such a turn of events and was stunned for a moment.

But she quickly recovered and said urgently.

"Even if it’s fake, it was still found in Prince Zhao’s residence! To secretly forge a Jade Seal—his treasonous intent is as clear as day!"

She had a point.

Whether one secretly hid the Jade Seal or secretly forged it, both were crimes punishable by death.

Afraid the Emperor wouldn’t believe her, Li Zhaoyuan quickly added.

"Many people were there when the Jade Seal was found. Your Majesty can summon them and question them one by one. I can swear to the heavens that every word I have just spoken is the truth!"

She spoke with such conviction that she didn’t seem to be lying.

Many people present were swayed by her words, and they turned to look at Prince Zhao with gazes of shock and suspicion.

The Emperor also looked at Prince Zhao and asked in a low voice.

"Do you have anything to say?"

From the moment Wu Wang entered Mingxiu Pavilion until now, Li Ji had remained silent in his wheelchair.

He was like a spectator, calmly watching the farce unfold before him.

Hearing the Emperor’s question, Li Ji just smiled and said in an unhurried manner.

"Although the Fake Jade Seal was found at my residence, that doesn’t mean it belongs to me. It’s also possible that someone deliberately planted it to frame me."

The Emperor asked again, "Do you have any evidence to prove the Fake Jade Seal is not yours?"

Li Ji replied, "That won’t be difficult. Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will have someone bring the person who framed me over."

After speaking, he glanced at Chen Wangbei, who was standing by his side.

Chen Wangbei understood, and immediately excused himself and left.

A quiet wait ensued. The painters had been dismissed, and the various princes and princesses had stood up to move aside.

The youngest, Sixth Prince Li Yi, hid behind Yichongyuan.

Yichongyuan gently took his hand, silently calming him and telling him not to be afraid.

Of all the people present, only Li Zhaoyuan didn’t dare to look at Prince Zhao.

This Evil God had left such a deep shadow on her heart that even a single glance at him made her tremble with fear.

Seeing that Li Zhaoyuan was still kneeling, the Empress ordered someone to help her up and bring her a cup of tea to let her catch her breath and relax.

「At that moment, Hua Manman arrived near Mingxiu Pavilion.」

But because she hadn’t been summoned by the Emperor, she couldn’t enter Mingxiu Pavilion and could only pace outside the door.

From time to time, she would crane her neck to peer into Mingxiu Pavilion, her heart filled with anxiety.

’I wonder what’s happening inside?’

She prayed silently, hoping that Prince Zhao would be safe.

’The man has a terrible personality, but he’s not bad to me. Besides, we’re in the same boat now.’

’If something happens to Prince Zhao, I’ll go down with him.’

Chen Wangbei returned shortly after.

He was carrying an unconscious palace maid on his shoulder.

When Hua Manman got a clear look at the palace maid, she was stunned.

It was Aunt Jinzhi!

When Chen Wangbei had gone to capture her, Jin Zhi had tried to resist. Fearing she might do something desperate, Chen Wangbei had simply knocked her unconscious with a single blow.

Hua Manman hurried forward. "Why did you bring Jin Zhi here?"

Chen Wangbei replied concisely.

"The Prince ordered me to bring her for questioning. He suspects she’s the one behind the Fake Jade Seal."

Hua Manman was stunned and blurted out, "That Jade Seal was fake?"

It wasn’t her fault for not knowing; she had never seen a real Jade Seal before.

At the time, everyone assumed it was the real Jade Seal, so she had gone along with it.

’I can’t believe the Jade Seal was a fake!’

Chen Wangbei nodded. "Yes."

Hua Manman knew Jin Zhi was up to no good and was extremely cunning.

If they questioned her openly, she definitely wouldn’t admit to anything.

They would have to use special methods.

So Hua Manman took out a Truth Elixir, gave it to Chen Wangbei, and whispered her instructions.

"In a moment, secretly slip this elixir into Jin Zhi’s mouth. Be careful so no one sees you."

Chen Wangbei was puzzled. "What does this elixir do?"

Hua Manman gave a mysterious smile. "You’ll find out. Just do as I say. The Prince and I are in this together; I would never do anything to harm him."

Chen Wangbei hesitated for only a moment before taking the Truth Elixir.

He strode into Mingxiu Pavilion with Jin Zhi on his shoulder.

No sooner had he left than Hua Qingqing came rushing after him.

Seeing Hua Manman was also there, Hua Qingqing hurriedly asked.

"Second Sister, did you see Chen Guard and Aunt Jinzhi?"

Just a moment ago, Chen Wangbei had burst into her chambers, knocked Jin Zhi unconscious without a word, and carried her off. The whole sequence of events was incredibly fast and fluid.

By the time Hua Qingqing realized what was happening, Chen Wangbei was already gone with Jin Zhi.

She was worried something had happened to Jin Zhi and had rushed after them to find out why Chen Wangbei had taken her.

Hua Manman immediately went into performance mode and said mockingly.

"They’ve already entered Mingxiu Pavilion. I’d advise you to stay out of it, lest you get dragged down by your capable Aunt Jinzhi."

Hua Qingqing was even more confused. "What’s wrong with Jin Zhi?"

Hua Manman snorted. "I can’t be bothered to explain it to you. You can ask Jin Zhi yourself later and see what kind of mess she’s made."

Inside Mingxiu Pavilion.

Chen Wangbei threw Jin Zhi to the ground and pinched the pressure point under her nose.

The instant she jolted awake from the pain.

Chen Wangbei seized the opportunity and quickly shoved the Truth Elixir into her mouth before anyone noticed.