Chapter 702: Chapter 703: Who Can Force You?

Xie Anjun’s mind went blank. The blood in his veins seemed to freeze, and he couldn’t move a muscle.

Emperor Muwu’s words sounded casual, but Xie Anjun hadn’t forgotten how he’d been "invited" to the palace!

And now, Emperor Muwu was saying he would personally conduct the interrogation—and had even suggested that he join him...

’He’s clearly going to interrogate *me*!’

Xie Anjun’s throat was dry. After a long moment, his face ashen, he managed to stammer, "...A-as... as Your Majesty commands..."

Emperor Muwu, however, seemed not to notice his state. His smile faded, and his tone grew cold and stern.

"Bring them in."

Eunuch Li bowed and complied.

Only then did Emperor Muwu look back at Xie Anjun and Xie Anbai. His gaze lingered on the two brothers for a moment before he said, "Both of you, rise. This is not a formal court assembly. There’s no need for such ceremony."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xie Anbai readily complied, rising to his feet. He then took two steps back and to the side, standing out of the way.

This made Xie Anjun’s position even more awkward.

In this situation, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and get up.

But whether it was from kneeling for too long or for some other reason, his legs suddenly gave out as he stood up, and he staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

Emperor Muwu leaned back in his chair and glanced at him. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xie Anjun barely managed to steady himself and quickly said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I-I am fine."

With that, he too retreated to the other side, standing with his head bowed.

But the color of his lips was still dreadfully pale, and he looked utterly terrified.

Silence fell over the grand hall once more. Xie Anjun could even hear the clear, frantic beating of his own heart.

Countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Just as his mind was in turmoil, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

His heart jumped. He subconsciously turned his head to look and saw the Imperial Army escorting Zheng Baosu inside.

Zheng Baosu was not yet thirty. To have reached the rank of General Xianwu at his age was a meteoric rise, a sign of a limitless future.

Had he not made a mistake, he would surely have risen to an even higher position one day.

A pity—

But now, he was dressed in prisoner’s garb, his hair disheveled, his body covered in wounds. He was a pathetic sight, with none of his former grandeur remaining.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Xie Anjun!

’—Something’s wrong!’

’If last night’s affair was exposed, why does Zheng Baosu show... no signs of being poisoned!?’

The more Xie Anjun thought about it, the more wrong it felt. His eyes were fixed on Zheng Baosu, glaring so intensely he could have burned a hole through him.

’What on earth is—’

Before he could figure it out, another person was brought in.

The moment he saw that person’s face, the hope in Xie Anjun’s heart turned to ice.

He almost frantically averted his gaze, not daring to look up again.

However, everything happening around him still reached his ears with perfect clarity.

Eunuch Li said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Zheng Baosu and Zhao Zhe have both been brought here."

Zheng Baosu had been unconscious from last night until this morning. He had been brought here the moment he opened his eyes.

He was still disoriented, but now, he finally realized where he was!

He looked up in shock, and when he saw the figure robed in bright yellow, his soul nearly fled his body!

"Your... Your Maj..."

He stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Just then, Zhao Zhe, who was beside him, beat him to it, bursting into tears.

"Your Majesty! This servant knows he was wrong! But this servant only did it because he was forced! I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

Emperor Muwu’s gaze was indifferent as he spoke in a placid tone.

"As the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Secretariat, who could possibly force your hand?"

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