Chapter 23: Investigating the Truth

Chapter 23: Getting to the Truth

Liu Qingci’s fingers were slender and delicate, with traces of dust still clinging to his palms from when he had pressed them against the ground.

Xiao Yan only glanced at them once before taking hold of his wrist.

Then he pulled him closer to himself.

He held Liu Qingci’s wrist and moved his hand up along the arm inch by inch, finally stopping at the point above his elbow.

Xiao Yan’s movements were not slow, but to Liu Qingci, it felt as if forever had passed.

He could clearly feel the trajectory of the other’s fingers moving across his arm, trailing fire across his arm.

Though separated by a layer of fabric that was not exactly thin, the sensation seemed magnified, carrying an undeniable presence.

He stood completely frozen.

Xiao Yan did not notice Liu Qingci’s stiffness.

“Xiao K, help me look into this,” Xiao Yan said inwardly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Xiao K was beside himself: “Host, you need to follow the storyline now. Why are you still investigating?”

Xiao Yan: “Finding the truth.”

Xiao K: “The truth is that someone wanted to harm Liu Qingci, but they failed. It backfired and startled Prince Yu. In the end, although Liu Qingci wasn’t bitten to death by the dog, he’s been charged with attempting to harm Prince Yu.”

Xiao K: “Originally, since Prince Yu was only startled, Liu Qingci’s crime could be minor or serious. But now that you, host, are injured, the situation is different. It’s a real pain (•̀へ•́)”

Xiao Yan: “That’s why I need to investigate and clear his name.”

Liu Qingci wasn’t stupid. How could he possibly try to murder Prince Yu under such circumstances?

If Prince Yu died, Liu Qingci wouldn’t live either, and the Liu family would face an additional charge. Chancellor Liu, already in prison, would definitely be executed.

So any reasonable person who thought carefully would realize that Liu Qingci had been framed.

But no one cared.

Xiao K was losing his mind: “What if you find out? What about the storyline?”

Xiao Yan’s hand was still resting on Liu Qingci’s arm, and he thought with a sigh:

“I promise I’ll follow the storyline.”

“System scan shows that the breathing gas composition of the mastiff contains trace amounts of abnormal neuroexcitatory substance fluctuations, matching a plant extract,” Xiao K’s mechanical voice reported without emotion. “Additionally, three more traces of the same substance were detected on site: first, on the fabric surface of Liu Qingci’s right arm and shoulder; second, in the grass 107 meters directly west of the corridor; and third, in the second drawer of the right-side cabinet of the Xu family carriage.”

“Thank you.”

Xiao Yan’s gaze fell back on Liu Qingci’s clothes.

His fingers tapped lightly at the spot the system had indicated, and his voice was flat: “You sprinkled the powder here, intending to rub it onto me?”

Liu Qingci’s arm had been held the whole time, making him very tense. This sudden question caught him off guard even more.

Until now, he hadn’t even known he had any powder on him.

How could he possibly have meant to rub it on Prince Yu?

Liu Qingci’s train of thought paused.

Then it hit him.

Prince Yu is asking him?

What did that mean? If he denied it, would Prince Yu believe him?

Liu Qingci felt pessimistic.

No, if he denied it, Prince Yu might blame him for resisting stubbornly.

Obviously, these people conspired together to harm him. Why bother asking this now?

Liu Qingci thought almost defiantly.

He remained silent, but when he looked up, he met a pair of calm, warm eyes.

Those eyes held no judgment, like a deep, clear lake that freely accepted all his unease.

“…No…I didn’t,” Liu Qingci blurted out in defense, his voice hoarse but clear. He said, “This powder is not mine.”

For some reason, seeing those eyes made his grievances suddenly burst out.

It was uncontrollable.

Though his reason told him this might just be a deeper form of toying, the cat’s final tease before devouring the mouse.

Yet deep down, that instinctive need to be believed burst out uncontrollably now.

Xiao Yan mercifully let go of Liu Qingci’s hand, rested his chin on his hand, and looked up to ask:

“What, you don’t want to kill me?”

Liu Qingci put the stiff arm behind his back, his fingers curling slightly.

He regained a bit of composure, lowered his head, and bowed: “I dare not, Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan asked again: “Is it that you don’t dare, or that you just don’t want to?”

A faint smile played on his lips. His phoenix eyes were clear as he looked over, calmly waiting for Liu Qingci’s answer.

Liu Qingci pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

The air around became terrifyingly silent.

Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci’s conversation wasn’t that loud, and the others were too far away to hear clearly.

But they could still perceive the awkward vibe between the two, and Liu Qingci’s insolent attitude.

Everyone held their breath, watching cautiously, as if they were all waiting to see how Prince Yu would handle this brazen, ill-bred, fallen scholar.

Only Xu Ming grew increasingly uneasy, sweating on his forehead.

When did Prince Yu ever talk so much?

What the hell was going on?

Counting on his previous favor from Prince Yu, Xu Ming couldn’t hold back any longer: “Your Highness, this Liu Qingci has ill intentions toward you. Don’t let him fool you!”

Xiao Yan glanced at him, somewhat displeased.

“Are you saying that Liu Qingci smeared the powder on his own arm in order to harm me?”

Xu Ming: “Liu Qingci is malicious indeed, thinking of such a method…”

Xiao Yan interrupted him impatiently: “He was sitting to my right, and he smeared the powder on his right arm?”

“This…” Xu Ming wiped cold sweat off his forehead, wracking his brain: “Perhaps he didn’t plan it well…”

Xiao Yan sneered inwardly.

I think it’s you who didn’t plan well.

His expression unchanged, he directly gave orders to his attendants:

“Continue the investigation. Find out who Young Master Liu has met and what routes he took. Conduct a thorough investigation, and if no results are found, no one is leaving today!”

This unexpected order took everyone by surprise.

A thorough investigation?

Liu Qingci stared blankly at Xiao Yan.

A bitter wave of emotion surged and crashed into his chest, making his heart nearly stop.

Xiao Yan’s face remained cold and expressionless, and even wore his usual impatient look.

But he had indeed issued such an order.

Liu Qingci’s tightly pressed lips loosened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Then Xu Ming’s voice shouted again:

“Your Highness, you must not! Liu Qingci’s intention to harm you is as clear as day. He clearly wants to delay time and muddy the waters. Your Highness must not be fooled by his scheme!”

Liu Qingci’s eyes instantly turned cold. If looks could kill, Xu Ming would have been cut into a thousand pieces.

He anxiously turned back to Xiao Yan’s face, waiting for his reaction.

Would he fall for Xu Ming’s words again…

“Why are you so agitated?”

Xiao Yan frowned and pointed at Xu Ming, barking: “Focus the investigation on him!”

Xu Ming looked up in disbelief, his expression crumpling.