Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 446 Wang Qinian's Concealment

When Cui Yu'an saw Wang Wan'er standing alive before him, he was first taken aback, and then an inevitable look of pity and compassion appeared in his eyes.

It is truly heartbreaking to see a woman suffer such misfortune, even being viciously cursed by her own brother.

However, when Cui Zhihao's gaze swept over Wang Wan'er, it remained as deep and unwavering as water, showing little emotion beyond scrutiny.

For him, among all the women in the world, only Shi Wanxia, ​​who was by his side, could earn his complete trust and care.

He remained somewhat skeptical of the others, especially those involved in such a significant case.

His Highness the Crown Prince walked straight up to Cui Zhihao and said in a deep voice, "Minister Cui, there's no need to continue the interrogation."

"Zhao Hu has found Wang Wan'er who was hiding, and Zhou Lin has also confessed."

Zhou Lin knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Highness, spare my life! Lord Cui, spare my life! I'll confess everything! It was Yuan Xiaomiao! He forcibly took Miss Wang and then threatened Lord Wang with her chastity and the lives of his entire family!"

"Lord Wang... Lord Wang was forced into this situation! He had to do whatever Yuan Xiaomiao told him to do, or else his family would be ruined!"

"Most of the money from those corruption scandals ended up in the pockets of Yuan Xiaomiao and... and the people behind him!"

"I was dragged down by them too, and now my family is ruined and I'm dead!"

Wang Wan'er covered her face and wept, her voice filled with heartbreaking sorrow: "Big brother... Big brother did it all for me... for Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, and Nephew..."

"He had no choice but to obey that demon... I beg you, sirs, to have mercy and spare my brother's life..."

She cried with tears streaming down her face, looking incredibly pitiful.

From Zhou Lin's confession and Wang Wan'er's tearful account, an image of someone coerced and forced to compromise their principles seems to emerge.

Wang Qinian was forced to become Yuan Xiaomiao's accomplice in order to protect his family.

The sound of whipping in the torture chamber had stopped sometime earlier, indicating that the executioners inside had heard the commotion outside.

Cui Zhihao's expression remained cold and stern after hearing this. He glanced at Wang Wan'er, who was crying her eyes out, and then at Zhou Lin, who was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy.

Finally, his gaze turned to the Crown Prince, and he slowly said, "Your Highness, even if you have your reasons, it is a fact that you colluded with rebels, plotted against court officials, and caused chaos in the lives of the people."

"He may be spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape punishment. Moreover, the severity of his crime still needs to be carefully investigated."

“Especially the matter of being involved with the remnants of the Prince of Rongyang, it cannot be simply dismissed with the excuse of being ‘forced into it’.”

He did not entirely believe this explanation.

Wang Qinian's previous performance was too realistic, but does Yuan Xiaomiao really have such great power and courage?

Whether the Yuan family of Runan or even higher-level authorities were behind this, all of this requires further investigation and more conclusive evidence.

Shen Yanzhou nodded, a cold glint in his eyes: "What Minister Cui said is absolutely right. This case is of great importance and must be investigated thoroughly without any leniency!"

"Zhao Hu, bring Wang Qinian out and make him confront Yuan Xiaomiao face to face!"

The truth seems to have been partially revealed, but more mystery still lingers ahead.

Choi Ji-ho knew that this contest had only just begun.

The atmosphere in the dimly lit prison interrogation room was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Wang Qinian was dragged back by the jailers, his body covered in wounds and bloodstains from torture, looking disheveled and on the verge of death.

Yuan Xiaomiao was forcibly brought here. Although he was also dressed in prison clothes, his arrogance of the Yuan family of Runan was not diminished in the slightest.

The moment the two met, Yuan Xiaomiao exploded like a lit firecracker, glaring at Wang Qinian with bloodshot eyes.

He cursed loudly: "Wang Qinian! You treacherous villain! You lowly slave! And your shameless sister! It was you! It was you two who set this trap for me!"

He struggled, trying to lunge at Wang Qinian, but was held down firmly by the jailer: "What do you mean by forcibly taking her? It's obvious that Wang Wan'er offered herself up!"

"And you! Wang Qinian! That day, after we were drunk, you were the one who pushed her into my room! Now you're playing the victim?!"

"You entire Wang family are nothing but bastards and prostitutes! How dare you frame me!"

Wang Qinian trembled as he was scolded, not out of fear, but because he was trying his best to suppress his anger and humiliation.

He raised his head, tears welling in his eyes (whether genuine or not was unknown), his voice hoarse yet carrying a resigned sorrow: "Yuan Xiaomiao! Even now, you still dare to slander me! It was you!"

"You bullied me by abusing your power, defamed my sister's innocence, and threatened my entire family's lives to force me to do those heinous things for you!"

"Now that the truth has come out, do you still think you can get away with everything?"

He turned to the Crown Prince and Cui Zhihao, kowtowing heavily, his forehead still damp with blood, now stained with fresh blood: "Your Highness! Lord Cui! This sinner is guilty! This sinner is cowardly and afraid of death, aiding and abetting evil, and deserves to die ten thousand times!"

"But the one who started all of this is Yuan Xiaomiao! He forced me into this!"

He "helplessly" took all the blame onto himself and Yuan Xiaomiao, creating a pitiful image of someone coerced by the powerful and forced to submit in order to protect his family.

Wang Wan'er covered her face and wept, her voice filled with sorrow, which perfectly conveyed the feeling of being "forced into a corner".

This performance successfully aroused Cui Yu'an's righteous indignation.

He saw Wang Qinian still "protecting" his family despite being punished, and heard Yuan Xiaomiao so viciously insult a "victim".

Seeing Wang Wan'er crying so pitifully again, the young man's passion surged instantly.

He was so angry that his face turned pale, and he clenched his fists, almost rushing forward to kick the arrogant Yuan Xiaomiao!

"You beast!" Cui Yu'an shouted angrily.

However, as soon as he took a step, his arm was firmly grasped by a strong hand.

Cui Zhihao had appeared beside him at some point, his gaze calm and serene, and he shook his head slightly at him.

Cui Yu'an looked at his third uncle in confusion, only to see that Cui Zhihao's eyes were sharp as knives, not looking at Yuan Xiaomiao, but fixed on the seemingly pitiful and humble Wang Qinian.

Choi Ji-ho slowly stepped forward, his voice calm yet carrying a chilling, penetrating quality, breaking the dog-eat-dog farce:

"Wang Qinian,"

He said, "Your acting is indeed quite good. Even my nephew was almost fooled by you."

Wang Qinian's crying abruptly stopped.

Cui Zhihao continued, his tone unhurried yet every word piercing: "It might be true that Yuan Xiaomiao forcibly took Wang Wan'er."

"It's possible that he really threatened your family's lives."

"It's possible that you were forced to do some corrupt and illegal things for him."

"but,"

His tone abruptly shifted, his gaze piercing Wang Qinian like an ice pick, "You've taken all the blame onto the two of you, vehemently denying any connection with the remnants of the Prince of Rongyang, even going so far as to have your sister corroborate your 'coercion'..."

"Why are you so eager to prove that you are only guilty of 'corruption' and 'coercion'? What are you trying to cover up?"