The "villain" Prince Yu spoke of, though unnamed, was understood by all to be the Princess.
Could it be that Prince Hao was truly framed?
If so, the Princess was indeed exceedingly wicked!
"Heh, Prince Yu, your ability to twist right and wrong is truly beyond my reach," Chu Qianli sneered.
Prince Yu, however, was not in the mood for jokes. He roared, "Chu Qianli, if you claim I am the mastermind behind the collapse of the city moat, then produce your evidence!"
"If you cannot, or if you are making baseless accusations, not only I, but everyone present, even all the citizens of Nanming, will not let you go!"
As he spoke, the crowd erupted once more, their voices rising in a clamor. Even the ministers stood up.
They took a few steps forward, some attempting to break through the guards' obstruction to rescue him!
At this moment, Prince Yu's prestige soared to unprecedented heights.
"Release Prince Yu! Release Prince Yu!"
The shouts echoed again, gradually coalescing into a mighty tide: "Release Prince Yu! Release the innocent!"
"Princess slanders a loyal minister! We do not want such a Princess!"
"That's right, we do not want a wicked-hearted Princess!"
The clamor grew louder, and more citizens attempted to break through the guard lines.
The guards dared not harm the citizens, forced to retreat step by step.
Seeing that the crowd was about to break through.
Once they rushed in and rescued Prince Yu, Chu Qianli would no longer be able to apprehend him.
What was more, with the citizens so agitated, if spies lurking within the crowd were to incite them further, no one could guarantee that some citizens wouldn't rush forward to harm Chu Qianli.
After all, public sentiment could be easily stirred.
Not far behind Chu Qianli, within his carriage, Feng Yexuan's eyes darkened, his palms slowly clenching.
These citizens, incited by Prince Yu's few words, were becoming uncontrollable.
"You want evidence? I will give you evidence now!"
Chu Qianli waved her hand and said sternly, "Guards, bring forth the witness!"
A witness?
The citizens were once again stunned by the Princess's voice, amplified by her inner energy. They turned their heads, watching the person approaching from the side of the plaza.
Leading the group was Yang Xun.
The captain of the Imperial Guards, leading a contingent of men. Among them was a carriage.
There seemed to be someone inside the carriage, but due to the distance, everyone could not see clearly.
The carriage stopped in front of the plaza. After Yang Xun paid his respects to Chu Qianli, he drew back the carriage curtain.
Prince Yu also stared intently at the carriage.
The first glance at the person emerging from the carriage made Prince Yu frown, his eyes filled with unfamiliarity.
Everyone else also looked puzzled, unsure of who it was.
The person who alighted from the carriage wore a loose black robe. His face had been disfigured by some poison, with more than half of it scorched black.
Furthermore, he walked with a limp, his leg clearly injured.
Supported by Yang Xun, he slowly made his way to the center of the plaza and bowed to Chu Qianli, saying, "Greetings... Your Highness."
Although his voice was somewhat hoarse, it was still recognizable.
Prince Yu's face suddenly darkened!
In an instant, it changed color!
How could this be?
How could it be him?
Prince Yu, who had been arrogant and spirited just moments before, completely deflated upon hearing the black-robed man's voice and clearly seeing his appearance.
Why... was he still alive?