Chapter 715: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 715: Intimidation and Mo Qingze's Arrest (4)
Before Mo Qingze could finish speaking, the lead general's expression grew even colder. He waved his hand and commanded sternly, "Take him away!"
At his words, two guards stepped forward, chains in hand, ready to bind Mo Qingze.
The sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall stunned and unable to react. Mo Yan, hearing the commotion, walked out without knowing what was happening, only to witness this scene that filled her with both anxiety and anger. She was about to step forward to stop them when another voice suddenly rang out, "Stop!"
Chu Heng's voice interrupted the soldiers as they were about to lock up Mo Qingze. He stood up and walked over to Mo Qingze, his presence commanding respect as he questioned the lead guard, "Why are you arresting Master Mo? Do you have an imperial decree?"
The lead guard's eyes widened as he finally realized that the person standing before him was none other than the Crown Prince. His face turned pale, and he quickly knelt down, "Your humble servant did not realize Your Highness was present. Please forgive this offense!"
The other guards, seeing this, also knelt down and begged for forgiveness.
"Explain why you are arresting Master Mo. Do you have an imperial decree?"
Now that he was facing these guards, Chu Heng no longer held back the imposing aura of the crown prince of the nation. Though his question seemed simple, it carried an immense weight that pressed into the hearts of the guards.
The guards had come to the Mo residence solely focused on making an arrest, not noticing the bright yellow carriage parked outside or considering that the Crown Prince might be here.
Hearing the Crown Prince's question, they knew he intended to intervene, making it likely they would leave empty-handed. Each one inwardly cursed their bad luck.
The lead guard, however, was a man of rigid integrity. Hearing Chu Heng's question, he cupped his hands and replied resolutely, "Your Highness, someone has accused the newly appointed Juren, Mo Qingze, of cheating in the imperial examination. The Emperor, in his fury, ordered us to arrest him. I hope Your Highness understands."
This revelation stunned everyone in the room.
"Impossible!"
Mo Yan, Master Liu, Han Zhiyun, Shen Ji, and several tutors from Changshan Academy all spoke in unison.
Mo Yan might not have fully understood the severe consequences of cheating in the imperial examination, but she knew her father would never cheat. If this wasn't a misunderstanding caused by the actions of a guilty party, then it was a deliberate frame-up.
Either way, she couldn't just let her father be taken away, or he would surely endure torture during interrogation.
The others, however, were well aware of the grave implications of cheating in the imperial examination. Once convicted, not only would Mo Qingze's career be destroyed, but his entire family would also be implicated, with at least three generations barred from participating in the imperial examinations.
In the past, whenever someone was caught cheating, countless others were implicated. Even if the implicated individuals were innocent, their reputations and careers were irreparably damaged. None had ever managed to pass the imperial examinations or hold office after being implicated.
Therefore, even though they believed Mo Qingze was innocent, they couldn't accept the situation.
The lead guard ignored their protests and continued to address the inscrutable Crown Prince, "Your humble servant would never dare fabricate the Emperor's intentions. I ask Your Highness to allow us to take Mo Qingze into custody. If he is indeed innocent, the Emperor will surely grant him justice."
The implication was clear: the Emperor himself would oversee the investigation of this cheating case, so Chu Heng should not interfere with their duties. After all, if this were a matter for the local authorities, it wouldn't have fallen to the imperial guards.
Chu Heng understood this clearly, and his expression darkened. "No matter what, you cannot take him today. I will explain everything to my father!"
Mo Yan and the others, who had been holding their breath, finally sighed in relief. With Chu Heng's assurance, Mo Qingze would not be thrown into prison to suffer.
The lead guard hesitated, but before he could agree, another group of ten guards burst into the Mo household.
This time, they carried an imperial decree for the arrest of Mo Qingze.
Seeing the bright yellow decree and the imperial seal on its lower left corner, even Chu Heng, the Crown Prince, could not defy the Emperor's orders. He glanced at the pale-faced Mo Yan, a trace of reluctance in his eyes, but he could only step aside.
Mo Yan's heart sank further. The worry and fear for her father surged within her, nearly compelling her to summon the Five Beasts to drive these guards away and rescue her father.
She forced herself to calm down, her mind racing for a solution, yet she found herself at a loss.
Xiao Ruiyuan, seeing Mo Yan in such pain, couldn't bear it. He grabbed her self-abusing hand tightly, not caring if others noticed. "Yan'er, Uncle Mo will be fine. Trust me!"
"Really? My father will really be okay?" Mo Yan gripped Xiao Ruiyuan's hand tightly, clinging to it like a lifeline. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, filled with worry for her father, frustration at her helplessness, and a deep-seated sense of despair mixed with a glimmer of hope.
Xiao Ruiyuan nodded solemnly, his voice firm. "Trust me, Uncle Mo will be fine!"
His words had a calming effect, and Mo Yan slowly regained her composure. She looked at her father, who was now bound by the guards, her heart aching as though pierced by needles. She fought the urge to rush forward, her mind now clearer than ever, racing to think of a viable plan.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, only to vanish before she could grasp it.
"Father—"
"Godfather—"
Seeing their father about to be taken away, Xin'er and the others, who had been held back by Yan Junyu, could no longer restrain themselves. They rushed forward, clinging tightly to their father, resisting the guards' attempts to pull them away.
The guards, mindful of Chu Heng, were reluctant to use force against the children. After a few half-hearted attempts, they eventually let them be.
(The End of this Chapter)
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