Caught Between Two Sides

The moment Sun Shaozong heard the four words "The Current Emperor," he knew this was trouble!

If this matter blew up, whether it was true or false, it would inevitably damage the Emperor's reputation!

After all, in recent years, the Emperor's favor toward Buddhist and Taoist sorcerers had become common knowledge throughout the capital. And Jia Yuanchun just happened to be pregnant...

Even if the authorities proved that Yang Hancai was lying, the public might not believe it.

And once the Emperor's dignity was harmed, how could he, the "active instigator," possibly come out of it unscathed?

But if he immediately killed Yang Hancai to eliminate future trouble, it would inevitably look like a guilty conscience—what if the claim was true? The Emperor would surely suspect that he had uncovered something.

Even if it was false, Yang Hancai still had a cousin serving as a vice minister. If the matter was pursued afterward, Sun Shaozong would still be in for trouble!

After all, the arrest of Yang Hancai had relied on a fabricated charge. Interrogation was one thing, but torturing him directly to death would be impossible to justify.

This was fucking impossible!

Sun Shaozong cursed inwardly, but put on a disdainful expression and snorted. "You really must be tired of living, to dare falsely accuse even Your Majesty!"

Since he was already in a place of suspicion, he had to determine whether the claim was true or not!

"False accusation? Ha... hahaha..."

Yang Hancai squeezed out a dry laugh from his throat. Struggling, he craned his iron-collared head forward and glared with bloodshot eyes. "Do you think I told you this to clear my own name?"

"No! I am innocent to begin with, so why would I need to clear myself?!"

"If I had not gathered medicinal catalysts for