Ningguo Mansion's side hall.
"Alas, why did it have to come to this?"
After reading the court-hearing testimony, Hongyuan Zhenren's myriad emotions condensed into a long, leisurely sigh.
Regret, grief, reluctance, loneliness...
All manner of emotions seemed compressed into that single sigh. Had Sun Shaozong not already harbored suspicions, he might well have been affected by it too.
But now...
Sun Shaozong could only answer with a cold sneer in his heart.
After sighing, Hongyuan Zhenren slowly set the testimony down on the tea table, rose, and solemnly bowed. "Thanks to Lord Sun's keen discernment, this poor Daoist might otherwise have remained deceived by my disciple."
By rights, Sun Shaozong ought to have offered a few polite words at this point. But he had no intention of playing by the usual rules today.
Though he also rose and returned the bow, he said blandly, "Zhenren, it may be too soon to say that."
Hongyuan Zhenren froze, studying Sun Shaozong in surprise before asking probing, "What does Vice Minister Sun mean by that?"
"There are still many unanswered questions in this case. What Zhenren believes to be the truth may not necessarily be the real truth." Sun Shaozong smiled mysteriously, then said gravely, "I have already ordered the suspects brought in for questioning. If Zhenren has any doubts, you may listen from the tea room next door..."
"Second Brother, wait!"
Just as he spoke, Jia Baoyu's voice suddenly rang out from outside. He then entered and cupped his hands toward Hongyuan Zhenren. "Jia Baoyu greets Zhenren."
Hongyuan Zhenren had met Jia Baoyu once during the Longevity Festival and knew he was Consort De's younger brother. Naturally, he did not dare slight him and hurriedly returned the bow.
But when he was about to make conversation, Jia Baoyu rushed to excuse himself