"Humm-"
Deathly silence filled the hall, followed by a chorus of sharp, indrawn breaths.
Every gaze fastened upon that figure in blue, and every expression changed dramatically.
Their shock was twofold.
First, they were stunned by the horrifying methods of this man from the Central Lands. A single rendition of "Wine Frenzy" had truly pried open the secrets buried deepest in the human heart, making the culprit helplessly walk into the net before the entire court, beneath the very eyes of the King of the Kingdom and the Imperial Guards.
Second, they were stunned by the culprit's identity.
Who could have imagined that the hidden hand stirring up this storm throughout the city belonged to the third prince, Jiang Yu-a man who had always prided himself on his cultured detachment, spending his days absorbed in music, chess, poetry, and painting, seemingly untouched by the slightest trace of worldly dust?
Every last trace of color drained from Jiang Yu's face.
He abruptly raised his head and forced himself to remain calm, hastily protesting, "Father, see the truth! This is a trap! This Central Lands sorcerer deliberately concealed a guiding force within his music. My thoughts grew muddled just now, and I felt a brute force pulling me. I couldn't control myself, and that was why I took that step. It certainly wasn't-"
Before he could finish, his own voice began to falter.
Such an excuse could not deceive the assembled officials. It could not even convince him.
Not one official in the hall spoke in his support. They merely looked at him as though he were already dead.
From the throne, Jiang Yan gazed coldly down at his son. In those eyes, once as still as an ancient well, not a trace of their former warmth remained-only bone-deep chill and understanding.