"Your Majesty, I am innocent."
When Guo Pei was brought before Cao Mao, he was far more defiant than any of those who had come before him.
Though bound, he showed not the slightest trace of panic.
He raised his head and looked at Cao Mao with a gaze that, while not quite rude, was certainly not respectful.
Even Cao Mao was somewhat surprised. Did this fellow have some trump card he knew nothing about?
He glanced at Zhang Hua beside him, and Zhang Hua immediately caught on.
"Lord Guo, Lord Wang was assassinated, and the death warriors claimed to be men from your household, dispatched on your orders to carry out the assassination. Have you nothing to say?"
Guo Pei's eyes brimmed with confidence.
He had dispatched the death warriors, but he believed that these men, trained by the Guo Family, would never betray him.
His original purpose had been to rescue Wang Xiang. He had never ordered Wang Xiang's assassination.
Wang Xiang's death had nothing to do with him. On the contrary, it was quite likely the emperor's doing.
He immediately declared defiantly, "I can confront these villains face-to-face. This is surely an attempt to frame me!"
"Lord Wang and I bore each other no grudges. Why would I want to kill him? Certain people who could not easily act openly, on the other hand, might well have moved against him."
Zhang Hua and the emperor exchanged a look, both seeming somewhat hesitant.
Cao Mao did not continue the conversation. With a sweep of his hand, he ordered the armored guards to take Guo Pei away.
Only after he had left did Cao Mao ask, "Where does his confidence come from? How can he be completely unafraid?"
Zhang Hua pondered for a moment. "Guo Pei is no incompetent