Longyuan blinked his large eyes innocently. He was at once surprised and confused.
Moreover, he was still feeling muddleheaded!
"How could I kill Elder Meng? I didn't, really!"
Han Moze glanced at the stick on the floor with a flash of disappointment in his eyes. Then, staring at Longyuan, he growled, "Then why were you holding that stick which was used to kill Elder Meng?"
Longyuan's little brows knitted together in confusion. "I don't why it was in my hand, father. I dozed off while I was memorizing a book last night, and I woke up to find Mother already here. I really didn't kill Elder Meng!"
"There's no one else other than you and Elder Meng in this study. If it wasn't you, does that mean he did that to himself?" Han Moze pressed him icily, clenching tighter on Longyuan's collar now.
"Mother, help me! I really didn't kill Elder Meng! Why wouldn't Father believe me?"
Pursing his lips, Longyuan turned towards Liu Rushuang as if he was going to cry soon.
Liu Rushuang hence quickly walked up to take Longyuan out of Han Moze's, holding him in her arms and coaxing, "Don't worry, Yuan'er—I'll definitely get to the bottom of this and clear your name."
Longyuan wrapped his arms around Liu Rushuang, his eyes lighting up in bright excitement. "You believe me, Mother?"
Liu Rushuang returned his gaze with love and tenderness, firmly saying, "I know you're not that rotten. There has to be something else at work in this matter."
Longyuan gave her a peck on the cheeks at that and beamed cheerfully, "Thank you for believing Mother."
Warmth flowing in her heart, Liu Rushuang held Longyuan tighter and turned towards Han Moze. "Ze, I don't care who you suspect in this matter, but you are not allowed to suspect Yuan'er."
Han Moze felt a mysterious sense of ease at her words.
It was true—how could he suspect Yuan'er? How could his boy kill someone? He was rotten, but not to such extent.
Still, his heart was still strung up even though he slowly calmed down. After some thought, he growled, "Guards, take the crown prince to the prison! We'll determine his punishment after the truth is unraveled!"
"Boo-hoo… Father, don't put me in prison! I don't want to go!"
Longyuan was clearly stunned. His eyes quickly becoming watery and his expression miserably, he cried anxiously, "Help me, Mother! Don't let Father imprison me, boo-hoo…"
Liu Rushuang looked at Han Moze then—her heart sank when she saw that his imposing form exuded a tyranny that accommodated no refusal, but she still begged, "Ze, don't…"
"What are you waiting for? Take the crown prince away!"
Han Moze told the guards behind him.
Without further hesitation, both guards walked up, each of them taking one of Longyuan's arms and taking him away.
"Mother, I don't want to go to prison. Boo-hoo…"
Longyuan cried in panic and struggled as hard as he could.
Liu Rushuang's eyes were red and she glared at Han Moze in dissatisfaction. Striding out to stop the guards, she dried the tears on Longyuan's face and said tenderly, "I'll get to the bottom of this as soon as I can, Yuan'er. You'll be free when I clear your name, and I'll come to visit you soon. Don't be afraid."
"Boo-hoo… I really didn't kill Elder Meng! Why am I getting thrown in prison? I don't want to go!"
Longyuan's tears were streaming with a pitiable look that was at once miserable and innocent.
He didn't do a thing, so why would his father throw him in prison!?