Xuan Wei asked, “Do you still want to leave this place?”
Huanhuan quickly nodded. “Of course! I dream of leaving this damn place!”
“I’ll come and take you away tomorrow.”
Huanhuan was very surprised and quickly asked, “Can I go out now? Have you found out who killed Mather and cleared my name?”
Xuan Wei said, “The physical evidence and witnesses who identified you as the person who killed Mather are solid. You’re now the confirmed murderer, but because you’re a female, the Elders’ Association will hold a public trial tomorrow. It’ll be your last chance to defend yourself.”
Huanhuan thought for a moment and asked, “There won’t be anything fishy during this public trial, right?”
Instead of answering, Xuan Wei asked, “How did you know?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to guess. There are witnesses and physical evidence. The Elders’ Association must have already determined that I’m the murderer. If we hold a public trial now, it’ll just be a formality. No matter how I explain, I can’t change the outcome of the trial as they’ve already decided that I’m guilty.”
Although Huanhuan was not smart, she experienced many injustices as an orphan.
Therefore, when she heard what Xuan Wei said, she immediately understood that the public trial could not be an opportunity for her to save herself. It was just one of the methods the Elders’ Association was using to win over people.
Huanhuan had never had any hope, so she was not disappointed.
She asked, “Will the prophet be present at the public trial tomorrow?”
Xuan Wei said, “No, such a small matter is usually led by First Elder. It’ll be an internal decision made by the Elders’ Association, so this news won’t reach the prophet.”
Huanhuan was a little disappointed. If the prophet wouldn’t appear, she would have lost her only witness.
She didn’t even get one final chance.
Xuan Wei lowered his voice. “Since you’ve already guessed the intentions of the Elders’ Association, I might as well tell you the truth. The outcome of the trial has indeed been decided long ago. Tomorrow, after the public trial ends, you’ll be burned at the stake.”
Huanhuan thought to herself that Little Brat had guessed correctly. She would indeed be tied to a stake.
The corners of her mouth twitched. “Can you discuss it with the Elders’ Association? If I die from getting burned alive, I’ll look too ugly. Can you change it to a beheading? It would be even better if they could use poison. At least leave my corpse intact.”
Xuan Wei was a little speechless. “The public trial hasn’t even begun, but you’ve already thought of how to die?”
Huanhuan said righteously, “Didn’t you just say that the outcome of the trial has already been decided? I won’t be able to escape death tomorrow. I can’t do anything now. I can only think of how to die in advance so that I won’t die in pain and embarrassment.”
“You won’t die tomorrow with me around.”
When Xuan Wei said this, Huanhuan immediately looked surprised. “Are you going to save the damsel in distress?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that you’ll suddenly rush out and save me at a critical moment when I’m about to be executed.” Huanhuan looked at him expectantly. “You’ll save me, right?”
“Yes, I’ve already discussed it with Bai Di and Xue Ling. After the public trial tomorrow, I’ll take you away. At that time, you’ll follow Xue Hui out of the city. Bai Di and Xue Ling will meet you outside the city.”
Huanhuan quickly asked, “What about you?”
“I have other plans. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Do you need me to do anything?”
Xuan Wei hesitated for a moment before saying, “If you have the chance, think of a way to mess up the situation as much as possible. This will make it easier for us to fish in troubled waters.”
Huanhuan nodded. “Understood.”
At this moment, the person in charge’s voice came from above. “Lord Xuan Wei, the hourglass has run out.”
“Got it,” Xuan Wei replied.
He wanted to comfort Huanhuan and tell her not to be nervous, but when he saw the seeds on the ground from the corners of his eyes, he suddenly realized that his words would just be nonsense.
This little female was in such a good mood that she didn’t need anyone to worry about her.
Huanhuan suddenly asked, “Do you know who the real murderer of Mather is?”
“I can roughly guess who it is.”
Huanhuan thought for a moment. “Is it the murderer from the temple?”
Xuan Wei did not answer.
But it was his silence that gave Huanhuan a definite answer.
The last doubt in Huanhuan’s mind was gone. She had nothing else to say. She waved her hand. “Goodbye.”
Xuan Wei nodded slightly in response. Then, he jumped out of the cell.
The stone door was closed again.
Huanhuan jumped happily on the spot. “Little Brat, did you hear that? Bai Di and Xue Ling are here. And I’ll see them tomorrow!”
The system said, “Yes, I heard everything. Do you still want to watch cartoons?”
Huanhuan immediately sat back down. As she dug out sunflower seeds, peanuts, and fruits, she said, “We haven’t finished watching the episode just now. Did Gray Wolf eat those sheep?”
“I’m sure he didn’t eat them. There are so many more episodes after this!”
“You’re right.”
…
The two of them watched Pleasant Goat and Big, Big Wolf all night.
The next morning, when Huanhuan was brought out of the death cell, she was in a state of drowsiness. Her eyes were listless, and her eyes were dark green. Her feet were light as she walked.
This was the price of staying up late to watch cartoons.
Huanhuan yawned loudly.
The guards in charge of escorting her couldn’t help but constantly look at her face. They had escorted many prisoners on death row, but they had never seen anyone as carefree as her. She knew she was about to die, but instead of being afraid, she looked like she wanted to sleep.
Was she really not afraid of death?
The venue for the public trial was set in the front hall of the temple. When Huanhuan was escorted to the front hall, many beasts had already gathered outside.
Huanhuan looked back at them and saw that the beasts’ faces were filled with excitement and curiosity.
After all, this was the first public trial for a female in all these years. It was rare!
There were also public gallery seats in the hall. There were not many beasts who could sit in the public gallery. In addition to the two princes, there were a few higher-ranking noble beasts and a few divine guards.
Unsurprisingly, Huanhuan saw Xuan Wei among the divine guards.
He stood there silently in his metal armor, like a statue of a hero.
He seemed to notice Huanhuan looking at him. He looked back calmly.
His blue eyes were very similar to Bai Di’s, and Huanhuan immediately found a sense of belonging.
Shuang Jing stood beside Xuan Wei.
Compared to the calm and magnanimous Xuan Wei, Shuang Jing was much more arrogant. He looked cool and arrogant.
Huanhuan couldn’t help but curse. He should be glad that he was strong enough. Otherwise, with his arrogant personality, he would have been beaten up.
The 10 elders appeared one after another. When they arrived, the public trial officially began.
First Elder began by saying a few pleasantries, then Second Elder recounted the story of Mather’s murder from beginning to end. He then invited witnesses and physical evidence to prove that the murderer of Mather was Huanhuan.