Chapter 55: The Truth

"We... we didn't frame you."
"No... it wasn't us."
Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao said with trembling voices.
However, their voices were quickly drowned out by the angry shouts of the scholars surrounding them.
"I knew it was them who framed Master Chen."
"These two are simply the scum of our scholarly community. Out of jealousy for Master Chen's talent, they came up with such a vicious scheme to frame him."
"They are not worthy of associating with scholars like us. Strip off their scholarly robes!"
...
A crowd of furious scholars immediately closed in on Chen Hao and Zhao Hongwei.
The two tried to struggle, but as the saying goes, two fists are no match for four hands. Their blue scholarly robes were torn to shreds on the spot.
They could only do their best to protect their vital parts from being exposed.
Up on the platform, seeing this unfold, Magistrate Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.
"Chen Fan, don't go throwing false accusations around! You claim they framed you, but do you have any proof?"
Zhao达 asked nervously, staring at Chen Fan.
At this sight, a cold smirk appeared at the corner of Chen Fan's mouth.
"Who said we have proof?"
Chen Fan retorted with a smile.
Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei's father, Zhao Da, became even more nervous.
"Chen Fan, what evidence do you have to prove that they framed you?"
Assistant Director Liu nearby couldn't help but chime in.
"We simply need to have them write a passage from *The Water Margin*. Then we can compare their handwriting samples with the manuscript of *The Water Margin*."
"I am certain that no matter how hard they try to disguise their handwriting habits, they will never escape the discerning eyes of Lord Fang."
Chen Fan said with confidence, taking the opportunity to flatter Fang Zhengru.
"That goes without saying."
Fang Zhengru was very receptive to Chen Fan's flattery, and he immediately lifted his chin with a confident look.
Assistant Director Liu also felt as though a flash of enlightenment had struck him, suddenly seeing the logic clearly.
"We have already proven that the manuscript of *The Water Margin* was used to frame you. By comparing the handwriting, we can easily find out who the culprit behind the framing is."
Assistant Director Liu said excitedly,
even more excited than Chen Fan himself.
The grueling journey over the past few days had nearly cost him half his life, and on the way, he had cursed the perpetrator who framed Chen Fan more than once.
Now that the real culprit was about to be unmasked, how could he not be thrilled?
"Magistrate Zhao, since they are now prime suspects, let them come forward and write out a portion of *The Water Margin* just as Chen Fan suggested!"
Assistant Director Liu said impatiently to Zhao Da.

Magistrate Zhao's sweat began to pour down once again.
"Di... Director Liu, it is already getting late. How about we resume the trial of this case tomorrow?"
"That way, you and Lord Fang can also retire to your quarters for an early rest."
Zhao Da glanced between Assistant Director Liu and Fang Zhengru.
"There is no need for that. Have them come write it right now!"
Before Zhao Da's voice had even faded, Fang Zhengru spoke up decisively.
"Magistrate Zhao, could it be that you are trying to shield your son, Zhao Hongwei?"
Before Zhao Da could respond, Assistant Director Liu asked with a cold tone.
"I d... d... dare not! Th... this subordinate would never dare!"
Hearing this, Zhao Da stammered in panic.
Zhao Da knew that with Assistant Director Liu and Fang Zhengru present, trying to gloss over the matter today was utterly impossible.
"Gu... guards! Bring those two before me!"
Zhao Da looked anxiously at Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao.
"Pfft."
When Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao were brought up, Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh at the sight of them.
The clothes on the two of them had been completely stripped away, leaving only a tattered piece of cloth covering their lower bodies.
Their faces were marked with numerous scratch marks.
They looked precisely like adulterers caught in the act and beaten while being stripped in the streets.
Upon seeing this, Assistant Director Liu and Fang Zhengru furrowed their brows deeply.
"Just how many wicked deeds have the two of you committed to provoke scholars, who are usually so refined, into showing you such ruthlessness?"
Fang Zhengru asked, frowning at the pair.
"Lord Fang, please examine the facts! These scholars were simply misled by Chen Fan's rumors, which is why they attacked us!"
"The true mastermind is Chen Fan!"
Zhao Hongwei glared coldly at Chen Fan.
If looks could kill, Chen Fan would have already been sliced into a thousand pieces.
Curiously, Chen Hao stood beside him with a look of utter despair, silent and not offering a single word in his own defense.
"Who the mastermind is will be revealed shortly. Go ahead and copy out a section of *The Water Margin*."
Fang Zhengru instructed Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao.
Though his tone was extremely calm, it carried an undeniable sense of authority.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongwei stood up directly and began to write.
This caused Chen Hao beside him to knit his brows in confusion.
Could it be that this matter had nothing to do with him?
Meanwhile, Chen Hao's legs felt as heavy as lead, making every single step an immense struggle.

The moment Chen Hao picked up the brush, his hand was shaking uncontrollably.
This abnormal behavior of Chen Hao's did not escape the notice of everyone present.
Could he truly be the one who framed Chen Fan?
Time ticked away second by second, and soon both of them put down their brushes.
"Clatter."
Chen Hao tried to stand up, but his legs suddenly went weak, causing him to collapse to the ground.
As bad luck would have it, he knocked over the inkstone on the desk, and the ink spilled out completely, splashing directly across his face.
His face instantly turned pitch black.
Yet Chen Hao acted as if he felt nothing at all, simply sitting paralyzed on the ground,
revealing only a pair of eyes filled with stark terror.
Taking advantage of the moment while Fang Zhengru was comparing the handwriting, Chen Fan noticed Zhao Hongwei give a subtle nod to his father.
Zhao Da immediately let out a long breath, swept the gloom from his face, and broke into a smile.
Seeing this, Chen Fan instantly guessed that Zhao Hongwei had likely shifted all the blame entirely onto Chen Hao.
"The handwriting of this *Water Margin* sample is an exact match for Chen Hao's handwriting."
Fang Zhengru's next words confirmed Chen Fan's conjecture.
As soon as Fang Zhengru finished speaking, Chen Hao collapsed entirely onto the floor like a puddle of mud.
"Audacious Chen Hao, how dare you frame an innocent person! Guards, throw him into the dungeon!"
Before Fang Zhengru's voice had even died away, Zhao Da spoke up with eager impatience.
Within moments, several bailiffs closed in around Chen Hao.
"Wait a moment."
Chen Fan suddenly spoke up.
"Chen Fan, what are you trying to do? Are you attempting to interfere with official judicial business?"
Zhao Da glared at Chen Fan with a dark expression.
"I wouldn't dare. I only wish to ask if he has any accomplices."
Chen Fan replied with calm composure,
then walked slowly toward Chen Hao.
"Chen Hao, this matter is definitely not something you could have carried out alone. Who were your accomplices?"
"Framing someone for treason is a capital offense. Do you intend to bear the entire blame by yourself?"
"As long as you reveal your accomplices, with Assistant Director Liu and Lord Fang present here, your punishment will surely be commuted."
Chen Fan squatted down and looked directly into Chen Hao's eyes.