The atmosphere in the courtroom had reached a fever pitch, with everyone awaiting Huangfu Huazhang's proclamation of innocence.
Yet, the protagonist Huangfu Huazhang seemed to have forgotten his lines, squinting toward the crowd below at a discordant note.
—Shi Nian and Tang Yanqing had discreetly slipped out, their small interaction starkly conspicuous amidst the orderly crowd.
Huangfu Huazhang's pale, slender fingers subtly tightened around his cane.
Xiang Yuan, unable to get a response from Huangfu Huazhang, couldn't help but feel a small thrill, believing he had hit Huangfu Huazhang's weak spot, leaving him speechless.
Seizing the opportunity, he pressed on, "Mr. Fude? Mr. Fude? Why aren't you speaking? Is it because you can't prove your innocence?"
Huangfu Huazhang had to shift his gaze back to him.
