Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Qin Junyong shook his head, "Impossible! How dare they deceive me!"
"Because you're foolish! The worthless horses you exchanged are mostly dead by now," came the retort. "Not only are you foolish, but you've also been deceived—by spies, by the Private Army Camp, by Qi Xiaomian. Today in the court, Shi Yun is also deceiving you! He is ruthless because he knows you intend to kill his grandson!"
"It wasn't me; it was clearly Qi Xiaomian!" Qin Junyong continued to argue.
Xuande Emperor looked at him with disappointment. "Qi Xiaomian entered the game to gamble with you; his move is truly vicious. He aims to bring about your downfall, yet you remain here, smug and unaware that the executioner's blade is about to fall."
"I have always valued your knowledge and brought in teachers for you. Why can't you see through such a simple scheme? You laugh while falling into it; even if I wanted to save you, I wouldn't have the confidence."
"In times of disaster relief, even if it's discovered that the grain is gone, as long as it's handled properly and pushed down to the lower officials, you could easily escape unscathed. But you insist on following through, greedy for credit yet feeling guilty, willingly handing over leverage."
"You think Shi Yuan is really dead? If he were truly dead, Shi Yun would be fighting with you in court today. His disappearance likely means he has conspired with Qi Xiaomian, hiding in the shadows to gather evidence against you!"
"If you had only provoked Qi Xiaomian, I could have used past demands to silence him. But you've also angered Shi Yun—he's a tenacious old man who won't let go easily. He could push his own son to the Execution Ground; what do you think he would do with a traitorous prince like you?"
Hearing Xuande Emperor's analysis, Qin Junyong finally felt fear. He crawled a few steps and fell at Xuande Emperor's feet. "Father, I may have made a mistake, but my intentions were for the strength of the nation."
"Even if there are mistakes, they don't warrant death. You are a prince; who would dare defy you?"
Xuande Emperor kicked out his leg but controlled his strength so as not to shake off his son at his feet. Looking at Qin Junyong's tear-streaked face, he couldn't bear it and shouted angrily, "Continue kneeling and reflect! Cai Zhuo, prepare pen and paper for him; let him write down every bit of wrongdoing he's done over the years!"
"Third son, remember: write it all down without any concealment. If when we next convene in court there are matters presented that I am unaware of, I will not save you again!"
With his life spared, Qin Junyong lay prostrate on the ground and grinned. "Yes, Father! I will not conceal anything again."
Xuande Emperor thought for a moment before adding, "That excuse about breeding horses you just gave—it’s acceptable but needs more thought. Hmph! It sounds grandiose but can't even convince me; how could it persuade those courtiers?"
"Yes, Father! I will think more deeply."
"Get out! I don't want to see you. Go kneel in the side hall; you're not allowed to get up!"
At this moment, Qin Junyong obediently crawled away to the side hall.
Xuande Emperor lowered his head again to read the messages presented by the Dragon Guard. The more he read, the more his head ached. "Cai Zhuo, brew some calming tea."
Cai Zhuo was just about to give orders when Xuande Emperor added, "Also send a bowl of it to that little beast; Ji Xiao is too young—my earlier inquiries must have frightened him enough."
Cai Zhuo stood still without moving.
"What? You can't even move for me now?" Emperor Xuan De said, glancing at him with impatience.
Cai Zhuo's lips moved a few times, but in the end, he said nothing. As he turned to leave, he heard the emperor's sigh behind him.
"I am the king! The third prince is the son of a king!"
Comment 0 Comment Count