Chapter 399

"Your Majesty, I am much better now. However, things have been rather unsettled at the border recently. I beg Your Majesty to order me to go to the border to protect the safety of the soldiers and civilians there!"

After saying that, Shen Zheng kowtowed to Song Xuan.

The current emperor granted him the tiger tally, but forbade him to return to the border. Seeing that the soldiers on the border were becoming disloyal, and even harboring the intention to support the deputy general, some people spread rumors that he was enjoying wealth and honor in the capital and did not want to return to the border.

This kind of rumor, which is full of flaws at first glance, is obviously deliberately spread by someone, but those illiterate soldiers at the border actually believe it.

Shen Zheng had been somewhat impatient these past few days. He was certain that His Majesty did not want him to return to the border, but now he was determined to go back no matter what.

“Zheng’er is just an idle person in the capital, Your Majesty, why don’t you allow him to return to the border?” Shen Zheng also kowtowed and said.

The Crown Prince Chongmeng is ready; he only awaits Zheng'er's arrival to take over...

Seeing the anxiety on the faces of the father and son, Song Xuan naturally refused, saying, "The situation at the border is not severe. General Shen can continue to rest in the capital. If war breaks out, I will send General Shen to lead the expedition."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng closed his eyes briefly, barely managing to suppress his anger. Kneeling beside him, Shen Zheng kowtowed to Song Xuan: "Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a palace servant who rushed into the hall.

The palace servant's face was full of panic. He ran to Song Xuan, knelt down, and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, the Ice Palace suddenly caught fire for some reason. The palace servants have now put out the fire. Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Song Xuan immediately stood up from his chair, his expression filled with anger. His tone was cold and chilling: "Who set this fire?!"

"Your Majesty, this morning, it was... it was Consort Shen who submitted a memorial to the Empress Dowager, saying that she had not seen the late Empress for a long time and wanted to see her appearance. Who knew that a fire broke out shortly after Consort Shen entered the Ice Palace..." The palace servant kneeling on the ground was flustered, but spoke clearly and logically, recounting the whole story in a few words.

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan's piercing gaze immediately fell upon the Shen father and son, his tone icy cold: "You two are truly remarkable, daring to send someone to harm Qing Nian's spirit body and use such methods to force me to back down. You have quite the audacity!"

After saying this, he stormed out of the Imperial Study and strode towards the Ice Palace. The Shen father and son were completely bewildered, as they had no idea that Madam Shen had entered the palace. They exchanged glances and then hurriedly followed.

Along the way, Shen Zheng felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest. He came to his senses and realized that Jiang Shi, who was his wife, should have been lying in the Shen family mansion. How could she suddenly appear in the palace?

Madam Shen has been in a coma for most of the time now. The medicine she takes is prepared by special people so that she will not be conscious. Shen Zheng has not been paying attention to Madam Shen for a long time. Her sudden appearance in the Ice Palace and the fire must mean that something went wrong!

The more Shen Zheng thought about it, the more uneasy he became, and his expression became uncontrollably distorted. Shen Zheng, who was walking beside him, saw his expression and his expression immediately became complicated.

His birth mother was seriously ill and had been in a coma ever since he returned to Beijing. His father seemed to treat his mother well, but in reality, he ignored her completely.

Snowflakes began to fall again, pelting down on people's heads. The sky above was gloomy and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Song Xuan, who was walking in front, had an even more somber expression than the sky.

Soon, the three of them arrived inside the East Palace.

The palace servants on duty at the East Palace were already kneeling on the ground. Some of them had soot on their faces and were disheveled, clearly having just fought off a fire.

When these palace servants saw Song Xuan arrive, they immediately kowtowed to the ground, awaiting the emperor's punishment.