Chapter 744 Xie Shang's Performance

Xie Yang knelt on the ground, "Is the Emperor unwilling to admit it because he's afraid the Empress will find out about your past with Yu Rou?"

Xie Shang angrily said, "What did I have with Zhang Yurou in the past, Xie Yang? Explain yourself. She is your princess, and Xie Ruoyi is also your child. Why do you say she is my child? I have no affair with Zhang Yurou. What is your purpose in doing this?"

Xie Yang's voice was deep, "Yu Rou's love is the Emperor. I knew it a long time ago, but I was just deceiving myself. She told me herself that she had never liked me, and that's when I realized how she could possibly be interested in a good-for-nothing like me. No matter how hard I try to make her like me, I can't compare to the Emperor."

Xie Shang frowned. What did he mean?

Xie Yang seemed to be bitterly smiling as he muttered to himself, "Seven years ago, I married Rou'er. I was so happy to finally marry the woman I loved. But she always had you in her heart. Even after we got married, we weren't really together. One day, the Emperor was in a bad mood, so I invited him to the Fourth Prince's residence for drinks. I don't know if the Emperor remembers, but we all got drunk that night, and you and Rou'er got together... After that, she became pregnant. Because I loved her, I had to pretend that nothing had happened and treat Yi'er as my own child."

After hearing this story, Xie Shang almost believed Xie Yang's explanation. He meant that because Zhang Yurou had always liked him, he should allow her to have a child with another man, even though he was her husband.

That's utterly absurd.

Xie Shang clearly remembered that he and Zhang Yurou had not done anything shameless. The fact that he was being accused of this only made him feel disgusted.

Xie Shang tried his best to suppress his anger and softened his voice, "Fourth brother, from childhood to adulthood, I believe I have never wronged you. I don't get along well with the other princes, but you are my only brother. How could I do anything to wrong you?"

"My father has never liked me. Of all the princes, he chose me as the crown prince and the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. You all think it's because he loves me, but in reality, he was just choosing the most suitable person to sit on the throne."

Xie Shang feigned sadness and grief, “Do you know that it’s lonely at the top? I rely on the Jiang family because I need them to protect our Xie family’s empire. The Jiang family has a clean record. Do you know how many scholars in our Great Zhou are students of Grand Tutor Jiang? With Grand Tutor Jiang’s prestige, our Xie family’s court will not be in chaos. But now someone wants to harm the Jiang family, which means they want to harm our Xie family.”

Fourth Brother, if we want the Great Zhou to become strong, we still need these scholars to help the Xie family build the empire. The Jiang family's reputation is ruined, and they've been kicked out of the court. Have you ever considered whose wishes this is incurred?

Upon hearing this, Xie Yang suddenly raised his head. He had always felt that the stability of the Xie family's empire was none of their business, but Xie Shang being the emperor was what mattered to him.

If any prince were to ascend the throne, they would support their own confidants and build their own power base. Xie Shang had only built the Jiang family's power base. To deal with him, one must first dismantle the power around him.

Xie Shang sighed, "Fourth Brother, you really misunderstood what happened back then. I was probably drunk and can't remember many things clearly, but I really didn't do anything to wrong you. We are brothers. I still remember when we were little, Consort Chang often made pastries for me. I am very happy to have you as my elder brother."

Zhang Yurou's feelings for me may be different, but I truly have no ulterior motives towards her. Don't let her sway you. Back then, she saw me with Su Tingwan and harbored resentment towards Su Tingwan. Now that she knows I love Jiang Fenghua, she resents Jiang Fenghua. These petty affections and romantic entanglements are not as important as the Xie family's empire.

The implication is that he is kind to Jiang Fenghua because the Jiang family is of use to him and can help the Xie family maintain their power.

Xie Yang was somewhat moved. In fact, what he said was right. His father was right to everyone. The one who was wrong was Empress Dowager Cheng, not Xie Shang. Neither of them was wrong. The mistake was that they were both born into the royal family. No matter how many high-sounding words they said, it was because they all wanted to fight for the throne. Those who did not want to fight for the throne did so not because they did not want it, but because they could not win.

Like Prince Kang, he also wanted to be emperor, but he couldn't compete with Emperor Huijing, so he was banished to the northwest.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xie Shang said, "Fourth Brother, go and tell everyone that Yi'er is your daughter. I am the Emperor and cannot acknowledge this child. Otherwise, how can the Xie family stand in the eyes of the world? We brothers are making such a fuss over a woman, and the whole world will laugh at us!"

Xie Yang sneered. So that was what he was planning. He really thought Xie Ruoyi was his daughter. It was indeed not a good look for the emperor to be involved with his sister-in-law, and it would affect his reputation as emperor.

Xie Yang said, "I am willing to help Your Majesty restore your reputation, but if I stand up, I am afraid that people will still not believe me, and I am afraid that it will backfire."

Xie Shang felt utterly overwhelmed. He clenched his fist and slammed it onto the imperial desk. "Zhang Yurou killed Shu Xue. Shu Xue was Vice Minister Shu's niece. His own niece is dead, and instead of seeking revenge on Zhang Yurou, he's helping her frame Jin Ji? What benefit does he gain from doing this? What benefits did Zhang Yurou promise him?"

Xie Yang also pretended to be serious, "Your Majesty, I did not know what Rou'er did. If I had known, I would have advised her. I want to see her. No matter what, she and I are husband and wife. She did something wrong, and I am willing to accept the punishment on her behalf. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and forgive Rou'er. I believe that if Shu Xue had not gone too far, Rou'er would not have taken action."

Xie Shang sighed: "Go and persuade her to tell the truth and explain the situation to the outside world as soon as possible to clear up the misunderstanding. A-Yang, you must help me. You also keep a close eye on the Shu family for me. I don't trust him."

Xie Yang was stunned. "Yes."

Just as Xie Yang was about to leave, Xie Shang said again, "Fourth Brother."

Xie Yang was stunned.

Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "The Great Zhou Dynasty is not as prosperous as it appears on the surface. In fact, it is riddled with holes and full of wounds. When my father passed away, the Great Zhou was already in trouble. If someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of the situation, our Great Zhou will be in danger. At that time, the Xie family will no longer have a peaceful life. All families understand the principle that we share the same fate, but the Xie family does not understand it."

Xie Yang said, "Your subject takes his leave."

After seeing Xie Yang off, Jiang Fenghua emerged from the shadows. "Your Majesty, did you forget what you did? No wonder Zhang Yurou always looks at you with such affection."

"I didn't do it," Xie Shang said coldly. "Xie Ruoyi is not my child. Ruan Ruan, don't joke with me like this."

Jiang Fenghua didn't know the truth, but now Xie Shang was being clung to by Zhang Yurou, and this feeling was probably a million times worse than swallowing a fly!

She said in a deep voice, "Just now, the Emperor spoke to him with great emotion about his childhood, trying to move him with the idea of ​​brotherhood, but he didn't react at all. I'm wondering if the Emperor has misunderstood the situation. Would someone who wants to do bad things give up just because of a few words from the Emperor?"