Chapter 341
These people are clearly framing him on purpose.
He could say that because he was certain that His Majesty would not punish him arbitrarily. After all, he was a newly appointed Grand General who had rendered meritorious service to the country. Moreover, His Majesty could not possibly believe that he would attempt an assassination.
At this moment, the others who were hunting together also rushed over upon hearing the commotion. When they saw Shen Zheng kneeling on the ground, with an arrow in his arm and looking disheveled, they couldn't help but gasp.
What's going on here?!
It should be noted that Shen Zheng, who was personally appointed as the Grand General of the State by His Majesty during this period, was at the height of his power. Relying on His Majesty's favor, this General Shen often flaunted his power in front of them, and His Majesty had always indulged him, so they could only avoid his sharp edge.
This powerful and influential general is now kneeling before His Majesty in such a sorry state. Could it be that he has offended the Emperor?
As Shen Zheng was scrutinized by the arriving crowd, he felt utterly ashamed. Hatred and anger surged within him, and he wished he could draw his sword and gouge out their eyes.
They also wished they could sit in that high position themselves!
Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, Shen Qingnian slowly spoke: "Since General Shen says that he has been wronged, Your Majesty might as well listen to what General Shen has to say. General Shen has done a lot for Da Xuan. I believe that General Shen would not have had any intention of assassinating him. It was just an accident."
Her sudden words of support for Shen Zheng stirred a surge of emotion within him, prompting him to repeatedly echo, "Your Majesty! The Imperial Concubine is right. This was all an accident. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to explain!"
Although Shen Zheng knew in his heart that Song Xuan wouldn't do anything to him, he didn't want to lose face in front of everyone, so he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding as soon as possible and leave quickly.
Song Xuan looked down at Shen Zheng and said coldly, "Tell me."
Next, Shen Zheng recounted what had happened, omitting his intention to scare Shen Qingnian and only saying that he wanted to shoot the snake on the tree trunk.
Then, the servant presented the snake, which was already dead and nailed to the tree trunk, along with the arrows, and that's how the story began.
Ye Lingzhou was unwilling to let the matter rest. He knelt down and said to Song Xuan, "Your Majesty, although General Shen did not mean it, Your Majesty was also disturbed by General Shen's arrow. I believe that General Shen can be spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape punishment!"
His words were well-reasoned and irrefutable.
When the emperor goes to the hunting grounds, he should be accompanied by many people. However, for some unknown reason, Song Xuan only took a few people with him, and they happened to be seen by Shen Zheng.
Shen Zheng had been away from the capital for a long time. Ordinary court officials would have kept their distance from the emperor when he went hunting, but he not only did not avoid him, he even went up to him to try to intimidate the imperial concubine. It was truly because he had been on the frontier for so long that he had developed a reckless and arrogant attitude.
The people around had long disliked Shen Zheng, and a few bolder ones echoed Ye Lingzhou's sentiments:
"Your Majesty, Prince Ye is right. Disturbing the Emperor is a capital offense; how can it be let off so easily?!"
"According to the laws of our dynasty, those who attempt to assassinate the emperor are subject to the extermination of their entire family, including nine generations!"
"This General Shen is so audacious! Does he really think that just because he has won a few battles, he can act with impunity and doesn't even respect His Majesty!"
"Don't blame me for being paranoid, but a general like this really shouldn't be kept alive!"
......
Those who went hunting in the hunting grounds were all hot-blooded young men. After Shen Zheng returned to the capital, he relied on his title as a general and often bullied them when he met them outside.
Now is the perfect time to sow discord, how could they let it pass?
Hearing these people's words of kicking someone when they're down, Shen Zheng felt the excruciating pain in his arm lessen by seven or eight parts. He gritted his teeth and repeatedly defended himself, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. What happened just now was indeed an accident. I truly had no malicious intent!"
If he doesn't speak up, these people will exterminate his entire family.
Song Xuan looked around, finally fixing his gaze on the person in his arms, and asked, "What does the Imperial Concubine think?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com