The Imperial Clan Court.
"All of you step back!"
The prince walked into the cell.
Shangguan Shu knelt and saluted, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The prince snorted coldly, and seeing that Shangguan Shu was angry, he did not ask him to stand up.
In this incident, Shangguan Shu not only betrayed Zhao Ying, but also betrayed their friendship of many years.
He even felt that Shangguan Shu had no feelings for his sister, so how could he have no feelings for him?
They grew up together!
He even blocked an arrow for him!
So, just for a woman like Zhao Yao, he actually wanted to rebel?!
The prince sneered, "Do you know why I came here?"
Shangguan Shu shook his head, "I don't know."
"Hmph!" The prince was so angry that he smashed the beads in his hand hard into his face.
"What a clueless one!"
"Once you find out, will our Zhao family's rule be passed down to the Shangguan family? Shangguan Shu, you're so brave!"
Shangguan Shu looked up at the Crown Prince, emphasizing each word with a devout gaze, "Your Highness...I do not understand what you mean."
"You...you really want me to make everything clear, right?"
"Okay, I'll help you!"
"I have found evidence of your treason in the secret room of your study. Do you still want to deny it?"
Shangguan Shu looked confused. "What treason? What evidence?"
"Your Highness, are you here because of the private relationship between the two princesses and me? I can explain, but the crime of treason involves the entire clan, and I absolutely dare not do it!"
Seeing this, the prince's patience ran out.
He said in a deep voice, "Originally I thought you were temporarily deceived and wanted to give you another chance, but now it seems..."
"I won't waste my time talking to you. Your father has already taken the golden medal of immunity from death to beg my father, the emperor, to spare your life. As long as you confess your crime, you can still be spared!"
As soon as the prince finished speaking, there was silence for a while.
Then, Shangguan Shu said calmly: "Your Majesty... I have not the slightest intention of being disloyal. I do not plead guilty!"
The prince closed his eyes and said, "Come here, start the punishment!"
At the prince's order, a group of executioners rushed in, dragged Shangguan Shu out, and tied him back to the rack.
Looking at the whip getting closer and closer, Shangguan Shu asked in shock, "Your Highness, are you trying to force a confession?"
The prince couldn't bear it but forced himself to be cruel.
"Runzhi, I'm doing this for your own good. Getting hurt is better than having your entire family executed!"
As the prince finished speaking, the whip fell on Shangguan Shu at the same time...
Half a cup of tea later, the prince frowned and asked, "You still don't plead guilty?"
Shangguan Shu was covered in whip wounds, his clothes were torn to shreds, his body was covered in blood, and even his handsome face was marked with a long whip mark.
He coughed a few times and coughed up a mouthful of blood, which he swallowed back.
"Your Majesty...ahem...I deny it!"
Upon seeing this, the prince completely gave up and withdrew his men, saying, "Back then, I watched you and Huai'an grow up together. I thought it was a match made in heaven, but who could have known it would end up like this today."
"Is it worth it for a woman?"
"How is Ying'er worse than Huai'an? She gave birth to five children for you. Even if your heart isn't with her, you shouldn't scheme against her. Runzhi, you're too cruel!"
Shangguan Shu choked out a few hoarse laughs from his lungs, which carried a bloody smell.
"Your Highness, I have never plotted against the princess, nor have I ever considered treason!"
The prince waved his hand, "Never mind, if that's the case..."
The prince didn't want to say more, so he had Shangguan Shu sent back to the cell and left.
The next morning.
Emperor Jianxi ended his court.
In the Yangxin Palace, the old Duke, the Crown Prince, Shangguan Zhu, Concubine Ji Shu, Concubine Rong, the unconscious Zhao Yao, Zhao Ying and Emperor Jianxi were all there.
The old Duke and Concubine Rong cried and pleaded with Emperor Jianxi.
Shangguan Zhu knelt there with a dead heart, not saying a word.
Concubine Ji Shu held the unconscious Zhao Yao in her arms and tried her best to clear herself from Zhao Yao.
The Crown Prince and Zhao Ying stood on one side, and below Emperor Jianxi were several large boxes that were specially sealed.
Emperor Jianxi obviously wanted to show some mercy. After all, the Shangguan family had made contributions to the country, and Shangguan Shu also had great military achievements. If it weren't for this incident, he would have wanted to appoint Shangguan Shu as the Grand Tutor after the Spring Examination.
The youngest of the three ministers, this kid is so confused!
Emperor Jianxi couldn't help but look at the unconscious Zhao Yao, with murderous intent in his eyes.
Zhao Yao may have sensed it and slowly woke up.
"Huai'an, are you awake?"
Zhao Yao didn't realize where and when she was. When she saw Concubine Shu, she grabbed her sleeve and said, "Mother, the box!"
She wanted to say something more, but Concubine Ji covered her mouth with her hand and winked at her.
Only then did Zhao Yao see the people in the room. Her eyes widened, her face turned pale with fear, and she was speechless.
It’s over… it’s over…
It's all over now.
Zhao Ying said expressionlessly, "Father, I saw with my own eyes that Huai'an went to the clan residence to report the news. The traitor Shangguan Shu asked her to replace the items in the box. Fortunately, I was able to arrest him in time."
Zhao Yao denied it repeatedly, "Father... he's not that kind of father..."
"Father, I didn't!"
Even with irrefutable evidence, Zhao Yao still wanted to shift the blame to Zhao Ying. She looked at Zhao Ying in disbelief and asked, "Sister Ying, why are you slandering me?"
Zhao Ying was too lazy to pay attention to her.
Emperor Jianxi sneered.
"Huaian, you are my biological daughter, but I don't want to raise a traitor! I think you have other intentions in going to Kanshan. You are really scheming!"
Emperor Jianxi threw a memorial at Zhao Yao and angrily said, "How could Ziyin and Zihua have a mother like you!"
At the mention of the two children, Zhao Yao's face turned even uglier. She said in panic, "Father, this has nothing to do with Ziya and Ziyin. If you want to punish them, please find me!"
"But I am innocent! Your Majesty, I see clearly!"
Emperor Jianxi sat down on the dragon throne tiredly.
He didn't sleep all night.
One is his daughter, and the other is the minister whom he watched grow up and entrusted with his hopes... He regards him as his right arm and a sharp sword he gave to the prince.
But this sharp blade stabbed themselves...
Did he misjudge the person?
He really didn't want to believe that Shangguan Shu had any rebellious intentions.
If it wasn't Cheng Qian who complained, he would even think it was a joke!
You pretend so well!
Emperor Jianxi suddenly said, "Bring Shangguan Shu up!"
"yes!"
Zhou Ji went to bring Shangguan Shu, and Emperor Jianxi drove everyone out of the Yangxin Palace.
The morning sun rises slantingly, and the clouds and fog dissipate.
Everyone knelt in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, leaving an aisle in the middle.
When Shangguan Shu was carried over, he passed by Zhao Ying.
Zhao Ying couldn't help but look up.
Seeing him covered in blood...
Who tortured him?
Zhao Ying lowered her head, clenched her teeth, and felt a bitter feeling in her heart.
She really hates...
I hate that he had a good life but chose to rebel for Zhao Yao!
She shouldn't feel sorry for him, she should feel very happy.
Zhao Ying's gaze gradually grew cold.
She is Zhao Ying, the most respected woman in the Great Chu.
She doesn't have to be sad and lonely because of a man who has other interests.
Those who follow her will prosper, those who go against her...
He has only himself to blame!
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