Chapter 148 The Art of the Emperor
Upon hearing this, Chu Jichen's gaze instantly turned icy cold, but a mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Him? Of course he already knew."
"The matter of Huo Yunzhan impersonating someone else had already reached the palace after the farce at Zhuangyuan Tower. Emperor Yongming... had also privately summoned Huo Yunzhan long ago."
Although Chu Jichen spoke casually, his words stirred up a storm in Shen Qingci's heart!
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Your Highness means... His Majesty knew Huo Yunzhan's true identity from the very beginning?"
"Hmm." Chu Jichen nodded, his deep eyes filled with darkness. "I'm afraid it's not as simple as just 'knowing'."
Shen Qingci became increasingly confused.
Seeing her confused expression, Chu Jichen patiently unraveled the mystery for her, revealing the darkest truth beneath this predicament.
“Qingqing, think about it carefully,” he said in a low voice, with a hint of cold penetration, “Judging from the level of concern Huo Yunzhan and Emperor Yongming have for the ‘Shen Family Private Army,’ they must have been colluding long ago.”
“Have you ever thought that... perhaps the reason why Huo Yunzhan killed Huo Yunting and impersonated him wasn't actually his own idea?”
"Instead... it was Emperor Yongming who personally paved the way for him."
Shen Qingci stared in astonishment, feeling a chill run down her spine: "How could this be...?!"
"Why not?" Chu Jichen sneered. "The Shen family's troubles happened a year ago. The one who issued the decree to execute the entire family was Emperor Yongming."
"Based on the evidence we have now, the Huo family, especially Huo Yunzhan, was also deeply involved."
Don't you find it strange?
"Huo Yunzhan was only the second son of the Marquis's family at the time. How could he be involved in the earth-shattering case of framing a first-rank general of the imperial court?"
"And by what right do you know such secrets as the 'Shen Family Private Army,' which even I have never heard of?"
“Unless…” A sharp glint flashed in Chu Jichen’s eyes, “It was Emperor Yongming who took the initiative to approach Huo Yunzhan because of your special relationship with him.”
"This perfectly explains why Huo Yunzhan betrayed the Shen family, and why he was so certain that you possessed the so-called 'troop mobilization order'!"
Shen Qingci's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.
Countless details that she had previously overlooked now flooded her mind like a tide, confirming Chu Jichen's suspicions one by one!
Looking at her increasingly pale face, Chu Jichen continued, "Although Emperor Yongming usually appears muddle-headed, absurd, and addicted to wine and women, he was born into the royal family and grew up in the deep palace. From a young age, he received the most advanced teachings on the art of being an emperor."
"He could never be a complete idiot."
"The reason he is acting this way now is largely to deceive me, to make me lower my guard, so that I can take the opportunity... to seize back the throne from me."
"If he wants to seize power, he needs help. The Huo family, which holds military power, is naturally someone he wants to win over."
"And Huo Yunzhan is ambitious, and happens to be your fiancé, Shen Qingci... In Emperor Yongming's eyes, he is the perfect pawn."
"He must have promised Huo Yunzhan something. Maybe it's the title of 'Marquis of Yongning'. That's why Huo Yunzhan is willing to risk his life for him."
“Previously, you deliberately used the bait of ‘private soldiers’ and Emperor Yongming received the news not long afterward.”
“I originally thought that Liu Wenyuan was the one relaying the message. But now it seems…” Chu Jichen’s eyes were full of sarcasm, “Judging from Emperor Yongming’s undisguised use and contempt for Huo Yunzhan, there must have been a direct connection between them long ago.”
Shen Qingci nodded slowly.
Yes, everything makes sense now.
If Emperor Yongming was the one truly manipulating the game behind the scenes, then many of her previous schemes seem far too simplistic.
Her enemy was far more powerful and terrifying than she had imagined.
but……
Shen Qingci slowly clenched her hands, her eyes showing no fear whatsoever, but rather an unprecedented fighting spirit!
Whoever is behind this, whether it's the Huo family, the Liu family, or even the high and mighty Emperor Yongming!
They are the culprits who killed her entire family!
She will not be spared!
Seeing Shen Qingci's face suddenly turn icy cold, and her whole body exuding an almost resolute and chilling aura, Chu Jichen knew that she must be filled with boundless hatred.
He quickly reached out and took her cold fingertips into his palm, softening his voice as he tried to soothe her:
"Qingqing, don't worry."
"Emperor Yongming is now completely under house arrest in the Taiji Palace. His every move and word is under my surveillance. Neither Liu Wenyuan nor Huo Yunzhan will have any further contact with him."
Upon hearing Chu Jichen's words, Shen Qingci was filled with mixed emotions.
She raised her eyes and quietly looked at the man in front of her.
His eyes showed concern and reassurance for her. It has to be said that she made the right choice to marry Chu Jichen. Chu Jichen held immense power and could do so many things for her.
If she hadn't married Chu Jichen, it would have been impossible for her to have reached this point on her own.
At the very least, she simply couldn't have put Emperor Yongming under house arrest.
But in her mind, the same tender look he gave another woman and another child in Yunmeng Tower flashed uncontrollably through her mind.
Shen Qingci's eyelashes trembled slightly. For the blood feud of the Shen family, for the hundreds of innocent souls who died unjustly... she had no other choice.
She had to pretend that she knew nothing and that nothing had ever happened.
She had to continue playing the role of a regent who "deeply believed" in him, stay by his side, and use him and his immense power to gather more information and pave the way for her revenge.
Thinking of this, she slowly grasped his hand back, forcing a faint smile back onto her face.
Chu Jichen saw the complex emotions flashing across her eyes and felt a slight pang in his heart, but he did not point it out.
He assumed she was upset because of the Shen family's affairs and continued, "I've temporarily cut off the Yongming Emperor's connection. Huo Yunzhan has also caused a scandal with 'fratricide,' and now he's being universally condemned in the capital. I guess..."
A calculating glint flashed in his eyes. "Huo Yunzhan and Liu Wenyuan will soon... take their next step."
"We just need to wait and see, and wait for them to... fall into disarray."
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