Chapter 371 Brothers Confront Each Other
The emperor glanced at the altar beneath the offering table, then looked at Shen Cong and sighed with a complex expression.
"You finally found this place."
Shen Cong pressed his thin lips together, his eyes meeting those of the emperor, and his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched involuntarily.
In less than a month, the emperor had aged drastically.
A withered skin covered protruding bones, and even his hair was almost completely white, making him look like a completely aged old man.
"It seems that His Majesty deliberately neglected to guard the other jade thumb ring, allowing someone to take it out."
The emperor leaned back in his chair, took a labored breath, and a smug smile appeared on his face.
"If I didn't do this, how could I trick you into opening the tomb door? You hid this jade thumb ring very well."
"I've searched for so long, but I still can't find it. Where did you hide it?"
Shen Cong closed his eyes briefly and said softly, "The Empress Dowager has melted the jade thumb ring into the jade pendant."
"If the cave hadn't collapsed and shattered the jade pendant, I wouldn't have discovered it."
The emperor was taken aback, his expression turning somewhat grim.
"So that's how it is! The Empress Dowager actually melted the jade thumb ring into the jade pendant."
"I never expected that Mother would choose you in the end; she still favors you after all."
Shen Cong lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, "You are wrong. Your mother is biased towards you. Otherwise, why would she support your ascension to the throne?"
The emperor suddenly gripped the armrest of the bamboo chair tightly, and the veins on his already thin hand bulged even more from the force.
He was breathing heavily, his eyes bulging as he stared at Chen Cong.
"That's because you were young at the time, and even if you ascended the throne in such a chaotic situation, you wouldn't be able to hold your position."
She didn't choose me at all; she chose the stability of the Great Chu's empire.
Anger flashed across Shen Cong's face.
"Isn't choosing the stable rule of the Great Chu a sign of your approval?"
"Of course not. If you had been a bit older, she probably wouldn't have chosen me!"
The emperor was panting heavily, speaking in broken sentences.
Shen Xu stepped forward to help him catch his breath and said, "Father, why waste so much time talking to him? Just bring the black jar over here quickly."
With that, he waved his hand and gave instructions to the men he had brought.
"You lot, go and fetch that jar for me right now."
Those brought in were all spies from the Imperial City Guard, and upon hearing this, they all stepped forward.
"Don't come any closer."
Li Nanke, his face full of vigilance, reached out to grab the black jar.
“If you take one more step forward, I will immediately smash the jar.”
She looked coldly at the emperor.
"Your Majesty, Prince Chen said he cast a curse on you that causes you to die together, as long as I break the jar."
Once the Gu worms emerge, they naturally cannot gnaw on Ninth Brother's personal belongings, thus Ninth Brother's blood curse is largely lifted.
But Your Majesty will suffer the backlash of the blood curse. I advise Your Majesty to think twice before acting.
The emperor's teeth chattered with rage, and he glared at Li Nanke with his deep-set eyes.
“We are both afflicted with the Curse of Shared Death and Different Life. If you dare to destroy the Gu worms…”
"If I die, Shen Cong will not live either. I don't believe you dare to damage the jar."
Li Nanke placed his hand on the jar and sneered.
"Then Your Majesty may give it a try. Since we dared to come, we must already have a way to break the curse of mutual death."
The emperor's face changed drastically, and his breathing became increasingly labored, as if he were about to die at any moment.
He was hesitant to act rashly, so he immediately ordered his men to stop where they were.
Shen Xu said, "Father, are we afraid of them? Archers, prepare!"
"I want to see whether the archer is faster or you, Li Nanke, are faster."
As soon as Shen Xu finished speaking, a group of men in black emerged from behind him, each carrying a bow and arrow.
The arrow's fletching gleamed with a deep blue light under the illumination of the luminous pearl.
"These arrows are all poisoned. If you know what's good for you, you'll hand over the jar obediently."
Uncle Jiu, Li Nanke, I advise you not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.
Li Nanke stood in front of the jar, scoffing.
"I've never experienced what it's like to be punished with a penalty drink."
Shen Cong stood in front of Li Nanke, looking expressionlessly at the emperor, who was slumped on the bamboo chair, struggling to breathe.
He clenched his fists tightly and spoke in a deep voice.
"My brother has become so suspicious of me because of a single imperial edict, even to the point of going to great lengths?"
In your heart, do you necessarily think I'll compete with you for the throne? If I said I've never even considered that position, would you believe me?
The emperor opened his mouth and took a deep breath. Upon hearing this, the corners of his mouth twitched twice, and he suddenly gripped the armrest of the bamboo chair tightly.
"It's not that I doubt you, it's Father, Mother, and those ministers!"
They all like you, everyone likes you. They all say your personality is like the founding emperor, and even more like your father!
Recalling events from many years ago, intense anger and dissatisfaction flashed in the emperor's eyes.
"I was born as the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and I was born to rule the throne."
Having served as the crown prince for over a decade, I have never dared to slacken in my studies of governing the country and being a ruler.
Before you were born, my father would occasionally reprimand me, but he was never dissatisfied with me.
Everything, everything, is because of you, it's all because of you!
The emperor's hand trembled as he pointed at Shen Cong.
"It was your birth that changed everything that was once peaceful and beautiful!"
"You were born looking exactly like your father when he was a child, and he doted on you terribly."
Of all the princes, he never held any of them in his arms, but what about you? He held you in his arms all day long, personally feeding you and giving you water, and inquiring about your daily life.
"When you turn three, your father will personally teach you to read, write, and ride horses."
Every time he takes you hunting, and you bring back a catch, he always remarkes that A-Cong is just like him when he was a child.
The emperor paused for a moment and took a few deep breaths.
He continued, "When you were a child, I truly loved you!"
But as you grew older, you began to offer advice to your father on governing the country at a young age.
The Emperor often lamented, "If only the Crown Prince could be as intelligent and magnanimous as A-Cong!"
Your father and mother have always favored you, and even the court officials like you more and more!
"Because of my misjudgment, which led to a defeat at the border, Father Emperor even considered making you the crown prince!"
The emperor pointed forcefully at Shen Cong, his finger trembling uncontrollably.
"Chen Cong, do you think I shouldn't hate you? If it weren't for you, I would be a secure emperor!"
"Even if you weren't so clever, or so likable, I would still be willing to be a loving elder brother to you!"
Ultimately, you have only yourself to blame!
The emperor slumped weakly into his chair, his gaze towards Shen Cong filled with resentment.
Shen Cong pressed his thin lips together, "None of this is a reason for you to harm people!"
It's one thing if you doubt me and want to harm me, but what about Consort Wang and the children whose medicine you concocted?
They were so innocent! Because of your selfishness, you have ruined them!
"Your own flesh and blood are among them, how could you do this?"
The emperor scoffed, "If I want to live, what harm is there in their small sacrifices for me?"
"you!"
Shen Cong clenched his fists tightly, his chest heaving with anger.
"Father, stop wasting time arguing with them and just take action!"
Shen Xu impatiently urged him on, and at the same time waved his hand at the archers.
Just then, Li Nanke suddenly picked up the black jar and slammed it heavily to the ground!
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