Chapter 12 Even if His Majesty wanted him to die right now...
Looking into Seventeen's clear, doe-like eyes, Emperor Jing felt as if something was choking him, leaving him unsure how to speak.
"...Yes, it was all my orders. Why?"
Seventeen shook her head slightly, her eyes filled with admiration and affection as she looked at Emperor Jing, clearly showing her excitement.
"Your Majesty is truly amazing..."
At this moment, Seventeen's mind also came to a realization. He remembered the place Mingyue had taken him to, where he had clearly seen all the old and young people, just now, standing around the notice board, shedding tears.
Seventeen pondered for a moment and then asked, "Has Your Majesty already planned to deal with Wei Xing?"
After observing for a while, Emperor Jing found that there was indeed no other meaning in Seventeen's eyes, and he was slightly relieved. He could not let Seventeen suspect him now.
Seeing this, he smiled and explained to Seventeen from beginning to end.
It turns out that Emperor Jing had heard about what Wei Xing had done when he was still a prince. However, at that time, his father was in power and his elder brother was the crown prince. As an ordinary prince, he could not express his dissatisfaction.
Later, when Emperor Jing ascended the throne and was preparing to deal with Wei Xing and others, he discovered that they had far-reaching influence, from the imperial city of Yejing to the water towns of Jiangnan and the northern border, Wei Xing had made arrangements everywhere.
This made Emperor Jing back down; he couldn't take action against Wei Xing at this time if he wanted to maintain his throne.
Emperor Jing's withdrawal emboldened Wei Xing, who became increasingly arrogant, and the price of this arrogance was the exposure of more evidence.
Emperor Jing secretly sent people to keep an eye on Wei Xing and others in other places. The other places were easy to deal with, and they obtained key evidence in each place, just waiting to strike.
However, Wei Xing struggled to make a breakthrough. He was cunning and knew the Great Jing very well, even beyond the emperor himself. It was precisely because of this long-delayed "evidence" that Wei Xing allowed Wei Lifeng to be arrogant for so many years.
Those who had been humiliated by Wei Lifeng were secretly taken in by Emperor Jing. This was also his next plan: to establish a shelter in Yejing, mainly to take in people who had no children or parents.
Returning to Wei Xing's side, Emperor Jing had been struggling to find evidence for a long time. Wei Xing was also getting old and was about to abdicate. If he wanted to deal with him then, he might encounter more resistance. So he simply decided to go all out and create evidence himself since there was no evidence.
In recent years, Emperor Jing has not been idle on the throne. His reputation has made his throne extremely secure. At this time, what could Wei Xing possibly refute about what Emperor Jing said? In addition, given the evil deeds he had committed, the worst outcome would be that all those he had bullied would be brought into the palace to serve as evidence.
He never expected that his sudden, whimsical action would lead Seventeen to the evidence he had been searching for for many years.
It was also Emperor Jing's fault for miscalculating. The shop had always been under Wei Lifeng's name. Although he had checked many times, it was just a piece of paper. If someone wanted to hide it, it would indeed be quite difficult.
Wei Lifeng, emboldened by lust, kidnapped Seventeen. According to past practice, Clerk Zhao would have handed the account book directly to Wei Xing. However, this year, because Wei Lifeng had squandered money excessively, Clerk Zhao was afraid of being scolded, so he made a special trip, allowing Seventeen to get a great deal.
After listening to Emperor Jing finish speaking, Seventeen looked on with admiration, but at the same time secretly despised herself for questioning Emperor Jing's ideas earlier. She finally understood what Mingyue meant by being unable to control her own destiny.
"Your Majesty is so amazing... So, Your Majesty had me pretend to be kidnapped by Wei Lifeng? Was that a backup plan?"
Emperor Jing coughed lightly and laughed, "If you ask me, it is the seventeenth one who is both capable and blessed."
"It's not accurate to call it a backup plan. At the time, it was just because no one around me could infiltrate the Wei residence. I thought you were beautiful, so I wanted to give it a try. If I could successfully infiltrate and get something, that would be great. But if I didn't find anything, it wouldn't affect my plans at all."
Seventeen nodded, feeling no displeasure at being used, only joy at being able to help His Majesty.
Although His Majesty said he didn't count on him, he still managed to discover crucial evidence in the end, which shows that he was quite useful after all.
Zhao, the registrar, was unaware of Wei Xing's correspondence with others. His account books were always kept in the shop, and they weren't anything particularly shameful, so he didn't pay much attention to them.
To be honest, it was Wei Lifeng who ruined the "great cause" that his grandfather had built up.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Seventeen was just caught off guard. If it weren't for that incident, Your Majesty could have captured Wei Xing that night."
Seventeen looked at his gleaming eyes and admired Emperor Jing's scheming even more. How long would it take him to learn such a mindset?
"Seventeen-year-olds should not underestimate themselves."
Emperor Jing smiled as he walked down the city wall, then turned back and waved to Seventeen: "Let's go back and have a meal."
Seventeen, thinking of those delicious dishes, couldn't help but swallow hard and quickly followed Emperor Jing's footsteps.
The other person's shadow was stretched very long. Seventeen followed behind with his head down. Suddenly, he got the idea and started playing by stepping on Emperor Jing's shadow.
Wasn't he just the other person's shadow? Seventeen thought.
Working alongside His Majesty wasn't as bad as he had initially imagined.
......
At the morning court session the following day, Emperor Jing sat on the dragon throne with an imposing expression. The matter of Wei Xing was settled, and the arrests and processing of the others were proceeding in an orderly manner, with no further changes expected.
Some of the ministers below were on good terms with Wei Xing, and at this moment they were also afraid that Emperor Jing might suddenly launch an attack and implicate them as well.
It was only then that they belatedly realized that Emperor Jing had matured and was now a qualified emperor.
The room fell silent. Emperor Jing rested his chin on his hand, listening to the hushed discussions of his ministers with his eyes lowered. Once it was completely quiet, Eunuch Yuanfu raised his whisk and announced in a shrill voice, "His Majesty has issued a decree!"
Yuanfu listed Wei Xing's crimes one by one, and glanced at the officials below. Some of them frowned, some clicked their tongues, and some hung their heads and trembled all over.
Emperor Jing was not in a hurry; he raised his chin and gestured for Yuanfu to continue reading.
"...In conclusion, the disgraced official Wei Xing shall be beheaded on a chosen day as a warning to others!"
"However, the Seventeenth Dark Guard Battalion has made meritorious contributions in finding evidence, demonstrating both loyalty and bravery. Their outstanding achievements in the Wei Xing matter are truly a blessing for the Great Jing."
While Eunuch Yuanfu was still speaking, the courtiers were already in an uproar.
The Dark Guard Battalion? Who doesn't know the Dark Guard Battalion? Everyone knows that behind the current emperor is a team hidden in the shadows. This team has handled many things for the emperor. They are different from the Golden Guard. They are born to hide in the shadows and will not be seen by any irrelevant people.
Everyone was wary of this elusive and powerful team, but as the years have passed, many people have gradually forgotten about it, and some have even spoken lightly of it.
But today, His Majesty has actually brought out one of the secret guards from the Dark Guard Camp and placed him in front of them. Is this a signal, a signal that His Majesty wants to bring the Dark Guard Camp out of the shadows?
Emperor Jing had no idea what everyone was thinking, nor did he care much. He looked at the Seventeenth Prince, who came out from the side to receive the imperial decree. The prince's eyes were still somewhat blank. However, the officials were too shocked, and Yuan Fu frowned and winked at him to remind him, so that no one except Emperor Jing noticed his stiff posture.
After receiving the decree, Seventeen, with Emperor Jing's tacit approval, slipped back into the shadows and squatted on the ground, trembling and hugging himself.
Good heavens, Coach Li didn't tell him back then that he would need to show his face in public!
What just happened terrified Seventeen. He had always learned from Instructor Li that their secret guards were hidden in the shadows and could not be trusted without His Majesty's personal order.
They had also said that they would never show their faces in public for the rest of their lives, and when asked if Seventeen wanted to leave, Seventeen shook her head.
He only wanted to repay His Majesty's kindness; nothing else mattered.
But I never told him there was such a step!
When Seventeen finally snapped out of his daze, Emperor Jing's black dragon boots were standing right in front of him. He immediately sprang to his feet: "Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jing raised an eyebrow: "Why are you shouting so loudly? I don't recall ever going deaf."
"...I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
Seventeen lowered his head, but Emperor Jing sighed softly and said, "Let's go have a meal."
Even eating made it difficult for Seventeen to regain his spirits. Emperor Jing knew that this matter had a great impact on him, so after the meal, he took pity on Seventeen and told him to finish his shift early and go home to rest.
Once Seventeen's figure disappeared, Eunuch Yuanfu approached and asked, "Your Majesty, what about those fake items?"
"Destroy them all."
"yes."
Just as Yuanfu was about to leave, he heard Emperor Jing speak again: "Yuanfu, do you think I shouldn't have involved Seventeen?"
Upon hearing this, Yuanfu's heart skipped a beat, but he did not show it on his face: "Your Majesty is overthinking it. Seventeen is a simple-minded child; he is just a little happy."
Seeing that Emperor Jing remained silent, Yuanfu boldly continued, "In my opinion, even if Your Majesty were to reveal the whole story, the Seventeenth Prince would gladly agree."
Since Seventeen came to His Majesty's side, he has seen a rare indecisiveness in His Majesty. For a moment, he did not know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, but for now, His Majesty's plan must not have any mishaps.
"You're right, I've been overthinking things. We have to play the Seventeenth card."
Emperor Jing waved his hand, looking somewhat tired, and returned to his palace to rest. Eunuch Yuanfu withdrew and looked at the azure sky, letting out a silent sigh.
Hopefully, Seventeen will have the same good luck as this time.
It's time to clean up those old cliques.
Seventeen lay in bed, feeling uneasy. He didn't know why things had turned out this way, but as he thought about it, he seemed to convince himself.
His Majesty is such a thoughtful and far-sighted person; this move must have been made after the most meticulous judgment. Although I am not quite sure why His Majesty would push me out,
This is what His Majesty wants; he will do as he is told.
His life was saved by His Majesty, and even if His Majesty wanted him to die right now, he would not hesitate.
After convincing himself, Seventeen slowly fell asleep. In his dream, he saw His Majesty again, but His Majesty was no longer the kind and gentle person he usually was. Instead, His Majesty had a cold face and a fierce expression.
The other person handed him a dagger, their cold voice like a snake coiling around Seventeen.
"Shove it into your heart."
Seventeen gripped the dagger, looking up at Emperor Jing, seemingly unable to understand what she had done wrong to warrant such a reaction, but...
He looked down at the gleaming dagger, his grip on the hilt tightened, and with a "splat," blood slid down his black clothes. Seventeen fell backward to the ground, his gradually fading consciousness bringing to mind his parents.
He raised his hand and took his mother's, but she smiled and pushed him away. Her beautiful, gentle face was filled with tears, yet her expression was resolute.
"...Go back, go back quickly."
Seventeen felt that his mother was calling his name, but he couldn't hear anything clearly. He didn't remember his name, but his mother's expression was very sad. She kept shaking her head and saying "go back" as she looked at him.
He didn't know where to go back to, staring blankly at his parents' figures that were becoming very faint, and then he heard another voice.
The voice was calling his name: "Seventeen...Seventeen..."
Seventeen...who is that? It seems to be him. Is his name Seventeen?
The pitch-black dream was like the claws of a ferocious beast, swallowing Seventeen whole, but he was not terrified; instead, he felt a sense of relief.
After suddenly opening her eyes, Seventeen stared blankly at the twinkling stars outside.
After sitting on the bed in a daze for a while, he put on his outer robe and flew up to the roof.
The stars in the sky formed various shapes. Seventeen looked up and counted them one by one, very seriously, but repeatedly made herself dizzy from counting.
"Seventeen?"
A familiar voice came from above, and Seventeen looked away from the starry sky and saw a familiar face.
Bright moon.
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