Chapter 269 Slaying the Traitors
Shen Xu gave Shen Churong a deep look before speaking, "Nineteen years ago, when my sister, the Holy Martial Emperor Zhaolie, gave birth..."
When Zheng Wenkai heard the words "Emperor Shengwu Zhaolie", his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Although Shen Lang was posthumously honored as emperor, that was an imperial edict issued by the traitor Li Yuanzhao under threat to the late emperor. How could it be taken seriously?!
However, considering that the imperial decree had already been issued, it was inconvenient to turn against the Shen family at this moment, so he could only suppress his dissatisfaction for the time being.
"Consort Cui bribed the midwife and used a daughter born to a peasant woman to switch the real prince born to her sister."
These words immediately caused an uproar among the people below.
"Really? Is that true?"
"This Imperial Uncle Shen is the new emperor's maternal uncle. He wouldn't lie and slander his own niece, would he?"
"My God, isn't this just a classic case of 'switching the prince for a cat'?"
Amidst the murmurs of discussion, Shen Churong closed his eyes and made up his mind.
He slowly raised his hand.
With a wave of his hand, the assassins lying in ambush in the distance would shoot and kill his father, the only person exposed to their view.
In any case, we cannot let my father continue talking.
Even now, he still couldn't believe that his father would actually betray His Majesty.
So for a moment, he hesitated, unsure whether he should take action!
"During the New Year's Eve banquet, Consort Cui publicly revealed this matter. All the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries present that day witnessed it, and the midwife also personally told the truth, saying that Li Yuanzhao..."
At this point, Shen Xu's tone suddenly changed, and his voice rose sharply.
"She is the biological daughter of the late emperor and the Holy Martial Emperor Zhaolie; her identity cannot be faked!"
"What?!"
Not only were the people downstairs shocked, but even Zheng Wenkai on the city wall was stunned. His calm expression shattered instantly, and he looked at Shen Xu in disbelief.
Shen Churong's hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, suddenly fell down, his eyes filled with astonishment and ecstasy.
Father, this is...
Shen Xu continued loudly, "How dare that midwife switch royal bloodlines? She was only after Consort Cui's money, so she used a bastard to impersonate the 'switched prince,' deceiving Consort Cui and leading to this series of absurd events. Everyone present that day saw it clearly..."
He whirled around, pointing directly at Zheng Wenkai, his eyes filled with disdain. "His Majesty has already undergone a blood test with the late Emperor, and their blood matches perfectly, confirming his identity without a doubt! How dare you distort the truth like this?!"
Zheng Wenkai finally realized what was happening and angrily ordered, "Stop him! Gag him!"
Two soldiers immediately rushed towards Shen Xu, but he kicked them away one after the other.
Then, Shen Xu climbed directly onto the battlement and shouted loudly to the people below, "Zheng Wenkai is an ambitious and treacherous man! He used that peasant woman's illegitimate child, Chen Yanqing, to steal the sky and replace the real emperor! He forced the retired emperor to his death, imprisoned the legitimate emperor of Great Qi, and now he is spreading rumors and distorting the truth, trying to steal the land of Great Qi! Such a traitorous minister deserves to be killed by everyone!"
Looking at the resolute look in Shen Xu's eyes, Zheng Wenkai felt an ominous premonition instantly envelop him.
He roared, "Grab him! Grab him now!"
Shen Churong also sensed something was wrong, and his unease intensified instantly. He roared and spurred his horse toward the city wall: "Father! No!"
But Shen Xu had already spread his arms wide, and then, with all his might, shouted to the densely packed people below: "People of Great Qi! Slay the traitors and reclaim our land!"
After saying that, he leaped off the towering Longwu Gate tower.
"Father--!"
Shen Churong had already ridden his horse downstairs and desperately stretched out his arms to catch his father, but it was too late.
With a muffled thud, Shen Xu crashed heavily onto the bluestone slab in front of him, and blood instantly spread from beneath him, staining the ground red.
Shen Churong staggered and fell off the horse, his knees hitting the ground hard.
He crawled over and hugged his father tightly, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Father... Father!"
Blood foam kept spilling from the corner of Shen Xu's mouth as he was held in his arms, his chest heaving violently, yet he showed a relieved smile to his son.
Unlike Liang Cheng, he had witnessed his sister's struggles long ago and knew her expectations...
So what if Li Yuanzhao is a fake? And what if Chen Yanqing is real?
He knew better than anyone that as long as his sister was alive, she would only acknowledge Li Yuanzhao as her biological daughter.
Because only Li Yuanzhao can achieve everything she wants.
Therefore, he died for his sister and for his sister's daughter, and he died without regret!
He looked at Shen Churong, and wanted to add one last thing, "Son, remember... what I said, protect..."
Before he could finish speaking, his head drooped limply, and he breathed his last.
"No--!!!"
Shen Churong held her father's body and let out a heart-wrenching cry.
Standing atop the city wall, Zheng Wenkai looked down at the horrific scene below, his face turning deathly pale.
He never imagined that Shen Xu would use his own life to set up this trap!
It turns out that he was just pretending to be persuaded that day, only to deliver a fatal blow to himself today!
Now that he's dead, Shen Churong will definitely hate him to the bone, and there will be no chance of him being won over.
With the people witnessing his death to prove his innocence, who would still doubt Li Yuanzhao's identity?
The onlookers were moved by this tragic scene, their eyes filled with anger.
In their hearts, Shen Xu is a hero who guarded the border for decades, a great general who repeatedly defeated the Tubo and protected the peace of the border!
And now, he had died right before their eyes, using his last strength to expose the traitors' conspiracy. This loyalty and tragic death ignited everyone's anger.
Everyone cheered.
"This traitor not only forced the late emperor to his death and imprisoned His Majesty, but now he has even forced General Shen to his death. Don't be fooled by him anymore!"
"Kill Zheng Wenkai, that traitor! Kill this fake prince! Avenge General Shen!"
"Slay the traitors and reclaim our land!"
The angry crowd surged toward the city wall like a tidal wave, and the scene was already out of control.
Shen Churong held his father's body, his eyes blazing with boundless hatred.
He drew his sword sharply and roared, "Imperial Guards, heed my command! Follow me to slay the traitor and rescue His Majesty!"
It's in chaos, utter chaos.
Liang Cheng's face had turned completely black.
He originally thought that he and Shen Xu were on the same page, both for the sake of the general's bloodline.
Why would Shen Xu risk his life to protect Li Yuanzhao?
Is that imposter, who isn't the general's biological son, worth risking his life for?
He stared intently at Chen Xu's corpse below, a single thought echoing repeatedly in his mind.
Was he really wrong?
Zheng Wenkai never expected things to develop to this point.
He originally thought that ordinary people were the easiest to control!
As long as the charge of "Li Yuanzhao murdering his father and teacher" is brought up, igniting their anger over "a hen crowing at dawn," they will believe whatever is said.
But now, Shen Xu's death has ignited an even more raging anger.
And this anger was directed directly at Zheng Wenkai!
He panicked!
In his panic, fearing that these people might actually break in, he suddenly had an idea.
Yes! They still have Li Yuanzhao in their hands!
As long as Li Yuanzhao remains in control, Shen Churong and these rioters will not dare to act rashly.
If they dare to break in, he wouldn't mind making Li Yuanzhao pay with his life!
He turned to the soldiers beside him and roared, "Quick! Bring Li Yuanzhao here! Now! Immediately!"
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