Chapter 114 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (38 chapters)
However, he planned to send Shen Yunzhen back to Lanyue Palace before Xiao Chengjin chose the time to rebel.
After all, he had even seen Xiao Chengjin's secret letters with his own eyes, and he knew exactly when they chose to stage a coup—it was at the end of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, when everyone was most relaxed and tired.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chengjin suddenly decided to act at the beginning of the banquet for some unknown reason.
Fortunately, he was prepared, and all the rebel soldiers had been captured when Xiao Chengjin entered the palace.
However, they failed to discover that there was another fish that had slipped through the net, which led Yunzhen into danger as well.
Guilt and self-blame almost overwhelmed Xiao Yuheng.
Shen Yunzhen had heard this several times already, and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"I'm not that timid, I wouldn't be so easily frightened."
Far from being startled, she felt a sense of novelty and satisfaction.
Although her words were somewhat cold and heartless, she genuinely felt that this scene was far more captivating than any song or dance performance.
She had only ever seen such dramatic plots on television before, and now she was experiencing them firsthand—it was a truly magical feeling.
Xiao Yuheng carefully observed her expression and, seeing that she was indeed not at all reluctant, he slowly relaxed.
"Yunzhen, don't worry, this will never happen again, and I will never let anyone have the chance to hurt you again."
Xiao Yuheng solemnly promised, word by word.
What are you planning to do?
Shen Yunzhen slowly frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes.
"Do you intend to keep me in the palace from now on, preventing me from having any contact with outsiders?"
Shen Yunzhen was certain that if Xiao Yuheng dared to admit it, she would smash his head in and then leave the palace overnight.
Xiao Yuheng chuckled and shook his head: "You'll find out soon enough."
"You must be tired today, get some rest. I still have some things to take care of, I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Shen Yunzhen rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
Xiao Yuheng watched Shen Yunzhen enter the room, his softness instantly vanishing.
He turned and strode out of Lanyue Palace, his steps carrying a hint of urgency.
Li Degui followed behind Xiao Yuheng with concern: "Your Majesty?"
Xiao Yuheng ignored it and quickly walked away from Lanyue Palace. When he returned to Qianyuan Hall, the discomfort he had suppressed for so long finally became unbearable, and he coughed violently.
"Cough cough cough... cough cough..."
Xiao Yuheng coughed so hard he bent over, a flush rising on his pale face.
"His Majesty!"
Li Degui was shocked and quickly stepped forward to help Xiao Yuheng.
"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"
Xiao Yuheng barely managed to stop coughing. "No need... I'm fine."
Li Degui hesitated: "Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance! Let the imperial physician examine you, just in case..."
Xiao Yuheng took a deep breath, slowly straightened up, and a trace of blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth.
He took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped himself.
"I say there's no need. I know my own body."
"This is……"
Seeing Xiao Yuheng's resolute attitude, Li Degui dared not say anything more and could only agree and retreat, serving Xiao Yuheng a cup of hot tea.
Xiao Yuheng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and the warmth slightly relieved the dryness in his throat.
"Li Degui, what happened today must not be told to anyone."
Li Degui nodded quickly: "This servant understands, Your Majesty. Rest assured, this servant will not say a word."
At this moment, a young eunuch came in and announced, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Third Prince request an audience and are currently waiting outside the hall."
Xiao Yuheng waved his hand.
He doesn't have the energy to see them right now.
Xiao Yuheng leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes wearily, and took a moment to calm himself.
When he opened his eyes again, all weariness vanished without a trace, replaced by a chilling and murderous aura.
"Li Guide".
Li Guide hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "This servant is here."
"By imperial decree, conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of all suspicious persons in the palace, especially all palace maids, eunuchs, and guards who have been in contact with Xiao Chengjin and that assassin. Do not let any of them go unpunished; arrest them immediately."
"Your servant obeys the decree."
Without pausing for a moment, Xiao Yuheng quickly returned to the Qian Yuan Hall and immediately issued a series of commands.
As soon as the imperial decree was delivered, the situation in the capital changed drastically. Many mansions were surrounded by soldiers, and many people were imprisoned overnight.
The Shen family was not spared either.
The Shen family members were escorted to the dungeon by government soldiers, crying and shouting all the way, especially Wu's voice, which was particularly loud.
Shen Yunshu stayed close to Liu Ying, her face filled with terror.
"Mother, what's going on? Why were we arrested? Wasn't Father supposed to be released soon?"
I clearly heard my mother say that the situation was very good, so why am I facing imprisonment instead?
Liu Ying's face was pale, her eyes filled with panic: "I...I don't know...The First Prince said everything was arranged, how could this happen..."
Shen Yunshu's heart skipped a beat when she heard the words "the eldest prince".
Although she usually didn't concern herself with worldly affairs, she knew that the eldest prince, Xiao Chengjin, was the emperor's eldest son. Now, hearing her mother mention him, she immediately realized the seriousness of the matter.
Shen Yunshu was horrified when she recalled that the soldiers had called them traitors when they arrested them.
"Mother, you...you have been involved in treason?"
As a young lady confined to her quarters, she had no one to confide in about the big and small matters of her household, and could only deduce things from clues. However, because of Liu Ying's words, the family was immersed in anticipation and joy, so she also thought that everything was going in a good direction and that her father would soon be released from prison and promoted with a raise.
It wasn't until the soldiers came to her door that she finally realized something was wrong.
Upon hearing this, Liu Ying's face turned even paler, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Upon seeing this, Shen Yunshu immediately understood, and felt a sudden dizziness, almost unable to stand.
Little did they expect that their parents were plotting a treasonous act that would lead to the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their entire clan.
"Mother, how...how could you do this!" Shen Yunshu's voice trembled with tears. "Do you know that this is a capital offense!"
Liu Ying's face was covered in tears, and her voice was choked with sobs.
“Yun Shu, Mother… Mother was forced into this situation! Your father is imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, while that little bastard is deeply favored by His Majesty. Even the Crown Prince hates Master because of her. We have no other choice… The First Prince promised us that if things go smoothly, he can rescue your father and restore the Shen family’s wealth and glory… Mother… Mother had no other option…”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunshu felt both angry and resentful.
Looking at her mother, who was utterly disheveled and lacked any semblance of a noblewoman's demeanor, she felt no pity whatsoever, only deep resentment.
She wanted to yell at her, "Why did you do that?!"
But thinking of her father's situation, and the position her elder sister held and her hostility towards them, she felt utterly dejected.
Shen Yunshu couldn't help but wonder why she couldn't just stay on the estate obediently.
If she hadn't come out, they wouldn't be in this situation today. She would still be the noble Miss Shen, the future Third Prince's consort.
Even if she gets out, why does she have to go against her father? There are no parents who are not good to their children. Back then, her stepmother was arrogant and domineering, and she was indeed not a qualified wife. It was her mother's gentleness that allowed her father to experience the deep affection between husband and wife.
For this reason alone, the elder sister should not blame her mother, much less take her anger out on her father!
Shen Yunshu gritted her teeth in hatred. The thought of the miserable end she was about to face made her feel dizzy and almost faint.
At this time, Shen Zhengde finally learned that the Shen family was facing a great disaster.
During this time, Shen Zhengde was not released from prison, and Liu Ying was the only one who could visit him. All news was relayed through Liu Ying.
After Liu Ying delivered the letter that time, Shen Zhengde made contact with Xiao Chengjin and completely sided with him.
Having made his decision, Shen Zhengde was not one to hesitate. He realized that the eldest prince intended to launch a cavalry rebellion.
He had initially been skeptical of the rebellion plan, thinking it was doomed to fail. However, Xiao Chengjin was unusually resolute and made a solemn vow, stating that His Majesty would not live much longer and that if they waited any longer, it would be too late for Xiao Chengxu to ascend the throne.
Shen Zhengde didn't know why the other party was so certain, but he had no choice and ultimately chose to believe them.
He has a grudge against the Crown Prince, and because of that wicked daughter, he is also not on good terms with the Third Prince. Now he can only place his hopes on the First Prince.
Shen Yun and Shen Zhengde then handed over the forces they had secretly cultivated to the eldest prince, and the dancer assassin was his doing.
These were originally prepared for him, but now they have completely benefited Xiao Chengjin. Who knew that this good-for-nothing, who is more likely to ruin things than to accomplish anything, had connections both inside and outside the palace, yet still failed. It is truly hateful.
Shen Zhengde had been imprisoned in the imperial prison for a long time, cut off from news, and could only rely on Liu Ying to pass on information to judge the situation.
Liu Ying's limited knowledge, coupled with the deliberate guidance of those with ulterior motives, led her to convey information to Shen Zhengde that had long deviated from the truth.
If Shen Zhengde were still outside, given his cautious nature, he would probably have noticed something was wrong and stopped Xiao Chengjin in time.
However, at this moment, he could only sit slumped in his filthy cell, his face filled with regret and despair.
His reckless gamble not only cost him all his chips, but also ruined the Shen family.
The family that grew and prospered under his leadership also met its end because of him.
...
Late August this year was destined to be bloody, and by the time the dust settled, the capital city was much more desolate.
"Yunzhen, the Shen family members have also been imprisoned in the imperial prison for their involvement in the rebellion. Have you considered how to deal with them?"
After half a month apart, Xiao Yuheng's face was even paler, with a hint of blue, and he had lost a lot of weight.
"The entire Shen family has been arrested?"
"Yes, everyone is in the Heavenly Prison now."
Shen Yunzhen pressed further, "Is Shen Yunshu also in the prison? Has no one rescued her?"
"No, what's so special about Shen Yunshu?"
Because of his attention to Shen Yunzhen, Xiao Yuheng also remembered the rest of the Shen family, which is how he came to know about Shen Yunshu.
It was precisely because he knew this that Xiao Yuheng was puzzled as to why she would pay special attention to an unmarried young woman.
"No, it's nothing." Shen Yunzhen waved her hand.
She originally thought that Shen Yunshu, as the female lead, would have some kind of extraordinary encounter, but who knew she wouldn't?
It seems that the heroine's halo is no match for the crushing power of the emperor.
"Let's deal with the Shen family according to the law. As for Shen Zhengde and Liu Ying... just give them the death penalty."
Thinking of the original owner's past, Shen Yunzhen still did not intend to let those two go.
He deliberately added that sentence to prevent them from trying to escape.
"I understand." Xiao Yuheng nodded.
Even if Shen Yunzhen didn't say anything, he wouldn't let Shen Zhengde off the hook.
Although Shen Zhengde was adept at navigating social situations, he maintained a low profile in the court and was capable of handling affairs. Given his respectable family background, Xiao Yuheng still valued him highly.
Even though he later investigated Shen Yunzhen because of her, he only discovered the tip of the iceberg of her true nature.
It wasn't until this investigation into Xiao Chengjin's rebellion, based on Liu Ying's movements, that they were able to follow the clues and uncover the full extent of his power.
Xiao Yuheng then realized what kind of ambition this gentle and honest minister truly harbored.
He contacted many people both inside and outside the palace, and some of the officials were also implicated by him. Although they were all low-ranking officials, they were all small figures at the bottom of society and did not arouse the suspicion of others.
Only recently have they grown bolder, setting their sights on the Northwest garrison and offering one of their daughters to win them over.
Considering his connection with the Xu family and his arrangement for Shen Yunshu to marry the third son as his principal wife, what else did Xiao Yuheng not know?
At that time, it will be unknown whether the country will belong to the Shen family or the Xiao family.
But who could have imagined that someone from a peasant family, an insignificant figure in the capital, would develop such great ambition?
It was also because his health had been declining in the past two years, his energy was waning, and he was gradually losing control over affairs of the court, which allowed the emperor to take advantage of the situation.
If they hadn't been discovered, considering her own health and Xiao Chengjin's impulsive and stubborn nature, she might have actually succeeded in her plan.
Thank goodness...
Xiao Yuheng looked at Shen Yunzhen with tender eyes, his gaze lingering and his eyes overflowing with affection.
Yun Zhen's appearance not only illuminated his remaining life but also saved the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The two sat facing each other peacefully, sipping tea. The surroundings were quiet, with only the slight clinking of teacups adding a unique rhythm to the tranquility.
As the vibrant colors of the sunset faded, Xiao Yuheng slowly rose to his feet.
As he was leaving, he gazed deeply at Shen Yunzhen, as if trying to etch her into his heart and soul.
After a long silence, he finally uttered two words.
--"Take care of yourself."
The voice was barely audible, yet it seemed to carry a thousand words.
Then, he turned and strode away without the slightest hesitation.
A gust of autumn wind blew by, swirling up fallen leaves.
His figure was thin and blurry, blending into the darkening twilight.
Shen Yunzhen felt a sudden sense of desolation and her mood became somewhat low.
Perhaps the desolate autumn scenery disturbed her peace of mind.
"Let's go back inside."
Because of Shen Yunzhen's special instruction, Shen Zhengde and his wife were given special treatment and became the first people to be beheaded.
On his deathbed, he seemed to finally realize his mistake, or perhaps he was grasping at a last straw, repeatedly shouting, "I was wrong, I know I was wrong..."
The remaining male members of the Shen family who were over six years old were also sentenced to beheading, while those under six years old were exiled three thousand miles away along with the female relatives.
As she was being escorted out of the city, Shen Yunshu felt that things shouldn't have turned out this way, that she shouldn't have ended up like this. She should have...
Shen Yunshu couldn't quite explain how it should be, but she just felt it shouldn't be like this.
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