Chapter 243: Clearing the Name
Zhao Huailang didn't know how to respond for a moment.
The development of events was far beyond his expectations. He was not sure what the situation was and what Jiang Xun's intention was.
"Father, your son..."
Emperor Sheng's eyes were burning. Seeing that Zhao Huailang hesitated for a long time but still didn't say anything, anger instantly surged in his heart.
He thought hard, weighed many factors and finally decided on the second son as the crown prince.
I thought he was most similar to my younger self, and was quite smart and courageous, but I didn't expect him to be so useless!
In today's game, did the second brother shoot himself in the foot, or...
Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng swept his cold eyes over the people in the hall one by one, from Shen Zhengsheng to Lu Yongzhu, then passed Lu Yunzheng and fell on Jiang Xun.
Which one is it?
Or...all of them?
Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng's gaze became deep and profound, trying to see through the unpredictable hearts of everyone in the hall.
At this moment, Shen Zhengsheng suddenly leaned forward and kowtowed, saying in a deep voice:
"Your Majesty, I have something to say that I cannot help but express!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Sheng looked over and realized that Zhao Huailang's plan had failed. It was because he, as an emperor, was at fault, so his expression relaxed a little:
"Shen Qing, please feel free to speak."
Shen Zhengsheng took a deep breath and raised his body, his posture as straight as a pine tree.
"Your Majesty, as a general or soldier, you are a man of strong character and fiery temper. My words may be rude and disrespectful, but they come from my heart."
"Today, the Imperial Guards surrounded the palace. General Lu and I were escorted into the palace. The suspicious looks of the people on both sides of the street were like thousands of sharp arrows piercing our hearts."
"Although I feel like I have a thorn in my side, I am fearless because I have never done anything to disappoint His Majesty and the court."
"I joined the army at a young age, and fought through swords and sabers all the way. I risked my life to come here, and now I am standing before the emperor with my numerous military exploits."
"Although I unfortunately lost my arm and left the battlefield, I never felt resentful. On the contrary, I am proud of it, because it is the mark and glory of my blood shed for His Majesty and Dasheng."
"But Your Majesty..."
At this point, Shen Zhengsheng's eyes turned slightly red, veins bulged on his forehead, and when he looked up at Emperor Sheng, tears were already in his eyes.
"If I really wanted to collaborate with the enemy and betray my country, how could I have defeated the Desert Army and firmly defended the border of our Great Sheng Dynasty in the midst of ice, snow and yellow sand?"
"It has only been more than half a month since General Lu returned from the battlefield where he survived a near-death experience. The dust of battle has not yet been washed off his body, and the shouts of killing the enemy may still be ringing in his ears."
"But in broad daylight, in front of everyone, we were escorted into the palace. This situation makes us feel so disappointed and embarrassed!"
"Your Majesty, could it be that... could it be that the years of desperate service we have put in cannot withstand this unfounded suspicion?"
Shen Zhengsheng became more and more angry as he spoke, and by the end his words were full of questions, causing everyone in the hall to change their expressions.
Emperor Sheng's brows darkened.
However, Shen Zhengsheng seemed to be immersed in grief and anger, and was unaware of the change in Emperor Sheng's expression.
"Father-in-law."
Jiang Xun immediately reminded him in a calm voice, which made Shen Zhengsheng tremble slightly and suddenly come back to his senses.
When he raised his eyes to look at Emperor Sheng again, Shen Zhengsheng's face showed a trace of panic, and he lowered his head in fear.
When Emperor Sheng saw this scene, his expression actually softened.
Humans are not plants or trees, so who can be heartless?
Shen Zhengsheng was first wronged and then humiliated today. He spoke inappropriately out of anger. This is human nature.
Once Jiang Xun reminded him, Shen Zhengsheng came back to his senses immediately, and his subconscious reaction was panic and fear.
This alone was enough to demonstrate the great power of his majesty, and also showed that Shen Zhengsheng had an instinctive fear of him in his heart.
Just imagine, if Shen Zhengsheng suffered this unjust accusation today and was humiliated by a body search, he would still have no complaints and remain calm.
With such cunning and scheming, does Shen Zhengsheng really have no other thoughts in secret?
Therefore, at this moment, Emperor Sheng was not angry at all. Instead, he felt at ease and softened his voice a little:
"Mr. Shen, today's incident happened suddenly, and it implicates the country. I am extremely worried, and I may have acted hastily. Mr. Shen should understand my painstaking efforts and not take it to heart."
Those in the palace who knew Emperor Sheng well knew that it was extremely rare for him to say such words.
Shen Zhengsheng trembled all over when he heard this, and the expression on his slightly raised face changed several times, and he was obviously very touched.
However, his eyes fell on the blue bricks in front of him, where no one else could see, his eyes were actually full of frost and coldness.
What he really wanted to say was much sharper and more cruel!
As early as that day when he talked with Sui Sui in the study, Shen Zhengsheng's loyalty to the emperor had been completely torn away and abandoned.
The king is not wise and regards the lives of his subjects as worthless, let alone the lives of the people of the world?
He was filled with resentment and hatred, and now he was just acting out his actions to the end.
"Your Majesty."
Shen Zhengsheng spoke again, the sharpness in his words faded, but he still seemed to be a little upset.
"I know your Majesty's difficulties are not easy, but I am sad in my heart. Now I have only one request."
"I dare to ask Your Majesty to issue an order to clear General Lu and I's name before the eyes of the world, so that we can hold our heads high and stand upright before the people!"
This request is not excessive.
After all, people live by their face, and the more famous a person is, the more he cherishes his reputation.
Emperor Sheng was still considering it, but Zhao Huailang beside him suddenly changed color.
Shen Zhengsheng's speech first showed weakness, then cried out for justice, and finally asked for permission. It was layered and step-by-step. With such a sophisticated set of rhetoric, could he still be called a reckless military general?
If he couldn't see Shen Zhengsheng's intention just now, he understood it now.
The emperor might not know it yet, but he has been informed by his servants. Now rumors are rife in the capital that he deliberately framed the two generals in order to protect his grandfather.
Even if my father would not mention what he did today in the imperial edict for the sake of the royal family's reputation, once the edict was issued, it would completely confirm the rumor in the minds of everyone in the capital.
Three people make a tiger. How can Zhao Huailang have a foothold in Beijing?
And when the emperor hears about this, I’m afraid he will hate him even more!
Thinking of this, even Zhao Huailang couldn't help but feel a chill in his spine.
They plan their actions step by step and make every detail count. Every step they take and every word they say seem to be responded to the current situation, but in fact they are all well prepared and full of profound meaning.
How...exactly did they do it?
How big a net should they lay at the outset so that every situation and every reaction of others falls within their expectations?
Zhao Huailang suddenly felt that at this moment standing in the hall, he was isolated and powerless.
Is there any way to turn things around?
Zhao Huailang looked around and racked his brains, but the situation was urgent and he could no longer remain completely calm and clear-headed.
He knew that he had already lost the game.
When it is time to make a decision, he must make it. Zhao Huailang has courage and bravery, so he will try to win the emperor's heart!
"Father——"
Zhao Huailang stepped forward and spoke in time to stop Emperor Sheng from speaking.
However, before he could say anything, Wen Chengye's voice came from outside the hall:
"Your Majesty, Imperial Censor Zhang Xian is outside the palace requesting an audience!"
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