Chapter 246: Fight to the Death
Sure enough, after a while, footsteps approached, "Excuse me, is this Madam Jiang?"
"yes."
"The emperor has issued an order to summon Madam and Gu Xizhi to the palace to meet him."
Gu Xizhi in the carriage looked up suddenly upon hearing this, and her malice was like a poisoned arrow, firmly nailing Shen Jiasui's back.
......
Gu Xizhi had one hand and one foot broken, and was carried into the palace by two imperial guards, one on each side.
Shen Jiasui walked behind Censor Zhang.
It is not common for a minister's wife to be summoned, especially to the imperial study.
This was also the first time that Shen Jiasui walked on the palace road leading to the imperial study.
The red walls on both sides are majestic, but moss has spread at the base of the walls.
This road has witnessed countless court disputes and national affairs, and normally only men can set foot on it.
And today, amidst the flashing of swords and the shadowy attacks, she, Shen Jiasui, also has to bear her share.
Censor Zhang glanced back from the corner of his eye and took a look at Shen Jiasui. Seeing that she looked calm and composed, he withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened.
Finally, the imperial study came into sight.
Censor Zhang entered the palace, but Shen Jiasui and Gu Xizhi were led by the eunuchs and knelt outside the palace.
Gu Xizhi had difficulty moving, and as she knelt and kowtowed, she cried in pain.
The August sun was high in the sky, shining brightly everywhere. When Shen Jiasui bent down, he took a quick look inside the hall.
The imperial study seemed to be shrouded in a thick, inky shadow.
Peeping in from the outside, one could see Emperor Sheng sitting in the depths, his figure wrapped in shadows, his face hidden in them. Only the delicate gold embroidery on his black dragon robe occasionally flashed with golden light.
The four treasures of the study on the imperial desk exuded a cold luster, and the wisps of green smoke rising from the incense burner circled and dispersed.
Before Shen Jiasui withdrew his gaze, he saw the backs of his father and Jiang Xun, and his heart instantly settled down.
Inside the palace, Zhang Xiancai knelt down to pay his respects. Emperor Sheng waved his hand at him and said, "Where is Gu Xizhi? Raise your head."
Outside the palace, Gu Xizhi raised her chin, her eyes only daring to fall on the floor tiles in front of her, and she responded in a trembling voice: "I...I am here."
When he suddenly heard Gu Xizhi's voice, Lu Yunzheng's back stiffened, and there was a hint of touch between his brows, but he still closed his eyes slightly.
At this time, Emperor Sheng glanced at Shen Jiasui, whose expression was unclear, and finally his eyes fell on Jiang Xun in the hall.
"Mrs. Jiang, since you brought Gu Xizhi here, please tell me what happened."
Shen Jiasui immediately raised his head, cupped his hands, lowered his eyes, and said in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, I am accusing Gu Xizhi of hiding evidence of her father's treason and collusion with the enemy, not reporting it, and confusing right and wrong to frame a loyal and honest person!"
"For many years, she has been like a hidden snake and scorpion, lurking around the Shen family, and secretly instructing her trusted servants to hide the treasonous letters. Her conspiracy has been planned for a long time."
"I have already discovered where Gu Xizhi hid the letter. I beg Your Majesty to take notice and punish the culprit, and clear the name of the Shen and Lu families!"
The voice was clear and sonorous, without any sign of fear, and it could still be heard clearly when it reached the hall.
Jiang Xun's lowered brows suddenly flashed with tenderness.
He said that there is no need to hide behind others every year.
Moreover, in the past, he was mostly alone in front of the emperor, but today, there are people who come to support him every year and share the ups and downs of the court with him.
Jiang Xun was absent-minded for a rare moment, until Gu Xizhi also raised her voice:
"Your Majesty, I have no words to defend myself for my past crimes. I deserve death for my humble body, but I cannot bear to see them frame the prince and plot against Your Majesty!"
After these words were spoken, Zhao Huailang frowned and closed his eyes at first, but in the next moment he relaxed his brows.
He had mentioned before that Jiang Xun and the Shen family had begun to make careful plans a year ago, and Gu Xizhi was also involved.
However, at this moment, Gu Xizhi was full of malice towards the Shen family, and her words seemed to indicate an irreconcilable hatred between them, which showed that he had misjudged the family before.
He was feeling annoyed and frustrated, but he also sensed Gu Xizhi's determination from her words.
If she dies, she will drag the Shen family down with her!
In this case, you might as well wait a little longer, perhaps there will be a turning point.
"Everything I did was due to the hatred and entanglement of the previous generation. My father has passed away, but I can't let go and can't break free. This is why I went astray."
"I am willing to be punished, but I cannot bear to see the Shen family claiming to be loyal and good, but in fact forming a clique for personal gain, helping Jiang Xun, and interfering in the fight for the crown prince!"
"Your Majesty, the Shen family has long known what I did, but they secretly fanned the flames. After discovering that the prince was deceived and used by me, they even took advantage of the situation."
"They have been planning step by step, and today they framed the prince for murdering loyal officials, just to cause discord between the emperor and the prince and his son, so that Jiang Xun can succeed!"
"I have considered you as a traitor. Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Gu Xizhi spoke in a stern voice filled with resentment, with a slight tremor at the end. Although she felt weak all over, she felt very happy in her heart.
Shen Jiasui tilted his head and saw Gu Xizhi's slightly flushed face. He knew that her heart was in turmoil at the moment and she must be very satisfied with what he had just said.
The word "treason" has always been accompanied by rivers of blood.
There was a sudden silence all around.
Lu Yunzheng was shocked. It was obviously the first time he saw this side of Gu Xizhi. She was so bold and determined, just to fight to the death.
Emperor Sheng did not say anything, his face hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to understand.
However, Zhao Huailang saw that Gu Xizhi was so eloquent and her words were so sharp and hit the pain points of his father, which was truly a rare intelligence.
If I can win this time, maybe I can try to save her life.
Jiang Xun also remained silent, but it was because he firmly believed that Shen Jiasui had his own countermeasures.
Sure enough, as everyone was thinking, Shen Jiasui spoke again in the silence: "What a sophistry, confusing right and wrong!"
"Your Majesty, I did learn last year that Gu Xizhi had some dealings with Prince Rui."
"However, this matter concerns the prince, and I dare not make any comments, let alone explore it privately."
"During the Lantern Festival, Gu Xizhi stabbed me with a golden hairpin in public, clearly intending to kill me. I had no choice but to cut off one of his hands as a slight punishment."
"I thought that peace would be restored after this incident. Since my wife is married, I have let go of the past."
"If the Shen and Lu families had not been surrounded today and Lu Yunzheng had not come with the letter, I would still be unaware of Gu Xizhi's evil deeds!"
"Since Gu Xizhi took the initiative to mention the past, I also have a question for you now. I want to ask you - Prince Rui."
"If Gu Xizhi had deceived the prince with the treasonous letter last year, why hasn't the prince verified the authenticity of the letter after more than a year?"
"If the prince wanted to help His Majesty, he should have submitted the letter to the emperor to judge right from wrong. Why did he delay until now?"
"I am a dull woman, and I can't help but wonder, has the prince been delayed by something?"
"Or has the prince already discovered the truth behind the letter and is just... waiting for a good opportunity?"
"It has only been a few days since I married Lord Jiang, but troubles and disasters have arisen one after another."
"I have to think deeply. Is the moment that the prince is waiting for the time when my Shen family and Lord Jiang are inseparable and share weal and woe?"
A series of questions brought silence to the surrounding area.
Zhao Huailang suddenly turned his head, his face gloomy and cold, but he saw Shen Jiasui bowing deeply to Emperor Sheng again at this time:
"Your Majesty, I am honest and straightforward by nature, and my behavior is crude and careless. Sometimes my words may be inappropriate or offensive, but they are all driven by the sincerity in my heart."
"Since I was young, I have often heard my father praise the emperor's virtues and wisdom. I admire him very much, but I have rarely had the opportunity to meet him in person."
"At this time when the Shen family is in danger, even if I die, I will open my heart and ask with tears:
The relationship between the emperor and his subjects is like the sun and the moon, gods hanging high in the sky and illuminating everything. But what is the relationship between the subjects and the emperor? ”
"What else can we say about a general who fought in the battlefield but returned with a broken arm, or a general who had many military achievements but could no longer fight in the battlefield?"
"Your Majesty, the situation today is very clear to me - Prince Rui wants to shed the blood of the Shen family in order to trap my husband Jiang Xun, and ultimately he wants the position of crown prince!"
Although everyone had gradually understood the truth of such a clear statement, they did not expect that Shen Jiasui would dare to say it directly in front of the emperor!
Eunuch Fushun suddenly shuddered and hurriedly looked at Emperor Sheng's face, thinking:
This, this, this... Is Mrs. Jiang trying to kill herself? Why didn't Lord Jiang stop us?
Upon hearing this, Emperor Sheng supported himself on the table with his hands and slowly stood up. In the shadows, he looked like a dark mountain rising from the ground, with an imposing aura.
Some words, as long as they are not said openly, there is still room for maneuver, but once they are spoken, it will be a fight to the death!
Emperor Sheng's gaze moved down to the still submissive Jiang Xun, with a cold light in his eyes.
Jiang Xun asked Shen Jiasui to say these words because he trusted his new wife, or... to leave a way out for himself?
"Xiuzhi, is this what you meant?"
Emperor Sheng spoke in a cold voice, now that things have come to this, everyone might as well stand up!
Jiang Xun raised his head upon hearing this, but before he could speak, Shen Zhengsheng, who was standing beside him, suddenly took two steps forward on his knees, with a sad face, and spoke in a miserable voice:
"Your Majesty is as high in the sky as the sun and the moon. I have made it my life's mission to protect the court and the country, even if it means sacrificing my life."
"But why does the son of the emperor regard my life as insignificant as an ant, as light as a feather, and use my entire Shen family as a pawn in the struggle for power and the throne? It really makes me feel terrified!"
"I weep with dismay today, begging Your Majesty to deal with this matter impartially, to clear the clouds and see the sun, to restore justice to the Shen family, and to rectify the rules of the court."
"May the Holy Spirit have mercy on us, so that the friendship between the ruler and his subjects will remain as strong as pine and cypress, which will still flourish after enduring frost!"
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