Chapter 464 Turning the Tables
The moment Prince Heng uttered those words, the entire hall erupted in uproar.
Almost everyone's eyes were focused on Pei Yuan.
"My God, Prince Rui is actually Lu Zhan, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo? Is it true?"
"You know what, Prince Rui really does look like the Duke of Zhenguo."
"Wouldn't that imply that Consort Yu is mixing up the royal bloodline?"
Although Emperor Longqing had a vague suspicion in his heart, he was still shocked to stand up when Prince Heng actually said those words.
"Royal bloodline is not a game, Fourth Brother, you can't just say things like that."
King Heng touched the ground with his head, his expression solemn.
"Father, even if you gave me ten lives, I wouldn't dare to speak carelessly about such an important matter."
"According to that old nanny, the real sixth prince died when Consort Yu went to Liangzhou to visit relatives."
However, the news about Consort Yu was kept very secret, and not a single detail was revealed.
Later, when Liangzhou fell, Consort Yu brought Lu Zhan back. Although the sixth prince was two years younger than Lu Zhan, he had grown strong since childhood.
The two were not much different in appearance or height. Consort Yu claimed that the sixth prince had caught a cold and therefore lost a lot of weight, thus deceiving everyone.
Later, Consort Yu dismissed everyone around her, so she didn't notice anything amiss.
However, the old nanny had taken care of the sixth prince for a few days, so she noticed something was amiss. Fearing that Consort Yu would silence her, she made an excuse to go to the Cold Palace to serve him.
"If it weren't for my mother's inspection of the inner palace, and the old nanny's ailing health, fearing she would die without anyone to care for her after leaving the palace, she wouldn't have revealed this matter."
Emperor Longqing gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly with both hands, his expression shifting constantly.
He recalled events from thirteen years ago.
Consort Yu returned from Liangzhou with the Sixth Prince. After returning to the palace, both mother and son developed high fevers.
This illness lasted for nearly two months.
He assumed that Consort Yu was unable to accept the extermination of her maternal family, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so he sent someone to deliver some gifts to comfort her.
Several times during that period, I tried to appear very caring and visit him.
But Consort Yu kept the palace gates tightly shut, refusing to let him in, saying she was afraid he would pass on his illness to her.
Later, he simply stopped going and only sent the imperial physician to visit him every day.
Two months later, Consort Yu and the Sixth Prince recovered from their illnesses and appeared before him. The Sixth Prince had lost a lot of weight and could not even remember many things.
He assumed that the child had been frightened and had fallen ill, which was why he had suddenly lost so much weight, and he did not suspect anything.
Even though Consort Yu changed several groups of palace servants later, he didn't pay much attention to it.
It wasn't until he discovered that Consort Yu was secretly collecting evidence of the massacre in Liangzhou that he realized she might know the truth.
So he devised a plan to cause Consort Yu to die in childbirth.
As for Pei Yuan at that time, he thought that even tigers don't eat their cubs, and since it was his own child, he would raise it like this.
He deliberately ignored Pei Yuan's existence, leaving him to fend for himself in the palace.
It wasn't until Pei Yuan killed Consort Meng that he realized his son, whom he had always ignored, possessed such deep cunning and strategy.
After observing from the sidelines for several years, he realized that Pei Yuan was not lacking in cunning, methods, or strategies.
Therefore, he gradually began to rely more on Pei Yuan, entrusting the Flying Eagle Guard to him and tempering him into the sharpest blade in his hands.
He was willing to pamper him, give him power, and even support him at times, showering him with affection that others didn't have.
But all of this is predicated on the fact that it's his own son.
If he weren't his own son...
A murderous glint flashed quickly in the eyes of the Longqing Emperor.
Looking back at some of Consort Yu's actions back then, they are indeed full of suspicion.
Emperor Longqing asked Prince Heng in a deep voice.
Do you have any evidence for what you're saying?
Prince Heng bowed. “The old nanny is currently being cared for in my mother’s palace. If Father does not believe me, he may summon her for questioning.”
"Since you already knew about this, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
A look of hesitation appeared on Prince Heng's face.
"Upon learning the truth, both the son and the mother hesitated. Their first thought was to tell their father, not wanting him to be deceived."
But then I thought, my father has loved him for so many years. If he knew that the son he loved was not his own, he would be very sad.
Besides, the sixth prince is usually very filial to you, and I truly couldn't bear to cause Father Emperor any grief, so I dared to keep this matter a secret."
He paused, his gaze sweeping between Pei Yuan and Shen Mo, before continuing:
"Judging from the situation at today's grand court assembly, Prince Rui and Shen Mo were working together to criticize my uncle at every turn."
Your subject suddenly realized that you had oversimplified the matter. Perhaps Prince Rui is not what you think he is at all.
Your Majesty, I dare not conceal this matter from you. I beg your forgiveness.
The Longqing Emperor frowned deeply and remained silent.
Marquis An Ding said with a sorrowful expression, "Your Highness Prince Heng, although you acted out of filial piety towards His Majesty, you were truly foolish. How could you hide such a serious matter from His Majesty?"
He knelt on the ground, looking extremely worried.
"Your Majesty, judging from today's situation, it is clear that Prince Rui knew about my background all along and deliberately conspired with others to remain silent and slander me."
Their accusation that I, Your Majesty, annihilated the Lu family army is a pretense to win posthumous fame for the Lu family army. Their true purpose is to use me to tarnish Your Majesty's lifelong reputation.
Your Majesty, Prince Rui, no, it is Lu Zhan whose actions are clearly malicious.
Once Your Majesty's illustrious reputation is ruined, and I am branded with the crimes of strangling meritorious officials and killing innocent people to claim credit, Prince Heng will naturally be implicated and criticized by court officials and the people of the world.
Your Majesty, who do you think will be in charge of the court then? Lu Zhan has the Lu Family Army behind him, who are renowned for their selflessness and dedication to the country.
So, whose side will the court officials and the people choose to stand on?
Marquis Anding prostrated himself on the ground and shouted.
"Your Majesty, Lu Zhan is cutting flesh with a dull knife; he is deliberately plotting a rebellion."
Officials from Prince Heng's faction stepped forward one after another.
"Consort Yu deliberately confused the royal bloodline, and Lu Zhan impersonated a prince. His intentions are despicable."
"I beg Your Majesty to severely punish Lu Zhan."
"Your Majesty, do not be deceived by them."
For a time, the court was filled with calls for Pei Yuan to be severely punished.
Prince Heng lay prostrate on the ground, listening to the growing cheers around him, a smile involuntarily flashing in his eyes.
It's true that the Empress Dowager investigated the harem, and it's also true that there was an old nanny in the Cold Palace.
But all the other things were made up by him and his uncle.
My uncle truly understands my father. Whether there is evidence or not is not important; what is important is to plant a seed of doubt in my father's heart.
My father will absolutely not allow what happened thirteen years ago to be exposed.
Once it's confirmed today that Pei Yuan is Lu Zhan, even if the Emperor suspects he is Lu Zhan, he will not give Pei Yuan any chance to turn things around.
No matter what, Pei Yuan cannot escape this calamity today.
If Pei Yuan is eliminated, he will be the only choice to become the crown prince.
Thinking of this, Prince Heng almost burst out laughing.
Amid the shouts of his ministers, Emperor Longqing slowly descended the steps, his gaze turning to Pei Yuan with a complex mix of emotions.
"Sixth Brother, are you really Lu Zhan?"
He was giving Lao Liu one last chance. If Lao Liu backed down at this point, he could choose not to pursue the matter.
Pei Yuan pursed his lips slightly and slowly spoke.
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