Chapter 131 Ending 2
After Lin Zhixiong was taken away, there was finally a sense of relief in the parliament hall after surviving a disaster.
The nobles were tidying up each other's disheveled dresses and discussing in low voices the thrilling incident that had just occurred;
The military commanders put away their fierce aura, and some were whispering to their subordinates to help maintain the situation.
Even the old emperor relaxed, and everyone thought that this ups and downs of the coronation farce was finally coming to an end.
But before the tension in the air completely dissipated, Ye Heng suddenly took a step forward.
He didn't look at anyone, his eyes fixed on the old emperor in the wheelchair. His voice was not loud, but it was like a huge rock hitting the calm surface of a lake, instantly breaking all the tension:
"Your Majesty, during the battle to recapture Gamma Star five years ago, was it you who gave the secret order for the Red Shadow Legion to rescue the Third Prince Karen?"
The whole audience fell silent instantly.
The nobles' discussions stopped abruptly, and they all turned to look at Ye Heng;
The second prince had doubts about this matter when he sent the gift. The reason he gave at the time was that the old emperor was no longer around and it could not be confirmed.
Now that Ye Heng brought it up again, it meant that the matter was indeed true, and he just needed an explanation from the royal family;
Lin Yao also restrained his previous calmness, and the ice-blue vines at his fingertips swayed slightly, obviously waiting for an answer.
The old emperor's body stiffened noticeably. His back, which was originally leaning against the back of the chair, stiffened subconsciously. His eyes were evasive, avoiding Ye Heng's gaze.
He coughed twice, trying to drown out the sharp question with his hoarse voice:
"Ye Heng, you've done a great job today. I'll issue an order to restore all your and Major General Lin's information and rights as a reward. If you have anything to say... we'll discuss it later."
"In the future?" Ye Heng sneered, his voice filled with uncontrollable anger.
"Those Red Shadow soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the rescue of Gamma Star, as well as those secretly recruited by the Third Prince, will probably not be able to see the future!
Their remains are still buried in the ruins of Gamma Star, and their families are still waiting for the truth. Your Majesty, you can't keep avoiding the truth!"
Upon seeing this, several veteran generals in the military quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
Someone even walked up and wanted to pat Ye Heng on the shoulder, but Ye Heng dodged and his hand froze in the air awkwardly.
The next second he took it back carelessly, his tone soothing:
"Marshal Ye Heng, Your Majesty is also doing this for the greater good of the empire..."
"The overall situation?" Ye Heng's eyes were as sharp as a knife, sweeping over the military personnel present.
"Let the Red Shadow soldiers pay for Karen's willfulness and save a prince who barged into the battlefield without permission, disregarding the lives of the soldiers and only seeking military merit?
Is this the bigger picture? When those soldiers died, did you ever think about their families?
The man who was trying to persuade was speechless. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word of defense.
The atmosphere in the military headquarters suddenly became solemn, and many generals shifted their attention.
However, there was not much emotion in his eyes, and he mostly looked as if it had nothing to do with him. After all, those who died were not from his own legion.
The old emperor looked at Ye Heng's relentless look and knew that he could no longer hide it.
He slowly lowered his eyes, his voice filled with fatigue and subtle guilt:
"Yes... It was my secret order."
"Back then, Karen secretly led his guards into the Gamma Star front and was trapped near the Gamma Star Zerg nest."
The old emperor's voice became increasingly low, as if he was recalling a past that he did not want to mention.
"He asked the royal family for help. I was worried about him getting into trouble, and even more worried about the royal family losing face, so I secretly ordered the Red Shadow Legion to rescue him...
Afterwards, I asked Ye Heng to keep it a secret and not to mention Karen's intrusion or Chi Ying's casualties.
When the nobles and military personnel in the hall heard what the old emperor said, their reaction was not as intense as they had imagined.
Many people even had an expression of understanding on their faces. The moment this secret was revealed, everyone present had guessed what it was, but no one dared to point it out.
The real storm broke out in the barrage of comments broadcast on Star Network.
The comments on the Star Screen, which were originally celebrating Lin Zhixiong's execution, were instantly covered by a dense stream of questions, which were refreshed so fast that it was difficult to see clearly:
"So the Red Shadow Soldier died saving Karen?! Why should Karen let the soldier pay for his willfulness?"
"The old emperor actually ordered it to be kept secret? Is he playing with the lives of his soldiers?"
"I was saying there was something wrong with the post-battle report on Gamma Star. It turns out there's such a huge conspiracy going on!"
"The royal family, for the sake of face, can even conceal the sacrifice of soldiers? This is so disheartening!"
What was even more shocking was that more and more accounts with the logo of Chiying's family began to appear in the comment section of Xingwang, and their words were full of tears:
"My son was a communications soldier for Chiying. Five years ago, he said he was going on a mission and never came back! Turns out he went to rescue that bastard Karen!"
"Back then, the military said my husband was missing and even his body couldn't be found. Now I know that he was killed by the Zerg while trying to save Karen!"
"Karen not only killed my father, but also murdered his own sentry to silence him! How can such a person be worthy of being a prince? The royal family is actually protecting him!"
"Our family has been searching for the truth for five years, and today we finally know it! The royal family owes us an apology! They owe an explanation to all the Red Shadow soldiers who sacrificed their lives!"
These sorrowful accusations, like gasoline thrown into a sea of fire, instantly ignited the anger of the people.
The Star Network barrage was completely out of control, with the screen full of calls for "royal apology", "thorough investigation of the truth of the sacrifice on Gamma Star", and "severe punishment of those responsible".
Some people even launched a petition on the Star Network, demanding that the royal family disclose all documents related to the rescue of Gamma Star and give justice to the sacrificed soldiers.
Ye Heng signaled Bian Miao to project the live broadcast of the bullet screen onto the screen in the hall.
Looking at the scrolling comments on the star screen, looking at those tearful words, Ye Heng pursed his lips:
"Your Majesty, your secrecy has protected the royal family's reputation, but it has chilled the hearts of all the soldiers and the people of the entire empire!"
The old emperor looked at the accusations on the star screen, and his already bad face turned even paler.
He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but found that his throat seemed to be blocked and he could only make hoarse sounds.
The reason why he chose Chi Ying was because he knew Ye Heng's character and knew that he was a man who could really keep his mouth shut, so he made this decision for the sake of the royal family's reputation.
But he didn't expect that the person who had stood firmly behind the royal family would completely abandon the royal family.
The planting of landmines five years ago caused such overwhelming public outrage that the royal family's credibility is now shaky.
Lin Yao walked to Ye Heng, held his hand, with determination and comfort in his eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall became heavy again, but this time it was no longer because of Lin Zhixiong's treason, but because of the royal family's shameful past.
The barrage of comments on the star screen was still scrolling wildly. The people's anger was like a wildfire, burning towards the royal family and all the concealed truths.
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