Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 213: Cowards Clinging to Life and Fearing Death
After the spring hunt, the Old Emperor had been eager to appoint the Crown Princess, frequently summoning the courtiers to discuss the matter over the past few months.
Su Juan had just left the palace when she received the news that Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel, who had always been diligently flattering her, had gone to see Prince Jing.
"These two had fallen out long ago. Given Mei He’s nature, he wouldn’t take the initiative to go unless Song Qianfan wanted to meet. What do you think Song Qianfan is after in seeking him now?"
Shen Ruhui pondered for a moment, "Previously, Mei He helped Song Qianfan for many years, leaving behind many incriminating marks between them. Mei He might be under duress to handle something for him."
In recent months, Song Qianfan’s actions outside became increasingly bold, almost as if he was divinely assisted since Yan Zizhan defected.
Moreover, Prince Han encountered several attacks on the road to inspect the outskirts of the capital. All sorts of evidence inexplicably pointed to Su Juan. Although the Old Emperor did not believe the rumors, court gossip was rife.
On the other hand, what could be traced about this Yan Zizhan began after he met Prince Han, likely a false identity, yet unexpectedly, it was discovered that during Southern Country’s Crown Prince Chu Guang’s stay in Da Jin, his people had contact with Yan Zizhan, evidencing his restlessness.
Reflecting on recent events, Su Juan curved her red lips, "It seems he intends to give us a great gift."
Maybe Mei He has been Song Qianfan’s person from the start, merely putting on an act in front of me.
Now everyone in the court knows about Mei He’s association with Princess Jinyang. If at this moment Mei He does or reveals something, it will all be linked back to Princess Jinyang. Because of the assassination attempt on Prince Han, many in the court already hold biases against me, and if these rumors spread, it would only worsen.
Shen Ruhui nodded, "Your Highness might as well use this to your advantage and see what they intend to do next."
Su Juan: "I had the same thought."
...
The next day at court, Su Juan had just reported on all matters of the Ministry of Revenue when the Old Emperor’s words of praise were on the verge of being spoken. Amongst the crowd, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel suddenly called out, "Your Majesty! This old minister has a petition!"
Su Juan squinted her eyes slightly, Here it comes, she thought they would not arrive today.
She wanted to see what Song Qianfan aimed to achieve at this critical moment, and what good advice Yan Zizhan had given him.
Many courtiers shook their heads in exasperation. This Mei He is truly lacking in foresight. Did he not see that His Majesty was about to commend Princess Jinyang?
Isn’t he supposedly on good terms with Princess Jinyang? Why interrupt at such a time? It doesn’t seem like they’re so close now, does it?
The Old Emperor wore a displeased expression but still allowed him to speak.
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, with a thud, knelt in the grand hall, "Your Majesty! This old minister has inadvertently learned something, and is terrified in his heart, not daring to not inform Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, many present whispered. Judging by Minister Mei’s posture, it appears the matter is significant.
The current major events in the capital are only a few; surely it can’t be Princess Jinyang’s assassination attempt on Prince Han, caught red-handed, can it?
After all, today Princess Jinyang’s reaction is unusually strange.
The Old Emperor grew impatient; if you have something to say, hurry and say it, why dawdle?
He sternly asked, "What is it?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel raised his voice, "This old minister wishes to accuse Prince Jing of deceiving the sovereign, harboring the rebellious treason offenders from the Pei Mansion from back then!"
Upon these words, the courtiers were stunned!
Prince Jing felt a chill run down his spine, cold sweat trickling down his back, it had finally come to this day.
From the day he adopted the second son, he had anticipated this day would arrive, but never thought it’d be exposed before the entire court.
This Mei He had always been on good terms with the Prince Jing Mansion... The allure of power indeed blinds judgment.
Prince Han’s face darkened. Logically, not many should know about this. Prince Jing wouldn’t court death himself, could it be... Yan Zizhan?
Su Juan knitted her brows; she hadn’t expected Mei He to say this, completely beyond her expectations.
The courtiers all turned towards Prince Jing; the name ’Pei’ hasn’t been mentioned in the court for many years. How illustrious was the Dingbei Army back then, yet how bleak their fate turned out.
Still, did Prince Jing actually harbor someone from the Pei Mansion?
Indeed, back in the day, Prince Jing and Pei Lianshan were very close. Moreover, Prince Jing was involved in handling the case; if he wanted to hide someone, with proper preparations, it wouldn’t be difficult.
The Old Emperor’s eyes darkened, "What treason offender?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was now somewhat nervous, yet he pressed on, "Back then, Pei Lianshan’s wife was pregnant with twins. Prince Jing, exploiting his position, adopted one of the sons, the current second son of Prince Jing Mansion, Song Qianhang!"
The court was astounded, abuzz—!
This must be a joke, how could it be!
Yet upon careful thought, Song Qianhang indeed doesn’t quite resemble the Prince Jing couple, rather his brows and eyes more closely resemble those of Pei Lianshan from back then!
Prince Jing is truly audacious, the previous Emperor was furious then, personally decreeing the whole Pei family execution, even newborns weren’t spared, yet he shielded him, raising him as his own son...
The Old Emperor’s cold gaze fell on Prince Jing, "Prince Jing, is what Minister Mei says true?"
The Emperor’s majesty was commanding without anger.
Su Juan sensed a threat in the Old Emperor’s gaze. If Prince Jing denied Mei He’s words, refusing to admit, the Emperor might not hold him accountable, merely regarding Song Qianhang as Prince Jing’s true son.
But Prince Jing knelt on the ground, not daring to refute, otherwise should evidence emerge later, it would only add another charge of deceiving the sovereign.
"This minister is guilty, ashamed before the late Emperor, ashamed before Your Majesty, this minister acknowledges guilt!"
The Old Emperor’s eyes reflected disappointment, "For Prince Jing’s crime, how do you all think this matter should be handled?"
The courtiers below exchanged worried glances, who dared speak?
The Pei Family of old once again resurfaced, those who pleaded on behalf of the Pei Family then, faced dire fates, either bestowed death, exiled, or stripped of office to return home in disgrace, none ended well.
The current Emperor and the Second Prince of the past fought bitterly to death, how could he have any goodwill towards the Pei Family?
Now, they want to plead but dare not, yet also can’t bear to step on them; that was a rebellion conviction set by the late Emperor, a word now condemns Song Qianhang surely to death.
After all, no one believes the Pei Family rebelled back then, it was simply due to the Second Prince, the late Emperor’s thorn and suspicion, choosing to err on the side of excess rather than leniency.
Prince Han clenched his fists tightly under his sleeves, how should this matter be resolved?
The Pei Family was clearly innocent!
Yet today no one speaks a word for them, all are cowards fearful for their lives.
The day he couldn’t save Pei Lianren, must he today watch helplessly as his old friend’s child dies beneath the axe?
Just when Prince Han stepped forward, someone else moved faster.
Su Juan stepped out, her voice loud and clear, "Grandfather, this grandson believes that when the incident happened back then, Song Qianhang was merely a newborn, Prince Jing adopted him out of compassion, thus making him a foster son, this is virtue."
Prince Jing was surprised... Is she speaking up for him?
