Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 204 - 170 Empress Xie’s Fury

In Zhao Yang Palace, Empress Xie listened to her brother Xie Shi’s words, and her exquisitely made-up face turned very unpleasant.

"You were just a decoy?"

Xie Shi said dejectedly, "Yes, from start to finish I was just a decoy, the only one kept in the dark."

More than half a year ago, when the Emperor transferred him to quell the rebellion in Yangzhou, he was very excited, thinking that his chance to make a name for himself had finally arrived. He decided that this time he must perform well and show his father and brothers his capabilities, and even more so, to bring glory to his sister. frёewebnoѵēl.com

In the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Xie Shi, although a legitimate son and the youngest, should have been doted upon, but this was not the case. His several elder brothers, whether legitimate or illegitimate, were all exceptionally talented, far more outstanding than him. Among the younger generation of the Xie family, Xie Shi’s aptitude could be described as mediocre, sometimes even as a fool.

In the Xie family, aside from his status as a legitimate son, there was nothing else he could boast of. In everyday matters of the Xie family, he, as the youngest legitimate son, had no voice at all, not even as much as his illegitimate brothers.

All along, Xie Shi also wished to achieve something, to prove that he was not inferior to his brothers, but he had no opportunity. Even if there was a chance, his brothers at home looked down on him as useless and wouldn’t let him take part.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor personally named him to go to Yangzhou and quell the rebellion, which was a great opportunity for him. The Emperor valued him so highly; he was determined to quell the rebellion beautifully and gain respect for himself, as well as for his sister who always spoke up for him.

Before going to Yangzhou, Xie Shi had envisioned that after successfully quelling the rebellion, he would be praised by his brothers and clan members. He also imagined having a voice in the Xie family in the future. But he didn’t expect that upon arriving in Yangzhou, he would find that the rebellion was not as simple as he had thought.

Xie Shi wanted to earnestly quell the rebellion, but the rebels played hide and seek with him. No matter what he did, the rebels refused to come out and fight. Plus, the noble family members in Yangzhou invited him to drink and dine every day. At first, he refused, keeping in mind his mission in Yangzhou. However, feeling frustrated due to the inability to quell the rebellion, he couldn’t resist going out to eat and drink with the noble families of Yangzhou.

Just as he was about to lose his mind from revelry, his elder brother sent a letter, warning him to keep his distance from the noble families of Yangzhou. If he continued to associate with them, his elder brother would break his legs.

Xie Shi feared his elder brother Duke Zhen the most. Upon receiving his brother’s letter, he immediately severed ties with the noble families in Yangzhou and dared not go out to eat or drink anymore. He stayed obediently in the camp every day, hoping the rebels would appear soon.

After more than half a year, General Song suddenly appeared, saying he was there to replace him to quell the rebellion. At that time, Xie Shi felt very angry and unfair, but faced with the renowned Song Dekang, he dared not say anything.

Once Song Dekang arrived, the rebels amazingly appeared immediately, and were annihilated in one fell swoop by General Song. This was a huge blow to Xie Shi, who had been in Yangzhou for over half a year.

Xie Shi originally had no respect for Song Dekang’s arrival, but after witnessing Song Dekang’s methods, he was completely convinced.

When going to Yangzhou, Xie Shi was full of vigor. Returning from Yangzhou, he was like a stray dog.

Back in the capital, Xie Shi felt as if he truly was, as everyone said, a fool, otherwise he wouldn’t have failed to quell the rebellion after over half a year.

It wasn’t until news of incidents in the Yangzhou families reached the capital, coupled with unintentionally overhearing a conversation between his elder and second elder brothers, that Xie Shi realized his mission to quell the Yangzhou rebellion was a setup, and he was just a decoy.

At the time, he stormed into the study in anger, questioning his elder and second elder brothers why they didn’t tell him. His elder and second elder brothers said that if they told him in advance, he would have ruined the Emperor’s grand plan.

Upon hearing this, Xie Shi was so angry that his eyes turned red, and he yelled at his elder and second elder brothers.

Looking back on this matter now, Xie Shi is still filled with anger.

"Sister, elder brother and second brother knew everything, but they didn’t tell us anything; they completely disregarded us."

Empress Xie, in anger, clenched her right fist tightly and pounded it heavily on the table beside her.

The tea lid on the table was knocked down, startling Xie Shi.

Seeing Empress Xie’s very unpleasant expression, Xie Shi unconsciously revealed a trace of fear on his face.

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