Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 158: On one side is Ah Xiang, on the other side is conscience

When Princess Xuanxiang of Emperor Sheng entered the palace, Jiang Xun, as an outsider, immediately retreated to a side hall.

Zhao Huaixiang watched Jiang Xun leave. For some reason, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt like he had missed something.

At this moment, footsteps sounded behind him, hurried and panicky.

Zhao Huaixiang was still kneeling, and he immediately turned his head to look, and saw Pei Shiyin walking quickly from outside.

She must have carefully tidied her appearance before entering the hall. Her slightly loose hair was tucked behind her ears. Although the loose hair on her forehead was wet with sweat, there was no trace of sweat on her face.

Obviously she didn't dare to lose her composure in front of the palace, but she came too hurriedly and too hastily, her eyes were still red and her lips were bloodless.

When Pei Shiyin walked into the hall with trepidation, the last bit of fantasy in her heart was shattered when she saw Zhao Huaixiang and Zhao Huaizhang kneeling in the hall.

During the brief moment she waited outside the palace, she had thought that all this was too coincidental.

Her clothes were wet by the maid, so she had to go to the dressing room. Coincidentally, she overheard the conversation.

But now that the facts were before her, she couldn't help but believe it, especially since she already knew in her heart that the flower viewing banquet was indeed the prince's doing...

Now she had only one request, even if it meant exchanging her life for his, as long as Ashang's life could be saved, it would be enough.

Pei Shiyin fell to her knees with a thud.

Zhao Huaixiang vaguely realized what was happening, but before he could even open his mouth to call out "Ayin", Pei Shiyin had already bowed down to Emperor Sheng and said in a loud and clear voice:

"Father, I know that the laws of the land are as heavy as a mountain, but you are kind and compassionate, and Your Highness is also your subject and son."

"This flower viewing banquet was a mistake made by the prince due to a moment of confusion. The mistake has been made and there is no room for dispute."

"But the prince is kind-hearted and loyal to his father. I, your humble servant, dare to accept the punishment on your husband's behalf."

"I beg Your Majesty to show mercy to the prince. If you can obtain Your Majesty's forgiveness, the prince will be diligent and self-disciplined in the future and will never commit the same offense again."

"Your Majesty, your son—I beg your Majesty to grant me your blessing!"

After he finished speaking, Pei Shiyin touched the ground with his forehead and kowtowed heavily.

These words had taken up almost all of her strength. At this moment, her whole body was cold and she was frozen with fear.

There was silence in the hall for a long time.

Until Zhao Huaizhang's slightly high-pitched voice sounded: "Your Majesty, this time the evidence is conclusive!"

Pei Shiyin was shocked when she heard this.

Is this evidence conclusive?

What do you mean? Didn't the maid just tell you that the evidence was already conclusive and the conviction had already been made?

When her thoughts reached this point, Pei Shiyin suddenly looked up and met Zhao Huaixiang's gaze, which had been waiting for a long time.

As gentle as ever, but with a hint of helplessness.

Pei Shiyin was stunned for a moment, and then her heart trembled violently.

She suddenly realized that she might be...being used...

Maybe they couldn't produce any evidence and couldn't do anything to Ah Xiang, but the words she had just said to plead for mercy just confirmed Ah Xiang's guilt!

After all, she is Ashang's princess and Ashang's bedmate, so her words...are always more convincing.

After figuring this out, Pei Shiyin felt a chill running from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, making her heart almost jump out.

"Your Majesty..."

Pei Shiyin opened her mouth and called out softly, tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt helpless and heartbroken.

Zhao Huaixiang didn't dare to stand up in front of the emperor, so he could only shake his head slightly at Pei Shiyin.

At this moment, rather than the helplessness and annoyance after being exposed, he felt more heartache in his heart.

He felt sorry for his Ah Yin who was being taken advantage of and was so frightened because of his fault.

"Cousin, what else do you have to say?"

Zhao Huaizhang finally found the confidence and spoke a little louder.

"Your Majesty, even my cousin's wife said so. It is obvious that I am not lying. It was indeed my cousin who did everything!"

Emperor Sheng frowned slightly, a hint of hidden disappointment flashed in his eyes, and he said coldly:

"Old Three, what else do you have to say?"

Zhao Huaixiang raised his head, still calm and composed, "Father, my princess has been used by someone."

"It's only been a short while since Huai Zhang started to attack me, how come the princess is here so soon?"

"Looking at what the princess said, she seems to know everything that happened in the palace. This shows that this is a complete conspiracy against me!"

"Father, this is all slander. I am innocent!"

Zhao Huaizhang had long expected Zhao Huaixiang to say this. He turned his head and looked at Pei Shiyin, saying in a deep voice:

"My cousin is always good at making excuses. I won't ask him anymore, I'll ask his wife instead."

"I've heard that my cousin and his wife are very much in love. I guess his wife understands him."

"If all this is a conspiracy and slander, why didn't my cousin's wife come here to defend my cousin, but instead directly pleaded for mercy?"

"It seems my cousin's wife already knew that everything about the flower viewing banquet was done by my cousin!"

"Cousin, Huai Zhang dares to ask, is this true?"

Zhao Huaizhang's words made Pei Shiyin shudder.

She buried her head and supported her arms in front of her. At this moment, pain and struggle followed her like a shadow, constantly attacking her heart defenses, and she could collapse at any time.

What to do....What to do...

On one side is Ah Xiang, on the other side is conscience...

Bah, bah, bah—

Tears fell, and Pei Shiyin couldn't help but clench her hands tightly, her nails scratching on the blue bricks, she used too much force, and the pain was heartbreaking.

She is mean, she is shameless, she can't lose Ah Xiang...

Pei Shiyin opened her mouth and said in a trembling voice, "Reply... Reply to Father, I have indeed been plotted against."

"Just now in the changing room, I heard the maidservant beside Huai Zhen talking about what happened in the palace. At that time, the maidservant said that there was solid evidence, saying that the emperor had already convicted the prince."

"I was so concerned that I was confused. So when I rushed here in a panic, I instinctively opened my mouth to plead for the prince."

"But I, your son, always believe in my heart that the prince is kind and innocent, and would never...never do anything to harm the Crown Princess."

After uttering the last word, Pei Shiyin's whole body shook, as if all her energy and spirit had been completely drained away.

She felt like she was stepping on the tip of a burning knife. Besides the severe pain, she felt more torment and despair.

She no longer had the face to see the Crown Princess.

And Ye'er, that child always jumped up and down and called her "Auntie Huang" and gave all the delicious and fun things to Ling'er...

Zhao Huaixiang turned around and saw Pei Shiyin's appearance, and his heart was also broken.

I guess Ayin guessed it.

She was such a kind person, but she had to bear the inner condemnation for his actions...

Zhao Huaixiang moved his lips. He wanted to say something, but at this moment he could only let the bitterness spread and try to get out of today's situation first.

It was actually Huai Zhen's maid who brought A Yin here. This shows that Huai Zhang did not decide to deal with him on a whim, but had probably been planning it for a long time.

But they had no substantial evidence, and as long as he denied it, his father would naturally stand on his side.

Thinking of this, Zhao Huaixiang turned around and bowed his head to Emperor Sheng and said:

"Father, this is the truth. Huai Zhang, in order to deal with me, even went so far as to involve the princess. I cannot forgive him."

"I also ask Your Majesty to act for me, your son, and severely punish Huai Zhang to put an end to this farce today!"

Emperor Sheng leaned back slightly, his deep eyes revealing his thoughts. His gaze moved back and forth between Zhao Huaizhang and Zhao Huaixiang several times, and finally... landed on Zhao Huaizhang.

"Huai Zhang, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhao Huaizhang looked up when he heard the voice, and at this moment he couldn't help feeling a little powerless.

The emperor has made no secret of his partiality. Today is a dangerous situation. If Prince Rong's palace is asked to make plans on its own, I'm afraid it will really lose everything.

Fortunately-

Thinking of this, Zhao Huaizhang's mind couldn't help but drift towards the side hall, where Jiang Xun was standing there, avoiding suspicion.

What exactly is the back-up plan that Lord Jiang mentioned...

Seeing that Zhao Huaizhang had nothing more to say, Emperor Sheng lightly pushed the empty wine glass on the table, making a crisp "clang" sound, as if indicating that today's farce should come to an end.

He slowly lowered his eyes, looked at the pale Prince Rong beside him, and said in a deep voice: "Royal brother, what Huai Zhang did today——"

Emperor Sheng had just opened his mouth when a voice of information came from outside the palace again. This time, the person who came was——

"Your Majesty, Concubine Chun requests an audience!"