Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 243: Still innocent

Zhao Huailang didn't know how to respond for a moment.

The development of the situation was far beyond his expectations. He was not sure what the situation was and what Jiang Xun's intention was.

"Father, your son..."

Emperor Sheng's eyes were burning. Seeing that Zhao Huailang hesitated for a long time and still didn't say anything, anger instantly surged in his heart.

He racked his brains, weighed many options, and finally decided on the second son as the crown prince.

I originally thought that he was most similar to my younger self, and that he was quite smart and courageous, but I didn't expect him to be so useless!

In today's game, did the second brother shoot himself in the foot, or...

Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng swept his cold gaze over the people in the hall one by one, from Shen Zhengsheng to Lu Yongzhu, then passed Lu Yunzheng and fell on Jiang Xun.

Which one is it?

Or...all of them?

Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng's gaze became deep and profound, trying to see through the unpredictable hearts of everyone in the hall.

At this moment, Shen Zhengsheng suddenly leaned forward and kowtowed, saying in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, I have something to say that I really can't help but express!"

Emperor Sheng looked over when he heard this, knowing that Zhao Huailang's plan had failed, and that he, as the emperor, was in the wrong, so his expression relaxed a little:

"Shen Qing, please feel free to speak."

Shen Zhengsheng took a deep breath and raised his body, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

"Your Majesty, generals and soldiers are fierce and fiery. My words may be rude and disrespectful, but they come from the heart."

"Today, the Imperial Guards surrounded the palace. General Lu and I were escorted into the palace. The suspicious looks of the people lining the streets were like thousands of sharp arrows piercing our hearts."

"Although I feel like I'm being pricked, I remain fearless and open-minded, for I have never done anything to disappoint His Majesty or the court."

"I joined the army at a young age, and fought my way through swords and sabers, risking my life to come here. Only with my numerous military exploits can I stand before His Majesty."

"Although I unfortunately lost my arm and left the battlefield, I never felt any resentment. On the contrary, I was proud of it, because it was the mark and glory of my blood shed for His Majesty and for the Great Sheng."

"But Your Majesty..."

At this point, Shen Zhengsheng's eyes turned slightly red, veins bulged on his forehead, and when he looked up at Emperor Sheng, tears were already in his eyes.

"If I truly had the intention of collaborating with the enemy and betraying my country, how could I have defeated the Mo army so relentlessly? How could I have firmly defended the borders of our Great Sheng Dynasty amidst the icy snow and vast expanse of yellow sand?"

"It's been just over two weeks since General Lu returned from a near-death battle. The dust of battle hasn't washed off his body, and the shouts of killing the enemy are probably still ringing in his ears."

"But in broad daylight, in full view of the public, we two were escorted into the palace. This scene makes us feel so chilled and embarrassed!"

"Your Majesty, could it be that... could it be that the years of dedicated service we have put in are no match for this unfounded suspicion?"

Shen Zhengsheng became more and more angry as he spoke, and by the end his words were full of questioning, causing everyone in the hall to change their expressions.

Emperor Sheng's brows darkened.

However, Shen Zhengsheng seemed to be immersed in grief and anger, and was unaware of the change in Emperor Sheng's expression.

"My father-in-law."

Jiang Xun immediately reminded him in a calm voice, which made Shen Zhengsheng tremble slightly and suddenly come back to his senses.

When he looked up at Emperor Sheng again, a trace of panic appeared on Shen Zhengsheng's face, and he lowered his head in fear.

When Emperor Sheng saw this scene, his expression actually softened.

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?

Shen Zhengsheng was first wronged and then humiliated today. It is normal for him to speak inappropriately out of anger.

As soon as Jiang Xun reminded him, Shen Zhengsheng came back to his senses immediately, and his subconscious reaction was panic and fear.

This alone is enough to demonstrate the greatness of his majesty as a king, and also shows that Shen Zhengsheng has an instinctive fear of him in his heart.

Just imagine, if Shen Zhengsheng suffered this unjust accusation today and was humiliated by a body search, he would still remain calm and without any complaints.

With such cunning and scheming, does Shen Zhengsheng really have no other thoughts in secret?

Therefore, at this moment, Emperor Sheng was not angry at all. Instead, he felt at ease and softened his voice a little:

"Mr. Shen, today's incident happened suddenly, and it implicates the foundation of the country. I am extremely worried, and my actions may have been hasty. Mr. Shen, please understand my painstaking efforts and don't take it to heart."

Those in the palace who knew Emperor Sheng well knew that it was extremely rare for him to say such words.

Shen Zhengsheng trembled all over when he heard this, and the expression on his slightly raised face changed several times, and he was obviously very touched.

However, his gaze fell on the blue bricks in front of him, and in a place that no one else could see, his eyes were actually full of frost and coldness.

What he really wanted to say was much sharper and colder!

As early as that day when he talked with Sui Sui in the study, Shen Zhengsheng had completely abandoned his loyalty to the emperor.

The king is ignorant and regards the lives of his subjects as worthless, let alone the lives of the people of the world?

He was filled with resentment and hatred, and now he was just acting out to the end.

"Your Majesty."

Shen Zhengsheng spoke again, the sharpness in his words faded, but he still seemed to be upset.

"I understand the difficulty Your Majesty is in. I am filled with sorrow and grief. Now I have only one request."

"I, your Majesty, boldly request that you grant me and General Lu a decree to clear our names before the eyes of the world, so that we can hold our heads high and stand before the people with dignity!"

This request is not excessive.

After all, people live by their reputation, especially the more famous a person is, the more he cherishes his reputation.

Emperor Sheng was still considering it, but Zhao Huailang beside him suddenly changed his expression.

Shen Zhengsheng's speech first showed weakness, then complained, and finally asked for permission. It was layered and step-by-step. With such a sophisticated set of rhetoric, could he still be called a reckless military general?

If he couldn't see Shen Zhengsheng's intention just now, he now understood it.

My father may not know it yet, but he has been informed by his servants. Now there are rumors rife in the capital that he deliberately framed the two generals in order to protect my grandfather.

Even if my father would not mention what he did today in the imperial edict for the sake of the royal family's reputation, once the edict was issued, it would completely confirm the rumor in the minds of everyone in the capital.

Three people make a tiger. How can Zhao Huailang have a foothold in Beijing?

And after the emperor hears about this, I’m afraid he will hate him even more!

Thinking of this, even Zhao Huailang couldn't help but feel a chill in his spine.

They planned everything in such a calculated and meticulous manner. Every step they took and every word they said seemed to be a response to the current situation, but in fact they were all prepared in advance and full of deep meaning.

How...exactly did they do it?

How big a net should they lay at the outset so that every situation and every reaction of others falls within their expectations?

Zhao Huailang suddenly felt that at this moment standing in the hall, he was really isolated and helpless, and weak.

Is there any way to turn things around?

Zhao Huailang looked around and racked his brains, but the situation was urgent and he could no longer remain completely calm and clear-headed.

He knew that he had already lost this game.

He has to make decisions when necessary. Zhao Huailang has courage and bravery, so he will try to win the emperor's heart!

"Father——"

Zhao Huailang stepped forward and spoke in time to stop Emperor Sheng from speaking.

However, before he could say anything, Wen Chengye's voice came from outside the hall:

"Your Majesty, Censor Zhang Xian requests an audience outside the palace!"