Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 246 Fight to the death

Sure enough, a moment later, footsteps approached. "Excuse me, is this Madam Jiang?"

"Yes."

"The emperor has issued an order to summon Madam and Gu Xizhi to the palace to meet him."

Gu Xizhi in the carriage suddenly looked up when she heard this, and her malice was like a poisoned arrow, firmly nailed to Shen Jiasui's back.

......

Gu Xizhi had one hand and one foot broken, and was carried into the palace by two imperial guards, one on each side.

Shen Jiasui walked behind Censor Zhang.

It is not common for a minister's wife to be summoned, especially to the imperial study.

This was also the first time that Shen Jiasui walked on the palace road leading to the imperial study.

The red walls on both sides are majestic, but moss has spread at the base of the walls.

This road has witnessed countless court disputes and national affairs, and normally only men can set foot on it.

And today, amidst the flashing of swords and the shadowy attacks, she, Shen Jiasui, also has to bear her share.

Censor Zhang glanced back at Shen Jiasui from the corner of his eye, and seeing that she looked calm and composed, he withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened.

Finally, the imperial study came into sight.

Censor Zhang entered the palace, but Shen Jiasui and Gu Xizhi were led by the eunuchs and knelt outside the palace.

Gu Xizhi had difficulty moving, and the pain of kneeling and bowing was so severe that tears came out.

The August sun was high in the sky, shining brightly everywhere. When Shen Jiasui bent down, he took a quick look inside the hall.

The imperial study seemed to be shrouded in a thick, dark shadow.

Peeping in from the outside, one could see Emperor Sheng sitting in the depths, his figure wrapped in shadows, his face hidden within. Only the exquisite gold embroidery on his black dragon robe occasionally flashed with golden light.

The four treasures of the study on the imperial desk emitted a cold luster, and the wisps of green smoke rising from the incense burner circled and dispersed.

Before Shen Jiasui withdrew his gaze, he saw the backs of his father and Jiang Xun, and his heart instantly settled down.

Inside the hall, Zhang Xiancai knelt down to pay his respects. Emperor Sheng waved his hand at him and said, "Where is Gu Xizhi? Raise your head."

Outside the hall, Gu Xizhi raised her chin, her gaze fixed only on the floor tiles in front of her, and she replied in a trembling voice, "I...I am here."

When he suddenly heard Gu Xizhi's voice, Lu Yunzheng's back stiffened, and there was a hint of touch between his eyebrows, but he still closed his eyes slightly.

At this time, Emperor Sheng glanced at Shen Jiasui, whose expression was unclear, and finally his eyes fell on Jiang Xun in the hall.

"Mrs. Jiang, since you brought Gu Xizhi here, please tell me what happened."

Shen Jiasui immediately raised his head, bowed his hands, lowered his eyes, and said loudly:

"Your Majesty, I am accusing Gu Xizhi of concealing evidence of her father's treason and collaborating with the enemy. She is also confusing right and wrong and framing a loyal and honest person!"

"For many years, she has been like a hidden snake and scorpion, lurking around the Shen family, secretly instructing her trusted servants to hide the treasonous letters. Her conspiracy has been planned for a long time."

"I have discovered where Gu Xizhi hid the letter. I beg Your Majesty to see through it and punish the culprits, and clear the name of the Shen and Lu families!"

The voice was clear and sonorous, without any sign of fear, and it could still be heard clearly in the hall.

A gentle look suddenly flashed across Jiang Xun's lowered brows.

He said that there is no need to hide behind others every year.

Moreover, in the past, he was mostly alone in front of the emperor, but today, there are people who come to support him every year and share the ups and downs of the court with him.

Jiang Xun was absent-minded for a rare moment, until Gu Xizhi also raised her voice:

"Your Majesty, I have no words to defend myself for my past crimes. Death is not a pity for my humble body, but I simply cannot bear to see them frame the prince and plot against Your Majesty!"

When these words were spoken, Zhao Huailang first frowned and closed his eyes, but in the next moment he relaxed his brows and eyes.

He had mentioned before that Jiang Xun and the Shen family had begun to make careful plans a year ago, and Gu Xizhi was also involved.

However, at this moment, Gu Xizhi was full of malice towards the Shen family, and her words seemed to indicate an irreconcilable hatred. It was obvious that he had misjudged the family before.

He was feeling annoyed and frustrated, but he could sense Gu Xizhi's determination from her words.

Even if she dies, she will drag the Shen family down with her!

So you might as well wait a little longer, maybe there will be a turning point.

"Everything I did was due to the hatred and entanglement of the previous generation. My father has passed away, but I cannot let go and break free. This is why I have gone astray."

"I am willing to be punished, but I cannot bear to see the Shen family claim to be loyal and honest, but in fact they are forming a clique for personal gain, supporting Jiang Xun, and interfering in the fight for the crown prince!"

"Your Majesty, the Shen family has long been aware of what I have done, but they have been secretly fanning the flames. After discovering that the prince has been deceived and exploited by me, they are even more prepared to take advantage of me."

"They have been plotting every step carefully, framing the prince today for murdering loyal officials, just to cause discord between the emperor and the prince and his son, so that Jiang Xun can succeed!"

"I, Your Majesty, have committed treason. Please investigate!"

Gu Xizhi spoke in a stern voice filled with resentment, with a slight tremor at the end. Although she felt weak all over, she felt very happy in her heart.

Shen Jiasui tilted his head and saw Gu Xizhi's slightly flushed face. He knew that her heart was in turmoil at the moment and she must be very satisfied with what he had just said.

The word "treason" has always been accompanied by rivers of blood.

There was a sudden silence all around.

Lu Yunzheng was shocked. It was obviously the first time he saw this side of Gu Xizhi. She was so bold and so determined, just to fight to the death.

Emperor Sheng did not say a word, his face hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to understand.

On the other hand, Zhao Huailang saw that Gu Xizhi was so eloquent and her words were sharp and pointed, hitting his father's sore spot, which was truly a rare intelligence.

If I can win this time, maybe I can try to save her life.

Jiang Xun also remained silent, but it was because he firmly believed that Shen Jiasui had his own countermeasures.

Sure enough, just as everyone was lost in thought, Shen Jiasui spoke again amidst the silence: "What a sophistry, confusing right and wrong!"

"Your Majesty, I indeed learned last year that Gu Xizhi had some dealings with Prince Rui."

"However, this matter concerns the prince, and I dare not make any comments, let alone explore it privately."

"During the Lantern Festival, Gu Xizhi stabbed me with a golden hairpin in public, clearly intending to kill me. I had no choice but to cut off one of his hands as a slight punishment."

"I thought that peace would be restored after this incident. Since my wife is married, I have let go of the past."

"If the Shen and Lu families had not been surrounded today, and Lu Yunzheng had not come with the letter, I, your wife, would still be unaware of Gu Xizhi's evil intentions and deeds!"

"Since Gu Xizhi has taken the initiative to mention the past, I, your humble servant, have a question for you: Prince Rui."

"If Gu Xizhi deceived His Majesty with the treasonous letter last year, why hasn't His Majesty verified the authenticity of the letter even after over a year?"

"If Your Majesty wanted to help His Majesty, he should have submitted the letter to His Majesty for his perusal and judgment. Why has he delayed until now?"

"I am a dull woman, and I can't help but wonder, has the prince been delayed by something?"

"Or has the prince already discovered the truth behind the letter and is just...waiting for the right opportunity?"

"It has only been a few days since I married Lord Jiang, and yet troubles and disasters have arisen one after another."

"I have to ponder deeply. Is the moment your Highness is waiting for the moment when our Shen family and Lord Jiang become inseparable, sharing weal and woe?"

A series of questions brought the whole place to a state of complete silence.

Zhao Huailang suddenly turned his head, his face gloomy and cold, but saw Shen Jiasui bowing deeply to Emperor Sheng again at this time:

"Your Majesty, I am a simple and honest person, my manners are crude, and my words may sometimes be inappropriate or offensive, but they are all driven by the sincerity in my heart."

"Since I was young, I have often heard my father praise the virtues and wisdom of His Majesty. I have great respect for him, but I have rarely had the opportunity to meet him in person."

"At this time when the Shen family is in danger, even if I die, I will open my heart and ask with tears and blood:

The emperor is to his subjects like the sun and moon, the gods hanging high in the sky, illuminating all directions. But what is the meaning of the subjects' relationship to the emperor?"

"What's the point of a general who fought on the battlefield but returned with a broken arm, or a general who achieved countless military success but is no longer able to fight in battle?"

"Your Majesty, the situation today is very clear to me—Prince Rui intends to shed the blood of the entire Shen family in order to trap my husband, Jiang Xun, and ultimately aim for the position of crown prince!"

Although everyone had gradually understood the truth of such a clear statement, they did not expect that Shen Jiasui would dare to say it directly in front of the emperor!

Eunuch Fushun suddenly shuddered and hurriedly glanced at Emperor Sheng's expression, thinking:

This, this, this... Is Madam Jiang really going to kill herself? Why didn't Lord Jiang stop her?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Sheng supported himself on the table with his hands and slowly stood up. In the shadows, he looked like a dark mountain rising from the ground, with an imposing aura.

Some words, as long as they are not said openly, there is still room for maneuver, but once they are spoken, it is a fight to the death!

Emperor Sheng's gaze moved down to the still submissive Jiang Xun, with a cold glint in his eyes.

Jiang Xun asked Shen Jiasui to say this because he trusted his new wife, or... to leave a way out for himself?

"Xiuzhi, is this what you mean?"

Emperor Sheng spoke in a cold voice, now that things have come to this, everyone might as well stand up!

Jiang Xun raised his head upon hearing this, but before he could speak, Shen Zhengsheng, who was standing beside him, suddenly took two steps forward on his knees, a look of sorrow on his face, and said in a miserable voice:

"Your Majesty, as revered by me as the sun and moon, is my life's mission to protect the court and the country, even at the cost of my life."

"But why does the son of the emperor treat my life as insignificant as an ant, as insignificant as a feather? In order to fight for power and the throne, he even has the heart to use my entire Shen family as a pawn. It truly makes me shudder!"

"I weep with sorrow today, begging Your Majesty to deal with this matter impartially, to clear the clouds and see the light, to restore justice to the Shen family, and to restore order to the court."

"May the Holy Spirit have mercy on us, and may the long-standing friendship between our ruler and his subjects remain as strong as pine and cypress, thriving even after frost!"