Chapter 934 - 886: Finale (12)
Chapter 934: Chapter 886: Finale (12)
Song Wei, along with Jinbao, received Wen Wan’s pigeon post on the way to the Capital, which said Prince Cheng had only been stripped of his title and exiled to guard the Imperial Mausoleum in the West Mountain.
Years of marriage allowed Song Wei to see the hatred and resentment between his wife’s lines.
Although losing the title was the greatest punishment for the Imperial Family, thinking of the child who was just a month old, Song Wei’s hand clutching the missive gradually tightened, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.
That night, while lodging at the inn, after replying to Wen Wan, Song Wei wrote another letter, spending a hefty sum to have it galloped to the Duke Lu Mansion in the Capital.
The letter was received by Lu Pingzhou.
Song Wei did not hide his identity in the letter; he directly told Lu Pingzhou that it was he who incited the citizens to block Prince Cheng’s carriage on Changshun Street, intending to expose Prince Cheng.
However, in the end, Your Majesty merely stripped Prince Cheng’s title. Though legally this was the correct disposition, those ten or so children were innocent. Song Wei hoped that Lu Pingzhou would kill Zhao Ang, and once Zhao Ang was dead, he would almost be back to the Capital. Then, he would step forward and take responsibility for everything.
After reading the letter, Lu Pingzhou smirked, leisurely rose to burn the letter, and then penned a reply to Song Wei, stating that Zhao Ang was someone he’d certainly kill, but there was no need for a junior like Song Wei to step forward. He asked Song Wei to go back and think carefully about how to resolve the current awkward situation between the Song and Lu families.
...
West Mountain Imperial Mausoleum.
Zhao Ang had been exiled here for several days. Although the batch of Hidden Guards being trained was just a hundred in number and not many, moving the base was not something achievable overnight. Thus, at present, besides Zhao Ang, there were only the Imperial Mausoleum Guards and Mr. Cui left at the mausoleum.
Mr. Cui, the former Chief Eunuch, had a few informants in the palace and had already learned that Zhao Ang was exiled to the West Mountain for breaking the law and murdering.
About the heavy responsibility of the Prince Cheng Mansion, the late Emperor had once mentioned a word or two to him.
At this moment, Zhao Ang was walking on a shady path outside the Imperial Mausoleum.
Mr. Cui came running along and, upon seeing Zhao Ang, bowed hurriedly. But since Zhao Ang had already been stripped of his title, it was inappropriate to call him Prince and just referred to him as "Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Ang stopped, somewhat surprised, "Mr. Cui?"
Mr. Cui was filled with anxiety, "I have already heard of the case in the Capital. The Prince Cheng Mansion bears a heavy responsibility, how could you do such a self-destructive thing?"
Zhao Ang raised the corners of his mouth, "If not for the Prince Cheng Mansion, for Your Majesty, do you think I’d be willing to kill?"
Mr. Cui frowned deeply, "The way you’re saying it, even killing the newly born child is somehow for Your Majesty? His Majesty does not bear such blame."
"Then I’ve nothing to discuss with you." Zhao Ang turned his gaze back and continued striding forward.
Mr. Cui squeezed his fist and followed, "Your Majesty sent you to the West Mountain, certainly hoping you would repent before the late Emperor’s mausoleum, Mr. Zhao, please don’t waste Your Majesty’s earnest intentions."
"Is that so?" The smile in Zhao Ang’s eyes was mocking.
He killed so many children because he was worried that upon learning Shuoshuo had a heart condition, Your Majesty would pass the task of training Hidden Guards to the Kang family line. Unexpectedly, despite learning of his murderous behavior and knowing Shuoshuo was weak and unable to inherit the title, Your Majesty still entrusted him with this heavy responsibility.
It was clear that the foolish young emperor deeply trusted the Cheng family line, considering those few cheap lives merely practice.
Mr. Cui was greatly displeased with Zhao Ang’s attitude, although the other said nothing, Mr. Cui could feel an unchecked arrogance. He had always taken this master as reserved and stable, unexpectedly beneath was someone so chilling, thinking of those children, Mr. Cui’s back was covered in cold sweat. He intended to visit the Capital, inform Your Majesty of Zhao Ang’s conduct, this person’s mentality was improper, to avoid future trouble, someone must be assigned to watch him.
At nightfall, just as Mr. Cui stepped out of the Imperial Mausoleum, he saw Zhao Ang standing outside.
The other seemed to have been waiting a long time, his face enshrouded in darkness, looking even more sinister and eerie.
Mr. Cui was terrified, uncontrollably stepping back, trying to calm himself, "What are you doing here so late?"
Zhao Ang raised an eyebrow, the sinister smile at his lips made people feel very uncomfortable, "Going to tattle?"
"No, I... uh..."
Before Mr. Cui could finish, his throat was tightly gripped by a large hand, every unsaid word caught in his throat, neither able to be uttered nor swallowed.