Chapter 1301 - 1137: Purging Traitors from the Emperor’s Side
Chapter 1301: Chapter 1137: Purging Traitors from the Emperor’s Side
"Emperor! The Shen Mansion is resisting stubbornly, and the legitimate eldest son of the Shen Family died amidst chaotic arrows!" Lang Ping glanced at Shen Shikang, who was kneeling on the ground with a defeated expression, and couldn’t help but lament this man is simply foolish.
The Shen Family is already an unattainable noble in the Capital, why are they still not satisfied? After all, this empire is still under the Zhao’s name, and the Shen Family actually wants to replace it, truly naive!
In the past when Mrs. Zhao plotted to usurp the throne, it was because the Qing Dynasty was completely chaotic. Nowadays, the Emperor has already ascended, and although a few Princes are still eyeing the throne, the Emperor is no pushover! Without some ability, could he really sit on the imperial throne? It seems the Shen Family has been blown off-kilter by the recent praises, not knowing north from south.
Truly, not courting death won’t lead to death! Lang Ping shook his head, just another fool!
Upon learning that his eldest son was shot dead by chaotic arrows, Shen Shikang’s heart became completely cold. It seems that the situation is hopeless, and he cannot turn things around.
"Emperor! This criminal minister has one matter to clarify; the incident of the Eldest Prince drowning was absolutely not by my hand." Even at this point, Shen Shikang, though in despair, did not wish to bear this blame, for he didn’t want the fisherman to have a good time.
The Emperor’s suspicious gaze swept over; he didn’t know whether to believe Shen Shikang’s words.
"Emperor! At this point, I have no reason to lie! The matter of rebellion was indeed my momentary lapse for which I do not argue. However, the matter of the Eldest Prince is not the doing of the Shen Family, and I do not wish to bear this charge. Originally, I was hesitant, but the drowning incident forced me to rebel. The manipulator behind this has impure motives; I ask the Emperor to investigate thoroughly!"
The Emperor frowned deeply, and couldn’t help but think of Liao Wu from Bao En Temple; could it be him?
"Send someone to arrest the assassins who dared to attempt assassination on the Emperor, and Shen Shikang as well. Come out obediently and face your death!"
Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside the hall, startling the few individuals inside the Imperial Study Room.
"Quickly, go and see what happened!" The Emperor shouted at Lang Ping, though the words seemed friendly; he couldn’t shake off the feeling that things weren’t that simple.
"Yes!" Lang Ping was startled as well; the palace gates had already been secured. How did this person emerge from nowhere?
"Emperor, I’ve brought the troops to rescue you!" The person continued shouting outside the hall, even the Empress Dowager sensed something amiss.
"Dundun!" The Empress Dowager’s worried gaze shifted over, and the Emperor immediately moved forward to reassure her.
"Mother need not worry, I’ve already prepared. This person may have heard rumors and came to protect me." Thinking back, the Emperor found the voice incredibly familiar, yet he couldn’t recall it instantly.
"Dundun! How come I think this voice resembles your brother-in-law?" The voice earlier was a shout, somewhat familiar but yet unrecognized.
Upon pondering further, the Empress Dowager increasingly felt the voice resembled that of the Eldest Princess’s husband, Duke of Qin.
"Emperor! It’s Duke of Qin who has come with troops to rescue you!" Lang Ping, finally realizing Duke of Qin’s involvement, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Indeed it is Jingming?" The Empress Dowager also sighed in relief, Jingming being Duke of Qin Qin Baolin’s courtesy name. Upon hearing her son-in-law had arrived, the Empress Dowager felt much peace of mind.
"Mother need not worry anymore, perhaps my eldest sister and brother-in-law received word of this matter and rushed to offer assistance." Upon confirming Duke of Qin’s identity, the Emperor couldn’t help but sigh, though the rescue was untimely, it was well-intentioned.
"To the Shen Family within earshot, know that this Imperial Palace is surrounded, you couldn’t escape even if you had wings. Shen Shikang, come out already!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor felt somewhat embarrassed; what was going on with this brother-in-law?
"Will you not step forward and explain things to him? Shouting so recklessly, what decorum is this?" The Emperor sternly rebuked Lang Ping, who dared not contradict, and thus exited the hall.
"Lord Qin, the Emperor is presently safe and resting inside the Imperial Study Room. There are remnants of the Shen Family in the palace. I humbly request Lord Qin to join forces with me to capture all of them!"
"What have you done to my grandfather?" At this moment, Shen Mingkang was stained with blood, yet he hadn’t seen his grandfather, feeling utterly distressed.
Everything was seemingly smooth, who knew that Lang Ping would suddenly emerge and catch him off guard.
"Your Shen Family rebelled, yet you have the audacity to ask? The Emperor has not been unkind to your Shen Family, let alone your Shen Family being the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, yet you commit such treasonous acts; dying a thousand times isn’t enough!"
Lang Ping rolled his eyes, though he believed the Shen Family to be foolish, thinking of their downfall sparked his excitement.
For their Lang Family was the Empress’s maternal family, so when the Shen Family becomes yesterday’s news, it’ll be the time for their Lang Family’s prosperity.
Qin Baolin’s eyes flicked, "Lang Ping, did you perhaps hold the Emperor hostage?"
Lang Ping, initially lost in thought, was suddenly taken aback by such words, leaving him stunned.
"Lord Qin, what do you mean?" Upon regaining his senses, he became furious.
Those words were treasonous! What was going on with Qin Baolin?
"Hmph! Lang Ping, since I haven’t seen the Emperor, you claim he’s in the Imperial Study Room; why then does he remain silent?" Qin Baolin pointed his sword at Lang Ping, his face full of anger.
Initially desolate, Shen Mingkang now felt confused, not understanding why the two were at odds.
"The Emperor and Empress Dowager are indeed in the Imperial Study Room; as the royal father-in-law, would I betray the Emperor? But you, why ask with ulterior motives?"
This time, Lang Ping felt Qin Baolin was acting abnormal, wondering which eye saw him hold the Emperor hostage? Perhaps someone was gossiping in front of Qin Baolin?
"Without seeing the Emperor, how can I believe your words? The Shen Family is the Empress Dowager’s maternal family too; didn’t they rebel just the same?"
Behind Duke of Qin stood several guards, firmly protecting him, which Lang Ping felt extremely annoying.
"Lord Qin, don’t be absurd! What is your status, expecting the Emperor to meet you? What utter nonsense!"
Not wishing to argue further, Lang Ping, previously stationed in Jiangnan, had little interaction with Qin Baolin, so remained unaware of his disposition.
Presuming Qin Baolin straightforward, albeit rigid, Lang Ping opted for entering the Imperial Study Room, but was stopped once more by Duke of Qin.
"Lang Ping, quickly hand over the Emperor. Today, I intend to clear the imperial court and eliminate all you villainous traitors one by one!"
This truly enraged Lang Ping, he turned and glared at Duke of Qin, "Whom are you calling villainous traitor? Clear the imperial court? How audacious of you!"
Seeing Lang Ping clutch the sword hilt tightly, Duke of Qin smirked mockingly, then suddenly shouted, "Emperor! I’ve come to rescue you!"
Lang Ping nearly exploded with anger at Duke of Qin’s shamelessness; people often said: a scholar meets a soldier and reason cannot prevail, but the current circumstances were reversed.
Lang Ping, a brute from a martial background, whereas Duke of Qin, from a scholarly background, was a mild scholar. Yet now, Duke of Qin refused to listen to clarifications; no matter! He’d wait for the Emperor to address it directly! Anyway, there was nothing to be done about him.
"Emperor..."
"Put down your weapons, or I’ll kill the Emperor!" Suddenly, a sinister voice resounded from the Imperial Study Room, as everyone then saw the Emperor being pushed out with a sword held to his throat.
Everyone was startled, "Emperor?"