Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 244 The person who arranged the plan

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Huailang's face changed immediately.

As everyone knows, Zhang Xian is now investigating a case under the order of the emperor. On the surface, he is investigating Lin Lao's clique and selfishness, but in fact, he is investigating the Cui family and the Ministry of Personnel.

Based on all the things that happened before, Zhao Huailang had to suspect that Zhang Xian's appearance at this critical juncture was definitely not a good thing for him.

If he doesn't hurry up, he might not even have the chance to speak in a while!

Emperor Sheng was debating whether to issue an edict for Shen Zhengsheng and Lu Yongzhu, when he suddenly heard that Zhang Xianhou was outside the palace. He was about to summon him, but Zhao Huailang's voice sounded again:

"Father, my son is guilty!"

When Emperor Sheng heard this, his eyes flashed with lightning, and a dark tide surged in his eyes.

Seeing Zhao Huailang kneeling down in front of him, Emperor Sheng's mouth curled up, but the smile did not reach his eyes, "Second brother, what crime have you committed?"

Zhao Huailang did not dare to hesitate for a moment and said quickly, "Father, I have indeed believed the lies this time and have failed to discern the truth."

"But someone is actually fanning the flames in order to put me to death!"

Emperor Sheng heard this, but his expression did not change. He just said calmly: "I just asked you, why didn't you tell me?"

Zhao Huailang seemed to have anticipated what Emperor Sheng would say, and immediately said in panic:

"Your Majesty, I didn't speak up just now because the truth I speculated about was truly unbelievable to me. And after the incident with the letter, I dare not make rash judgments or speak lightly in front of Your Majesty again."

"But after several moments of deep contemplation, and because General Shen asked for your permission, I finally saw it clearly."

"Please forgive me for my deception. The person who was looking for me was not the princess, but one of my subordinates."

"Before entering the palace, I sent my men to fend for Gu Xizhi in order to facilitate the confrontation."

"But just now, when my men were injured and hurried back, they said that General Shen's daughter, Lord Jiang's wife, had already led the others to protect Gu Xizhi in the other courtyard. It seems that they have a very close sisterly relationship!"

"Furthermore, rumors are spreading outside, saying that the Shen and Lu mansions were surrounded, and that this son fabricated evidence to deliberately frame the two generals in order to protect his grandfather."

"Father, the more I think about this, the more horrified I become!"

"If Gu Xizhi still had deep feelings for the Shen family, why would she come to me, produce a letter, and insist that Shen Zhengsheng was collaborating with the enemy and committing treason?"

"General Shen's heartfelt words just now, requesting an imperial decree to clear his name, are well-reasoned and reasonable."

"But, Father, if you issue the decree, wouldn't that confirm this false accusation against me in front of the entire world?"

"You know, your Majesty, sent the Imperial Guards out of the palace to surround the mansion, a reason that even Commander Wen was completely unaware of. So where did this rumor in the capital come from?"

"Everything is so interconnected and so seamless. Father, I cannot help but suspect that this has been a setup against me from the very beginning!"

"They are trying to exploit my loyalty to the Emperor and my desire to help him solve his problems, and trick me into submitting a letter accusing the two generals. This will in turn arouse the Emperor's suspicion of me and bring disgrace upon me in the capital!"

"But Father, is this all for this round?"

When Zhao Huailang said this, he turned around and looked at Jiang Xun, then his eyes swept over the kneeling Shen Zhengsheng and Lu Yongzhu, and fell on Lu Yunzheng.

The next moment, he lowered his head and raised his voice:

"Father, last year Lu Yunzheng's regretful engagement caused a huge uproar in the capital. Everyone said Gu Xizhi and Shen Jiasui had become enemies."

"I was also deceived by her and trusted Gu Xizhi, falling into her evil scheme."

"If this situation has been planned since last year, then the ingenuity and ambition of the person behind it are truly unfathomable!"

"Father, please think carefully. Over the past year, first it was my third brother, and then this minister. Is all this really a coincidence?"

"What is the purpose of the person behind this? How many people has he allied himself with? How many of them are important officials and pillars of the country?"

"I dare to say this, this is a true act of forming a clique for personal gain!"

"And behind this conspiracy, is even my father... being pushed along?"

When Emperor Sheng heard this, his expression remained unchanged, except for his slightly narrowed eyes, which seemed to contain a deep meaning in the darkness.

He was silent for a long time, and you could hear a pin drop in the entire hall.

Everyone held their breath, only to hear Emperor Sheng gently stroking the armrest of the dragon throne. His cold fingertips rubbed against the hard armrest, making a subtle yet chilling sound.

Zhao Huailang crawled on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold bricks. In the silence, his heart was in turmoil.

He knew very well that he was like walking on the edge of a cliff, and if he took a wrong step, he would be doomed.

"Then, Second Brother, who do you think is the mastermind behind this so-called plot?"

Emperor Sheng raised his eyes slightly and threw the question back lightly.

Zhao Huailang's heart trembled, and he took a deep breath in secret, as if he wanted to inhale all the depressing and dull air into his lungs.

The situation is already like this, how much worse can it get? The worst that can happen is...

Zhao Huailang slowly straightened his upper body, his spine straight, and said in a loud voice: "Father, even if others are afraid to mention something today, I will no longer worry."

"Over the past few years, undercurrents have surged throughout the imperial court, with various factions engaging in intrigue and deception. The root cause is the undecided position of crown prince!"

"My third brother has been imprisoned for life, and I, your son, am now also stuck in a quagmire. The remaining choice of heir apparent is self-evident."

"But Father, Ye'er is still young and his character is not yet established, yet someone is so impatient to push Ye'er to the position of crown prince."

"Father, think carefully, who is this person who is so close to Ye'er, and who will benefit greatly from Ye'er's success in the future? Then who is this person who is plotting this?"

This was said almost without any concealment.

The people in the hall looked at Jiang Xun vaguely, and among them, Jia Shaobo's gaze was the most naked.

He is a man who cannot hide his feelings.

Lord Jiang was once favored by the emperor and was appointed as the tutor of His Royal Highness the Emperor's grandson. In this case, isn't he the person with the closest relationship to His Royal Highness?

By these words, could Prince Rui be hinting that Lord Jiang might use this connection to hold the young emperor hostage and manipulate government affairs? Or even attempt to usurp the throne?

As soon as this outrageous thought came to his mind, Jia Shaobo felt a chill rising up, shivered involuntarily, and hurriedly looked away.

At this moment, Jiang Xun, who was being watched by everyone, looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, as if he didn't hear anything.

Lu Yunzheng was kneeling at the end, and cold sweat broke out on his back when he heard this.

He raised his eyes to look at Jiang Xun in front of him, and saw that he was still as still as a mountain. At this moment, he couldn't help but secretly admire him.

He thought that in his previous life, he had triumphed from the battlefield, and was far from being comparable to Jiang Xun, who was just a talker in the court.

But now, facing this smokeless "battlefield", I know how difficult it is to guard against hidden arrows, and it's terrifying!

Just this once...

As long as this matter is over, he would rather live in the northern desert forever, gallop on the battlefield, and never look back!

At this time, Emperor Sheng's ambiguous chuckle was heard in the silent imperial study.

Everyone trembled slightly, and then they heard Emperor Sheng slowly ask, "Xiuzhi, what do you think?"

Jiang Xun, who was named, raised his head and shook it calmly, his voice clear and firm:

"Your Majesty, what the prince said is...complete nonsense."