Chapter 91
Everyone in the hall turned their heads at the sound, only to see the Sixth Prince, dressed in crimson court robes, striding boldly into the hall. In his hand, he led a young woman clad in plain white garments, followed by several hunched figures in coarse hemp clothing, clearly peasants from the countryside.
The young woman in plain attire had delicate, charming features. Even without makeup, she was undeniably beautiful. Her expression was calm, unflinching, as she entered the hall hand-in-hand with the Sixth Prince, making onlookers inwardly praise what a perfectly matched pair they made.
The peasants behind them, however, were trembling so badly they could barely walk. Their ragged breathing betrayed their terror.
Yet despite their fear, they kept their heads bowed and followed the Sixth Prince into the Hall of Governance.
The Sixth Prince led them in kneeling and paying respects. "Your son brings Su Yuan, the orphaned daughter of General Su, and the families of soldiers wrongfully slain at the border to pay homage to His Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years in peace and prosperity."
The soldiers' families were practically prostrate on the ground, their voices quivering as they stammered out wishes for the Emperor's longevity.
Emperor Changde had been seething with rage the moment the Sixth Prince entered with his entourage, but with so many court officials present, he forced himself to suppress it. He shot a glance at Gan Yongfu, who immediately stepped forward. "Your Highness, what is the meaning of this? The palace is a sacred place, how could you bring outsiders in without permission? Your Highness must send them away at once!"
Emperor Changde had not granted permission to rise, but Yue Heng stood up on his own and helped Su Qiao up as well.
He said, "Today, they are the main players. If they aren’t here, how can the show go on?"
Yue Heng then turned to help the soldiers' families who had entered with him. "Don’t be afraid. Today, you’re here to demand justice. For now, you don’t need to speak. Wait outside the hall."
Yue Heng had brought men with him, stationed outside, who could look after them.
Seeing the Sixth Prince so blatantly disregard Emperor Changde, the court officials exchanged uneasy glances. But none were more displeased than Gan Yongfu and the Emperor himself.
"What? Has my sixth son brought rebels into the palace to stage a coup?" Emperor Changde spoke, his face dark, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Yue Heng clasped his hands. "A coup? Your son has never considered such a thing. Today, I merely invite Your Majesty and the esteemed officials to hear a tale from the past."
Yue Heng exchanged a glance with Wei Yunzhao, who gave a slight nod. Only then did Yue Heng continue, "Next, Miss Su Qiao, daughter of General Su, will recount this tale for all."
Emperor Changde had been restraining himself, his gaze fixed on Su Qiao as if he wanted to tear her to shreds. But Su Qiao showed no fear. Her voice was clear and steady. "This subject, Su Qiao, pays respects to His Majesty and the esteemed officials. Today, I will speak of matters concerning my late father, General Wei Su, the innocent soldiers who died at the border—and His Majesty."
"My father was a spy planted by His Majesty beside General Wei Su..."
Just this one sentence elicited gasps from the court officials.
Emperor Changde could no longer contain himself. "Outrageous! How dare you, insolent wench! If you continue spouting such nonsense, I will have you executed on the spot!"
Su Qiao ignored the Emperor’s rebuke and pressed on. "My father was ordered by His Majesty to monitor General Wei Su’s every move, sending secret missives back to Shengjing. Under His Majesty’s instructions, he spread slander against General Wei Su and repeatedly placed him in peril..."
Emperor Changde’s face turned from red to white. "Enough! If you utter another word of this madness, I will have your head!"
"The final secret missive from His Majesty commanded my father to kill General Wei Su outright, and to eliminate his son, Wei Yunzhao, as well." Indeed, after seeing the actual letter, they learned that Emperor Changde had not only ordered Su Yuan to kill Wei Su but had also planned to murder Wei Yunzhao.
"My father had fought alongside General Wei Su for years, regarded by him as a brother. He couldn't bring himself to commit such treachery, so His Majesty’s men silenced him, along with an entire squad of innocent soldiers. The people standing outside are their families."
"My father knew there were other spies besides himself in General Wei Su’s ranks, so he took precautions. He left behind secret letters, detailing every order His Majesty had given him over the years, and sent them to Jiangnan."
Su Qiao produced two letters, holding them up for the officials to see, revealing scars on her wrist in the process. "Surely, the esteemed officials haven't forgotten the daylight murders in Shengjing a few months ago. Those were His Majesty’s men, sent to retrieve these letters. And before that, His Majesty slaughtered over a hundred members of the Su and Lu families, both to silence them and to recover one of these letters."
She handed the thicker letter to the nearest official. Emperor Changde could no longer contain himself. He slammed the table and roared, "Silence! How dare you, insolent wench! Gan Yongfu, seize that damned forged letter and tear it up!"
The letter was already being opened. Several officials crowded around to read it, exclaiming in shock at its contents. Gan Yongfu, however, was thrown out by Yue Heng before he could even get close.
Emperor Changde trembled with rage, cursing Yue Heng as a traitor plotting rebellion.
As the letter passed from hand to hand, the Emperor’s deeds were laid bare before the court.
But the letter was written by Su Yuan, his word alone couldn't prove Emperor Changde’s guilt.
Moreover, it was not unusual for an emperor to plant spies among his officials, especially generals stationed at the border.
Some officials were still puzzled. Hadn’t it already been concluded that Wei Su was killed by the former Empress, now deposed? How was the Emperor involved?
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