"Your Majesty, your subject is wronged! Your subject never wrote this letter. It must be Shen Chaoyan who deliberately framed me, hiring someone to imitate my handwriting." Helian Yao completely lost his composure, publicly pointing at Shen Chaoyan and saying through gritted teeth, "Shen Chaoyan, what are your motives for falsely accusing me?"
Shen Chaoyan shook his head in disappointment.
"Lord Helian, this letter was found by me in the burned-out ruins of Zhou Lian's general's residence. Officials Li and Zhang were with me when we discovered it. How can you still deny it?"
"Your Majesty, I can testify for Official Shen."
"Your Majesty, I was also present at the time. After examining the letter's contents, the handwriting clearly belongs to Lord Helian."
The speakers now were Officials Li and Zhang, both of whom were censors known for their unwavering integrity.
Helian Yao, eyes red with fury, roared, "Official Li, Official Zhang, why are you helping Shen Chaoyan frame me?"
If Helian Yao still held any hope before, the words of these two censors were the final straw that broke the camel's back, directly pushing him into utter desperation.
"Silence!" Ying Zhengjing said coldly. "You, Helian Yao! I trusted you so much, and this is how you repay me?"
Having been minister and sovereign for many years, Helian Yao was all too familiar with Ying Zhengjing's subtle changes in expression. He knew he couldn't escape disaster this time.
There was no other way. His only course now was to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, then prepared for the future.
[破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu): lit. break the cauldrons and sink the boats; fig. to commit irrevocably to a course of action by eliminating any path of retreat.]
With a thud, Helian Yao, his face ashen, knelt on the ground, intending to take all the blame himself. "Your Majesty, the acts of colluding with the enemy and selling out the state were committed by me alone. It has nothing to do with the Eldest Prince."
Helian Yuxi also knelt down decisively and said, "Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with my son or my father. It was entirely my doing, acting too hastily. I borrowed my father's name to write the agreement with Qianluo. My father knew nothing about it."
Helian Yao was greatly startled by Helian Yuxi's action. "Yuxi, what nonsense are you admitting to? It was all your father's doing. There's no need for you to take the blame for me."
"I should be the one saying that. Father, I did all of this. I won't let you take the blame for me."
"Yuxi, stop talking nonsense..."
"Enough!"
Bang.
Ying Zhengjing slammed the table forcefully again. "Guards, seize Helian Yao."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The guards, upon receiving Ying Zhengjing's order, immediately stepped forward and apprehended Helian Yao.
Ying Zhengjing slowly closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "Helian Yao's crime of colluding with the enemy and treason is proven by irrefutable evidence. His offense is unforgivable. He is sentenced to death by lingchi. All members of his clan are to be given a cup of poisoned wine. Although Zhou Lian and his family are already dead, given the crimes he committed, We strip Zhou Lian of his general title. The Zhou family is demoted to convict status, and the general's residence is confiscated. Although the Eldest Prince was unaware, he cannot escape responsibility. From this moment, he is confined to his quarters for reflection. Without Our order, he is not to take half a step outside the palace gates. Furthermore, the events of today are not to be spoken of outside. If anyone is discovered leaking information, We will definitely not be lenient."
The moment Ying Zhengjing finished delivering the imperial decree, everyone quickly rose and said, "May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
"We are weary. You may continue." After such an event, Ying Zhengjing naturally had no interest in continuing. He left with Yang Shaochuan, his face dark.
As the Emperor was the first to leave, the others subsequently took their leave as well.
Since Ying Zhengjing had lost his enthusiasm, they could not very well stay and continue, so they had no choice but to take their leave one after another.
"Hui'er, come to This Consort's chambers later. This Consort has words for you." Helian Yuxi, unable to conceal her sorrow, called to Ying Zihui before leaving first.
Helian Yuxi understood clearly that the reason Ying Zhengjing had not mentioned her earlier was entirely to save face for Ying Zihui, not because he believed her. But this did not mean she would emerge unscathed.
"Li Jin, let's go too. I'll take you to a good place."
Ying Yuan grabbed Li Jin's hand and ran outside, completely ignoring the feelings of those remaining who still wished to speak with Li Jin.
"Zhiqiu, follow them and keep an eye."
Gu Rushuang had also seen this, but he did not stop them. Instead, he signaled Zhiqiu to follow and ensure they didn't do anything dangerous, lest they accidentally injure themselves.
Shen Ningyu looked eagerly at her mother, He Danyan, and pleaded, "Mother, Yu'er has promised the Fifth Princess to play with her later."
"Always so full of requests."
He Danyan dotingly tapped Shen Ningyu's nose lightly.
"Mother, please agree," Shen Ningyu, sensing He Danyan was inclined to agree, immediately pressed further, "Besides, Aunt is also there. Yu'er will be fine."
Mentioning Shen Qianxue, He Danyan finally consented. "Don't cause any trouble for Consort Chun, understand?"
"Thank you, Mother!"
Shen Ningyu responded joyfully and hurried off.
"This daughter of mine."
He Danyan shook her head helplessly.
"Yan'er, it's a good thing that girl Yu'er has won Consort Chun's favor. You needn't worry too much." Shen Chaoyan walked over and stood with He Danyan, watching Shen Ningyu's small retreating back until it completely disappeared.
Among all the Shen family children, Shen Chaoyan's favorite was Shen Ningyu, whose temperament most resembled Shen Qianxue's in her childhood, and thus he was extremely indulgent towards her.
"Mm."
Hearing Shen Chaoyan's words, He Danyan finally felt relieved.
"Yan'er, Consort Chun has probably returned to her palace by now. Let's go quickly too, so as not to keep Consort Chun waiting."
"Good, I'll listen to my husband."
Shen Chaoyan and his wife, heading towards Consort Chun's place, did not know that Shen Ningyu's earlier words were merely an excuse. At that moment, she was secretly following Li Jin and the others.
____
Arriving at Helian Yuxi's palace, Ying Zihui couldn't help but be the first to vent his frustration. "Mother Consort, did Grandfather truly collude with the enemy and sell out the state? Did you even realize that this would ruin me?"
Thinking of what had just happened, Ying Zihui found it truly hard to accept.
He was so close to the Crown Prince position, yet suddenly, because of Helian Yao's actions, he had missed it just like that. He simply couldn't accept it.
Moreover, this fall was worse for Ying Zihui than any before.
The reason Ying Zihui had gained the support and approval of so many officials was precisely because his maternal family was the Helian family. Now that the Helian family had fallen, his influence was greatly diminished. What capital did he have left to continue competing with Ying Ziheng?
Helian Yuxi shook her head. "It wasn't your grandfather who did it."
"If it wasn't, then why did Grandfather confess?"
"Because the Emperor had already decided it was your grandfather. If your grandfather hadn't confessed, it wouldn't just be the Helian family facing disaster, even your status as a prince would be in jeopardy."
"That's not true. As long as Grandfather didn't confess, Father would not have decreed punishment for the entire Helian family."
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