allonlinenovel Chapter 172 Relics
Chapter 172 Relics
Marquis Chengen did not understand why Prince Yu would do this. They had clearly transported the "grain" out, and the boat had sunk to the bottom of the river.
Even if Emperor Jing'an sends people to investigate, they can still set a trap to lure the imperial envoy into a snare. Once they have leverage over the imperial envoy, he will obey their orders.
They said it was grain, and the imperial envoy would naturally report it to the court; what sank in the river was indeed grain.
Just when things were about to reach their goal, Prince Yu suddenly turned on Gu Zongci, pushing him out to his death.
Marquis Chengen's mind was in chaos, with the laughter of Emperor Jing'an and the flattery of Prince Yu ringing in his ears, creating a scene of a loving father and filial son.
But he knew very well that Emperor Jing'an suspected Prince Yu and specially invited him into the palace for questioning, and then hid him in the inner palace, so that he could see Prince Yu's true colors and thus sow discord among them.
Even fathers and sons are full of scheming; how much more so should he, as a subject, be?
The sky above Marquis Chengen had collapsed, and he could almost see his own death approaching.
He didn't even realize when Emperor Jing'an had entered.
He only snapped out of his daze when Emperor Jing'an stood before him.
"Your Majesty, I have devoted myself to the court and done everything personally. Even if I have not made any great contributions, I have certainly worked hard."
Marquis Chengen knelt on the ground: "Having served as an official for most of my life, everything I have done has been worthy of this official robe. Even if Your Majesty were to ask me to sacrifice my life for the people, I would have no objection. I only wish to have come into this world with a clear conscience and to leave with a clear conscience."
Recalling his heartbreaking moment, he said with tears streaming down his face, "Your Majesty, I absolutely did not have the courage to exchange sandbags for grain. Please investigate this matter thoroughly and seek justice for me!"
"Your father was an honest and upright official throughout his life. Even on his deathbed, he was still thinking about the large ship that the Ministry of Works was building. He ordered people to carry him to see it. Only after the ship, which he had personally drawn, was completed did he pass away peacefully with a smile on his face." Emperor Jing'an said slowly, "As his son, you should follow in your father's footsteps."
Marquis Chengen recalled his father's stern and rigid face when he was alive. Only when facing his elder brother would he show a rare expression of gentle appreciation.
He was once indignant and went to question his father, "Why do you only have eyes for my eldest brother and never value me? Isn't that too biased!"
His father looked up at him: "How did you obtain the position of a prince's study companion? Who did the homework I assigned you?"
He kept his head down, not daring to speak, because the position of study companion was given to him by his eldest brother. And the essays assigned by their father were also written by his eldest brother.
“You are not as kind and honest as your eldest brother, nor as diligent and studious as your other brothers. You only know how to be opportunistic. How can I value you?” The father said sternly, “Of all my children, you are the least like me.”
Thinking of this, Marquis Chengen lowered his head.
"The purpose of being an official is to uphold justice for the people, bring glory to one's family, and ensure the well-being of one's descendants." Emperor Jing'an said in a deep voice, "In the ups and downs of officialdom, it is inevitable to make mistakes. But one must be able to admit one's mistakes and correct them in order to gain a chance of survival. If one stubbornly resists and protects his accomplices, even if I want to show leniency because of our past friendship, it will be very difficult for me."
Marquis Chengen pondered the meaning behind Emperor Jing'an's words repeatedly in his mind, and soon understood.
Emperor Jing'an was implying to him that if he confessed his accomplices, he could atone for his crimes and receive a lighter punishment.
Marquis Chengen still had reservations, after all, he and Prince Yu were in the same boat, and the mess in Qingzhou was not easy to clean up.
Once exposed, Emperor Jing'an will definitely be furious and behead him.
He still held two protective charms in his hands, so he was in no hurry to betray Prince Yu.
Marquis Chengen had not completely given up on Prince Yu. He even thought that Prince Yu was afraid of being tricked into revealing information by Emperor Jing'an, which was why he went along with what the Qingzhou Inspector said.
He must see Prince Yu one more time before he can make a decision.
Emperor Jing'an ordered the Imperial Guards to take Marquis Cheng'en away and imprison him.
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As the Marquis of Chengen surveyed the dark and damp prison, his fear intensified, and he truly realized that the executioner's blade was already at his throat.
He waited for Prince Yu to send someone to see him, but in the end, it was Madam Shen who came instead.
Madam Shen asked anxiously, "My lord, is your condition serious?"
Marquis Chengen glanced around and, seeing no jailers guarding the area, lowered his voice and said, "His Majesty asked His Highness whether the Gu family should be punished. His Highness defended the Gu family and revealed that the ship was loaded with sandbags. The main officials responsible for transporting the grain should be punished."
Madam Shen clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Before visiting Marquis Chengen in prison, she already knew the whole truth.
"Is His Highness trying to use you as a scapegoat?" Madam Shen grabbed Marquis Chengen's arm and said urgently, "My lord, give me Princess Yizhen's belongings. I will ask the Eldest Princess for help to take me to see the Emperor. I will use Princess Yizhen's belongings to beg the Emperor to have mercy and spare your life."
Princess Yizhen was Emperor Jing'an's younger sister, born of the same mother. Empress Xiao'en arranged for her to go to Northern Qi as a hostage with Emperor Jing'an, and the two siblings had a very deep relationship.
Marquis Chengen immediately became vigilant: "If we really reach a dead end, I will take it out myself and plead with the Emperor for mercy."
“Imperial families have always been cold-hearted and ungrateful. Now, more than twenty years have passed, and you can’t guarantee that the Emperor still cares about Princess Yizhen. You’re just gambling that the Emperor will give you a lighter punishment because of his sister’s belongings.”
Madam Shen said anxiously, "If all the crimes you have committed are exposed, even if the Emperor wants to spare your life, how will he explain himself to the people and the officials?"
Marquis Chengen's face was grim.
Madam Shen continued, "If His Majesty is determined to punish you, we can settle for second best and beg His Majesty to spare Huai'er's life."
Marquis Chengen gazed calmly at Madam Shen, whose anxious expression was almost overflowing.
But this worry wasn't for him, but for Shen Shaohuai.
She came to see him in prison today only for Princess Yizhen's belongings.
Marquis Chengen relented and said, "If you do me a favor, I will give you the item."
"You said."
"Go and find out why Prince Yu abandoned me. Everything is clearly proceeding according to plan, and it's not time to cut off an arm to save your life." A dark glint flashed in Marquis Chengen's eyes. Even if he were to die, he wanted to die knowing why.
Madam Shen's eyes flickered slightly; she knew that Prince Yu had changed his mind and wanted to make Marquis Chengen a scapegoat.
The reason is simply unclear.
"My lord, please wait patiently. I will go to Prince Yu to find out the truth and persuade him to help you overturn the case. Then our family will not be punished."
After comforting Marquis Cheng'en, Madam Shen turned and left the prison, getting into her carriage.
Shen Shaohuai waited in the carriage and said in a low voice, "Mother, we can no longer find the person in charge of Gu's Shipping Company."