freenovelworld Chapter 655 The truth back then
Chapter 655 The truth back then
Lu Qing looked straight at Emperor Qianwu with tears in her eyes. Although her well-made-up face showed traces of time, when her usual majesty was gone, she still had a simplicity and innocence like a young girl.
Shen Shuyi looked at this scene and had to admit that Lu Qing had a great mentality.
Even at this time, she still had to pretend to be a woman who loved Emperor Qianwu. Because she couldn't get the love she wanted and because of her difficult situation, she had to make one mistake after another.
Even at this time, she still dared to look Emperor Qianwu in the eye.
Every word seemed to be asking, didn't you teach me to be like this? Why are you so angry and disappointed when I am like this?
Fortunately, Emperor Qianwu was not an ordinary man who would willingly be toyed with by others. More importantly, the dignity of an emperor made it impossible for him to accept that he had been toyed with and deceived by a woman for so many years!
The Queen Mother was furious when she saw this scene. She angrily scolded: "You deceived the Emperor and played with my two sons. Now you have the nerve to talk about feelings here. It's really ridiculous!"
Shen Shuyi found the right opportunity and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have been investigating for many days and finally understand why the Second Prince chose to help the Fourth Prince's party."
It is not reasonable to help your own brother instead of helping his enemy.
Even though Emperor Qianwu was framed and his beloved woman was taken away, based on what Shen Shuyi had learned about Xiao Huaijin over the past few days, he was not the kind of person who would seek revenge for that.
What's more, Xiao Huaijin and Emperor Qianwu have always had a good relationship. Although some rifts arose because of Yin Qiling's matter, it was not to the point of becoming enemies.
The empress dowager's eyes fell on Shen Shuyi with a little more anxiety, and she didn't care that she was so bold as to openly bring up the old matter of the dispute over the throne in such an occasion.
"Speak!" Emperor Qianwu looked at Shen Shuyi with a sullen face.
Shen Shuyi's face was pale, and although his voice was weak, every word was clear: "Because the Second Prince knew you too well, he wanted to use this method to keep you safe."
Emperor Qianwu was stunned for a moment, then shook his sleeves and said, "What nonsense!"
Shen Shuyi continued, "I found a gold medal of immunity from death and an old letter from the former Second Prince's residence, and presented them to the Queen Mother a month ago."
Hearing this, the Queen Mother's eyes swelled up. She met Emperor Qianwu's gaze and nodded, saying, "Haoyue, bring the letter and the gold medal."
Haoyue carried the golden medal of immunity from death and the letter with him this time. Upon hearing this, he took out the things and handed them to Emperor Qianwu.
Emperor Qianwu flipped through the letter and shook his head: "Is this the death-free gold medal of the Gong family?"
The Queen Mother responded, "Yes."
"Why did he leave the golden medal of immunity from death to me?" Emperor Qianwu asked subconsciously, even though the answer was already written on the letter.
The Queen Mother's eyes were moist, and she spoke in a deep voice: "Because he was poisoned, he didn't have much time left. He thought that no matter what the outcome of your fight with Xiao Zeduan was, he wanted to leave you a talisman. This is the last thing he can do for you."
Emperor Qianwu's eyes were red: "Poisoned? I don't believe it, mother! Why did you lie to me!"
The Queen Mother looked at Emperor Qianwu and said angrily, "I have lived to this age, why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, you can ask someone to open the coffin and perform an autopsy. Huaijin's remains are now in the imperial mausoleum, you can go and see for yourself!"
Emperor Qianwu was speechless. He had no idea that Xiao Huaijin was poisoned.
And now, this letter was indeed written by Xiao Zeduan, and this golden medal of immunity from death also belongs to Xiao Zeduan’s maternal family, the Gong family!
"I don't know what kind of thoughts Huai Jin put into getting this token for you. But at that time, he already knew that he was poisoned and had not much time left. What else could he do to get this thing except for you?" The Queen Mother spoke slowly, her eyes sad.
Emperor Qianwu murmured softly, "Perhaps... it was only after he surrendered to Xiao Zeduan that he realized that the poison in his body was put there by Xiao Zeduan and Gong?"
The Queen Mother laughed sarcastically: "Huai Jin, you forgot that he sided with Xiao Zeduan after the incident between you and Yin Qiling. At that time, he should have known that he was poisoned."
Shen Shuyi spoke at the right time: "That's right. I have always been confused about what the Second Prince did. Later, I heard from others that until his death, he still liked to look at the painting with you and Senior Yin."
"Your Majesty, the reason why the Second Prince surrendered to Xiao Zeduan was because he knew that he was poisoned and that he didn't have much time left. He was worried that after you knew the truth, you would be furious and out of control, and that Xiao Huaijin and his gang would catch you!"
Emperor Qianwu's throat tightened and he looked at Shen Shuyi absentmindedly.
The Queen Mother said softly, "Shu Yi once found many things that you two brothers played with when you were young in Huai Jin's mansion. He treasured every gift you gave him. Even until his death, he was still wearing the jade pendant that you carved for him..."
The Queen Mother's tears fell. When she thought of her son who died in vain, she hated Gong and Lu Qing.
But Gong had been dead for many years, and now only Lu Qing is still alive!
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince grew up with you and knows your personality very well. So, he was worried that you would lose control of your anger and act impulsively after knowing that he was harmed by Xiao Zeduan. That's why he used the matter between you and Senior Yin to distance himself from you and turned to Xiao Zeduan to make you hate him."
"That way, when he dies, you won't be too sad, and you won't think about revenge for him when you know he was poisoned."
Shen Shuyi's words were like needles piercing Emperor Qianwu's heart.
He has respected and admired his elder brother since he was young. His elder brother is gentle and kind, while he is a restless and lively person.
In his opinion, his royal brother was actually more suitable for this position. Even when facing provocations from other brothers, he would always lobby Xiao Huaijin and persuade him to fight for it.
As long as he is willing to fight, his younger brother will risk his life to help him.
But he always smiled and told him that his father was still young, and asked him to study hard and practice martial arts, and to help his father share his worries.
Although he did as he was told, due to his flamboyant personality, he gradually came into conflict with his other brothers as he grew older. In the end, he was involuntarily drawn into the vortex of the struggle for the throne.
He carefully confirmed with Xiao Huaijin, and after confirming that Xiao Huaijin had no interest in that position, he became eager to give it a try.
My father is old, and since someone has to sit in that position, why can't that person be me?
Growing up with the same age, they also have ambitions and desires. They have been involved in the court, witnessed party struggles, rushed to the battlefield, and witnessed the people's livelihood.
Although he was timid at times, he believed that he would be a good emperor.
He thought that just as Xiao Huaijin supported him, once he made up his mind, Xiao Huaijin would become his strongest support and his most reliable backing.
So, even though they later had a rift because of Yin Qiling, when he learned that he stood with Xiao Zeduan, he was angry and disappointed!
In fact, the anger and disappointment eventually turned into hatred towards him.