I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 883 Heli Shu

After dealing with the Duke of Sheng, the emperor's gaze returned to Sheng Junyi.

"Sheng Erlang, out of consideration for your elder brother's merits in the Northwest Trade, I will temporarily spare the Sheng family from punishment. Although you are loyal and righteous, it is a great treason for a son to accuse his father. Our Great Zhao has always governed the country with filial piety, and you cannot escape your guilt."

"This humble citizen accepts the punishment."

"That's the first point," the emperor continued, "and the second point, you did kill Xiao Chong's son in Xiling Lane yesterday, is that true?"

"That is indeed true," Sheng Junyi replied frankly.

"Committing a crime in the street, do you plead guilty?" the emperor said coldly.

"Grassman..."

Sheng Junyi was about to speak when Zong Que interrupted him.

"Father, thirty-two people died in Xiling Lane yesterday."

The emperor looked at Zong Que, "What does the Crown Prince mean by this?"

"I requested that Madam Cheng, the young mistress of the Xiao family, testify in the Chenzhou case, and ordered Sheng Erlang to protect her. Xiao Tianshi intercepted and killed her on the way, and Madam Cheng died at Xiao Tianshi's hands. Madam Cheng provided evidence in the Chenzhou case, and is therefore a meritorious official. Xiao Tianshi is guilty of murdering his wife, murdering a meritorious official, and ordering an assassin to kill someone in the street." Zong Que asked frankly, "Since when have assassins been allowed to ambush and kill ordinary people on the streets of my Great Zhao capital? Are you planning a rebellion?"

Zong Que's voice turned cold: "I ordered someone to kill him, but that's too lenient on him. This one crime is enough to warrant the execution of his entire Xiao family."

"If Father Emperor wishes to punish Sheng Erlang, he should first issue an imperial edict: Xiao Chong colluded with enemy countries to persecute loyal officials, and Xiao Chong's son ordered assassins to kill meritorious officials in the street. His treacherous intentions are obvious. His entire family should be executed."

"Crown Prince!" the emperor shouted coldly, clenching his teeth to stop himself from continuing his outburst in court.

The court officials were trembling with fear at the confrontation between the father and son, and for a moment no one dared to utter a sound.

After a long pause, the emperor waved his hand impatiently, "Drag Sheng Erlang away and give him fifty strokes of the cane."

The guards came in and dragged Sheng Junyi out.

Zong Que also stood up and handed a scroll of imperial edict to the emperor, saying, "There is one more thing I would like to ask of you, Father."

The emperor coldly stared at the imperial edict handed over by Zong Que. It was the eunuch Feng who quickly took it, opened it, and showed it to the emperor. When the emperor saw the blatant divorce agreement on the edict, he glared at Zong Que and exclaimed, "Absurd!"

"Father, you may read it aloud if you wish. I also want to know how audacious the Xiao family can be!" Zong Que stood there and said calmly, "When I returned to the capital, I heard from the Crown Princess that they had found the murderer who poisoned my mother back then. I wonder how Father has handled it? As a subject, I am seeking revenge for my mother. Father should understand, right?"

"Very well!" The emperor's brow throbbed with pain, but he suppressed his impatience and stamped the imperial edict with his seal. "As for your mother's matter, once the truth is found, I will give you an explanation."

Grand Eunuch Feng rolled up the imperial edict and respectfully handed it to Zong Que. Zong Que took the edict, turned around, and left without looking back.

The emperor watched Zong Que's retreating figure, his mind filled with complex emotions. He had no more interest in listening to the ministers' chatter and waved his hand, saying, "Let's end the court session here today and discuss it again tomorrow."

Then he left, holding onto the hand of Supervisor Feng.

Zong Que took the imperial edict and walked to the place outside the Taiji Hall where the punishment of caning was to be carried out. When the guards carrying out the caning saw the Crown Prince coming, they hurriedly stopped, bowed and saluted, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zong Que asked, "How many were hit?"

The guard hurriedly replied, "Twenty."

"Continue," Zong Que said calmly. "I'll wait here."

The guards were unsure of the crown prince's intentions, while the eunuch in charge of supervising the punishment was sweating profusely. He quickly gave the guards a meaningful look, and the guards, receiving the signal, hurriedly finished the remaining thirty strokes and retreated.

After eighty strokes of the cane, even if Sheng Junyi were an iron man, his back and legs were torn and bloodied.

Zong Que handed him the imperial edict: "Miss Cheng is an unexpected variable. When I return from the Northern Expedition, I will definitely repay the justice I owe her."

With his blood-stained hands, Sheng Junyi opened the imperial edict, which was a divorce agreement between Cheng Ruoxue and Xiao Tianshi.

He was finally able to take her home.

All that could be taken back was this imperial edict of divorce.

Sheng Junyi staggered to his feet, clutching the scroll of the imperial edict of divorce, and walked step by step down the long steps outside the Taiji Hall.

The snow had just stopped today, but half of Sheng Junyi's originally jet-black hair was now covered in frost and snow.