Chapter 552: Guilty (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
He asked even though he already knew the answer. Without waiting for Chu You to answer, he continued, “From Gu Ce to the commoners, almost everyone in Tailing City is dead.”
“This doesn’t look like a city massacre, but like it’s hiding something?” As he spoke, the smile on Imperial Duke Wei’s lips deepened a little, and his voice was sharp. “What do you think?”
His gaze pierced Chu You like a sharp sword, as if he was reprimanding, questioning, and probing.
At this moment, Imperial Duke Wei didn’t suppress his aura at all. It was as invincible as Mount Tai pressing down.
Everyone was silent as they watched the confrontation between Kang Wang and Imperial Duke Wei.
To put it bluntly, this wasn’t just a win or loss between the two of them. It also involved the aristocratic family behind Kang Wang, as well as the Emperor and the Eldest Prince behind Imperial Duke Wei.
“How dare you!” Chu You’s face darkened, and his veins popped.
The candlelight from the lantern reflected on Chu You’s well-defined face. His tall nose cast a shadow on one cheek, making him look sinister. His eyes were even colder than the night.
His well-defined chin raised slightly, and his voice became even colder. “Wei Seng, in order to exonerate Gu Ce, you’re spouting nonsense. Do you still want to wrong me?!”
Imperial Duke Wei continued to look at Chu You and didn’t retreat at all. He said firmly, “Since you feel wronged, why don’t you allow me to bring up this case again?”
“Whether what Yu Cunzheng said is true or not, you haven’t verified it yet. Why deny it?!”
“…” Chu You was speechless for a moment and narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Hmph!” Xiao Shoufu, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly walked to Chu You’s side, clearly on the same side as him. “Imperial Duke Wei, treason is treason. The two countries have long come to a conclusion. Facts speak louder than words! Why do you disregard right and wrong and distort the truth?!” “Have you ‘concluded’ it long ago, or do you want to make amends?!” Imperial Duke Wei was more than half a head taller than Xiao Shoufu. When he approached Xiao Shoufu, his tall shadow cast an oppressive pressure on him.
“If he overturned the case just like that, wouldn’t that mean that every criminal would come to clamor that they were wronged and request to overturn the case?!” Xiao Shoufu still refused to relent and said confidently, “Imperial Duke Wei, thieves won’t admit that they’re thieves!”
“Well said. A thief won’t admit that he’s a thief, and Kang Wang won’t admit that he’s guilty!” Imperial Duke Wei sneered. “If he’s not guilty, why doesn’t he allow this case to be investigated again?”
“In my opinion, Kang Wang must be hiding something!”
These two people were both influential figures in the royal court. At this moment, both sides stood on their sides and didn’t give in to each other.
No one could convince the other party, and no one was willing to show weakness.
“…” Wang Nan looked at Yu Cunzheng in a daze and couldn’t say a word for a long time.
Over the years, he had always firmly believed that Gu Ce was guilty. However, ever since Yu Cunzheng appeared, a crack had appeared in his originally rock-hard determination.
Yu Cunzheng was a deserter. According to the law, deserters should be executed. Just as Kang Wang had said, Yu Cunzheng also needed to make a contribution in order to escape punishment.
However, Wang Nan knew Yu Cunzheng. On the battlefield, they had also used their lives to cover for each other. Because of their old relationship, he didn’t believe that Yu Cunzheng was the kind of person Kang Wang was talking about. What was the truth nine years ago?!
With a creak, the originally tightly shut door of the south study opened, interrupting the sparking atmosphere.
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the south study and saw the Emperor walk out.
Everyone shut their mouths and fell silent.
Suppressing the thousands of thoughts in their hearts, including Wang Nan and Yu Cun, everyone bowed in unison.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The door to the south study was open. When everyone lowered their heads, they could vaguely see the corner of a green shirt. Even if they only saw a corner, a few people guessed that Eldest Princess Feng Yang was also inside. The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back. The five-clawed golden dragon embroidered with gold thread on his bright yellow dragon robe shone in the moonlight and light.
“I’ve heard everything you said just now.” The Emperor slowly stroked his beard and said, “Since both sides have their own opinions and it’s difficult to decide on a move, let’s treat it as investigating the Yangzhou case nine years ago.”
“Whether Gu Ce betrayed the country or the Seventh Brother is hiding something, we should investigate clearly. I won’t wrong any innocent person.” “Grand Secretary, don’t you think so?”
The Emperor looked at Xiao Shoufu with a smile. His expression was as gentle as ever. He smiled slightly, but he had the aura and strength of an emperor that couldn’t be refuted..