Chapter 146 146: 145: Retribution is Unsatisfying_1

Chapter 146: Chapter 145: Retribution is Unsatisfying_1

Outside Wude Gate, Xiao Ruojiang struck the drum with such force that it echoed through the sky.

Xiao Ruohai, wounded, knelt to one side, his eyes fixed on Gao Sheng with a deadly stare. To capture Gao Sheng alive… six of the Duke’s elite guards had died, and his left arm was nearly crippled. One could see this man’s formidable skills!

Gao Sheng, who had been captured alive, along with the already deceased Liu Huanzhang and Tian Weijun, were pressed down by the Duke’s guards, kneeling before Wude Gate.

Tian Weijun, with red-rimmed eyes, looked at Gao Sheng and gritted his teeth: “Gao Sheng, Secretary Gao! You actually want to kill me?!”

Gao Sheng replied expressionlessly: “Now that you’re captured, it’s better to end it here to avoid suffering in prison.”

Tian Weijun’s eyes widened, almost bursting with veins. These words… were once said to him by King Liang!

...

On that stormy night, King Liang ordered him to shoot through the brother who had fought alongside him. Seeing his hesitation, King Liang said just that… now that you’re captured, it’s better to end it here to avoid suffering in prison.

Tian Weijun opened his mouth to argue, but swallowed his words.

This was King Liang’s way all along. If King Liang made him kill his brother before, why couldn’t he now make Gao Sheng, whom he regarded as a brother, kill him?

It indeed was the cycle of heaven’s destiny, retribution unescapable!

Bai Jintong held the letter written personally by King Liang found on Tian Weijun by the Bai family guards. To avoid the Emperor hiding any evidence to protect his son, he read it aloud before the public…

“Things have changed. Using the lives of Liu Huanzhang’s entire clan as leverage, force Liu to turn himself in to the Court of Judicial Review and admit to Minister Lu Jin that he replaced the letter in Tongji’s possession. Liu’s purpose in switching the letter is to confirm Bai Weiting’s treasonous collusion! Ensure Liu swears that he returned to the capital to accuse King of Zhen to seek justice for himself! If he doesn’t comply or intends to blackmail by exposing our collaboration, I will reunite Liu’s entire clan with him in the Netherworld. If Liu inquires about the exposed military records, reassure him that I have a backup plan!”

The public was horrified after Bai Jintong finished reading it aloud…

Who was this?! Claiming to be the King… could it be King Liang?

Bai Jintong finished reading and was furious. Bai Jinzhi kicked Gao Sheng’s injured shoulder, knocking him to the ground, her eyes blazing with anger and tears: “Speak! What did you and Liu Huanzhang do together?! Was it King Liang who colluded with Prince of Nanyan? Was it because of your treason that none of my Bai family men survived?!”

The public, hearing Bai Jinzhi’s words, was already enraged, shouting to dismember the three men. They thought of the Bai family men who never returned from the southern border, especially the tenth son who was just ten years old… their eyes turned bloodshot, itching to kill Liu Huanzhang again.

Gao Sheng, a hardy man, gritted his teeth to stand up but was forced to kneel on one knee, looking emotionless ahead.

Ahead at Wude Gate, where his master, the Second Prince, and his brother had died.

Soon, a Bai family guard rushed in, whispered to Xiao Ruohai: “Jing Zhaoyin knows that Liu Huanzhang was found in Dadu City and has set off to confess to His Majesty. Minister of Judicial Review Lu Jin’s household reports that Lu Jin, upon hearing that King Liang was framing the Duke’s manor with treason…left as the Eldest Princess took the letter to the palace, and should be near the Emperor now.”

Gao Sheng’s ears twitched, and he turned to look at Xiao Ruohai, realizing then… King Liang likely fell into the Bai family’s trap.

Gao Sheng’s erect figure bent slightly.

·

Soon, the guards at Wude Gate were brought inside to report to the Emperor.

The Emperor, seeing the guard, was furious and asked sternly: “Who is beating the drum?!”

“Your Majesty, it is the loyal servant of the Bai family.”

The Emperor, hearing this, glanced at Bai Qingyan with icy eyes: “What are you up to again? Am I not adjudicating this case right here?!”

Bai Qingyan looked up, feigning surprise: “Your Majesty, am I…not at Wude Gate?”

The Emperor: “…”

The Eldest Princess, seeing the Emperor’s increasingly dark expression, instinctively pulled Bai Qingyan behind her to protect her.

“Speak quickly!” The Emperor vented his anger on the guard.

“Your Majesty, the loyal servant of the Bai family fought and captured Liu Huanzhang and two guards from King Liang’s manor, wounded, they came to beat the drum, claiming to redress the Bai family’s grievances, accuse King Liang of treason, and framing the loyal and heroic!”

Bai Qingyan felt solid, her hands slowly relaxing from a grip in front of her abdomen, glaring sharply at King Liang.

“Liu Huanzhang?!” The Emperor’s hand tightened on the jade ring.

King Liang trembled, immediately cried out: “Injustice, Father! Father, you must uphold justice for your son! Your son wouldn’t dare to do such a thing even with the greatest courage!”

While crying injustice, King Liang quickly calculated how to respond.

“Father! Your son didn’t do it!” King Liang trembled all over, snot and tears flowing, displaying a cowardly and timid person who feared death thoroughly.

“Bring them to me! I will personally interrogate them!” The Emperor gritted his teeth.

“Yes!” The guard glanced at the weeping King Liang, then said, “One more thing, Liu Huanzhang is dead. He was killed to silence him by the guards from King Liang’s manor; another guard was almost killed by that guard named Gao Sheng.”

“Bring them to me!” The Emperor knocked the teacup off the table.

“Yes!” The guard hurriedly retreated.

King Liang cried more pitifully and fearfully: “Father, your son truly didn’t do it! Please, Father, believe your son!”

The eunuch quickly approached, respectfully saying: “Your Majesty, Minister of Judicial Review Lu Jin requests an audience.”

“Let Lu Jin in!” The Emperor, annoyed by King Liang’s crying, nodded.

·

Soon, Xiao Ruohai brought Gao Sheng and Tian Weijun forward.

The already dead Liu Huanzhang was left outside the palace as it was inauspicious to bring a corpse inside. The investigator returned with Xiao Ruohai, Gao Sheng, and Tian Weijun, reporting: “Your Majesty, I brought Liu Huanzhang’s wife and daughter to identify. It is indeed Liu Huanzhang.”

“Gao Sheng! Why did you harm the Prince?! If not for the Prince saving you, you’d have been dead long ago! The Prince treated you so well…why would you frame him?” Tongji, seeing Gao Sheng, was furious, wanting to bite the cold-hearted iron man.

Gao Sheng pursed his thin lips, knelt silently in the hall, letting blood soak his dark clothes, droplets still felt on the gleaming floor.

The Emperor, looking at Gao Sheng, squinted as if he recalled seeing him somewhere.

“Father! Your son didn’t do such a heinous act! Your son has always been timid… Father, you know that!” King Liang continued to sob.