Chapter 500 - 500 497 Confession Letter_1

Chapter 500: Chapter 497: Confession Letter_1 Chapter 500: Chapter 497: Confession Letter_1 “Enough! Enough! Stop kowtowing!” The Emperor’s voice softened.

Although King Liang’s actions were wrong, his filial piety moved the Emperor. Especially when he saw the scars on King Liang’s arm, thinking of how this child used his own blood to make an elixir for him, his heart softened.

The Emperor’s many sons, none could match King Liang in filial piety, not even the Crown Prince.

“Father!” King Liang kneeled closer, hugging the Emperor’s leg. “Father… I didn’t expect this matter to escalate so much. Please, let Father pretend not to know about it. I will take all the blame! But afterward, I won’t be able to serve you closely. Please, take care of yourself, don’t overexert, and stay healthy!”

The Emperor looked down at King Liang, who was crying while holding his leg, not asking for mercy, but pleading for his health. The Emperor’s heart was moved again. For a moment, paternal affection took over. He gently raised his hand, patted King Liang’s head, and said in a low voice, “Enough! Stop crying!”

“Your Majesty…” Gao Demao’s voice called loudly from outside the hall. “Lord Fan Yuhuai, Commander of the Patrol Camp, requests an audience. He reports that the Jiuqu Alley Wang family house caught fire. Many children, including some recently kidnapped, were rescued. Some had broken arms, others severed legs, a pitiable sight! The older ones could say they were from farming households in Shuoyang’s outskirts, kidnapped by bandits, wanting to return home to their parents.”

Neither the Emperor nor King Liang, who had been in a private discussion, allowed anyone else in, not even Gao Demao, who could only report from the doorway.

Jiuqu Alley Wang family…

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, looking down at King Liang, who was still clinging to him, and said, “Your filial piety, though misdirected… I am still your father, and I will protect you!”

Tears streaming, King Liang looked up at the Emperor. “But, Father, they’ve already beaten the drum of accusation; it can’t be hidden!”

The Emperor looked at his naive son, squatted to meet his eyes, and instructed, “You know nothing about this. It has nothing to do with you! Everything was done by the Wang family! They only used your name because they thought you were easy to manipulate. Remember that!”

King Liang was startled. “But, Father, the alchemy furnace and the children’s bodies, some yet to be moved out, are still in my mansion…”

“I am the Emperor! I say it has nothing to do with you, and it doesn’t! Just remember that! Leave the rest to your Father!” The Emperor stood up, looking at the timid yet filial King Liang, patted his head, and said, “Go now!”

Pretending to be confused, King Liang kowtowed to the Emperor before exiting the hall, waiting outside with Gao Demao.

In less than the time it takes to drink a half cup of tea, the Emperor finally stepped out of the hall, leading King Liang toward the study.

When the Emperor arrived, Fan Yuhuai stepped forward to report the fire at the Jiuqu Alley Wang family and the rescue of the missing or kidnapped children. “All the Wang family members have been imprisoned.”

“Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, involving the Imperial Clan. Please immediately send someone to search King Liang’s mansion!” The Imperial Censor approached and said, “If true, action must be swift!”

Everyone understood what swift action meant, but only the Imperial Censor dared to say so.

King Liang looked at the Emperor, who gave him a reassuring glance. King Liang immediately cried, “Father! I know nothing, Father!”

The Crown Prince, seeing King Liang kneeling trembling in the hall, whisperingly said to the Emperor, “Father, King Liang is my brother. I believe he is kind-hearted and would never disregard human life to practice alchemy on children! Please let Lord Fan Yuhuai search King Liang’s mansion to clear his name!”

Minister of Judicial Review, Lu Jin, also stepped forward. “Yes, Your Majesty! If King Liang truly knows nothing, let’s send someone to check, so he is not falsely accused.”

King Liang, both terrified and hopeful, looked at the Emperor with pleading eyes.

The Emperor, lips pressed together, asked Fan Yuhuai, “Have the Wang family members been interrogated?”

Fan Yuhuai was taken aback and shook his head. “Not yet.”

Interrogation was not the Patrol Camp’s duty!

“Without interrogating the Wang family, you want to search King Liang’s mansion… What face will the Imperial Family have left?!” The Emperor’s voice carried anger but then calmed slightly. “Fan Yuhuai, take men and surround King Liang’s mansion. No one is to enter or leave!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Fan Yuhuai accepted the order and left the hall.

The Emperor lightly traced the embroidered gold dragon on the round cushion, his expression dark, and called, “Minister Lu…”

Minister Lu Jin immediately stepped forward. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Interrogate the Wang family. If they reveal any connection to King Liang… then we can search his mansion!” The Emperor’s gaze fell upon King Liang again. “King Liang will stay at his mansion for now! If you are falsely accused, I will not let anyone wrongly charge you!”

“Yes, Father!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Minister Lu Jin bowed and retreated from the hall.

Leaving the hall, Lu Jin squinted up at the bright sun. The Emperor’s earlier words clearly showed his intent to protect King Liang, meant for his ears.

Clenching his fists, just as he was about to descend the stairs, the Crown Prince called him.

He turned and bowed deeply to the Crown Prince. “Your Highness!”

“Thank you, Minister Lu! Please, you must seek justice. I fear that the people will lose faith in the Imperial Family, feeling that we only protect our own interests and regard the people as insignificant! Many dynasties have fallen due to losing the people’s support! Minister Lu… Father has entrusted the Imperial Family to you!”

Minister Lu’s eyebrows arched. He couldn’t quite understand if the Crown Prince wanted him to find evidence implicating King Liang or to find no connection at all.

The Crown Prince looked around, then stepped forward to help Minister Lu up. “If King Liang is indeed involved, be just. The Imperial Family must show no favoritism to earn the people’s trust.”

Enlightened, Minister Lu bowed deeply again. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I will report the interrogation results truthfully.”

The Crown Prince smiled and nodded. “Minister Lu, please proceed!”

Minister Lu backed away before leaving the palace steps.

Exiting the palace, Minister Lu immediately ordered the Wang family members to be brought to the Court of Judicial Review.

The people saw the Patrol Camp surrounding King Liang’s mansion in great numbers, eagerly watching, expecting the Emperor’s orders to search the premises. However, soldiers only surrounded it without entering, stirring much discussion.

Still at the Court of Judicial Review, Minister Lu awaited the arrival of the Wang family members. But half an hour later, subordinates returned, reporting that the entire Wang family had committed suicide in prison, leaving a confession.