kvmb Chapter 870 Reinstatement of the Crown Prince
Chapter 870 Reinstatement of the Crown Prince
The letters in the box were presented to the emperor.
The emperor took out the letters and read them one by one, then smashed the letters and the box onto Duke Xiao.
"Now that the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"
Duke Xiao lay on the ground and closed his eyes.
He who hunts geese all day long will eventually have his eyes pecked out by the geese.
No matter how much they planned, they never expected Cheng Ruoxue to be such a traitor within their own ranks.
He even witnessed Cheng Ruoxue's composure and understanding, finding her far more reliable than his naive and ignorant son. If he were to ultimately fail, he could entrust the Xiao family's vast fortune to her.
But unexpectedly, it was she who delivered this final blow.
Duke Xiao knew better than anyone how this evidence was obtained.
His study was a place even his wife was not allowed to set foot in.
Aside from his son, whom he completely distrusted, there was no one else.
Misfortune befell our family.
He truly deserved his defeat.
Struggling any further is futile.
No one knows better than Duke Xiao himself what he has done in his life.
There's only one reason why we couldn't make it to the final stage, besides the fact that our opponents were too strong.
He's not someone who can't let go.
Perhaps he had already thought about this day from the very beginning.
All his enthusiasm vanished in an instant.
Duke Xiao could no longer hold back, spitting out the blood that had been stuck in his chest, and then prostrated himself deeply on the ground.
"Your subject confesses his guilt."
"Your Majesty, I colluded with Northern Yan, planting spies within the Rong family army to leak the plot, causing them to be trapped in Chenzhou. To gain the trust of the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, I sent 30,000 Jinzhou troops to his command. Afterwards, to silence them, I surrounded and slaughtered them in Chenzhou. For my own selfish reasons, I colluded with the enemy, leading to the defeat in Chenzhou. To shirk responsibility, I falsely accused the Duke of Rong of treason, resulting in the extermination of the entire Rong family. Your Majesty, my crimes are unforgivable; even death cannot absolve me of my guilt."
Before attending court, he was the powerful and influential Duke Xiao, second only to the emperor. Now, he has become a traitor who betrayed the country.
The emperor looked at the Duke of Xiao kneeling below, remained silent for a moment, and then said sternly,
"Duke Xiao Chong, a traitor who colluded with the enemy and framed loyal officials, caused the defeat at Chenzhou, resulting in the deaths of 200,000 soldiers and civilians of our Great Zhao. His crimes are heinous and beyond description. By imperial decree, Duke Xiao, along with his family, relatives, and accomplices, shall all be imprisoned and punished according to the law. The guilty subject Xiao Chong shall be executed on a later date."
"Furthermore, it is hereby announced to the world that the honor of Duke Rong Che is restored, he is posthumously granted the title of Prince Rong, and his family and relatives are treated with great respect."
Cheng Ruoxue lowered her head, but tears finally streamed down her face.
She had finally waited for this day.
The Rong family, with over a hundred members killed, has finally seen its culprit confess.
She never doubted her father's innocence. All she wanted was for the people who framed her father to confess. The Rong family was full of loyal and upright men and women who were not afraid of death, but she could not let them die with such a stigma.
She finally waited.
The day finally came when my father's name was cleared.
The imperial guards stepped forward and restrained Duke Xiao.
Duke Xiao suddenly looked up at the emperor sitting at the head of the table and shouted,
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, all my efforts are for Your Majesty's sake. If the Duke of Rong succeeds in his northern expedition and brings back Crown Prince Chongwen, how will you face yourself then!"
"Nonsense! Drag him away!" the emperor roared.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, in consideration of my good intentions, please spare my family. I will bear all the blame. Your Majesty, have mercy! Your Majesty, have mercy!"
The imperial guards dragged Duke Xiao out, and the emperor's face was ashen.
The ministers were also silenced by Duke Xiao's last few words, and the court was completely quiet for a moment.
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, Duke Sheng Qishen's back was already soaked with cold sweat.
Today's court assembly has lasted for more than three hours since it began.
But the emperor remained silent, and no one dared to mention the matter of the court session ending.
Suddenly, a minister stepped forward and raised his voice,
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince has worked tirelessly for many years on the Chenzhou case, clearing the name of the unjustly deceased Prince Rong and seeking justice for the soldiers and civilians who died because of the Chenzhou case. His contributions are invaluable. I propose that he be reinstated as Crown Prince to demonstrate Your Majesty's grace and stabilize the nation."
Upon hearing this, the court officials all stood up.
"Your Majesty, I second your opinion and request that Your Highness reinstate the Second Prince as Crown Prince!"
"Your Majesty, please reinstate the Crown Prince!"
The emperor looked at the courtiers who had petitioned for his permission, his gaze falling on Zong Que. Father and son locked eyes once more. After what seemed like an eternity, the emperor finally spoke.
"allow!"
The court officials all bowed down.
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
"Long live the prince!"