met free Chapter 193 The Marquis of Cheng'en's Choice
Chapter 193 The Marquis of Cheng'en's Choice
Emperor Jing'an originally intended to bestow a marriage upon the daughter of the Prince of Zhenbei, but now there is no need for it.
The Prince of Zhenbei glanced at the somewhat deranged Madam Shen, who still seemed unable to accept the fact that her son had betrayed her.
Shen Shaohuai, standing to the side, had a calm expression, so calm it was almost indifferent.
The people in the Marquis of Chengen's mansion are truly heartless and ungrateful.
“Your Majesty, fourteen years ago, Shen Liu bribed the troupe leader in Nanling Prefecture to abduct my youngest daughter. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, those who abduct others shall be executed by hanging.” The Prince of Zhenbei bowed and said, “I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and deal with the matter according to the law.”
Emperor Jing'an understood the truth of the matter from the words of Madam Shen and Shen Shaohuai.
"Shen Liu, do you know your crime of abducting the daughter of the Prince of Zhenbei?"
Madam Shen's eyes were vacant, her heart ashen, and she no longer tried to argue as before: "This subject knows her guilt."
Upon hearing this, Shen Shaohuai dug his fingers into his palms and lowered his head even further.
Even though he was selfish and cold-hearted, and his mother had a strong desire to control him, she was still his own mother. When he heard her confess, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
He had no choice; he was forced into this situation.
Otherwise, given the Prince of Zhenbei's vengeful nature, neither he nor his mother would have survived.
As long as he lives, he can revitalize the family business.
It could also... avenge them.
Emperor Jing'an looked at Marquis Cheng'en with a deep gaze, holding a longevity lock in his hand, and asked, "Shen Wenxian, why did Yizhen give you this longevity lock?"
Marquis Chengen's face turned pale, his thoughts in turmoil, and he did not reply for a moment.
Back then, the Duke of Zhuguo was accused of treason and collusion with the enemy, and Empress Xiaoen was given a cup of poisoned wine. The status of Emperor Jing'an and Princess Yizhen plummeted, and even lowly eunuchs and palace maids could bully them at will.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, he and his elder brother encountered a eunuch from Consort De's palace who was harassing Princess Yizhen, and they rescued her.
Princess Yizhen was grateful to them and gave them her only precious longevity lock.
Now that Princess Yizhen is dead, and Emperor Jing'an is the current emperor.
The fact that a princess of the mighty Zhou Kingdom was humiliated by a eunuch not only damages the face of the royal family but also slaps Emperor Jing'an in the face.
If he dared to reveal this past event, Emperor Jing'an might become enraged and punish the Marquis's family even more severely.
If the origin of the longevity lock is not clearly explained now, Emperor Jing'an will certainly not spare his children.
Marquis Chengen is in a dilemma.
After a long silence, Marquis Chengen made up his mind and said vaguely, "This sinful subject witnessed Princess Yizhen being harassed by the eunuchs in Consort De's palace, so I stepped in to help her out. Princess Yizhen was grateful to this sinful subject and gave me a longevity lock as a token of her gratitude."
Emperor Jing'an's face was somber. Back then, Consort De was deeply favored by her father and constantly competed with her mother for attention. Her mother was powerful and domineering, suppressing Consort De at every turn, which fueled Consort De's deep resentment towards her.
After the Empress Dowager's death, Consort De allowed the eunuchs in the palace to bully her and her siblings.
The Emperor turned a blind eye to their actions and never stood up for them, even sending him to Northern Qi as a hostage in place of the prince born to Consort De.
After he ascended the throne, he purged Consort De's faction and punished her and her son.
Now that Marquis Chengen has brought up this past event, there's no need to explain it too clearly; Emperor Jing'an is already aware of Yizhen's ordeal.
“Your crimes are numerous and the evidence is irrefutable; each and every one of them is a capital offense,” Emperor Jing’an said in a deep voice. “Out of consideration for your kindness to Yi Zhen, I will pardon one of your children. As for who will live, you can choose for yourself.”
Marquis Chengen was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Shen Shaohuai.
His father's words echoed in his mind: "If you brothers are harmonious, help each other, and share hardships, this family will surely prosper. If you brothers are not harmonious, selfish and ungrateful, and willing to sacrifice everything for profit, even if you gain power, it will only be temporary glory."
Even now, when he reflects on those words, he realizes they have come true.
Shen Shaohuai clenched his fists tightly, knowing full well that his father would definitely choose him.
Because he was the most successful son among his father's children.
Only he can revive the family business.
"Shen Shaobai." Marquis Chengen's voice was hoarse as he squeezed out a sentence with difficulty: "This sinful subject has chosen his youngest son, Shen Shaobai."
Shen Shaohuai suddenly looked up, staring at Marquis Chengen in disbelief.
It was clearly agreed that they would do everything in their power to protect him.
Shen Shaohuai opened his mouth: "Father..." Why?
Marquis Chengen knew what Shen Shaohuai wanted to ask, and his voice was filled with desolation: "If your brother had to make a choice today, he would rather be punished by the Prince of Zhenbei than betray his own mother."
If Shen Shaohuai hadn't exposed his mother's lies, Marquis Chengen would have chosen him without hesitation.
Madam Shen was willing to risk her own life for Shen Shaohuai.
What did Shen Shaohuai do?
He personally sent his mother, who gave him life and raised him, to the guillotine.
When death was imminent, Marquis Cheng'en's mind was clear, and all wealth and honor seemed like fleeting clouds.
For the sake of power, he murdered his own brother and sister-in-law, ultimately ending up isolated and abandoned by everyone.
Even if he manages to save Shen Shaohuai today, given Shen Shaohuai's character, he will end up in the same situation as him.
The youngest son was different from them; he was kind and loyal, and although he didn't have much ability, he was able to live a peaceful and stable life.
If Shen Qingtan remembers Shen Shaobai's kindness and is willing to lend a helping hand, perhaps they can rebuild their business.
Shen Shaohuai's thoughts were in disarray, and his mind went blank.
The mother's fate was sealed long ago; even setting aside the crime of kidnapping Shen Qingtan, she could not escape death.
He was just going with the flow... but his father believed he was heartless and left the way out to Shen Shaobai.
Shen Shaohuai found it utterly absurd and felt a surge of hatred for their ruthlessness and heartlessness.
But apart from his burning hatred, there was nothing he could do.
Emperor Jing'an was somewhat surprised by Marquis Cheng'en's choice, but it suited his wishes.
Shen Shaohuai disregarded his mother's kindness in order to save his own life; his character is flawed. Even if the Marquis of Cheng'en had chosen Shen Shaohuai, he would not spare his life.
This child will ultimately be a source of trouble.
"You may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, anyone over the age of sixteen shall be beheaded. Anyone under the age of fifteen shall be exiled to the frontier." Emperor Jing'an said in a deep voice, "Your youngest son is under sixteen, so I will not pardon his crime, but I will spare the lives of your daughter and son-in-law."
Zhao Jue was also implicated, but Emperor Jing'an, mindful of the Duke's family's kindness, did not punish him, considering it a final act of divine grace.