Free Web NovelChapter 1185: Chapter 939 Truth 18
Song Xiang trembled with fear, quickly kowtowing, "Your Majesty, I am old, and my chronic leg ailment keeps recurring. Please have mercy on me, Your Majesty, and let me wait outside!"
The Emperor looked at Lin Xiang, "And you? Is it the same case as Song Xiang, afflicted by the old leg ailment?"
Lin Xiang’s forehead was sweating, and he quickly nodded, "I am even a few years older than Song Xiang!"
Lin Xiang’s words were not unreasonable; he was indeed older than Song Xiang. Considering his physical condition, age, and the political situation, at most three to five years, he should retire to enjoy his later years in peace.
"So, do you want to wait outside as well?"
"Yes!"
The Emperor smiled, "I would like to grant your wish, but first, clear up your matters!"
Lin Xiang suddenly raised his head, looking at the Emperor, the fine sweat on his forehead increasing.
"What is Your Majesty saying? I don’t understand!"
The Emperor sneered coldly, "If you don’t understand, then kneel and confess with Lu Zezhong, to see how many of those heinous crimes he committed that you have aided in!"
The Emperor’s voice suddenly rose, clearly showing he had little patience left.
Lin Xiang suddenly knelt down, continuously kowtowing, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I am fearful!"
"Lin Yushu, I will say it again, I am running out of patience. If you don’t speak, don’t blame me!"
"Yes! I will speak!"
Lin Yushu was not known as the head of the civil ministers without reason.
He naturally understood the situation and knew that if he continued to hold back, the Emperor’s wrath would be as terrifying as Qi!
Seeing Lin Yushu relent, Song Yuan wanted to withdraw and quickly cupped his hands to report, "Your Majesty, I..."
"You will stay here and wait!"
The Emperor cast a cold glance at Song Yuan, who looked pitifully at the Emperor.
The Emperor ignored him and turned his attention to Lin Xiang.
"Lin Xiang, tell me! When did you board Lu Zezhong’s treacherous ship?"
Lin Xiang lowered his head, closed his eyes, and his expression immediately turned resolute, as if facing death.
"The matter begins with the disappearance of Princess Lianchun!"
"Over a decade indeed!"
The Emperor recalled Ji Youze’s brothers’ speculations, which Lin Xiang’s words now evidently confirmed.
"If we pick a starting point, it would be fifteen years ago! Many things happened that year.
Back then, I was still a court official who hated evil and was determined to stabilize the court and support the former Emperor!"
At that time, Lin Xiang was already the chief civil minister.
"Actually, the former Emperor had no other faults besides his fondness for beauty, with many beauties in the harem.
It is said that at the beginning, he favored Empress Roumei from over thirty years ago, a palace maid.
After Empress Roumei died unexpectedly, beauties entered the palace one after another, all sent in by ministers with means and methods.
The former Emperor was aware of this but accepted them all the same.
Even so, the former Emperor only had Princess Lianchun and Your Majesty as children.
Later, something happened to Princess Lianchun.
Soon after, the Great Han’s God of War also got caught up while rescuing Princess Lianchun, causing the court to lose its balance temporarily!"
The Emperor understood; before General Ji’s incident, he could contend with Lin Xiang. However, after General Ji’s death, the military officials scattered, and he naturally became the sole authority in court!
"If I were you, I would have protected my reputation even more!"
The Emperor said lazily.
"Of course I protected my reputation; otherwise, how could Your Majesty govern so swiftly?"
Lin Xiang smiled wryly, sighed, recalling the young Emperor who once sat on the Dragon Throne, radiating brilliance, yet shrinking back under a glance from the Empress Dowager.
He valued talent and knew the Emperor was a figure of great potential, but he genuinely wanted the common people of Great Han to live peaceful lives!
"Yet I never thought, you would also become a pawn in this affair!"
The Emperor never expected it.
Lin Xiang looked resigned.
"I never wanted that either."
Lin Xiang closed his eyes, helplessly acknowledging that it was greed that led him astray!
"Speak! How exactly did you become involved in this scheme!"
Lin Xiang closed his eyes again, finally sighing, "Everyone knows that I am most filial. My father passed away early, and my mother was widowed early, suffering bullying, but she endured it all to raise me and provide for my education.
