xymnovel Chapter 1334: Unworthy to Be a Son of the Chu Family
Chapter 1334: Unworthy to Be a Son of the Chu Family
The Princess Consort of Min County watched as Shang Meniang walked away, her eyebrows furrowed, memories passed through her mind.Was it her, the woman beside Shang Pu, who seemed to be his wife?
So is this identity real or fake?
The Princess Consort of Min County glanced in that direction, which was towards Yangxin Hall; the Emperor must want to meet her.
"Princess."
The Princess Consort of Min County came back to herself, smiled slightly at the young eunuch leading the way, and said, "I was distracted, apologies for making you wait, let’s go."
...
Yangxin Hall.
Shang Meniang entered the hall with her head bowed and took small steps, kneeling in the center of the hall to perform a grand kowtow ritual: "Commoner Shang greets the Emperor, long live, long live, long long live."
She prostrated on the ground, not moving a muscle.
Emperor Chu delayed calling her up, the majesty of the Emperor’s presence was so oppressive that sweat appeared at the tip of Shang Meniang’s nose.
"Lift your head."
Shang Meniang lifted her head, quickly glanced at Emperor Chu, then lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Shang, at what age did you start following Shang Pu? I heard that your external identity is the second wife of Shang, is that so?"
Shang Meniang respectfully replied, "The gentleman is twenty-seven this year; I have been beside him in the capacity of a wife since he was nineteen."
"Was this arranged by Cabinet Minister Ning and his associates?"
"Yes."
"Cabinet Minister Ning is dead, and Xia Houzhe is currently in the palace, are you aware?"
Shang Meniang’s heart trembled, and she prostrated again.
"Is Shang Pu truly Chu Ze? Prepared as a substitute for Xia Houzhe? How was this arranged? Explain every detail from the beginning." Emperor Chu reclined lazily on the dragon throne.
Shang Meniang softly bit her lip and said, "Before this, if I may, dare to ask the Emperor to show great mercy and allow the gentleman to leave the Heavenly Prison; alternatively, arrange a palace chamber with a hearth for his residence? If not possible, at least more charcoal braziers would suffice."
Emperor Chu laughed: "Are all spies of the Xia clan as bold as you, daring to negotiate with me?"
These words carried undisguised murderous intent.
Shang Meniang shivered all over, cold sweat beading, tremblingly said: "Commoner dares not; the gentleman is weak, begging the Emperor to show great mercy, his life has been filled with hardship."
Emperor Chu snorted softly and said, "If you want me to show great mercy, it depends on whether the information you provide has value; if not, his suffering, what is it to me? Just because of his collusion with Xia Houzhe intending to disturb Great Qing’s realm, he is unworthy as a member of the Chu family."
"The gentleman was also forced." Shang Meniang couldn’t help but defend.
Emperor Chu wouldn’t listen to any talk of coercion, lazily said: "My patience is limited, if you delay for an hour, he will spend another moment in that dark, damp Heavenly Prison, oh, I heard he’s ill."
Shang Meniang hurriedly said: "I will speak."
In truth, Shang Meniang, though a spy, was merely placed beside Shang Pu as surveillance and distraction; she knew limited information, only divulged their training locations and personnel, a few inconspicuous businesses, and which officials of Great Qing were closely associated.
"...The commoner followed the gentleman mainly as an ear and to care for him, what I know is limited, this is all, I ask the Emperor to discern wisely," Shang Meniang said tremblingly.
Song Zhiyuan listened from the side, but felt somewhat shocked; the Xia clan’s business, though seemingly inconspicuous, had permeated many areas of Great Qing.
He understood clearly, as did Emperor Chu, whose expression was rather ugly.
His eyes half-closed, he asked, "Do you know where Mr. Ning and Xia Houzhe frequented most?"