Chapter 462 - 464: The Second Prince Is Imprisoned
The Emperor sneered after reading, "Truly, My eyes deceived Me. I thought she was a virtuous and demure lady, but she turned out to be such a vicious and ruthless person."
Standing to one side, Yan Ze dared not utter a sound. This was not something he could comment on; it was enough to just listen.
With a sip of tea, the Emperor ordered, "Send a decree to Zhao Yuanjiang and let him roll to the Ministry of Justice to receive his punishment immediately."
"Yes." Yan Ze left to carry out the order, but in his heart, he sighed heavily for Pei Chengye, who likely could not escape misfortune this time. The Emperor clearly would not let him live easily; if not death, then demotion and dismissal were inevitable.
Pei Chengye, when he heard the Imperial Decree, was scared out of his wits and broke free from the guards, coming before the Emperor.
"Father, you can’t be so cruel to your son. It’s all a misunderstanding!" Pei Chengye pleaded.
The Emperor frowned, "A misunderstanding? Very well, I will give you another chance. Explain clearly what really happened. If you utter one wrong word, I will take your life!"
Pei Chengye clenched his teeth and spilled everything about the Empress and Abbot Yuan Hui, including each word that the Empress had entrusted to him.
"How audacious, such a bold misdeed against heaven and reason. Guards, ah..."
"Father..." Pei Chengye hastily interrupted the Emperor, kneeling on the ground and pleading, "Father, I know I am wrong. Please spare your son. I swear there’s no second agenda, and I will serve the Fifth Prince well in the future. Just spare me this time, and I am willing to give up all my power."
"Do you think saying this now makes any difference? I have decided to select a new Crown Prince, and as for you..."