Chapter 47: Your Majesty, I Am Guilty

Shen Zhao cursed inwardly.

What is wrong with your eyes? Didn’t you hear how sincerely she knelt just now? It hurt, you know!

She sniffed and forced a grimace. “Your Majesty, your humble servant is at fault! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!”

The old emperor’s lips twitched. What was this taciturn fellow up to? Wasn’t the court already chaotic enough? And now he wanted to add fuel to the fire!

Shen Zhao called toward Xie Yuheng, who was standing ramrod straight behind, “Young General Xie, come kneel with me and confess your guilt.”

Xie Yuheng froze. Had he misheard? Was Brother Chu actually asking him to admit guilt?

Where was the justice in this? He was the one being bullied, and now he was supposed to take the blame? He felt utterly wronged.

Where was his grandfather? Didn’t his grandfather promise to come to court today to support him?

Shen Zhao shot Xie Yuheng a meaningful look, mouthing silently, “Come here.”

Unwillingly, Xie Yuheng stepped out from the ranks. Brother Chu surely wouldn’t set him up. He walked over and knelt with a thud beside Shen Zhao.

He knelt, but did so stiffly, refusing to beg for forgiveness, just staring ahead stubbornly.

“My loyal subjects, rise and speak. What has happened here?” the emperor asked.

Shen Zhao dragged Xie Yuheng down and bowed forcefully, their foreheads striking the marble floor with a resounding thud.

Xie Yuheng, caught off guard, banged his head hard. As he raised his head, a red mark immediately blossomed on his forehead.

He gritted his teeth in pain, barely restraining a curse. If it weren’t Brother Chu, he’d make him pay for that.

Shen Zhao kept a close eye on the emperor’s expression. As she expected, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes.

She didn’t know why the emperor cared for Xie Yuheng so much—perhaps it was due to his special status, or maybe for reasons unknown to her.

But that was enough. The emperor cared about Xie Yuheng, and that was all she needed.

Shen Zhao lifted her head, tears streaming down her face. “Your Majesty, both I and Young General Xie are guilty. We have come to confess our faults. As the commander of the Capital Army, I failed to manage my subordinates—this is my dereliction.”

Xie Yuheng whipped his head toward Shen Zhao in disbelief. Brother Chu, do you even know what you’re saying?

He wasn’t at fault!

The Third Prince and his faction were secretly delighted—this was the Chu Blockhead they knew, always eager to admit guilt first! They must have overestimated him yesterday. This was the real Chu Blockhead.

The Duke Protector frowned, gazing thoughtfully at Shen Zhao. Had he been overthinking? Was this boy still as dense as ever?

The Crown Prince’s faction, who had been watching with amusement, could barely contain themselves, especially Pang Qingyun, whose face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Where was that defiant spirit from yesterday? Today, Chu was so agreeable.

So, these two brutes weren’t afraid of the Crown Prince, but cowered before the Third Prince—so they only looked down on the Crown Prince’s faction?

Shen Zhao secretly pinched Xie Yuheng’s waist. Cry with me!

While dabbing at tears, Shen Zhao covered her face with her sleeve and mouthed silently to Xie Yuheng, “Cry.”

Xie Yuheng hesitated. Why should he cry? But if he didn’t, Brother Chu would pinch him again.

His eyes widened, and soon enough, tears began to flow.

Seeing this, someone from the Third Prince’s faction stepped forward. “This is the court, not a place for your tantrums. Now you admit fault, but where were your regrets before? Young General Xie attacked the Third Prince and the sons of the ministers. Your Majesty, he must be severely punished. General Chu, too, has failed in his duties and should also be punished.”

“General Chu, it’s one thing if you want to make trouble yourself, but why drag Young General Xie into it? Look at the two of you, what a spectacle. For such conduct, you are unfit for your post. Severe punishment is warranted.”

Pang Qingyun, still smarting from yesterday, added fuel to the fire. “General Chu, do you think this is your family’s inner quarters? Do you believe that some tears and a tantrum will distort the truth and let you escape punishment? This is the imperial court—everyone is watching…”

“Shut your mouth! Are you bullying me and Young General Xie again?” Shen Zhao had been waiting for the factions to join forces against her and Xie Yuheng.

Pang Qingyun choked. So it was just him being targeted?

So many others had reproached them, but he was the only one silenced. Was this fair? Was he just easy to bully?

“General Chu, do you not allow the truth to be spoken? Do you really think that I—”

“Did I seal your lips or poison you mute? When did I stop you from speaking the truth? Your Majesty, look at them—they’re all bullying your humble servant…” Shen Zhao cut him off deliberately, pointing to all the ministers who had spoken.

The crowd was bewildered.

When had they bullied her? She had been the first to admit fault—how had she turned it back on them?

“General Chu, what do you mean by this? When did we bully you? Wasn’t it you who confessed first?”

Shen Zhao met the gaze of the official beside his son with the broken leg. “Lord Zhu, I know your name sounds like ‘pig,’ but you needn’t act like one. Yes, I confessed, but did you let me finish explaining why? Do you even know what mistake I admitted to? Yet you all leap up to accuse me and Young General Xie—do you think I don’t see through your intentions?”

She turned to the emperor, bowing low. “Your Majesty, I am guilty. The officers of the Capital Army are all guilty. Young General Xie is even more unforgivable. I beg Your Majesty to punish us all—none should be spared.”

At these words, the entire court was thrown into disarray.

What madness had this Chu Gourd contracted now?

Most of the Capital Army’s officers hailed from noble families—they were the various factions’ eyes and ears in the army.

Was this blockhead trying to bring everyone down with him?

Xie Yuheng was dumbfounded.

What? Now he was unforgivable—did that mean he deserved to die?

“General Chu, you cannot make wild accusations. It was Young General Xie who attacked the Third Prince and the others. If anyone is guilty, it’s you and Young General Xie. The other officers are blameless.”

Shen Zhao didn’t look up. “What do you know? Are you a member of the Capital Army, or do you have someone there? Afraid I’ll reveal your connections? Is that why you’re so eager to protect them? If I say they’re guilty, then they are. I’m not like you—no need for wild accusations.”

“You—how dare you insult me! General Chu, you mustn’t slander others without evidence just because you’re the commander.”

“Exactly, you’d better explain yourself today. How is my Yuheng unforgivable?” A thunderous voice echoed from the hall’s entrance.

Shen Zhao quickly turned to look. The newcomer wore a purple-gold robe embroidered with pythons, tall and powerfully built. Despite his head of silver hair, he radiated an aura that brooked no disrespect. Every step he took exuded a commanding, fierce presence.