By the time she finished …
Jing Rong's expression darkened.
He understood the meaning behind those words. His brows furrowed and his lips trembled. "Can't resist? Can't suppress? Can't expose? There is only one person in the world who can make the Imperial Duke so afraid, and that is … "
The current Emperor!
His own Imperial Father!
But the last few words were hard to say.
His eyes reddened as he turned around and said in a pained voice, "So what the old people of the Imperial Duke said was not without reason! But that is Imperial Father's younger brother! Why would he do such a thing for the throne? "
Ji Yunshu understood his feelings.
She stepped forward.
Her fair and slender hand held his trembling one.
She met his gaze.
Words of comfort.
Jing Rong's heart gradually calmed down under Ji Yunshu's gentle gaze.
He hoped that the frightening thought in his heart was not real.
… …
The next morning.
Jing Rong went to the palace. At this moment, Qi Zhen Emperor happened to be sitting in a pavilion in the imperial garden. There were many heaters in the pavilion, and the gauze curtains hanging around the pavilion fluttered in the wind. Occasionally, snowflakes would sneak in through the gaps between the gaps and the cold wind, dissolving into nothingness in an instant. In the distance, a few winter bamboos swayed gently.
The plum blossoms were exceptionally elegant and refined, creating a beautiful scene in this snowy winter. Qi Zhen Emperor was suddenly in the mood to compose a poem, so he ordered people to prepare a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
But just as the paper was laid …
A young eunuch leaned outside the pavilion. "Your Majesty, Prince Rong requests an audience."
Hearing this, Qi Zhen Emperor frowned, picked up his brush and nodded.
After a while, Jing Rong came treading the snow, his footprints deep and shallow, extending outside the pavilion.
He did not enter.
"This son greets Imperial Father."
There was no response for a long time.
He could only continue standing.
Only when Qi Zhen Emperor finished writing the second word on the white paper did he say, "Come in."
The curtains on both sides of the pavilion were slowly pulled open. Jing Rong took off his cloak and handed it to the young eunuch beside him. He brushed away the snow on his head before walking in.
The warmth in the pavilion made him shiver uncontrollably.
Qi Zhen Emperor did not raise his head, continuing to write with his brush. He only asked, "What is it?"
His intentions were clear, and he did not want to beat around the bush.
"It's related to the Lin Capital Case!"
Just as he finished speaking, Qi Zhen Emperor's hand abruptly paused, his fingers gripping the brush tighter. Before the tip of the brush left the paper, the ink immediately scattered.
He raised his eyelids and looked at Jing Rong with a displeased expression. "Didn't we say to stop investigating?"
"Imperial Father, there are still many doubtful points in this case. I hope Imperial Father will allow us to reopen the case."
"What's the reason?"
"Whether the Imperial Duke is dead or alive!"
Huh?
Qi Zhen Emperor was shocked, thinking that he had misheard. "What did you just say?"
Jing Rong lowered his gaze and cupped his hands again. "Regarding the Imperial Duke's life or death."
"Dead or alive? What do you mean? "
"The imperial court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the missing Zhao Hao, but to no avail. There wasn't even the slightest trace of him. Thus, I boldly speculate that Zhao Hao might have already died, and his body was buried in the mausoleum as the Imperial Duke's. The real Imperial Duke might still be alive."
"Bang!"
Qi Zhen Emperor fiercely threw the brush in his hand on the table. Ink splattered everywhere, ruining the poem he had written on the white paper.
He loudly rebuked, "Absurd!"
The servants in the pavilion immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly.
They were afraid of harming the innocent.
Jing Rong was unfazed and persisted. "If we want to know whether the truth is as I said, we only need to open the coffin and perform an autopsy. Imperial Father, please grant us your permission."
"Enough!" Qi Zhen Emperor waved his sleeves and walked in front of Jing Rong, his eyes full of anger. "Do you know what you are saying?"
"You know, and since you know, you still dare to say such preposterous words? We already said, no more investigations, no more investigations! Did you not hear me? Or do you not respect me at all? Now you are begging me to grant you permission to open the coffin? Do you know what it means to open the coffin? How can I let you do as you please?! "Qi Zhen Emperor was furious.
Sigh.
He was so angry that his veins were popping.
His blood vessels almost burst!
He was originally enjoying the beautiful scenery, but now that he was disturbed, his mood became unbearably agitated.
Jing Rong lowered his gaze and did not take a step back. He continued, "This son knows that saying this will anger Imperial Father, but doesn't Imperial Father find it strange that Zhao Hao disappeared without a trace? But if Zhao Hao and the Imperial Duke changed clothes that year, then everything can be explained. "
"Fine, then tell us, if the Imperial Duke is still alive, then where has he been for the past fifteen years? Why hasn't he appeared? "
"This son does not know the reason, but today, I came to beg Imperial Father to order the reopening of the Imperial Duke's coffin to verify the truth."
Hmph!
Qi Zhen Emperor angrily rebuked, "Since ancient times, there has never been a reopening of the tomb. Even if what you said is true, we will not allow it. This is a rule set by our ancestors, no one can break it! And what you just said is enough for us to take your head. "
Jing Rong had come here prepared to die. He raised his head and met Qi Zhen Emperor's gaze. "Back then, Imperial Father entrusted this matter to this son, so this son has the responsibility to investigate this case to the end. Does Imperial Father really not want to know what happened that year? Why did the Imperial Duke's residence suffer from the fire?
Who was the one who ordered the transfer of the estate's soldiers? Is the Imperial Duke dead or alive? Does Imperial Father not care about these things? "
The series of rhetorical questions made Qi Zhen Emperor's throat itch.
He paused for a long time. "Of course I care, but no one can prove that the transfer of the estate's soldiers happened. Those related to that incident are all dead, and the missing people can't be found. There is also no evidence to prove that the fire was man-made. Are you going to let the case of the Imperial Duke's residence remain unsolved for another day?
In front of the world? I have already agreed to open the Imperial Duke's coffins. Dozens of coffins have been dug up, and now you want me to agree to open the Imperial Duke's coffin? What if I still find nothing? How do you want me to face the dozens of people in the Imperial Duke's residence? "
"Imperial Father …"
"I said I won't investigate anymore, so I won't! I will never agree to your ridiculous request. "
Qi Zhen Emperor flicked his sleeves and left. When he left the pavilion, a eunuch immediately came forward with an umbrella to shield him from the snow.
Jing Rong did not give up and chased after him.
"Imperial Father, please give the order to open the coffins!"
His voice echoed and lingered for a long time.
Qi Zhen Emperor stopped and turned back to look at him.
Amidst the swirling snow, Jing Rong stood there with his hands cupped high and his body slightly drooped. There was a tenacity between his brows. In just a short while, snowflakes had already covered his back, shoulders, and hair …
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