Chapter 709: Chapter 710: Requesting Punishment

Emperor Muwu looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Fan Chengzhuo? I thought he was so gravely ill he was bedridden. Hasn’t he been on leave from court for some time now? Why would he come at a time like this?"

A thunderclap went off in Xie Anjun’s mind.

’Fan Chengzhuo!?’

Everything that had happened two days ago flashed through his mind, making him increasingly uneasy.

’Of all the times to show up, why now, at the most critical moment!?’

’He didn’t need to think twice to guess Fan Chengzhuo’s reason for suddenly seeking an audience. It was obviously for Zheng Baosu!’

’Has the man gone mad? Is he really going to sacrifice himself to save Zheng Baosu?’

’But Zheng Baosu just confessed!’

’Fan Chengzhuo’s arrival won’t save anyone; it’ll just make it easier to confirm the crime!’

Xie Anjun wanted nothing more than to rush out and stop Fan Chengzhuo, but he couldn’t.

At this moment, the only thing he could do was remain kneeling, forced to watch as everything spiraled into an abyss beyond his control.

Zheng Baosu froze when he heard the name, and it took him a long moment to react.

He instinctively glanced at Emperor Muwu. A moment later, the Emperor raised a hand.

"Send him in."

"Yes."

When Zheng Baosu saw this, a spark of hope suddenly ignited within him.

’I can be saved!’

He had rarely visited the Capital City before and had no connections here. Even if he wanted to beg for help, he wouldn’t know whose door to knock on.

But now, Fan Chengzhuo was here!

’They say Fan Chengzhuo has earned Your Majesty’s deep trust over the years, enjoying a meteoric rise through the ranks. If he’s willing to speak on my behalf, perhaps...’

At this thought, a fresh surge of hope warmed Zheng Baosu’s chest. He looked back eagerly, waiting with a mix of apprehension and anticipation for Fan Chengzhuo’s arrival.

’He’d already thought it through. After all this, his official post was surely lost. But if Fan Chengzhuo could turn the tide, he might just save his life!’

’As long as I can walk out of here alive today, there’s still hope!’

Only Xie Anbai remained impassive, his expression as calm and detached as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Soon, the sound of hurried, unsteady footsteps echoed from outside.

Fan Chengzhuo was frantic. Fighting through his illness, he had rushed all the way, terrified that arriving even a moment too late would lead to irreversible consequences.

The moment he stepped into the hall, he saw Zheng Baosu’s pathetic figure. His heart eased for a second before clenching tight once more.

Ever since he’d learned that Zheng Baosu was being escorted back to the Capital City, Fan Chengzhuo’s heart had been in his throat.

Seeing his state now, it wasn’t hard to imagine the torture he must have endured.

’There probably isn’t a single spot on his body left unscathed...’

Zheng Baosu saw him too, and his composure shattered in an instant. He couldn’t stop himself from crying out, "Uncle—"

Fan Chengzhuo suppressed the turbulent thoughts roiling in his mind, forced his gaze away, and fell to his knees in a kowtow.

"Your humble servant, Fan Chengzhuo, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Emperor Muwu’s brow furrowed as he listened to Fan Chengzhuo’s hoarse, breathless voice.

"How did you suddenly become so gravely ill?"

Anyone with eyes could see how terrible Fan Chengzhuo’s condition was.

Fan Chengzhuo swallowed back the metallic taste of blood rising in his throat, his voice remaining humble.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your servant has caught a severe chill and should not have appeared before you in such a state. However... Zheng Baosu is my nephew. I truly cannot stand idly by and watch, so I have come for an audience today to plead for punishment from Your Majesty!"

Others might not have known about his relationship with Zheng Baosu, but he wasn’t foolish enough to think his attempts to hide it could deceive Emperor Muwu.

’So... it’s better to be direct!’

Hearing this, Xie Anjun’s heart leaped into his throat.

He looked at Fan Chengzhuo in horror.

’Plead for punishment!?’

’For... what!?’

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