Chapter 720: Chapter 721: Mutual Killing

’If I’d known about their relationship, I never would have agreed to write that recommendation letter for Zheng Baosu!’

’And in the end, I got dragged down with them!’

’But what’s done is done. What’s the use of regret now?’

Xie Anbai’s first reaction was surprise, which quickly turned into a pointed look at Xie Anjun.

A wry smile played on his lips as he spoke. "I never would have guessed. So Mr. Fan and Lord Zheng have... that kind of relationship. No wonder Mr. Fan was so invested in Lord Zheng’s affairs. I suppose choosing to cooperate with the Marquis Zhongyong was a carefully considered decision, then? You kept this secret quite well, didn’t you, Marquis?"

Xie Anjun was about to lose his mind.

"I did not!"

Xie Anbai feigned surprise. "Did not what? You didn’t conspire with Mr. Fan and his son for profit? Or you didn’t—"

"Neither!"

Xie Anjun’s voice was shrill. Having lost all reason in his fury, he pointed a finger at Xie Anbai and began to curse him.

"Xie Anbai! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You’re just trying to use this to smear my name and bring me down, aren’t you?"

"Why would you think that?" Xie Anbai tilted his head, looking even more perplexed. "I don’t believe I said anything of the sort. Wasn’t it Lord Zheng who accused you of being involved? He admitted it himself. And as for Mr. Fan... he’s been planning this for his son for a long time. Since he chose you, he must trust you implicitly, no?"

"You!"

Xie Anjun nearly fainted from rage.

But he had to suffer in silence. Who could have possibly imagined Fan Chengzhuo was hiding such an earth-shattering secret!

Xie Anbai’s expression sobered, and his tone became cool.

"Without your help, how could an ordinary man with no accomplishments climb to the position of Vice General Jingyuan so quickly? If I recall correctly, Father relinquished his command of the army ten years ago and no longer involves himself in military affairs, isn’t that right?"

This single sentence choked off any retort Xie Anjun might have had.

The color drained from his face, a whirlwind of emotions playing across his features. It was quite a spectacle.

Emperor Muwu didn’t even spare him a glance.

If Xie Pei had been here, he might have shown some concern. But Xie Anjun? ’Was he even worthy of consideration?’

Emperor Muwu looked down from his high seat at Fan Chengzhuo. "So, you’re saying you were the one behind all of this?"

With those words, Fan Chengzhuo had essentially shouldered all the blame.

It seemed to have nothing to do with Zheng Baosu.

Indeed, Fan Chengzhuo bowed his head and answered in a low voice, "Yes."

Emperor Muwu sneered. "I never realized you were so devoted to your son."

If it weren’t for Zheng Baosu, Fan Chengzhuo would have likely taken these secrets to his grave.

Even now, after Zheng Baosu had exposed him, he showed no resentment, choosing only to take on everything himself.

If his crime hadn’t been colluding with the enemy and committing treason, it would have been almost "touching."

Fan Chengzhuo’s back stiffened, but he couldn’t utter another word.

In truth, he knew that with things having escalated this far, there was only death waiting for both him and Zheng Baosu.

But still, he wanted to beg for a chance.

Even if only to atone for the years of neglect.

A dead silence fell over everyone, except for Zheng Baosu, who remained stunned for a long time.

He shook his head instinctively. "No... it’s not like that..."

’How could Fan Chengzhuo suddenly be his father!?’

Zheng Baosu desperately wanted to deny it, but countless images flashed through his mind, and his certainty began to waver.

Just then, a very soft sigh came from nearby.

It was Ye Chutang.

She whispered softly, as if to herself, yet just loud enough for Zheng Baosu to hear every word.

"Mr. Fan is in such a poor state of health, yet he still came to the palace. His intentions are plain to see. A pity... that such devotion is unlikely to be reciprocated."

A jolt went through Zheng Baosu’s heart.

He stiffly raised his head and looked at the haggard, gaunt figure, feeling a flicker of doubt for the first time.

’Could it be... that I was wrong?’

Before, his heart had been filled with anger and fear, but now, Ye Chutang’s words brought him a sudden moment of clarity.

’If it wasn’t for me, Fan Chengzhuo truly had no reason to come here today!’

’Perhaps... his original intentions and his guilt were genuine after all?’

’But if he really meant well, why did he push me down this path in the first place?’

’With Fan Chengzhuo’s status and means, he could have easily arranged a cushy, unimportant post for me and let me live a carefree life.’

’Why—’

"Why did you do it?"

Emperor Muwu asked coldly.

"Have I treated you unfairly? Or did someone incite you, promising you a greater future?"

At these words, the hall fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was frozen in terrified silence.

It was true!

Fan Chengzhuo had no reason to do such things!

His career had been prosperous for years. What could possibly drive him to commit a crime that would lead to the extermination of his entire clan?

Fan Chengzhuo’s body gave an imperceptible shudder.

With his head bowed, he said, word by word,

"It was all due to my own insatiable greed and lack of reverence. That is what brought about this catastrophe—"

A scornful expression suddenly appeared on Emperor Muwu’s face.

"Fan Chengzhuo, I am not yet so old and senile."

Without the lure of greater profit, without a powerful mastermind pulling the strings, Fan Chengzhuo would never have done something like this!

"Even now, would you rather sacrifice your own life and that of your only kin just to protect your master?"

As Emperor Muwu spoke, his gaze fell upon the man’s forearm.

"Or... were you coerced? Forced into this against your will? If you confess everything truthfully, I might just show you leniency."

Fan Chengzhuo’s heart leaped into his throat.

His forehead was beaded with cold sweat.

"Th-There is no..."

"Speak!"

Zheng Baosu, finally able to catch his breath, craned his neck and shrieked,

"Someone must have ordered you to do this, right?! Just confess! Was it the Wazhen, or someone else? Look at the state you’re in! Why are you still covering for them?!"

Zheng Baosu was convinced someone else was behind Fan Chengzhuo.

The Emperor himself had said that if he confessed, all was not yet lost!

’What in the world is he hesitating for!?’

Fan Chengzhuo broke into a violent coughing fit, turning a harsh, scolding glare on Zheng Baosu for the first time.

"You... shut your—COUGH COUGH COUGH—mouth!"

Zheng Baosu grew frantic.

"Who could possibly be more important than our lives?! Look at yourself! They’ve already decided to let you die! Are you planning to sacrifice me along with you?!"

The more he spoke, the more resentful he became.

"What atonement? What compensation? No father in the world acts like this! Even in death! Even in the underworld, I will never acknowledge you as my father!"

"You—"

Overwhelmed by anger and indignation, Fan Chengzhuo almost passed out.

Amid the chaos, the Eldest Princess finally spoke again.

"Since neither of them can give a clear account... An Jun, why don’t you tell us?"

Suddenly being called upon, Xie Anjun flinched.

"Wh-What?"

The Eldest Princess looked at him, her lips curving into a slight smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

She said coolly,

"Both father and son just mentioned you. That means you must know more about this than anyone, correct?"

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