https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-564-Clear-Rewards-and-Punishments/13464809/
Chapter 563: Taking It All Back
Chapter 563: Taking It All Back
The imperial study was deathly silent.
Not only was Gongsun Yanming surprised, but even the Salvation King himself hadn't expected the old Liang Emperor to "defend" him like this.
But wait, the look on the Liang Emperor’s face didn't seem like a defense; it seemed like he genuinely believed it.
He had lost his memory... and forgotten all the grudges and enmities between the Miao Borderlands and the Liang Kingdom, even turning his arch-nemesis into the savior who had rescued him from his plight.
The Salvation King pinched his thigh.
He was trying so hard not to laugh that he felt like crying.
"Is what I said incorrect?"
The Liang Emperor asked the Salvation King sternly.
The Salvation King struggled to suppress his urge to burst out laughing. "No, no, no! My esteemed in-law, your wisdom spans a thousand miles, your bravery is unmatched, and you are a legendary emperor!"
What a mess!
The Liang Emperor gave his in-law a look that conveyed his inability to understand such a jumbled statement. With a mind like that, he couldn't possibly have been the one to cast the spell, let alone control it.
Gongsun Yanming was caught off guard by the Liang Emperor’s surprising words.
Despite his intelligence, he couldn’t figure out why the Liang Emperor would say such things.
There were deep family grudges and national enmities between them; it seemed impossible for them to reconcile so easily.
For a moment, he even suspected that the Liang Emperor had been bewitched by the Salvation King.
The Salvation King glared back at Gongsun Yanming. "What are you looking at? You don’t think I’d be so bored as to cast a spell on your Majesty, do you? Ha, I’m not that idle!"
He paused, feeling that his words lacked weight, and quickly added, "And I’m not as devious as you!"
Meng Qianqian bit her lip, trying hard to suppress a smile.
What an unexpected situation.
Now, even if Gongsun Yanming brought the most convincing witnesses, it wouldn’t make a difference.
Because His Majesty simply wouldn’t play along.
Prince Ming, delighted by the chaos, tugged at Prince Fu’s sleeve. "He’s dumbfounded! He’s dumbfounded!"
Prince Fu: ...I’m dumbfounded too, okay?
What happened to the old farmer from the countryside? How did he suddenly become the Salvation King?
Are you all hiding this deep?
And, have you thought about what Father Emperor will do when he regains his memory?
Father Emperor and the Salvation King have been secretly competing for a lifetime. If he discovers that he once stood up for his mortal enemy, he’ll be so embarrassed he might want to kill someone!
Compared to Prince Fu’s concerns, his maternal uncle, Duke Jiang, was glowing with excitement after the initial shock.
Lord Liu is actually the Salvation King? This is too good an opportunity to pass up!
I’ll make His Majesty furious, hahaha!
Next time he dares to exile me, I’ll bring this up to mock him!
This is just too satisfying!
Duke Jiang couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
Prince Fu couldn’t bear to look.
Gongsun Yanming’s suspicious gaze swept over everyone.
"Salvation King."
He said, "Since you’re here to marry your daughter into the capital, why hide your true identity?"
"You mean this?" The Salvation King calmly removed his one-eyed eye patch. "I was injured and needed to avoid light for a few days. Thanks for the reminder, I’m feeling much better now, so I can take it off."
Gongsun Yanming couldn’t help but twitch his lips.
"Why do you use the surname Liu?"
He continued to press.
The Salvation King said proudly, "My wife’s surname is Liu, and I’m the one who married into the family!"
"Ha—"
Duke Jiang, who had just taken a sip of the Liang Emperor’s tea to quench his thirst, sprayed it out.
The Salvation King crossed his legs. "Besides, what right do you have to know my identity? Are you my in-law? Am I here to discuss a marriage with you?"
He looked at the Liang Emperor on the throne and sighed. "In-law, please get rid of this eyesore. Let’s continue discussing the marriage of our children. We were talking about the dowry... you said you’d give me a city as a dowry."
The Liang Emperor said sternly, "I never said such a thing."
The Salvation King: Damn, can’t fool him again!
Just as the Salvation King was about to continue, Lu Yuan stopped him.
If he kept adding more drama, it would be impossible to cover it up.
Lu Yuan bowed. "Father Emperor, the evidence is clear. Please issue an edict and punish him without leniency!"
Gongsun Yanming said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent."
Prince Ming scolded, "You still claim injustice? The one truly wronged is my Father Emperor, who was ensnared by your Heart-devouring Parasite!"
Gongsun Yanming replied calmly, "Your Majesty, even if my blood can revive the Heart-devouring Parasite, it doesn't prove that I was the one who placed it. I am not from the Miao Borderlands and am not skilled in such techniques."
"You may not be skilled, but someone is!" Prince Ming pointed at the corpse on the ground, his tone harsh. "You bribed a Miao Borderlands sorcerer to enter the palace and use a flute to activate the Heart-devouring Parasite, causing my Father Emperor to lose control. If not for the Salvation King and Duke Jiang risking their lives to stop him, my Father Emperor would have taken everyone down with him!"
Emperor Liang looked at Gongsun Yanming with a serious expression.
Gongsun Yanming remained unperturbed. "Why assume it wasn't a setup? Compared to me, Lord Liu, as the Salvation King, would find it much easier to summon a sorcerer. Besides, the sorcerer is dead, and there's no one left to contradict your claims."
Prince Ming was furious. "You—"
Lu Yuan interjected, "Grandfather, you must not be deceived by this man. He has betrayed his teacher, disrespected his ancestors, and committed countless crimes. His lies are beyond enumeration! From the moment he used Lu Qi to approach Grandfather, he hasn't spoken a single truth. One moment he claims a false Qilin, the next a false Phoenix Maiden. He has played the entire court and Grandfather for fools. Not a word he says can be trusted!"
Prince Ming chimed in, "That's right, Father Emperor! He claimed his daughter was a Phoenix Maiden and his son-in-law was the State Guardian Qilin. If not for Wushan sending the Phoenix Maiden Sword to expose his lies, Father Emperor and we would have been deceived for much longer!"
Emperor Liang, though he had lost his memory, had not lost his judgment. He could tell at a glance whether someone was lying. As for Gongsun Yanming, he had been calm and composed from the start, showing no sign of guilt.
Emperor Liang said, "You are right. A single corpse is not enough to prove you were the one who gave the order, and there is a lack of witnesses for the Heart-devouring Parasite incident."
Prince Ming's face changed. "Father Emperor!"
The Salvation King was indignant. "What nonsense? This isn't enough to punish him?"
Duke Jiang lamented, "Lord Liu, wake him up! He's blind!"
Gongsun Yanming bowed. "Your Majesty is wise!"
Emperor Liang continued, "However, as the Imperial Tutor, you misidentified the Qilin and the Phoenix Maiden, which is sufficient proof of your incompetence and unsuitability for the position."
Gongsun Yanming's expression faltered.
Emperor Liang said sternly, "Hand over the Imperial Tutor's insignia."
Gongsun Yanming was surprised. "Your Majesty!"
The crowd breathed a sigh of relief. It made sense. They had almost thought this old villain would escape punishment.
The Imperial Tutor's insignia was his protection. Without it, the old villain would be stripped of his power.
The Salvation King tapped his leg. Well, this in-law, I can barely tolerate him.
Lu Yuan smiled and approached Gongsun Yanming. "Hand it over, Imperial Tutor."
No more relying on the Imperial Tutor's insignia to break into the Crown Prince's mansion. Let's see how you act next time.
Gongsun Yanming looked at Lu Yuan, then at Meng Qianqian, who smiled back.
Gongsun Yanming tightened his fingers and handed over the Imperial Tutor's insignia.
Emperor Liang said, "And the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. You no longer need to go there. I will reclaim it as well."
Gongsun Yanming's face finally changed. "Your Majesty!"
Emperor Liang's authority is formidable. A double emperor vote, please!
(End of Chapter)
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