jdhmnovel Chapter 232: Meeting the Saint (Part )
Chapter 232: Meeting the Saint (Part )
"If it's really as you say, then why did you fake your death, so that no one in the Shi Mansion would know your whereabouts? Where have you been all this time?"
The emperor's eyes were as cold as ice. It was Tao Yao's first time to meet the emperor, so she couldn't help but feel scared. For a moment, she didn't know how to start explaining.
Should she tell the truth, because she was afraid of the Shi Mansion and Chu Huanjun, and in order to survive, she took the opportunity of being kidnapped to leave the capital and hid in a small town for several months?
Or should I tell a few lies and come up with a more reasonable excuse to get myself out of this trap?
Tao Yao couldn't help but take a deep breath - after all, the person standing in front of her and asking her questions was not someone else, but the emperor.
Not to mention that deceiving the emperor is a serious crime. If you tell a lie, you will have to tell ten thousand more lies to cover it up later. Tao Yao is not sure whether she has such ability at the moment. Even if she does, she dare not take the risk of being beheaded.
"Your Majesty... I have been intentionally hiding my father's identity for some time. To avoid him, I have left the capital and lived in Qingshui Town. I don't know why everyone in the Shi Mansion claimed I was dead. The day I left, I was kidnapped by kidnappers. After that, the Shi Mansion did not send anyone to rescue me. I narrowly escaped the kidnappers and wandered around. Fortunately, I was taken in by a butcher for a few days, and then settled down in Qingshui Town. I didn't return to the capital because my life in the Shi Mansion was not good. I couldn't even get enough food. I didn't want to live a life of dependence on others. In Qingshui Town, I could still earn a living on my own. I was very satisfied with that life, so I deliberately hid and didn't return to the capital."
Tao Yao paused, and finally mustered up the courage to raise her head and look directly into the emperor's face.
"Every word I have said is true. If there is even the slightest falsehood, I will immediately hit my head against the pillar and die to prove my innocence."
Tao Yao's eyes were bright and her expression was firm, even the emperor was moved by her.
"I heard that the prince also went to Qingshui Town with Lord Song some time ago. Have you met?"
The emperor pressed the issue further, and Tao Yao was shocked and speechless again.
Zuo Tang was still observing Tao Yao with a smile on his face, his face sinister, waiting with interest to see how Tao Yao would answer.
Zuo Tang clearly knew Chu Huanjun's whereabouts in Qingshui Town and the unusual relationship between him and Tao Yao. He knew Tao Yao was Chu Huanjun's weak spot, so he lured Tao Yao to the palace and took this step to force Chu Huanjun to compromise.
Now, apart from the revenge for the murder of her mother that Chu Huanjun had told her about, and the batch of goods that Chu Huanjun had deliberately robbed at the Fragrance Appreciation Conference in Qingshui Town, Tao Yao didn't know what other entanglements there were between the two of them.
But Chu Huanjun had clearly let go of the shipment, and Wuyan Pavilion had successfully shipped it away. Zuo Tang had gotten what he wanted. If this matter hadn't come before the Emperor, perhaps it could have been covered up. But now, he was deliberately provoking a dispute in front of the Emperor. Wasn't he afraid of being exposed?
Tao Yao couldn't fathom the cunning old fox Zuo Tang's intentions. If he wanted to trip her up and kill her, she wouldn't be able to escape. In this situation, the only thing she could do was answer truthfully. The emperor's decision was up to fate.
"I have," Tao Yao replied, "but my meeting with His Highness Prince Yi was a matter of chance. I was kidnapped and nearly died, but it was His Highness Prince Yi who showed mercy and saved my life. I am deeply grateful for His Highness's care for me in every way. No one would deliberately avoid their savior, right?"
The emperor's cold gaze fell on Tao Yao, staring at her with wide eyes, as if he wanted to peel off a layer of her skin to see if what she said was true.
In a flash, Tao Yao's mind shifted. She turned to look at Zuo Tang, who was hiding in the shadows, and said with a smile, "Master Zuo, you keep accusing me of deceiving the emperor and committing crimes, someone who has never even entered the palace. What is your intention? If we really talk about deceiving the emperor, plotting for power, and usurping the throne, it would be much easier for Master Zuo to do such things."
Zuo Tang's expression changed drastically. He pointed at Tao Yao and shouted angrily, "Shi Tao Yao, you are slandering me! Slander!"
"okay--"
The emperor's majestic voice interrupted all arguments. He glanced at Zuo Tang, and Zuo Tang dared not complain anymore.
"The prince hasn't been found yet, and now you're all suspicious of each other, with no one to verify which of you is telling the truth. Let's discuss everything after the prince returns."
The emperor looked displeased, but it was obvious that he had no interest in watching this farce anymore.
Tao Yao then lowered her head, but suddenly noticed that Song Zhishou's body moved. She caught a glimpse of him slowly raising his head, his lips slightly opened, as if he wanted to say something.
Tao Yao was startled and quickly grabbed his wrist and pinched him hard with her nails.
Song Zhishou turned his gaze and immediately saw Tao Yao shaking her head slightly and winking at him, telling him not to act rashly.
Tao Yao knew that Song Zhishou wanted to prove her innocence. However, if Song Zhishou stood up and spoke for her now, it would undoubtedly reveal to the emperor that he was Chu Huanjun's henchman, which would play into Zuo Tang's hands.
The best thing to do now is to play dumb and buy time for Chu Huanjun.
Song Zhishou reacted in an instant, then lowered his head and gave Tao Yao a wink.
"but--"
The emperor spoke again, startling everyone. Tao Yao suddenly looked up, her eyes unexpectedly meeting the emperor's. Startled, she quickly lowered her head again, lowering herself even further to the ground.
"Shi Taoyao, since you've returned to the capital, you should go back and meet with the Marquis of Zhenbei. After all, we're still family. While you're still alive, don't let the elders worry."
The emperor put on a concerned smile, but Tao Yao felt distressed no matter how she looked at it.
Tao Yao lowered her body even further, her chest almost touching the ground, and replied respectfully, "I understand."
The emperor sighed deeply, waved his hand, and walked out the door, leaving behind a dejected figure. He could be heard sighing, "You children, you never give your elders any peace of mind. How are you going to live your lives in the future?"
After seeing the emperor leave, Zuo Tang, Zuo Qiu and his men also followed suit and left in a swarm. The room, which was originally packed with people, was emptied in an instant, leaving only Tao Yao and Song Zhishou kneeling there.