Chapter 281
Chapter 281
Su Jianting could no longer hold back and was about to use force. But since he truly couldn't resort to violence, he shouted for the palace guards to seize Shen Lang and give him a harsh flogging. Yet, how could Su Jianting not have noticed that the palace staff were completely unresponsive to Shen Lang's antics?
At that moment, Marquis Su Nan was inwardly overcome with astonishment.
*This Shen Lang is utterly vicious. He has no lines he won't cross.*
While others failed to see through his malicious intent, Marquis Su Nan saw it clearly. Shen Lang was trying to start a massive fire. His actions were a signal to the officials of the Crown Prince's and the Third Prince's factions, telling them not to miss this golden opportunity. He was reminding them that the King was sharpening his blade, ready to draw the Su Clan's blood, and that they shouldn't miss their chance to become the King's sword.
Of course, since both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were trying to win Su Nan over, neither side would impeach him alone. But if they impeached him together, there would be no problem. If they were going to offend Su Nan, it was better to do it collectively. Besides, pleasing the King was far more important than pleasing Su Nan. Shen Lang was reminding the officials of both factions to act in accordance with the King's will.
*You don't know the King's mind, so I will show you.*
Initially, this incident was a crisis of moderate proportions for the Su Clan. But now, Shen Lang, in concert with the King, was escalating it, determined to inflict a fatal wound upon the Su Clan. It was truly vicious, a masterful stroke! Marquis Su Nan couldn't help but admire it. He was finally experiencing firsthand the devilish brilliance of Shen Lang's intellect. He had arrived in the capital alone, just yesterday, and had already stirred up such a storm. No wonder Zhang Chong, that sharp sword of the King, had been defeated, and the Jin Clan had managed to take Raging Tide City. Things had just become much more troublesome. A small crisis had just blown up into a major one.
***
The King had ordered a eunuch to fetch Shen Lang an hour ago. Since the Grand Eunuch had just been flogged to a pulp, he had sent a low-ranking eunuch to summon Shen Lang from outside the palace. But when the junior eunuch reached the palace gates, he heard Shen Lang outside, stirring up trouble and inciting the assembled ministers to impeach.
He was instantly delighted.
*Shen Lang, you're digging your own grave. This is a golden opportunity for me to curry favor. Everyone knows His Majesty dislikes the Jin Clan and despises Shen Lang.*
The junior eunuch promptly returned to the palace to tattle, reporting every detail of Shen Lang's disgraceful behavior to the King. His actions were meant to, first, please the King; second, please the Crown Prince; and third, please Consort Xiao. It was a perfect case of killing three birds with one stone.
"This servant has witnessed something truly eye-opening. That son-in-law, Shen Lang, is treating the Royal Palace like a common market, grabbing every official he sees and refusing to let go. He's shouting for all the ministers to impeach Marquis Su Nan, urging them to bring everyone else along. Seeing his clownish behavior, it was clear he has no reverence for Your Majesty. This servant could not bear it and rushed back to report to you."
Having tattled, the junior eunuch was ecstatic, certain that Shen Lang was finished this time.
*Soon, His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Ladyship Consort Xiao will surely praise me greatly.*
Upon hearing this, the King's gaze turned icy, and a murderous intent surged within him. The target, of course, was not Shen Lang, but the junior eunuch who had just begun to win his favor. The King then spoke, his voice laced with anger.
"That son-in-law dares to be so audacious? How insolent!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I will immediately take the guards and arrest that wretched fellow."
Anyone who knew Ning Yuanxian understood that when he appeared angry, he wasn't truly enraged. It was when he smiled that his anger was lethal enough to kill. The King roared.
"I want to see exactly what this Shen Lang is trying to do."
He did not give the order to arrest Shen Lang, instead letting him continue his performance outside the palace. The King waited until Shen Lang had pitched his multi-level marketing scheme to dozens of officials, urging them to impeach Su Nan. Only then did the King finally explode with what seemed like unbearable fury.
"Guards! Drag that son-in-law before me! Tie him up and bring him here! How insolent! Does he think I truly cannot kill him?"
The junior eunuch was overjoyed and prepared to lead the soldiers to arrest and torment Shen Lang. But! The Grand Eunuch at his side moved faster. Though beaten to a bloody pulp, he moved with incredible speed. Leading four soldiers, he went to bring Shen Lang into the palace. In his eyes, the junior eunuch beside him was already a dead man.
*Fool. You dare to serve the master without understanding his true intentions?*
***
"The Ancestral Temple has burned, and the people of the Jiang have committed a crime, but the true culprit is the Su Clan. Everyone, you must impeach Su Nan at the morning assembly! I, Shen Lang, am also a scholar, and my five viscera are burning with..."
*Stop talking. How can you call yourself a scholar? Didn't you just attend the introductory class at Hansujin Academy for a few years and never once show up for a lecture at the Imperial Academy?*
Shen Lang was still making his pitch outside the palace gates when the Grand Eunuch approached and shouted.
"Take him away!"
In the end, Shen Lang was bound by four soldiers and dragged inside. The Fifth Prince, Ning Zheng, hurried to follow. The Grand Eunuch walked up to Marquis Su Nan and said.
"Junior Guardian Su, the weather is cold today and the ground is frozen. Please rise. You should enter the main hall to warm yourself. The morning assembly will begin soon."
Su Nan sighed inwardly.
"Thank you, Eunuch."
With Su Jianting's help, Su Nan staggered to his feet. His body felt as if it had rusted over; even standing was an immense effort. Marquis Su Nan swayed, unable to stand straight, and only after a long moment did he steady himself.
"My transgression has troubled Eunuch Li, and for that, I am deeply uneasy."
Eunuch Li replied, "Not at all. This servant has grown foolish with age and managed to kill His Majesty's most cherished orchid. That His Majesty did not have me beaten to death is a grace as vast as the sea. Junior Guardian Su, please enter the palace with me."
The Grand Eunuch, Li Zhun, moved to support Su Nan. Su Nan was determined not to enter the palace, but being "old and frail," he lacked the strength to resist. In the end, he had no choice but to let the Grand Eunuch help him inside.
Upon entering the palace, Su Nan felt that everyone's gazes were difficult to read. Crown Prince Ning Yi and Third Prince Ning Qi, in particular, looked at him with an especially friendly expression, but it was an unnatural friendliness. Whether the entire court would launch a barrage against Su Nan in the upcoming assembly depended on the will of these two princes.
"Your Highnesses, this old man's years are catching up to him, and my energy is failing. I shall close my eyes for a moment to recover my strength."
Instantly, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince bowed with clasped hands and withdrew. Marquis Su Nan closed his eyes, planning how to fend off the impending onslaught against the Su Clan. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince exchanged a look, and in that instant, they understood each other's intent.
*Let's do it! This is the King's will.*
Though they all wanted to win Su Nan over, pleasing the King was more important. If His Majesty wanted to strike Su Nan down, then it was only natural to do so. Most of the officials had arrived and were awaiting the King's presence. Just then, the Grand Eunuch, Li Zhun, entered and announced in a clear voice.
"Shen Lang, son-in-law of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, acted with brazen impunity before the Royal Palace, showing no regard for the laws of the kingdom. By His Majesty's decree, Shen Lang is to receive thirty lashes! Count Xuanwu has failed to properly discipline his household and will have his salary docked for three years and receive an edict of reprimand. Administer the punishment!"
Shen Lang was made to stand in the center of the square before the main hall and was brutally whipped. After a full thirty lashes, the soldiers dragged him away.
***
Inside the King's study.
The moment the King saw the Fifth Prince, Ning Zheng, he frowned and waved him away.
"You may leave."
With a somber expression, Ning Zheng withdrew from the study. The King made no effort to hide his dislike for this son. Shortly after, Shen Lang was brought into the study. The expensive robe he wore was torn to shreds, and the fabric was stained with numerous bloody marks from the whipping.
The King spoke to Shen Lang coldly, "Shen Lang, do you know your crime?"
Shen Lang replied, "This student knows his crime."
"Student? What student? Do you even hold a scholarly title?"
He did. Shen Lang was an Imperial Academy Student, but at the question, he corrected his address.
"This commoner knows his crime."
"The burning of the Ancestral Temple was a conspiracy you planned?"
"Yes."
*He admits it so openly?*
Even the King couldn't help but be surprised. He asked in a frosty tone, "Why?"
"To save Jin Mucong and to destroy the Su Clan."
*Damn it, you really are brutally honest. Answering every question asked.*
The King narrowed his eyes and asked, "Then do you know what crime you have committed?"
"I should not have used Princess Ning Yan."
"You are aware of that? Do you think that because you have the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and have taken Raging Tide City, I cannot kill you? Is your neck itching? Are you tired of living?"
"This commoner knows his crime. It is all my fault."
Just then, the Grand Eunuch, Li Zhun, spoke from outside, "Your Majesty, the hour has come!"
The King nodded. Attended by the Grand Eunuch, he put on his imperial crown and prepared to head to Ningde Hall for the morning assembly.
"Kneel here and wait. I will decide your fate after the assembly is over!"
After the King left, a junior eunuch entered to watch Shen Lang's every move. The junior eunuch was inwardly triumphant.
*Shen Lang, you wretched fool, you don't have long to live. The moment the assembly ends will be the moment you die. That day in Renzheng Hall, not only did you not bribe me, but you dared to ignore me? And you even talked back.*
Surprisingly, there was someone in this world with a pettier soul than Shen Lang. The moment the King left the study, Shen Lang stood up. The junior eunuch reprimanded him in a cold tone.
"Insolence. Who told you to stand? Kneel!"
Shen Lang glanced at him and said, "Idiot!"
The junior eunuch was momentarily stunned.
*Th-This is the Royal Palace, His Majesty's study! The moment His Majesty leaves, you dare to use such foul language?*
"How audacious! Guards, slap this man thirty times!"
As soon as he finished speaking, four lower-ranking eunuchs entered to seize Shen Lang and slap him. However, a single punch from Princess Ning Yan sent one of them flying over ten meters. The remaining eunuchs quickly prostrated themselves on the floor in greeting before retreating from the study.