readytorunbook Chapter 233 Self-Degradation, Reeking of Money
Chapter 233 Self-Degradation, Reeking of Money
"Mother, you are not a monster, I beg you."
At that time, Feng Chenyi couldn't understand how things had turned out this way. When he was just old enough to understand things, his father loved his mother very much. He not only made an exception to allow his mother to leave the palace at will, but also took him out of the palace to play from time to time.
Whenever he got something interesting, the first thing he thought of was his mother. At that time, everyone said that his mother was the happiest woman in the world, and she received the emperor's unique favor.
When did his father change, becoming indifferent to him? The father who used to comfort him for ages even if he just fell slightly, now remains unmoved when he sees him being bullied.
Upon hearing that his beloved mother had died, he showed only indifference, as if his mother was someone who was dispensable to him.
At this moment, his father kicked him away in disgust, saying, "Your mother is a wolf in sheep's clothing. She has amassed wealth through business, made irresponsible remarks about state affairs, and is obsessed with overthrowing the government. The whole court knows this. Do not mention this matter again, or I may not be able to protect you!"
Feng Chenyi's heart was breaking. His father had abandoned his mother, and everyone in the court was saying that his mother was not worthy of being buried in the imperial mausoleum, calling her a traitor and a villain.
The claim that she died outside was a self-directed act, a suicide out of fear of punishment.
As Feng Chenyi's vision of Zhai Yun gradually became clearer, his eyes widened in fury, and his heart shattered, he desperately wanted to explain: "Mother Consort is not a monster."
Looking at Feng Chenyi, whose eyes were filled with pain, Zhai Yun gently comforted him, "Brother Yi, no, no, Mother is not a monster. She is a very, very good person. Don't worry, Mother is not a monster."
As Feng Chenyi watched Zhai Yun's heart gradually calm down, a bitter and helpless smile appeared on his face. He said, "Yun'er, my mother's body is missing. She has nowhere to be buried. I, as her son, can't even find her body! I'm sorry to my mother. I'm not worthy to be her son!"
Seeing Feng Chenyi's pained expression, Zhai Yun felt extremely sad. She had no parents and, although she didn't understand Feng Chenyi's feelings for Consort Chen, seeing him like this made her truly heartbroken!
The scene of her being stabbed to death by her own son in her past life flashed before her eyes.
Zhai Yun, trembling, cupped Feng Chenyi's handsome face in her hands, looking at him with unwavering eyes, and whispered, "Brother Yi, this isn't your fault. You were too young then to shake this cold dynasty. Your mother won't blame you; she wouldn't want to see you like this!"
Zhai Yun had been a mother, and no mother would blame her child. They would only blame themselves for not giving him a normal and stable life, and for bringing him to this cannibalistic place.
Feng Chenyi's dim eyes looked at Zhai Yun's unwavering gaze. The way she stroked him was just like the way his mother had caressed him when he was a child. Her eyes, like his mother's, showed her heartache for him.
Long ago, Zhai Yun's love and care for him became his only source of affection.
Feng Chenyi gently stroked Zhai Yun's hand that was covering his face, feeling the warmth of her hand and the comfort of touching her, and slowly closed his eyes.
The events that had transpired in the court that day flashed through his mind.
Just as the court session was about to end, an urgent letter was delivered and presented directly to Emperor Xing'an, who was sitting high in the temple. He opened the letter, read its contents, and stood up in anger, throwing the letter at him.
Although he was still some distance away, he could tell from Emperor Xing'an's eyes that this matter was related to him, so he took a few steps forward and picked up the letter. The contents of the letter were nothing more than everything that Fengling City had found out.
Everyone in the court looked on as if watching a show. Lord Lu, who was behind him, leaned over and almost read the entire contents of the letter aloud.
Along with the letter came an IOU. Lord Lu snatched the IOU and looked at the amount on it, exclaiming in shock, "One hundred thousand taels! Prince Rui borrowed one hundred thousand taels from merchants without permission!"
Feng Chenyi saw that Emperor Xing'an's face was dark and gloomy. Everyone in the court was talking about how he had borrowed so much money when they heard the figure.
Feng Chenyi knelt down to beg for forgiveness, and recounted the pre-prepared story of how critical the situation was, saying that the weapons he received in the Northern Wilderness were defective and that he was forced into this situation.
Just like when he was a child, he tried his best to explain to him that his mother was not a monster. Everything overlapped, and no matter how he explained, there were voices in the court refuting him.
Some ministers even took the opportunity to criticize Prince Rui for his extravagant spending and the large amount of debt he had incurred in the capital, and even used this incident to imply that his motives for doing this were impure.
His father watched all this coldly, blaming him for acting on his own initiative and forming cliques for personal gain.
No matter how he explained, it seemed useless. A series of accusations were thrown at him. His father said that he did not respect him as the emperor and did whatever he wanted on the border, which was unworthy of the royal family.
Finally, Emperor Xing'an ordered him to go to the palace gate and kneel down to give the people an explanation!
He knelt there, and all the ministers who had left the court mocked him: "His mother was a wicked concubine, and her son is just like her, willingly degrading himself and reeking of money."
He returned to the capital after his meritorious service, but received no reward whatsoever. The capital, a place of extravagance and luxury, did not even express gratitude to him and the soldiers of Fengling City who had risked their lives for him.
When he makes a mistake, everyone stands up for him.
Those people are just taking advantage of him because he has no connections in the court and no one to rely on!
Feng Chenyi gently embraced Zhai Yun beside him. When he hugged her like this, Zhai Yun's knees fell to the ground. Seeing that Feng Chenyi moved, Zhai Yun breathed a sigh of relief and gently hugged his head that was resting on her neck.
Feng Chenyi recalled the ministers who mentioned his mother one by one, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes, and he tightened his grip on Zhai Yun.
As soon as the rain stopped, a gust of wind blew and Zhai Yun shivered. Her clothes were completely soaked, and Feng Chenyi's were in no better condition, even though Zhai Yun had given him a cloak.
But a torrential downpour can't be contained by an umbrella. Fortunately, the Second Provincial Governor arrived in time. After informing Yan Nanheng, he went back to the Prince's Mansion and retrieved two fox fur coats.
Feng Chenyi wrapped Zhai Yun's soaked body in a fox fur coat, while Qi Nuo draped the fox fur coat over Feng Chenyi.
"Does your knee hurt?" Zhai Yun wrapped a corner of her fox fur coat around Feng Chenyi's knees and placed it under his knees.
Feng Chenyi also moved his knees to cooperate.
Yan Nanheng rushed out just as the palace gates were locked. Seeing Feng Chenyi still kneeling there, he felt a pang of heartache in his eyes. He hurriedly helped Feng Chenyi up and said, "Fortunately, the Emperor doesn't know about our relationship. A couple of days ago, I gave him some pills to cure his old ailment, and he still trusts me now."
Feng Chenyi had been kneeling for seven or eight hours. When he stood up, his legs stiffened for a moment. Zhai Yun and Yan Nanheng helped him up and waited for his legs to recover for a while before helping him into the carriage.
At the palace gate, Yan Nanheng could not walk with them.