RPAGF Chapter 926 Shocking words
Chapter 926 Shocking words
Qin Qingshan gave a bitter smile, but did not continue speaking. Instead, he pleaded, "I know that my current sins are beyond redemption, but I want to see the Empress and the young princes one last time before I die. After all, they are my daughters and grandsons."
Cui Ling frowned and shouted, "You old thief, you wish! When you committed the crime, you didn't think of the Empress and the princes, but now that you're about to die, you suddenly remember them."
These words were also a subtle reminder to Zhou Pu not to be soft-hearted and fall into Qin Qingshan's trap.
Seeing that Zhou Pu's expression was somewhat hesitant, Zhang Ping'an's heart sank.
At this point, he already sensed that what was about to be said might not be appropriate to continue listening to.
Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Zhou Pu still ordered, "Go and invite the Empress and the young princes over."
Zhang Ping'an stepped forward and took on the task: "Your Majesty, the situation inside and outside the palace has just calmed down. We cannot be afraid that thieves may be hiding in the shadows and launching a sneak attack. Why don't I take some men to the inner palace to bring the Empress and the young princes over to ensure their safety?"
"Hmm, what you say makes sense. Then you may lead the men there," Zhou Pu nodded in agreement after thinking for a moment.
Before long, Zhang Ping'an brought the person to the door, and after reporting the news, he secretly made an excuse to retreat outside.
Li Chong and Zheng Ping then withdrew as well.
Cui Ling was too late. He needed to ensure Zhou Pu's safety and couldn't back down, so he had no choice but to stay.
Moreover, he was highly skilled and daring, and he wasn't afraid of hearing any palace secrets. On the contrary, he was curious about how Qin Qingshan would use sophistry to escape.
Empress Qin is only in her early twenties, not yet thirty. She is very well-maintained. Although her features are ordinary, she has a dignified, elegant, and composed demeanor, which makes it clear that she comes from an extraordinary family.
The three princes beside her were all under six years old. Only one was her biological son, while the other two were born to concubines of lower rank but were registered under her name.
The young princes were dressed like little adults, very sensible, and knew that something extraordinary had happened today. At this moment, they followed Empress Qin closely like quails.
After Empress Qin entered, she knelt down and bowed to Zhou Pu, ignoring her elderly father Qin Qingshan who was kneeling on the other side.
Zhou Pu didn't call her to get up, so she knelt to one side and silently shed tears. She didn't say a word, and her tears rolled down silently, which was far more pitiful than a loud cry of grief.
The two grew up together, and Zhou Pu felt a pang of pity for her: "The Empress must already know what happened in the palace today, right?"
Empress Qin nodded silently, wiped away her tears, and said in a low voice, "I will obey Your Majesty's judgment! Even if it costs me my life, it is my just deserts. It's just a pity for these children... I hope Your Majesty will have mercy and treat them well in the future."
Seeing this, the young princes also began to kowtow, showing their keen sense of propriety.
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became very oppressive.
"Ahem, no wonder people often say that it's easy to break legal principles, but hard to break family ties," Zhou Pu said with deep feeling at this moment.
Qin Qingshan looked up and observed carefully. Zhou Pu was a child he had watched grow up, and he knew him very well.
Hearing him say this, one could tell that his attitude had softened somewhat, but it was not enough to make him spare his life. So, after the Empress Qin finished speaking, he kowtowed again.
This time, the voice sincerely confessed: "Your Majesty, all of this was done by me alone. I will take responsibility for my actions. The princes are all of imperial blood. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency. Today, I am able to see them one last time. My wish has been fulfilled. I have no other requests. However, before I die, there is one thing I would like to tell Your Majesty to atone for my sins and make amends for my mistakes."
“Speak your mind,” Zhou Pu said.
"Your Majesty must know that the late Emperor spent his life searching for the enormous treasure left behind by the bandit king Bai Chao before his death, but to no avail. In recent years, however, I have discovered some clues, and the treasure map has been memorized. This wealth is the accumulated riches of the people of the north, accumulated over generations. It is no exaggeration to say that it is as rich as a country. If Your Majesty can obtain this wealth and add it to the national treasury to enrich the country, the lives of the people throughout the country will surely be better, and they will no longer have to fear the invasions of foreign tribes from the north and south, thus relieving the Emperor's worries."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Pu sat up straight immediately. "You mean you've found the treasure left behind by Bai Chao? Is that true?"
He had known about this for years, but it had never been resolved and was eventually forgotten.
"I am a dying man, so what reason do I have to deceive Your Majesty? This matter is absolutely true. Before Bai Chao died, he released a trusted confidant who was familiar with the location of the treasure. Please grant me pen and ink, Your Majesty, and I can draw the treasure map right now," Qin Qingshan said earnestly.
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Pu instructed someone to set out writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
In fact, he knew that the King of Qin was using this as a pretext to advance, hoping to use this incident to get him to let him go and spare his life.
So he didn't keep you in suspense and said directly, "If this matter is true and we can find the huge fortune left by Bai Chao, then I will spare your life as if you have redeemed yourself and let you live out your days in the Imperial Clan Court. But if this matter is false, not only you, but even the Empress will be implicated and her life will be in danger. You have to think carefully about this matter."
Qin Qingshan took a deep breath and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"
Cui Ling was furious. Qin Qingshan was a man of many minds; there was no way he would let anyone live.
After Qin Qingshan calmly finished drawing the treasure map and presented it, a sudden commotion arose outside.
A guard came in to report that there were assassins lying in ambush nearby. Soon after, a fire broke out in Yangning Palace as well.
Cui Ling acted decisively, going over to help Zhou Pu up. "Your Majesty, it's dangerous here. Please come with me and move outside the palace immediately."
Empress Qin and her young princes also quickly got up.
Qin Qingshan reacted quickly and immediately knew that he was not going to live that day.
After laughing twice, he said loudly, "All your scheming has come to naught! Today my life ends, but Your Majesty, do you really think that your Zhou family are the biggest winners? Hahahaha, let me tell you, you're wrong, terribly wrong!"
Even the shrewd late emperor was deceived. The Second Prince is not the son of Bai Chao at all. I was the one who spread the rumors. And during that autumn hunt, the imperial physician already said that you would be unable to have children. Didn't you know that? If I hadn't painstakingly helped you secure your position as crown prince, how could you have gotten to where you are today!
Before he could finish speaking, an arrow had already pierced through his chest.
Qin Qingshan didn't care at all, but looked at Empress Qin with some guilt: "Daughter, I'm sorry, please be reborn into a good family in the next life!"