Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 500

Chapter 500: Chapter 497: Confession Letter_1

"Enough! Enough! Stop kowtowing!" The Emperor’s voice softened.

Although King Liang’s actions were wrong, his filial piety moved the Emperor. Especially when he saw the scars on King Liang’s arm, thinking of how this child used his own blood to make an elixir for him, his heart softened.

The Emperor’s many sons, none could match King Liang in filial piety, not even the Crown Prince.

"Father!" King Liang kneeled closer, hugging the Emperor’s leg. "Father... I didn’t expect this matter to escalate so much. Please, let Father pretend not to know about it. I will take all the blame! But afterward, I won’t be able to serve you closely. Please, take care of yourself, don’t overexert, and stay healthy!"

The Emperor looked down at King Liang, who was crying while holding his leg, not asking for mercy, but pleading for his health. The Emperor’s heart was moved again. For a moment, paternal affection took over. He gently raised his hand, patted King Liang’s head, and said in a low voice, "Enough! Stop crying!"

"Your Majesty..." Gao Demao’s voice called loudly from outside the hall. "Lord Fan Yuhuai, Commander of the Patrol Camp, requests an audience. He reports that the Jiuqu Alley Wang family house caught fire. Many children, including some recently kidnapped, were rescued. Some had broken arms, others severed legs, a pitiable sight! The older ones could say they were from farming households in Shuoyang’s outskirts, kidnapped by bandits, wanting to return home to their parents."

Neither the Emperor nor King Liang, who had been in a private discussion, allowed anyone else in, not even Gao Demao, who could only report from the doorway.

Jiuqu Alley Wang family...

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, looking down at King Liang, who was still clinging to him, and said, "Your filial piety, though misdirected... I am still your father, and I will protect you!"

Tears streaming, King Liang looked up at the Emperor. "But, Father, they’ve already beaten the drum of accusation; it can’t be hidden!"

The Emperor looked at his naive son, squatted to meet his eyes, and instructed, "You know nothing about this. It has nothing to do with you! Everything was done by the Wang family! They only used your name because they thought you were easy to manipulate. Remember that!"

King Liang was startled. "But, Father, the alchemy furnace and the children’s bodies, some yet to be moved out, are still in my mansion..."

"I am the Emperor! I say it has nothing to do with you, and it doesn’t! Just remember that! Leave the rest to your Father!" The Emperor stood up, looking at the timid yet filial King Liang, patted his head, and said, "Go now!"

Pretending to be confused, King Liang kowtowed to the Emperor before exiting the hall, waiting outside with Gao Demao.

In less than the time it takes to drink a half cup of tea, the Emperor finally stepped out of the hall, leading King Liang toward the study.

When the Emperor arrived, Fan Yuhuai stepped forward to report the fire at the Jiuqu Alley Wang family and the rescue of the missing or kidnapped children. "All the Wang family members have been imprisoned."

"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, involving the Imperial Clan. Please immediately send someone to search King Liang’s mansion!" The Imperial Censor approached and said, "If true, action must be swift!"

Everyone understood what swift action meant, but only the Imperial Censor dared to say so.

King Liang looked at the Emperor, who gave him a reassuring glance. King Liang immediately cried, "Father! I know nothing, Father!"

The Crown Prince, seeing King Liang kneeling trembling in the hall, whisperingly said to the Emperor, "Father, King Liang is my brother. I believe he is kind-hearted and would never disregard human life to practice alchemy on children! Please let Lord Fan Yuhuai search King Liang’s mansion to clear his name!"

Minister of Judicial Review, Lu Jin, also stepped forward. "Yes, Your Majesty! If King Liang truly knows nothing, let’s send someone to check, so he is not falsely accused."