Chapter 166 – Historically Memorable Villainy Arc
As soon as Su Shi finished speaking to Song Rong, he turned around, walked out the palace door, and headed towards the imperial guards.
Yesterday’s incident of protecting the emperor was still vivid in everyone’s mind, so even though the imperial guards were ordered to arrest him, they still have respect for him. The leader of the imperial guards took a step forward; wanting to help Lu Li board the carriage, but Lu Li shook his head and declined him. Lu Li lifted the hem of his robes, got on the carriage, and sat down firmly.
The carriage left and the imperial guards retreated like a receding tide. Song Rong stood there in a daze. In his mind’s eye, he was still seeing the image of Lu Li’s clear eyes as he thanked him warmly.
Maybe it was because of his weak body, or because he was sincerely thanking him, but it was an extremely rare sight to not see an iota of coldness or apathy in those eyes. Lu Li looked at him calmly, but he seemed extraordinarily gentle and peaceful.
Lu Li looked so peaceful that it seemed like he had already predicted the ending of this journey.
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Biting coldness suddenly ran up his spine. Song Rong’s eyes turned cold. He turned around and said sharply, “Prepare my court attire and the horse!”
Song Rong originally thought that even if what he said last night could not change the young emperor’s mind, it would still help the emperor perceive the strangeness of the whole matter, but he didn’t expect that what he said would actually accelerate Song Zhilan’s determination to take Lu Li’s life.
It’s all come to this point. Everything was already said and done. The prime minister’s residence was ransacked in one night and Lu Li was declared a heinous criminal.
Song Zhilan was the one to give out the orders and condemnation. As the new emperor, he could not afford to be wrong before the imperial court.
Song Rong changed into the luxurious court attire of a regent, got on a black steed, and with a crack of the whip he sped off.
Su Shi leaned against the side of the carriage and closed his eyes to take a rest. He had a Renewing Life Pill prepared in advance.
The misunderstanding value went up and down like a rollercoaster all throughout the night. Su Shi got so annoyed that he turned off the warning sound for it. Right now, he urgently needed to take advantage of the situation and go to the imperial court to set the young emperor’s mind at ease.
Lu Li never thought of leaving a way out for himself. He antagonized many people with his ruthless tactics and walked alone this entire journey. He didn’t even have a single confidant.
But it was impossible to do everything seamlessly. Of course there was still evidence that would be unearthed sooner or later, but it was still very early in the plotline.
It would not be until after his death that the gaps in the imperial court were completely exposed, and the new ministers for the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue would find out that the army’s provisions has always came from the right prime minister’s residence. When the exiled government officials got called back to the capital, they would seek out their benefactor and find to their astonishment that the property, money, and food they received all had vestiges of the right prime minister.
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All the things he did were true, and so were the crimes. As long as the imperial court convicted Lu Li, once the new emperor ascended the throne, Lu Li’s blood would become the best tool to startle all the government officials of the empire.
The beheading of the prime minister would definitely change the atmosphere of the court, sweep away the decline of the old dynasty, and deter all parties. No one would remember the oppressed and pissed off prince anymore, and in everyone’s eyes, only the decisive young emperor would remain.
This was the best ending.
The carriage stopped, and there was silence outside the carriage. Su Shi took a deep breath, folded his sleeves and got up calmly.
He needed to play the part of an arrogant and domineering prime minister once more to pave the last stage for the young emperor to reach the position of supremacy.
From then on, the ups and downs of the court and the changes in the world have nothing to do with Lu Li.
Dawn colors painted the early sky. There was a chilly nip in the air.
Su Shi lifted up the long hem of his robes with one hand and walked up the stairs one step at a time. The wind was biting cold and seeped through his clothes in the blink of an eye.
The forty-nine white marble steps used to be nothing more than a leisurely walk in the park for him, but walking up these stairs with his seriously injured and weak body was a heavy burden.
Su Shi’s chest rose and fell slightly. A layer of fine sweat was already beaded across his forehead. When the cold wind buffeted his sweat-soaked body, the chill spread through his entire body in an instant, taking away even the smallest traces of heat.
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He only managed to get halfway up the stairs so far. Would he even be able to make it into the court hall?
Su Shi gritted his teeth. He was prepared to climb up those stairs with all his might. All of a sudden he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Then a heavy cloak was draped over his shoulders.
His body, which was almost frozen and numb, warmed up instantly. Su Shi’s body wavered and in a flash a strong arm came up to support him.
Inexplicably, Su Shi did not feel surprised. He used the arm to steady himself and then looked at the other person. His tone was close to a sigh, “Wangye…”
“I’m not good at political affairs. I’m just going to listen from the sidelines and not say a word,” said Song Rong.
Song Rong helped Su Shi stay upright. He stuffed a small and intricate hand stove into Su Shi’s sleeve as he looked directly into Su Shi’s eyes. His voice became lower and softer.
“Prime Minister, don’t chase me away, okay?”
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Song Rong bore the reputation of the regent, but he was very aware of his importance. Even if he has made great contributions in protecting the emperor, he has never really regarded himself as the regent, and he avoided attending court whenever he could. Except for the day when it was bestowed on him, this was the first time he was wearing this extremely luxurious court attire.
The fierce aura he has honed from the iron and blood of the battlefield was suppressed by the thick and luxurious fabrics. Instead, he exuded an awe-inspiring and inviolable majesty. But he purposefully restrained all his rough edges with care, and only a clear and candid plea remained in his gaze.
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