Chapter 397

Chapter 397

After Imperial Physician Xu left, the emperor rose from behind the imperial case and walked over to Gu Zezhi’s side to sit down.

Zhou Xin personally served the emperor a fresh cup of tea and glanced quickly at the emperor, whose face was slightly sullen as he twirled the jade ring on his thumb while muttering to himself, “In order to get himself off the hook, he even went so far as to commit matricide?”

The emperor’s eyes darkened slightly, as dark as the ink recalling past events.

Qin Zhun’s late eldest brother, Qin Jue who passed away was once the emperor’s companion. The two had been very close since childhood, and before the Qin family was exiled, they often ride horses, read books, and play ball together; they also often talk at night.

Qin Zhun was Qin Jue’s biological younger brother and the late Marquis’ son. Thinking about his old friend and the late marquis, the emperor really did not want to think he was that vicious.

In the emperor’s eyes, Qin Zhun was foolish and not cruel.

How could he reach the point of killing his mother?!

Gu Zezhi casually grabbed a handful of fish food from the box expressionlessly as he calmly said, “It could also possibly be Qin Xin.”

“......” The emperor’s eyes flashed as he meaningfully looked at Gu Zezhi.

Although Gu Zezhi only said “possibly”, he was never a person who talk nonsensical, since he mentioned Qin Xin, he probably suspected Qin Xin more.

In the past ten years, the Qin family had enough troubles so for the emperor, he would rather believe it was Qin Xin.

Gu Zezhi scattered the fish food from the window into the pool outside, and the golden-red carp in the pool immediately swam over, causing ripples and disrupting the autumn water.

Changing the topic, Gu Zezhi said. “Your Majesty, the Taipusu Case has to be finalized as soon as possible.”

Instead, he was sentenced to confiscate his title and go into exile; he had left with nothing!

Qin Zhun couldn’t help thinking of the exile fifteen years ago. At that time, because his father and brother were both there, he was still able to endure. He knew that, no matter how bad the situation was, the Qin family still had support. Even in the exile area of Minzhou, some officials secretly took care of them thinking of their old friendships. Once, he accidentally heard his father tell his brother that as long as he survived those years and waited for the crown prince to ascend to the throne, everything would be fine...

At that time, he was also counting on it.

But it’s different now, with his father and eldest brother gone, he’s left on his own ......

“I refused to accept this!” Qin Zhun shouted louder, but the two yamens didn’t care and forcefully dragged him outside the public hall.

Qin Zhun was getting more and more frightened, and shouted heartbreakingly, “Your Majesty, I want to see His Majesty!”

“Our Qin family was exiled to Minzhou fifteen years ago for the sake of the emperor, and my elder brother even died in Minzhou because of this ....”

Qin Zhun’s voice was getting farther and farther away as he was dragged down, leaving only the people in the public hall outside who were still unsatisfied. Some people curiously inquired about what Qin Zhun had said 15 years ago, and for a while, rumors started flying.

The words shouted by Qin Zhun in court were heard by the emperor on the same day.

Emperor: “....”

The emperor stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, and did not speak for a long time.

Sunlight cast a dappled shadow on his face through the sparse canopy of trees, and a few finches fluttered outside the window, making a subtle winging sound.

Beyond this, there was no sound.

***