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Chapter 540 Unjust Enough
After Emperor Jin finished speaking, silence fell once again in the Southern Study.

Zhu Yu and the others kept their eyes down, focusing on their own thoughts; now was not the time for them to express their opinions.

They were all present and heard clearly what the fake lord had said in the high priest's mansion.

The events of that year, as recounted by the fake fortress lord, have some similarities with Emperor Jin's current account, but also differ significantly in others.

Clearly, one of these two people was telling the truth, while the other mixed some falsehoods into their truth.

Or perhaps, both individuals, based on their own perspectives and interests, have added something false to the story.

Emperor Jin finished recounting the events of that year in one breath, as if he had exhausted all his strength. He was slightly weak and panting, leaning back in his chair, looking at Lu Qing: "This is the whole truth of what happened back then. Now you know, are you satisfied?!"

Your father was like a brother to me, and your grandfather was also an elder I greatly respected.

Over the years, whenever I think about what happened back then, it keeps me up at night, and I feel heartbroken.

I adopted you and raised you with care, which is also a way of repaying your grandfather and father.

Now that things have come to this, I don't expect you to be grateful, but at the very least, you shouldn't be so disrespectful and break my heart.

Lu Qing, however, did not seem to believe what Emperor Jin had just said. He frowned slightly and asked directly, "If that's the case, why has Your Majesty been so secretive about what happened back then all these years and refused to mention it in front of me?"
If this matter has tormented you so much, why have you refused to have it thoroughly investigated over the years?

"You are the ruler of all under heaven. If you truly wish to uncover the truth of what happened back then and bring the murderers who harmed my family to justice, why do you forbid anyone from mentioning it and instead try to cover up what happened back then?"

"Do you think being the ruler of the world is a joke?!" Emperor Jin didn't expect that even after he had revealed everything, Lu Qing would still hold a grudge. His face darkened even more. "The dead are gone. Even if I could bring the perpetrators to justice immediately, could the dead come back to life?!"
At that time, the foundation of Da Jin was still unstable, beset by internal and external troubles. I ask you again, even if the murderer is found, can a dead person defend the foundation of Da Jin for me?!
This matter is quite complicated. If I had questioned and investigated it at the time, it would have inevitably caused panic among the people. For the sake of some deceased meritorious officials, we would have dragged the living into it, causing disunity and division. At that time, everyone in the court would have their own thoughts, the country would be in turmoil, and once an unexpected complication arose, everything we had worked so hard for would be lost.

At that time, whether I am the ruler of the world will not be the most important thing, but I will not be the only one who suffers in the war. All the people of the world will be drawn back into the chaos.

At that time, the world had suffered from war and chaos for a long time. As the so-called ruler of the world, should I, for the sake of the murder of my own family, push the whole world back into the limelight?
Back then, I had already discovered the strange poison that your grandfather and others had been poisoned with, and I also executed the most crucial villain behind it in Dangzhong. His head was hung under the city tower for three whole days!
Even the sect behind that person, because of his involvement, was wiped out by my troops, and its members scattered like monkeys after the tree fell, making it difficult for them to do anything anymore.

And I even brought you, my adopted son, into the palace and entrusted you to the care of my most trusted empress.

This is how I answer to your grandfather and father! This is how I repay them for their loyalty in following me and for their military exploits in quelling the rebellion!

"Well?! I've said everything I needed to say. Now, do you have anything else to say?"

Lu Qing seemed a little stunned. He was clearly not happy to agree with Emperor Jin's view, but he didn't know how to refute it. It was as if he had received too much information all at once, which made him unable to digest so much and he was still a little dazed.

Lu Chao, standing to the side, also sighed softly, his expression quite melancholy. "Why...why did you never say anything all these years? If only you had told me these things sooner..." he murmured.

"Although I rarely go out while I am in the palace, I am not entirely unaware of the rumors circulating outside."

Over the years, the rumors have never stopped. They say that I was wary of your grandfather and father because, although they were from a collateral branch of the royal family, they were still members of the royal family. In addition, their outstanding achievements and kind nature made them quite popular in private.

I was worried that if they were to try to seize power, it would threaten my position, so I secretly had them all killed.

You've probably heard these claims before, haven't you?

Lu Qing remained silent, neither admitting nor denying.

Emperor Jin snorted coldly: "I knew you must have heard of it."

So how can I tell you the truth? Can you guarantee you won't be prejudiced?
Rumor has it that I am wary of your grandfather's achievements overshadowing the emperor, and indeed I am very wary of such things.

Furthermore, there are no witnesses to what happened back then, so my words are meaningless. Even if I tell you, you will still not believe me and will continue to speculate.

They say no one knows a child better than their father. Although I am not your biological father, I have watched you grow up. Do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?

Since they already know the truth, why should I waste my breath?

Emperor Jin paused, looked at Lu Qing, and shook his head: "I thought that over the years, you and I would have some unspoken understanding, so if you found any clues outside, you would naturally understand the truth back then."

I never imagined your prejudice against me would run so deep. You've always harbored suspicions about me, convinced that I'm the mastermind behind the deaths of your grandfather and family. You're incredibly stubborn, and all the effort I've put into you has been wasted.

"Father..." Lu Chao seemed to have vaguely sensed something, and moved his knees, which had gone numb from kneeling, with some unease, and tried to persuade Emperor Jin.

Emperor Jin raised his hand to stop him from speaking, then pointed at Lu Chao and said to Lu Qing, "Over the years, whether it is Lu Chao or Lu Ze, they have all called me Father Emperor and referred to themselves as your son."

But you always call me Your Majesty and refer to yourself as your subject.

It's easy to imagine that in these past twenty-odd years, you've never once considered me your father.

"When you named me, weren't you constantly reminding me to always remember that I am just a subject and cannot have any improper thoughts?" Lu Qing asked Emperor Jin with a wry smile.