The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 309 To No Regrets
Upon hearing this, the emperor and Zhiye both turned to look.

Both men looked quite surprised when they saw the two people who entered.

Especially the emperor.

His eyes were fixed on the person behind Shen Congrong.

His eyes held surprise, shock, and scrutiny.

He had just witnessed everyone fall down, including his own son.

But looking at him now, his son doesn't seem to be poisoned at all.

"Hongyuan, you... how come you're alright?" Although he asked this aloud, the emperor already knew the answer in his heart.

The person following behind Shen Congrong was none other than Prince Gaoyang, Xuanyuan Hongyuan.

Prince Gaoyang's eyes flashed, and he stepped forward, kneeling before the emperor. "Father, I didn't drink much tonight, so my poisoning wasn't severe. Fortunately, Commander Shen revived me, and I am now safe and sound."

Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded slightly, "You are indeed lucky."

Prince Gaoyang glanced at his face, unable to guess what he was thinking.

He lowered his head and said with a look of relief, "Fortunately, Father is alright, otherwise I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life."

"Why do you feel guilty? Did you collude with treacherous people to set up this scheme today in order to seize my throne?" the emperor said in a deep voice, his majestic eyes scrutinizing his son.

Prince Gaoyang was startled and stammered, "Father, you jest. How could I, your son, have done something so terrible..."

“Your Majesty, Prince Gaoyang is virtuous and capable enough to shoulder heavy responsibilities. I implore Your Majesty to pass the throne to Prince Gaoyang, so that it will not fall into the hands of a bandit and destroy the century-old foundation of our Great Chen!” Shen Congrong interrupted him and knelt down on one knee.

Seeing his righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, Zhiye could no longer hold back and let out a cold laugh.

By now, how could he not see through Shen Congrong's wolfish ambitions?
Shen Congrong was only using him from beginning to end.

Shen Congrong wanted to support Prince Gaoyang to the throne, but Prince Gaoyang was simply easier to control.

However, he was deceived by Shen Congrong, who believed that he was also only interested in avenging his father.

For so many years, he trusted him so much, listened to his words about overthrowing the dog emperor, plundered wealth in Jiangnan, and supplied him with provisions, and in the end…

Zhi Ye narrowed his eyes and said sarcastically, "Shen Congrong, I think it's you who wants to sit on the throne, isn't it?"

Shen Congrong stood up and glanced at him contemptuously. "What right do you, a lowly bandit, have to stand here?"

Enraged, Zhiye raised his sword, ready to stab him.

But at that moment, he staggered, lost his grip on the sword, and it fell to the ground with a clatter. He then lost his balance and collapsed to the ground.

He was terrified and tried to get up, but found that he couldn't muster any strength at all.

Shen Congrong sneered, walked up to him, and looked down at him, "You dare to assassinate the Emperor! You deserve to die!"

Zhiye was both shocked and furious. "When...when did you give me the muscle-relaxing powder?"

Shen Congrong chuckled, but did not answer. Instead, she raised the sword in her hand.

Seeing this, Zhiye's eyes darkened, and she had already found the answer in her heart.

It must have been when he attempted to assassinate the emperor, and Shen Congrong pretended to stop him, that he took the opportunity to sprinkle the powder.

Zhiye was filled with anger and regret.

However, it was all too late.

Because Shen Congrong's sword had already pierced his heart without hesitation.

"Thud!" The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh rang out in the tent.

As Shen Congrong drew her sword, bright red blood gushed from Zhiye's chest.

Zhi Ye stared intently at Shen Congrong, "You...you're so cruel!" After saying that, his head lolled to the side and he stopped breathing.

Shen Congrong sneered, not even glancing at him, and walked towards the emperor, carrying the still-dripping sword.

"Your Majesty, this traitor was disrespectful to you, and I have already ordered his execution."

The emperor did not show any pleasure.

He raised his head, looked at the Imperial Guard commander before him, and suddenly said, "Shen Congrong, how long have you been by my side?"

Shen Congrong paused, seemingly lost in memories, and after a long while, said softly, "It's been almost twenty years."

The Emperor nodded. "It's rare that you still remember. Do you also remember when you were almost starving to death by the roadside, it was I who, disguised as a commoner, happened to see you and took you in?"
Your rise from an unknown nobody to the commander of the Imperial Guards was entirely due to my personal promotion.

My trust in you is even greater than that in my own son.

But how have you repaid me?

Shen Congrong pulled herself out of her memories and said coldly, "Everyone looks out for themselves! Besides, the Emperor's position was also seized through underhanded means."

"What I am doing now is simply taking back what I lost."

The emperor was startled and scrutinized him with a scrutinizing gaze. "You... are the son of the Prince of Jin?"

Shen Congrong remained silent, her eyes filled with incomprehension.

The emperor's heart sank, and he narrowed his eyes, saying, "So, back then, when you fainted by the roadside, it was all a deliberate setup? Did you know that I would pass by there that day when I left the palace incognito? You really are quite the patient one! You've been lurking by my side for so many years, gradually gaining my trust, all for this day?"

Shen Congrong snorted coldly and said impatiently, "Enough nonsense, Your Majesty, hurry up and write the edict of succession. I will definitely assist Prince Gaoyang and make the Great Chen Dynasty more stable and prosperous!"

"What if I don't write it?" the emperor asked, his face darkening.

"I'm afraid you have no choice," Shen Congrong said, placing a sword against his neck. "The people outside are all my men. You have no choice but to write it. Besides, Prince Gaoyang is also your son. What difference does it make whether you pass the throne to him or to any other prince?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Gaoyang immediately stood up and reassured him, "Father, rest assured, your son will govern the country well and will not disappoint you." After a pause, he walked to the tent flap and lifted it, saying, "Commander Shen has gathered troops to guard outside the tent in order to protect your safety, Father."

Looking at the massive army outside, the emperor laughed in anger, "Protect my safety? I think you are clearly coercing me!"

"Your subject dares not," Shen Congrong said, but the sword pressed against the emperor's neck did not loosen its grip in the slightest.

When the Prince of Gaoyang met the emperor's imposing gaze, he shrank back slightly, lowered the tent curtain, and said sheepishly, "Your subject dares not."

"Your Majesty, why delay any longer? The entire hunting grounds have been besieged by me. No one will come to your rescue. Even Lu Zhan, whom you rely on most, has been poisoned by me."

Those who understand the practicalities are the wise ones. The Emperor is already quite old; why does he continue to cling to the throne and refuse to relinquish it?
"If you simply write the name of Prince Gaoyang on the edict of succession, you will become the Retired Emperor, enjoying a leisurely and carefree life, and even receiving the service of Prince Gaoyang. Isn't that wonderful?"

The emperor looked intently at Prince Gaoyang, "Hongyuan, is that what you think too?"

Prince Gaoyang had always been afraid of his father, the emperor. Even though his father was being held at swordpoint, his dignity remained undiminished, which still made Prince Gaoyang fear him from the bottom of his heart.

But things had already come to this point, and he could no longer back down.

Moreover, his father never had him as a son.

First the Crown Prince, then Prince Rui.

Despite being the eldest son, he was never favored by his father, the emperor, because of his mother's lowly status.

Once he ascends the throne, who will dare to look down on him?
Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated and said loudly, "Yes, I am also your son, why can't I inherit the throne? Please, Father, finish writing the edict as soon as possible." After saying this, he strode over, picked up the pen, and forcefully shoved it into the emperor's hand, "Please, Father, make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise if those soldiers break in, I will not be able to stop them."