When His Majesty the Emperor saw the report, his imperial countenance darkened with rage.
Prince Yan, Zhao Heng, had always been a thorn in his side. He had been unable to find anything incriminating, and so had never been able to move against him.
Now, the evidence was conclusive!
And he, Liu Zhong, the great hero who had seen through Prince Yan's scheme and risked his life to protect His Majesty...
His Majesty's favor, boundless honors, the respect of the court officials...
One enticing vision after another unfolded before his eyes.
His breathing instantly grew ragged.
The flame of ambition in his heart had been kindled by Gu Shen's casual remark, and now it blazed fiercely!
But...
"No... I can't..." Liu Zhong shook his head violently. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back. "This... this was you..."
"What about me?" Gu Shen interrupted him, a cold smile appearing on his face. "Did I bring the assassins here? Or did I kill them?"
"Eunuch, you need to understand one thing."
"From the moment you came to escort me by imperial decree, you and I have been in the same boat. If I die, you won't survive either. If I'm guilty of deceiving His Majesty, you won't escape the charge of 'failing to protect me'."
"But things are different now."
Gu Shen leaned forward slightly, and a powerful pressure instantly enveloped Liu Zhong.
"I'm giving you a choice."
"You can choose to report everything that happened today to His Majesty, exactly as it happened. Tell him that I, Gu Shen, am a reckless madman who not only colluded with Prince Yan, but deliberately lured assassins here and used the Imperial Guards he sent as cannon fodder."
"Tell me, will His Majesty believe you, or will he think you're making excuses for your incompetence