So, to everyone's astonishment, the scholar Sima Sheng, who had just been righteous and vehemently condemning tyranny, was now desperately trying to save Zhang Yu, Remnants of the Sheng Family.
The public, still reeling from the shock of Zhang Yu's sudden suicide, was once again stunned by Sima Sheng's contradictory and incomprehensible actions.
What did I see?
"Mr. Sima actually stepped forward to save the Sheng family, a member of the royal family?"
"Wasn't he just denouncing tyranny?"
"What... what exactly is going on?"
Zhang Yu was also surprised.
He knew someone would stop him from committing suicide. His actions were a desperate measure, intended to draw out the person behind the scenes who truly cared about his life or death, or rather, the continuation of the Sheng Family bloodline.
He just didn't expect that the first person to jump out would be Sima Sheng, who had just been passionately denouncing the Imperial Family!
In the blink of an eye, Sima Sheng rushed forward and grabbed Zhang Yu's wrist, which was holding the sword, tightly!
No.
Absolutely not!
Sima Sheng's voice trembled, his face was covered in cold sweat, and his knuckles turned white from gripping Zhang Yu's wrist so tightly.
Zhang Yu struggled twice, his face filled with even more grief and indignation. "Let go! Let me atone with my death and appease the people's anger."
"No! No!"
Sima Sheng dared not let go, holding on tightly while stammering incoherently:
"Disaster... disaster should not befall one's descendants!"
Even if the Sheng Family Ancestor had faults... even if they had faults, it has nothing to do with you, and you can't generalize!
His explanation was extremely far-fetched and contradicted his earlier remarks denouncing the Sheng Family as Eastern Sheng Tumor Group.
In his desperation, he couldn't care less about anything else; he just wanted to keep Zhang Yu calm and prevent him from actually dying.
Inside the sedan Zhu Wuyuan, his mind filled with suspicion as he observed Sima Sheng's unusual behavior.
But she still echoed Sima Sheng's words, loudly expressing her support in an attempt to salvage the situation:
"Lord Sima was benevolent, had clear likes and dislikes, was compassionate, and did not want to implicate the innocent. He is truly a role model for us all."
His Your Highness Sheng Yu is young and can be taught; there's no need for such extreme measures.
Some people, stirred up by Sima Sheng's previous words, found it strange, but upon hearing phrases like "misfortune should not befall one's descendants" and "have a compassionate heart," some temporarily suppressed their doubts, and some even echoed his sentiments:
"Lord Sima is truly virtuous!"
Zhang Yu sneered inwardly, "Little brat, still trying to act tough."
His face remained clouded with grief and indignation. He abruptly flung Sima Sheng's hand away, raised the broken sword again, and made as if to stab it into his heart once more, crying out in anguish:
"It is only natural and right for children to atone for the sins of their parents and ancestors."
I, Zhang Yu, will not be a disloyal, unfilial person who merely lives a life of dishonor and cowardice.
Today, I will wash away the shame of the Sheng Family with my blood.
"No!!"
Sima Sheng was so frightened he almost flew out of his skin. He nearly lunged forward, grabbing Zhang Yu's arm tightly, his voice trembling with tears.
"That won't do!"
"The affairs of our ancestors are ancient, and the truth of the matter has not yet been definitively judged. How can you bear the responsibility all by yourself?"
He had cursed Zhang Yu a thousand times in his heart.
Is this kid really that righteous?
It's just a few words about your ancestors, isn't it?
Why are you so desperate to die?
My mind is made up.
Zhang Yu's stubborn struggle was incredibly realistic.
"Foolish!"
You... your Sheng Family is completely innocent.
Sima Sheng was so anxious that he blurted out whatever came to mind, almost shouting it out.
As soon as he said it, he froze, and his face turned deathly pale.
It's over!
I let it slip!
The square fell into a deathly silence.
The previously thunderous clamor for "abolishing the imperial system" abruptly ceased, like a duck being choked.
Millions of people, along with Zhu Wuyuan in the sedan chair, and Murong Bai Murong Qiushui on the Raised Platform, all looked at Sima Sheng, who was clinging tightly to Zhang Yu's arm, with disbelief.
What did he say?
The Sheng Family... are they innocent?
Lord Sima. Sima Sheng, who was just vehemently criticizing the Sheng Family for being "tyrannical," "extorting money," "treating the people like dirt," and "Eastern Sheng Tumor family," is now actually saying... the Sheng Family is innocent?
This reversal came too fast, too violently, and caught everyone off guard.
The newly established trust and admiration for Sima Sheng, like a castle on the beach, was shaken to the brink of collapse by this sudden remark.
Countless gazes shifted from bewilderment to confusion, to doubt, and then... gradually rising anger and disgust at being fooled.
Sima Sheng felt the million needle-like gazes piercing him; he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his whole body went cold.
He was just boasting about how he could manipulate public opinion and control it at will.
But now, in order to save his own life, he has no choice but to stand on the opposite side of the "public opinion" that he himself instigated and manipulated.
This is the greatest irony and punishment for him.
"Lord Sima... what do you mean by that?"
From inside the sedan chair came Zhu Wuyuan's extremely cold voice, filled with deep disappointment and a hint of anger at being betrayed.
He simply couldn't understand why Sima Sheng, whom he regarded as a confidant and on whom he placed high hopes, would say such contradictory things at this crucial moment!
This turned all his previous preparations and momentum into a huge joke!
"Exactly, Lord Sima, what do you mean by saying the Sheng Family is innocent?"
From the crowd, someone began to angrily shout, their voice filled with the rage of being deceived, "That's not what you just said!"
"That's right! You just said the Sheng Family is a cancer that must be eradicated!"
"How come he's innocent now?"
"Which of your statements is true?!"
"Have we all been tricked by you?!"
Explain yourself!
Questions and criticisms flooded Sima Sheng like a tidal wave.
The flames he lit with his own hands are now beginning to devour him.
Sima Sheng was caught in a dilemma, his face turned pale, and he was covered in cold sweat.
He looked at Zhang Yu, who remained "stubborn and indignant," as if he might strike him again at any moment. He also felt the growing surging doubt and anger behind him, and the icy gaze of Zhu Wuyuan inside the sedan chair...
He knew he was finished.
At least in the eyes of Zhu Wuyuan and the "public opinion" he incited, he has lost all credibility and become a fickle, liar villain.
But compared to the Twelve Immortals' soul-refining and skinning, what does a loss of reputation matter?
As long as you're alive, there's hope!
He gritted his teeth and steeled his resolve.
Since I've already let it slip, I might as well... go all in and save this damned ancestor first!
Reputation?
Let's try to salvage the situation or explain things later!
Thus, under the gaze of a million angry, questioning, and disgusted eyes, Sima Sheng steeled himself, mustered all his strength, and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"I... I was harsh in my words just now, or perhaps biased."
But the Sheng Family Ancestor overcame all obstacles, wiped out evil spirits, East Sheng, which was a great achievement!
They are not only innocent, but have also rendered meritorious service to the nation and the people!
He practically shouted these words, trying to use the volume to cover up his guilty conscience.
However, this statement stands in stark and ironic contrast to his previous impassioned denunciation of "tyranny."
The square fell into a deathly silence once again.
Then came a deafening roar of curses and laughter that nearly overturned the Imperial City!
"Hahahaha! What a joke! A huge joke!"
"Sima Sheng! Have you no shame?!"
"You were the one who called it tyranny just now, and now you're the one praising its merits!"
"You fickle, deceitful scoundrel, how dare you speak of righteousness?!"
"We were so blind to believe your nonsense!"
"Get off! You don't deserve to stand here!"
The insults were like a tidal wave, overwhelming everything.
The people who had just hailed him as a "role model" and "righteous man" now wished they could drown him in their spittle.
The stark contrast and humiliation made Sima Sheng wish he could disappear into the ground.
His face flushed red and then turned pale, his body trembling slightly, but he could only hold onto Zhang Yu's arm tightly, not daring to let go, for fear that this ancestor might do something rash again.
"Lord Sima,"
Inside the sedan chair, Zhu Wuyuan's voice rang out again, even colder than before, carrying an anger and deep disappointment at being utterly fooled, and even a hint of barely perceptible heartache.
"You should know that the so-called Imperial Family merits are nothing more than strange myths fabricated by Emperor of past dynasties to fool the people and consolidate their rule."
Isn't this exactly what the Sheng Family meant by emphasizing this matter before?
Don't you find it ridiculous that you're trying to fob me off with this excuse?
Zhu Wuyuan's voice was filled with disappointment.
"That is!
This kind of policy of keeping the people ignorant is something even a three-year-old could understand; only you would bring it up and make a fool of yourself!
Immediately, others echoed this sentiment.