Emperor Shang didn't follow Mark and neither did he order anyone to stop him either. He just collapsed on the throne with a look of disappointment.
The ministers and the officials stayed silent as they don't know what to say now.
They want to say that Mark is a liar but deep down, they were aware that their beloved Emperor is a skirt chaser back when he is a young man. It is just that they don't know that the number is so high.
What's more… Grand Secretariat Li and even the Emperor's mother was involved in something like this? It was also a shocking thing for them.
As they looked at each other to say something, in the end, the minister of law & justice, the Zhang Clan's Patriarch was forced to speak out the voices of his fellow ministers.
"Your Majesty, please tell us that he is lying. If the citizens hear of this matter, they will lose their trust in the Emperor. There will be protests." He raised his voice slightly but then followed with an apology.
The Emperor was unresponsive and this made the Zhou clan's Patriarch, the minister of Board and Rites shakes his head in realization and speak his voice aloud, "He cannot because it is true."
The rest of the officials who were mere spectators started murmuring among themselves.
"Excellent, Minister Zhang, you perfectly hit the iron when it is hot," The crown prince thought in his head and tried his best not to smile.
If there was someone who was very celebrating over this fact, it was the crown prince.
In his mind, he was preparing to dethrone his father and ascend it before Shang Wei gets an opportunity.
Rising to his feet, he addressed the rest of the officials, "Everyone is dismissed. Please return to your homes."
Slowly, the room was cleared and only the imperial princes and Bai Xun remained with the Emperor, who was resting his elbows on his knees while grabbing his forehead.
Bai Xun walks up to his brother-in-law and patted his shoulder, "Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shang raised his head.
He was trying his best to keep to not crying but sorrow was clear on his face. His voice turned hoarse as he said, "I cannot believe Li Zheng Kang and my mother do this to me behind my back. Li Zheng Kang was a friend I trust with my life and all my secrets. How could he do this to me?
I made mistakes when I was young, but I planned to rectify them by giving them the concubine status. However, they started disappearing one after another. Li Zheng Kang told me that they ran away because of the fear of the society but I had no idea that they were being hunted down."
"Father, why must you behave like you are guilty when it is the fault of that traitor Li Zheng Kang?" commented the crown prince, trying to gain some points with his father.
He further added with wise statements, "And people make mistakes all the time. Which ancestor of ours didn't make such mistakes? The fact that you are feeling guilty about your past actions itself is something admirable. Most rulers don't even have the heart to acknowledge it even to themselves."
"Shang Zexi…" Emperor looked like he was touched by the support given by his eldest son.
He couldn't help but look at his other sons. The third prince stayed silent as he was too busy thinking.
As for the second prince, he always considers himself a soldier when standing in the presence of his father. Hence, he had to keep his mouth shut in the courtroom.
Even now, he stood there like a soldier without showing any emotion but the Emperor wants to hear that he isn't wrong out of this righteous son's mouth.
"Say something, Shang Wen." He urged the second prince to speak.
The second prince replied in a calm manner, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, if my words indicate any disrespect toward you, but you are the Emperor and the role model for your citizens. The commoners treat you as a god in human flesh.
Several schools of thought are trying their best to empower women all over the world, but you treat them as a sexual object? You have a sister who was married to Supreme Commander Bai. You also have a daughter who will marry a noble or a prince of other lands someday. What would you have done if those people will follow in the same footsteps as you? Can you swear on your soul that you won't get angry and try to understand them?
But then again, the past is the past and just being guilty about it doesn't change anything. If you want to repent, then, you should atleast compensate their families with material wealth along with an apology letter written by your hand. At the same time, you should also search for the victims who are still alive. It is possible that your illegitimate children are living somewhere.
Regardless of your actions, I will still safeguard the southern provinces with my life. I'm a servant to the imperial throne and I will not abandon my duty as long as I'm not retired. This is all I have to say."
"Shang Wen, how could you talk like that?" The crown prince flared up at his brother as usual. Of course, this time, there's a motive. He wants to get into his father's good books.
To which, the second prince responded with a long statement, "The longer you live in the darkness, the more sunlight will get painful. You would want to go back into darkness as you will be afraid of the sunlight. But, when you decided to face it and bear it for a while, you will be able to witness what the world has to offer. The truth is something similar, Prince Zexi."
Shang Wen's words of wisdom made the Emperor realize something important. It was as if his mind became too clear and all muddled thoughts vanished in an instant.
The depression around him was gone and a look of determination appeared on his face. Rising to his feet, he spoke, "Call back the ministers and the officials who left. Inform them that I'm going to make an important announcement. I need Shang Bo, the Empress, and the two Queen Consorts to be present too.
And Shang Wen…"
"Your Majesty."
"You follow me to the ancestry hall. The rest will stay here," said the Emperor as he stepped down from the throne and walked toward the exit.
Leaving behind everyone in confusion, the father and son pair left the courtroom. They took several lefts and rights in the palace before reaching the Ancestry Hall, where the paintings of the past emperors were displayed on the walls along with the statue of the founder.
Shang Wen didn't know why they came here but he didn't question him and just followed him in silence.
His curiosity did increase when the Emperor told him to shut the door.
However, for the next minute, Emperor Shang just stared at the founder as if he was in deep thought. Shang Wen patiently waited.
The silence finally ended when Shang Fu raised his hand and looked at the ring around his index finger.
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