Seeing the fleeting coldness in Zhao Ji's eyes, Zhao Kai couldn't help but shiver all over.
This was a true dilemma, and at this moment, he genuinely didn't know how to answer.
Cai Zhong was already dead, and his body had been sent out of the city by his men.
Moreover, the escorts were carrying his token, so could he explain this matter clearly?
If he said he had nothing to do with this now, he wouldn't even believe himself, let alone anyone else!
"Your, Your Highness..."
"Is it hard to say? Or can't you say? I handed over the Imperial City Department to you, is it for you to do these petty and despicable things?"
Before Zhao Kai could finish speaking, the enraged Zhao Ji directly smashed the teacup in his hand onto his back.
"Father Emperor, your son, your son is wrongly accused!"
As Zhao Kai spoke, his sorrow welled up, and he directly burst into tears.
He was truly wronged in this matter; it could be said that he was more wronged than Dou E!
He was merely watching a play in court, but he never expected that while watching, he would become the protagonist of that play.
By the time he realized it, something that had nothing to do with him had inexplicably entangled him in karma.
Tong Guan was indeed going to be unlucky, and the Cai family's power would be greatly diminished. However, he could guarantee that if Cai You and Tong Guan's remaining followers knew that he was involved in framing Cai Jing and Tong Guan, causing their reputations to be ruined, he would probably never be able to win them over in his life.
It was just this little bit of greed that plunged him into an abyss.
This was truly a case of misfortune befalling someone who was sitting at home.
"You are wrongly accused? If you are wrongly accused, then what is this?"
Before Zhao Kai's crying had even subsided, the enraged Zhao Ji once again threw a token from his sleeve, hitting Zhao Kai on the head.
The gilded token instantly cut open a gash on his scalp.
The moment he saw the token, Zhao Kai's face immediately turned ashen.
This was the token he had given away, wasn't it?
"Father Emperor! Father Emperor, listen to me, listen to me explain!"
This time, Zhao Kai was truly terrified into a cold sweat, and he even forgot to cry.
"Explain? What is there to explain? How could I have given birth to such a beast!"
The less he said, the better. As soon as he said this, the furious Zhao Ji lunged forward with a kick.
For a moment, Zhao Ji genuinely wanted to cripple this useless person.
He could tolerate his sons fighting amongst themselves, but he would absolutely not allow them to scheme against him in secret.
This was his bottom line!
No matter how Zhao Kai, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Xin fought, he would watch from the sidelines. He would never intervene unless absolutely necessary.
However, if someone dared to scheme against him, it would be different!
Especially since Zhao Kai dared to use the Imperial City Department to conceal such a matter!
With Cai Zhong's death, whether Chen Dong's words were true or false had become an unsolved mystery, a thorn in his heart.
"Father Emperor, your son has nothing to do with those Taixuesheng! Tong Shimishi is my man, how could I scheme against him!"
Seeing that he couldn't explain this matter no matter what, Zhao Kai could only brace himself and continue.
Although these words were taboo, his words did make Zhao Ji, who was in a fit of rage, slightly more rational.
"Wasn't it because you discovered that Tong Guan was about to fall, so you struck first to distance yourself from him? If not, why did you remain silent in court?"
"This..."
At this point, Zhao Kai was truly speechless.
The events in court had been so dramatic, and it was evident that the other party had come prepared. Zhao Zhen was also shining with glory.
Moreover, the rapid reversals in such a short period, which even forced Cai Jing to commit suicide by poison, had truly startled him. Without understanding the opponent's trump card, how could he dare to act rashly?
But now, his timidity and caution had all become evidence of him stabbing Tong Guan in the back. And the only person who could prove his innocence, Cai Zhong, had been eliminated by himself!
This was truly a case of "when shit hits the fan, no matter what it is, it's trouble."
"Guards!"
Seeing Zhao Kai finally speechless again, Zhao Ji was even more convinced that this matter was orchestrated by Zhao Kai.
After all, neither the Crown Prince nor Zhao Zhen had the ability to complete such an elaborate plan!
When he thought about it, the only person who could plan and execute this matter seemed to be Zhao Kai!
"Guards, escort Prince Yun back to his residence and confine him to reflect on his mistakes. From today onwards, he is not allowed to leave his residence without my command!"
Zhao Ji had prejudged Zhao Kai as guilty, and at this moment, Zhao Kai was naturally unable to refute.
Yet, even after punishing Zhao Kai, Zhao Ji still felt an inexplicable sadness in his heart.
This was his most cherished son, so why was he treating him like this?
Didn't he know how much trouble Cai Jing's final testament, made public, would bring to him as the emperor?
Zhao Ji did not aspire to be an eternal emperor; he only wished to enjoy worldly riches and recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. This was almost his last obsession.
However, of the original Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, only four had been recovered. He had originally wanted to paper over the cracks, but at this moment, with the disturbance caused by Chen Dong and others.
The Prime Minister was dead, having committed suicide by poison, leaving behind a final testament resembling a confession. The most serious offense in the Prime Minister's letter was colluding with the Commissioner of Military Affairs to feign defeat and turn it into a victory, forcibly pinning the crime of losing territory and disgracing the nation onto Liu Fa, who had been loyal to the country.
Cai Jing and Tong Guan could admit to this crime, but he, the emperor, could not!
These two were his favored ministers, his right-hand men. Cai Jing had been promoted by him from a minor official, experiencing four rises and falls, and had served as Prime Minister for over a decade!
Tong Guan, moreover, had been promoted by him from a eunuch to the Commissioner of Military Affairs, leading almost all military operations!
If both of them were treacherous villains who brought ruin to the country and suffering to the people, then what was he, the emperor?
He did not want to be an eternal emperor, but that did not mean he wanted to be called a foolish ruler with people pointing fingers at him!
"Father Emperor, your son is wrongly accused! Your son is wrongly accused! Your son really did not collude with those Taixuesheng! This matter was really not done by your son!"
Seeing the Imperial Guards rush in, Zhao Kai immediately kowtowed forcefully on the ground, as if only by doing so could he prove his innocence.
"Drag him out!"