Everything starts from Menghualu

Chapter 429 Half a Letter
"What do you mean by this, sir? When the prince asked me to come to the capital, he said that I have the final say in matters in the capital. Now that you are here, you want to take it away with just one word?" Xie Wei said
"Why? Do you have any other opinions?" Gong Yicheng asked

"I don't have any opinions, but I do have something to tell you, sir. So many years have passed, and some things cannot be done the way you want them to be. Goodbye, sir." Xie Wei said. After he finished speaking, Xie Wei left here directly. Gong Yicheng looked at Xie Wei's departing back with a serious expression, as if he had made up his mind.

Meanwhile, Xie Wei had already returned to the carriage, and ordered, "Keep a close eye on the people. If there are any bad signs, deal with them immediately."

On the third day after their meeting, Xue Yuan went directly to the imperial study after the court was dismissed and presented the letter.

Shen Lang looked at the letter in his hand with a serious face. After an unknown amount of time, he said, "Looking at the handwriting, it is indeed written by Marquis Yongyi, but why is there only half of it? Where is the other half?"

"Your Majesty, I have only received half of the letter. As for the other half, no one has delivered it yet." Xue Yuan bowed and said hurriedly.
"Hmm? Uncle, there is only half a letter, which cannot convict the Yan family. Are you sure there is no more? Think about it carefully?" Shen Lang said meaningfully.

"Your Majesty, we have only received half of the letter so far. However, since that person was able to deliver half of it, I think the second half will be delivered soon." Xue Yuan said hurriedly.
"Okay, then uncle will take this half of the letter back first. When the second half arrives, you can bring it over together. Then we can discuss what to do next." Shen Lang said directly
After hearing this, Xue Yuan didn't understand what was going on. So, he naturally bowed and left the imperial study.

After he left, Shen Lang looked at his departing back, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then he got up and walked out of the imperial study, and went straight to his sister's bedroom.

Shen Zhiyi was very surprised at the arrival of her royal brother, but she quickly stood up to greet him.

"Brother, why did you come here suddenly? If you have any instructions, why don't you just ask someone to call me over? Why did you come all the way here?" Shen Zhiyi said

"Hmm? What? It sounds to me like you don't welcome me?" Shen Lang asked.

"No, no, what are you thinking, brother? How is it possible? Please don't let your imagination run wild. I am also worried about your health." Shen Zhiyi said

"Haha, you, come on, stop being so frivolous. I know you don't know me first. Ask Jianwei to come tomorrow, but don't say it was me who asked you to come." Shen Lang said with a smile.

After Shen Zhiyi heard this, she knew there was something wrong, so she said worriedly, "Brother, I'm getting married soon, you won't..."

"What are you thinking about, silly girl? Don't let your imagination run wild. I just want to ask him about something, so you don't have to worry." Shen Lang said with a smile.

After hearing this, Shen Zhiyi felt relieved, but she was still not completely relieved. Shen Lang naturally saw it, but he didn't say anything.

So he nodded directly, then turned around and left. Looking at the back of her beloved brother leaving, Shen Zhiyi became a little nervous.

After her royal brother had completely left, she hurriedly called the maid to her side, gave her a few instructions, and then sat down again.

"What did you say? Madam wants me to go there tomorrow? Haha, OK, go back and tell Madam that I will go to the palace after court is dismissed tomorrow." Cao Cheng said with a smile

"Oh, my Lord, the princess also asked me to tell you that His Majesty might ask you something at that time, and she asked you to be prepared in advance." The maid continued
"Hmm? Okay, I understand. Go back and tell my wife that I will be careful." Cao Cheng said
After the maid left, Cao Cheng's mind raced. He had already guessed what had happened. After all, his adoptive father went straight into the imperial study after court was dismissed, so he knew the news.

He met his adoptive father today, and he will meet me again tomorrow. It seems that my adoptive father has given Your Majesty another difficult problem. I just don’t know if it is that matter?
After thinking about it, he stopped thinking about it. After all, he would know whether it would happen tomorrow, so there was no need to worry about it.

Time quickly came to the next day, and Cao Cheng went out early in the morning to attend the morning court. Today's morning court ended particularly quickly, so much so that when Cao Cheng arrived at the door of his wife's bedroom, his wife had not even finished washing up.

"Oh, how come you came so quickly? I haven't finished putting on my makeup yet. Go out first and wait for me." Shen Zhiyi said shyly.
"Okay, Madam, you and I are going to be husband and wife soon. What can I not see? It's okay. Let me take a good look at my good wife." Cao Cheng said with a smile

"Oh, you, you are so bad, don't look at it, get out, get out quickly, if you don't go out I will be angry, okay?" Shen Zhiyi said anxiously.
"Okay, okay, Madam, don't be angry. I'll go out. Can't I go out?" Cao Cheng said with a smile.

After saying this, Cao Cheng turned around and walked out. Shen Zhiyi heaved a sigh of relief when she saw him leave.

As for Cao Cheng, he thought he could wait outside, but he was called away by Wang Xinyi and soon entered the imperial study.

"I thought you would come here first, but I didn't expect you to go to Zhiyi first." Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, you asked the princess to send someone to tell me because you didn't want to attract too much attention. So of course I have to go to the princess first. Only in this way can it not seem deliberate, right?" Cao Cheng said
"Haha, whatever you say is true. Never mind. I'll let you pass. Now let's talk business. My uncle came to the palace yesterday and showed me something." Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, you may not know that the relationship between me and my adoptive father has not been the same since the Jiang Xuehui incident."

"So I didn't know about this. This is the first time I heard about it." Cao Cheng said
"Hmm? Has the relationship between you and your son reached this point? This really surprises me, but it doesn't matter. I can tell you."

"What my uncle brought was half a letter written by Yan Mu to the King of Pingnan." Shen Lang said
"Hmm? Your Majesty, you mean, only half of it? Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Cao Cheng said
"I am very sure that this half of the letter is in Yan Mu's handwriting, and the emblem of Prince Pingnan is also real, but why is there only half of it? Why is that?" Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, do you suspect that half of the letter was forged by my adoptive father?" Cao Cheng said
"That's right. After all, the time when this letter appeared was too coincidental. I am still a little worried. After all, half a letter cannot be used as evidence." Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, if it was before, I would definitely agree with your guess, but now, I don't think my adoptive father would forge a letter." Cao Cheng said directly
"Oh? My dear, why are you so sure? Is there any reason?" Shen Lang asked

"Your Majesty, the Yan family is now looking for a way out for themselves, or rather, someone has taken the initiative to find a way out for them," Cao Cheng said.
"Hmm? My dear, what do you mean by this? Tell me in detail?" Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, according to the secret report from the Xingwu Guards' spies, His Royal Highness Prince Linzi has been frequently in and out of the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion recently. What's different from the past is that the person he sees the most these days is Lord Yan," Cao Cheng said.
"What? You said that my brother is in frequent contact with Yan Mu now? Great, that's great. However, if that's the case, then isn't it more likely that the half letter is a forgery?" Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, that's why I said it's the most unlikely, because this is something that's so easy to do, I don't believe it if you say there was no chance before." "But why did you think of forging a letter now? My adoptive father has been waiting for so many years, why would he do this now?"

"If he really wanted to do this, he could have just told your Majesty about the Linzi King's affairs, and you would have dealt with the Yan family, right? But he didn't..."

"Because my adoptive father is now focused on helping King Linzi rise to power. At this time, he will not allow himself to make any mistakes, especially mistakes that will easily make King Linzi hate him."

"So, this matter can only be true, because only in this way can he not worry about King Linzi causing trouble for him in the future." Cao Cheng bowed and said
Shen Lang did not say anything after hearing this, because he did not really believe Cao Cheng's words which were full of loopholes. Yes, in Shen Lang's opinion, these words were full of loopholes.

But why did Cao Cheng mention such an obvious loophole? He thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he simply kept silent. If he didn't speak, Cao Cheng would naturally not speak either.

"My dear, is there anything else you haven't told me?" Shen Lang asked seriously.

"Your Majesty, you are indeed wise and powerful. Yes, I do have selfish motives. I am not sure whether this letter is true or false."

"The reason why I say this is because, no matter whether the letter is true or false, it is true to you and can only be true." Cao Cheng said
"Hmm? My dear, what do you mean by this? What do you want to do?" Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, my life is hanging by a thread. If my foster father really gets what he wants, then I will only die. This is not good news for Your Majesty."

"After all, in the past, the Xue family and the Yan family checked and balanced each other in the court, and Your Majesty was the one who decided everything. But now, if they really all lean towards King Linzi, then Your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, I will go and find the second half of the letter for you." Cao Cheng bowed and said
"Haha, my dear, how can I trust you? After all, if the Yan family is gone, the court will be unbalanced, and the Xue family will be the only one in power." Shen Lang said
"Your Majesty, I have no choice. Neither do you. Your Majesty, are you really willing to give up the throne to someone else?"

"As for me? Do you think King Linzi will let me go? Will I believe it?" Cao Cheng said
"You, well, if that's the case, then go ahead and finish the job." Shen Lang said
After hearing this, Cao Cheng naturally bowed in a hurry, then turned and left the imperial study. Looking at his departing back, Shen Lang frowned.

In fact, he didn't know whether he should believe Cao Cheng or not, but Cao Cheng was right about one thing. If he really let them do it, even if he had a son in the future, it would be useless.

Even if he didn't have a son, he didn't like this feeling, the feeling of being intimidated by others.

He is the emperor, he is the ruler of the entire world. He doesn't like being threatened. He doesn't like it, and he doesn't allow it. He has worked hard for so many years, and he will never let this happen.

After Cao Cheng left the imperial study, he hurried back to his wife's bedroom.

"You're finally back. Why did you leave without saying a word? Do you know how worried I was? Tell me, what happened? Did my brother give you any trouble?" Shen Zhiyi asked

"Okay, Madam, I know I was wrong. I had no choice before because it was an imperial decree. But don't worry, it's nothing serious. You just want to ask me about my adoptive father."

"Didn't my adoptive father come to the palace yesterday? He must have said something to His Majesty, which is why I went to the Imperial Study to see Him today." Cao Cheng said
"Oh, that's good, that's good. You don't know how worried I was about you just now." Shen Zhiyi said

"Yes, yes, thank you Madam for worrying about me. I am so sorry, so sorry." Cao Cheng said hurriedly.
"Well, that's better. Okay, I've asked someone to prepare breakfast. You can eat with me. I haven't had breakfast yet because I'm worried about you." Shen Zhiyi said

"Oh, I deserve to die. I caused my wife to starve. No, I am guilty. You have to punish me. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease." Cao Cheng said hurriedly.
"Hey, stop saying such disgusting things. Let's go eat. We're all hungry." After hearing this, Shen Zhiyi raised her fist and hit Cao Cheng.

"Yes, yes, madam is right. Let's go eat now. Let's go eat now." Cao Cheng said
Afterwards, the two of them had a meal together. During this time, through Cao Cheng's unremitting efforts, he finally coaxed his wife. Of course, this was actually what Shen Zhiyi did on purpose.

Cao Cheng naturally knew this, but he still enjoyed it.

"What did you say? What do you want me to do? Forge a letter? How did you know that?" Xue Yuan asked.
"Foster father, how do you think I knew this? Who did you tell about this? And where did I go today? Can't you guess it?" Cao Cheng said solemnly.

"Father, what I just said is what His Majesty meant. I don't know what the letter is about, but His Majesty said that he wants to see the complete letter within three days." Cao Cheng said
Xue Yuan was silent for a while after hearing this, because he didn't expect this to happen.

"Foster father, can you tell me what you gave His Majesty? Why did His Majesty let me enter the palace today under the pretext of Her Royal Highness the Princess, just to bring you a message?" Cao Cheng asked.

Faced with his adopted son's questioning, Xue Yuan was slow to speak. After an unknown amount of time, he took out the half letter and handed it to Cao Cheng.

(End of this chapter)