Chapter 288: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Seven Section 3
He also thought about committing suicide to follow Prince Yi Yong, but he was not at ease leaving the Emperor. He wanted to live to monitor the Emperor. If the Emperor did not perform his duties well and caused the people of Great Zhou to suffer, he would definitely kill the Emperor.
To He Lianfang, even though Prince Yi Yong was dead, the establishment of Great Zhou could not be separated from Prince Yi Yong. Most importantly, the name "Zhou" for the nation was chosen by Prince Yi Yong. "Zhou" was also Prince Yi Yong’s hope.
To protect Prince Yi Yong’s hope, He Lianfang would never allow Great Zhou to fall into chaos. Although he wished to kill the Emperor, he had to admit that the Emperor had done quite well over the years.
For Prince Yi Yong and for the people of Great Zhou, He Lianfang temporarily spared the Emperor’s life.
Among the soldiers who followed Prince Yi Yong back in the day, many, like He Lianfang, wanted to avenge Prince Yi Yong by killing the Emperor. Among them, there were also some who claimed to avenge Prince Yi Yong but actually wished to rebel.
They constantly contacted He Lianfang, trying to use his abilities to rebel. He Lianfang was not a fool; he could obviously see these people’s true intentions. However, he pretended not to know.
He Lianfang always wanted to leave this residence, but his legs were crippled, and he was closely monitored by the Hidden Guard sent by the Emperor; he could not escape on his own, so he kept in touch with his former subordinates, hoping they could rescue him.
Those subordinates with ulterior motives thought He Lianfang was genuinely helpless and unable to leave the residence. Therefore, over the years, they constantly tried to rescue He Lianfang, but all failed.
Even though every attempt ended in failure, they never gave up, and over the years, they continued their efforts to rescue He Lianfang.
Zhao Yao did not know that every time he left the residence of He Lianfang, not long after, a group of people would attack the residence, but they were all killed by the Hidden Guard inside.
This kind of rescue operation happened almost regularly. Each time, the courtyard of the residence would be awash with blood.
Every time Zhao Yao visited He Lianfang, he would find that the sand spread across the courtyard was new. This new sand was used to cover the bloodstains.
For those old subordinates who once followed Prince Yi Yong, the Emperor did not exterminate them. As long as they did not attempt to rescue He Lianfang, he would not kill them.
He Lianfang always believed that the Emperor’s actions were nothing more than a false show of kindness, and the Emperor allowed him to think so.
That night, the Emperor, along with Song Dekang, came to visit He Lianfang.
Song Dekang was very reluctant to come, but he was forcibly dragged along by the Emperor, so he had to brace himself and follow.
The Emperor walked in with a playful smile and sat down opposite He Lianfang: "Oh, Lianfang, have you had your supper? How is your appetite, and does the food suit your taste?"
He Lianfang didn’t even give the Emperor a glance. When he saw Song Dekang walking in with the Emperor, his gaze suddenly turned extremely cold and sharp.
Song Dekang was chilled by He Lianfang’s cold and severe gaze, and his steps halted involuntarily. A hint of fear flashed in his eyes, but then he immediately thought, why should he fear this lunatic? He couldn’t help but lift his chin, glaring back at He Lianfang coldly.
He Lianfang disdainfully withdrew his gaze from Song Dekang, coldly looking at the Emperor, questioning him in a most hostile tone: "Why did you bring this traitor here?"
Song Dekang answered He Lianfang’s question before the Emperor could: "I am not a traitor; I have always followed His Majesty." Although they were in Prince Yi Yong’s camp before following the Emperor, once they followed the Emperor, they were unwaveringly loyal to him, as Prince Yi Yong had instructed them in those days. "Prince Yi Yong told me to be utterly loyal to His Majesty without any divided intentions."
Hearing Song Dekang mention Prince Yi Yong, He Lianfang’s refined face instantly became twisted with anger.
"You traitor have no right to mention the master."
"Prince Yi Yong is your master, not mine." Song Dekang fearlessly retorted, "Don’t try to pin guilt on me."
"If it weren’t for the master that year, you..."
Song Dekang and He Lianfang began to argue. They argued fiercely, looking at each other with extremely vicious gazes.
Sun Kui, standing behind the Emperor, saw Song Dekang and He Lianfang arguing more and more fiercely, worrying they might start fighting. He hurriedly said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, aren’t you going to intervene?"
The Emperor sat by the side, sipping tea, and watched He Lianfang and Song Dekang argue with interest.
"Why should I intervene?" the Emperor smiled, curling the corner of his mouth, "Watching them argue is quite entertaining."