Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 370 - 352: Be My Son!

Chapter 370: Chapter 352: Be My Son!

Outside Zhang San’s door, the Town Demon Office had already sent people to keep an eye on the place, especially those from the Baili Family of the Town Demon Office.

Although some of the Baili Family had now joined the Town Martial Office, this made those originally from the Baili Family in the Town Demon Office work even harder.

Moreover, the Baili Family’s Observation Skill was particularly convenient for surveillance.

At the moment, seeing Zhang San barely step out the door before he was to be taken away by the Left Valiant Guard of Emperor Kaihuang, the faces of the martial artists from the Town Demon Office bloomed with joy.

However, those keeping an eye on Zhang San were not only from the Town Demon Office but also from the Town Martial Office.

Although these few from the Town Martial Office didn’t quite understand why the Vermilion Bird Principal Officer had suddenly returned to the Capital and had ordered everyone to keep a close watch on Zhang San just after coming back.

Nevertheless, instead of being able to embrace their wives or concubines in their homes at night, now they had to blow cold wind near Zhang San’s house. Seeing that Zhang San was about to be taken away by the Left Valiant Guard, this was also good news to them.

Zhang San followed Cao Demeng to the Imperial Palace and was soon brought into Emperor Kaihuang’s sleeping chamber.

Upon entering, Zhang San saw that Shen Erxian and Li Moxian were present, and even the Minister of Punishment, Shen Wei, along with a few other officials, whom he didn’t recognize were there too.

However, there weren’t many people, and judging by the robes they wore, they were all high-status court officials.

"Acting Military Chief of the Town Martial Office, Zhang San, pays his respects to Emperor Kaihuang."

After Zhang San spoke, he noticed a woman next to him. Judging by the luxuriousness of her clothing, she must be the Empress.

Zhang San had no idea why the Empress was there but felt that the Empress’s gaze seemed slightly angry at him, so he quickly said, "Paying respects to the... Imperial Concubine."

Emperor Kaihuang was taken aback, wondering where did this imperial concubine come from, if such a fine thing had happened, how come he didn’t know about it?

Empress Dugu was also startled and quickly asked, "Zhang San, you called me Imperial Concubine?"

Zhang San nodded, gave a silly grin, and with a simple and honest expression, he said, "Your servant has come to the Imperial Palace for the second time but it is the first time meeting you. You look so magnificent, similar to the Empress. But you also look young and beautiful, so I thought the Empress should be about the same age as Emperor Kaihuang. Since you are so youthful, you must be an imperial concubine."

Did Zhang San know that there was only Empress Dugu and no imperial concubines for Emperor Kaihuang?

Of course, Zhang San knew.

But at this moment, why bother knowing it.

Indeed, hearing Zhang San’s words which ostensibly were a mistaken address but actually a compliment, Empress Dugu felt delight in her heart.

Considering that her elder daughter, Lihua, had married the Northern Zhou Emperor earlier, became the Empress Dowager after his death, then Emperor Kaihuang ascended the throne, and after her grandson abdicated, her grandson also died. Now, a widow who once married an emperor is unwanted, and this Zhang San with a handsome appearance could make a suitable son-in-law.

But what about Qiong? Although the girl had grown a bit plump, she was the apple of her eye!

The matter regarding Qiong would need further contemplation.

Therefore, the expression on Empress Dugu’s face, originally quite pleased, suddenly turned a bit more serious.

But from these subtle changes, Zhang San could already tell that the Empress was no longer angry.

Emperor Kaihuang coughed and asked Zhang San, "Zhang San, someone just accused you of arson and murder within the Imperial Palace, do you have anything to say?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang San asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, I have to speak somewhat disrespectfully, but could this baseless accusation be another ploy of the Crown Prince?"

Zhang San had just noticed that the Crown Prince was here and had been looking at him triumphantly since he entered, guessing that the incident was very likely related to the Crown Prince.

"After all, such a stupid trap could only be concocted by the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince had originally wanted to see Zhang San panic and kneel on the ground, crying and pleading his innocence.

He didn’t expect Zhang San to start lambasting him right away, so he angrily exclaimed, "Zhang San! Do you really think you can clear your suspicion by slandering me? Just now, many of us court officials analyzed the arson within the Imperial Palace, and the one with the greatest suspicion is you! If you cannot prove your innocence, then you are the arsonist!"

Zhang San heard this and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Seeing Zhang San laugh, many of the officials present were at a loss and didn’t know what he found so amusing.

At that moment, Li Moxian next to him also realized what was going on and laughed along for a couple of seconds.

Shen Wei and Shen Erxian exchanged glances, kept their heads low and laughed without making a sound.

Initially, Emperor Kaihuang didn’t understand why Zhang San was laughing, but seeing the contempt in Zhang San’s eyes, he couldn’t help but start to laugh as well.

Zhang San clasped his fist in salute to Emperor Kaihuang and said, "Your Majesty Emperor Kaihuang. Although your servant does not know the specifics of the alleged arson and murder, the fact that the Crown Prince says I am the most suspect instead of having me arrested for interrogation, and that I am to prove myself innocent, indicates that the Crown Prince has neither witness nor material evidence, with nine out of ten chances it’s all baseless speculation."

"Without witnesses or material evidence, you point the finger at me, and you also ask me to prove my innocence, have you gone mad?"

"Moreover, now that you have told me the basic details of the case, I am completely unaware of the specifics. Interrogating me under these circumstances will only make the interrogation more difficult."

"So I’m laughing at your foolishness! You originally wanted to frame the loyal and the good, trying to pin the blame on me, but you don’t even have the strength to hold the chamber pot, only proving you to be utterly foolish!"

Upon hearing Zhang San’s mockery, the Crown Prince flew into a rage and shouted, "How dare you! You dare to defame me! I will not argue with you over this for now, but there was a fire in the Imperial Palace, and the location of the fire contained the formation patterns of the Floating Corpse Case. Who else but you could draw these patterns?"

"You are no more than attempting to commit arson and murder within the Imperial Palace to make my father believe that the Floating Corpse Case is becoming increasingly serious, then seize the opportunity to ask for power and even take advantage of the situation to execute some unspeakable deeds in your heart!"