Though it was Zhao Zhikun who proposed this plan, now that he, Zhao Hongbo, had agreed and implemented it, he naturally wouldn't shirk his responsibility.
"It was I, Meng Lang, who caused the Wang family's reputation to suffer. In this matter, I can only shamelessly ask Your Majesty to intervene. Our Zhao Clan is willing to provide compensation, and the Three Talents Section will officially announce that the Wang family did not evade taxes or engage in smuggling and treasonous activities."
"Your Majesty, in my view, this is clearly a case of the Zhao Clan trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; they've fallen into the pit they dug themselves. How can we let off those who falsely accuse loyal and good people so easily?" Prince Dede added fuel to the fire with an indignant expression, "I plead for justice on behalf of the Wang family and call out the injustice against Shouzhe——"
"Ptui!"
Emperor Longchang truly wished he could spit in Dede's face.
