Gao Wei's sneer echoed in the hall, like a sharp sword, piercing Gao Changgong's heart, making her almost unable to move. After the laughter stopped, the whole hall fell into a strange silence, which was so oppressive that it was difficult to breathe. Gao Wei seemed to feel that this silence was not enough, so he slowly spoke again: "Prince of Lanling, everything in the letter is true, what do you have to say?" His tone was cold and aggressive, as if he had already determined Gao Changgong's fate.
Gao Changgong looked directly at Gao Wei, his heart was full of ups and downs. He felt his limbs stiff, and his anger and confusion were intertwined, but he had no way to vent. This carefully fabricated charge and the conversation full of traps seemed to be tightly entangled by an invisible net. At this moment, the emperor and the group of counselors pressed forward step by step, revealing an expression of confidence in victory.
"Your Majesty, this letter..." Gao Changgong's voice was low and powerful. He tried his best to suppress his inner anger. "I am afraid that some people have ulterior motives to frame me. I have followed my father to practice martial arts and serve the country loyally since I was a child. If I have the slightest intention of rebellion, I am willing to die to apologize! But the things described in this letter are really absurd!" The counselor He Shikai narrowed his eyes slightly, slowly stood up, walked to the emperor, and said in a sinister voice: "Lanling Wang, you said this letter is a frame-up? However, the details in the letter are so clear, can the enemy country make these up out of thin air? The days when you communicated with the enemy country can also escape everyone's eyes?" Every word he said was pushing Gao Changgong into a deeper trap. Gao Wei picked up the wine glass and smiled faintly: "Gao Changgong, you have always been loyal and brave. I don't want to believe these, but the facts are in front of me. How can you ask me to believe your innocence?" There was no direct accusation in his words, but it was a decisiveness that people could not refute. Gao Changgong clenched his fists, his whole body trembling with anger, and the anger in his heart could no longer be suppressed. He knew that if he continued to argue, nothing would change at all. At this moment, he finally realized that Gao Wei had already decided to put him to death, and all this today was just to convict him openly.
At this moment, Gao Wei's face suddenly sank, and he waved his hand and whispered, "Come here." With his gentle command, neat footsteps came from outside the palace door, and almost immediately, hundreds of warriors entered from the back hall. Each warrior was wearing black armor, with a conspicuous dragon pattern engraved on his chest, holding a spear in his hand, and his steps were sonorous and powerful, with an imposing manner. They had already ambushed here, waiting for the emperor's order, and then they quickly surrounded Gao Changgong.
These warriors were tall and strong, exuding a sense of oppression, their armor flashed coldly under the candlelight, and the weapons in their hands drew sharp arcs in the air. Every step seemed to hit the floor of the hall, making a heavy sound, shaking everyone's mind. They were like a group of well-trained beasts, ready to pounce on the prey in front of them.
"Catch the traitor!" Gao Wei suddenly slapped the dragon throne and ordered coldly. The warriors pounced on Gao Changgong like tigers out of the cage.
Gao Changgong stood in the center of the hall, his face livid. He had fought against hundreds of people on the battlefield, and was unparalleled in his bravery, but now he was facing a conspiracy carefully arranged by the court, and he had no soldiers to rely on. He did not resist, because he knew that any resistance would be futile. He watched these warriors surround him silently, his hands were twisted roughly by them, and he was forced to the ground. His robe rubbed against the marble floor, making a dull sound.
"Gao Changgong," Gao Wei stood up, looked down at Gao Changgong who was controlled by the warriors, and sneered: "I always thought you were a loyal minister of the court, but I didn't expect that you were such a traitor with ulterior motives." His words were like a cold blade, piercing deep into Gao Changgong's heart.
Gao Changgong felt the pain from his wrist, but the pain in his heart was deeper than the pain in his body. The glory and loyalty of the past were now so easily wiped out, and he didn't even have a chance to defend himself. He just knelt down at the feet of the emperor in embarrassment.
He raised his head, looked around, and saw a pair of cold eyes. Those ministers who were in awe of him on weekdays all lowered their heads at this moment, not daring to look him in the eye. Only a few counselors such as He Shikai had a cold light in their eyes, as if they had known all this for a long time.
"Put the traitor in the sky prison and keep him under strict supervision!" The banquet ended with Gao Wei's order.