Surely, if the Emperor investigated, he would know that he never colluded with the Rebels. Was he being falsely accused? He didn't understand what was going on. He was a soldier, a man who had dedicated his life to serving the Emperor and the Kingdom. The accusations against him felt like a nightmare from which he could not wake.
He gazed at the Emperor, shaking his head, his eyes pleading, as if trying to tell him 'I'm not a traitor.'
The Emperor raised his hand, signaling for silence as he prepared to announce his decision. The entire hall held its breath, waiting for the Emperor’s word to seal Hua Ren’s fate. Many of the high-ranking ministers and officials did not like Hua Ren because of his righteous nature. He never overlooked even a small bad deed so long as he knew of it. Because of him, many businesses they wanted to start in the Capital were destroyed before they could even take root. Without him around, things would surely be better for them.
The Emperor's dark eyes gazed at Hua Ren’s trembling figure and he couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and sadness. Hua Ren was a good man. That, he knew in his heart. That was why he made him his most trusted General and gave him massive power in the Capital even though he was young. He trusted Hua Ren’s decisions and Hua Ren had accomplished more than what the other Generals combined had done. He didn't deserve to die but he had to or he would one day become a hindrance to his plans.
If only Hua Ren had a weakness that could be exploited, he would be able to live but he didn't and such a person was extremely dangerous. As for the Celestial Weapon, he would remove it from Hua Ren’s finger after his death. It didn't matter if the weapon refuses to respond to him. He would find a way.
With a sigh, he stood up, ready to announce the verdict but before he could speak, the heavy doors of the hall burst open, and a well known couple rushed inside. Hua Ren was shocked to see his parents stumbling forward in tears. They immediately fell to their knees before the Emperor, their voices breaking as they cried out.
“Your Majesty, please!” Hua Ren’s mother sobbed, tears streaming down his face. “Spare our son! He is innocent! Please, Your Majesty, he has served you faithfully all his life!”
Hua Ren’s father bowed deeply, his forehead touching the cold stone floor. “We beg you, Your Majesty, have mercy on him! He has always been loyal to the Kingdom. Please, spare his life!”
The people in the hall began to whisper and murmur among themselves. Some were happy about the situation. They felt that the Hua family was thriving only because of Hua Ren. His pompous father who bragged about him all day and his mother who gloated whenever Hua Ren was being fawned over would have to stop once Hua Ren was given the death sentence. They truly hated the Hua family for having such a righteous powerful son.
Others felt pity for the Hua couple. They didn't believe Hua Ren could ever betray the Emperor. They felt that there had to be some mistake somewhere but who were they to speak?
"Hua Ren can be anything, Your Majesty." Hua Chen said. "But not a traitor. He loves Your Majesty and this Kingdom so much. He has devoted his entire life to serving you, Your Majesty. Please, consider his good deeds, consider his achievements and all that he has accomplished for this Kingdom. Hua Ren is not a traitor, Your Majesty."
The Emperor’s gaze hardened as he looked down at the tearful couple, his voice cold. “Remove them,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Two guards stepped forward to escort the couple out, but before they could reach them, Hua Ren’s mother began to repeatedly kowtow.
"Your Majesty please!" Hua Li sobbed vehemently, his frail form shaking. "I beg you, Your Majesty, have mercy on our son." He began to slam his forehead on the floor. "Have mercy, Your Majesty."
"Have mercy, Your Majesty."
"Mother!" Hua Ren cried, stumbling over on his knees. He tried to stop his mother from continously hitting his head on the floor but Hua Li only pushed him away and continued banging; "Have mercy, Your Majesty."
Hua Li was a frail omega so his forehead was already starting to bleed.
Hua Ren tried to stop him again but he only received an ear ringing slap from his father. The crisp sound of the slap rang throughout the hall, shocking everyone.
Tears fell down Hua Ren’s face as he stared at his father, stunned.
"You stupid boy!" Hua Chen shouted, veins popping as he began to rain slaps on him. He didn't care where they landed. He was completely furious. "I told you to stop this work while you still had the chance! I told you to come home! I even got you a nice Alpha to marry! I wanted you to settle down and have a nice life with your husband but no! You were so stubborn! Now look at the mess you've gotten yourself into! Look at what you're making your mother do! I ought to kill you myself you ungrateful-"
"Stop!" The Emperor snapped, his command making Hua Chen freeze. He then knelt down, hanging his head low. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."
But that wasn't what the concerned the Emperor at the moment. What concerned him were Hua Chen's words. "What did you say earlier?" He questioned. "About getting Hua Ren a nice Alpha to marry. I am sure you're aware that Alphas cannot marry Alphas."
Hua Ren’s breath hitched and he looked at his father. His heart began to pound in fear. Was his father going to expose him? Hua Li too, stopped banging his head and looked at his husband, realising that he had messed up. Hua Chen himself began to sweat, not knowing whether to tell the truth or make up an excuse.
Carefully watching their reactions, the Emperor narrowed his eyes, his curiosity piqued. What were the Hua family hiding? Was it something he could use to control Hua Ren? He hoped it was for it would be far easier to control a person the Celestial Weapon had accepted as it's Master rather than figure out how to make it work. The latter could take decades and time was not something that he had.
"Remember where you are before saying anything, Hua Chen." He warned, his eyes cold. "It would serve you well to tell the truth. Were you planning on getting Hua Ren married to an Alpha in secret?"
After all, to the Emperor and everyone else in the Celestial Kingdom, Hua Ren was an Alpha.
Everyone began to whisper among themselves. Turns out the Hua family had so many secrets. Their son is a traitor and now they wanted to get him married to an Alpha. What a scandal!
Hua Li noticed his husband hesitating to speak. He quickly thought about it. Omegas were always given lesser punishments than Alphas and Betas because of their natural weak constitution. No Omega could be sentenced to death even if they committed murder which was highly unlikely. The greatest punishment for an Omega in the Celestial Kingdom was a life sentence.
He figured that if the Emperor knows about Hua Ren’s true identity, the punishment would surely be less. His Hua Ren would not be sentenced to death!
"Your Majesty!" Hua Li clamoured, scrambling forward. "I'll talk, Your Majesty! I'll tell you the truth!"
"Hua Li!" Hua Chen shouted, his voice grave.
"Mother," Hua Ren called, shaking his head. Everything was happening so fast. He couldn't understand what was going on.
"Silence!" The Emperor's voice thundered throughout the hall, effectively stopping all the whispers. He then faced Hua Li and ordered; "Speak."