Chapter 221: Chapter 221
"Is something wrong?" These days, Emperor Yongning was most afraid of the little girl being wronged at the National Guardian General Mansion. Now that the little girl suddenly returned to the palace, it intensified his concern.
"No, I have to go and ask personally," Emperor Yongning put down the pen in his hand and looked at Xiao Lizi, "Where has the princess gone now?"
Just as he finished speaking, Wei Lin, who was guarding outside, suddenly entered and knelt to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiao Yao requests an audience."
Although Emperor Yongning and Prince Xiao Yao were both raised by the Empress Dowager, the two brothers had completely opposite temperaments.
One was somewhat cruel, but he worked diligently for half his life and never indulged himself, even as an emperor. But the other was different; he was immersed in wine and pleasure from a young age, had no interest in studying, and was lazy. Even after being titled a prince, he remained unaccomplished for many years.
Completely different people. Even growing up together, they really had nothing in common to talk about.
Otherwise, it would be like a chicken talking to a duck, neither understanding what the other was saying!
Emperor Yongning waved irritably, "Let him go back, I’m too busy to see him now!"
Wei Lin stood up to convey Emperor Yongning’s words outside.
Emperor Yongning suddenly called him back, "The batch of tribute porcelain that my elder brother likes is about to be fired. Once it’s ready, I will immediately grant it to him. Tell him there’s no need to purposely come to the palace for such trivial matters."
It’s not a big deal, why come every few days, does he think I’m free? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩
Emperor Yongning was speechless.
Wei Lin went to convey Emperor Yongning’s message.
Upon hearing it, Prince Xiao Yao quickly said, "Eunuch, I didn’t come for that batch of porcelain this time; I came for my beloved daughter."
Prince Xiao Yao pulled a chubby little girl from behind him and pointed at her cheeks, "Eunuch, look, I finally brought my daughter to the palace to see His Majesty, and she was beaten ? I can’t bear to hit her myself, but those who did had no mercy."
Wei Lin heard this and gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Prince Xiao Yao, you visited the palace just three days ago about that porcelain. It’s not like you come rarely.
"This happened in the palace." Prince Xiao Yao’s attitude was domineering, "His Majesty must give my daughter an explanation."
"This..." Wei Lin couldn’t decide for Emperor Yongning! "Please wait, Your Highness, and I will report to His Majesty immediately."
Wei Lin was an honest man. Prince Xiao Yao’s words were quite offensive and arrogant, with no respect for the emperor. If it were Xiao Lizi, he might convey Prince Xiao Yao’s words more delicately to Emperor Yongning to avoid angering him. But Wei Lin relayed them directly, word for word.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongning’s originally good mood was immediately ruined, and he shouted angrily, "Invite Prince Xiao Yao in."
The word "invite," Emperor Yongning emphasized strongly.
Wei Lin invited Prince Xiao Yao in.
"Your subject pays respects to His Majesty. Long live His Majesty!" Prince Xiao Yao knelt and saluted.
Emperor Yongning squinted his eyes, looked at Prince Xiao Yao, and questioned, "I heard from Wei Lin about the little commandery princess being injured? You want me to give you an explanation?"
Upon hearing this questioning tone, Prince Xiao Yao’s legs trembled. He glanced at Wei Lin and cursed inwardly: "That fool doesn’t know how to be tactful. He repeats everything! He’s really killing me."
Prince Xiao Yao, unable to deny it, knelt with trembling legs and respectfully said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My mind was clouded with concern for my daughter, and I spoke nonsense. I deserve punishment."
As he spoke, he pretended to slap his own cheek. The force was light, just a touch between his palm and face.
Emperor Yongning glared at him but said nothing more.
Afterward, Prince Xiao Yao, wearing a mournful face, pulled Jun Yang to the front of Emperor Yongning, "Your Majesty, look at my daughter’s face." Prince Xiao Yao appeared heartbroken, "I finally brought her to the palace, and she was beaten ."
Emperor Yongning exhaled deeply, returned to his seat, and glanced at Jun Yang.
Seeing the slap marks on Jun Yang’s face, he asked, "What happened? Who did this to her?"
"Arguments among children are inevitable, but it’s usually just playful. I normally wouldn’t take it seriously, but..." Prince Xiao Yao said, "But this time, I don’t know which minister’s daughter was left unattended after being brought into the palace, and she went on a rampage, leaving Yang Er . My poor Yang Er..."
Whether he was genuinely heartbroken to the point of tears over his chubby daughter, or just putting on a show to earn Emperor Yongning’s sympathy and ensure a severe punishment for someone, Prince Xiao Yao actually... cried.
A man of his age, with one foot in the grave, actually cried?
Was this melodrama? Or had he lost all shame?
Crying, he said, "Your Majesty, she’s my only daughter, and I can’t bear to lay a finger on her, yet others are so ruthless. Your Majesty must help seek justice!"
Prince Xiao Yao sobbed, tears and mucus flowing.
Emperor Yongning coughed unhappily, a displeased look on his face.
Not only did Prince Xiao Yao fail to notice Emperor Yongning’s displeasure, but he cried even louder. The crying seemed loud enough to tear the roof off the Imperial Study Room.
"......" Emperor Yongning held his forehead, eager to send Prince Xiao Yao away quickly, asked, "Then tell me, what do you want?"
Upon hearing this, Prince Xiao Yao immediately stopped crying, "I want His Majesty to kill that wicked girl, to avenge my daughter."
"How dare you!" Emperor Yongning was furious, "Just because of a child’s squabbles, you’re calling for executions? Do you think this is like slaughtering chickens or pigs? Do you kill just because someone angered you?"
It’s important to realize that this was a living person.
Regardless of whose daughter hit Jun Yang, she couldn’t be killed indiscriminately.
Seeing Emperor Yongning angered by his words, Prince Xiao Yao didn’t persist in asking for execution but rather changed his tone immediately, "If not kill her, then surely she must be severely beaten."
Hmph, beat her to death!
Emperor Yongning and Prince Xiao Yao grew up together. He could tell by just a shift what was coming.
This time he thought, if he can’t kill her, then beat her to death.
How could Emperor Yongning not guess that?
It was always either beat or kill!
This was the way Prince Xiao Yao operated.
Emperor Yongning, too lazy to say more, asked Jun Yang, "You don’t know who hit you, but do you know any basic features of the person who struck you?"