Chapter 542: Punishment
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen Zhuo wanted to say something else, but the old emperor did not give him a chance to speak.
“You can leave first. I will settle this matter. I won’t let you suffer this grievance for nothing.”
“Aye. ”
Shen Zhuo stood up and left obediently.
After leaving the bedroom, he looked humble.
Xiao Juan said, “Greetings, Your Majesty. What instructions do you have?” The old emperor was helped to sit up.
He leaned back on the cushion and looked at Xiao Juan, who was standing upright in front of him. He asked weakly. “Did you get someone to rehearse Duke Lang in Liaodong?”
Xiao Juan said without hesitation, “Yes.”
He could not expose her, so he could only bear this matter alone.
The old emperor’s face was haggard, and his eyes were turbid, but his gaze was sharp. “Do you think that I’ve mistreated you and are indignant, so you’re using this method to seek justice for yourself?”
Xiao Juan said, “I’ve never had such thoughts.”
The old emperor said, “Then you hate the Crown Prince for taking credit and want to use such a method to embarrass him?”
Xiao Juan said, “I’ve never hated the Crown Prince.”
The old emperor stared at him and continued to interrogate him.
“Then what on earth are you doing?”
Xiao Juan was silent for a long time before speaking.
“Because I also want to be recognized by others.”
The old emperor clearly did not expect such an answer. He was stunned at first, then smiled disdainfully as if he had heard a funny joke. “You want to be recognized? Have you forgotten your status?”
Xiao Juan lowered his head and said nothing.
The old emperor said, “You’re just a dog I raised. The only meaning of your existence is to listen to your master’s orders. You have to remember that no
one in this world will acknowledge the existence of a dog.”
Xiao Juan knelt on one knee. “I know my mistake.”
The old emperor softened his tone.
“You haven’t had a father since you were young, and your mother, Princess Ni Yang, has the same personality.”
“She didn’t care if you lived or died. If I hadn’t sent someone to bring you to the palace to take care of you, you would have died long ago.”
“I have high hopes for you. Don’t disappoint me, understand?”
Xiao Juan said, “I will remember Your Majesty’s kindness to me and never forget it.”
The old emperor continued.
“Eldest Princess Ni Yang has committed a great crime of rebellion. You’re her son. Logically speaking, you won’t be able to escape death.” “However, on account of your loyalty over the years, I specially let you off.” “If someone in the court impeaches you, I will suppress it for you.”
“I’ve been so kind to you. You should be satisfied. Don’t forget that you were able to have your current status because of me.”
“Without me, you’re nothing.”
Xiao Juan said, “I’ve let Your Majesty down. I deserve to die. Your Majesty, please punish me!”
After saying so much in one breath, the old emperor’s voice became hoarse, and his breathing became uneven.
“Since you know your mistake, go and receive your punishment yourself. Fifty court staves can be considered a small lesson for you. If there’s a next time, it won’t be so simple.” “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Juan left.
Wei Huai’en walked forward with the medicine and carefully fed it to the old emperor.
After taking the medicine, the old emperor’s aura returned to normal. Wei Huai’en helped him lie down. “Your Majesty, rest well.”
The old emperor looked at him and asked, “Has Wei Liao already set off?”
“Yes, he’s on his way to Changze County. He’ll bring the Grand Duke back soon to offer to His Majesty.”
The old emperor thought of the legendary Grand Duke that could revive the dead and could not help but feel indefinite.
Even though he had already listened to the opinions of the ministers and appointed the crown prince, there was still a last trace of hope in his heart—
What if the rumors were true? What if the Grand Duke could really cure his illness?
If he could recover from his condition and could continue to rule the world and not have to endure the helpless torture of lying in bed.
The news that Xiao Juan had been hit by 50 court staves spread to the Fengyi
Palace.
At this moment, Shen Zhuo was playing chess with Empress Wen.
The two of them sat opposite each other with a chessboard between them.
Empress Wen held the black chess piece and said calmly.
“The emperor punished Duke Lang for you. Duke Lang will definitely hate you.
You have to be careful in the future.”
Shen Zhuo smiled and said gently, “Thank you for your advice, Mother. Although Duke Lang is powerful, he’s just a lackey raised by Father. When I succeed the throne in the future, I can take his wretched life at any time.” With that, he gently placed a white chess piece on the chessboard.
Empress Wen looked at the chess game in front of her and said as she thought, “Duke Lang is a good knife. If you use it well, it will have a miraculous effect.
Shen Zhuo said nothing.
Empress Wen placed a piece down and looked up at him.
“You’re doing this for Yu Niaoniao, right?”
Shen Zhuo placed a white piece right on the heels of Empress Wen’s move and remained silent.
Empress Wen picked up the black piece and gently placed it down, persuading sincerely, ‘You’re not fated with her. Why are you asking for trouble?”
Shen Zhuo placed a white piece on the chessboard and said calmly, “I won this round.”
Empress Wen looked at the chessboard in front of her and smiled helplessly.
“In terms of chess, I’m still inferior to you.”
Shen Zhuo said, “It doesn’t matter if we’re fated. As long as I become the final winner, everything will belong to me, including her.” Empress Wen was speechless.
On this day, Yu Niaoniao spent the entire day painting.
In the evening, Granny Xiu Yan came to remind Yu Niaoniao to eat dinner as usual.
Yu Niaoniao walked into the dining room and saw that Lo Pingsha was alone at the table, so she asked.
“Where’s Duke Lang?”
Lo Pingsha lied without changing his expression. “His Highness is busy and won’t be back until very late. He asked us to eat first.”
In fact, Xiao Juan had been beaten up 50 times today. He had returned to the Justice Department with injuries.
He did not want Niaoniao to know about this, so he stayed in the Justice Department and did not go home. He specially instructed Lo Pingsha to help deal with the lie.
Yu Niaoniao did not suspect anything and muttered softly.
“No matter how busy he is, he can’t not eat. It wasn’t easy for him to recover.
What if he starves again?”
She asked Granny Xiu Yan to distribute a portion of food and heat it on the stove. She could heat it when Xiao Juan returned.
Yu Niaoniao picked up her bowl and chopsticks to eat.
She looked at Lo Pingsha beside her and suddenly thought of something.
“Little Lo, have you seen my sister?” Lo Pingsha nodded. “Yes.”
“What do you think of my sister?”
Lo Pingsha answered truthfully, “Pretty good.”
Yu Niaoniao smiled. “That’s good.”
It seemed that Lo Pingsha had a good impression of Yu Pingping. She would ask Yu Pingping later. As long as the two of them had a good impression of each other, there would be a chance to matchmake them.
Lo Pingsha was at a loss, not understanding why the princess consort suddenly asked this.
After dinner, Yu Niaoniao returned to the house to wash up and sleep.
It was not until late that Xiao Juan returned. At this moment, everyone was already asleep. He specially instructed the concierge not to wake everyone up.
He quietly returned to the bedroom alone and looked at the sleeping Niaoniao. Then, he took the medicine box to the study, took off his shirt, and applied medication for himself under the dim candlelight..
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