https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-168-Making-the-Little-Emperor-Cry/12597265/
Chapter 167: Making the Xun Family Suffer in Silence
Chapter 167: Making the Xun Family Suffer in Silence
In the Zhaoming Hall, the Grand Emperor was perusing documents approved by Chancellor Xi when Kong Fukong rushed into the main hall, his back hunched and both hands stretched behind him, supporting an unseen weight. This peculiar posture caused both monarchs to frown simultaneously.
Chancellor Xi inquired, "Fuluohai, what are you carrying on your back?"
Fukong Kong sighed and replied, "This old servant is carrying a pot, a gift from the Dowager Empress."
He then withdrew a stick that had been tucked at his waist and presented it with both hands, "Your Majesty, this is the weapon that was used. The Dowager Empress beat Young Master Xun with it."
Grand Emperor: "..."
Chancellor Xi: "..."
Langguo Xun, the Minister Xun, had just finished his morning court duties when he heard that his son had been beaten badly. Hurrying back to the manor, he found Xun Yu lying in bed, his face so swollen that his eyes could barely open.
If it weren't for the fact that this was his son, Minister Xun would have kicked him out.
At that moment, the manor's physician was tending to Xun Yu's injuries. However, due to the severity of the wounds, the physician was at a loss for where to start.
"My lord." The physician bowed respectfully to Minister Xun.
Xun Yu's head was throbbing in pain. Aside from being unable to speak, even the slightest movement of his lips caused agony, pulling at his swollen forehead.
Minister Xun summoned his son's personal attendant.
The attendant dared not lie to his master and, starting from the moment Xun Yu opened his eyes that day, reported everything in detail, including trivial matters. He did not dare to omit or exaggerate anything.
He even confessed to pushing down the Second Madam of the Lu family.
Minister Xun fell into deep thought.
It didn't seem like Yuan Lu's doing. Even if Lu Yuan had anticipated that the Lu family would come to escort the Dowager Empress back to receive her allowance that day, he couldn't have foreseen that Xun Yu would show up.
It was just Xun Yu's bad luck to have stuck his nose in and ended up in this sorry state.
Minister Xun turned to the attendant.
The attendant, trembling with fear, pleaded, "Spare me, my lord! Spare me! I shouldn't have pushed the Lu family's lady. I shouldn't have let the young master be injured. I..."
Minister Xun asked, "What did they talk about in the flower hall?"
The attendant paused, then replied, "The young master asked the Grand Governor about how he escaped from the temple that night. The Grand Governor said that his wife and the Dowager Empress had gone up the mountain to find him, and His Majesty released him, considering the Dowager Empress' intervention."
This information matched perfectly with Minister Xun's investigation.
As for the Lu family's Dowager Empress...
Minister Xun's gaze fell on his son's forehead, which was swollen beyond recognition. Was the Dowager Empress truly not at fault?
Just then, a servant reported from outside the door, "My lord, someone from the palace is here."
It was Fukong Kong and the chief physician of the Imperial Hospital. The chief physician's position was higher than that of the left and right adjudicators, and he rarely attended to patients personally.
Fukong Kong said with concern, "This servant went to deliver the Dowager Empress' allowance today and only then learned that she had fallen ill again. In her confusion, she accidentally injured Young Master Xun. I immediately reported this to His Majesty, who is deeply concerned about Young Master Xun's injury. He has specially sent Chief Physician Yang to treat him."
Minister Xun cupped his hands and said, "His Majesty's kindness will be remembered by this minister."
Chief Physician Yang took his medical kit to treat Xun Yu.
Fukong Kong sighed, "The Dowager Empress is getting on in years, and this isn't the first time she's lashed out. According to His Majesty, even Cen, the steward of the Grand Governor's mansion, was once beaten by her."
This matter could be verified.
On the day Lu Lingxiao brought Lin Wan'er back to the capital, the Dowager Empress had gotten into a fight with Cen over buying osmanthus cakes for Meng Qianqian. Naturally, it was mostly the Dowager Empress hitting, and Cen was beaten badly without fighting back.
Fukong Kong's intention in saying this was to convey to Minister Xun: His Majesty asserted that the Dowager Empress definitely did not target Xun Yu intentionally.
Fukong Kong smiled and said, "Your Lordship is magnanimous, and I'm sure you won't hold a grudge against a confused old lady."
Minister Xun said, "Fukong Kong, you are too kind. It was my son's fault for not controlling his subordinates during the quarrel, which led to the injury of the Second Madam of the Lu family. Please convey my apologies to His Majesty, and I will teach my son a lesson. I will also apologize to the Dowager Empress and the Second Madam of the Lu family."
"It's clear that my son was the one who got beaten up, yet he still has to go and apologize to the bully. This time, the Old Dowager has really made the Prime Minister's Manor eat a dumb loss."
The Old Dowager was completely unaware of the subtle rivalry between the Grand Emperor and the Prime Minister's Manor. After successfully shifting the blame, she happily went off to play with Tan-er and Bao Zhu.
The servants in the Governor's Mansion were also patient and respectful towards the Old Dowager. This was in stark contrast to the Lu family, where many people would say one thing to her face and another behind her back.
Lu Mu retracted her gaze and said to Meng Qianqian with relief, "Seeing that you and your grandmother-in-law are doing well in the Governor's Mansion, I am reassured."
The reason for her visit today was to see how the two of them were faring. On the day of the grand wedding, she had felt the importance Lu Yun attached to Qianqian, and she believed that Qianqian's life wouldn't be any worse than it had been in the Lu family.
However, the Old Dowager was, after all, a member of the Lu family, and she couldn't help but worry that Qianqian might have a hard time in the Governor's Mansion.
Now, it seemed that she had been overthinking things.
She held Meng Qianqian's hand and said, "The Grand Governor is a good man, and the outside world probably has many misunderstandings about him. I hope today's events won't bring you any trouble."
Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't."
As soon as she finished speaking, the manager of the Prime Minister's Manor arrived at the door with apologies and gifts for the Old Dowager.
The Old Dowager said angrily, "Tell him to control his son! If anyone dares to bully my second daughter-in-law's family again, I'll beat him up too!"
Meng Qianqian handed the manager of the Xun family a bag of money, saying, "You don't need to pass on this message."
Today, the Governor's Mansion seemed particularly lively. Just after seeing Lu Mu out, Zongzheng Xi arrived at the door.
He had sneaked out of the palace, with only a little attendant, Xiao Dezi, dressed as a scholar accompanying him.
As soon as Cen, the manager, saw the young emperor, he was startled and exclaimed, "Your... Your Highness!"
"Where's Lu Yun?"
Zongzheng Xi strode into the mansion and demanded, "Tell him to come out and see me!"
"Yes, yes," Cen replied, leading Zongzheng Xi into the flower hall and offering him a seat. He then ordered refreshments and honey floral tea to be served.
In the past, Zongzheng Xi wouldn't have dared to shout at Lu Yun, no matter how bold he was. But now that the Prime Minister had returned to court and his father had returned to the capital, Lu Yun was like a paper tiger, and he no longer had to fear him.
He sat boldly, showcasing his regal aura.
Lifting the teacup, he said arrogantly, "If he doesn't come soon, I'll chop off his head!"
"Whose head does Your Majesty want to chop off?"
A casual voice cut through the air, and Lu Yun entered the flower hall with a smile.
Zongzheng Xi's body trembled, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand. He instinctively stood up and blurted out, "Your Excellency!"
Xiao Dezi couldn't bear to watch.
Lu Yun hooked his lips into a smile and asked, "I didn't know Your Majesty was here. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. I just heard Your Majesty mention something about chopping off someone's head. Do you need my help?"
The overwhelming pressure of Lu Yun's bloodline caused Zongzheng Xi's body to shake repeatedly. "N-no, that won't be necessary."
After answering, he realized that Lu Yun was no longer the same person he used to be, and he had no reason to fear him anymore.
"How embarrassing. I really hate this," he muttered angrily.
Lu Yun sat down next to Zongzheng Xi.
Zongzheng Xi waited for him to settle before slowly sitting down himself, this time with a straight back and a serious expression. "I heard that you beat up the son of the Prime Minister. Although it was the Old Dowager who physically did it, it must have been your idea, right? After all, you're the only one capable of such a feat."
Lu Yun smiled and asked, "Is Your Majesty complimenting me for my intelligence?"
Zongzheng Xi's body shook with indignation. "Not at all! I... I mean, you... you're so cunning! Fortunately, the Prime Minister is a magnanimous man and doesn't hold it against you."
Lu Yun neither agreed nor disagreed, merely smiling as he said, "Your Majesty's timing is impeccable. I also have something to return to you."
Zongzheng Xi asked impatiently, "What is it?"
Lu Yun presented a book and a large seal, saying, "Starting today, the Emperor's secret police will be returned to their original owner."
Zongzheng Xi: "You don't want me anymore?!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
