Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 392

Emperor Zhengyuan entered the hall, followed by the palace servants, with Gu Ye and Feng Yu in tow. As the Emperor took his seat beside the Empress Dowager, everyone in the hall stood up and paid their respects.

The Emperor excused everyone from the ceremony and prepared to address the matter at hand. Concubine Feng, though inwardly pleased, put on a show of fear and spoke, “It was merely a child’s playful jest, how could it have troubled Your Majesty? It’s the concubine’s failure in discipline. Please, I implore your forgiveness.”

Qian Sansi reported that there had been a commotion in Wenhua Palace. Emperor Zhengyuan initially dismissed it as a childish matter. However, he had not yet completed his official duties when he received word from Qian Sansi that Lu Xu had run to Cining Palace in tears.

Fearing that not addressing the situation would tarnish the reputation of his eldest son, who had only recently regained his identity, the emperor left his official business and was en route to Cining Palace. On his way, he encountered Gu Ye and Feng Yu.

Gu Ye was filled with regret, not because he regretted his actions, but because he was concerned that he had hurt Lu Xu when he saw him crying so loudly. He and Feng Yu had followed Lu Xu to the Emperor’s hall. However, Lu Xu never arrived there.

Emperor Zhengyuan’s expression wasn’t the best. It wasn’t that he had already formed a judgment regarding who was right or wrong. He was simply disappointed that such a minor incident could disrupt the atmosphere on this important day.

When he inquired about the incident, Gu Ye promptly admitted his guilt, saying, “It is true, Your Majesty, that I raised my hand against my younger brother. However, I used very little force, and it was unintentional. It made my brother cry. Please, punish me.”

Gu Ye’s straightforward admission took Concubine Feng by surprise. She glanced triumphantly at Gu Yin before changing her demeanor. With a tearful expression, she spoke, “Your Highness, children are very tender. Even if Ah Xu has caused you distress, you shouldn’t strike his face. Regardless of the pain, hitting one’s face, especially in the palace, is considered highly disrespectful.”

“That’s right, that’s right!” Lu Xu followed in a childish voice, “Mother Concubine doesn’t beat the palace maids…” However, Concubine Feng swiftly covered Lu Xu’s mouth once more.

Gu Ye continued to offer his apologies and cast a meaningful glance in Gu Yin’s direction. She understood and stepped forward, kneeling down before the emperor, and said, “I bear the blame for failing to properly educate the child in recent years, and I humbly request Your Majesty’s punishment.”

She then expressed her sorrow, adding, “How could His Royal Highness Lie strike the young prince’s face? If he has done anything wrong, you should report it to His Highness!”

Gu Ye, wearing a remorseful expression, followed with his own statement, “During our conversation, the name of Eunuch Qian came up, and after hearing what Ah Xu said…” Gu Ye paused briefly, “Well, it was quite harsh words, so I lightly patted his mouth.”

The young boy gradually wriggled free from his mother’s grasp and gazed proudly at Gu Ye, who had been pleading for forgiveness. “Yes, I did say that. What’s the fuss? The eunuch is like a stray dog!” He proclaimed with a defiant tone.

If these words were said of eunuchs from the previous dynasty, it might not have caused a stir. However, the eunuchs of the new dynasty had committed no wrongdoings, especially the esteemed eunuch Qian Sansi, who played a pivotal role in the founding of the country.

If Qian Sansi were a malevolent and scheming individual like eunuchs from the past dynasty, would Emperor Zhengyuan place such immense trust in him? What kind of ruler would Emperor Zhengyuan be in that case? Would he be as weak-willed as the former emperor?

Emperor Zhengyuan’s expression shifted abruptly.

Qian Sansi promptly knelt on the ground, bowing his head. “This is entirely this slave’s fault, isn’t it?”

Observing their leader’s action, the other eunuchs in the hall also dropped to their knees and confessed their guilt.

The hall suddenly became quite “lively.”

Emperor Zhengyuan personally assisted Qian Sansi in standing, and then called for Gu Ye, “Prince Lie, you may rise as well.”

Gu Ye rose to his feet, his face etched with self-reproach.

Finally, Emperor Zhengyuan closed his eyes, suppressing a laugh. “It’s merely a minor matter—a child’s quarrel that led to some physical contact.”

With that, he led everyone back to the front.

However, Lu Xu was not satisfied and tugged at Concubine Feng’s sleeve, muttering, “What’s wrong with Father Emperor? Is that it? Mother Concubine, Mother Concubine…”

Concubine Feng’s facial expression was a sight to behold. As Emperor Zhengyuan’s longtime partner, she discerned that beneath his stoic exterior, he was indeed displeased.

Fearful of saying anything amiss, she quickly muffled Lu Xu’s words, offering a forced smile. “His Highness said it’s not a major issue, so let’s not bring it up.” Subsequently, she arranged for a physician to examine Lu Xu. She refrained from partaking in lunch at the banquet and left immediately.

Both princes, one raised by their parents since childhood but prone to crying and complaining, and the other, although living outside the palace, had a reason for intervening in the incident.

As long as the onlookers weren’t too obtuse, they now had a clearer perspective after witnessing the spectacle.