Chapter 393: Furious Confrontation with Yuwen Long (Two)
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Yuwen Long was completely defenseless, being hit by Yuwen You’s punches like raindrops, huddling in the corner, looking miserable and pitiful.
However, whether it was Yuwen Bai, the Great Empress Dowager, or Empress Dowager Min, they all just watched the excitement and did not interfere.
Consort Xiao screamed, “What are you doing? How dare you behave like this in front of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager?”
Princess Kangning couldn’t care less about her status and rushed from her seat to pull Yuwen You away, calling on others to help her brother, “Are you all idiots? How can you just stand by and watch?”
Yuwen Chu lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Only then did the Great Empress Dowager smash her cup heavily and angrily said, “Stop!”
Yuwen You fiercely kicked Yuwen Long in the waist and spat on his face before stopping, standing up straight with his eyes lowered, listening silently. Yuwen Long dared not express his anger but crawled to the Great Empress Dowager, crying, “Royal Mother, please make a decision for your child!”
“This is absurd! The dignified county prince actually got into a fight at the Winter Solstice banquet! What happened to the manners and etiquette you learned since childhood? Look at yourselves…” The Great Empress Dowager pointed at Yuwen You and Yuwen Long one by one, her face full of disappointment. “You’ve truly disgraced the Yuwen family! I’ll have no face to meet the late emperor in the afterlife!”
Yuwen Bai’s youthful voice chimed in, “Royal Grandmother, please calm down. Don’t let such trivial matters affect your health. It’s just a family banquet, not like our usual gatherings. A little quarrel between brothers after drinking too much isn’t a big deal, and these things will pass.”
Empress Dowager Min also chuckled, “I’ve never seen Old Nine so angry before. Tell us, what did Eighth Brother do to provoke you?”
Yuwen You glanced at Mingzhu, then lowered his eyes and clenched his teeth, remaining silent.
Mingzhu found his glance inexplicable, but she couldn’t imagine that the cause was actually Yuwen Long insulting and spreading rumors about her behind her back.
Seeing that Yuwen You refused to speak, Yuwen Bai smiled and turned to Yuwen Long, “Eighth Uncle, why don’t you explain?”
Even if someone lent Yuwen Long ten times his courage, he wouldn’t dare to tell the truth. Otherwise, neither the Great Empress Dowager nor Yuwen Chu would spare him, and he feared that Mingzhu might even throw plates at him on the spot. He could only admit his mistake reluctantly, saying, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have joked around with Ninth Brother.”
“Although you are brothers, jokes should have a limit. Although this is a family banquet, the difference in status should not be disregarded, and etiquette should not be violated. Behaving so recklessly in front of the sovereign is intolerable, let alone outside. On this festive occasion, I don’t want to make things difficult for both of you. Go outside and kneel.” The Great Empress Dowager made a final decision, intending to heavily suppress these increasingly disobedient illegitimate sons, reminding them to behave properly and obey.
Consort Xiao became anxious, wanting to plead for Yuwen Long, but when she opened her mouth, she saw Yuwen Bai looking at her with a cold expression and smiled, “Does the consort have something to say?”
Seeing Yuwen Bai’s expression, Consort Xiao involuntarily felt a chill, pretending to be indignant, she loudly said, “He deserves a harsh punishment! He’s already grown up and still doesn’t know the severity of his actions. Don’t go easy on him! Teach him a lesson, see if he dares to do it again!”
Everyone could see Consort Xiao’s pretense, but usually people would just let it go with a smile. However, Yuwen Bai was not an ordinary person. He was very interested in Consort Xiao’s opinion, “Consort Xiao truly understands righteousness. So, according to you, how should we punish Eighth Uncle to make him remember his lesson?”
Consort Xiao was suddenly at a loss for words. She knew the cruel and ruthless nature of this brat. If she suggested something severe, she was afraid he would say, “As you wish, Eighth Uncle will comply!” If she suggested something lenient, he would surely insult her along with Yuwen Long. She felt embarrassed.
Seeing his own Royal Mother struggling, Yuwen Long quickly said, “Your Majesty, I was wrong. I am willing to accept any punishment you give me.”
Yuwen Bai pondered for a moment, then chuckled, “Today, I got a new pair of boots for the ceremony, but they don’t fit well, and my feet are still sore. How about this, Eighth Uncle, you’ll massage my feet and take off my boots.”
The emperor is the highest authority, let alone massaging his feet, even wiping his buttocks should be done. However, Yuwen Long was not just anyone. He was the son of the late emperor, the emperor’s uncle, and a prince. He was not a servant. Under such circumstances, Yuwen Bai’s request in front of the royal relatives was undoubtedly humiliating.
This was retaliation for Consort Xiao’s previous attempt to curry favor with the Great Empress Dowager and her attempt to marry Mingzhu.
Yuwen Long knelt on the ground, his forehead veins bulging. He had great ambitions and wanted to soar, but if he publicly massaged the emperor’s feet today, even if he ascended to the throne, it would be a lifelong stain. How could he accept it willingly?
Yuwen Bai’s laughter was cold, “What? Eighth Uncle unwilling? Is it because you look down on me, the emperor, and feel unworthy?”
This forced him into a corner.
Yuwen Long gritted his teeth and bowed, saying, “I obey.”
Yuwen Bai looked at Yuwen You, who was nervously swallowing saliva, fearing that Yuwen Bai would call him over to share the task with Yuwen Long. However, Yuwen Bai just smiled, “Ninth Uncle, you are a straightforward person. Remember not to make the same mistake again next time. This time, I’ll let it go. You may go back to your seat.” He completely ignored the Great Empress Dowager’s previous decree.
Yuwen You silently bowed and quickly retreated.
Yuwen Long knelt in front of Yuwen Bai, trembling as he reached out to hold Yuwen Bai’s foot, ready to cry as he took off his boots and rubbed his feet on his own legs.
Yuwen Bai enjoyed his expression, then turned to the Great Empress Dowager and said, “Although publicly massaging feet at a family banquet is not ideal, I believe, as the ruler of the world, and the highest authority, such trivial matters should not be of concern, right, Royal Grandmother?”
This was clearly a challenge to the Great Empress Dowager, undermining her authority in public, but he said it lightly and childishly. The Great Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, smiled lightly, and said, “Although you have good intentions, etiquette should not be taken lightly. Respect for elders and the distinction between seniority and juniority should still be observed. Treating your own uncle in this way is disrespectful.”
“Oh?” Yuwen Bai switched feet and gestured to Yuwen Long, “Massage around my little toe, that’s where it hurts the most.” Then he turned back to the Great Empress Dowager and continued, “That’s the principle, but when the ruler decrees, the subject has no choice. Besides, I only asked him to massage my feet.” He asked Yuwen Long again, “Eighth Uncle, do you feel wronged?”
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