Chapter 34
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As soon as they got on the carriage, Jiang Juan was pulled over.
He hadn’t eaten breakfast, though the carriage was stocked with plenty of snacks. Jiang Juan looked down, but eventually gave up and nestled against Xue Fangli, feeling a bit salty.
Seeing this, Xue Fangli picked up a piece of peach pastry and offered it to him. Jiang Juan shook his head. “I’m not eating.”
“Why?”
“It’ll keep me awake.”
Jiang Juan was still sleepy. If he positioned himself properly, he could fall asleep immediately. If he missed this window, he’d be dazed all day from waking up early.
Xue Fangli responded with a thoughtful “Hmm,” setting down the pastry and methodically cleaning his hands. Curious, Jiang Juan asked, “Why aren’t you eating, Your Highness?”
This wasn’t the first time. His Highness was only interested in feeding him. If Jiang Juan didn’t eat, His Highness would have everything removed, hardly touching anything himself.
“I don’t feel like eating.”
“But…”
His Highness was so sick that he had to eat enough to be well. Jiang Juan gently asked him, “Your Highness, are you a fairy?”
“Hmm?”
“Fairies only drink dew. You seem to like it a lot too.”
Xue Fangli lifted his eyebrows slightly, his hand around Jiang Juan’s waist tightening a little. He lowered his head, almost whispering in Jiang Juan’s ear, his voice lazy.
“You are, I’m not.”
In the next moment, a slight weight fell on Jiang Juan’s shoulder, and Xue Fangli’s chin rested on it, tiredly saying, “Just sleep.”
With that, he closed his eyes first.
Jiang Juan: “…”
How did he become a human support again?
Why was there new business every day?
Doing business was so difficult. Jiang Juan sighed. He had intended to sleep, but suddenly he noticed something and took a few more glances.
His Highness’s eyelashes were quite long.
Looking at them, Jiang Juan couldn’t help but reach out to touch them. Before he could make contact, he snapped out of it, his hand already held. Xue Fangli didn’t open his eyes, just asking, “What’s wrong?”
Caught in the act, Jiang Juan had to tell the truth. “Your Highness, your eyelashes are so long.”
Xue Fangli: “Not sleeping anymore?”
Jiang Juan: “…Going to sleep.”
Before he could finish speaking, his eyes were covered. Xue Fangli sat up and pulled him into his arms.
“Why do you want to touch everything you see?”
Who knew what he was thinking about, but Xue Fangli spoke again. Jiang Juan blinked, suddenly feeling guilty. The last time they had taken a carriage to the palace, His Highness had fallen asleep, and Jiang Juan, thinking his lips looked nice, had reached out to touch them.
His eyelashes fluttered, softly brushing against Jiang Juan’s palm. Xue Fangli paused and nonchalantly said, “Your eyelashes are longer.”
And softer. Like feathers, just a small movement could tickle his heart.
Jiang Juan blinked a few more times, and the gentle touch came again. Xue Fangli pressed harder on his eyes, saying, “Stop moving.”
Jiang Juan responded with an “oh” and quickly closed his eyes, thinking Xue Fangli wanted him to sleep.
Now, he was almost completely confined in Xue Fangli’s embrace, unable to see anything, with his only free hand being held. Jiang Juan stayed quietly and obediently close to Xue Fangli.
So well-behaved, too well-behaved.
The scent that calmed him lingered in his breath. Xue Fangli looked down at Jiang Juan, enjoying this moment of tranquility. He slightly lifted the corners of his lips and closed his eyes again.
Waking up early left Jiang Juan groggy, and Steward Gao was also feeling weak. He had just left the Hongxiu Pavilion and, without even a moment of rest, was forced back to work. They didn’t need to go to the palace so early; the emperor probably wasn’t even up yet.
When they arrived at the palace, Steward Gao lifted the curtain. He wasn’t surprised to see Jiang Juan catching up on sleep, but seeing Xue Fangli also resting left him at a loss for words.
Steward Gao: “…”
So, what was the point of coming so early?
His movements were minimal, but even the slightest sound disturbed Xue Fangli. He lifted his eyelids in displeasure. Steward Gao’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurried to apologize. “Your Highness—” Jiang Juan stirred a bit, and Xue Fangli raised his hand, gently rubbing the back of his neck to soothe him.
His hand movements were gentle enough, but the look he gave Steward Gao was chilling. Steward Gao immediately shut his mouth and awkwardly lowered the curtain.
Oh, the Royal Consort was still sleeping.
Even though Xue Fangli hadn’t said anything, being in the highly demanding job of the steward in Prince Li Residence, he knew what to do. He instructed the coachman, “Turn around, keep moving forward.”
Jiang Juan slept until he was fully rested. When he opened his eyes again, it was almost noon.
“I just wanted to nap for a little while.”
Jiang Juan was confused, not understanding how he had slept for so long. He asked Xue Fangli, “Your Highness, why didn’t you wake me?”
Xue Fangli’s tone was light and slow, “I was going to, but since you were accompanying me to the palace, I thought it better to let you sleep well.”
“It really wasn’t necessary…”
Jiang Juan felt a bit embarrassed, though he was also very touched. “Your Highness, you’re so kind.”
Xue Fangli smiled slightly. “It’s nothing.”
Steward Gao: “…”
What could he say?
His Highness didn’t wake up much earlier than the Royal Consort.
The Royal Consort was catching up on sleep, and His Highness had spent the entire morning holding him while resting.
Steward Gao gave Jiang Juan a complicated look, sighing deeply in his heart.
Alas, their Royal Highness had a scheming heart, always deceiving the pure-hearted Royal Consort.
No matter how much Steward Gao lamented, Jiang Juan, the deceived party, was completely unaware. He got off the carriage and, together with Xue Fangli, was escorted into Yangxin Hall.
“Your Majesty—!”
“When my son left this morning, he was still a young man full of life. By evening, when I saw him again, he was covered in blood, his hair disheveled. I know this wretched child has committed a grave mistake, unforgivable. But if not for His Highness, how could he have ended up like this?”
As soon as they entered, they saw someone beating his chest in grief. Minister Li knelt on the ground, crying out with every word. Emperor Hongxing, however, merely rubbed his temples tiredly and looked up at them.
“You’re here.”
Emperor Hongxing smiled slightly, raising his chin. “Take a seat.”
After a pause, Emperor Hongxing added indifferently, “Minister Li, you sit as well.”
“Your Majesty, I—” Minister Li, still kneeling, tried to speak but was interrupted by Emperor Hongxing. “Since I promised to give you justice, you will have an answer.”
Justice?
So, His Highness was indeed being falsely accused.
Jiang Juan sighed, looking at Xue Fangli sympathetically. Xue Fangli glanced at him, “What is it?”
Jiang Juan asked in a low voice, “The Emperor said he would give him justice. Does that mean he’s really going to punish you?”
Xue Fangli always acted recklessly and without any set rules. It wasn’t uncommon for people to come to the palace to file complaints against him. He never took it to heart, and this time was no exception. Xue Fangli smiled and said, “Probably not.”
Probably?
That wasn’t a definite answer, which meant it could very well happen. Hearing this, Jiang Juan felt even more uneasy. He said to Xue Fangli, “Your Highness, you should explain everything clearly to the Emperor.”
He furrowed his brow, his worry almost overflowing. Xue Fangli had spoken offhandedly, not expecting Jiang Juan to be so concerned. He was taken aback, then slowly smiled, “It’s nothing.”
“It is something.”
Jiang Juan was so afraid that Xue Fangli would be blamed unjustly, more anxious than Xue Fangli himself. “Your Highness, you can’t just let it go and let them say bad things about you without explaining.”
Xue Fangli looked into his eyes. The young man was completely focused on him, and even his current worry and anxiety were all because of him.
Jiang Juan’s earnestness was something Xue Fangli always enjoyed. He could have reassured Jiang Juan that there was truly nothing to worry about, but he greedily wanted to bask in that attention for a bit longer, so he said nothing.
“…Your Highness.”
Jiang Juan called out again, but Xue Fangli merely gazed at him without any intention of speaking, leaving Jiang Juan puzzled.
Why wouldn’t His Highness explain anything? Clearly, he hadn’t done anything wrong.
The more Jiang Juan pitied His Highness, the more frustrated he became now. He slowly let go of his hand and sat down quietly, his head lowered.
He was a bit angry.
Jiang Juan rarely got angry. His nature was good, and his heart was too fragile to handle such intense negative emotions.
But at this moment, Jiang Juan couldn’t control himself. He had been misunderstood before and knew how uncomfortable it was to be blamed unfairly. Yet His Highness showed no reaction and didn’t even try to explain.
Jiang Juan lowered his eyelashes, unusually silent. Seeing this, Xue Fangli reached out to hold his waist but was gently pushed away by Jiang Juan.
“Your Majesty…”
Xue Fangli frowned as Jiang Juan softly spoke up.
Emperor Hongxing looked at him. “What is it?”
Since His Highness wouldn’t say anything, no matter how much Jiang Juan was sulking, he couldn’t help but explain on his behalf: “Yesterday at the bookstore, His Highness reported to the authorities out of goodwill. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything to settle.”
“Isn’t it true that His Highness did the right thing? Someone was causing trouble at the bookstore, and he reported it to prevent a disaster. Are you planning to—planning to reward His Highness?”
Emperor Hongxing was stunned for a moment after hearing this.
Jiang Juan’s words were clearly protective, but—Emperor Hongxing’s “justice” was often just perfunctory. This time seemed no different. Minister Li’s persistent kneeling was because he knew how indulgent the emperor was towards Xue Fangli.
Jiang Juan’s expression was serious. Emperor Hongxing looked at him and then at Xue Fangli, suddenly realizing something.
Old Five’s Royal Consort was close to him, neither afraid of him nor hesitant to defend him.
Thinking this, Emperor Hongxing was very pleased. He initially planned to show some leniency to Minister Li, but now he changed his mind. Nodding repeatedly, Emperor Hongxing said, “You are right. Old Five’s reporting to the authorities was meritorious. He shall be rewarded, richly rewarded!”
Minister Li was stunned. He had been kneeling since yesterday, not to see Emperor Hongxing reward Prince Li. He said tearfully, “Your Majesty, all the wrongs are my son’s fault, but His Highness is not entirely innocent!”
Jiang Juan found this strange and couldn’t help but ask, “If His Highness is not innocent, did he hold your son’s hand and commit the crime?”
Minister Li was momentarily speechless, then replied in a deep voice, “No, Your Highness.”
Jiang Juan, puzzled, asked, “Then how is His Highness not innocent?”
“Or are you saying His Highness used some sorcery to bewitch your son into committing the crime at the bookstore?”
Minister Li was at a loss for words.
Minister Li was at a loss for words, his face flushing with anger. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, you are unaware that on that day, His Highness threatened to cut out my son’s tongue. This frightened and angered my son, causing him to lose his mind and commit such a terrible act.”
Jiang Juan found this explanation rather curious. He thought for a moment, then walked over to Minister Li and gave him a slap. The sound was crisp, but the slap was actually very light.
Minister Li was stunned. As he processed what had happened, his face turned red with anger. “Your Highness, what have I done to deserve such humiliation?”
Jiang Juan replied, “You spoke nonsense, which upset me. I lost my temper and slapped you. You should reflect on your own actions.”
Minister Li: “???”
Jiang Juan continued, “It doesn’t make any sense, does it?”
“I shouldn’t have slapped you, just as you shouldn’t blame His Highness for your son’s actions,” Jiang Juan explained, then added an apology, “I’m sorry. I was afraid I couldn’t explain it clearly, so I resorted to action.”
Minister Li was speechless, his heart filled with frustration, yet he had no retort. Jiang Juan had used his own logic against him.
Emperor Hongxing was momentarily taken aback, but then he clapped his hands and laughed silently.
After Jiang Juan finished speaking, he sat back down. Xue Fangli, still smiling, reached for his hand to ask if it hurt. But before he could fully grasp it, Jiang Juan had already pulled it back, refusing to even look at him, clearly still upset.
Despite his anger, Jiang Juan didn’t hesitate to defend Xue Fangli. After a pause, he said to Minister Li, “His Highness has a very good temper and wouldn’t threaten to cut someone’s tongue unless your son said something extremely inappropriate.”
“You should find the cause in your son’s behavior rather than unjustly blaming His Highness and coming to the palace to complain.”
Minister Li: “?”
Minister Li was stunned, staring at Jiang Juan, his anger momentarily forgotten.
His Highness has a good temper?
Prince Li has a good temper???
Minister Li was bewildered.
It wasn’t just Minister Li; even Emperor Hongxing was extremely surprised. But being the emperor, he had to maintain his composure. He pressed his fist to his mouth, pretending to cough to hide his astonishment.
Good temper?
Old Five has a good temper?
Did he feed his Royal Consort some kind of soup???
Emperor Hongxing felt a mix of emotions. He glanced at Xue Fangli, only to find his son taking such praise in stride. As a father, no matter how shocked he was, he had to appear calm. Forcing a smile, Emperor Hongxing nodded and said, “Yes, indeed, Old Five is quite…good.”
Minister Li was left speechless for a moment, staring wide-eyed. After a long silence, he finally spoke again. “But, Your Majesty, perhaps His Highness does have a good temper…”
As he said these words, Minister Li felt a wave of bitterness in his stomach. He continued in a low voice, “But even with a good temper, His Highness can have his bad days, can’t he? I’ve heard that someone once angered His Highness, and he had that person’s limbs cut off and his tongue removed, then kept him in a pigsty.”
“There was also a woodcutter who got lost on his way home one night and asked His Highness for directions, only to be skinned alive by His Highness.”
Minister Li added, “Perhaps yesterday was just one of those bad days. Maybe my unworthy son didn’t say anything at all, but something about him displeased His Highness, who then threatened to cut out his tongue.”
Jiang Juan’s eyelashes fluttered. Since sitting back down, he had kept his head lowered, refusing to acknowledge Xue Fangli.
Noticing the change in Jiang Juan’s demeanor, Xue Fangli kept his gaze fixed on him. He didn’t care about what Minister Li was saying but didn’t miss even the subtlest reaction from Jiang Juan.
Seeing Jiang Juan’s eyelashes lift slightly and his brows furrow, Xue Fangli’s expression grew darker.
What was the youth resisting?
Was it because of what Minister Li was saying?
All hearsay, wasn’t Jiang Juan always proclaiming his belief in him?
A surge of anger filled Xue Fangli’s heart, and his violent, crazed tendencies began to erode his sanity. He cast a deep look at Jiang Juan and, abandoning his previous indifference, slowly lifted his head.
Minister Li was about to continue, “And there’s another incident, which happened in the south of the city. There was a household there—”
“Enough,” Xue Fangli’s voice, cold and indifferent, interrupted him. Emperor Hongxing, aware of his son’s temperament, recognized this as a sign of growing impatience. Despite finding the situation rather peculiar, the emperor decided to maintain the “good man” image for Xue Fangli.
Emperor Hongxing turned to Jiang Juan and said, “It’s already noon. I just met with the young master of the Jiang family and invited him to stay for lunch. The meal should be ready by now. I’ve heard you have a heart condition, so join us for lunch as well. Don’t go hungry.”
Jiang Juan, having not eaten anything since morning, was indeed quite hungry, but he was also worried about Xue Fangli and didn’t really want to leave.
“Go on,” Xue Fangli said, his gaze lowered. Despite the turmoil of rage within him, he kept his tone soft and gentle. “You can’t eat those things here, but you can at least go and sit for a while.”
Though Jiang Juan didn’t want to leave, since Xue Fangli was the one suggesting it, he reluctantly agreed. “Okay,” he said, sounding obedient but with a hint of defiance.
He felt as if he had been dismissed, despite his best efforts to help.
Emperor Hongxing gave a subtle nod, and a young eunuch stepped forward to lead the way. Without looking back, Jiang Juan followed him. Xue Fangli watched him go, his expression darkening and the smile on his face vanishing instantly.
“Master Li, do you know that I not only wanted to cut off your son’s tongue, but I also planned to sew his mouth shut.”
Jiang Juan was not present, and Xue Fangli no longer needed to hide his feelings. His expression turned cold, and his anger was steadily released. “Unfortunately, he took the guard’s knife and instead went to attack his colleagues, saving me from dirtying my own hands.”
Xue Fangli chuckled disdainfully, his expression mocking. “He took the knife, he did the cutting, yet he blames me.”
“Lord Li, how did he speak to you yesterday?”
Xue Fangli lifted his scarlet lips. “He spoke against me without reason, yet I am the one who must oppose him, without mentioning how he ridiculed my Royal Consort.”
“According to the laws of this dynasty, such disrespect deserves death, Lord Li.”
Minister Li moved his lips, intending to say something, but upon hearing the following words, he was immediately horrified!
Ridiculing the Royal Consort, his son did not mention anything about it.
Xue Fangli smiled smugly. “I did not want to take action, only to cut off his tongue and sew his mouth shut. But now, thanks to Lord Li, my wife is not happy, I am also not happy. Suddenly I want to quarrel with him.”
“Lord Li, I only intended a minor punishment, but you are demanding your son’s life.”
He finished his sentence word by word, and Minister Li’s heart sank. He regretted more and was more upset, but there was no regret in the world.
Knowing that pleading with the emperor was futile, Minister Li gritted his teeth and said to Emperor Hongxing, “Your Majesty, I beg you to spare my son’s life!”
“He didn’t mean it. He definitely didn’t intend to disrespect the Royal Consort!”
Emperor Hongxing looked at him without saying a word. Minister Li wished he could bash his head against the pillar. “I’ve served in the court for more than twenty years, working diligently every day. I dare not claim great accomplishments, but I have never disobeyed Your Majesty’s orders. I beg Your Majesty to spare my son’s life, considering our twenty-plus years of loyalty and service!”
“Otherwise—today, I will bash my head against this pillar and go with my rebellious son!”
Minister Li raised his hand, trembling slightly, and pointed towards the golden pillar in front of the hall. Seeing this, Xue Fangli lifted the corner of his lips and laughed menacingly, “Go ahead, Lord Li. Hurry up and bash.”
“If you die from bashing, so be it,” Xue Fangli’s voice was cold, “If you don’t die, I can send you on your way.”
Minister Li stared blankly at him, feeling that his appearance was like a devil, extremely terrifying.
“Minister Li, a son’s mistakes are due to a father’s lack of discipline. In consideration of our twenty-plus years of loyalty and service, I won’t dwell on this matter. However, the law must be followed. It dictates that he should be executed. I permit you to go see your son for the last time. Don’t cause any more trouble.”
Emperor Hongxing waved his hand, “Go quickly.”
It’s over. It’s all over.
Minister Li’s legs went weak, and he collapsed on the steps of the hall, tears streaming down his face. He almost crawled out of the palace.
With Minister Li’s fate decided, Jiang Juan was being escorted to the dining place.
Before he could enter, he heard a very familiar voice arguing with someone.
“What? Isn’t this supposed to be health-preserving medicinal cuisine? How come it can only nourish Qi and blood? What about my heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and stomach?”
“It should work for them too? Has it nourished your heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and stomach? No? If not, you have nothing to say about its effectiveness.”
“Can it strengthen the body? Didn’t you just say it can only nourish Qi and blood? Why are you so contradictory?”
Alright, arguing one-sidedly.
Jiang Juan: “…”
So, the young man from the Jiang family is Jiang Qingliang.
Why does it have to be this argumentative guy?
Jiang Juan regretted coming here. He shouldn’t have.
But——he’s still a bit angry at His Highness.
But he’s also a bit worried about His Highness.
Sigh, I wonder if His Highness will be bullied after he leaves.
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Obrigada pela tradução!