NABC Chapter 228 Very Expensive
Chapter 228 Very Expensive
Emperor Qi Xiao was startled, his eyes instantly turning icy cold.
The officials in the imperial study were also taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances. Why was His Majesty so protective of the Liu siblings after they were beaten? Even when princes and princesses had minor conflicts, they weren't this agitated.
Before Emperor Qi Xiao could ask any questions, Cheng Hai told him the story directly: "...This matter was due to my carelessness. I thought it was just a small matter that would pass in a few days, but I did not expect it to escalate to the Liu family's doorstep, and even Lady Liu's clothes were torn."
Emperor Qi Xiao's face was as cold as ice, and his next words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, "She's still pregnant, is she alright?"
"I don't know... This servant will immediately summon the imperial physician to take a look?" Cheng Haigang said.
Emperor Qi Xiao immediately exclaimed urgently, "Then what are you waiting for? Go now!"
Cheng Hai slunk away.
The ministers in the imperial study felt a chill run down their spines, finding it all very strange. If they didn't know this Lady Liu had a husband, they would have thought she was someone close to His Majesty…
"Your Majesty, please allow us to discuss the matter we just discussed and reach a conclusion before reporting back to Your Majesty." They just wanted to leave quickly, sensing something was wrong.
The other two courtiers also readily agreed, and even stood up, waiting for Emperor Qi Xiao to nod before running away.
Emperor Qi Xiao coldly scoffed, "Leave? Leave? Let's reach a conclusion today, and nobody's leaving!"
"Let Liu Yuechu in and tell us what exactly happened!"
He knew those old guys had ulterior motives; now that they'd run away, rumors were flying everywhere.
The old ministers had no choice but to sit back down sheepishly, wishing they could just pretend they were deaf.
The young eunuch helped Liu Yuechu in. Emperor Qi Xiao stood up with his hands behind his back and peeked through the crack in the window at Liu Musheng standing outside.
The sight of that tragic scene made his forehead ache.
As soon as Liu Yuechu entered the room, she knelt on the ground and refused to get up, crying and pouring out all her grievances!
"...Your Majesty knows that we Liu family's business dealings hinder my husband's duties and make us easy targets for gossip. But I am also a Lady Yi, who was granted a title by the Empress, yet I have been insulted like this. Whose face is being slapped here?"
“My brother is diligent and hardworking. This year, the horse farm has contributed excellent horse breeds to the army and various regions. His Majesty even used horses from the Liu family's horse farm for the spring hunt. After all, he was awarded the rank of sixth-grade official by the Ministry of Personnel. Why is he starting to make things difficult for us now…”
"Nonsense!"
"In your eyes, am I so narrow-minded and short-sighted that I would even covet such trivial things from you?!"
Emperor Qi Xiao was so angry that he was practically fuming, and his face turned completely black.
Liu Yuechu's watery eyes looked pitiful. "Why has the county government delayed the trial for seven or eight days? Without His Majesty's decree, how dare they be so audacious!"
Emperor Qi Xiao: "..." He really couldn't refute it?
The ministers sitting on either side only looked at his feet, pretending to be deaf. Who didn't know that this was something the Third Prince had deliberately made things difficult for him? It was perfectly reasonable for His Majesty, as the father, to take the blame.
The scene froze, and the atmosphere grew tense.
The awkward silence was broken by a young eunuch's announcement, "Lord Yuan requests an audience!"
"Let him in here!" Emperor Qi Xiao finally found someone to vent his anger on.
Yuan Cuo entered from outside.
When he kowtowed and paid his respects, a fine layer of sweat had not yet been wiped off his forehead.
He was panting heavily, as if he had rushed here, and even his eyes were furtive.
After paying his respects, Yuan Cuo went to Liu Yuechu's side and showered her with concern and care.
Emperor Qi Xiao slammed his fist on the imperial desk. "What's wrong with you? My ministers and I have been waiting for you for an hour. Even a tortoise could have crawled that far!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I wanted to come as soon as I received the summons, but I was blocked at the door... I later jumped over the wall from the west side, just in case Your Majesty was getting impatient!" Yuan Cuo wiped his sweat with Liu Yuechu's torn sleeve.
Emperor Qi Xiao: "??? Someone dares to block your way?!"
"It's...it's those merchants who want payment for their goods, but the county government hasn't made a decision yet, and all the shops are closed..." He stammered, coughing twice. His eyes were fixed on Liu Yuechu, and he saw her bulging eyes, instantly understanding what she meant.
Emperor Qi Xiao was furious.
"Summon the Golden Feather Guards!"
"Arrest the Liu family and everyone in front of the Surveying and Mapping Bureau, and interrogate them one by one!"
"I want to see what kind of merchants have the audacity to besiege the government offices of the Great Qi and tear clothes off people's clothes and commit violence in front of their doors!"
"In all my years as emperor, I have never heard of such audacious people!"
……
This sounds like someone deliberately instigating it, rather than a genuine business owner.
Upon receiving the news, Xiao Qinchuan, the new commander of the Golden Feather Guard, immediately accepted the order and went to investigate.
Yuan Cuo comforted Liu Yuechu and, when the imperial physician arrived, had her go to the side room to have her pulse checked and drink two bowls of calming medicine.
Meanwhile, Yuan Cuo quickly came up with a solution that had left the ministers anxious...
The officials, who had been thoroughly scolded by Emperor Qi Xiao, finally breathed a sigh of relief after Yuan Cuo presented his solution.
Knowing that the Liu family was in trouble, everyone was willing to support Yuan Cuo and say a few words, "The Liu family is not new to the fur business. The Imperial Household Department can just assign tasks according to the previous orders. Why make people memorize all the details? This is not an exam."
"Lord Yuan is talented and outstanding, and he also has the support of a good wife. Moreover, trade with various countries is for the purpose of clarifying the territory, which is a win-win situation."
"Liu Zhong's son was indeed unreliable before, but since the horse farm opened, my little nephew has been busy with it and has become quite decent!" The speaker was Ye Zinan's uncle, and his praise came from the bottom of his heart.
……
Amidst everyone's warm greetings, Yuan Cuo bowed repeatedly in gratitude. He showed none of the arrogance one might expect from someone about to be promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies; he remained as calm and unassuming as ever, like a gentle spring breeze.
The imperial physician also came to report that Liu Yuechu had indeed been frightened and was depressed, and needed to rest and recuperate.
Xiao Qinchuan quickly returned to report, his hesitant expression clearly indicating that the matter could not be made public...
Emperor Qi Xiao glanced at them a few times and then sent them back first.
Yuan Cuo didn't press the matter further and returned home with his wife and brother-in-law.
They had barely returned to their residence when Cheng Hai sent someone with a message.
"The Third Prince was summoned to the palace, scolded, and demoted from Prince to Prince of the Second Rank."
"Wei Gongming was fined half a year's salary for his procrastination, Steward Song was released, and Steward Yao was also released after paying ten taels of medical expenses."
"Eunuch Chang was personally punished by Eunuch Cheng, receiving twenty strokes of the cane, but he was not removed from his position as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department."
……
All these rulings are aimed at supporting the Liu family.
Liu Yuechu wiped away the tears on her face. It seemed that Emperor Qi Xiao still cared about the little granddaughter in her womb and wasn't completely without affection for her.
She removed her torn clothes.
"It's not like a piece of clothing wasted in vain... and my older brother's was also very expensive."