Chapter 46 Small in Stature, Timid at Heart

The tone was so commanding that Shen Zhao couldn’t even argue; she couldn’t have said no if she tried.

“Yes, I am the younger generation,” she replied, forcing herself to meet the gaze of the Duke of the Nation.

The Duke pushed Xie Yuheng toward Shen Zhao. “If you have the ability to coax this rascal into seeking funds at Yiyun Academy, then you’d better have the ability to ensure the Emperor doesn’t blame him. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you.”

Shen Zhao hurriedly answered, “Yes, yes.”

The Duke snorted coldly and returned to his place. Just yesterday, Little Third had gone home and sang Chu Mu’s praises endlessly. Today, he was determined to see what tricks this boy had up his sleeve to deal with those old, cunning officials.

Shen Zhao felt a rising unease. She couldn’t understand—Xie Yuheng looked so battered already, would the Emperor really blame him? Surely, out of respect for the Duke and for Xie Yuheng’s maternal grandfather, King Loyal and Righteous, the Emperor wouldn’t punish him—unless Xie Yuheng did something truly unforgivable...

But before Shen Zhao could finish her thought, cries of shock erupted nearby.

“This… Is this the Third Prince?”

“The Third Prince has been attacked!”

“Who could be so audacious?”

Shen Zhao spun around, staring at the palace doors.

Four palace servants carried a stretcher, upon which lay a figure, uncertain if alive or dead. His head was wrapped in bandages, revealing only two dark, bruised eyes—like a pair of panda’s. His arms and legs were bound with more bandages. He was groaning as he was carried to the hall’s center.

Ha!

Ha ha!

Just now, Xie Yuheng had mentioned getting into a fight with someone. If she remembered correctly, he’d said the Third Prince had gone too far, and that he’d been beaten up by the Third Prince and his cronies.

But how did it look now as if it was the Third Prince who’d been beaten?

No wonder the Duke had pushed Xie Yuheng toward her—having battered the old Emperor’s son so badly, who could withstand the fallout? The Duke was setting her up.

Aside from the Crown Prince, the Third Prince was the only one left in the capital, a sign of his favor. Moreover, his mother, Consort Hui, was the most beloved in the palace.

How could she possibly shoulder this responsibility!

“Is this a frame-up? Yesterday I only gave him two black eyes, and today he’s come in this state to ruin me…” Xie Yuheng’s face flushed with anger as he watched the Third Prince carried in. That scoundrel was out to harm him.

He looked anxiously to his father and three brothers. He knew his limits—he definitely hadn’t beaten the Third Prince into such a mess.

Following the Third Prince were several senior officials, with their sons hobbling behind, some with broken arms, others with broken legs, all looking woefully at Xie Yuheng.

Xie Yuheng was furious. “Are you all pretending? Clearly, you ganged up on me! I’m the one who got hurt, and now you’re putting on a show—have you no shame?”

These were the very lackeys who’d joined the Third Prince in beating him yesterday.

A few glared hatefully at Xie Yuheng—couldn’t he just shut his mouth? After returning home yesterday, their fathers had scolded them mercilessly. Their ears had been yanked; Xie Yuheng was the Third Prince’s to beat, not theirs. To gang up—wasn’t that suicidal, plucking a tiger’s whiskers?

The elders had conspired to beat their own sons soundly. Some ended up with broken arms or legs, others with bruised faces. Then, despite their pain, they were dragged out at dawn to court, so their fathers could file complaints first and avoid the Duke’s wrath.

Those with broken limbs felt utterly wronged—resentful toward their own fathers, who punished them instead of Xie Yuheng. Was there ever a father like this? Afraid of others, beating their own sons instead of striving to surpass them.

Shen Zhao watched the injured crowd.

Well then.

It wasn’t just the Third Prince—his entire faction had come forward.

Judging from Xie Yuheng’s reaction, it was clear he’d been set up.

Suddenly, a raspy voice announced, “His Majesty arrives…”

As with yesterday, Shen Zhao followed the ministers in bowing respectfully.

She glanced at the old Emperor, just as he cried out in anger, “Outrageous! Who did this to you?”

Wait—was she seeing things? The Emperor wasn’t looking at his son on the stretcher, but at Xie Yuheng standing behind him.

She was certain—the Emperor’s question was directed at Xie Yuheng.

A weak, halting voice came from the Third Prince. “Father… it was… the Duke’s third son, Xie Yuheng… Father, please uphold justice for your son…”

Then, those ministers with injured sons stepped forward, dragging their children to kneel and tearfully accuse, “Your Majesty, please uphold justice for me and my son. Young General Xie attacked people at Yiyun Academy, injuring the Third Prince. My son tried to stop him, only to be beaten…”

Another followed suit, “Your Majesty, my son was innocently reading at Yiyun Academy, and was assaulted by Young General Xie. He still needs to study and write daily, but now his arm is broken…”

Four or five in succession cried out.

Shen Zhao kept her eyes on the Emperor.

He looked thoughtfully at the ministers, but when he glanced at the Third Prince, his gaze held a fleeting, chilling hint of murderous intent!

Real murderous intent!

Though it vanished in an instant, she knew she hadn’t imagined it.

This realization made her heart race with fear.

How could this be!

The Third Prince was Consort Hui’s son—she was the Emperor’s favorite. How could the Emperor harbor murderous intent toward his most beloved consort’s child?

Something was terribly wrong here.

Some ministers pointed at Xie Yuheng, but those bold enough were mostly ones opposed to the Xie family.

At that moment, the Duke stepped forward, shooting Shen Zhao a sharp glare.

Shen Zhao shuddered and quickly stepped forward herself. She dared not delay—the Duke would make her pay dearly if she hesitated.

“Your Majesty, I am at fault—I failed to teach my son properly. Please punish me.”

The Duke began by admitting guilt.

Shen Zhao frowned—why wasn’t the Duke defending his son, arguing with them, fighting back? What was the meaning of this plea for punishment!

The Emperor hurriedly bid him rise. “Rise, my good subject. It’s merely a squabble among children, how could it be a crime?”

Shen Zhao’s spirit soared.

There was hope!

The Emperor had no intention of punishing Xie Yuheng.

She could seize this chance for some benefit. She had an important matter to address today—her four thousand Northwestern troops still needed accommodation.

With a loud, crisp thud, she knelt before the Emperor.

The sound was clear and sharp, almost pleasant.

Instantly, a stream of tears slid from Shen Zhao’s eyes.

Don’t misunderstand—this wasn’t an act.

She was in pain!

She’d knelt too hard—ouch, she wondered if her kneecap had shattered!

Her kneeling drew everyone’s attention.

Even the Emperor frowned in confusion.

What was this closed-mouthed girl up to now?

Ah… She hadn’t even spoken, and was already in tears.

Who had upset her now?

The Duke was startled by Shen Zhao’s gesture, especially seeing the tear tracks on her face. Internally, he marveled—had she started performing already?