Volume One, Chapter 12: Watching the Comedy Unfold

Before long, Xia Huai’an and Xia Ziyi arrived.

Xia Huai’an’s heart grew increasingly uneasy. Why did the emperor summon him in such haste the moment the Jiang family entered the palace? And why was Ziyi summoned as well?

Ziyi had merely gone out to play and unexpectedly fallen victim to an unjust calamity—all because of the Jiang family and Xia Qianshan.

Could it be that the emperor wished to show concern for Ziyi?

Seeing his father’s anxious demeanor, Xia Ziyi found it hard to understand.

He was confident that he had conducted himself impeccably earlier and would not give anyone a reason to accuse him.

Therefore, the emperor’s summons must be out of care for him.

After all, the grand poetry contest was approaching, and since he was personally recommended by the emperor, naturally there would be some concern.

“Father, what are you worried about? The emperor summoned me to ask about the preparations for the poetry contest, no doubt.”

Xia Huai’an pondered from all angles but could not find a reason. Hearing his son’s words, he thought there might be some truth.

If only he was summoned, it might be for reprimand, but since Xia Ziyi was summoned too, there could be only one explanation.

With this thought, a smug smile appeared on his face. “So soon, we’ve already touched the blessings of a lucky star.”

“Yes, in the future, we must treat Yangyang very well,” Xia Ziyi agreed.

The two were soon brought inside the hall, only to find two men kneeling there.

Upon seeing them, Xia Ziyi froze, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

Weren’t those two the ones who had taken the money and left? How could they be here?

Xia Huai’an, unaware of the situation, was about to kneel when an angry shout sounded above them.

“Kneel down at once!” Emperor Yong’an’s face darkened like a storm cloud, on the verge of fury.

The two men trembled and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

“Your… Majesty, may I ask the reason for this summons?” Xia Huai’an’s heart pounded; what could have happened to anger the emperor so greatly?

“Hmph! The reason? Let your good illegitimate son speak for himself!” Emperor Yong’an declared.

Xia Huai’an looked at Xia Ziyi in confusion, noticing his trembling body and lowered head.

Seeing his son’s fearful demeanor, a vague suspicion arose.

But how could Ziyi resort to such despicable means? There must be some misunderstanding.

“Ziyi, don’t be afraid; just tell the truth.”

Xia Ziyi averted his eyes guiltily. With witnesses present, lying would only provoke the emperor’s displeasure.

It was all the fault of the Jiang family!

Nothing had happened, so why complain to the emperor? It was truly malicious!

“Bold! The emperor asks, and you dare not answer!” Eunuch Pei scolded sharply, wagging his delicate finger at him.

---

“If you won’t speak, then the witnesses will!” Emperor Yong’an said, snapping his fingers sharply as he tossed a teacup at Xia Ziyi’s feet.

Xia Ziyi’s body trembled even more. “I’ll speak, I’ll speak!”

Through gritted teeth, he confessed how he had orchestrated everything.

Xia Huai’an could not believe his ears—so it was truly Xia Ziyi’s doing!

“Ziyi, how could you do such a thing!”

Terrified, Xia Ziyi grabbed his father’s arm, pleading for help. “Father, I did it all for the emperor’s sake… yes, yes, I was thinking of the emperor!”

“I only wanted the emperor to understand the danger of the ominous star, not to let it affect him.”

“You don’t know—it was like a disaster descended upon us, a living hell on earth!”

He thought revealing this would calm Emperor Yong’an’s anger and show his sincerity.

But the emperor’s expression only grew darker.

“Bold! The emperor does not need concern from a mere commoner!” Eunuch Pei shouted.

Veins bulging on his forehead, Emperor Yong’an said, “Eunuch Pei, Xia Ziyi spoke disrespectfully of me and the young princess, and attempted to harm both Princess Anjing and the young princess. Thirty strokes of the rod! Let this be a warning to the realm—this is the fate of a bastard who challenges the legitimate heir and the mistress!”

“Lord Anjing has failed to properly discipline his son and is relying on those thirty strokes!”

“Drag the two of them outside the hall for punishment so the officials may witness and be warned.”

Eunuch Pei felt immense satisfaction, though unfortunately Princess Anjing could not see this.

Fearing she might soften, the emperor wished to teach him a lesson and so had Princess Anjing sent away.

Xia Huai’an lacked talent but was proud; this time, they would expose him completely.

He glanced covertly at Emperor Yong’an, who nodded in return.

He covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and left alone, his destination unknown.

Guards at the door dragged the two men outside.

Xia Huai’an panicked.

Outside the hall, officials who had not yet left and palace servants were coming and going.

To be punished there was to have his dignity trampled before everyone!

“Your Majesty, I am willing to accept ten additional strokes if I may not be punished outside the hall.”

The emperor smiled kindly. “That is not permitted.”

Eunuch Pei rested his hands on his wrists, seated on his sedan chair, running through every department, telling everyone, “How did you know Lord Anjing would receive thirty strokes?”

He even went to the Ministry of Personnel, grabbing a passing junior officer. “Hey, I know you’re curious why the emperor punishes Lord Anjing with thirty strokes!”

The junior officer: ??? I’m not curious. Why are you dragging me into this?

Eunuch Pei: “You ask where the punishment will be administered? Right outside the hall!”

Junior officer: ...

---

Soon a large crowd ran over.

Eunuch Pei then rushed to the Imperial Academy, shouting, “Is Xia Ziyi here? Your father is being flogged before the hall!”

It was break time.

The students hurried out upon hearing this.

Xia Ziheng, who was reading, blinked—was that his father?

His father was being beaten... for some reason, he felt a secret thrill and couldn’t help but chuckle.

After laughing, he regretted it—after all, it was his father. How could he mock him? He decided not to watch.

“Ziheng, hurry and go see! Your father is being punished!”

“Coming!”

Eunuch Pei nodded with satisfaction. Now Xia Huai’an had utterly lost face before seniors, peers, and juniors alike!

With dignity lost, he turned and left.

Xia Huai’an was pressed against a bench outside the hall, Xia Ziyi beside him.

Fortunately, only palace maids, eunuchs, and guards were nearby—no acquaintances.

He breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could fully relax, he saw a dense crowd rushing toward them.

The leader spotted him and shouted excitedly, “It really is Lord Anjing!”

“I’ve long disliked Lord Anjing, acting all high and mighty as Princess Anjing’s husband, bossing me around. The emperor is truly wise!”

“Hahaha, a good show is about to begin!”

Xia Huai’an’s pupils trembled violently. “It’s over—my reputation is ruined!”

Eunuch Pei approached with hands behind his back. “Oh my, why have so many people come? I’m quite nervous.”

Xia Huai’an grit his teeth—he wasn’t the one being beaten, so why was he nervous?

These people were surely summoned by him to deliberately humiliate him.

He could not understand when he had fallen out of favor with Eunuch Pei to suffer such disgrace.

Xia Ziyi was no better off; he never imagined he’d be beaten in public, surrounded by so many onlookers.

He glanced hurriedly and his eyes widened.

Xia Ziheng was among them!

That fool actually came to watch his misfortune!