Holding Xu Di's hand, Xu Rao felt a growing restlessness at the long silence outside. She tugged at the Marquis, who was sitting on the couch, trying to catch his breath, and whispered, "Father, let's go through the small door over there first."

The Marquis shook his head and said, "No rush. His Majesty sent us here not to see Xu Di. I guess there are other things to do later."

Xu Rao glanced at Xu Di's injury, and the Marquis sighed softly, saying, "Let's wait patiently for now."

Outside, Emperor Liang Cheng's deep voice rang out again: "The foundation laid by our ancestors was hard-won. Do you think conquering this land is as easy as eating for you? Do you think the foundation of our Xiao family can be traded at will according to your desires? You are not confused, you are just too self-centered. You only think about fulfilling your own desires. As for whether it harms the foundation laid by our ancestors or the lives of the people of Liang, you have never thought about it. I am your father. It is my responsibility if I have not taught you well."

Even his self-reference has changed. This is truly an old father's reprimand and repentance to his good-for-nothing sons. Xu Rao looked at Xu Di's disdainful and sarcastic face and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. If only he had known this would happen, he should have kept his sons in check since the incident in Hexi more than ten years ago. Instead, he let his sons fight each other like this, and in the end, they became traitors who did nothing to achieve their goals.

In front of Prime Minister Feng, Prime Minister Fu, the Marquis of Yongning in the inner chambers, and Xu Rao and his son, who were scolding their sons for making a mistake, Xu Rao was unsure whether Emperor Liang Cheng intended to give them a lenient punishment or was determined to ensure that his sons received the punishment they deserved.

Xu Rao couldn't help but glance at his father, and saw that the Marquis of Yongning was sitting on the couch with his legs spread apart, his hands on his knees, and he was gently stroking his right knee as if he was thinking about something.

Xu Rao couldn't help but think that when the Marquis of Yongning was considering things, his right hand would always unconsciously make some small movements. He wondered what the old man was thinking at this moment. He was probably just lamenting that these royal children were not up to par.

Xu Di struggled to get up, but Xu Rao quickly pressed him down and asked in a low voice, "What are you trying to do?"

Xu Di, his face pale and breathing heavily, said, "I want to ask, why do they not value the lives of those people? Are those lives just something insignificant in their eyes?"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis whispered, "Foolish! If you go out and ask these questions at this time, aren't you just criticizing the Emperor for not raising his son properly? You'd better lie down and not reopen your wound."

Xu Di pursed his lips, about to move, but the Marquis pressed his arm down, saying in a low voice, "Good boy, going out at this time will only cause trouble for yourself. If not for yourself, then for your grandmother. She's still at home hoping you brothers will return safely."

Upon hearing this, Xu Di stopped moving abruptly. After a long while, he slumped down, covering his eyes with his other arm, and muttered under his breath, "Bastard, damn bastard."

Xu Rao didn't know what had triggered Xu Di, and whispered to him, "If His Majesty doesn't severely punish these people this time, it won't be fair to just deal with Prime Minister Feng and Prime Minister Fu. Don't worry, just wait and see."

Emperor Liang Cheng cursed for a while, then raised his voice and said, "Issue my decree: the Third Prince is to be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. Once all the evidence of his treason has been collected, he will be executed at the Meridian Gate. The First Prince is to be imprisoned for plotting a rebellion."

After Emperor Liang Cheng announced the punishment for the two princes, there was complete silence. After a long while, Emperor Liang Cheng continued, "The remaining princes in the capital are to come to Jingfu Palace to study starting tomorrow at dawn. Since they do not understand the principles yet, they should study hard. We can discuss other matters when they have understood the principles through their studies."

Then, Xu Rao heard the sound of boots hitting the ground. Chen Wufu came in from outside and said to Marquis Yongning, "My lord, His Majesty has instructed that you stay to discuss matters. Lord Xu and Young Master Xu should return to the manor first."

Then four eunuchs carried in a soft couch from outside. Xu Rao helped Xu Di sit down, and Xu Rao quickly covered himself with one of Xu Di's cloaks that was placed to the side. The four eunuchs carried it out of the Imperial Study through the side door, and Xu Rao followed behind. The group then headed towards the palace gate.

Upon seeing Xu Di, the coachman's eyes widened in surprise. Xu Rao told him to hurry back and drop them off, as the coachman had to return to wait for the Marquis. It was already broad daylight, and not only were there no pedestrians on the street, but the shops on both sides of the street were also closed. Soldiers in full armor, holding long spears, lined both sides of the street. The coachman drove the carriage very fast. When they arrived at the Marquis's residence, the gatekeeper, seeing that it was the Marquis's carriage, quickly came over to help put down the stools.

Xu Rao said to the gatekeeper, "Go and find four strong men to carry our master inside."

The gatekeeper was extremely surprised to see Xu Di lying in the carriage. He didn't have time to ask any questions, so he turned around and went back to the mansion to find four strong men to carry Xu Di to the backyard.

Thinking that it would be convenient for Chen Zhaoci to take care of Xu Di, Xu Rao had Xu Di carried to her and Chen Zhaoci's courtyard. The east wing was fully furnished, originally intended to provide a place for Xu Zhi to stay when she returned. Xu Rao had Xu Di carried in and placed on the kang (heated brick bed). Before anyone could go to find Chen Zhaoci, Chen Zhaoci rushed in from outside.

Upon seeing Xu Di, Chen Zhaoci took out scissors from his medical kit without saying a word, cut open the bandage covering the wound, and after carefully examining it, frowned and said to Xu Di, "The wound wasn't treated well. I need to disinfect it again and stitch it up for you."

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