Grandpa Liu nodded, feeling a pang of pity, and finally offered a word of advice, "It's better to lose money than to suffer a greater disaster. Just keep a closer eye on the younger generation in the future..."
The Duke sighed, turned around, and walked away.
In the short time that followed, the news that the Duke's heir had been arrested and imprisoned in the Jingzhao Yin prison had become common knowledge.
Outsiders might just watch the spectacle and find it amusing, but the Duke's relatives and friends would come knocking to inquire.
Whether or not they can help, at this time, simply showing up is like sending charcoal in snowy weather, and everyone should be grateful.
The Duchess's eyes were swollen from crying, and she hadn't drunk a drop of water or eaten a bite of food.
Having finally awaited the Duke's return, everyone naturally had to ask him a few questions.
The Duke simply replied, "It's nothing serious. There's a case that requires the young master's cooperation in the investigation. He can be sent back tomorrow."
That sounds really far-fetched.
That's the heir of the Duke's mansion! If he hadn't committed a serious crime, would the officials of the Prefect of the Capital dare to tie him up in the street and send him to jail?
But no one can question what the Duke has said.
Do you really want other people's children to commit crimes?
After sitting for a while longer, everyone quickly said their goodbyes.
Once the house had quieted down, the Duke dismissed all the servants and began to discuss the matter with his wife.
Upon hearing the whole story, the old woman also regretted it, saying, "I'm the one who harmed our son. If I had kept him at home, would this have happened?"
"It's too late to say anything now. Let's hurry up and raise the money. As long as that person calms down, our son will be fine."
The Duke sighed, "This time we got our son out of jail, and I will take care of him from now on. You must not interfere again! This time I had to swallow my pride and beg the Liu family to understand the whole story. If there is a next time, we can only watch him die in jail."
The Duchess quickly nodded, "Okay, okay, I definitely won't interfere."
The elderly couple got together, took out their savings, and while feeling the pinch, started making arrangements.
The next day was a small court assembly. The emperor had just returned to his study when he heard that the Duke of Zhenguo was requesting an audience, and he smiled and nodded.
Soon, Steward Yi led the Duke of Zhenguo in.
The Duke of Zhenguo was not stupid; he never mentioned his son.
He simply knelt down, kowtowed respectfully, and offered 100,000 taels of silver, spouting words of sharing the emperor's and the country's burdens.
Sure enough, the emperor personally helped him up and lavished praise upon him.
Even though the Duke of Zhenguo knew it was fake, he couldn't help but get excited.
This is the Emperor's word, a golden decree!
He excitedly kowtowed again to express his loyalty, and then stood up and sat down, daring to straighten his back a little.
The Emperor was in a good mood and chatted with him casually, asking, "How has the Duke's health been lately?"
"Thanks to His Majesty's good fortune, this old minister is still in good health." The Duke hesitated for a moment, but finally mentioned, "It's just that my youngest son is a troublemaker and often makes this old minister angry. This old minister plans to stay at home and properly teach him for two years."
The Emperor nodded in agreement, "This is a serious matter. Children need constant guidance and careful instruction to succeed."
Finally, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked, "I heard that the young master is fond of the young lady from the Marquis of Jiangning's household?"
The Duke of Zhenguo's heart skipped a beat, wondering why the Emperor had asked such a question. So he cautiously replied, "It's just youthful musings; I only said a few silly things occasionally..."
"No, Your Excellency is mistaken. It makes sense to prioritize marriage over career. A man will give up his playful nature after marriage!" The Emperor laughed and said, "Today, Your Excellency has shared my burdens, and I will share your burdens in return. Your Excellency, go back and await my decree!"
The Duke of Zhenguo had a vague idea of what was going on, but he also felt it was impossible.
Although he held the title of Duke, he was well aware of his own situation; he was merely a figurehead with no real power.
The Marquis of Jiangning's family is the maternal clan of the Empress!
The girl the son likes is the Empress's cousin!
It's even rumored that this girl is intended for the Marquis of Xinting!
So no matter how much his son caused trouble at home, he always stopped his wife from trying to find out what the Wu family was saying...
Could it be that my son's dream is about to come true?!
Perhaps once his wish is fulfilled, his son will truly settle down, live a proper life, and stop indulging in games...
The Duke of Zhenguo was in a daze and didn't even know how he got out of the palace.
Outside the palace gates, many people who saw his expression assumed the prince was surely dead.
Then, on the morning of the following day, the young prince, dressed in rags and with a sallow complexion, was actually sent back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Although his disheveled appearance caused the Duchess to weep uncontrollably, fortunately his arms and legs were still intact.
The Duchess didn't mind the mess and held her son tightly, saying, "My son, you've worried me to death! Don't cause any more trouble. Let's stay home and study hard!"
The young master was nearly strangled by his mother. After finally managing to break free, he said, "Mother, I'm hungry! I want meat, I want fish, I want roast chicken, I want everything!"
"Oh, oh!" The Duchess finally realized what was happening and immediately ordered people to prepare food and arrange for someone to help her son bathe, change clothes, and comb his hair.
After finishing all the work, the prince sat down at the table, not even using chopsticks, and grabbed a pork knuckle with his hands to start gnawing on it.
This was the first time in his life that he had been imprisoned, and he finally witnessed what hell on earth looked like.
The underground prison was rotten and moldy, infested with rats and cockroaches, with a cold wind whistling through the air, and screams and cries of agony that never ceased throughout the night.
For two whole days and two nights, all he got was a bowl of thin porridge, which was then snatched away by his fellow inmates.
His clothes were stripped off completely, and he was kicked around like a ball.
He wanted to fight but couldn't win; even if he invoked the name of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he was beaten even more badly.
Just when he thought he was going to die there, he was finally brought out...
Seeing his son like this, the Duke of Zhenguo felt sorry for him, but he still hardened his heart and said, "You've learned your lesson this time. From now on, stay at home and behave yourself. If you dare to go out again, I'll break your legs!"
The prince was already terrified, but he still stubbornly insisted, "If you marry Miss Bilian, I will never leave the house again."
"Hmph, you said those words, remember, you must keep your promise." The Duke said with a strange expression.
But the young master's eyes lit up when he heard this. "Father, can you let me marry Miss Bilian? She's Miss Bilian from the second branch of the Marquis of Jiangning's mansion, the legitimate daughter, not someone else!"
The Duke didn't dare to make a definitive statement, and vaguely said, "As long as you obey, then I'll give it a try."
Before the prince could press further, the steward rushed over, shouting, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come to deliver an imperial decree!"
Everyone quickly got to work and soon arrived at the front yard, where they set up an incense table to receive the imperial decree...
After the eunuch delivering the imperial decree was seen off, the young prince held the decree in his hand, still somewhat incredulous. "Father, Mother, I'm going to marry Miss Bilian?!"
The Duke breathed a sigh of relief, but still glared at his son fiercely.
The Duchess was happy for her son, "Yes, you're getting married!"
The prince jumped for joy, "I'm getting married! I'm marrying Miss Bilian!"
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