Prince Chen didn't dare to dodge and took the hit head-on. Not only was he soaked in hot tea, but blood also appeared on his forehead.
Emperor Cheng'an's chest heaved, clearly indicating his anger, but when he turned to speak to Xue Shen, he adopted a kind and amiable demeanor: "I know you've been wronged in this matter, but it's not a good thing for this to get out. It's a disgrace for you and for the imperial clan. I will severely punish Prince Chen. If you want any compensation, just name your price."
"Such a humiliating disgrace, unless Prince Chen kneels and kowtows to me three times and admits his mistake, it will be impossible to quell the hatred in my heart!"
Xue Shen gritted his teeth, and the veins on his hands, which were resting on the armrests of his wheelchair, bulged out.
Zhou Jihou and Shen Youying were shocked to hear this.
Prince Chen is, after all, the heir to the throne and the emperor's most favored son. He is very likely to be the future emperor. How could he endure the humiliation of kneeling and kowtowing three times?
Empress Zhou looked indignant and wanted to say something, but she held back because of the emperor standing next to her.
Shen Youying glanced suspiciously at the person beside her, feeling that this act was a bit over the top.
He wasn't this angry and humiliated when the incident involving Liu was clearly happening.
The calmest person present was Emperor Cheng'an, who even secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Such a humiliation would be unbearable for any man, let alone the tyrannical King of Qin.
If he were to remain silent today, Emperor Cheng'an would suspect that he might be plotting something in secret.
Emperor Cheng'an sighed and patted Xue Shen's arm: "I know you're still angry and won't calm down anytime soon. Here's what we'll do: you go back first, and come to the palace when you've thought things through. We, uncle and nephew, can have a good talk. As for that scoundrel..." Emperor Cheng'an looked at Prince Chen: "I'll confine him to his residence for now, and release him to apologize to you when you've calmed down, how about that?"
Xue Shen did not answer, and seemed unwilling, but did not explicitly object either.
Emperor Cheng'an, who believed he knew Chen Wang's character very well, knew that this meant he had tacitly agreed. So he waved his hand dismissively and said to Chen Wang, "Go back to Chen Wang's residence and stay in confinement. Don't make me send someone to escort you back."
Prince Chen gave Xue Shen a dark look, bowed, and strode away.
After expending so much breath and exhaustion, Emperor Cheng'an, seeing that the situation had been calmed down, suggested that Xue Shen accompany him for a cup of tea before leaving the palace.
Seeing this, Shen Youying knew that the Empress probably had something to tell her, so she wisely stayed.
Once the two had left, Empress Zhou's expression changed, and she looked at her indifferently: "You heard what happened just now, do you have any thoughts on it?"
Shen Youying lowered her eyes and said, "I didn't hear anything, and I dare not comment on Your Highness's affairs."
Empress Zhou gave a light "heh": "You're quite clever."
"As the saying goes, it's better to resolve a feud than to let it fester. Although the Prince of Qin is not His Majesty's son, His Majesty has always treated him as his own. Both sons are flesh and blood. When two sons fight, it's always the parents who feel the pain. Don't you think so?"
Shen Youying lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Seeing this, Zhou Jihou had no choice but to be blunt: "The Prince of Qin is a bit impatient. He hasn't quite come to his senses yet, so he needs you, his wife, to comfort him and help him. Don't let a woman ruin the bond between brothers and the Emperor's heart."
“But the prince won’t listen to me…” Shen Youying said timidly, her fingers nervously clenching together: “The more I say, the more the prince dislikes me.”
"You are the Queen Consort of Qin, whom the King of Qin personally welcomed back. How could the King of Qin not value you?" Queen Zhou said patiently. "The King of Qin is not listening to reason now because he is still angry. Once he calms down, as his Queen Consort, you will have to offer him a way out."
Shen Youying still hesitated, shaking her head repeatedly, trembling: "I...I dare not..."
Empress Zhou thought with disdain that someone who had once been a noblewoman of the Duke's mansion was so timid and cowardly, but on the surface she remained kind and gentle: "I didn't ask you to go back and tell you directly. You just need to subtly hint at it at the right time. If this matter is handled well, not only will I thank you, but the Emperor might also show leniency to the Shen family out of consideration for you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Youying indeed showed a wavering expression.
Empress Zhou pressed her advantage, saying, "This matter has saddened the Prince of Qin. Although I am only his aunt, I feel sorry for him. I specially ordered two gifts to be prepared. One is to apologize on behalf of the Prince of Chen, and the other is a reward for the Prince of Qin, to make up for the grievances he suffered. You can take them back with you."
After she finished speaking, palace servants carried in two heavy mahogany boxes.
Shen Youying quickly glanced at the list that was presented to her and secretly clicked her tongue in amazement.
The gift list included seven or eight items for imperial use. Normally, receiving even one such item from the emperor would be a great honor, but now, in order to appease the Prince of Qin, seven or eight items were presented at once, not to mention other famous paintings and rare treasures.
No wonder the King of Qin had previously instructed her to accept everything.
Shen Youying did not refuse and said, "On behalf of the Prince, I thank Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Empress Zhou couldn't help but purse her lips. She was always hesitant and indecisive when it came to doing things, but she was quick and decisive when it came to accepting gifts.
After patiently dealing with her for a while, Empress Zhou thought about having to deal with the emperor's wrath that evening, so she had no intention of arguing with her anymore and forced a smile to send her away.
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