Chapter 181 Emperor Wen's Test? Caning the Third Prince
He Zhaojun cried out, and she didn't understand what Emperor Wen was talking about.
Cao Cheng chimed in, "Lord Ancheng, do you know that the Third Prince raided all the outer residences owned by the fathers and brothers of the eight daughters, finding countless grains and valuables. He also had someone take away the private vault at the Fifth Princess's residence. General Ling was fighting in the front, and he led his men to rob in the rear!"
"They scraped the ground three feet deep, nearly causing the walls and house to collapse, and even turned over the pond!"
What? The original novel didn't mention that Wen Ziduan would wade into this mess!
She forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, is there some misunderstanding here? How could he have raided eight villas by himself in less than a day?!"
"Ziduan has always been impartial and upright, and has never done anything so outrageous. Even if he did, he must have his reasons." He Zhaojun glanced at Wen Ziduan who was standing aside and refusing to speak, and was extremely anxious.
Emperor Wen snorted coldly, "I think these guys have lost their minds over you two! Tell me, what could be his motivation?"
"Of course it is...of course it is because he heard from a minister that there will be an earthquake in the direction of Shouchun and the capital soon. Perhaps someone in the capital is taking advantage of the opportunity to hoard goods and profit from the national crisis. Now he doesn't have enough rice and grain, so he has no choice but to resort to this method!"
At this point, Emperor Wen pursed his lips and smiled. "Little girl, you're still a little immature if you want to fight me." He nodded, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I want to ask you, why didn't you report this when you learned of it?"
Why wasn't Emperor Wen surprised at all? Had he known about this for a long time? Even before Cao Cheng told her, or even in the last few days? Was Cao Cheng revealing this to her just to test her?
"Your servant...your servant did not dare to confirm it, so she did not report it!" He Zhaojun said it firmly, playing a safe card first and waiting for the rest.
Seeing that Emperor Wen remained silent, He Zhaojun kowtowed again, "Your Majesty, I acted on my own accord. This has nothing to do with the Third Prince. Furthermore, if the earthquake is true, the defense of the capital will require the Third Prince's help. Please, Your Majesty, punish me alone!"
Emperor Wen waved his hand and said, "You are just a little girl. How could you have accomplished such a great thing without Ziduan's help? Don't say he wasn't involved. I think he was the mastermind!"
"this……"
"What's this? You still dare to quibble?! You and Cheng Siniang are about to become lawless!"
Emperor Wen snorted coldly, "If you had asked for instructions and informed me in advance, I would definitely not be kept in the dark now! Although it was Ziduan who confiscated the property, you must know that this beating was taken by Ziduan for you!"
As he spoke, Cao Cheng waved his hand, and two burly men came over, grabbed Wen Ziduan's arms, and dragged him back: "Zisheng has been beaten with fifty-six sticks, so punish him severely too!" Emperor Wen showed no mercy.
He Zhaojun tried to step forward, but was stopped by two guards. Emperor Wen snorted coldly, "I won't hit you because Ziduan has pleaded for you. But, watch me carefully."
As they spoke, the two guards thrust their spears into He Zhaojun's elbows and pressed her down in front of the execution bench, forcing her to watch Wen Ziduan being beaten.
No matter how He Zhaojun struggled, she could not stand up and could not move. She watched as the military stick hit Wen Ziduan's back and buttocks mercilessly.
Emperor Wen sat leisurely in the same place where the two of them had sat just now, while Cao Cheng counted tremblingly on the side: "One, two..." He wiped the sweat from his forehead. The same drama, played twice in one day, wouldn't Your Majesty find it boring?
Facts have proved that no matter how old-fashioned the routine is, as long as it is useful, it's fine.
Wen Ziduan gritted his teeth and managed to utter, "Zhaojun, I'm fine, don't be afraid... Um..."
He Zhaojun listened to Wen Ziduan's voice and held back her tears for a long time, but finally they fell.
"Wen Ziduan, are you a fool?"
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