Concubine Shen went to the emperor to cry and then to Empress Pei to cry.
The second prince was beaten by Liu Zhao so badly that he couldn't get out of bed.
What a cruel move.
Brothers fought each other and even fought to the death.
Did Liu Zhao intend to beat someone to death?
Empress Pei was extremely annoyed, but she couldn't turn her head away.
Who made Liu Zhao beat someone else's son?
If she were to say, well done.
She has long disliked the second brother.
A bastard, jumping up and down all day long.
Did he think that she, the queen, was dead? Or did he think that the two legitimate princes were dead?
The queen's legitimate sons are all here, the second prince jumped so high, he deserves to be beaten.
While she was secretly happy that the Second Prince was beaten, she was also annoyed by Concubine Chenxian's endless crying. Empress Pei's heart was almost twisted.
Liu Zhao stayed indoors to reflect on his mistakes and could not go out.
Empress Pei ordered someone to invite Gu Jiu to the palace.
"How's the boss's injury?"
"Thank you for your concern, Mother. Your Highness only suffered minor injuries and is much better now."
Empress Pei breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that no bones were injured. Concubine Shen has been crying every day recently, and I am tired of it. Do you have any ideas about this matter?"
Gu Jiu asked, "Is the Second Prince's injury really that serious?"
Empress Pei said with a stern face, "Your Majesty personally ordered a consultation with the imperial physicians. The injury is indeed serious."
The second prince wanted to put on a show and pretend that he was too seriously injured to get out of bed.
I never thought that I would not be able to get out of bed in the end.
Liu Zhao's move was too ruthless. I didn't feel anything at the time, but a day later, all the problems came out.
The second prince almost died from the pain.
It would be strange if he could get out of bed.
Now the second prince doesn’t have to act anymore.
Gu Jiu asked, "What does your majesty say?"
"What else can I say? I was so angry that I almost ordered Liu Zhao to be beaten with a stick again."
Gu Jiu was surprised that Emperor Wende, although so angry, did not punish Liu Zhao.
When did Emperor Wende show such a preference for Liu Zhao?
"You find it strange too, don't you? I find it strange too. Your Majesty didn't punish Liu Zhao, not even a reprimand. Could it be that Your Majesty has disliked the Second Prince?"
Queen Pei's eyes lit up.
Gu Jiu said, "It's too early to draw conclusions on this matter. As for Concubine Shen, can't the Queen Mother send someone to punish her?"
"The Second Prince is the victim, and the one who did it is Liu Zhao. I am not in the right, so how can I punish her?" Queen Pei rolled her eyes, disliking Gu Jiu for asking questions that she already knew the answer to.
Gu Jiu said, "Everything must be done in moderation. Concubine Shen Xian relied on the Second Prince being beaten and has lost her sense of proportion. As the head of the harem, the Queen Mother should take on the responsibility of teaching the concubines."
The implication is that Gu Jiu will not help Queen Pei.
Empress Pei resolved this matter herself.
Empress Pei was dissatisfied.
Gu Jiu used the excuse that Liu Zhao was injured to take his leave.
"His Highness is injured, unable to move, and has become extremely irritable. Ordinary people cannot get close to him. Only your daughter-in-law can change the dressings. I believe your mother is also looking forward to your speedy recovery. The time for the dressing change is almost up, and your daughter-in-law cannot delay any longer. Farewell!"
Gu Jiu left very decisively.
Empress Pei was dumbfounded and pointed at the palace gate. "Look at her! Look at her! Look at her attitude. Does she have the slightest respect for me?"
Eunuch Wen advised, "Your Majesty, calm down! Perhaps Madam Zhao really did rush back to apply medicine to His Highness."
"Can you believe what she says? I've seen through her a long time ago. She's a heartless person, disobedient and unfilial. Only Liu Zhao cares about her. I really don't know what kind of magic potion she has fed Liu Zhao."
Eunuch Wen secretly thought that with Madam Zhao's ability, no matter who she married, she would be worshipped by her husband's family.
Even if she married into a stubborn family, with Madam Zhao's skills, she would have long since taken control of the household.
Eunuch Wen only thought so secretly, but of course he didn't dare to say it out loud.
…
Xingqing Palace.
The eunuch reported to Emperor Wende that Concubine Shen was crying outside the palace gate again.
Emperor Wende remained silent and said, "Take good care of Concubine Xian. When she is tired of crying, send her back."
The eunuch took the order and left.
Everyone in Xingqing Palace, both inside and outside the imperial palace, was actually very curious about Emperor Wende's attitude.
It is said that the emperor was cold-hearted, but every time Concubine Shen came to cry, the emperor would order the eunuchs to take good care of her.
The emperor said he valued Concubine Shen Xian, but he refused to see her, leaving her to cry outside the Xingqing Palace. He also ignored the Second Prince's injuries.
For a moment, no one was sure about Emperor Wende's attitude.
Except Chang En.
Chang En is the most trusted confidant of Emperor Wende. Everyone else has to stand aside.
Emperor Wende was tired and dropped the pen in his hand.
A cup of tea at just the right temperature was placed next to Emperor Wende, ready for him to drink.
After taking two sips of tea, Emperor Wende felt refreshed.
He asked Chang En, "Is Concubine Xian still out there?"
"Your Majesty, the virtuous concubine is tired and has been sent back."
Emperor Wende nodded, "What's going on with the Second Prince?"
Chang En bowed and said, "The injury has improved. The imperial physician said it will take at least one or two months to recover."
Emperor Wende hummed a sound and did not comment.
After a moment, he asked again: "Are you crying?"
Chang En knew very well that Emperor Wende was asking about the second prince.
He said cautiously, "I think it was because of the pain the past two days. I cried a lot."
Emperor Wende frowned, clearly dissatisfied. "How can a prince be so whimpering like this? How unbecoming!"
The second prince never expected that when he complained to Gu Jiu and cried out with all his heart, the result would be the opposite of what he wanted.
Not only did he fail to bring Gu Jiu down, but he also aroused the disgust of Emperor Wende.
A typical case of shooting oneself in the foot, huge loss!
Chang En lowered his head and dared not speak.
Emperor Wende has been in a bad mood these days.
Others can't see it, but Chang En sees it clearly.
Emperor Wende asked again, "What's the situation with Liu Zhao?"
Chang En whispered, "They're just superficial injuries, they're almost healed."
"The people from the Ministry of Punishment really judge people by their appearance. Did I allow them to go easy on me?"
"Your Majesty, calm down! After all, he is the Crown Prince. Even if the Minister of Punishment had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to beat him to death."
Emperor Wende snorted coldly, "Send someone to check on the second son and tell him to take good care of his injuries. After he recovers, he should practice more with the martial arts master. Also, send someone to reprimand Liu Zhao and tell him to honestly reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors. If he dares to cause trouble again, he will be sent to the Zongzheng Temple to reflect on his mistakes."
Chang En bowed and accepted the order. He was about to arrange for someone to go to the two princes to pass on the message, but he was called back by Emperor Wende.
"Forget it! Let's ignore these two rebellious sons for now!"
Emperor Wende looked disheartened.
Chang En didn't even dare to breathe.
Emperor Wende closed his eyes and tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
"What's wrong with the second brother? Or does he mistakenly think that by imitating my methods back then, he can win my favor?"
He seemed to be muttering to himself, but also seemed to be asking for Chang En's opinion.
Chang En didn't dare to say anything.
Emperor Wende didn't expect Chang En to answer, so he just continued talking to himself.
"I never thought that the Second Prince would have such a soft side. Crying in front of all the civil and military officials, aren't you afraid of being embarrassed? Back then, as a prince, I never cried in front of officials."
At most, it will just roll on the ground a few times.
If you want to cry, you should do it in private, not in front of the late emperor. The effect is superb!
The Second Prince's attempt was a typical example of trying to draw a tiger but ended up drawing a dog. Not only did it fail to achieve the desired effect, but it also aroused the disgust and disgust of Emperor Wende.
"I am really disappointed in him."
Chang En wished he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into, pretending he didn't exist and heard nothing.
It’s so annoying!
Your Majesty's true feelings cannot be listened to casually.
"Chang En, among all the princes, which one do you think has the potential to be a king?"
Chang En was trembling with fear, his clothes soaked with cold sweat.
"Your Majesty, I am a mere eunuch, my knowledge is limited, and I have no opinion on such a major matter. How about inviting the ministers here?"
"Just tell me about your impressions of the princes."
Emperor Wende did not let Chang En go easily.
Chang En wanted to die.
He whispered, "All the princes are doing well!"
Emperor Wende suddenly opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at Chang En with a half-smile, "You must have received a lot of benefits."
"Your Majesty, forgive me!"
Chang En knelt on the ground decisively.
If you don’t kneel now, when will you kneel?
"Get up. I was giving you a hard time just now."
"This old slave thanks your Majesty!"
Chang En felt relieved and got up to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
The emperor's mind is always unpredictable.
The idea changed again and again.
"Follow my previous instructions, send someone to visit the second brother and reprimand the eldest brother."
"I obey your command!"
…
Liu Zhao didn't care about the emperor's reprimand.
He is an old hand and has visited the Zongzheng Temple more than once or twice, so he is not afraid of anything.
If others don't provoke him, he will naturally not cause any trouble.
Of course, we still have to deal with it on the surface.
He bowed respectfully in the direction of the imperial palace, saying that he was listening attentively to his father's teachings, but in his heart he disagreed.
Gu Jiu gave a generous red envelope to the eunuch who delivered the message.
The eunuch smiled happily.
He defeated countless opponents and finally got the job of delivering Xiaozhu's message.
Everyone in the palace knew that Madam Zhao was generous, and it was indeed true.
The eunuch took the money and left satisfied.
When reporting to the emperor, one had to speak well of Liu Zhao.
…
Ouyang Fu sent away the eunuch who delivered the message and returned to the bedroom to see the Second Prince frowning in deep thought.
She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it in silence.
The Second Prince slammed his fist on the bed. "He told me to practice more with Master Wu after I recover from my injuries. What do you think Father meant by that? Did he think I wasn't good enough in martial arts and couldn't defeat Liu Zhao?"
Ouyang Fu lowered her eyebrows. "Just listen to your father. You don't need to know so many reasons."
"Of course I need to know why. If I don't understand what the emperor thinks, I won't be able to sleep or eat."
"Just think of it as your father being dissatisfied with your martial arts. If you obey and practice more with Master Wu, you will definitely be fine."
The second prince was dissatisfied with Ouyang Fu's attitude.
"We are husband and wife, and if I were to be in trouble, do you think you could stay out of it?"
Ouyang Fu laughed at herself, "Ever since Your Highness was injured, I've been serving Your Highness day and night, without a good rest. What else is Your Highness dissatisfied with? Why not ask your concubine to serve you?"
"You dare to ask me what I am dissatisfied with? Look at your attitude. How can I be satisfied with you?"
Ouyang Fu put down her teacup, stood up and said, "I'll go arrange for the women in the backyard to take turns serving His Highness."
Ignoring the Second Prince's roar, Ouyang Fu left decisively.
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