The Crown Prince quickly gestured to He Xue with his eyes, telling her to be quiet. His father was in a bad mood and might take it out on He Xue.
Although He Xue understood the Crown Prince's gaze, she did not want to see him punished, so she silently said three words to him.
The Crown Prince understood the three words Xue had said: "I'm sorry!"
Seeing this, the Crown Prince quickly thought of a solution. He couldn't let He Xue get hurt no matter what, and he would rather accept double the punishment to take the blame for He Xue.
"Uncle Emperor, why did you first think of the Crown Prince bringing people into the palace without permission, instead of the Crown Prince risking his life to save the Eleventh Prince?"
Are rules really that important? The Crown Prince knew he would be punished for bringing people into the palace without permission, but he still did it because he didn't think about what punishment he would receive. He was only worried about whether he could save the Eleventh Prince.
Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Why let rigid rules bind living people? People must know how to be adaptable! Time waits for no one. If the Crown Prince follows the rules, can the Eleventh Prince wait? Every extra quarter of an hour increases the Eleventh Prince's danger!
"The Crown Prince is the Eleventh Prince's elder brother. How could he bear to watch the Eleventh Prince suffer from illness?" He Xue said to Kangxi.
"Are you saying I'm inflexible? He Xue, don't think that just because I love you, you can act with impunity!" Kangxi said angrily.
"Your Majesty, I dare not! I am merely stating the facts!"
This matter arose because of me, and I will accept whatever punishment Your Majesty desires for me without complaint! If I were given another chance to choose, I would still do the same!
"I do not wish for Your Majesty to hear the devastating news of the loss of your son on the first day of the new year!" He Xue said stubbornly.
Hearing He Xue's words, Kangxi's heart softened a little, but he was not easily fooled by He Xue's words. Although He Xue's intentions were for his sake, such a thing could not set a precedent.
"Father, we all agree on this matter. Otherwise, how could He Xue have accomplished such a thing on her own? Father, I am willing to be punished for He Xue's sake!" the Eighth Prince said to Kangxi.
The Crown Prince turned his head and glanced at the Eighth Prince, his brows furrowing slightly. What an idiot! The Eighth Prince is just making trouble for He Xue.
“Father, Eighth Brother is right. Your son is also willing to be punished for He Xue!” the Crown Prince said respectfully to Kangxi.
The Eighth Prince had naturally noticed the Crown Prince looking at him. He looked at the Crown Prince smugly, thinking that the Crown Prince must have heard him say that and that's why he said the same thing. He Xue should be able to tell who is good to her this time, right?
"Father, I am willing to be punished for He Xue!" the Fourth Prince said.
"Your subject is also willing!" the eldest prince and the others said in unison.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yi, the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince request an audience!" Liang Jiugong's voice came from outside the door.
Emperor Kangxi took a deep breath and said, "Let them in!"
"Your Majesty, I (your son) pay my respects!" Consort Yi and her two children bowed and greeted Emperor Kangxi.
"How is the Eleventh Prince?" Kangxi asked Consort Yi.
"Your Majesty, he hasn't woken up yet. Physician Liu said he'll wake up once the effects of the anesthetic wear off!"
Your Majesty, Xiao Shiyi's life was saved by the Crown Prince, He Xue, and all the princes. If Your Majesty wishes to punish him, I will bear the consequences alone.
"I had already thought it through. If anything happened to Eleventh Prince, I would go with him!" Consort Yi looked at Kangxi with red eyes and a weak expression.
Consort Yi was always cheerful and radiant, and it was rare to see her like this. Upon seeing this, Emperor Kangxi personally helped Consort Yi up, saying, "You've worked hard taking care of Little Eleven, please get up!"
"Father, Second Brother and Sister did it for Eleventh Brother, please don't punish them!" Ninth Prince said.
Kangxi was exasperated by the crowd pleading for mercy. He hadn't said he would punish the Crown Prince and He Xue, so why were they all rushing to plead for them? He wasn't the kind of person who couldn't distinguish right from wrong.
"I didn't say I wanted to punish anyone. I need to find out what's going on!" Kangxi said sternly.
He Xue thought to herself, "The way you acted just now was practically an accusation! And now you're saying this! Aren't you just trying to curry favor with Consort Yi?"
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