Li Zhaoxian's expectant gaze fell on Xie Qianzhong, but Xie Qianzhong remained calm and indifferent, as if it were none of his business.
Xie Qianzhong cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, last night I went to hand over my duties as the Right Chancellor and discussed matters with several colleagues at Yipinlou Restaurant. I stayed there overnight. The manager, the waiter, and my colleagues from last night can all testify to this!"
"Right Prime Minister?" Song Tangli suddenly spoke.
But nobody cared what she said.
The emperor nodded. Xie Qianzhong was always reliable in his work. Looking at Li Zhaoxian, the emperor was even more disappointed in him. Even if we take a step back, the root of the problem today lies with Li Zhaoxian.
Li Zhaoxian gave Song Tangli the illusion that she could do whatever she wanted and that no matter what big mistakes she made, Li Zhaoxian could forgive her.
"The Crown Princess is of poor character and has been unable to be properly disciplined, nearly causing a major disaster. She shall be given twenty strokes of the cane, confined for one month, and have her salary reduced by half a year!" The Emperor spared Song Tangli's life out of consideration for the royal family's reputation, but this series of punishments was tantamount to taking half of Song Tangli's life.
The fact that the Crown Princess was confined to her quarters, and that the Emperor himself ordered it, was undoubtedly an embarrassment for Song Tangli.
Li Zhaoxian frowned and opened his mouth, about to plead for mercy, but the emperor looked at him coldly: "Does the Crown Prince have any objections?"
Li Zhaoxian's heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head, stammering and not daring to speak.
"I am busy with countless affairs of state, and I don't have time to play this childish and ridiculous game with you!" The emperor stood up, his face grim as he looked at Li Zhaoxian with a warning: "I do not want to see this happen again!"
The emperor turned and left. Li Zhaoxian was helped to his feet by Shan Xing. Lian Zhi stepped forward, took Song Tangli's arm, and pulled her up.
Song Tangli was completely powerless, her body supported only by the branches.
Yu'er avoided Song Tangli's gaze, her heart pounding like a drum. She knew she couldn't escape today.
When Eunuch Sheng returned, the Imperial Guards behind him were holding two red staffs. Song Tangli was terrified and collapsed into a puddle. Fortunately, Lianzhi supported her so she didn't fall. Her pupils trembled as she took a few steps back.
Li Zhaoxian couldn't bear it, so he stepped forward and softly called out, "Eunuch Sheng..."
Eunuch Sheng smiled and said, "Your Highness, matters have varying degrees of importance. Please assess the urgency of the situation..."
These words were tantamount to a warning. Li Zhaoxian could still choose between power and beauty, especially since he still had some misunderstandings with this beauty.
Li Zhaoxian glanced at Song Tangli's expectant gaze and then turned his head away.
Song Tangli was pulled onto a stool. Li Zhaoxian couldn't bear to look at her and turned his head away, only to meet Song Tangxue's gaze. Her face was as clear as spring water, filled with innocence and a hint of fear.
“You were frightened today.” Li Zhaoxian now also thought it was impossible. He had sent people to guard Chang Le Palace. Song Tangxue couldn’t possibly have climbed over the wall and run away. “Today can be considered as giving you an explanation.”
"Ah!" Song Tangli screamed from behind, a piercing pain shooting through her. The sound of the wooden cane striking flesh was slow and steady, blending with the pounding of her heart, making one's heart race.
Song Tangxue turned her head away somewhat uncomfortably, but a sense of satisfaction flashed through her mind: those who do many evil deeds will surely perish.
Song Tangli deserves all of this.
The twenty strokes were completed quickly. Lianzhi, with tears in her eyes, rushed to Song Tangli's side and helped her up. Song Tangli stood there gritting her teeth, staring at Song Tangxue with a cold, venomous gaze.
Eunuch Sheng walked up to Li Zhaoxian and Song Tangxue and bowed slightly: "Your Highness, I will go back to report now. The Crown Princess was frightened today, and the condolences from the palace will be sent later."
This was also the emperor's intention.
Song Tangxue gave a soft bow, her face somewhat pale: "Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law." She perfectly portrayed a weak, frightened, and pitiful girl.
Eunuch Sheng left with his men, and Song Tangli called out weakly from behind, tears welling in her eyes: "Crown Prince Brother..."
Li Zhaoxian didn't even turn his head. His previous protection was due to their long-standing friendship, but today's events were also because Song Tangli made him lose face in front of the emperor.
"Go back and rest." Lee So-hyun's lips tightened.
Song Tangli hurriedly took a step forward, trying to stop Li Zhaoxian, but accidentally aggravated her injuries, and tears streamed down her face: "Crown Prince Brother..."
It was both anxious and pitiful, like a little rabbit.
Everyone in the palace knew this was just a warning, so they didn't hit her hard, and Song Tangli was still able to stand.
“Your Highness, it would be best if you went to the palace first. His Majesty is very busy with state affairs and needs help right now,” Song Tangxue said softly, interrupting Song Tangli. “His Majesty will definitely be happier if you go there now.”
Li Zhaoxian's complicated mind suddenly cleared up, and he nodded: "Tang Xue is still the most sensible."
Li Zhaoxian didn't dare to delay and strode outside: "Your confinement is over!"
Song Tangli gritted her teeth indignantly. Shan Xing called for everyone to leave, leaving only Song Tangli and her female relatives in the small courtyard.
"Hmph, are you satisfied now?" Song Tangli's eyes blazed with fury, wishing she could tear Song Tangxue to pieces with her gaze.
Song Tangxue dropped her innocent, rabbit-like expression and gently turned her fair, cold wrist: "Song Tangli, you'd better watch yourself."
Song Tangli was so angry that she wanted to jump up and curse, but Lianzhi stopped her: "Your Majesty, this place is not safe to stay for long. Let's go back and treat our wounds first."
“Yes, if it’s not treated soon, it will leave a scar.” Song Tangxue bluntly exposed Song Tangli’s wounds; her wedding night was a source of shame for her.
Even today, she still has a rift with the Crown Prince. How can she not resent and hate him!
Song Tangli was helped away indignantly. Once outside the palace gates, she even summoned a sedan chair, her face dripping with sweat.
Lying prone in unbearable pain, drenched in sweat and clutching the hem of her clothes, Lian Zhi carefully supported Song Tangli.
Once back at Zhaoling Palace, the palace doors closed, and Song Tangxue lay on the bed, shamefully waiting for the female physician to finish applying the ointment and leave.
Song Tang grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it to the ground. A group of palace servants knelt down and begged for mercy. Song Tang's gaze was fixed on Yu'er, as if it were filled with ice.
"How confidently you swore to me last night!" Song Tangli's voice was sharp and full of resentment.
"This servant would not dare to speak falsely!" Yu'er knelt on the ground, bowing her head and kowtowing: "This servant saw it clearly, even if I had ten times the courage, I would not dare to deceive you!"
“Your Majesty, what Yu’er said must be true, otherwise Chang Le Palace wouldn’t have been so paranoid this morning.” Lian Zhi spoke slowly, fanning Song Tangli with a fan, her words calm.
The palace maids who went to keep watch later broke out in a cold sweat: "Miss Lianzhi, please don't wrong us! We didn't dare to blink an eye last night!"
Song Tangli lowered her brows and scanned the people involved last night one by one: "Then we won't investigate. Take them all out and give them twenty lashes!"
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