Chapter 266: The Frustrated Court Officials
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Imperial Uncle, Yu Zhou does not deserve death!”
“Yu Zhou only… only fed one drop of wine…” Xie Yu Zhou’s small face turned deathly pale, trembling with fear. He had merely given Lu Chao Chao a single drop of wine, yet the court officials were so enraged that they wanted to have him beaten to death.
Xie Yu Zhou was on the verge of losing control of his bladder.
Turning to glance at the gathered civil and military officials, he saw them glaring at him with murderous intent.
Tears welled up in Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes. Who would believe it? Just one drop of wine, and they were all livid!
Little did he know that because Lu Chao Chao had drunk the wine and started revealing secrets, she had scared the court officials out of their wits.
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively, and Xie Jing Xi quickly carried his foolish son away, barely suppressing his laughter.
This son of his had been spoiled rotten in their fiefdom, becoming utterly unruly. Even after a year of strict discipline, he had remained unchanged.
But now…
Just for feeding Lu Chao Chao a single drop of wine, he had been straightened out completely.
Lu Chao Chao clung to her eldest brother’s neck. “Big Brother, why are your eyes red?”
Lu Yan Shu glanced at his mother, his heart aching for both her and Uncle Rong.
“Some sand got into my eyes,” he murmured.
“Oh, then Chao Chao will blow it away for you. Blow, blow, and it won’t hurt anymore…” The little one gently blew at her brother’s eyes, warming his heart.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
“The new Top Scholar will serve as the Crown Prince’s tutor. Does anyone have any objections?” he asked once more.
Lu Chao Chao lifted her head. [Let me see, who has wronged my big brother?]
Her gaze landed on Minister Fang.
Minister Fang’s hair stood on end. “This humble subject has no objections, none at all. Lady Chao Chao has shown great kindness to my family—how could I possibly oppose it?” He absolutely did not mention how he had just led the officials in resigning to pressure the Emperor.
Minister Jiang’s expression darkened as he stared ominously at Lu Chao Chao.
The Emperor surveyed the hall in satisfaction. Chao Chao was indeed useful!
Yet deep in his heart, a question gnawed at him: Why had he suddenly started hearing Chao Chao’s thoughts?
“Since no one objects, the matter is settled. Wang Yuan Lu, draft the decree.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the eunuch replied in a low voice.
“General Rong is the War God of North Zhao. This country cannot do without him. No one shall meddle in his marriage!”
The officials, though seething with frustration, dared not protest, lest Lu Chao Chao spout more nonsense in her heart for the Emperor to hear. The Emperor smugly raised his brows. Serves you right for causing trouble.
“Come, Chao Chao, let Emperor Daddy hold you!”
“Oh my, so obedient… Ah, this little one has gotten chubbier…”
The moment he uttered the word “chubby,” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes snapped to him.
The Emperor…
Suddenly, he had a very bad feeling. Perhaps he should not have provoked her!
[Who’s chubby? Who’s chubby?! Who exactly is chubby?! I didn’t even mention that your hat is green!!]
[Hmph! Annoying Emperor Daddy!]
[Serves you right that Consort Hui put a green hat on you!]
The little girl bared her teeth angrily.
The Eldest Prince abruptly lifted his head, staring at Lu Chao Chao in shock and confusion.
His mother… had cuckolded the Emperor?
The entire court turned their horrified gazes toward the Emperor. His Majesty’s beloved had betrayed him?
“Silence!” the Emperor roared.
Lu Chao Chao looked at him suspiciously. “Who spoke? I didn’t say anything…” She rolled her eyes.
The Emperor’s scalp tingled. “The birthday banquet is over! Everyone, leave the palace immediately!”
In his heart, he prayed fervently. Don’t say anything more, don’t say anything more…
[He won’t go mad from Consort Hui’s betrayal, will he? Sigh, makes sense. He thought she loved him, but she treated him like just another fish in her pond.]
[He thought she entered the palace to compete for his favor, but in truth, she came to court her younger sister…]
[After all, Consort Hui likes women, not men.]
[Sigh… Consort Shu is willing to die for her.]
The Sixth Prince stood there in a daze. What had she just said??
The Emperor wobbled, nearly collapsing.
The Empress caught him just in time, and he gently patted her hand. “Wan Wan, at least I still have you. You are devoted to me, and I shall never fail you.”
The Empress smiled warmly. “Your Majesty, you’ve had too much to drink.”
The Emperor’s face remained impassive, but inside, he was weeping.
Why had he provoked Lu Chao Chao?! Why had he called her chubby?! Why had he been so careless with his words?!
Yes, Chao Chao was gluttonous, and yes, her cheeks were round and plump. But she was just a baby—barely chubbier than any other two-year-old…
Why had he spoken so recklessly?!
He dared not even think about whether the officials had heard everything.
But their expressions… Ah, best not to mention it.
“Wang Yuan Lu, warn all civil and military officials. Tonight’s events must not leave this palace! If I hear even a whisper, their entire families will be executed!” The Emperor’s expression darkened. He would not allow rumors to spread about Chao Chao.
Wang Yuan Lu and the attending noble families had not heard her inner voice, but sensing the gravity of the command, he went to deliver the warnings.
The Eldest Prince cast a sorrowful glance at his father. He wanted to say something but could not find the words.
All his grievances toward the Emperor vanished in an instant.
The Emperor had shown him mercy by letting him live.
Madam Xu wiped away her tears and helped Rong Che to his feet. “How could you be so foolish?! You fought for your military merits, only to give them away so easily!”
Rong Che grinned at her. “Merits are dead, people are alive. As long as I have Shi Yun, I don’t mind returning home as a carefree heir.”
Madam Xu shot him an exasperated glare, though her heart was filled with warmth.
“Idiot.”
Rong Che chuckled foolishly. He was no fool. By resigning, he could stay with Shi Yun forever.
Building fame and fortune was for bachelors.
He, Rong Che, only wished to remain by his wife’s side.
Meanwhile, Xie Yu Zhou sniffled pitifully beside Prince Jing Xi. “Father, one drop of wine isn’t worth a death sentence. Please don’t beat me to death…” Just recalling the murderous stares from the officials made his scalp tingle.
Those old ministers had genuinely wanted to kill him.
To this day, he still did not understand why that single drop of wine had such terrifying consequences.